Dutch frigates, 6,500 engaged, and the loss in killed and wounded was 863. Some, however, seem unwilling to rank a victory over this piratical power in the first line of our naval achievements. But let us take into our consideration the manner in which this piratical power was prepared; that if the whole extent of its means and population are not to be compared with those of the European powers, yet that all those means, and all its troops and seamen, were assembled and concentrated in one point: and let us contemplate the point in which they were so united. Algiers rises with an awful abruptness above the water's edge to a great height. The batteries are one above another, strongly constructed and fortified. Sweeping from the western extremity is a tongue of land, which defends the entrance into the inner part of the harbour, and also the approach to it. Along the whole of this tongue of land was a range of strong batteries, which ships must pass to take their station near the town, with the view of bombarding it. Our fleet passed along this line. The Impregnable, from getting closer, was exposed not only to the fire of the batteries immediately opposite, but to other batteries rising behind and above them, a circumstance which will account for the enormous loss she sustained. At a distance behind the Impregnable, but parallel with the tongue of land, were our mortar and rocket boats, which were enabled to throw rockets, not only against the batteries immediately in front, but over them to the batteries in the rear. As we ranged along the line, to take our station, the eneiny did not fire, either not thinking that we should venture so near the city, or wishing to tempt us as close as possible, to render their fire more destructive. The Queen Charlotte took her station off the extreme point of the tongue, by which she enfiladed the whole line of batteries along it. So near was she, that every person could be distinctly scen, and voices heard from the shore. The most advanced of the Algerine navy was a : brig, to which the Queen Charlotte lashed herself; closer in with the shore, in the bosom of the harbour, were two Algerine frigates, and the rest of the Algerine navy behind them. The fury and tremendous nature of

the bombardment continued with little in termission from near three till near eleven; the Algerines fighting all the time with the utmost desperation, but yet with great skill and effect. About ten it was deemed advis able to take a larger offing during the night. It was extremely dark; but the darkness was illuminated by a violent storm of lightning, with thunder, which came on suddenly, and by the incessant fire of the batteries. Nothing, say private letters, could be more grand and awful. A land breeze sprung up about half-past ten, which carried us out of reach of the batteries. The result is known, and never, we repeat, was an expedition crowned with more complete success, or the wishes of the nation more fully satisfied.— We think we have thus stated sufficient reasons for justifying us in classing this amongst the most splendid of our achievements. The power was a piratical one indeed; but his means were great, his valour obstinate, and his science in working the batteries perfectly European. If the power of a small state be so concentrated as to form a post, from which it has hitherto defied, and securely preyed upon the greatest nations, surely the conquest of such a post becomes a first rate triumph in a military point of view, and adds to that beneficial reputation, which hereafter enables the politician to command by a word, without a blow. The fame of an officer must depend not upon the general strength of the state, but upon that of the particular force against which he is successful. Let the service against Algiers be tried by this criterion; let batteries, rising from the water in a triple range, be compared with the frail materials which were laid against them, and this victory, fully considered, will deserve no less admiration than those which have brought more important enemies to our feet.

The influence of this display of British prowess on the regencies of Tunis and Tripoli was decisive and immediate, and was displayed in a singular instance of prompt humanity. Captain G. L. De Haan, of the Hanoverian merchant vessel John Hermann, of Embden, was taken on the 25th of September by a Tripolitan ship of war, which would not respect an English-Hanoverian

flag, and the vessel was taken to Tripoli, with the flag of Hanover hoisted as a trophy half-way up the fore-top gallant mast. The English consul perceiving this insult, ordered the flag to be taken down, went to the bey, and was followed by the captain and the crew. On their united representation they were set at liberty, and several salutes were fired from the Algerine ships when the Hanoverians re-hoisted their flag. The captain of the corsair was seized and bound, and then hung up for more than half an hour, at the same height as he had hung the ensign. The conduct of the dey of Algiers, though he carefully abstains from any piratical act against England which may justify our resumption of hostilities, indicates the most deliberate spirit of deep revenge. He has lately issued the most positive directions that no supply of any description, eggs in particular, shall be transported from his territories to any of the English possessions in the Mediterranean sea. The trade, which was in former times exclusively in the hands of the English, from Algiers to the various islands, has been transferred to France, a circumstance severely felt by the Maltese merchants. During the attack of the British on Algiers, the captain of a French ship was an idle spectator of the scene, and refused to render assistance or information. The dey was highly gratified by this indication of respect, and seized the opportunity of assuring Louis that he should obtain the advantages from

which the English would be, in future, excluded. The French, however, are not content with the enjoyment of the trade, but treat us with ridicule for fighting the battles of the pope and the king of Naples, to the detriment of our merchants. It is indeed too evident, that in the negociations of the British cabinet, these advantages are frequently lost which have been obtained at an enormous expence of blood and treasure. To adopt our own language on the subject of the continental treaties-having done so much, we ought to have done more, and have stipulated on good security the continuance of the commercial privileges we formerly enjoyed, and which had been guaranteed by treaty. By the impolitic moderation of our conduct, the trade of the Mediterranean sea is almost destroyed, and another expedition may be required to enforce those stipulations which might have been made, ratified, and secured, before the return of lord Exmouth to England. His lordship durst not act beyond the limits of his instructions; and when a Bathurst officiates for the war and colonies, or a Castlereagh presides in the foreign department, the absence of energy, so conspicuous in the first, and the stipulations of the treaties signed with France in the name of England by the latter, are little calculated to persuade us that subsequent negociations will be concluded with greater foresight and sagacity.

J. M'tian, PIRUT,

18, Grene Windmill Street, Londou.