half an hour, he disabled, with three guns sertion may, and doubtless will, be readily only, both his opponents, so as to compel adopted by readers who know nothing of them to haul off to repair damages; this as- what three twelve-pounders can effect in the

to us.

were

display of their motto flags, and the number of fire, and was rendered a perfect wreck, we were jacks at all the mast-heads. I, with as much still encouraged to hope to save her, from the expedition as circumstances would admit of, circumstance of the Cherub, from her crippled got my ship-ready for action, and endeavoured to state, being compelled to haul off. She did not get a spring on my cable, but had not succeeded, return to close action again, although she had it when the enemy, at 54 minutes after 3 P.M. apparently in her power to do so, but kept up a made his attack, the Phoebe placed herself un- distant firing with her long guns. The Phoebe, der my stern, and the Cherub on my starboard from our disabled state, was enabled however, bow; but the Cherub soon finding her situ- by edging off, to choose the distance which best ation a hot one, bore up and run under my suited her long guns, and kept up a tremendous stern also; where both ships kept up a hot fire on us, which mowed down my brave comraking fire, I had got three long 12 pounders panions by the dozen. Many of my guns had out of the stern ports, which were worked with been rendered useless by the enemy's shot, and so much bravery and skill, that in half an hour many of them had their whole crews destroyed we so disabled both as to compel them to haul off-we manned them again from those which to repair damages. In the course of this firing, I were disabled, and one gun in particular had, by the great exertions of Mr. Edward was three times manned-fifteen men Barnewall, the acting sailing-master, assisted slain at it in the course of the action! but by Mr. Linscott, the boatswain, succeeded in get- strange as it may appear, the captain of it esting springs on our cable three different times; caped with only a slight wound. Finding that but the fire of the enemy was so excessive, that the enemy had it in his power to choose his before we could get our broad-side to bear, distance, I now gave up all hopes of closing they were shot way and thus rendered useless with him, and, as the wind for the moment, My ship had received many injuries, seemed to favour the design, I determined to and several had been killed and wounded-but endeavour to run her on shore, land my men my brave officers and men, notwithstanding the and destroy her. Every thing seemed to unfavorable circumstances under which we favour my wishes. We had approached the were brought to action, and the powerful force shore within musket shot, and I had no doubt opposed to us, were no ways discouraged of succeeding, when in an instant the wind all appeared determined to defend their ship to shifted from the land (as it is very common in the last extremity, and to die in preference to a this port in the latter part of the day) and shameful surrender. Our gaff, with the ensign payed our head down on the Phoebe, where we and the motto flag at the mizen, had been shot were again exposed to a dreadful raking fire. away, but Free trade and Sailors' Rights, con- My ship was now totally unmanageable: yet as tinued to fly at the fore. Our ensign was her head was toward the enemy, and he to the replaced by another—and to guard against a leeward of me, I still hoped to be able to board similar event, an ensign was made fast in the him. At this moment Lieut. Downes came on mizen-rigging, and several jacks were hoisted in board to receive my orders, under the impresdifferent parts of the ship. The enemy soon re-sion that I should soon be a prisoner. He could paired his damages for a fresh attack; he now be of no use to me in the then wretched state of placed himself, with both his ships, on my the Essex; and finding (from the enemy's starboard quarter, out of the reach of my putting his helm up) that my last attempt at carronades, and where my stern guns could not boarding would not succeed, I directed him be brought to bear-he there kept up a most after he had been ten minutes on board, to galling fire, which it was out of my power to return to his own ship, to be prepared for dereturn, when I saw no prospect of injuring him fending and destroying her in case of attack. without getting under way and becoming the He took with him several of my wounded, assailant. My top-sail sheets and haulyards leaving three of his boat's crew on board to were all shot away, as well as the jib and fore-make room for them.-The Cherub now had an top-mast-stay-sail-haulyards. The only rope not opportunity of distinguishing herself, by keepcut was the flying-jib-haulyards-and that being ing up a hot fire on him during his return. The the only sail I could set, I caused it to be slaughter on board my ship had now become hoisted, my cable to be cut, and ran down on horrible, the enemy continued to rake us, and both ships, with an intention of laying the we unable to bring a gun to bear. I therefore Phoebe on board. directed a hawser to be bent to the sheet anThe firing on both sides was now tre-chor, and the anchor to be cut from the bows mendous; I had let fall my foretopsail and to bring her head round : this succeeded. foresail, but the want of tacks and sheets ren-We again got our broadside to bear, and as the dered them almost useless to us-yet we were enemy was much crippled and unable to hold enabled for a short time to close with the ene- his own, I have no doubt he would have drifted my; and although our decks were now strewed out of gun shot before he discovered we had with dead and our cockpit filled with wounded anchored, had not the hawser unfortunately -although our ship had been several times on parted. My ship had taken fire several times

