The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-10-26

so badly wounded as to oblge her 70 shorten
sail. Lieut.. Finch of the Madison who
Commanded her for this cruise lowing to
the indsposi ion of Lieut.. Pettigrew) beha-
we'd With great gallantry and is an officer
of much promise. Capt. WoClsey 10 the
Sylph was kept astern by the Ontario.
which he had in tow, but did considerable
execution with his heavy guns.
AT Is minutes before z. M. very re-
luctantly reiinqashed the pursuit OF beat.
en- enemy--the reasons that led 10 this de
termination were such as l fatter myself
that you i'll approve--they were these
At the time gave up the chase, this ship
was making SO much water, that it required
all our pumps To keep her free (owing to
.Ar receiving several shot so much below
the water edge. that we could not plug the
holes from the OH Sidc;)the Governor Tomp-
kins with her foremost gone, ami the sqna-
drrn within about six miles of the head of
the Lake, blowing gle Of Wind from East
and increasing with q heavy sea ON, and
every appearance of the Equinox. I cen
sidered that it j chased the enemy to his an
-chorage at he bead OF the Lake, should
be obliged to anchor also, and although we
might succeed in driving him on shore, the
probability was that we should go on shore
also-he amongst his Trends, amongst
our enemies. and af,er the gale abated, if he
could succeed in getting oil one or two YES
sells out of the two fcets, il would give him
a. completely the command of the Lake as
if he had 90 vessels. Moreover he was CO.
vered at his anchorage by part of his ar
my, and several small batteries thrown up
for the purpose.
Therefore, if we could have rode on,
the gale. we should have been cut up by
their shot from the shore under all these
circumstances. and taking into view the
consequences resulting from the loss Of our
superiority on the Lakes at this time
without hesitation relinquished the oppprtu-,
nifty then presenting itself of acquiring indi
vidual reputation 1T the expense Of my
6 untry.
The loss sust aimed by this ship was con-
siderable. owing TO her being 81 long exposed
ITO the hre IF the whole of the enemy's Acct,
Gut our most serious loss was occasioned by
& the bursting Of ,'f our guns, which killed
wounded % mep and tore npthe top gal.
liant fore castle viii h1cndered the gun up
Oh that deck useless We had fonr ether
guns cracked in the muzzle, which hender-
ed their use extremely doubtful. Our main
fop gallant mast was shot away early in the
action and the bow spirit, fore and m3in
mast wounded, rigging and sails much Gu.
sp, and number of Shot in our hull several
ef which were between wind and water &
~ men killed and wounded, including
those by the bursting of the gun. The Ma
olson received a few shot but no person hury
GA board. TheGov- Tonpkins lest her for
mast and the Oneida her main top mast
badly wounded. We have, however, repair
cd nearly al ogr damages, and are ready
TO meet the enemy. During cur chase one
If not two, Of the enemy's small vessels was
completely in our power. If ! could have been
satisfied With SO partial victory. but | was
so sure of he whole that | passed them un
noticed, by which means they finally escap
cd.
The gale continued until last night but
che wind still blows from tue eastward.-I
thought it important to communicate with
General Wilkinson. to ascertain when hS
meant 70 move with the army. l therefore
ran of this place for that purpose, ard be
thiuSS thatthe public service viii be pro
NOTED by watching Sir lanes at the head
OF the Lake. SC If possible preventing his
, return to Kingston. while he proceeds with
the army for Sacket's Tarbor, 1 shall,
therefore. proceed Immediately in quest Of
the enemy.
have great pleasure of acknowledging
the assistance received from Capt. Sin
clair during oar chase, in using his best eX-
ertions to bring this ship into close action.
ibe other officers aud men behaved to my
perfect satisfaction, and were extremely
anxious to Close with the enemy even singly,
and II he ever gives Us an opportunity fer
Close ac'icn, they will shew that they are
not interior TO any of their countrymen.
have the honor TO be, very respectfully,
SHr, your most obedient humble servant,
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Hon. VIM. jews,
SeC. Of the Navy.