Star.
London, England, 1814-08-31 00:00:00

bring bee head round : this stteceeded. 'nye again
.got our broadside to bear, and as the enemy was
mucfccrippled and unable to hold his own, I have no
doubt he would soon have drifted out of gunshot
before he discovered we had anchored, had not the
hawser unfortunately parted. My ship had taken
tire several times during the action, but alarmingly
so forward and aft—at this moment, the flames were
bursting up each hatchway, and no hopes were en-
tertained of saving her : our distance from the shore
did not exceed three quarters of a mile, and I hoped
many ofmy brave crew would be able to save them-
selves. should the ship blow up, as I was informed
the fire was near the magazine, and the explosion of
a large quantity of powder below served to increase
the horrors of our situation—our boats were destroy-
ed by the enemy's shot ; I therefore directed those
who could swim to jump overboard and endeavour
to gain the shore. Some reached it—some were
taken by the enemy. and some perished in the at-
tempt ; but most preferred sharing with me the fate
of the ship.
41 We, who remained, now turned our attention
wholly to extinguishing the flames; and when we
had succeeded, went again to our guns, where the
firing was kept up for some minutes, but the crew
had by this time become so weakened, that they all
declared to me the impossibility of making further
resistance, and entreated Inc to surrender my ship to
save the wounded, as all further attempt at Opposi-
tion must prove ineffectual, almost every gun being
disabled by the destruction of their crews. I now
sent for the officers of divisions, to consult them ; but
what was my surprise to find onlyActingLieutenant
Stephen Decatur M'Knight remaining (who con-
firmed the report respecting the condition of theguns
on the gun deck—those on the spar deck were not in
a better state).
" I.ieutenantWilmer, after felting most gallantly
throughout the action, had been knocked overboard
by a splinter while getting the sheet anchor from the
bows, and was drowned. Acting Lieutenant John
G. Cowell had lost a leg; Mr. Edward Barnewell,
Acting Sailing-master, had been carried below, after
receiving two severe wounds, OOP in the breast and
one in the face ; and Acting Lieutenant William H.
Odenheimer had been knocked overboard from the
quarter an instant before, and did not regain the ship
until after the surrender.

•4 I was informed that the cockpit, the steerage,
the ward-room, and the birth-deck, could contain no
more wounded ; that the wounded were killed while
the Surgeons were dressing them ; and that, nnless
something was done to prevent it, the ship would
soon sink from the number of shot holes in her bot.

tom. And on tending for the Carpenter, he inform.
.ed me that all his crew had !nen killed or wounded,
and that he had once been over the side to stop the
leaks, when his slings had been shot away, and it was
with difficulty he was saved from drowning.
" The enemy, from the smoothness of the water.
and the impossibility of our reaching him with our
carronades, and the little apprehension that was ex-
cited by our fire, which had now become much slack.
ened, was enabled to take aim at us as at a target—
his shot never missed our hull, and my ship was cut
up in a manner which was, perhaps, never before
witnessed. In tine, I saw no hope of saving her, and
at 20 minutes after sir p. in. gave the painful order
to strike the colours. Seventy-five men, including
officers, were all that remained of my whole crew,
capable of doing duty, and many of them severely
wounded, some of whom have since died. The ene-
my still continued his fire, and my brave though un-
fortunate companions were still falling about sue.—
I directed an opposite gun to be fired, to shew them
4e intended no further resistance ; but they did not
desist; four men were killed at my side, and others
in different parts of the ship. I now believed he in-
tended to shew us no quarter, and that it would be
as well to die with my fltg flying as struck, and was
on the point of again hoisting it, when about ten mi-
nutes after howling the colours down he ceased firing.
11 I cannot speak in sufficiently high terms of the,
conduct of those ongaged for such an unparalleled
length of time, under such circumstances, with me,
in the arduous and unequal contest. Let it suffice
to say, that more bilivery, skill, patriotism, and zeal,
were never displayed on any occasion. Every one
seemed determined to die in defence of their much-
loved country's cause; and nothing but views to hu-
manity could ever have reconciled them to the sur-
render of their ship; they remembered their wounded
and helpless ship-mates below.
To acting Lieutenants M'Knight and Odenhei-
mer I feel much indebted, for their great exertions
and bravery throughout the action, in fighting and
encouraging the men at their divisions, for the 6"ex-
terous management of the long-guns, and fur their
promptness in re-manning their guns as their crews
were slaughtered. The conduct of that brave and
heroic officer, Acting Lieutenant. John G. Cowell,
who lost his leg in the latter part of the action, ex-
cited the admiration of every man in the ship; and,
after being wounded, would not consent to be taken
below, until the loss of blood rendered him insensible.
Mr. Edward Barnewell, Acting Sailing-master, whose
activity and courage were equally conspicuous, re-
turned on deck after his first wound, and remained,
after receiving his second, until fainting with the loss
of blood.