teeth of a heavy fire of long eighteens, but those furnished by the officers engaged on cannot impose upon any one else. Other ac- either side, and, in the private letters from counts were received of this engagement than some of the on-lookers, not one syllable is

during the action, but alarmingly so forward and my ship was cut up in a manner which was and aft at this moment, the flames were burst-perhaps, never before witnessed-in fine, I saw ing up each hatchway, and no hopes were no hopes of saving her, and at 20 minutes after entertained of saving her; our distance from 6 P.M. gave the painful order to strike the the shore did not exceed three quarters of a colours. 75 men, including officers, were all mile, and I hoped many of my brave crew that remained of my whole crew, after the would be able to save themselves, should the action, capable of doing duty, and many of ship blow up, as I was informed the fire was them severely wounded, some of whom have near the magazine, and the explosion of a large since died. The enemy still continued his fire, quantity of powder below served to increase the and my brave though unfortunate companions, horror of our situation-our boats were de- were still falling about me. I directed an opstroyed by the enemy's, shot; I therefore di-posite gun to be fired, to shew them we rected those who could swim to jump overboard, intended no further resistance; but they did not and endeavour to gain the shore. Some reached desist; four men were killed at my side, and it-some were taken by the enemy, and some others in different parts of the ship. I now perished in the attempt; but most preferred believed he intended to shew us no quarter, sharing with me the fate of the ship. We, and that it would be as well to die with my who remained, now turned our attention wholly flag flying as struck, and was on the point of to extinguishing the flames; and when we again hoisting it, when about ten minutes after had succeeded went again to our guns, where hauling the colours down he ceased firing. the firing was kept up for some minutes, but, I cannot speak in sufficiently high terms of the crew had by this time become so weakened, the conduct of those engaged for such an unthat they all declared to me the impossibility of paralleled length of time, under such circummaking further resistance, and entreated me to stances, with me, in the arduous and unequal surrender my ship to save the wounded, as all contest. Let it suffice to say that more bravery, further attempt at opposition must prove skill, patriotism and zeal were never displayed ineffectual, almost every gun being disabled by on any occasion. Every one seemed determined the destruction of their crews. I now sent for the to die in defence of their much loved country's officers of divisions to consult them; but what cause, and nothing but views of humanity could was my surprize to find only acting Lieut. ever have reconciled them to the surrender of Stephen Decatur M'Knight remaining, (who the ship; they remembered the wounded and confirmed the report respecting the condition helpless shipmates below. To acting lieutenof the guns on the gun deck-those on the spar ants M'Knight and Odenheimer I feel much deck were not in a better state). Lieut. Wilmer, indebted for their great exertions and bravery after fighting most gallantly through the action, throughout the action in fighing and encouraghad been knocked overboard by a splinter while ing the men at their divisions, for the dexterous getting the sheet anchor from the bows and management of the long guns, and for their was drowned. Acting Lieut. John G. Cowell had promptness in remanning their guns as their lost a leg; Mr. Edw. Barnewall, acting sailing crews were slaughtered. The conduct of that master had been carried below after receiving brave and heroic officer, acting lieutenant John two severe wounds, one in the breast and one G. Cowell, who lost his leg in the latter part of in the face; and acting Lieut. William H. Oden- the action, excited the admiration of every man heimer had been knocked overboard from the in the ship, and after being wounded would not quarter an instant before, and did not regain consent to be taken below until loss of blood the ship until after the surrender. I was in- rendered him insensible. Mr. Edward Barneformed that the cockpit, the steerage, the well acting sailing master, whose activity and wardroom and the berth deck could contain courage was equally conspicuous, returned on no more wounded; that the wounded were deck after his first wound, and remained after killed while the surgeons were dressing them, receiving his second until fainting with loss of and that unless something was speedily done blood. Mr. Samuel B. Johnson who had joined to prevent it, the ship would soon sink from the me the day before, and acted as marine officer, number of shot holes in her bottom. And on conducted himself with great bravery, and exsending for the carpenter he informed us that all erted himself in assisting at the long guns; the his crew had been killed or wounded, and that musketry after the first half hour being useless, he had once been over the side to stop the leaks from our long distance. when his slings had been shot away, and it was Mr. M. W. Bostwick, whom I had appointed with difficulty he was saved from drowning. acting purser of the Essex Junior, and who was The enemy from the smoothness of the water, on board my ship, did the duties of aid, in a and the impossibility of our reaching him with manner which reflects on him the highest honour carronades, and the little apprehension that our, and midshipmen Isaacs, Farragut and Ogwas excited by our fire which had now become den, as well as acting midshipmen James Terry, much slackened, was enabled to take aim at us James R. Lyman and Samuel Duzenbury, and as at a target; his shot never missed our bull, master's mate William Pierce exerted themselves

