The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-05-02 00:00:00

HOUSE OF %.:ONIMON3

bei:ig the day appointed to ballet for a Corn-
mines to trr the Surling Elee:inn Petition, the
Spelicer countei the IiJUSe at four o'clock. and
there b-ing but ninety-sec Mer-beri prete7.:, an ad-
;otartime:.: took place.

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1

•

TIM LONDON GAZETTE, TUUDAY, MAT t

Admiralty (like., May I, Int.
The following are Copies of Letters which have
been received at this Office from Commodore Hood,
Commander in Chief of His Majesty's ships and
•essels at the Leeward Islands:

Centiur, Dig aon i Rm.k,
SIR, 1.1•'/TIIATY ri, 1405.
I have the satisfaftion to acquaint you, for the in-
formation of the Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
m;ralty, of the capture of the Curieux French cor-
s•ette, early in the morning of the 4th instant, or
sixteen long French six-pounders, and had on board
upwards of one hundred men when attacked by tour
boats of the Centaur, containing sixty seamen and
twelve marines, under the command of Lieut. Ro-

bat Carthew Reynolds ; she was laying close under
Fort Edward at the entrance of the Careenage,
ion Royal Harbour, Martinique ; he boarded on
the quarters in a most gallant manner, and was well
aided by Lieut. Bettesworth, and Mr. Tracey, my
Secretary, with the other officers and men ; the ene-
my male a warm resistance, at the first onset; but
the spirited and superior valour of this brave offi-
cer, and his supporters, drove them forward, where
a second stand was made, which was carried with
equal gallantry : her Captain, Cordier, leaped over-
board, after receiving two sabre wounds, and saved
himself, with some of the men, in a boat that lay
under her bows, and got on shore ; only one French
officer escaped being either killed or wounded, and
he was below; fortunately this brilliant service was
performed with only the enclosed list of wound-
ed in the boats. I em sorry to add, Lieutenant
Reynolds is of the number, severely, with five
wounds; also Lieutenant Bettesworth and Mr
Tracey, though not badly.
I have the honour to be, Scc.

SAM. HOOD.

Sir Evan Nepesii, Bart.
LIST OT WOUNDED IN THE cat/rat:es BOATS.
Three Officers and Six Seamen, one of which is since daail.
IN THE CURIEUX.
Forty Riled and wounded.
Cent.sur, Diamond, off Martinique,
SIR, Feb. 21, 1804
I have the honour to enclose yoa,_ for the informa-
tion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
two letters from Captain Nourse, and two from
Captain Shipley, of His Majesty's sloops Cyane and
St. Lucia, stating the capture of four of the enemy's
privateers. I cannot too much commend the adi-
vky of those officers in their exertions in the protec-
tion of the trade.
I have the honour to be, fke. S.s M. Hoop.
Se Essn Nepcan, Bait.
His Majear's stoop C‘ane, at Sea,
SIR, etli Jan. 1804.
I beg leave to inform you His Majesty's sloop,
under my command, in the lat. 15 deg 25 min.
North, long. 60 deg. 30 mm. West, captured L'Har-
monie, French privateer schooner, of 12 guns, and
$2 men on board ; out 34 days from Guadaloupe,
and had taken the Mercury, a Scotch ship, last from
New York, laden with lumber, provisions, &c.
bound to Demerara.
I am, Sir. Sec. Josseu Nonage.
N. B. The Mercury is recaptured by the Hippo-

manes.
To Commodore Hood, arc.
His Maisseess/oop St. Lucia, Ra.badoes,
SIR, Sikh January. 11104.
I beg leave to inform jou, that on the 25th,
being off the Granadines, I captured Le Furet. a
fast sailing privateer, of four gun.. and fortyftve
men, belonging to Giradaloupe. After landing the
prisoners 1 shall prosecute your orders.
1 have the honour to be, &c.
CnNwav SHIPLEY.
Tn Samoel Hood, Faq Comma,-* and Com-
mander in &c. tc
His Majcatll/2 s'f.op St 1..;:c
SIR, taisary IS, 1404.
I have the pleasure to inform you, that on the
16th inst. His Majesty's sloop under my eomrnkrid
captured, off Grenada, Le Big,ou French privateer,
of six guns, and sixty men, twenty of which she
had put in prizes as per margin.
I have the honour to be, &e.
CONWAY SHIP LLY.
Good Intent br4, from Barbadoes to Demerara, since retaken
the Guarlia;i:ri
Fanny schooner' from Demerara to Barbadoes.
To Cuaussedore Hood, arc. &c.
Hu Map..Ws sloop Cyane, at Sea,
SIR, February 14, 15c4.
I beg leave to inform you His Majesty's sloop
under my command fell in with, and, after a chace
of eight hours. captured Le Recompence French
schooner privateer, of ten six-pounders, and seventy
men, out fifty-five days, and had captured the Ma-
riana', from Glasgow, bound to liarbadoes. The
• Retaken by Heureux.
Recompence was taken about thirty leagues to wind-
ward of Barbadoes; her guns thrown urciioard
during the chace. I am Sir, &c.
JOILIPM NOGIUt.
Too Commodoot Hoed, ite.
Centaur, Diamond. off Martinique,
SIR, F.Sruary 27, 1104
I beg leave to enclose you copy of a letter I have
received from Lient. Carr, commanding His Ma-
jesty's schooner L'liclair, giving an account of a
most spirited anion he fongist in the said vessel, of
ten guns and sixty men, against the Grande Decide
French ship privateer. of twenty-two guns and two
hundred and twenty men, nut of Guadalnupe. I
cannot sufficiently extol the brilliant and gallant
condu4l of this officer and crew.
I have the honour to be, &c. SAM. loon.
To Sir Fosn Neyean, Mart.

