Star.
London, England, 1812-10-22 00:00:00

BOSTON, SE:11111;1.R 19.

A cartel ship, on braid which CaptainDacres and
most of the crew of the Gtlel riere were embarked,
ready to sail for Halifax, has been unexpectedly de-
tained by order of the Secretary of the Navy. The
cause we learn is, that no arrangement has yet been
settled for the exchange of national prisoners of war.
But the Nautilus's officers and crew have been sent
up from Halifax. The exchange of privateers•men
and persons taken in merchant vessels will be conti-
nued as usual. Twelve of the Guerriere's crew are
detained at Charlestown, as hostages for the safety
of six reputed English subjects, found among the
crew of the Nautilui, which have been sent from
Halifax to England for trial. On Thursday, five of
the prisoners on board the prison ships in Charles'
river, attempted to escape in a boat, but were fired
upon and brought back. One of them was severely
wounded.

COPIES OF LETTERS RECEIVED AT TIIE NAVY DEPART-
MENT, FROM CAPT. PORTER, OF TILE UNITED STATES
FRIGATE ESSEX, OF 32 GUNS,

44 At Sea, Aug. 17.

" have the honour to inform you, that on the 13th
his Britannic Majesty's sloop of war Alert, Captain T. L. P.
Laugharne, ran down on our weather quarter, gave three cheers,
and commenced an action, (if so tr fl lig a shirmish deserves the
name,) and after tight minutes tiring struck her colours, wi h
seven feet water in her hold, much cat to pieces, and three men
wounded. I need not inform you, that the officers and crew of
the Essex behave 4, as 1 trust all Americans will, In such cases ' •
and it is only to be regretted that so much zeal and activity could
not have been displayed on an occasion that would have done
them more honour. The Essex has not received the slightest
injury. The Alert was out for the purpose of taking the Hor-
net.-1 have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) D. PORT ta."
" Hon. Paul Hamilton," &c. _ _

" At Sea, September 1.
" Sig—On the afternoon of the 90th of August, in 1at.96. N.
long. 64. W. discovered rne of the enemy's frigates standing to-
wards us under a press of sail, apparently with an intention of
speaking us. Stood for him under easy sail, with the ship pre-
pared for action ; appri.herisive that he might rot find us in the
night I hoisted a light. At nine he made a signal, consistisg of
two flashes and one blue light, apparently about four miles dis-
tance Iron us. I cominued to stand on for the point where they
were seen until miinight, when not beriing sight of the enemy,
I ccncluded that it would be best to heave-to for him until day-
light, presuming that he had chine the same, or that he would at
least have kept in our neighbourhood ; but, to my great cur-
prize and the moiCticattun of soy efF.c. rs 414 crew, whose zeal
on every occasion excites y•Aluirat on, we discovered in the
morning that the bird had flowit ! From the latitude and lon-
gitude in which we saw this vessel, and from her iketnessovbich
enabled her to disappear so soon, I think it was not unlikely that
it was the Acasta, of So guns and 350 men, -sent out with so
much parade, accompanied by the KingAlove, of 22 guns, to
cruize for the Essex Pethap., however, she went to seek her
consort. (signed) " PORTIA.
_ _ _

" Hon. Paul Hamilton, &c.
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER S.

Captain hull, in his brilliant and successful en-
gagement with the Guerriere, has fulfilled the ex-
pectations of the friends of our navy, and merited
the thanks of his country. The official accounts of
this action at sea, which we now publish, will prove
a consoling balm to the feelings of the patriots which
have received so severe a wound in the late disas.
trous and unaccountable and iaexpiicable incident of
the War on land.