mentioned of the British vessels hauling off in a neutral port, although confessing, a to repair damages. Again, Captain Porter dozen lines above, that he was unable to reendeavours to insinuate that he was attacked cover the common anchorage.

zeal.

in the performance of their respective duties it by obtaining our speedy exchange, that we and gave an earnest of their value to the service; may again have it in our power to prove our the three first are too young to recommend for promotion, the latter I beg leave to recommend for confirmation as well as the acting lieutenants, and Messrs. Barnewall, Johnston and Bostwick.

Commodore Hillyar, I am informed, has thought proper to state to his Government that the action lasted only 45 minutes; should he have done so, the motive may be easily discovered We have been unfortunate, but not disgraced. but the thousands of disinterested witnesses The defence of the Essex has not been less hon- who covered the surrounding hills can testify orable to her officers and crew, than the capture that we fought his ships for two hours and a of an equal force, and I now consider my situa-half; upwards of fifty broadsides were fired by tion less unpleasant than that of commodore the enemy agreeable to their own accounts, and Hillyar, who, in violation of every principle of upwards of seventy five by ours; excepting the honour and generosity, and regardless of the few minutes they were repairing damages the rights of nations, attacked the Essex in her firing was incessant.

crippled state; within pistol shot of neutral Soon after my capture I entered into an agreeshore; when for six weeks I had daily offered ment with commodore Hillyar to disarm my him fair and honorable combat, on terms greatly prize the Essex Junior, and proceed with to his advantage; the blood of the slain must be the survivors of my officers and crew in her on his head, and he has yet to reconcile his to the United States, taking with me all her conduct to heaven, to his conscience and to the officers and crew. He consented to grant her a world. passport to secure her from recapture. The ship My loss has been dreadfully severe, 58 killed was small and we knew we had much to suffer, or have since died of their wounds; and among yet we hoped soon to reach our country in them lieutenant Cowell; 39 were severely safety, that we might again have it in our power wounded, 27 slightly, and 31 are missing; mak-to serve it. This arrangement was attended ing in all 154, killed, wounded, and missing, a with no additional expence, as she was abunlist of whose names is annexed. dantly supplied with provisions and stores for

The professional knowledge of Dr. Richard the voyage. Hoffman, acting surgeon, and Doctor Alexander In justice to commodore Hillyar, I must obMontgomery, acting surgeon's mate, added to serve, that, although I can never be reconciled their assiduity and the benevolent attentions to the manner of his attack on the Essex, or to and assistance of Mr. D. P. Adams, the chaplain, his conduct before the action, he has, since our saved the lives of many of the wounded, those capture shewn the greatest humanity to my gentlemen have been indefatigible in their atten- wounded, whom he permitted me to land on contions to them; the two first I beg leave to re-dition that the United States should bear their commend for confirmation, and the latter to the expenses, and has endeavoured as much as lay notice of the department. in his power to alleviate the distresses of war

I must in justification of myself observe, that by the most generous and delicate deportment with our six twelve pounders alone we fought towards myself and officers and crew; he gave this action, our carronades being almost use-orders that the property of every person should less. be respected-his orders, however, were not

