Star.
London, England, 1810-09-26 00:00:00

laid down their
British Union
'the •fost and shipping.
I beg Iteave,to congratulate
acquisition of this important
hundred and thirty Europeans, . upwards
thousand Javanese and Madurese troops, exclusive of
the officers and crews of three vessels sunk in ate In-
ner Harbours many of which are-Earopeankamount-
ing to two hundred and twenty men, aided by the
DutCh inhabitants and Burghers; Who were stationed
in the batteries on- this very formidable line of de."
fence, as will appear by the return made thereon.
I trust it- will appear, that the characteristic cool.
ness and bravery of the British soldiers and seamen,
have seldom shone forth with greeter lustre than on
this occasion, in the intrepid condtict displayed by the
handful of brave men, which I hive had the honour
and good fortune to command.
It now remains for me to perform that pleasing but
difficult part of my duty, the endeavour to do justice
to the merits of the officers and megimployed on this
service.

By Captain Court's Report (to whose judgment,
and the very able disposition of the force under his
orders, is to be attributed, in a great measure, the
early surrender of the island), your Excellency Will,
perceive the high terms that distinguish every tndivi
dual; and in which encomiums, so justly bestowed, I
most heartily concuc. • :.
I must not omit to mention the very essential assis-
tance rendered the expeditior by that able- officer
Captain Phillipi, from his local knowledge, and being
complete' mister of the Malay language ; for his
readiness in rendering that assistance on all occasions,
I feel myself much indebted to him.
_ _

To C-aptains Montague and,Spencer,- their officers I
and crews, the greatest praise is due,_for the able sup-
port affojded by theni in the attack on the fort and •
batteries, where a difficult navigation, with baffling
winds and strong currents, required the greatest judg-
ment in the management of the ships.
Captain Montague sptaks highly of the resistance
he received from Lieutenant Peachy, FITS Lieute-
nant, Mr. Garland, Master, and Mr. Scott the Purser,
the only officers left on board the Cornwallis.
Captain Spencer also mentions, in the most hand.
some manwer, the aid he received from his First LSeu-
tenant
Mr. Dabine ; and I beg to recommend to your i
Excellency's notice Lieutenant Incledon, First of the
Do4er, from whom I have received the greatest sup-
port throughout the whole of this service, particularly
so on the day of action, when the other Lieutenants
were absent from the ship. The conduct of Mr. Mor-
gan, the Master, also meets my approbation.
It fell to the lot of Mr. Palmer the Purser (who
volunteered on this occasion) to command the main-
deck, in consequence of the absence of the other offi-
cers ; to him I am particularly indebted for his aid
on this occasion, as well as on many others, whenever
he thought his services might be useful.
The Warrant and Petty Officers, and that part of
the ship's company remaining on board, are entitled
to my warmest commendations, for a conduct every
way worthy the established character of British sea-
men. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed)

EDWARD TUCKER.

To Captain Edward Tucker, Commanding his Britannic Ma
ty's Ships, and the Forces employed on the Expedition to
Eastward.

Sin-I have the honour to report to you by this,
the earliest opportunity afforded me, the operations
of the troops and seamen employed under my corn.
mand, in the attack upon the enemy's outposts um
the 16th instant.

