The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-22

presuTing that he had doi.e the same, or
that he would at least have kept in our
neighbofhood but to my great surprise and
the mortlhcatIon OF Wy officers and crew
(whose zeal on every occasion eXCites my
'admlration) we discovered in the morning
that the bird had flown From. the latitude
and Longitude in which we saw this vessel,
and from her ilcetness, which enabled her to
disappear SO soon, think it not unlikely
that twas the. Aeasta, Of SO guns and $50
.mcn, sent out with so much parade, accom-
panied by the Ring Dove of twenty-t two
guns. to cruize for the Essex Perhaps, how
ever, she went to seek her consors. 81.
+ have the honor to be, with great res
pect, your Obedient servant
D. PORTER.
Hon. Paul Hamilton,
Secretary Of he Navy
.df Sea, Sett. 5th, 1912.
SIR-On the 4th inst. off the Tail of St.
Georges Bank, discovered two ships of
war to the southwark, and 4 brig to the
northward--the brig in chase of an Ameri-
can. merchant ship, and have not the
slightest doubt of their being enemies
gave chase to the brig, which attempted to
get past usto JOIN the rest of the squad
ron this we prevented and compelled her
10 stand to the northward; continued in
S-AuSS ohtiA VIC s,Sl lut american
ship, when we gave over chase, as the wind
was getting light and the brig leaving us
with her sweeps out, On showing our CO.
Tors to the American merchant ship, seve-
raj signal guns were fired by the ships to
the southward, which made all sail in chase
of us, AT Nj they had gained our wake
and had come up with US very fast. Cal
culating on making my escape by some ma
neeuvre in the course Of the night, hoisted
American colors and fired a gun to wind
ward; the ships still continuing to gain OF
us and the largest being considerably to
wndward of the other and about miles "a
stern OF us, bearing S, by w. l determined
20 heave about as soon sit grew dark, and
in the event OF our not being able to pass
him, to FIRE a broadside into him c lay him
on board. With this view, made every ar
rangement and preparation, the crew in
high spirits, and gave three cheers when the
plan was proposed to them. AT 20 minutes
atter7, hove about and stood S E by y. (the
wind heading us off the moment we hove III
stays) until so minutes after 8, when we
bore away w without seeing any thing
more OF them, which seems the more eX
traorindary, as pistol vas fired by accident
Oh board this ship at tie moment when we
must have been at our shortest distance
from them. Finding myself thus cut off from
best of my way for the Delaware.
Considering this escape as very extra
ordinary one, I have the honor to enclose
you sketch of the position of the ships at
three different periods, by which you will
perceive at once the plan of efIecting it.
have the honor ODE, with great respect,
your obedent servant,
PORTER.
Hon. PAIL Hamilton.
Secretary ofihe Navy.
Mouth Of RE Delaware, Seht. 7th 1912.
SIR,-.in pursuance of your orders Of the
Oath June, l sailed from Sandy Hook on the
Sd July, shaping my course to the South
ward in lat. of So 50, n long. Go, is, w.
| captured the brig Lamprey, 81 days from
Jamaica, by her l.reccived certain inteli
gence that at the time of her departure the
Ihetis frig&te with specie and large con-
voy, for England was TO sail on or about The
10th June, and that several running ships
were also on the point of departure. con-
sequently made every eXertiOn to get off ST.
Augustine in time to fall in with them, but
without effect, as fresh gales prevailed from
the South West and increased until the 18th
July, when we were compelled to scud
succeeded in getting within few miles as
far south as St. Augustine. but was baffled in
every attempt to get 10 the westward as
VIC SdiGS continued 10 increase ana as there
was no probability Of getting there in time
to meet the convoy, concluded it best to
endeavor to intercept it on the banks of
Newfoundland, to which place i proceeded
taking Halifax in M way, and although
have been disappoiutedin my expectations.
| hope that the facts above stated and the
services rendered by the Essex may be con-
sidercd sufficient apology for departing
from the letter OF yopr Instructions.
1t is mach to be regretted tlrat had not
with me sioop of war az the time fell in
with the convey Ct the Minerva, las well
as on other important cccasons,) that the
ships OF the convoy might be kept in play
VIII engaged the frigaic. Had this been
the case instead Of taking only 200 prison
ers, including the Transports crew, ] have
not doubt that We SHOULD have made pri-
soners of the whole CT the troops, as well
as the frigates 6; transports crews, which
would have exceeded 2CO0 men.
j arrived here this morning and shall pro.
coed as high up as Chester, &c.
have the honor to be
With great respect SC.
D.PORTER.
Hon. Paat Hamilton, &c.
The following is an extract from the Jour
nm n