Star.
London, England, 1805-05-08 00:00:00

WAVY BOARD.

Sir A. S. HAMMOND prefented a Petition from
the Commitlinnets of the Navy, expreffing a moil*
anxious with to vindicate their honour, and praying
that two Letters of theirs to the Admiralty, dated
the 4th of May, 18(35, written with that view, be
takes into confederation.

The Hon. Member then moved, That thefe Let•
tors be laid before the Houle.

Mr. KINNAIRD was apprehenfive that the pro.
dation of papers fo recently written by the Navy
Board, might be conneaed with the queilion of
which he had given notice for to morrow, refpeding
the Repairs of the Romney and la Senfible. If they
were of great importance, extending much further,
and at the fame time were connefted with the fubjeft
of his promifed motion, he fhculd think it neceffary
to move, that another day be fixed for the dircur-
fion of the general queflion ; otherwife he fbould
fubmit to the Honourable Member whether it might
not be more proper to withhold the papers fur the
prefent.
Sir A. S. HAMMOND Paid, that Sir H. Popham
had written to the Admiralty in his own exculpa-
tion ; his letter was on the Table ; and, as thefe
letters were vcry fhnrt, he fhould fuppofe that Mem-
bers might very eafily read them to-morrow. The
Navy Board had certainly as fair a right to the in
dulgence of that lloufe as any individual.
Mr. TIERNEY thought that to-morrow was too
loon for the difcuflion of the great queftion, of the
proper or improper conduit of the navy.

The CHANC. ELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
was of opinion, that the quetlion had now become a
great and conaitutionil one, involving not cnly the
charafter of Sir H. Popham, whom he had a right
to fuppofe an honourable officer, but alfo involving
the charafter and conduit of many other molt refpec•
table individuals ; it was a quell ion, on the fair eluci-
dation of whit.h in a great mieafure depended the ho-
nour and fecuruy of the State; he therefore fruited
that there would he no milunderitanding as to the
time and manner of bringing it forward.
The letter: were at length prefented, and ordered
to lie on the table.

Mr. KINNAIRD then laid, that he thoull not
abandon his charge, but the letters and the inclofures
were fo very long, that he was apprehenfive that he
would be under the necetlhy of moving the poßpone-
Bunt of his motion.

MOTION FOR PAPERS.

Mr. JEFFERY (rf Poole) moved for the pro-
du Lion of a great variety of papers, which he
thought neceffaly to prove the Rate of our Navy at
various periods within nearly the fpace of the lafi 20
years. This was with a view to account for the pre-
lent Rate of the Navy, to which the Hon. Member
was pleafed to apply the epithets of depraffed and de-
graded. This he imagined would be proved to be
tolely attributable to the condue of Lord St. Vin-
cent, while at the head of the Admiralty, and if he
had continued in that office, we fhould have now had
(lilt fewer !hips in aeual commiflion than we have at
prefent.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER de.
clared that, as the produeian of Papers of loch ex-
tenfive nature as thofe now moved for might poifiblr
be detrimental to the public firvice, he could not
give the motion his fupport.
Admiral MARKHAM was confident that the
Noble Lord himfelf w ill cd the whole of his conduit
to be inquired into, and was equally confident that,
if fuch a general inquiry did take place as the Ho-
nourable Member teemed to with for, it would be
found that there was no blame attributable to Lord
St. Vincent; in fad he courted inquiry. But, as to
the (late of our Navy, he denied that it was filch as
the Honourable Member had ventured to defcribe.
Mr. GREY, as a friend of Lord St. Vincent in
private life, and venerating his public character, as
he had no doubt the Britifh public univerfally did,
wifhed that the molt full and extenfive inveßigation
lhould be had into the whole of his conduct. The
Navy of this Country, in his adminiftration, was, as
he milled it always would continue to be, fuperior
in number, in Itrength, in difcipline and courage, to
that of any other power in the world. However, he
did not think it right that fuch a long firing of Refo-
lutions, and of fuch a nature, fhould pats that Houfe,
he therefore hoped that the Honourable Member
would fhape his Motion in fume other way.
Mr. JEFFERY repeated his affertion as to the
Rate of our Navy, and the conduct of Lord St Vin-
cent, but laid that he would content to withdraw his
motion for the prefent.
Mr. TIERNEY called on the Hon. Member, :n
behalf of Earl St. Vincent, to name fume day, on
which he would certainly bring forward a (pacific
charge of the nature of that which he had made ufe
of in his fpeech again(' that Noble Lord. 14e called
on the juftice of the Houle to fupport him in the de-
mand for inquiry.
Mr. JEFFERY had been reading the refolutions
there four or five days pat. He had not introduced
them idly into that Houfe, hut en the molt deliberate
contideration, for the more he read the better he liked
them. He thereto' e withdrew them for the prefent,
with leave of the Houle, and gave notice that he
would on Thuriday make a fimilar motion, after
which it would be in the power of the Houle to adopt
what other mode of procecdii.g it might think fit.
Adjourned.