Ile rehe.ner Tortols.
Sik. hr,, .7, lb. 4
I have the hnnour to arquai: t you. that on my
return from conviiying tile packet to Cie northward
in Ills Majesty's schooner under my command, on
the nth inst. at three P. M., the island of Tortoh
bearing south, distant about sixty leagues. saw a
strange sail to tit southward, suspeding her to be
an enemy, made all sail in duce; at half past
three, observing her to be a ship star.ding towards
us ; at tun made the signal. No. V 5, to her, which
not beiiig Answereu, sii.artenerl sail and cleared for
aaicria ; At half past four. being within musquet-
shot on OUT eatiler-bow, si.e hauled up tier courses,
hove to, and hoisted French national colours, wheu
I discovered her to be a ship apparently just can of
port, inuaiita.ig twenty.two gum and Aunclude,
trona the numLe: of men seen as her decks. as also
her tops, there cm be lees than two hundred.
% ben we came withiii pistoldh.:, she commenced
the astion by Cling het harhiraid arcadsidc sod a

heavy fire of musquetry, which we returned with
the weather broadside and musquetry ; wore round,
hove to, and fired the starboard broadside ' the fire
bothwas kept up without intermission on sides
until a quarter past five, when the enemy began to
slacken her fire, tilled, bore up, and endeavoured
to rake us, bet upon observing our preparations to
board her, by manning the rigging, she ceased firing,
and made all sail to the northward, on which we
filled and made sail after her, keeping up a fire of
musquetry ; at seven found her getting fast away ;
at half past eight lost sight of her ; seeing there
was no possibility of coming up, at ten gave over
the chace, tound great part of the standing and
running rigging shot away, the bulwark, masts,
yards, &c. much damaged, one marine killed, and
four seamen wounded, though the loss on the part
of the enemy, I believe, from their apparent confu-
sion, must be greater.
And, Sir, when I refle& on the superiority of the
enemy in point of force, I cannot say enough its
praise of those brave officers and men I have the
honour to command, and from whose gallant con-
duet and zeal on the occasion, particularly when
ordered to prepare to board, I felt perfeCtly con-
fidela of carrying the French ship in a few minutes,
on the second attack, had not her superior sailing
frustrated onr intentions.

I should feel unmindful of my duty, was I to
omit representing to you the great assistance I re-
ceived from Mr. Salmm the master, on this, as
well as on every other occasion.
I have the honour to be, am:

W. CAEa.

Commodore Hood, Comniziider in Chief, d:e.

I'. S. Upon my arrival at Tortola, I had infor-
mation of the exact particulars of the French ship
from the President, which he assured me was well
ascertained at S. Thomas's, from which place she
sailed on the 1:h instant, about twenty-eight hours
before we fell in ulth her. She proves to be the
Grande Decide, Captain Guay. from Guadaloupe,
carrying twenty-two nine-pounders, and two hun-
dred and thirty men, eighty of which were soldiers.
Centaur, Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes,
SIR, R 1 irch 7, 1804.
The eaclosed is a copy of a letter I have received
from Captain Bland, of His Majesty's ship Heureux,
giving an account of the capture of a French priva-
teer to the windward of Barbadoes, with which I
beg you to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty.
I have the honour to be, &c. Sam. Hoop.
Sir Fsan Nepean, Bart.
His Majesty's ship L'Heur.ua, at sea,
SIR, 201 th February, 1804.
I beg to inform you, that this day, in the latitude
of Barbadoes, and forty leagues to windward, His
Nlajestv's ship under my command fell in with,
after a long chase, took possession of the
French armed schooner Flebustier, pierced for four-
teen guns, had six French sixes, and sixty-eight
men on board ; she is new, sails remarkably fast,
and was stored fur a long cruise, from Guadaloupe ;
out fifteen days, and I could net learn she had made
a capture.
I am, Sir, &c. LOFTUS °TWAT BLAND.
Commodore Hood, Commander in Chief, .6c.
Centaur, Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes,
SIR, 22d March, 1604.
I beg leave to enclose you, for the information of
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, an ac-
.