N Mr. Samuel B. Johnston, who had joined me the
day before, and acted as marine officer, conducted
himself with great bravery, and exerted himself in
assisting at the long guns—the musketry, after the
first half hour, being useless, from our long distance.
4, Mr. M. W. Bostwick, whom I had appointed
Acting Purser of the Essex Junior, and who was on
board my ship, did the duties of aid in a manner
which reflects on him the highest honour; and Mid-
shipmen Isaacs, Farragut, and Ogden, as well as
Acting Midshipmen James Terry, James R. Lyman,
and Samuel Duzenbury, and Master's Mate William
Pierce, exerted themselves in the performance of
their respective duties, and gave an earnest of their
value to the service. The three first are too young
to recommend for promotion ; the latter I beg leave
to recommend for conSrmation, as well as the Act-
ing Lieutenants, and Messrs. Barnewall, Johnston,
and Bostwick.

44 We have been unfortunate, but not disgraced;
the defence of the Essex has not been less honourable
to her 'officers and crew than the capture of an equal
force; and 1 now consider my situation less unpleas-
ant than that of Commodore Hillyar, who, in vial'
lation of every principle of honour and generosityirl

'and regardless of the rights of nations, attacked ae
Essex in her crippled state, within pistol-shot of a
neutral shore; when for six weeks I had daily offered
him fair combat, on terms greatly to his own advan-
oge ; the blood the slAin must be on his head, and
he has yet to reconcile his conduct to Hi.aveN, to
his conscience, and to the world.
" The annexed extract of a letter from Commo-
dore Hillyar, which was written previous to his re-
turning me my sword, will spew his opinion of our
conduct.
66 My loss has been dreadfully severe; 38 killed,
lor have since died of their wounds, and among them
Lieutenant Cowell; 39 were severely wounded, 27
slightly, and 31 are missing ; making in all 154, killed,
wounded, and missing, a list of whose names is an-
nexed.
" The professional knowledge of Dr. Richard Hoff-
man, acting Surgeon, and Dr. Alexander Montgo-
mery, acting Surgeon's Mate, added to the assi-
duity and benevolent attentions and assistance of Mr.
D. P. Adams, the Chaplain, saved the lives.of many
of the wounded. Those Gentlemen have been inde.
fatigable in their attentions to them ; the two first I
beg leave to recommend for confirmation, and the
latter to the notice of the department.
" I must, in Justification to myself observe, that
with our six 12-pounders only we fought this action,
our carronades being almost useless.
.66 The loss in killed and wounded has been great

with the enemy : among the former is the First Lieu-
tenant of the Phcebe, and of the latter, Capt. Tuckor,
'of the Cherub, whose wounds are severe. Ilgth the
Essex and Phcebe were in a sinking state, and it was
with difficulty they could be kept afloat until they
anchored in Valparaiso next morning.
" The Nattered state of the Essex will, I believe,
prevent her ever reaching England ; and I also think
it will he out of their power to repair the damages
of the Phcebe, so as •to enable her to double Cape
Horn. All the masts and yards of the Phcebe and
Cherub are badly crippled, and their hulls much cut
up ; the former had eighteen 12. pound shot through
her below her water-line, some three feet under wa-
ter. Nothing but the smoothness of the water saved
both the Phcebe and the Essex.

" I hope, Sir, that our conduct may prove satis-
factory to our country, and that. it will testify it by
obtaining our speedy exchange, that we may. again
have it in our power to prove our Leal.
"Commodore Hillyar, I am informed, has thought
proper to state to his Government, that the action
only lasted 4 minutes; should he have done so, the
motive may be easily discovered : but the thousands
of disinterested witnesses who covered the surround-
ing can testify that we fought his ships.near two
hours and a-half ; upwards of 'fitty broadside's were
fired by the enemy, agreeably to their own account,
and upwards of seventy-five by ours; except the few
minutes d-ey were repairing damages, the firing was
incessant.

