The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-03-26

Gun. B0ats-It is fact that although
these vessels have been ridiculed by self.
|conceited ignorance. as wholly ineffective,
yet our most experienced naval comman-
tdsrs. have declared them fully competent
tor the purpose for which they were orisi.
naily intesded6so wit, the defence OF our
bays, rivers aud harbors.-The gallant De-
catar who has proved their utility before
iriPoli. recommends them as a most ef-
hcient means of offence or defence in port
and no one ever commended that they were,
servieeabie to cruize against an enemy at
sea. 1t we had sufficient number of them.
all completely manned, we scruple not to
| say, that the enemy could not lay at an
Choir, in Hampton Roads, as he does at pre-
tsent.--The heavy raStal they would be
tenabfed to take. would give them an OBJ
portunity OF annoying the enemy's ships,
without receiving any injury from them
The British officers know how to appre-
oiate the efficacy Of our Gun Boats, as
may be seen by the following occurrence.
mime OF these vessels, all well manned,
and commanded by Captain Stewart of
1.-THE Constellation, in person, got under way
ION Saturday afternoon and dropped down
Ito the Narrows (about miles below the
Eforts) where they were discovered by one
lof the British frigates, that had anchored in
1.-THE mouth of James River. The weather
was .uncommonlycal the tide favored the
|ooats, and was against the frigate il she
tattemPted to rejoin the squadron, never
ttheless, such was the activity and exertion
OF those on board the frigate, and SO great
their apprehension from an attack of our
little n'usqMto fleet that her boats were
manned out in trice, and she was towed
down to the squadron, before the Gun
Boats could possibly have come within gun
shot OF her, even if an attack had been me
tditated. The tact is, that if the frigate had
held Gun Boats in as little estimation as
some of our wise-acrcs, and kept at her
anchorage, the latter favored by the calm,
land the advantage of distance, would have
succeeded in capturing her, without any
Encouragement to the bravery and good
Icondust OF her officers and crew.
| Prize to the Conet.-We noticed som tirse ,ro
the arrival oil the transport ship Lady Johnson, in
the Delaware, prize to the French priyate.r
! Comet An inventory of her cargo of military mn
nitons has been published and Ellis two column. of
Ianew'paper. The following are among the ar,i-
ces
e.iso cannon balls. from 19 to 50 Founders
So cannon, long 2i's aud les
Cos empty bomb shells
| LOGO Congreve rockets, various sizes
$50 fixed grape-shot, for IL Founders
"a ammunition caissons, for 10 FOUNDERS
$4,000 flannel cartridges, assorted sizes
1880 paper do. do
400 spenges assorted
| - handsPikes. ladies', mops, scrappers brush.
go, tompions, crosses, &c. large quantities
zoo qulntais various kinds of copper nails for
all sorts of military purposes
1000 fuss, with bayonets, sheaths, sc. complete
iorses, mounted ON their carriages, 6 anviis
| each, &c.
3l7 heavy coils of cordage, assorted sizes.
With general assortment OF needful supplies for
the army or navy, too tedious to mention, consist
ling of all sorts of utensils.
IT'S expected the government of the United
States will purchase th, very valuable cargo.