The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-07-31

!" The gun-boats which are now on the ftosks, are
OF different contribution from thofe which were
formerly built. In.sd of being very fat at the bot
tom, and containing thirty-two FOUNDERS, one ia
the Tern and the other in the boush, the prefent
boats imaler, sped like pilot beats and harper
IN the keel, aud contain bur Jingle thrty-two poun-
der IN their DOUGH They are of courfe more rapid
III their movements, and fill capable Of going into
futheeutly fhallow water to anf~sr tn. pufpoles
Tor which they are intended. The former gun bouts
which are already equipped and lying at Norfolk a
round the Chefapeake, Of the cid conilruel;on-
he four that aw at Goiport, (the fouthern sxre-
unity OF Portimcuh) bsding under the iuperinten-
n.nce OF the u $. naval agent, the Respectable MIR.
bedingsr are e, the nesv plan. heie will be com.
pietely equipped in very few days. Four others
nave been conarueted at Hampton, and four more
u belisve) in the county of Matthews. The hole
OF thefe will be in tate of complete equipment, in
fort time. On Friday evening, lavy the fhell of
one OF the Hampton boats, lowed by another veT /,
about half of mile below Fort Melton. 1t was
about to be conducted to the naval yard Coipor,
TO receive its rigging and equipment
The Elizabeth river is defended by two Forts;
Fort Mellon on the fouth fde of the river, about
thrse-fourths OF mile below Portinouth, and Fort
Norfolk about half mile below the other Fort.
FORT Mellon is in the moit complete iate of prepare
ton. 1t is commanded by Captain Saunders from
whole ntrepidity, too mach cannot be expelled. At
preient' 1T contains "a eighteen Pounders and its fl
tuaton is 10 advan: as to expoe every vsel
that defined Norfolk, comfortable time to its
'irf-6L4ri cannon. The of the Fort is how
aefeneeieis. body Of marines might land, attack
1t on that de, feize it. fpike its cannon blow up its
magazine and do nealeulabe milchefto its parapets
before the military force of Portlnouth could march
to ITS reique. have underllood that Captain saun-
aers IS now OH negotiation with the government TO
rms effect He Prcpoles to dig Fofe the rear of
" hIrh a.. r
the Elizabeth river. The ftuation of tie ground is
10 admirably adapted to the purpofe, that complete
me OF decentralization might be drawn around the
,or..-r"rt Norfolk was few days pah, in a very
depiorahle condition. Its parapsts were overthrown
ana It's guns diimounted But owing to the volunteer
exertions OF the patriotic citizens OF Norfolk it is
now rrng from its ruins, and will be in a very ref
Pectabe hate OF preparation in few days. IL is in
tended to contain eighteen Founders.
Commodore Decatur has difplayed the moi af.
toning activity and Kill in the expeditions refittne
OF the Cheiapeake. All her MATS are up, and the
wounds inflicted on her ides by the perfdous balls
OF the Brisifh, completely healed But not 70 is
her honor ! As our troops defended the Elizabeth
river we were ialuted by the company of artillery
on the ihore; BY the cannon of the two Forts; by
the French Frgate, the Cybelle, who cheered u,
from all her fhrouds and paid the extraordinary no
hour OF lowering an lifting her national flag leis
than Oe times. But the fautations Of our ozvn fri
gate was much lefs honorary and complete We
were eheered from her hrouds: But no artillery g
no nag arnounced our departure We were at firlt in
csinea to be wounded by this cold civility Bat on
enqaTing the reaion, aftonifhment was convert
cd Ints oompahion. Alas! She was dla,eeed
'ehei and 1t wasa rule in the navy that the fhip
whole honor was under cloud, could confer none
upon others We heard this explanation with iieh,
but immediately an Involuntary exclamation burii
rom our lips; If Barren has dilgraeed you Decatur
Will rePrieve your honor"
wo other arrangements are necefTary to a more
complete defence OF Norfolk The one is battery
al Craney. Hand, about miles below the town The
other battery on the point of land between Nor
folk and Gofport where the Marine Holpital il ft.
uated ] nndertand that Gen Dearborne, when
he vifited Norfolk to nlpef its Notifications, had
dopted the very fame opinions"