The force destined for this service, composed of
the number of men named in the margin*, having
landed about two o'clock P.M. agreeably to your or-
ders, and being farmed, acccrding to instructions
I had previously given, the advanced party under
Captain Phillips, consisting of thirty rank and file
of the 2d battalion, artillery under Lieutedant Stew-
art, the detachment of Royal Marines from his Ma-
jesty's ship Dover under Lieutenant Hi n, and
a detachment of one company of the Euro-
pean regiment, with a party of seamen from his '
Majesty's ship Dover, under Lieutenant Jeffries, in
all about one hundred and eighty men, was directed
to attack the battery at Wannetoo, situated on the
top of a small hill, of a most commanding height and
position, and defended by five iron twelve-pounders, I
two iron eight-pounders, two iron six-pounders, and
two five and a half inch brass howitzers.
This the most advanced post of the enemy, and
commanding the shore at Portuguese Bay, was at-
tacked with that gallantry, promptitude, and judg-
ment which were to be expected from the exertions
and talents of that distinguished officer Captain Phil.;
lips, of the Madras European Regiment, and was.
immediately carried, notwithstanding the determined
opmsition of the enemy, who had two officers killed
and. one desperately wounded after the entrance of
our party into the battery.
•• - Under the able directions of Lieutenant Duncan
Stewart (who,though wounded, continued at his post)
three of the guns were immediately brought to bear
upon the enemy in his retreat, and subsequently upon
the enemy's postat Batter Gantong, which had opened
a fire upon our troops at Wannetoo on their taking
possession thereof.
With the remaining forcef I proceeded along the
heights to turn the enemy's position at Batter Gan-
tong, situated about 1500 yards distant from, and i
nearly on the same level with that at Wannetoo, and
which commanded the town of Amboyna and Fort
Victoria. This party endured with the greatest spirit
and patience a most fatiguing and troublesome march,
ascending and descending hills over which there was
no road, and many of them so extremely steep as to
require the assistance of the bushes for the men to
get up and down by. Their toils were, however, re-
warded by our reaching, a little after sunset, an emi-
nence which effectually commanded the enemy, and
by the satisfaction we experienced on finding that we
had pursued the-only mode of attatk against this post
(so strong by the nature of the ground) which ad-
mitted a probability of success, otherwise than by a
great sacrifice of lives.

• Detaebriunt of attillery, 46; Madras European Regiment,
ISO; seamen and marines from the Dover, 85; seamen and ma-
rines frqm the Cornwallis, tos ; seamen from his Majesty's ship
Samarang, SS.—Total of all descriptions, including Officers, 401.
t One company of Madras European Regiment, Captain
Forbes; the seamen and mluines from his Majesty's Alp Porn.
wail; ; the mimeo from the Semarang; 15 artillerymen. This
body was under the immediate orders of Captain Forbes, who
Nlfiue4 ductee of this charge $o my greatest sitioractioN

