Слике страница
PDF
ePub

ing clearly discerned that the British orders in coun- transmitted, to ascertain the precise meaning atcil of 1897 rendered the conduct of the war incom-tached by the government of France, to the followpatible with the independence of Holland, caused in-ing passage of your excellency's letter: "the acdirect overtures to be made towards procuring the tual dynasty shall be declared independent, and return of peace. They were fruitless, and the con-Spain governed by the National Constitution of the sequence was, that new provinces were united to the Cortes."

empire.

If, as his royal highness fears, the meaning of this. In the present time are to be found united all the propozition is, that the royal authority of Spain, and circumstances of the various periods at which his the government established by the cortex, sbali be majesty manifested the pacific sentiments which he recognized as residing in the brother of the head of now orders me again to declare he is now actuated the French government, and the cortes formed under by. his authority, and not in the legitimate sovereign

The calamities under which Spain and the vast re-Ferdmand the VIlth, and his heirs, and the extraor gions of Spanish America sufler, should naturally dinary assembly of the cortes, now invested with the excite the interest of all nations, and inspire them power of the government in that kingdom in his with an equal anxiety for their termination. name, and by his authority-I am commanded frank

I will express myself, sir, in a manner which yourly and explicitly to declare to your excellency, that excellency will find conformable to the sincerity of the obligations of good faith do not permit his royal the step which I am authorised to take; and nothing highness to receive a proposition for peace founded will better evince the sincerity and sublimity of it on such a basis.. than the precise terms of the language which I have But if the expressions cited above, apply to the been directed to use. -What views and motives actual government of Spain, which exercises the soshould induce me to envelope myself in formalities vereign authority in the name of Ferdinand VIIth, suitable to weakness, which alone can find its inte- upon an assurance of your excellency to that effect, rest in deceit? the prince regent will feel himself disposed to enter The affairs of the Peninsula, and the two Sicilies, into a full explanation upon the basis which has been are the points of difference which appear last to transmitted, in order to be taken into consideration admit of being adjusted. I am authorised to pro-by his royal highness; and it being his most earnest. pose to you an arrangement of them on the follow-wish to contribute, in concert with his allies, to the ing basis.

The integrity of Spain shall be guaranteed. France shall renounce all idea of extending her dominions beyond the Pyrenees. The present dynasty shall be declared independent, and Spain shall be governed by a National Constitution of her Cortes.

repose of Europe, and to bring about a peace which may be at once honorable, not only for Great Britain and France, but also for those states which are in relation of amity with each of these powers.

Having made known without reserve the scntiments of the prince regent, with respect to a point The independency and integrity of Portugal shall on which it is necessary to have a full understanding be also guaranteed, and the house of Braganza shall previous to any ulterior discussion, I shall adhere to have the sovereign authority. the instructions of his royal highness, by avoiding The kingdom of Naples shall remain in posses-all superfiuous comment and recrimination on the csion of its present monarch. And the kingdom of cusatory subjects of your letter. I might advantageSicily shall be guaranteed to the present family of ously, for the justification of the conduct observed Sicily.As a consequence of these stipulations, by Great Britain at the different periods alluded to Spain, Portugal and Sicily shall be evacuated by the by your excellency, refer to the correspondence French and English land and naval forces. With which then took place, and to the judgment which respect to the other objects of discussion, they may the world has long since formed of it. be negociated upon this basis, that each power shall As to the particular character the war has unhappiretain that of which the other could not deprive itly assumed, and the arbitrary principle which your excellency conceives to have marked its progress, Such are, sir, the grounds of conciliation offered denying as I do, that these evils are attributable to by his majesty to his royal highness the prince Re- the British government, I at the same time can asgent. His majesty the emperor and king, in taking sure your excellency, that it sincerely deplores their this step, does not look either to the advantage or existence, as uselessly aggravating the calamities of losses which this empire may derive from the war, if war, and that its most anxious desire, whether at it should be prolonged; he is influenced simply by peace or at war with France, is, to have the relations the considerations of the interests of humanity, and of the two countries restored to the liberal principles the peace of his people. And if this fourth attempt acted upon in former times.

by war.

should not be attended with success, like those I take this opportunity of assuring your excellenwhich have preceded it, France will at least have cy of my respect,

the consolation of thinking that whatever blood may
yet flow, will be justly imputable to England alone.
I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)

THE DUKE OF BASSANO.

