The Statesman.
London, England, 1809-11-30 00:00:00

E.

several other newly.erected batteries, the convoy,
consisting of eleven vessels, five of them armed, as.
per accompanying list, were moored. •
The boats being arranged in separate divisions,
the whole ware put ender toe orders of Lieutenant
Tailour, First Lieutenant d the Tigre, end pro.
ceeded to the stuck of the 6110161, elm, although
he could have had no preview intimation of such
an enterprize against Mm, was found vigilant
and completely on his guard. The ship, which
was a-. Waller sort of frigate, was enclosed in
boaLreag netting., and $ gun-butt advanced a-
head of her fur the look-out ; on being hailed,
and the alarm.gutt fired, our boats stretched out,
the crews at the highest pitch of astimition, filling
the air with their cheers ; each division took the
rata previously allotted to It, the armed ship was
boarded at all points, and carried in a few minutes,
notwithstanding a spirited and sturdy resistance
which the enemy made ; all their armed vessels
wire well defended, but the British seamen and
marines, determined to subdue them, were nut to
bo repelled, even by a force found to be double
that Which was expected,
.and besides the opposi-
tion made by the vessels, the guns from the castle,
Vet forts in the bay; the gun-boats, and mus-
ketry from the beach, kept a constant tire on
thee). Ott the opening of day, every ship or ves-
sel' was eithersburnt, or brought otr, aided by the
light winds which then came from the land ; and
the whole of the convoy that came from Tonkin
for the supply of the French army in Spain, has
been destroyed, with the exception of the frigate,
wfiich escaped to Marseilles, and one store-ship
not since heard of.
I gannet conclude this narrative *ithout an
repression of the sentiment which the execution
of this bold enterprize has inspired me with, end
t* respect sod admiratiou I fuel fur those whe
*formed it.
Is the first place, success greatly depended
upon the previous arrangement which was made
by Captain Itallowell, with a judgment and
foresight that distinguishes that Officer in every
service ho is employed on ; the divisiun of the
boats, the preparation of fire materials, and pro.
'Ming them with every implement that con.
tingency could require, established a confidence
throighout the whole ; and in this he was ably
assisted by the experience and zeal of Ca p-
Was Wodehouse, Bitten, Taylor, and Hope.
'the brigs were under sail, as near the vessels
attacked as the light %skids would allow, and
taptain Hallowell speaks in high terms of praise
nT the conduct of their Centmanilers Crawley,
Rail', and Wilaon. The First Lieutenant Tallow
led to the assault in a most gallant manner, and
Was followed by the other Officers, as if cacti was
ambitious of his place, and desired to be first ;
the whole party bravely maintains I the character
which British seamen have established fur them.
selves. 1

I ins sorry I have to ad I, that the loss has ken
considerable, of which I hickse a list. Lieuten-
ant Tait, of the Velontaire, an excellent anti
brave young Officer, and Mr. Caldwell, Master's
Mate of the Tigre, a youth of greet promise,
were the only Officers slain.
Many Officers in tba fleet wcie desirous nf hr..
lag volunteers in this service. 1 cuuld nut resist
tile strata request of Lieutenants Lord Viseuunt
palgonle,• the Hon. J. A. MauJi, and the lion.
W..Waldegrave, of the Ville de Paris, to have
the command of boats, in which they displayed
that spirit which is inherent in thc:n.
I tramunit also Captain Ilalluwell's letter re.
Inking his proceedings, with lists of the officers who
Continunded boats, and find appointnient in this
Service, and of the serseis burnt and captured.

1 have the honour to he, tte.
(Signed) 1oLt.1%;:woon.

P. S. I have chirged Lieutenant IV.iltlegravr,
of the Ville de Paris, with th►: delivery of my dis-
patches; an officer of gre►t merit, and who com.
wended onis of the boats employed on this writ:v.

His MaVsty's Ship Tier, WV Cape St
Setrot ha, Noe. It 11409.

My Lunn—ln oht•dience to your Lordship's
larder of the 30th ult. I prsietsedcd to the Bay of
Reiag with the ships and sloops named in the mar-
gin, where, finding it impracticable to attack the
enemy's convoy while under-weigh (the wind he.
In; at S. E. and a heavy swell), I anchored the
ships of the squadron yesterday evening after dark,
about five miles off the town of 'Lois, and dam_
Lathed all the boats, under the crininui:lll of Lieu-
tenant Tailow., First of the to destroy
thorn ; the spirited manner in which he led them
4,11 to the attack, commanded the admiration of
every one
.present ; and the gallant manner iti
which he was supported reflect) the hig;sest honour
',every perton employed on the armee.
I have tbo honour to ittclo>e a list of vessels
taptoresi and desisoyed no tbis ucca.sitt ; and
when your Llrd,b p is informed that the enemy
Was aware of ear iutenti n to attack him, and

had taken the precaution t f fixing boarding net-
lt.ep, sad plar.ug a launch r:th a gun in it in ad-
va..ce, to girtt hint a notice of our approach, and
thet the vessels also defended by the very strung

patteries on share, I tru,t your Lorilshii) ;ill con_
skier it equal in gallantry and judgment 10 any
exploit that 'lab occurred undor yuur Lordship's

commend.
Our loss has beets severe, and among the list of
killed I have to lament the loss of Lieut. Tait,
Of the Vulontaire, of whom Capt. Bullet' speaks

in high terms, a* an Officer wholias distinguished
holism:lf aims: many occasions; and Mr: Csl.lUell,
Iluter's Nue of the Tigre : the latter has left a
widowed mother in distressed circumstances, who

looked to him fur comfort and support. Among
the wounded are Lient. Tailour, of the Tigre, and
Lieut. Forster, of the Apollo, se►erely.
The brigs were directed to keep under weigh,
and were iu an admirable situation at day•ligltt to
have given assist...tee, had it been necessary.
I have the honour. also to Melo.c a list of the
°deers emphyed on this *Ville ; and I have
only to atate that their conduct, and that of the
3samou and Marines under their *commend, was
such as to exceed any encomium from my pen,
sod entitles them to my warmest thanks and sp•
probation. I have the 11011011 f to be, ke.
' (signed) B. uitu.owsl.L,