" United States frigate tonritution, off Boston, Aug. 30.
" SIR-1 have the honour to inform you, that on the 19th
instant, at two P. st. being in lat. 41. 42. and long. 55. 48. with
the Constitution under my command, a sail was discovered from
the mast-head, bearing E. by S. or E.S.E. but at such a distance
we could not tell what she wait All sail was instantly made in
duce, and soon found we came up with her. At three P: M.
could plainly see that she wai a ship on the starboard rack, un-
der an easy sail, close on a wind. At half-past three r. it. made
her out to be a frigate ; continued the ehace mad we were with.
in about three miles, when I ordered the light sails to be taken
in, the courses hauled up, and the ship cleared for action. At
this (line the chase had backed his main-top-sail, waiting for us
to come down. As soon as tie Constitution was ready for ac-
tion, I bore down, with an intention to bring him to close ac-
tion immediately; but on our coming within gun-shot she gave
is a broadside, and filled away and wore, giving us a broadside
on the ether tack, but without effect, her shot tailing short : she
continued wearing and maticenvring for about three quarters of
in hour, to get a raking position ; but finding she could not, she
bore up, and run under her topsails and jib, with the wind on
the quarter, I immediately made sail to bring the ship up with
her, and five minutes before six P. it. being alongside, within
halt pistol-shot, we commenced a heavy fire from all our guns,
double-4sotted with round and grape, and so well-directed were
they, and so warmlj kept up, that in fifteen minute' his mixen-
Mast went by the board, and his main-yard iu the slings, and the
hull, rigging, and sails very much torn to pieces. The Ere was
kept up with equal warmth for fifteen minutes longer, when hia
mainmast and forknast wen-, taking with them every spar, ex-
ceiting the bowsprit; pn seeing this we ceased firing, so that in
30 minutes after we got fatly alongside of the enemy she sur-
rendered, and had not a spar standing, and her bull, above and
below water, so shattered, that a few more broadsides must have
carried her down. After informing you that so fine a ship as
the Guerisere, commanded by an able and experienced Whets-,
bad been totally di.masted, and otherwise cut to pieces so as to
Make her not worth towing into port, in the short space of 30
minutes, you can have no doubt of the gallantry and good con-
duct of the ofEcers and ship's company I have the honour to
command. It only remains, theretbre, for me to assure you,
that they all fought with great bravery ; and it gives me great
pleasure to say, that from the smallest boy in the ship tote
• oldest seaman, not a look of fear was seen. 'ley all went isto
action giving three cheers, and requesting to be laid close aim-
side the enemy. (Signed) `t ISAAC 411114.."
" To the Hon. Patti Hamilton," &c.

AMERICAN ELI:CI lONS, The lections• in the
United States excite no less bustle and curiosity than
the Elections in England. We have received the
following as the probable computation of rotes for
the Presidency :
For Mr. DE WITT CLINTON. New Hampshire, 81
Massachusets, 22 ; Rhode Island, 4 ; Conneiticnt,
9 ; Vermont, 8 • New-York, 29 ; New Jersey, 8 ;
Lel..ware, 4 ; Maryland, 3 ; North Carolina, 15.
Total, 110.
For Mr. J. MADISON, Fensylvania, 25 ; Maryland, .
O; Virginia, 25 ; St uth Carolina, 11 ; Georgia, 8 ;
hio, 8; Icentt4.y, 121 Tenessee, S; Orleans, 3.
Top', 108.
There are a few totes deficient which are wax-
plained, we believe we in number.

EAST =INDIA MPERS.

The following dispatch, from the Honourable the
Lieutenant-Governor, is published for general infor-
mation, viz.

TO COL. R. R. GILLESPIE, VICE-PRISIOENT IN COUNCIL.
" Sia—l have the satisfaction to inform you, that a treaty
was, 00 the £sd instant, concluded between the Honourable the
East-India Company, and his Highness the Soosoohoesiont
ion
terms hsghly advantageous 'to the British interests, and ecally
beneficial to the prosperity of the country, placed under the ad-
mints' ration ot the Boosouhocnan.

" His Highness. In acknowledging the British sovereignty
over the whole island of Java. confirms to the English East-India
Company ad privileges, advantages, and prerogatives heretofore
granted to the late French and Dutch Government; and fur-
ther has transferred to them, the sole administration and collec-
tion of the duties and Saroong Booroong within his dominions,
as well u the general administration of justice its all cues in which
it has been the desire of the British Government to interfere.

