Star.
London, England, 1813-04-07 00:00:00

. AMERICAN PAPERS.

COMMODORZ BAINBRIDGE TO THE SECRETARY OP TILE

NAVY.

" Sr. SALVADOR, lAN. 2.
" Sra—l have the honour to inform you, that on the 99th ult.
at two P.M. in South lat. IS. 06. and West long. 38. about ten
leagues distance from the coast of Brazil, I fell in with and cap-
tured his Britannic Majesty's ship Java,of 49 guns, and upwards
of 400 men, commanded by Captain Lambert, a very distin-
guished ?ffiCer The action lasted one hour and 55 minutes, in
which time the enemy was completely dismaited, not having a
spar of any kind standing. The loss on board the Constitution
was nine killed, and 9.5 wounded. The enemy had 60 killed,
and tOl wounded certainly (among the latter Captain Lambert
mortally); but by the enclosed letter written on board the ship,
(by one of the officers of the Java), and accidentally found, it is
evident that the enemy's wounded must •have been much greater
than as above stated, and who must have died of their wounds
previously to their being removed. (The letter states 60 killed,
and 170 wounded). •
" For farther details of the action, I beg to refer to the extracts
from my journal. The Java had, in addition to her own crew,
upwards of 100 supernumerary officers and seamen, to join the
British ships of war in the East Indies: also Lieutenant-General
Hislop, appointed to the command of Bombay, Major Wilke,
and Captain Wood, of his Staff, and Captain Marshall, Master
and Commander in the British navy, going to the East Indies to
take the command of a sloop of war there.
" Shovid I attempt to do justice, by representation, to the
brave and good conduct of all my officers and crew during the
action, I should fail in the at- eosin therefore, suffice it to say, that
the whole of their conduct was such as to merit my highest en-
comiums. I beg leave to recommend the officers particularly to
the notice of Goveztment, as also the unfortunate seamen who
were wounded; mid the families of those brave men who fell in
the action.

" The great distance from our own coast, and the perfect
wreck we made the enemy's frigate, forbade every idea of at-
tempting to take her to the United States; and not considering
it prudent to tru.t her into a port of Brazil, particularly St. Sal-
vador, I had no alternative but burning her, which 1 did on the
Slit ult. after receiving all the prisoners and their baggage, which
was very tedious work, only having one boat left (out of eight)
and not one boat left un board the Java.

" On blowing up the frigate I proceeded to this place, where I
have landed all the prisoners to return to England, and there re-
main until regularly exchanged, and not sei ve in their profes-
sional capacities in any place, or in any manner whatever, against
the United States of America, until the exchange shall be regu-
larly thee:ed. " I have the honour to be, &c.

" W. BAINBRIDOL."
EXTRACT OF A LETTER, DATED RICHMOND, FEB. 14.
" Smith's Island, at the mouth of the Bay, is in
possession of the English : fortifications are erected,
and his Majesty's colours flying there. Two frigates
have proceeded up as far as York River. Indeed
nothing can pass or repass, to evade the enemy. It
is the general opinion, that a long and severe blockade
is intended. Norfolk is, I think, safe ; the time
( which has been improved) allowed for defensive
measures, and 3,000 brave men, will, I think, en-
sure its safety."