. _
count from Captain O'Bryen, of His Majesty's ship
Enicral.l, and I aeutenarit Forrest, of the capture
of the Musambique French schooner privateer, of
ten cigliteen pounder carronadcs. from under the
batteries, near the Pearl, which Was executed in
a most spirited and steady manner, be Lieutenant
Forrest, and those that accompanied him in the
Fort-I:iamond, on this service.

I also send copy of a letter from Captain Ferris,
ailing in His Majesty's ship Blenheim, giving an
account of two boats of that ship, under Lieu-
tenant Furber, attacking the Curieuse French na-
tional schooner, moored, and, I have since learned,
chained to the beach, under a battery at St. Pierre's.
I likewise subjoin the cop;- of a letter trom Lieu-
tenant Kin;;, lust of this ship, now ailing in His
Majesty's sloop Drake, Captain Nash, com-
manding the blockade of the north part of the
Island id Martinique, giving an account of his carry-
lug, with thirty nice ouly, the Fort at Trinite, when
opposed to much superior force.
I have the honour to be, &c. Sass. Hours.
Wl!limn Marsden, b.l.

Hu Majesty% Sleep Drake, off Thuile.
SIR, 2):h February, Ito 4.
1 have the honour to acquaint you, that on the
night of the 19th inst. Lieut. Compsion sad Mr. Rob-
son, master, voluntarily offered to bring out of the
harbour of Trinit;e, three American vessels. that
were taking in cargoes in defiance of the blnckade,
which they attempted in a very gallant manr.er,
Living possession of two brigs and a schooner, under
the fire of the fort, for a considerable time, but from
having no wind, could succeed only in bringing out
the schooner.

The Anchorage being within pistol-shot of the
fort, I SAW nn probability of success if another eff..rt
was made, unless the fort was reduced ; for which
purpose T, last night, landed with 30 men, includ-
ing nine marines, and succeeded in spiking the guts,
three 32-pounders, and two field-pieces, which com-
manded the entrance into the fort,

I am sorry to add, one seaman expired from his
wound this morning, and that Lieut. Compston and
one seaman arc each wounded in the arm, hut are
doing very well, which are all that were hurt on the
occasloll.
I have the honour to be, &c. SAM. W. Kiss.
Capt. Nash, &e.
Wenheim, March S, 1804.
I beg leave to acquaint you, two boats (the barge
and pinnace) of His Majesty's ship under my com-
mand, with 30 ()dicers and men, under the nrdcrs
of Lieut. Furber, on the night or the 4th, made a
most pliant, but unsuccessful attempt, to cut out a
Frtnca national schooner. laying close under a fort
at the tawn of St. Pierre. She had made formi-
dable preparations t her boarding settings being
traced sip to the lower mast-heads, and so fastened,
that it was almost impossible to get in, and her
sweeps rigged out on each side : notwithstanding all
this, and the beach lined with soldiers, the forts, an
Armed sloop, and .cveral other small vessels near,
keeping up a heavy tire of guns And musquetry,
those brave slicers and men in the two boats, per-
severed and cut her cedes; being perfesftly calm, she
moo' atslgrvaaJed on the beach, when all hopes

Cbc tAritisb pros

LONDON,
WEDNESDAY. MAY 2.

Oat renders must have foreseen, for some time
past. the probability of some change in our domestic
r. AIM of politics. The coalition of the PIT TS,
Gaitsv mt.'s, and Foxes, which originally promised
nothing but discord and confusion, has, within die
last ten days, assumed the most cordial union and
consistency. They have taken the Milliner, as it
were, by surprise, and alarmed bun by a minority
formidable from its number ; but still more so from
its talent, property, and influence. The ground
being thus prepared for speculation, the converse.
two is the House of Lords on Monday was only
wanting to put it into anion. Of the various ru-
mours hence engendered, that of a Regency and of
a change of Ministry are the most predominant.
We do not, however, consider them as distinct;
on the contrary, they appear to be necessarily
connetted with each other. In the event of a
Regency, there cau be no question as to the
individual. The Prince of WALZS mast be the
person to fill that station ; and from his known at-
tachment to Mr. Fos, we must presume that the

