The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-12-21


captured the British ship Montezurua two
others in sight. close together, distant from
us about seven miles, which we were in
tcr'ued were the Briti,h letters of maruue
ships Policy and Georgiana-the first noun :
s'rg ten guns, six and nine pounders-the
other six eighteen Founders, four swivels,
and six long blunderbusses, mounted on
swivels. The wind being light and variable
and conhtling greatly in the bravery and en-
terprize ofmy officers and men. and ap-
prchensive OF their escape, from the preva-
lence otfogs in that climate, directed the
boats OF this ship to be armed and manned,
and divided into two divisions, placing the
First under the command of Lieut.. Downes,
hrse Lieutenant, in whale boat, acCnmpa-
med hY miish'pman Fsrragutt. The off :.
GERS in comm md of boats under Lieutenant
Downes, were, Lieutenant ). ID. M'knieht.
in the third cutter, accompanied BY Mid
shipman w. N. Odenheimer. Sailing Mas
ter John P. Cowcll, in the jolly boat, accom-.
panied by Mdshipman II. w. Ogden. and
Midshipman George isaacs, in the second
cutter. The second division under the
command OF Lieutenant Wilmer, second
Lieutenant in the pinace, accompanied BY
Mldshipman Henry Gray, and Masters
Mate James Terry; Licutenant Wilson and
MIR. Shaw, PurSer, in the first cutter and
Lieutenant Gamble, of the marines, in the
gig. Suitable signals were established, and
each boat had her particular station pointed
out tor the attack, and every other previous
arrangement was made to prevent confusi-
on. he boats, seven in number, rowed off
IN admirable order, Guns were fired from
me enemy to 'errify them they rowed up
under the muzzels Of the guns and took their
stations for attacking the first ship, and no
sooner was the American nag displayed, by
1t. Downes. as the signal for boarding ,t1 the
intention was discovered by the enemy, than
me coiors were struck without shot beng
fired so much were they dapnied by the
intrepidity OF our brave officers ard men.
. hey then left crew on board the prize
and took their stations for attacking the
other vessel, when her flag was also. struck
on the FIRST call to surrender. Thus weft
TWO hne British ships, each pierced for 90
guns, worth near half a million Of dollars.
mounting between them 10 guns. and man
ned with So men, we'll supplied with am
munition and small arms, surrendered.
without the sllghtest resistance, to seven
SINAI, open boats, with hfly men. armed on.
iy with muskets, pistols. boarding axes and
cutlasses Be assured, sir, that Britops.
have either learned TO respect the courage
ct Americans, or they are not so courage
Gus themselves as they would wish us to BE-
iieye.
nave the honor 10 De, with great respect
your o1edient servant
-, DAVID PORTER.
The Secrefary 81 the Navy,
WASHING RON.
United Statea' Frieate Easer, ar Sea,
PacJfc Ocean, July "a, 1878.
On the 23d March last, sailed
from shaping my course to the
northwsrd, and on the 26th of the same
mon fell in with the Peruvian corsair sh,b
Nereyda, mounting IS guns; she had fsw
days before, captured 9 American whsjl
ships, the crews OF which (anountjne- IN
number to % men) were then detained mi
soners on board her and they could assign
M Other motive for the capture, than that
they were the allies of Great Britain. and
as such, should captur: all American YES
sells they could fall in with therefore To
prevent in future such vexatious proceed
inTS, threw all her ornament into the sea
liberated the Americans and dismissed the
Eereyda.
| then proceeded with all possible dis
patch for Lima, to intercept oIe Of the de.
taired vessels. which had parted with the
Nereyda only days before, and was so
fortunate as to arrive there and re-capture
her on the 5th April. at the moment .he
was cnteFng the port. This vessel (the
ship Barclay, capt Gideon Randall, of New
Befiord) took under my protection. and
have had her with ever since.
From Lima l proceeded for the ISa,lana
Cos Islands, where captured the following
British ships, viz;
Letters IF Ezayque.
MCEfozunna ON TONS roon