Copy of the answer of Lord Castlereagh, secretary of State for foreign affairs to his Britannic majesty, to the minister of foreign relations, of the 17th of April, 1812.

LONDON-Office for Foreign Affairs, April 23, 1812. SIR-Your excellency's letter of the 17th of this month has been received, and laid before the prince] Regent.

(Signed)

CASTLEREAGH.

[To this letter, it is stated, no reply was received.]

vents of the

OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS.

MILITARY.

Letter of Col. Cass, of the army late under the command of Brigadier-General, I'm. Hull, to the Secretary of war.

WASHINGTON, SEPT. 10th, 1812. Sın,—Having been ordered on to this place by col. Arthur, for the purpose of communicating to the

His royal highness felt that he owed it to his honbefore he could authorise me to enter into expla-government such particulars respecting the expedi ation upon the overture which your excellency has tion lately commanded by brigadier-genera un aud

its disastrous result, as might enable them co.icely ority of our force was manifest, we could see no neto appreciate the conduct of the chices and men, cessity for capitulating, nor any propriety in alluding and to develope the causes which produced so foui, to it. We therefore determined in the last resort to a stim upon the national character, I have the honor incur the responsibility of divesting the general of to submit for your consideration the following state-his command. This plan was eventually prevented by two of the commanding officers of regiments be

ment:

When the forces landed in Canada, they landed ing ordered upon detachments. with an ardent zeal and sumalted with the hope of On the 15th the British took a position opposite to conquest. No enemy appeared within view of us, Detroit, and began to throw up works. During that and had an insaccate and vigorous attack been and the two following days, they pursued their object made upon Maiden, it would doubtless have fallen without interruption and established a battery for an easy victory. I knew general Hull afterwards two 18 pounders and an 8 inch howitzer. About sun decks.od heregretted this attack had not been made, set on the 14th, a detachment of 350 men from the and he had every reason to believe success would regiments commanded by col. M'Arthur and myself have crowned his efforis. The reason given for de- was ordered to march to the river Roisin, to escort laying our operetions was to mount our heavy can- the provisions, which had some time remained there non, and to afford to the Canadian militia time and protected by a party under the command of captain opp canity to quit an obnoxious service. In the Brush. course of two weeks the number of their militia)

On Saturday, the 15th, about 1 o'clock, a flag of who were embodied had decreased by desertion from truce arrived from Sandwich, bearing a summons six hundred to one hundred men; and, in the course from gen. Brock, for the surrender of the town and of three weeks, the cannon were mounted, the an- fort of Detroit, stating, he could no longer restrain the munition fixed, and every preparation made for an fury of the savages. To this an immediate and spiimmediate investiment of the fort. At a council, at rited refusal was returned. About 4 o'clock their which were present all the field officers, and which batteries began to play upon the town. The fire was was held two days before our preparations were com- returned and continued without interruption and pleted, it was unanimously agreed to make an imme-with little effect till dark.-Their shells were diate stempt to accomplish the object of the expe-thrown till 11 o'clock.

