The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-05-24 00:00:00

t:. innumerable.

As the force under Admiral PITT • was greatly
inferior in number and weight of metal, the conse-
come of a general engagement was looked to by
every Officer in the fleet with fearful anxiety. In-
deed it was the general opi:sion that the Admiral
would give the signal to disperse, rather than risque
&battle with so inferior a force. The great hope
was, that, by some judicious manoeuvring, he may
besible to delay a general alion, until he shall re-
ceive some reinforcements. We understand he is also
la expettation that a mutiny may break out in the
raemy's fleet, thecrews of v.-.rich, from old jealou-
sies and heart-burnings, he flatters himself, cannot
bog aft with concert and cordiality together. Oa
the other hand, one of the crew of the Hatuicibury,
who lately deserted from the combined fleet, anJ
boded at Liverpool, reports that the enemy are in
the most complete condition, and that the best disci-
pline prevails among the crews. He adds, that
dug had cleared their decks for several days past,
sere ready more attioti, arid ieterrys4ied to avail
themselves of the first opportunity of bowling, to
which system they seemed uncommonly partial;
and that they had laid in an immense store of pro-
visions, with Which they were supplied from S r AF-
FORD, CARLISLE, NOKFOLII, DZIIIIY, SUFFOLK,
&c. Even the common sailors had refused grog.
sad drank nothing but wine.
The St. Anne is the same vessel that, in the
American war, engaged the Lard Mrth, and blew
bee out of the water. In the late war she frequently
exchanged broadsides with the Premier, command.
ed by Admiral PITT. In the last engagement
with that vessel, the St. drone had her stern beaten
in, her rigging all shot away, and was obliged to
met and run. She has since undergone an entire
repair ; has had all her seams caulked, and is now
considered ts good as nem. The St. Amer was built
upon a Dutch model, and is very broad across the
beams.

The Posassden is also a crack ship in the enemy's
&et. Although a first-rate, and carrying as heavy
metal as the St. /tine, she can, with a light breeze,
outsail the lightest and swiftest frigate. She is
generally the headmost ship in a storm, and carries
a lanthora in her poop. •
The St. Mews, with her whole crew, was taken
is the present war by the St. .dam, in company with
ifsirse and Bedford. She carries very weighty
metal, aai also an unusual quantity of small arms ;
consisting of dirks, daggers, and other sharp iustru-
meats, pop guns, Scc. The Ss. Mawu is not remarka-
ble for precision in firing. A readout shot from her,
i I the late war, nearly sunk the Press/rt., which was
ILe headmost vessel in the same live.

The dispatches, to which we allude, also con•
t.i;aed an account of the proceedings of the feet,
under the command of Admiral Purr, trona the
qth to the 1,36, extraded trum the log•book of the
P•rnutr.

followir.g letters were Alan received at the
ante time :

v,pr Ma Letter from G. tote, to tits RIM lion W. Pat,
Almir,i the Yetiow, Cotameanate .tr .it.. demi
Pairmaszer. at Sta.
SIR,

Agree&We to ord-i., I rontino^4 ts,th Hi. 11/11)e.tft ship ua
ctr toy command, cru•-nig :n deg ow, North latitude, be-
le nest Cottlesi,Bay and ilia T•sousey Civek, without mooing
Ir.! thing worth piek!ng np. Ist: the tno:atr.‘ ortbe 140, a
n:ange ssii hove iu sight. Froth her mike, 11 took het to tie'