The testimony of Captain Marshall was equally creditable to the officers and crew of the Java; and the Court agreed, that the capture of that frigate “was caused by her being totally dismasted in a very spirited action with the Constitution, a ship of considerably superior force; in which the zeal, ability, and bravery of the late Captain Lambert, her commander, was highly conspicuous, and honorable, he being constantly the assailant, until the moment of his much lamented fall; and that, subsequently thereto, the action was continued with equal zeal, ability, and bravery, by Lieutenant Henry Ducie Chads, until she became a perfect wreck, and the continuance of the action would have been a useless sacrifice of lives. The Court did therefore adjudge Lieutenant Chads, and the other surviving officers, &c. &c. to be “most honorably acquitted.” The president, Rear-Admiral (now Sir Graham) Moore, in returning Lieutenant Chads his sword, addressed him as follows:–
“I have much satisfaction in returning you your sword. Had you been an officer who had served in comparative obscurity all your life, and never before been heard of, your conduct on the present occasion has been sufficient to establish your character as a brave, skilful, and attentive officer.”
Immediately after the trial, Lieutenant Chads was presented by Major-General Hislop with an elegant sabre, on which is a suitable inscription. On the 28th of the following month, he was most deservedly promoted to the command of the Columbia sloop of war, formerly an American privateer; and, as the greatest possible compliment that could be paid to the brave defenders of the “Java,” that name has since been given to a new ship of the same dimensions as the Constitution. It has long been a subject of just complaint, that no remuneration is ever allowed to naval officers for the loss of personal property, whether by capture or shipwreck. This was the second time that Lieutenant Chads had had the misfortune to be taken prisoner, and on each occasion, in company with officers of the army:– in both instances, he lost his all, without receiving any recompence;– they, on the contrary, were amply reimbursed, according to their several