dition. If by waiting two days we could have the ser- At day light the firing on both sides recommenccd; vice of our heavy artillery, it was agreed to wait; about the same time the enemy began to land troops if not, it was determined to go without it and at- at the Springwells, three miles below Detroit, protempt the place by storm. This opinion appeared tected by two of their armed vessels. Between 6 and to correspond with the views of the general, and the 7 o'clock, they had effected their landing and immeday was ppom:cd for commencing our march. Hediately took up their line of march.-They moved in decreed to me that he considered himself pledged to a close column of platoons, twelve in front, upon lead the army to Malden. The ammunition was the bank of the river,

the

piced the waggons; the cannon were embarked The fourth regiment was stationed in the fort; on bord the doting batteries, and every requisite Ohio volunteers and a part of the Michigan militia, was prepared. The spint and zeal, the ardor and bebind some pickets, in a situation in which the amm it on displayed by the officers and men on le. rn-whole flank of the enemy would have been exposed. ing the near accomplishment of their wishes, a sure The residue of the Michigan militia were in the upand sacred picege, that in the hour of trial they per part of the town to resist the incursions of the would not be found wanting i. duty to their country savages. Two twenty-four pounders loaded with and themselves. But a change of measures, in op-grape shot were posted on a commanding eminence, position to the wishes and opinions of all the officers, ready to sweep the advancing column. In this situ was adopted by the general. The plan of attacking ation, the superiority of our position was apparent, Malden was abandoned, and insted of acting offen- and our troops, in the eager expectation of victory, sively, we broke up our camp, evacuated Canada, awaited the approach of the enemy. Not a sigh of and re-crossed the river in the night, without even discontent broke upon the ear; not a look of coward the shadow of an enemy to jure us. We left to ice met the eye. Every man expected a proud day the tender mercy of the enemy the miserable Cana- for his country, and each was anxious that his individiens who had joined us, and he protection wo afford- 'du:) exertion should contribute to the general result. ed them was but a passport to vengeance. This fatal When the head of their column arrived within and unaccountable step dispirited the troops, and about five hundred yards of our line, orders were destroyed the little confidence which a series of ti-received from general Hull for the whole to retreat mid, incsolute and indecisive measure had left in the to the fort, and for the twenty-four pounders not to commending officer. open upon the enemy. One universal burst of indig About the tenth of August, the enemy received nation was apparent upon the receipt of this order. a renforcement of four hundred men. On the twolf b Those, whose conviction was the deliberate result of the commanding officers of three of the regiments a dispasionate examination of passing events, saw (the fourth was absen) were informed through a the foily and impropriety of crowding 1100 men into medium which admitted of no doubt, that the gene- a little wark, which 300 could fully man, and into ral had stated, that a capitulation would be necessa- which the shot and shells of the enemy were failing: ry. They on the same day addressed to governor-The fort was in this manner filled; the men were Meigs of Ohno a letter, of which the following is an directed to stack their arms, and scarcely was an opportunity afforded of moving. Shortly after a white "Believe all the bearer will tell you. Believe it, flag was hung out upon the walls. A British officer however it may astonish you, as much as if told by rode up to enquire the cause. A communication passed between the commanding generals, which enThe bearer will fill the vacancy." ded the capitulation submitted to you. In entering The doubtful fate of this letter rendered it neces-into this capitulation, the general took counsel from sary to use circumspection in its details, and there-his own feelings only. Not an officer was consulted. fore the blanks were left. The word 'capitul. tion' Not one anticipated a surrender, till he saw the white will fill the first and commanding general' the flag displayed. Even the women were indignant at As no enemy was near us, and as the superi- 'so shameful a degradation of the American charas

ex ract:

one of us. Even a c

other.

is talked of by the

ter, and all felt as they should have fult, but he who held in his hands the reins of authority.

dispirited, hopeless and desponding, at least 500 shedding tears because they were not allowed to meet Our morning report had that morning made our their country's foe, and to fight their country's biteffective men present fit for duty 1080, without inein-tles, excited sensations, which no American has ever ding the detachment before alluded to, and without before had cause to feel, and which, I trust in God, including 300 of the Michigan militia on du- will never again be felt, while one man remains to ty. About dark on Saturday evening the detachment defend the standard of the union.

