The National Register.
London, England, 1808-04-25 00:00:00

APRIL Q 5.

WEST INDIES.
• BRIDGSTOWN, BARBADOES, MARCH 2.
Dispatches were received here on Sunday by Rear-Admiral
Sir A.Cochrane, from Captain Selby, of his Majesty's ship Cer-
berus, from Marigalante, informing him of the capture of that
Island by a small squadron under his command, consisting of
the Cerberus, Circe, and Camilla frigates, and Express brig :
a detachment of seamen and marines from the frigates, amount-
ing to 200 men, headed by Captain Pigot, of the Circe, effect-
ed a landing there, without any opposition, on the morning of
the 3d inst. and carried the town before the enemy were prcpar
ed to make any effectual resistance. The Island was literally
taken by surprise, and much in the manner of Curacoa, al-
though not to be put in competition with that very gallant achiev-
mem , and was undertaken, as appears, without any prey ious con-
cert with, or instructions from, the Rear-Admiral. The only
defence attempted was with a light field-piece, commanding the
principal street, but which the enemy was driven from with
pikes and fixed bayonets before they could load it a second time;
and being closely pressed, they surrendered at discretion. All
the means of defence which the island possessed consisted of old,
one 4-pounder, three I2's, two IS's; and Once 21's, disposed
in six different batteries along the coast ; and with 250 stand
of arms, and about 130 barrels of powder, form the whole
return of ordnance and ammunition. :11arigalante is but an in-
considerable Island, of rather a circular folio, being about five
leagues long and four broad. It is remarkably fertile, produc-
ing coffee and cotton in great abundance ; it is situated S. E. of
(ivadaloupe, and contiguous to Point-a-Petre, so that the 1110 St
effectual blockade of that port (the chief resort of the enemy's
privateers) is now in our power,

114 YTI.

LIBERY AND INDEPENDENCE!
ODDER OF THE DAY OF THE ditilY, LEO. 11, 1805.
After having paid the last duties and the last honours to the
remains of the intrepid M•Culloch, and of the heroes who fell
with him in the field of honour, we proceed to acquaint the
army with the successes of the naval forces of the State of
llayti.
On the 2d inst. the squadron of the State, consisting of the
brig the Foudroyant, and of the cutters L'Avant-garde and La
Provincedit Nord, which sailed from the ('ape the 31st of Ja-
nuary, under the command of Rear-Admiral M'Culloch, and of
the Chief of Division Antoine Parisien, attacked the two gal-
Lies of the Rebels, La Constitution and Guerriere, which were
at anchor in the road of Jean Rabe!, and protected by the for
and by several battalions of troops. After an action of several
hours, La Constitution and La Guerriere was cast upon the cons;
and burnt.
This event, which was prepared with that wisdom which cha-
racterises all the measures of his Ilightiers the President, gis e•
t;e most fatal blow to the traitors and infamous rebels who still
(ling to the odimo;gang pf Petion.
Tae loss of the enemy was considerable, and we may consider
it as the commencement of the ruin of his navy, which our brave
seamen will not fail to accomplish.
This imitating the funeral service of Admiral McCulloch and
four seamen, who fell in the battle of the 2d, was celebrated in
the Cathedral of the Cape, in the presence of his Royal High-
ness the Pr'sident, with all the pomp due to the memory of
these intrepid deft nders of law ful authority and of liberty. Our
loss consisted of three killed and five wounded, among whom is
the Captaiu of the frigate Bastven.
(Signed) • Tit. 12.4rn
By Order of Nesterl.'trttusrornt.
Done at the Head--Quarters at the Cape, 11th Fel). ISOB,
bth year of independence.