" Soon after my capture, I entered into an agree-
ment with Commodore Hillyar to disarm my prize,
the. Essex itnior, end proceed with the survivors of
my officers and crew in her to the United States,
taking with me all her officers ani crew. He con-
sented to grant her a passport, to secure her from re.
capture. The ship was small, and we knew we had
much to suffer, yet we hoped soon to reach our coun-
try in safety, that we might again have it in our
power to serve it. The arrangement was attended
with no additional expense, as she was abundantly
supplied with stores and provisions for the voyage.
In justice to Commodore Hillyar, I must ob-
serve, that (although I can never be reconciled to
the manner of his attack on the Essex, or to his con-
duct
before the acti .n) he has, since our capture,
shewn the greatest humanity to my wounded (whom
he permitted me to land, on condition that the United
States should be at their expenses) and has endea-
voured as much as lay in his power to alleviate the
distresses of war, by the most generous and delicate
deportment towards myself, my officers and crew.
He gave orders that the property of every person
should be respected—his orden, however, were not
so strictly attended to, as might have been expected,
besides being deprived of books, charts, ace. &c. both
my officers and myself lost many articles of clothing,
some to a considerable amount.
" I should not have considered this last circum-
stance of sufficient importance to notice, did I not
mark a striking difference between the navy of Great
Britain and that of the United States, highly credit-
able to the latter.

By the arrival of the Tagus, a few days after
my capture, I was informed that, besides the ships
which had arrived in the Pacific in pursuit of me,
and those still expected, others were sent •to cruize
fur niein the China Seas, off New Zealand, Timor,
and New Holland, and that another frigate was sent
to the River It Plata.

" To possess the Essex it has cost the British Go-
vernment near six millions of dollars, and yet. Sir,
her capture was owing entirely to accident; and if
we consider the expedition with which naval contests
are now decided, the action is a dishonour to them.
Had they brought their ships boldly into action with
a force so very superior, and hiving the choice of
position, they should either have captured or de-
stroyed us in one-fourth the time they were about it.
46 During the action. our Consul General, Mr.
Poinseit, called on the Governor of Valparaiso, and
requested that the batteries might protect the Essex.
nis request was 'refused, but he promised that if
s.:t.e should succeed in fighting her way to the com-
mon anchorage, be would send an officer to the Bri-
tish Commander, and request him to cease firing,
but he declined using force under any circumstances,
and there is no doubt of a perfect understanding be-
tween them : this couduct, added to the assistance
given to she British, and their friendly reception atter
the action, and the strong bias of the faction which
govern Chili in favour of the English, as well as their
hostility to the Americans, induced Mr. Poinsett to
leave that country.
'• Under such circumstances I did not conceive it
would be proper for me to claim the restoration of
my ship, confident that the claim would be made by
my Government with more effect. Finding some dit:
liculty in the sale of my prizes, I had taken the Hec-
tor and Catharine to sea and burnt them, with tir
Cargoes.

.iLexchanged Lieutenant M‘Knight, Mr. Adams,
and Mr. Lynhin, and eleven seamen, for part' of the
crew of the Sir Andrew Hammond, and sailed from
Valparaiso on the 27th April, where the enemy were

still
proceeding to Rio de Janeiro, previous to going to
patching up their ships, to put them in a flute fns
England.
" Annexed is a list of the remains of my crew to
as also a copy of the corretrodence
be
eet Hillyar and myseti on the
exchanged, as
subject. I also send you # list of the prisoners I have
taken during my cruise, amounting to SO2.
,I have the honour to be, am.
(Signed) " a. "GRUM."
" The Hon. Secretary of the Navy ei the utrked
States, Washington."
P. S. To give you a correct idea of the state of
the Essex at the time of her surrender, I send ycst the
Boatswain's and Carpenter's report of damages; I
also send you a report of the divisions.
" =TRACT Of A LETTER F cow. mr.r.va It TO Mr.
44 Pi.oAe, April 4, le, s.
4, My dear Sir—Neither in slur convene:4Juni ncs
the accompanying letter, have I rnentioneciyviitsv:ord.
Ascribe my remissness in the first instance to forgetful,-
nest. I consider it only in my servant's possession with
my own, until the master may please to call for it
and although I omitted, at the moment of presenta-
tion, from nay mind bzing muen engrossed in attend-
ing to professional duties, to (ALT its restoration, the
hand that received will be most gladly extended, to
put it in possession of him-who svore it so honourably
in defending his country's cause.
" Believe we, my dear Sir, very faithfully yours,
(Signed) a. JAMCS HILLYAR."
" Captain Porter."
A Retire of the Killed,Wounded.acli Missing,on board the lat.
United States' frigate Essex, or 32 guns and 255 men, David
Porter, Esq. Conunander, fu an Iberian fought oat the 48th of
March, 1814, in the port of Valparaisa, with the British fri-
gate Pinch; of S 6 guns and nu men, James Hillyar, Esq.
Commander, and the sloop of war Cherub, mounting Silvans
and ISO men, commanded by T. Tucker, Esq.
Killed, and have since died of their wounds
Severely wounded
slightly wounded