sent to escort the provisions received orders from I am expressly authorised to state, that colonel general Hull to return with as much expedition as M'Arthur and colonel Findley, and licut. col. Viller possible. About ten o'clock the next day they arriv-viewed this transaction in the light which I do. They ed within sight of Detroit. Had a firing been heard, know and feel, that no circumstance in our situation, or any resistance visible, they would have immediate-none in that of the enemy, can excuse a capitulation ly advanced and attacked the rear of the enemy.so dishonorable and unjustifiable. This too is the The situation in which this detachment was placed, universal sentiment among the troops; and I shall be although the result of accident, was the best for surprised to learn, that there is one man, who tanks annoying the enemy and cutting off his retreat that it was necessary to sheath his sword, or lay down his could have been selected. With his raw troops en-musket.

closed between two fires and no hopes of succour, I was informed by general Hull the morning after it is hazarding little to say, that very few would have the capitulation, that the British forces consisted of escaped. 1600 regulars, and that he surrendered to prevent

I have been informed by colonel Findley, who saw the effusion of human blood. That he magnified the return of the quarter-master-general the day af- their regular force nearly five fold, diere can be no ter the surrender, that their whole force of every doubt. Whether the philanthropic reason assigned description, white, red and black, was 1030. They by bim is a sufficient justification for surrendering a had twenty-nine platoons, twelve in a platoon, of fortified town, an army and a territory, is for the gomen dressed in uniform. Many of these were evi-vernment to determine. Confident I am, that had dently Canadian militia. The rest of their militia the courage and conduct of the general been equal to increased their white force to about seven hundred the spirit and zeal of the troops, the event would mer. The number of the Indians could not be as-have been brilliant and successful as it now is disuscertained with any degree of precision; not many trous and dishonorable. were visible. And in the event of an attack upon the

Very respectfully, sir, I have the honor to be, your

LEWIS CASS, Col. 3d reg. Ohio vol.

Secretary of War.

town and fort, it was a species of force which could most obedient servant, have afforded no material advantage to the enemy. In endeavoring to appreciate the motives and to The hon. WILIAM EUSTIS, investigate the causes which led to an event so unexpected and dishonorable, it is impossible to find any solution in the relative strength of the contending parties, or in the measures of resistance in our power. That we were far superior to the enemy; WHEREAS, The United States are now at war that upon any ordinary principles of calculation we with Great Britain, whose forces are aided by savages would have defeated them, the wounded and indigof the most ferocious nature-and the frontiers of nant feelings of every man there will testify.

A few days before the surrender, I was informed by general Hull, we had 400 rounds of 24 pound shot fixed and about 100,000 cartridges made. We sur rendered with the fort 40 barrels of powder and 2500 stand of arms.

PROCLAMATIONS.
(BY AUTHORITY.)

the state of Ohio are exposed to their cruelties and depredations, as well as to the machinations of traitors and spics-creating discontent among our citizens, and giving to our enemies, information of our situation, force and movements.

spying,

In order, therefore, as far as lays in our power, to The state of our provisions has not been generally understood. On the day of the surrender we had prevent such cruelties, machinations, treachery and fifteen days of provisions of every kind on hand.— I issue this my proclamation, exhorting the citi Off meat there was plenty in the country, and ar-zens and inhabitants of the state of Ohio to a strict rangements had been made for purchasing and grind- observance of all their duties as such, requiring all ing the flour. It was calculated we could readily military officers according to their rank, to be strict procure three month's provisions, independent or 150 in their attention to discipline, arms, and order of barrels flour, and 1300 head of cuttle which had been all those under their command, and to hold themforwarded from the state of Ohio, which remained selves in constant readiness for active service. at the river Raisin under captain Brush, within reach Also, requiring all magistrates, conservators of of the army. the peace, and all civil officery and offers, to be viBut had we been totally destitute of provisions, giant in the apprehension and commitment of stich our duty and our interest undoubtedly was to fight.itors and spice, in order that they may be dealt The enemy invited us to meet him in the field.