The loss in killed and wounded has been so strictly attended to as might have been exgreat with the enemy; among the former is the pected; besides being deprived of books, charts, first lieutenant of the Phoebe, and of the latter &c. &c., both myself and officers lost many articaptain Tucker of the Cherub, whose wounds cles of our clothing, some to a considerable are severe. Both the Essex and Phoebe were in amount. I should not have considered this last a sinking state, and it was with difficulty they circumstance of sufficient importance to notice, could be kept afloat until they anchored in did it not mark a stirking difference between the Valparaiso next morning. The battered state navy of Great Britain and that of the United of the Essex, will, I believe, prevent her ever States, highly creditable to the latter. reaching England, and I also think it will be out By the arrival of the Tagus, a few days after of their power to repair the damages of the my capture, I was informed that besides the ships Phoebe so as to enable her to double Cape Horn. which had arrived in the Pacific in pursuit of me, All the masts and yards of the Phoebe and Che- and those still expected, others were sent to cruize rub are badly crippled, and their hulls much for me in the China seas, off New Zealand, Timor cut up; the former had eighteen twelve pound and New Holland, and that another frigate was shot through her below her water line, some three feet under water. Nothing but the smoothness of the water saved both the Phoebe and Essex.

I hope Sir, that our conduct may prove satisfactory to our country, and that it will testify

sent to the River la Plata.

To possess the Essex it has cost the British government near six millions of dollars, and yet, sir, her capture was owing entirely to accident; and if we consider the expedition with which naval contests are now decided, the action is a

It may not be, perhaps, known to every Captain Porter must have had a prodigione, that in the English merchant service a ous opinion of his own prowess, if we may different style of painting their vessels pre- judge by the number of vessels which he revailed at that time to what was adopted in the presents as having been equipped, manned, United States. In British vessels imitation and despatched to various parts of the world, port holes were painted, whilst in American, for no other purpose than that of capturing a plain white or red riband was painted from the redoubtable Captain David Porter-six stem to stern. Captain Porter knew per- millions of dollars spent in despatching fresh fectly well when making his statement of his vessels to the Pacific, besides those already capture of twelve letters of marque, that he there, to the Chinese Seas, to Timor, to New would not deceive sailors, especially as he admits that the vessels were employed in the spermaceti whale fishery.

Zealand, to New Holland, and as if one side of the continent might be insufficient to restrain Captain Porter's ardour, vessels to the Rio de la Plata were also found necessary.

A Russian squadron, at the present time supposed to be cruising somewhere in our Indian possessions, has not excited half the alarm, nor do we find that half the preparations have been made, which were deemed necessary to ensure the capture of our American frigate. Enough, however, of Captain David Porter and his ridiculous attempt at self-glorification.

To any one who has ever seen the decks of a vessel while on the fishing grounds and the state of her decks, the absurdity of Capt. Porter's representing vessels of one hundred and seventy-five tons as carrying ten guns, or being pierced for eighteen, is simply ridiculous. We have, however, shown on a previous occasions an attempt by would-be American Nelsons to swell the capture of West India droghers and other coasting vessels, into "gallant and successful carrying of H. M. S. armed vessel, of fifteen tons, twelve guns, and ninety men." Such, in nada by a United States Canada was hopeless, desooth, is very much the spirit in which Capt. termined, early in 1814, Porter dictated his report; the gallant com- to make another attempt. We find, accordmander forgot, however, in his estimate of ingly, that, from the beginning of April to the cost to the British Government of the capture of the Essex, to record the fact of the ultimate re-capture of many of the vessels, and of all their cargoes.

dishonour to them. Had they brought their ships boldly into action with a force so very superior, and having the choice of position, they should either have captured or destroyed us in a fourth the time they were about it.

The Americans, not yet satisfied that the chance of conquering

Fifth invasion of Ca

army.

the end of June, General Brown, the American commander, was actively engaged in preparing his army of invasion. Towards the end of June, the Secretary at War, at

ship, confident that the claim would be made by my government to more effect. Finding some difficulty in the sale of my prizes, I had taken the Hector and Catharine out to sea and burnt them with their cargoes.