.~-~_

.2' i - *- ''Gaul*' -:-46.:•-•-,*; • irs.--.4.1-. - to!. -b, • . •
1 • - Snt—lnclosed I beg leave to transmit you for
the
His Metes sileas'albs, madras UM; Aril *e.
eollimend in mine nuMbert, .2
- goners of the Admiralty , a return of the gals
et
perceived on the heights
information of the Right Hon. the Lords
r..,
mans.
the battery without op-'•
four iron 12-pounders, sad vesse
• war and merchantmen captured and destroyed by the
1
The conseq successes in obtaining pos. Blockading Squadron on the coast of Java and the
session.of Wannetoo and Better Gangtong, were ob.. Moluccas, under the command of Captain Tucker
a! of his Majesty's ship Dover, between the
.Bth
served brthe desertion on the part ofabe enemy,
1 cember, 11p9, and the sth of March, 1810.
two batteries which had annoyed theehips, and which
became exposed to our commanding
.fire. One of -I have the honour to be, &c.
t..
them, called the Wogoo Battery, is situated on the 2 (Signed) w. o. DRURY.
shore. The other is erected upon piles some distance John wills° Calker, rig'
in the sea ; they were both well calculated for defence I His Mujesty's ship Dover, Amboyna a
—oads,Marth i
Sin-4 have the honour to inclose to E against a naval attack, and were covered by a very your xcei.
lendreterns of the vessels captured, detained or de.
thick parapet. The ordnance found in them are ex-
pressed in the margin.• ._ - steeled bY his Majesty's ships under my command
During the night of the 16th it between the Bth of December, 1809, and the date
tat. ewe l2-pounders
and one 9-pounder were relieved oc . the spikes, in the hereof. I am, Bcc. (Signed) Rm. TUCKER,
Wm. O'Brien Drury, Esq. Rear-Admiral of the Red, &c.
Remtuirnort Vreelintwels oefenWthear casthptoufredDecebymhbiesrMlBo9ajen.ya'nedstessetnd_h.;:r
Batter Gantong Battery, which on the following
day were brought to fire on the fort. The enemy re-
turned our fire, which continued until your summons march, ism:
! for the surrender of the town, with shells, but with- Dutch. ship Mandarins, Capt. Beaman, of 16 guns and 66 mee,.
out effect. - captured Feb. S, 1810,1 y his Majesty's ship Cornwallis—Dm:li
brig Capt.O. H. de Wathyrs of 18 guns and Our lout in obtaining our advantages was trifling, captured Feb. Rembang,
6, 1810, by the Oseer-4,,tc1, Jtc find imr.tiles,
in comparison with the importance of their cease- J. Lu Cardie, of to guns and 6$ men, captured brig Hope,
quences, and considering the obstacles the troops had the Dovir—Dutch brig Mandurese, Capt. Guasteranus, of 1.
guns, sunk Feb. 19, 18W, in the loner Harbour of Aniboyna:
and raised Once that island surrendered—Dutch curter, Li rut,
tO surmount. .
In expressing my sentimenu of the conduct of the
Heath, of 12 guns, sunk as above—Dutch cutter Sa
officers and men employed on thiiiiccasimi, I cannot Dickkert, of 10 guns, sunk as above. The Officer:stir...ow or
'Peak too highly Of the k exertions ;to which, and the the three last mentioned vessels, amounting to 220 men, 6
formidable ire the: enemy had experienced. frOiiilli e' on chore ID the fort.
ict
„ships, must be attributed theiesirly surrender of this Dutch brig Margaretta Louisa, Captain de Ruiter, of 8 guns,
(pierced tor 14) and 42 men, raptured March 2, 1810, by the
: important colony, --- - - boast; of the CorninWs, under Lieut. Peachy.
I have already, / hope, done justice to the 'Military •• -••- (Signed) 'meant, TUCKER.
-
Condutt Of Captain Phillips, to whom lam likewise ARSTRACT—Seven 'MU& Of war of various descriptions 45
under the greatest obligations for his advice. You are Government supply vessels of various descriptions, 3 neutral's.—
aware, Sir, how much the service is indebted to that Total of every descri. pton, 52. (signed) e. r.
His Majesty s ship Caroline, In Madras Roads, April 23. 1 eifficer for the very important assistance derived from
SIR—My letter of yesterday inclosed, for the infor-
• his knowledge of the Malay language.
motion of the Lords Commissioners of the Adm. 1 .Ira ty
a return of vessels of war and merc ntmet captured
I To Captain Forbes of the Madras European Regi- ha
ment, I owe every acknowledgement for. the benefit
hisßlockading Squadron, employed
of his judgment and advice. and destroyed by the
Lieutenant Duncan Stewart, attached to theon the coast of Java and the Moluccas, under the
Ar- command of Captain Tetker, of his Majesty's
tillery, to whose lot it fell to head die party against ship
Dover ; and I now beg leave to transmit copies of the
Wannetoo, acted most nobly up to his-station. He was several letters, detailing' thecircanistances under which