Fram the LONDON' GAZETTE, May 7.

DOWNING-SYRCET, MAY 6. iBos.

A Difpatch, of which the following is a copy, has been this day
received by Earl CAMDCNI, K. G. one of his Majaty's princi
pal Secretaries of State, from Lieutenant-General Sir Wll.l in si
MYERS, Bart. commanding his Majefty's troops in the Wi.id-
ward and Leeward 'Bands :

Barbadocc, 11/Ircli 9, 1305.

My Loan—l have the honour to enclofe to your
Lordfhip, Copy of a Difpatch from Brigadier Ge-
neral Paevosr, dated Dominica, tft March; the
details contained therein are Co highly reputable to
the Brigadier-General, and the fierall portion of,
troops employed againli fo numerous an enemy, that
I have great fatisfaaion in recommending their gal-
lant exertions may be laid before his Majefty ; the
zeal and talent rnanifefted by the Brigadier-General
upon this occafion, is k my duty to prefent for his
royal confidtration ; and at the fame time I beg to
be permitted to ezprefs the high fente I entertain of
the diftinguiffied bravery of his Majefty's troops and
the militia of the Colony emplOyed upon that fervice.
The vigorous refillance which the enemy have expe-
rienced, and the lots which they have fuflained in this
ittack, mutt evince to them, that however inferior
our numbers were on this occafion, Britifh troops are
not to be hoftilely approached with impunity, and
had not the town of Refeau been accidentally de
ftroyed by fire, we fhould have little to regret, and
much to exult in. Your Lordfhip will perceive by
the returns that our las in men, compared to that of
the enemy, is bin trifling ; but I have fincerely to
lament that of Major NuNia, of the di Weft India
Regiment, whofe wound is reported to be of a dan-
gerous kind; he is an excellent man, and a merito-
rious officer. I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed)
W. MYERS.
Head-Q2arten, Prince Rupert's, Dominica, March r.
Sir—About an hour before the dawn of day on the
22d ult. an alarm was fired at Scotthead, and loon
after a clutter of (hips was difcovered off Rofeau.—
As our light increafed, I made out five large (hips,
three frigates, two brigs, and fmall craft, under Bri-
tifti colours—a (hip of three decks, carrying a • flag
at the mizen. The frigates ranging too dole to Fort
Young, I ordered them to be fired on; and fobn after,
nineteen large barges full of troops, appeared com-
ing from under the lee of the other (hips, attended
and protected by an armed fchooner full of men, and
feven other boats carrying carronades. The Engliffi
flag was lowered, and that of France honied. A
landing was immediately attempted on my left flank,
between the town of Rofeau and the pon of Cache
cow. The light infantry of the Ili Well India Re.
Igiment were the frrft on the march to fupport Capt.
&SANT'S company of militia, which, throughout
the day, behaved with great gallantry. It was im-
mediately fupported by the grenadiers of the 46th
Regiment. ' The fire boats were bear off, but the
fchooner and one of the' brigs coming dole in Shore
to cover the landing, compelled our troops to occu-
py a better petition—a defile leading to the town.—
At this moment I brought up the grenadiers of the
St. George's Regiment of Militia, and foon'after the
remainder of the 46th, and gave over to Major NueN
there brave troops, with orders not to yield to the
enemy one inch of ground: two field pieces (an
amuzette and a fix-pounder) were brought into