. SS
S. So
- -
' • 41
154
After some conversation on the subject of an ex-
change of prisoners, the foliownig coneyondencn
took place
gi Valparaiso, April 4, Ixl4.
Stn—Taking into consideration the immense dis-
tance we are from oar respective countries, the uncer-
tainty of the future movements of his Mojeqy's ships
under my command, which precludes the possibility
of my nsitking•a permanent arrangement for trans-
'porting the officers and crew I:te of the Essex, to
Enrope ; and the fast approgching season which rel.).
demi:passage round Cape H ern in some degree lin-
germs t have the honour to pmpose y9ur spa
probation the following article:, which, I hope, t-n
Government of the United States, as sii:!!! as that of
Great Britain, will deem satisfactory ; and to xequest
that, should you conceive them so, you will favour
me with the necessary bond for their ltilliiment :
ist. The Essex Junior m be deprived of all her arizanent
and perfectly ocutralized; to be equipped for ti .e voyage sok4
aid wholly at the expense of she Aanericae Guvernment ; and
to proceed with a proper American Olicer and crew (et which
I wish to be furnished with'a list' for the ptirpeae of girl:4;111e
necessary passport) to any port or the United aunts of Ansiaica
that you may deem mow proper.
" 24. Yverself, the officers, petty officers, seamen. marines,
&c. composing your crew to be ercbasage4 Immediately en tb• it
arrival in America, for an equal number of lb itish primer. s of
similar rank—Yourself sad officers •to he considered on thalc•
parole-of honour omit year an 4 their esehangesf.all be effected.
46 In case of the foregoing articles being accepted..
the Essex Junior will be expected to preptreliiirne-
diately for the voyage, and to proceed on it before
Ithe expiratioo of the present mouth, iihrould *IT of
the wounded at that period be found incapable of rem
moval, from not being sufficiently advanced in their
recovery, the most humane attention shall be paid
them; and they shall be forwarded home by the fin%
favourable conveyance that may Offer. •
44 I have the honour to be, Ste.
cSiffned) 44 JASON Humus 9
" Captain David rorte km :
r, Commander et tog United •
ikates frigate Ewes, Vatearalse
ss Valparaiso, Sth April, 1514.
Sie—l have the honour to acknowledge On
receipt of your several favours of yesterday's date
The conditions offered by you for our return so Om
United States are perfectly satisfactory to me, an* I
entertain no doubts of their being equally so to my •
country. I therefore do not hesitate to pledge asy
honour -(the strongest bond I can give) that every
article of the arrangement shall on our part be fully
complied with. A list of the Essei Junior's crew
shill be furnished yon as soon as it can 'be made out,
and her disarmament effected with all possible dies
patch.—l have the honour to be, &c.
I'
(Signed) a DAVID PORT/00,
Commodore James Hillyar' commanding his Britannic
Majesty's frigate Phiabe, Valparai.e."
Commodore Hillyar sent me a paper certifying,
that he had exchanged certain individuals therein
named, making part of the crew of the Sir Andrew
Hammond, for an equal number of the most severely
wounded of my crew; this occasioned the following
letters : Valparalao, 4th April,lill4.
Sir—l have received a paper signed by you,
dated yesterday, stating, that you had exchanged
certain wounded prisoners, making part of my crew,
for the Captain and crew of the prise ship Slr An-
drew Hammond, which paper 1 have taken the liberty
to return to you, and protest in the strongest terms
against such arrangement. In the first place, the
wounded and helpless individuals therein named, do
not wish such exchange ; one died last night, and
several others expect to share his tate. Secondly.
should I from any circumstance be separated front
them, which would be more likely to be the case than
if they remained prisoners, their situation would be
more deplorable than it is at present. fitirdly, this
arrangement has been made without my consent, and
on terms far from offering equal advantages to the
United States. I have the honour to be, act.
" Commodore James ig
Hillyadr, confounding his D. roRTER."
Britaanie Majesty's frigate Placehr."

Hui ritannie Majesty's Ship nabob
Ipitaion, April 4, I atl4.
44. Silt--I have the honour to acknowiedge the re-
' oeipt ot your letter of this day's date, protesting
against the arrangement I made in the paper rim
returned, and to express a regret that my IA which
was to alleviate, and not increase, toe efaicriom. of
your wounded officers and crew, has failed of being
gratified. lam sorry you have thought proper to
mention the dead and dying ; as I so fully explained
to you this morning, that, iti the event ot the loss of
any, other names ►itottld he added to the list. I shall
now direct Captain William Porter to cOtiiider