By defeating him the whole country would have been open to us, and the object of our expedition gloriously and successfully obtained. If we had been defeated we had nothing to do but to retreat to

with according to law.

R. J. MEIGS,
Governor of Ohio.

Prova, September 2, 1812.

At a moment like this, I appeal to your valor

the fort, and make the best defence which circum- Fellow citizens, stances and our situation rendered practicable. But basely to surrender without firing a gun-timely to ard patriotism. submit without rasing a bayonet- gracefully to Mjor-general HARRISON will rendezvous a respass in review before an enemy as inferior in the pectable force of Kentucky voluntees at Dayton, on quality as in the number of his forces, were circum-the 15th instant, for a short expedition. Gen. Harstances, which excited feelings of indignation moselrison deshes to red to his troops any nu, mer of easily felt than described. To see the whole of our volunteers from the state of Ohio wiso wis serve on men flushed with the Lope of victory, gerly wit-an expedition not execeding 50 days. All dee ing the approaching contest, to see them afterwards' who will embrace this favorable opportunity of dis

tinguishing themselves under an able commander, In Richmond alone, exclusive of Manchester and of rendering the state of Ohio a valuable ser-$5282 were raised on the spur of the moment, to vice, will, in their equipments and movements fol-provide for the benefit of such persons and their falow the directions of General Harrison hereto sub-milies as may leave the state of Virginia in the serjoined. vice of the United States.

R. J. MEIGS,
Governor of Ohio.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!

From the various facts that have come to our knowledge we feel warranted in expressing a full belief that 10,000 Americans will be in Upper Canadia before the first day of October. The purchase of Detroit will turn out a dear bargain.

Any number of Volunteers, mounted, and prepare ed for active service, to continue for twenty-five or Twenty waggons drawn by five horses each, from thirty days, will be accepted, to rendezvous at the Pennsylvania, passed through New-York last week, town of Dayton, on the Dig Miami, on the 15th inst. laden with military clothing and supplies, for Alba It is expected that the volunteers will provide them

selves with salt provisions and a proportion of bis-y and the frontiers.

cuits. Those who are unable to provide themselves,racteristic of the people of that section of the coun The following from a western paper is truly chawill be farnished if possible.

try: Those brave men who may give their services on this occasion, may be assured, that an opportunity of the Ohio militia, presents his respectful comple"A CARD.-Colonel Symmes, of the senior division for distinguishing themselves will be afforded--I shaliments, to major-general Breck, commanding his command the expedition in person, and the number Britannic majesty's forces white and red, in Upper of troops will be entirely adequate to the object pro- Canada. posed. I wish also to hire a number of substantial horses. of capitulation of fort Detroit to maj. gen. Brock, aii Colonel Symmes observing that by the 4th article Fifty cents per day will be allowed for each horse public arms moving towards fort Detroit, are to be which is provided with a saddle and bridle.

Those patriotic citizens who are unable to afford their personal assistance, will render essential service to their country by furnishing the horses--which must be delivered in Dayton on the 14th instant, to a person who will be authorised to receive and receipt for them.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

The British are about to send a considerable body of troops from England to Canada-at least orders have been issued for that purpose.

delivered up; but as no place of deposit is pointed out by the capitulation, forty thousand stand of arms, coming within the description, are at the service of maj. gen. Brock, if his excellency will condescend to

come and take them."

Gen. Bloomfield with 2000 regulars, is at Plattsburg, N. Y. The forces at head-quarters near Albany are continually fluctuating-at our last accounts they amounted to 3000 men.

A company of volunteers with a Canada destination, has been formed in Petersburg, Va. They are spoken of as a body of excellent young men. Hull's surrenMajor general Harrison was received with shouts der has electrified the nation. Incidents of this naof applause by the army of volunteers assembled in ture are occurring in all parts of the country. From the state of Ohio. We have full faith that he will do Baltimore there will also march for Canada, in a few all that is expected of him. The troops are well days a little band of heroes. Some of them are now supplied. It is stated that the whole body, 6000 encamped a short distance from the city. It will bestrong, has marched towards Fort Wayne.

