CRUIZE OF THE CHESAPEAKE. Copies of Letters from Captain Evans, commanding the Frigate Chesapeake, to the Secretary of the Navy. Sir, United States Frigate Chesapeake, at Sea, January 13, 1813. You will receive this by the British ship Volunteer, which we captured this morning on her passage to the Brazils. She is one of a large convoy that sailed from Cork on the 19th ult. for the West Indies and South America; she parted with the West India convoy on the 3d instant, off Madeira, and on the 7th she parted with the Cherub sloop, having under her convoy 11 ships bound to South America and the Pacific ocean. The ship has on board salt and dry goods, and I have ordered her to the United States, under charge of midshipman Yarnall, who, from his merit, I beg leave to recommend to your attention. On the first instant, while I was despatching the American brig Julia, by which vessel I had the honour of addressing you, we were chased by two ships. As I am anxious to despatch the Volunteer, so as to proceed to the eastward in quest of the convoy, I beg to refer you for further particulars to an extract from my journal on that day. "At half past three, P. M., discovered a sail bearing E. S. E.-made all sail in chase at five came up with the chase sent a boat on board with lieutenant Page, and found her to be the American brig Julia of Boston, from Lisbon bound to Boston. On examination, lieutenant Page discovered she had two British licenses-brought the captain on board. At half past eight, sent the captain of the brig on board her. At nine, the boat returned, leaving lieutenant Budd on board the brig, with directions to keep near us all night, as I had determined to send a midshipman in her to Boston with the licenses and her papers. Wore to the southward and eastward—at half past seven, A. M, wore ship to the northward and westward, and hove to, and sent for the captain of the brig. At half past eight, two ships were discovered in chase of us, bearing W. S. W. At half past nine discovered them to be ships of war-sent Mr. Blodget and the captain on board the brig to proceed to Boston. On the boat's returning with lieutenant Budd, run her up and wore round, and stood E. by S., under the top-sails, to draw the vessels, in chase of us, more from the brig, and to ascertain more cor rectly their force. At ten backed the mizen-top-sail-at half past filled it, and hauled up E. S. E. to get to windward of them. Clewed the sail up. At this time very thick and squally, lost sight of the two ships. At meridian strong gales and squally the ship under reefed fore-sail and main-top-sail— top-gallant-masts housed, flying jib-boom in, and gaff down. At 2, P. M., it clearing away a little, we wore and stood in the direction we had last seen the ships, but could discover nothing of them." From then until to-day we have not seen a vessel of any description. Respectfully, I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient SAML. EVANS. servant, The Hon. Paul Hamilton, Secretary of the Navy. Sir, United States Frigate Chesapeake, Jan. 14, 1813. We this morning fell in with another of the Brazil convoy, the brig Liverpool Hero, of Liverpool. As she did not appear to be of sufficient consequence to man, I have taken from her the most valuable articles she had on board, and we are now employed in scuttling her. There is another of them in sight, and I am in hopes we shall have her in the morning. Respectfully, I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient SAML. EVANS. servant, Hon. Paul Hamilton, Secretary of the Navy. CAPTURE AND SHIPWRECK OF THE VIXEN. Letter from Lieutenant Glen Drayton, late of the United States Brig Vixen, to the Secretary of the Navy. Sir, Spanish Town, Jamaica, February 8th, 1813. I am extremely sorry, that by the death of captain G. W. Reed (late of the United States brig Vixen), it devolves on me, as senior officer of said vessel, to inform you of her capture and subsequent loss by shipwreck, the particulars of which are as follow: Being on our return from a cruize of thirty days, without meeting any of the enemy's vessels, having ranged along the West India islands, from as far eastward as Turk's island, on the 22d of November, being in the latitude of 30° 30' N. and longitude 79° W., at 7, A. M., discovered a sail to the northward, the wind being light from the eastward, which we soon discovered to be a large ship, apparently a frigate, standing for us. We immediately made sail, and hauled our wind to the southward. Finding her gaining on us fast, captain Reed ordered the water to be started; and the wind becoming light, we got out our sweeps, by the means of which we at first hoped to escape. About 1, P. M., the wind freshened and became more steady, when she again overhauled us. Our private signal being made, which was not answered, captain Reed directed the anchors to be cut from the bows, the bow-guns, kedge anchors, shot, and all lumber to be hove overboard, in order to lighten the vessel, slacked up the stays, and started the wedges of the masts, all of which proved ineffectual. We then bore up, in hopes of eluding her until night; but from her superior sailing she soon got within gun shot, when she commenced firing, her shot then passing over us, and there appearing no possible chance of escape, captain Reed called us together, when, conceiving that any resistance against so superior a force would be a wanton and useless sacrifice of a brave crew, we were compelled, after firing two guns, to surrender. She proved to be his majesty's frigate Southampton, of 38 guns, sir James Lucas Yeo commander. Captain Reed went on board the frigate and tendered his sword, which was immediately returned him. The officers and men being taken on board the ship, both vessels