" I have also the honour to intimate to you, that his Highness
the Sultaun having previously to ruy arrival at Djocjocarta. tit
most tinqualilitd terms, expressed his contrition for the late
events which has taken place, I had the sati,faction, after a per-
sonal interview with his Highness, and on a conviction of the sin-
cerity of his professions, to re-establish him in the admiaistr.tion
of the countries which were under the authority of Vjoejocarta,
on the arrival of the English.

" His Highness nio,t unequivocally acknowledges the British
Sovereignty, and confirms by .t Treaty, dated the 28th instant, to
the East-India Company, all rights heretofore posstined by the
late French and Dutch Governments.

" By these treaties general tranquility and good understanding
have been establialied with the Courts, and 1 am satisfied from
what I have had the opportunity of personally observing, that the
same iy nut likely to be again disturbed.
" Copies of the treaties are inclosed for your information, and
on my return to Batavia I shall have the pleasure of communi-
cating to you the cutrespondLnce which preceded them,
" I have the honour to be, Sir,
" Your very obedient humble servant,
(Signed) " 'I LIUMA4 RAFFLIS:'
" Samarang, 29th Dec. let 1."

t W. ROIUNSON, Acting Chid Secretary."
" Batavia, ht January, 181;.."
OFFICIAL DISPATCH

FROM LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SMITH, ANNOUNCING TEE

FALL OF FORT NOWANNEGUR.

BOMBAY CASTLI, FEL 24, 1812.

GZNLRAL ORDER ST GOVERNMENT.

The Honourable the thivernur in Council is pleased to publish
the foll.ming didpa•ch from Lieutenant-Colonel Lionel Smith,
of his Majesty's 05th regiment, and commanding a fo, ce in Kat-
tywar, to the address of the Resident at Baroda: communicating
the operations of the force against the fort of Nuwannegur.
Head•quarters, Camp before Nowatinegur, Feb. it 4, 1812.

.-.- - -
Sir— l'be nature of your communications with the Am Rajah
requiring the advance of the detachment under toy command, 1
have the honour to acquaint you fur the information of the Hun.
the Governor in Council, that we marched from Chella Chunga
ton the morning of the 21st inst. and took up a position tin toe
north face of Nowatmegur, the lanes Arab infantry only occs
sion'ng some tr "Prig skirmishing, while his horse was kept in
chock by those of his Highness putty Sing.
On the morning of the 22d, a detachment was sent forsVard to
take op ground for the batteries, but considering the camp at too
great a distance to do so promptly, and without great los ~ 'esta-
blished, in the first instance, a strong redoubt to shelter the troops
in our farther operations. The enemy basing brought nearly all
his guns during the night to this face, 1 placed two guns in this
redoubt to keep up the enemy's attention trom the real spot in-
tended for breaching, which was most judiciously pointed out by
the Engineer Lieutenant Gordon, and a battery having been corn
pined during the night of the 22d, it o, rued about is o'clock the
tollowing morning, and effected a breach on the north-east face
of the wall by 5 o'clock in the evening.
I had issued orders for the assault at day-light this morning,
which the Jam's submission to Goverment, during the night,
prevented, and though, by this timely reflection of the Rajaies,
many lives have bent saved, I may be permitted to regret, in
common with all the Officers and men of the detachment, a re-
soh so full of disapyointntent ; fur the zeal, and order, evinced
by all ranks, promised the most decisive success against any re-
sistance. lam under the greatest obligations to Lieut -Colonel
East, or his support and assistance to me on all occasions.

The advanced parties of the Light Battalion, and the Company
of blarp shooters of the 7th regiment, whu were thrown out
against the Arabs, while we were taking up ground on the 22cl
instant, particulaily distinguished themselves, by activity and
steadiness.

'1 he Officers mostly employed having beer. those of the Engi-
gincers and Artillery, they all made the greatest exertions in their
respective duties. 1 he Engineers Lieutenant Gordon and Ensign
Jarvis were indefatigable. Captain Bond, and all the offictrs and
men of artillery, afforded me the highest satisfaction ; the mi rite
of Captain Hardy are well established, he is as excellent officer,
and I availed myself of his Information and science with perfec
coadence. I have the henour to be, .kc. (S gneti)
LII)NtL Sutra, Lieut.-CoL