Eight hundred men, consisting of the first battalion of colonel Pearce's regiment of infantry, with several troops of colonel Burn's regiment of cavalry, have moved from their rendezvous near Philadelphia, to the northward.

come our duty to notice the circumstance hereafter. The recruiting service goes on actively in Tennessce. The quota of men expected from this state will soon be complete.

role.

Gen. Hull's official statement may be expected in our next paper. His aid-de-camp is reported to be We are much gratified in being assured of the on his way to Washington city. It is stated, also, health and spirits of the troops, regulars, volunteers that generai ilull was on his way to Albany, on paand militia, on the New-York frontier. All is life and activity in that quarter of the country. The utmost energy appears to pervade every branch of the Letter from Commodore Rodgers to the Secretary of military department. Arins and men-cannon, ammunition and stores, are moving towards the lakes, from every direction.

fence.

NAVAL.

the Navy.

U. S. Frigate President, Boston, Sept. 1, 1812. SIR,-I had the honor yesterday of informing you Great military preparations are making in Pennsyl- of the arrival of the squadron, and have now to vania. Several pieces of cannon have been sent to state the result and particulars of our cruise. the frontiers, and considerable bodies of volunteers Previous to leaving New-York on the 21st of June, are marching to the various points of attack or de- I heard that a British convoy had sailed from JamaiThere is some stir even in Delaware. A v-ca for England on or about the 20th of the preced.ang luable company of artillery, commanded by Caleb month, and on being informed of the declaration of P. Bennet an old veteran of the Delaware line, much war against Great Britain, I determined, in the event esteemed by general Greene, for his conduct and of commodore Decatur joining me with the United courage, has volunteered its service to the president States, Congress and Argus, as you had directed, to of the United States, and is under marching orders. go in pursuit of them. We are pleased to observe that several other volun- The United States, Congress and Argus, did jo'n teer companies are organizing in that state, where me on the 21st; with which ves is, this ship and the the military spirit has long been dormant. Hornet, I accordingly sailed in less than an hour after Four companies of exempts have been formed in I received your orders of the 18th of June, accomthe western parts of the state of New-York, for the panied by your official communication of the declarapurpose of offering their services to the president,tion of war.

under the act authorising him to accept of 50,000 On leaving New-York I shaped our course south leastwardly, in the expectation of falling in with

blunteers.

Tessela, by which I should hear of the before men- American property that would otherwise have fallen tioned convoy, and the following night met with an a sacrifice."

American brig that gave me the sought for informa

will

I am aware of the anxiety you must have experition; the squadron now crowded said in pursuit; but enced at not hearing from me for such a length of the next morning was taken out of its course by the time, but this I am sure you will not attribute in any pursuit of a British frigate, that I since find was the degree to neglect, when inform you that not a sinBelvidera, relative to which I beg leave to refer yougle proper opportunity occurred from the time of to the enclosed extract from my journal; after re-leaving the United States until our return. Mr. Newcomb, who will deliver you this, you pairing as far as possible the injury done by the Belviders to our spars, and rigging, we again crowded find an intelligent young man, capable of giving all sail and resumed our course in pursuit of the con- such further information as you may deem of any voy, but did not receive further intelligence of it, moment: he will at the same time deliver you a chart, until the 29th day of June, on the western edge of shewing the track in which we cruised: Annexed is the banks of Newfoundland, where we spoke anja list of vessels captured, re-captured and burnt. American schooner, the master of which reported The four vessels we chased and did not come up that he had two days before passed them in lat. 43, with were, the Belvidere, a small pilot-boat schoolon. 55, steering to the castward. I was surprised to her supposed to be an American privateer, the herfind that the convoy was still so far to the eastward maphrodite privateer brig Yankee, which we lost but was urged, however, as well by what sight of in a fog, but whose character we afterwards considered my duty as my inclination, to continue the learnt, and a frigate supposed to be British, that we chased on the 28th ult. near the shoai of George's pursuit. On the 1st of July a little to the eastward of New-Bank, and should certainly have come up with, had foundland bank, we fell in with quantities of cocoa we have had the advantage of two hours more daymut sheils, orange peels, &c. which indicated that light. the convoy were not far distant, and we pursued it