filled away, steering to the southward and eastward. From the 22d to the 25th, the wind blowing fresh, and sea running high, we could have no communication with the brig, consequently could not get our trunks, &c. from on board. On the night of the 26th, about half past 12, being at meridian in latitude 24° 54' N., longitude 74° 30' W., the ship struck on a reef of rocks; immediately afterwards, the brig struck on our starboard bow, about a quarter of a mile from us. At 3, A. M., the officer and crew of the brig deserted her, she having bilged. At day-light on the 27th we saw the land astern, which proved to be Little Windward, or Conception island, where we were fortunate enough to land the crews of both vessels in safety. Our officers and crew, however, were unable to save any thing from the wreck of the brig, she having settled so quickly. Boats were then despatched to New-Providence and the neighbouring islands to procure relief. On the 6th December, his majesty's brig Rhodian, with two transports, arrived to our assistance, on board of which the two crews were embarked, and sailed on the 9th for this island, where we arrived on the 14th, and were put on parole, the men being put on board the prisonship at Port Royal. I am extremely sorry, sir, that the much to be lamented death of captain Reed, who died of a fever in this place, on the 5th of January, prevents his recommending his crew (which I know to have been his intention). Their orderly and decorous behaviour during the time of the ship's striking, and afterwards on the island, was such as to induce sir James to assemble them before his own crew, and thank them publicly for their services; and I trust, sir, that though they have been unfortunate, they have not been inactive, and should it please their country to call them out again, they will support the dignity of her naval character, which has so recently and generally been established. I feel it a duty incumbent on me, sir, to inform you, that there are upwards of four hundred American prisoners now at this place, who I believe would willingly enter the service should a cartel arrive. To Mr. Satterwhite, purser of the late brig, I have entrusted this, who also has the several indents and vouchers respecting the monies drawn. He has obtained permission to return home from the admiral, being considered a non-combatant. The surgeon and clerk have also applied, and I have no doubt will obtain permission. Trusting, sir, that upon our arrival in America, and the usual enquiries being made into our conduct, it may meet your approbation, I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, GLEN DRAYTON, Lieutenant of the United States' Navy. Hon. Paul Hamilton, Secretary of the Navy. According to general usage in such cases, a court of enquiry has been held relative to the surrender of the United States' brig Vixen, while under the command of master commandant George W. Reed, to his Britannic majesty's frigate Southampton. The following is the opinion of the court, approved by the secretary of the navy. Opinion. The court having heard the statement of lieutenant Drayton, and the other evidence, and maturely considered the same, are unanimously of opinion, that there was no impropriety of conduct on the part of the officers and crew on the occasion of the surrender of the United States' brig of war the Vixen, of 14 guns, while under the command of master commandant George W. Reed, Esq. to his Britannic majesty's frigate Southampton, rated at 32 guns; and that every exertion was made and the most proper means adopted, by the commander, officers, and crew, of said brig Vixen, to escape from the said frigate Southampton, after the force and size of said frigate was discovered. A like enquiry has been held, and the same proceedings had, on the conduct of lieutenant John D. Henley, for the surrender of the United States brig Viper, to his Britannic majesty's frigate Narcissus. The following is the opinion of the court, approved as above, respecting the same. Opinion. The court having heard the statement and evidence in this case, and maturely considered the circumstances attending the surrender of the United States brig of war the Viper, of 12 guns, while under the command of lieutenant J. D. Henley, Esq. to his Britannic majesty's frigate the Narcissus, rated at 32 guns, under the command of captain Lumby, are unanimously of opinion, that there was no impropriety of conduct on the part of said lieutenant John D. Henley, or the officers and crew of the said brig the Viper, on occasion of said surrender ; but that every exertion was made by the said lieutenant John D. Henley, and the officers and crew of the said brig Viper, to preserve her from capture after they discovered the enemy to be a frigate, but from the superior force and sailing of said frigate, all exertions to save the said brig Viper were unavailing. CAPTURE AND DESTRUCTION OF THE PEACOCK. Letter from Captain Lawrence to the Secretary of the Navy. United States Ship Hornet, Holmes' Hole, March 19, 1813. Sir, I have the honour to inform you of the arrival at this port of the United States ship Hornet, under my command, from a cruize of 145 days; and to state to you, that after commodore Bainbridge left the coast of Brazils, January 6th, I continued off the harbour of St. Salvadore, blockading the Bonne Citoyenne, until the 24th, when the Montague, 74, hove in sight and chased me into the harbour; but night coming on, I wore and stood out to the southward. Knowing that she had left Rio Janeiro for the express purpose of relieving the Bonne Citoyenne and the packet (which I had also blockaded for 14 days, and obliged her to send her mail to Rio, in a Portuguese smack), I judged it most prudent to VOL. IL S s |