action for their fupport, under the command of Ser-
jeant CREED, of the 46th Regiment, manned by ad-
ditional gunners and tailors; Thcf,.. guns, and a 24-
pounder from Melville Battery, thank the French
advancing column by the execution they did. I fent
two companies of the St. George's Militia, under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel CONSTABLE, and a
company of the 46th, to prevent' the enemy from
getting into the rear of the pofition occupied by
Major NUNS. On my return I found the Majef
ttretix, of rao guns, lying opperte to Fort Young,
pouring into the town and batteries her broadlide ;
followed by the other feventy-fours, and frigates do-
ing cite fame. Some artillery, feveral Captains of
merchantmen, with their Tailors, and the Artillery
Militia, manned five twenty-four pounders, and three
eighteens, at the fort, and five twenty-fours at Mel-
vibe's battery; and returned an uninterrupted fire.
From the firft poll red-hot (hot were thrown. At
about ten o'clock, A. M.-Major NUN, moll unfor•
tunately for his Majetty's fervice, whillt faithfully
executing the order I had given, was wounded, I
fear, murtally.—This did not difcourage the brave
fellows. Captain O'CONNELL, of the ill Weft India
Regiment, received the commanci,-and a wound, al-
mod at the fame time however the lag circum
Rance could not induce him to give tip the honour or
the firs, and he continued in the field animating his
men, aild refining the repeated charges of the enemy
until about one o'clock, when he obliged the French
to retire from their advanced pofition with great
flaupter. It is impoflible for me to do junice to the
merit of that officer. You will, I doubt not, favour-
ably report his' conduct to his Majefty, and at the
fame time that of Captain JAMES, who commanded
the 46th, and Captain ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, who
commanded the grenadiers of the 45th. Foiled and
beat off on the left, the right flank was attempted,
and a confiderable force was landed near Morne Da-
niel. The regulars not exceeding two hundred, em-
ployed on the left in oppofing the advance of their
columns, confining of upwards of two thoufand men,
could afford me no reinforcement : I had only the
right wing of the St. George's Regiment of Militia to
oppofe to them, of about one hundred men. They
attacked with fpirit, but unfortunately the frigates
had flood in fo dole to the (bore to protect this dif-
embarkation, that after receiving a deflrudlive fire,
they fell back and occupied the heights of Wood-
bridge Eftate. Then it was, that a column of the
enemy marched up to Morne Daniel, and normed
the redoubt, defended by a (mall detachment,
which, after an obninate refinance, they carried.—
On my left, Captain O'Coss Ext. was gaining ground,
nntwithaanding a he'll fupply of troops and feve-
ral field-pieces which had been brought on fhore
by the enemy. I now obferved a large column
climbing the mountains to get in his rear.
The town, which had been for fome time ' in
flames, was only protected by a light howitzer and
a fis pounder Oche nigh',, fupported by part of the
light company of St. George's regiment. The ene-
my's large (hips in Wood Bridge Bay out of the
reach of my guns, my right flank gained, my retreat
to Prince Rupert's almon cut off, I determined on
one attempt to keep the fovereignty of the Wand,
which the excellent troops I had warranted. I or-