:die first that entered the battery, and gave the Dutch those events took place.—l have the honor to be, dtc.
I Officers an opportunity to surrender, which generous (Signed) IV. o. DRURY.
' offer was on their part declined. He continued to
John Wilson Croker, Esq: Admiralty.
perform his duty- throughout the service, notwithstan- His Majesty's ship Dover, off Batavia,
ding a severe cut he received in the hand. December 11,1809.
Lieute
~,e, effries of the Royal Navy received a Since the Bth, the Dover's boats have captured the
concussio J e breast from a spent grape-shot, but. following Dutch vessels :—A prow, of 2 guns and
il'iin happy to say, the service was at no period depri- 10 men ; ditto, of 2 guns and 12 men ; ditto, of 4
, Ted of his valuable assistance.
1 N'.
TUCK'S.
' guns and 12 men ; ditto, of 3 guns and 11 men.
It is bet justice due to the- Royal Marines, troops, (Signed) EDWARD
and seamen, to make known to you the steadiness William O'Brien Drury, Esq. loar.Adnurai of
with which they advanced against Wannetoo, under the Red, ext. fcc. Itc. East Indies.
a heavy fire of grape and musketry, not a shot was , His Majesty's ship Dover, Coast of has,
January 22, 1810.
, fired until they reached the breastwork of the battery. . •
Sir—Since my last to your Excellency, dated off
I Suck a testimony of their valour and conduct, while
his Majesty's Batavia, llth December, 1809, I have captured in
! highly honourable to the Royal Marines and troops,
ship Dover, under my command, the
must reflect more than ordinary credit upon the sea- . .
1 following Dutch vessels :—A prow, of 3 guns and
mcnhe Capitulation of the town has prevented the .
10 men • ditto, of 3 guns and 12 men; ditto, of 1,
T
furtherl gun and ' 7 men ; ditto, of 1 gun and 6 men; ditto,
ecessity of the troops and seamen displaying
f 2 guns 9 men ditto, of 2 guns and 8 men;
that valour and steadiness which had been conspicu- °.
ditto. of 2and guns and; 6 men; ditto, of 1 gun and 8
ous in every part of their conduct throughout this
men • ditto, of 1 gun and 4 men ; ditto, of 32 men
service, and which their undiminished ardour gave
(soldiers! ,
with
muskets) ; ditto, of 1 gun and 5 men;
every reason to conclude would have been attended .
a brig, of four 6-inch swivels and 60 men ; ditto, of
with similar success, although opposed to the more
4 guns and 38 men' ; a sloop of 4 guns and SO men;
formidable defences of Battameera and Gillala.
ditto, of 6 guns and 40 men ; a tank, of ti gunsand
• I have herewith the honour to inclose a Return of
60 men —I am, Sir, &c. (Signed) EDW. TUCKER.
Ordnance mounted on the Castle of Victoria, and on
the several batteries to the right and left thereof.— To William O'Brien DrUry, Esq. Rear.Adusiral
of the Red, dm &c. &c.
The Return of Stores is too voluminous to enable me His Majesty's ship Dover, off Amboyza,
at present to transmit yon. (Signed) this February, 1510.
H. M. COURT, Sir—On the Bth instant, having reached the island
Captain Commanding the Troops employed Amblanco, I dispatched Captain Spencer in the Sa-
on the Expedition to the Eastward. marang during the night to reconnoitre the harbour
Fort Victoria, February 27, 1510.
and defences of Amboyna, and at day-light on the
• Wogoo Battery-4 Iron 1 sirounders, 1 ditto 8-pounder, 2
ditto 6-pounders, and 1 brass 32-pounder carronade. 6th I discovered two sail off that island, which, after
Battery in the Sea-9 iron 12-pounders, and 1 brass 92-pounder a chase of five hours, and a defence honourable to
carronade. them, struck to his Majesty's ship under my coin-
.l. 1 Corporal of Marines belonging to the Samanug, 2 Privates
of the Madras European Regiment, and 1 Sr.unan of the Dover, wand •,
killed; 1 Lieutenant and 1 Corpora aof
Corporals of the Sd Detachment thethey proved to be the Butch national brigs
British Artillery, 4 Privates of the Madras European Regiment, war Rembang and Hope, the former of 18 long
six-pounders and 100 men, commanded by Captain
and 4 seamen of the Dover} wounded. O. H. Delt Verthss ; and the latter of 10 guns and
To L'Heivicelugt, Governor of the Moluccas at Amboyna. 68 men, commanded by Captain J. Lu Cardie. The
Sin-The very decided advantages already gained Rembang
by the Bluish Forces, in having now the complete had one man killed and three wounded.
I have the honour to be, &c.
possession of four of your principal batteries, with a (Signed) EDWARD TUCKER.
great force, an abundant supply of ammunition and Rear-Admiral Drury, Commander in Chief.
provisions, and a situation from which I can destroy His Majesty's Ship Cornwallis, at Sea, February S.
your town and fort, motives of humanity induce me to SIR—I have the honour to inform you, that afters