latter will come in along with him. In the deli.
cate and arduous part which his ROYAL 1 licfristss
has had to aft for some months past.. we believe be
has more than ever consulted Mr. Fox. The pro-
priety of his cooduS is a proof that he has been
well advised ; aise, we have reason to believe, that,
if 1w were Regent, he would wish still to avail him-
self of so good a Counsellor. All admit that some
great event is upon the tapis ; but some insist
it is a Regency, as if that was a c‘mplete an-
swer to those who insist it is a change of Mi-
nistry. This view of things, however, reconciles
these two reports, and is fully warranted by cir-
cumstances. It is well known that the -Earl of
Monts left his command in Scotland some time
ago, and came to town for the purpose of assisting
in such change as the delicate state of His Mun-
ro v's health might rendes necessary or expedient.
His Lordship's visit to town certainly never had
any other ostensible objea ; and, therefore, sse are
justified in presuming it ta be the real one. It is
also certain, that his Lordship left town with-
out having in any degree contributed. to this
purpose; and we have heard it assigned, as
the reason of this disappointment, that the Mi-
ni,ter had cautiously abstained from making any
overtures to that effeel. Since that period, the coa-
lition has assumed a more formidable shape, and its
increasing strength must necessarily make a prudent
Minister think it time to provide for his own safety.
The hirelings of government, however, will not
listen to the Minister's resignation. They say, that
is all nonsense ; the idle clamour of faflion. Indeed.
Lord HAWILISIICRT, a first rate member of the
Aliaisuy, does not hesitate to use this language
when speaking of the present Oppoistion. If
then the Minister expetts to continue in place,
his hopes can only be founded upon the influ-
ence which his situation gives him in forming
a Regency, and the claims which his assist-
ance, in bringing about that measure, may give
biri, upon Ole person whe is to be Regent.—
We do not, however, believe that any thing decisive
has taken place, although it is expetted that the
matter will be brought to issue before Friday. The
idea of a Regency is said to have been suggested by
Ilis MaJi.syy, who is represented as having ex-
pressed a desire to free himself from the fatigues of
business. It is also said that the influence of a cer-
tain Great Personage has been exercised to form a
coalition between Mr. Pirr and Mr. ADDINGTON;
but we do not believe that it is likely to he attended
with success. A partial change of this kind would.
no dou'lt, ensure Mr. Atnatmorntes continuance in
power ; but a Regency, we conceive, must bring
with it an entirely new Administration.

The following is handed about as the new A dmi.
nibtration, by the Cabiliet fanciers :
Mr. PITT, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. Fox, Home Department.
Lord Gits•ILLE, Foreign ditto.
Lord MrtviLLE, Colonial.
Mr. Wlttottax, Secretary at War.
Earl Srattcza, First Lord of the Admiralty.
Earl Rosst.rw, Lord Chancellor.
Marquis Sr arros n, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

Three of the Hamburgh Mails due, arrived yes-
terday, and brought us letters and papers to the 21st
last. Thozir contents are only interesting so far az
they shevr the systematic plan of Bon AAAAA to ex-
clude us from all direct political connexions with the
petty Courts on the Continent ; and we should not
be surprised, if Mr. TA v Loa, our Minister at Cassel,
were soon forced to follow the etaroples of Messrs.
DUET and SPENCER SMITH. who are bath said to
have left their respeCtive courts.
Private letter, both from Vienna and Berlin, speak
of the lively indignation which the wanton murder of
the Doke of Es cat en has excited. Our Correspon-
dent at Vienna, in a letter of the 10th ult. says
that the representation of the S reclaim A m sasses:ma
has made a great impression, and that the Arch
Duke CHARLES has declared in unequivocal terms
that this unnecessary crime has entirely changed
the opinion he had of Bon A PART t's huminity, and
that His Royal Highness refused to listen to the es-
planation which Citizen CMAMPIONY gave on this
ce,asion. Letters front Manheisn say, that the
SueJish Minister at Paris is expelled at Carlsrul.e.
and that the Adjutant General, whom Ills Swcouss
MAJESTY dispatched with a letter for the Foust.
Consul., has returned, the Duke of Estanizsi haring
been murdered before he arrived at Paris. This
shew; at least that one Continental Prince not only
disapproves, but has courage and generosity to
publish ',his sentiments upon this foul transaltion.—
We have hid before oar readers a letter from cur
Correspondent at Berlin, in which Bosar *a T C prc-
poses to His PRUSSIAN MAJESTY to assume with him
the imperial dignity. This insolent plan has lung
been in the Usurper's meditation. The French Se-
nate may proclaim Boss r Aare an Emperor, and
the French slaves may hail him as such ; but other
powers are r.ot bound to acknowledge him. The