tiered the Militia to remain at their pnfls. except firth
as were il,clined to encounter more hardfhips and
vere fervice ; and CaptailO‘Com N El. L, with the 46.11,
under the command of Captain Jam Es, and the light
company of the tlt Welt India regiment, were di.
reacd to make a forced march to Prince Rupert's.
I then allowed the Prefident to enter into let too for
the: town of Rofeau ; and then demanded from the
French General that private property !Mould be re-
fpeded, and that no wanton or difgrace;til piltge
(lipoid be allowed. This done, only attended by
Brigade Major PREVOST, and Deputy gnarter Mal-
ter General Hope I v, of the militia forces, I croffed
the ifland, and, in twenty-four hours, with the aid of
the inhabitants, and the exertions of the Caribs, got to
this garrifon on the 23d. After four days con;intic I
march, through the molt difficult country, I might
almoft fay exiling, Captain O,Cosir:ELL joined me
at Prince Rupert's, wounded nimfelf, and L-inging
in his wounded, with a few of the Royal Artillery,
and the precious remainder of the 46,h regiment, and
the ift Weft India light company. I hall no fowler
got to the fort than 1 ordered cattle to be drove in,
and took meafures for getting a (tore of water from
the river in the bay. I found my fignals to Lieute-
nant Colonel Barron H TON, from Roleau, made foon
after the enemy had landed, had been received, and
that, in confequence,he had made the molt judicious
arrangements his garrifon would allow for the de-
fence 'of this important poll.
On the 25th I received the letter of fumnions I
have now the honour to tranfmit, from General of
Divifion La GRANGE, and, without delay, fent the
reply you will find accompanying it.
On the 27th the enemy's ctuizers hovered about
the head; however, the CENTAUR'S tender (Vigi-
lante) came in, and was raved by our guns. 1 land-
ed Mr. list:mast:a, her commander, and his crew,
to affift in the defence we were prepared to make.—
As far as can be colleSed, the enemy had about four
thoufand men on board, and the whole of their force
was compelled to difembark before they gained an
inch of ground. I entrult this difpatch to Capt.
O'CONNELL, to whom I beg to refer you : his Ler-
vices entitle him to confederation. lam much in-
debted to the zeal and difcernment of Fort Adju.
tant GUALT, who was very accefFary to the due ex-
ecution of my orders. I cannot pals unnoticed the
very foldier like condo& of Lieutenant Waceis, of
the 46th regiment, to whom I had entruited the port
of Cachecrow, or Scotflteact ; perceiving our retreat,
he fpiked hie guns, deftroyed his ammunition, and
immediately commenced his march to join me at
Prince Rupert's, with his detachment; nor that of
Lieutenant Straw, of the fame regiment, who ailed
as an officer of Artillery, and behaved with uncomr
mon coolnefs and judgment, whilli on the battery,
and great prefence of mind in fecuring the retreat
of the additional gunners belonging to the 46th Re-
giment
On the 27th, after levying a contribution on Ro-
feat'', the enemy re•embarked, and hovered that day
and the next about this poll. This' morning, the
French fleet i, Peen off the fouth end of Cruadalonpe.
under eafy fail. Our lots, you will perceive by the
returns I have the honour to tranfmit, was inconfi-
derable, when compared with that acknowledged by
the enemy, which included feveral officers of rank,
and about three h.indred others. I have the honour
to be, &c. (Signed) GEORGE PREVOST.
Lieut. Gen. Sir William Myers, Aare.
P. S. As I find I cannot fpare Capt. O'CONNELL
from the duty of this garrifon, I mutt refer you to
the mailer of a neutral veffel, who has engaged to
deliver this difpatch.

(TRANSLATION)—From the General of Divifion LAGaANG
&a. to his Excellency General l'arvorr,tec.
Head Quarters, at Rofeau, the sth V,:utore,
Year '3, February 25, dos.
The General of Divifion La Grange, Grand 05,ecr o' the Legion
of Honour, Inipedlor General of the Gendarmerie, s. (m-
-aunder in Chid of the Troops of the Expedition to the Leeward
!Rands.'

General--Btfore 1 commence any military operations mina
the Fort, into which it appears that you have retired, I fhall fulfil
a preliminary duty, autharifed and pi-added by civilized nations.
You are aware, no lets than myfelf, of the nature of your pofition,
and of the entire inutility of occafioning any farther &Mien of
blaod. You witucfred with grief the melancholy fate of the Town
of Rofeau—my firtt endeavours on entering it were to iffuc orders
for flopping the progrefa u the conflagration ; bct, unfoetunately,
confiderable deftrudion had already takes place. Pie want of ::e•
eeffaries is ever attended with the molt zru.:l confequencc:, the
evils of which can catty be cal_ulated. This coldlderation alone
is more than fufficient, withou; reference to the. prtiallar circum-
fiances in which you are placed, to induce you to a ;cept the ho-
nourable conditians that I am ready to grant you, and thou to pre-
ferve the intending inhabitants of this Colony trowt troth calami-
ties, which are irliparable from the occurrences of war. I beg
you, General, to make me an earl/ communication of your an-
fwer ; and, in the mean time, to receive the affurance of the high
confideration which I entertain for you. I haY.! the honour to
falute yot:. (Signed) 1.1.1 C:RANGE.