During the action, our consul general, Mr. I exchanged lieutenant M'Knight, Mr. Adams, Poinsett, called on the governor of Valparaiso, and Mr. Lyman and eleven seamen for part of and requested that the batteries might protect the the crew of the Sir Andrew Hammond, and Essex. This request was refused, but he promised sailed from Valparaiso on the 27th April, that if she should succeed in fighting her way to where the enemy were still patching up their the common anchorage he ould send an officer ships to put them in a state for proceeding to to the British commande and request him to Rio de Janeiro previous to going to England. cease firing, but declined using force under any Annexed is a list of the remains of my crew circumstances, and there is no doubt of a perfect to be exchanged, as also a copy of the corresunderstanding existing between them; this con- pondence between commodore Hillyar and myduct added to the assistance given to the Bri-self on that subject. I also send you a list of tish, and their friendly reception after the the prisoners I have taken during my cruize, action, and the strong bias of the faction which amounting to 343. govern Chili in favour of the English, as well as their hostility to the Americans, induced Mr. Poinsett to leave that country. Under such circumstances, I did not conceive it would be proper for me to claim the restoration of my

I have the honor to be, &c. D. PORTER.
The honorable Secretary of the
navy of the United States,
Washington.

Having completed his arrangements, Gen.
Brown, on receipt of

General Brown's pro

order.

Washington, judging, it may be supposed, from Brown's despatches, that sufficient preparations had been made, issued his fiat "to clamation or general Gen.Armstrong's instruccarry Fort Erie, and beat up the enemy's tions, issued the follow quarters at Chippewa;" adding, however, ing general order, dated July 2d, 1814:— the prudent proviso that "in case his (the 'Major-Gen. Brown has the satisfaction British) fleet gets the control of Lake Onta- to announce to the troops of his division on rio, you are immediately to re-cross the the frontier, that he is authorized by the strait." A few of the heads of General Arm- orders of his Government, to put them in mostrong's "heads of plan of campaign" are tion against the enemy. The first and seinteresting, as they show how very certain cond brigades, with the corps of artillery, the Secretary at War had made himself that will cross the strait before them, this night, all his plans were to succeed. The first was, or as early to-morrow as possible. The neThat such portions of the Erie fleet, and of cessary instructions have been given to the the garrison at Detroit, as the officer com- brigadiers, and by them to the commanding manding may deem necessary for the pur- officers of regiments and corps, pose, be despatched without delay to the Upon entering Canada the laws of war will western lakes, with orders to attack or cap-govern; men found in arms, or otherwise ture a British fort or depot, established at engaged in the service of the enemy, will be Matchadash Bay, on Lake Huron; recapture treated as enemies; those behaving peaceMichilimacinac, &c. These orders very ex-ably, and following their private occupations, plicit, and doubtless, when issued, General will be treated as friends. Private property, Armstrong considered them as already in all cases, will be held sacred; public proexecuted. We showed, however, in our last perty, whenever found, will be seized and chapter the miserable failure which attended disposed of by the commanding general. Our all the operations undertaken in this direc- utmost protection will be given to all who tion, and that the Americans, instead of join, or who evince a desire to join us. crowning themselves with glory and rich furs, reaped only a harvest of defeat and disgrace.

Plundering is prohibited. The MajorGeneral does not apprehend any difficulty on this account, with the regular army and Simultaneous orders were also issued to volunteers who press to the standard of their bring all surplus vessels on Lake Erie to as- country, to avenge her wrongs, and to gain sist in transporting the left division to the a name in arms. Profligate men, who follow Canadian shore, and that such division, after the army for plunder, must not expect that landing, should "be marched as expediti- they will escape the vengeance of the gallant ously as possible on the British position at spirits who are struggling to exalt the naBurlington Bay, to siege and fortify that post, tional character. Any plunderer shall be and, having thus cut the enemy's line of land punished with death who may be found viocommunication between York and Fort lating this order."

George, await the arrival and co-operation of After the specimen of humanity afforded the Ontario fleet." This was, of course, as- by the party under Colonel Campbell, who suming that Chauncey had disposed of Sir landed on the 13th May, at Dover, General James Yeo and his fleet, and that such would Brown's assertion that from the United be the case, Armstrong does not appear to States regulars, he apprehended nothing on have doubted, as he adds, "The command- the score of marauding or plundering, appears ers of the two armies will have within their supremely ridiculous. It must be borne in choice, a speedy investment of Fort George and Niagara; rapid descent on Sackett's Harbour; a junction with the brigade at that post, and a direct attack on Kings

ton."

mind that the detachment in question was not composed of profligate men, who followed the army for plunder, but of United States regular infantry, the absurdity is therefore heightened when it is remembered that, so notorious was the conduct of these men, that it was found