of us,

On board of the several vessels of the squadron with zeal, although frequently taken out of our there are between 80 and 100 prisoners, taken from course by vessels it was necessary to chase, without the vessels we captured during our late cruize :--gaining any further intelligence until the 9th of July, The government not having any agent for prisoners in lat. 45, 33, lon 23, we captured the British private here, I shall send them to commodore Bainbridge, armed brig Dolphin, of Jersey, and were informed by to be disposed of in such manner as best appears to some of her crew, that they had seen the convoy the be the interest of the United States, and which I preceding evening, the weather was not clear at the hope may meet your approbation.

time, but that they had counted 85 sail, and that the force charged with its protection, consisted of one

two decker, a frigate, a sloop of war and a brig. This was the last intelligence I received of the

With the greatest respect,
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,

before mentioned convoy, although its pursuit was The hon. PAUL HAMILTON,
continued until the 13th of July, being then within
18 or 20 hours sail of the British channel.

:

From this we steered for the Island of Madeira, passed close by it on the 21st of July, thence near the azores, and saw Corvo and Flores; thence steered for the banks of Newfoundland and from the latter place (by the way of Cape Sable) to this port, it having become indispensably necessary (by the time we reached our own coast, to make the first convenient port in the United States; owing, I am sorry to say, to that wretched disease the scurvy, having made its appearance on board of the vessels, most generally to a degree seriously alarming.

Secretary of the Navy,
Washington.

JOHN RODGERS.

Copies of letters received at the Navy Department from captain PORTER, of the United States frigate Essex, of 32 guns.

AT SEA, August 17, 1812. SIR,-I have the honor to inform you that on the 13th his Britannic majesty's slcop of war Alert, captain T. L. P. Laugharne, ran down on our weather quarter, gave three cheers and commenced an action (if so trifling a skirmish deserves the name) and after 8 minutes firing struck her colors, with 7 feet waFrom the western part of the banks of Newfound-ter in her hold, much cut to pieces, and three men hand to our making the island of Madeira, the wea- wounded. ther was such, at least six days out of seven as to

I need not inform you that the officers and crew obscure, from our discovery, every object that we of the Essex behaved, as I trust all Americans will, did not pass within four or five miles of, and indeed in such cases, and it is only to be regretted that so for several days together the fog was so thick as to much zeal and activity could not have been displayprevent our seeing each other, even at cable's length ed on an occasion that would have done them more asunder, more than twice or thrice in the twenty-four honor. The Essex has not received the slightest in

hours.

From the time of leaving the United States until we arrived here, we chased every vessel we saw, and you will not be a little astonished when I inform you that, although we brought too every thing we did chase, with the exception of four vessels, we only made seven captures and one re-capture.

jury.

The Alert was out for the purpose of taking the Hornet!

I have the honor to be,

With great respect,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed)
PAUL HAMILTON,

D. PORTER.

Secretary of the Navy, Washington.

It is truly an unpleasant task to be obliged to make Hon. a communication thus barren of benefit to our country; the only consolation I individually feel on AT SEA, August 20, 1811. the occasion being derived from knowing that our SIR-Finding myself much embarrassed by the being at sea obliged the enemy to concentrate a considerable portion of his most active force and thereby Alert, from the great number of prisoners we have prevented his capturing an incalculable amount of already made (about 500) I concluded that before

* Vide last number.

our arrival in America the number would be consi derably augmented, and as I found my provisions and

« ПретходнаНастави »