Head Quarters. Prince It uren's, Feb 2c.
Sir—l have had the hcnour to receive yuur Letter. My duty
to my King and Country is lo foperior to every other confirltratlue,
that I have only to thank you fur the obfervations you have been
pleated to make on the often inevitable confecuenee: of war. Give
me leave, individually, to exprefs the greated gratitude for your
humanity and kind treatment of my wife and ch'.l.lren•!—and, at
the fame time, to requeft a continuance thereof, not wily to her
and them, but towards every other (-bled you may meet with.
I have the honour to he, .5.4. c (Signed) GEO. PREVOSF.
Return of the Killed and Wounded in the adtions of the 22d of
February, 1805, at Point Michxl, MOrne 11.niel, and Rofeau,
in the Ifland of Dominica.

Royal Artillery-3 rank and file wounded ; Captain, r Ser.
jeant, and 6 rank and file taken by the enemy-46th Regiment;
Scrjeaut, a drummer, and ro rank and file killed ; r Captain and
7 rank and file wounded—aft Welt•lndia Regiment ; 9 rank and
file killed; a Field-officer, I Captain, and 8 rank and file wounded,
dar,eant, I drummer, and 19 rank and file killed--
1 Field officer, 2 Captains,aud 18 rank and file wounded-4 Car
tain, a Serjeant, and 6 rank and file taken by the enemy.
Names of the Officers wounded. _ _

Captain Colin Campbell, of the 46th Regiment—Major Nuna
and Captain O'Connell, of the ail WeR India Regiment.
N. B. Three failora wounded, exclufive of the Militia, from
which no return has been received, but whore lofs was confider-
able. (Signed) JAS. PREVOST, Major of Brigade.
Brimltone Hill, Saint Kitt's, March g.

Sir—l did myfelf the honour of writing to you on
the 27th init. by the mail boat, to fay that intelli-
gence had been received here, on that morning, of
the arrival of a French force at Dominica, and the
fleps I had taken to make fuch circumliances known
to Government. I loft no time in placing this gat-
rifon in the belt flat= to repel any attack that might
be made by the enemy, and encreafing the provi•
lions to a quantity fufficient to maintain a gars icon of
five hundred men for three mnths, which was, by
the exertions of the Refident Commiffary, effdted rn
the ift inft. I have now to inform ) au, that on the
morning of the sth init. a French fquadron, collo&
ing of five line of battle (hips, (one a three decker)
duce frigates, two brigs of war, and a tchooner,

t

J

win, (according to arcourats fince received) three
thouland five hundred men on board, appeared off
Nevis Point, and flood in for Balk Terre, where the
frigates only anchored. I did no't think it confiftent
with the fafety of this garrifon, to divide the fmall
force of regular troops under my command, and the
Militia being found inadequate to give effeCtual op-
polition, it was previnufly agreed with Prefident
%Voont 1,, that three hundred of them fhould be
thrown into this garrifon in the event of the enemy's
effeCting a landing; in confequence of which, and the
enemy having landed about five hundred men at
Balre Terre, he marched in here (with great prompt-
net's) on the fame day with the above five hundred
men, inclueFog feamen and militia. The enemy took
poffeffion of the town, demanding the immediate
payment of forty thoufand pounds Ilerling, in fai-
lure of which it fhould burned. The inhabitants
wit great difficulty :ailed eighteen, with which fum
they embarked, intimating an intention of attacking
this Hiil, and, from the (late of preparation we were
in, as well as the zeal (hewn by the troops in this gar.
tifon, I have every realon to believe that the refult
would have been fuch ;:s you would with. It does
not appear, however, that this fqnailron with to at-
tack where oppofition may be e7peCled, but to plun•
der the inhabitants aid burn and deltroy the
ring. Six merchant (hips, fame of them very va-
luable, ha% e been ti.wed trom the anchorage in Balk
Terre, let on lire, and allowed to drift to lea. I have
the honour to bc. &c. (Signed)
JAMES 170E1-ER, Major t tth Regt.
IFor the Military Promotions, &c. Ice the lafi page.