The National Register.
London, England, 1813-04-25 00:00:00

APRIL 25'.

tier till 35 minutes past Finn., we frequently on fire in cousequenee
of the wreck lying on the side engaged. Our opponent now made
sail a-head out of gun shot, where he remained an hour repairing
his danraes. leaving 114 au unmanageable wreck, with only the.
' main mast left, and that tottering. Every exertion was made by
Iris ditties! this interval to place the ship in a state to renew the
lion. We succeeded in cloaring the wreck of our masts froin our
guns, a sail was set on the stumps of the fore-mast and bowsprit,
the weather half of the main-yard remaining aloft, the main-tack
was got lotwurd in the hope tit getting the ship before the wind, otie
helm being still perfect; the effort unfortunately proved ineffeetnal,
from the main-mast falling over the sits; from Inc heavy rolliog
the ship, which nearly covered the whole of our starboard
We still waited tht attack of the enemy, lie now standing to Wards
n. for that purpose ; on his coming nearly within hail of us, and
from his inameuvre, perceiving lie inlended a position a-heal,
lie could r ike us, without a possibility- of our returning a shot,
then emisulted the Aim rs, who agreed with myself, that our havieg
a great part of Oar crew kil:eti and wounded, our bowsprit awl
three masts gone, several guns useless, we should not be justified in
' wasting the lives of more of those remaining, who I hope their
' Lordships and the country will think have bra et ly defended I:is
:11ajesty's ship. Under these eircinastaiweo, however it-luctently,
at fifty minutes past five, our colours were lowered from the stump
of the mizen-mast, and we were tepee possession of, a little after
six, by the America!) frigate Corstitotion, commanded by Commo-
dore Bainbridge, who, immediately after aset•rtaining the state of
tie' ship, resolved on burning her, which we lead the satisfiction
seeing, done as soon us the wounded were removed. nrexcd I send
you a return of the killed mid wortiolc(l, and it is with pain I per-
ceive it so numerous ; also a statement of the•romparative finee
the two ships, when I hope their Lordships will not think the Bri-
tish flag tarnished, although snccess has not attended us. It would
he presumptuons in me to speak of Captain Lambert's merits, who,
though still in danger from his wound, we still entertain the gicatesS
hopes of Ids being restored to the service and his country.
It is most gratifying to my 6-clings to notice the gallantry of
every officer, seaman, and marble on board; in ice to the °lli-
cers, I beg leave to mention them individually. i can never speak
too highly of the able exertions of Lieutenants lit vringloun anti
Itneleinan. and also of Mr. Robinson. master, who was severely
woinided, and Lieutenants Mercer and Davi... of thy ro3ht
the latter of whom also was severely wounded. To Captain „Tenn
Marshall. R. N. who was a passenger, I am particularly oblitd,
for his exertions and advice throughout the aete:n. To Licata:nails
Aplin, who was.on the main deck, and Lieutenant &miters, who
eommanded on the forecastle, I also retina my thanks. I cannot
! but notiee the good conduct of the mates and morshipmen, many
ornhom are killed, anti the greater part wounded. To Mr. T. C.
Jones, surgeon, anti his assistants, every praise is due, for their mi-
-1 wearied assiduity in the care of the wounded.
of
llislop, Major Walker, and Captain Wood, ot .stati, the latter
of whom was severely wounded, were solicitous to assist and remain
on the quarter-deck. I cannot collate t' this letter,. without ex-
pressing my grateful acknowledgments, thus publicly, for the gener-
ous treatment Captain Lambert and his °lacers have experienced
'row our gallant enemy, Commodore Bainbridge and Ins officers.
I have tlae honour to be, &c.
H. 1). CHADS,
First Lientennut of his Mbjesty's late ship Java.

P. S. The Constitution has also stitli:red severely both in her rig-
gins and men, having her lore and inizen-imists, ulain-top-mat,
both innin-top-sail yards, ipanker-hoom, gaff, and trysail-ina,,t
badly plot, and the greate“ part of the st4nding rigging very math
damaged, with ten men kille,l, the Commodore, filth Lieutenant,
and 40 men woudgd, lour of whom are since dead.
Force of the two Shyo.

CONSTITUTION,
/8 long eilitt.rn-poundcrtt. 34 long twunt:•-fotir-pounclers.
I earrouncles. ai-poutultrs. carrouncles, Si-pututcic
long Anat. poondtrs. 1 earrouctde, I<<-pounder.

46 ntts. 15.,, guns.
Weight of metal, Vitilh, Weight of metal, 1400.
Ship's conipxny and stipernume- Crew., 4t>3.
• rarieso 377.

of Officers killed and wounded.
KILLFIL—C. Jones, mate ; T. Hammond, citto ; .W. Gascoigne,
ditto ; W. Salmond, midAipinan, ditto ; T. J. Mat►laias, supermisne-
rary clerk ; and lti seamen and landsmen.
Wou'iorip.—H. Lambert, captain, dangerously (since dead) ; EI. ,
e4sjatly z BE lii.MUSOUr luasief, stvervly