wish to spare the effusion of blood and destruction of chace of four hours, and the exchanging a few guns
private property that must ensue in the event of a re- the Dutch national corvette Mandarine, mounting 16
gular siege. I therefore demand that you surrender the guns, and manned with 66 men, surrendered to the
Island of Amboyna to the forces of his Britannic. Tyra- Cornwallis. She was victualled and stored for lour
I jesty under my command, and entreat you to surren- months, had been out three weeks, and had taken
der it without delay.—l have the honour, &c. nothing. lam happy to add we had only one nun
(Signed) EDWARD TUCKER: slightly wounded. I have the honour to be, &c.
His Britannic Majesty's Skip Dover, off -. • • (Signed) W. A. MONTAOCE. '
Fort Victoria, February 17,1810.
. His Majesty's Skip Cornwallis, Bouthian Bay, Jan. 17.
I. P. F. Film, Colonel Adjutant-General mid Conitineder in Stn--I beg leave to inform you, that on my arrival
Chief at the Moluccas, to Edward Tuckei, EitruishCiptallf of his
Majesty's ship Dover, and eamniandltor the • • Forces at • •
present in the Roads of Amboyna. officer commanding the fort of 80010-Combo, reques•
in the Bay of Bouthian, I sent a flag of truce to the
;
Sir—The concurrence of unfavourable events,
added to the infidelity and treacherous conduct of the .ting permission to water the ship ; this he positive!!
,
Amboynese inhabitants, who in return for the bane- refused ; in consequence of which I landed a &tad,
ment of one hundred men, under Captain Forbes of
fits so lately bestowed upon them, nevertheless exhi- the Madras European regiment, with a field piece to
bit a determined enmity to the Dutch nation, induce
me, to prevent other distresses, and the further -effu-the breath;
. take the fort, which they continued to defend until the
1 troops were within two hundred yards of .
sion of blood (although not yet deprived of all fur-
ther means of defence)'to avail myself of the advan-1 fort at Bouthian, and the native soldiers, amounting
the troops
having horses ready, fled to a small
tap which a capitulation affords. I have therefore the
to two hundred, took refuge in the woods, and coati-
honour to annex the accompanying Articles of Capi- need to annoy us during our stay, so that lam sort,'
tulation, in the confidence that they will be considered
to say we had one man killed and nine wounded r—
conformable to the sentiments of a military heart, and among the latter Captain Forbes-slightly.
will be accordingly agreed to. In that hope, I have The fort contained eight 9-pounders, and two brass_
the to be, &c. ( Signed)
Amboyna, in the Castle 'New Victoria, J. P. T. pwrz. field pieces, defended by SO Dutch soldiers, and she
200 natives already mentioned.
17th February, 1810. - Eleven small vessels, from twenty to fifty tons
.
THE CAPITULATION. (hauled up under its protection), we burnt, and pr
lly the Articles of Capitulation the garrison were allowed the vious to abandoning the fort, we spiked the guns,.
honour, of war, Colleges and private property are protect
,all brou h g t off the ammunition, public property is surrendered to the captors ; the Paper
is to remain the same as at present. ' buildings. I annex a list of ; and burnt the pubbc
he killed and
wounded.
His Majesty's ship Dove;, Amboyna, Mani:4%lo. / have the honour to be, &c. (Signed)
SIR—I have the pleasure so acquaint yours, Excel- A. MONTAGUE. Excel- • - „.
leney, that since my letter of the 20th-oltituo the A LIST Or LIKUD AND WODND.'"•
valuable islands of Saparona, Harouka, and d K
asso- ittxxn—John Smith, private in the Hon. ComPurfe Cog Ar.
Laut, as well as those of Bottro and Manippa, have weritenrYe'n—Csprain Forbes, Of the Mara, Ell"Pe" Regiillmr:
surrendered to his Majesty's forces under myom-
C .
viand. I have the honour to be, &c. vats in the Royal Mashies; l'boasis Manaus, Theo° '' ,
Foe/ PI"
(signed) EDW. TUCKER I calf, James Brannan, ' Foy, end 'llsomas
,4130.
and Commaaster of the preachment slightly; I. B. Butter: r.
in the Madras UMW' ; Sam" Arlimill eau
T. his reellency W. 0. Drury, Esq. Rear-AdMiml slightly; WM. Well* Firsts is Me Ho& Csogaiil
ef the Red, Coumanderda-Cieet, etc.
AttilletT.

, 1; -41 -'A"772-'."'C' -7"."1/41r-T;-'7W:iT-W7.•
• ;4'4'7" .4;
tir arms on- dal ,t4piturade,), iehest the •The envoy, who was coil
was hoisted 44k a Royal salute frets retires inainediately we were
hipping. , • above'them, and we entered
congratalaii rOur Excellency on•ti position, where we found foul
this important Colony, defended by one one iron 9-pounder.
thirty Europeans, and upwards of one The consequences of on: 541