Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-04-26
Lord valpole was still at Vienna.
DEMARARY. Feb 27.

The following extract Of a letter from a
gentleman ofthe first responsibility in Ma.
h9ica, we present our readers, with consi
derabie (though melancholy satisfaction
particularly as. on the score of information.
1t acts as complete introduction to what
appears on the subject from the Kings
House.
1--WE have all been much shocked at the
capture OF the Peacock, and the melancho-
~ circumstances attending it. I had the de.
tail from four ofthe crew who escaped from,
her (by means of the small boat hanging a.
yer her stern, which was much shattered
and with difficulty kept ailRRt by them until
they were picked up by a c&pny boat, aftep
having been SIX or seven Rodks in that situ-
ation,) two hours after 0\hA been tate,
possession OF by the Amcricl ~ Sloop of War
f1oricf. of 70 guns, principally 40 Founders.
ana Us men. The action tdpk place a liz
tie to windward OF Mahaica, i'm five fathom
water, and commenced about 10 minutes
before O'Clock on Wednesday evening last
ana IN 45 minutes the Peacock was Obliged
10 strike, being perfect wreck. Abont a
quarter OF an hour before she struck. Can.
taian Peake was i'm the act of cheering hi.
crew. and encouraging hem to Continue the
unequal contest, when he received a "a
FOUNDER in his breast, and fell with a smile
received this account W, IS then al the helm
mt two yards from where the CAPTAIN was
standing, and sprang forward and took him
IN ms arms to carry him below, when he
was Knocked downiby a splinter" Here il
some OF poor Captain Peake's blood (said he.
l'oinins to his trowsers, was covered with
II out the salt water has almost washed ia
ou' No other officer was killed. Early
IN the action Mr. Lot fell--s Poor 7 q, :.
exclaimed tie Captain, 81 did not think
you would have been the first" Mr. Lot
was taken down to DR.. Whitaker, but re.
turned TO his quarters before the action ceas-
ed, having merely been deprived Of his SEN
SEES Tor time. When these poor fellows
MADE their escape, the wounded only had
oeeh taken Gut OF the vessel and at tn O
time she had eight fee, water in her hold
ana, the American ie16enant (whose name,
$50 'Connor) had haieefNtis ship to say, that
the prize was sinking, s11d these lads con-
ceived that all hands on board the Peacock
were IN danger of going down in her, as she,
nau oeen brought to an anchor, ard the
Hornet had drifted a Considerable distance
from them, and did not seen TO take notice
OF the Lieutenant when he hailed. Thev
conjectured that the Peacock had from 90
to IS killed and badly wounded. The enc
my only acknowledged one of each but thew
say they do not believe that, as their fire was
well kept up, and the ether did not send
their boat to take posEs ssion for twenty min
utes AFTER the Peacock had struck. Tho
plain and apparently sincere testimony OF
these men, and the regret which they ex-
pressed for the captain were boz h CONVINCING
and affecting. The spokesman, respec-
table locking sailor, said, that he had been
IA years III His M7jesty's service, and sin
with Captain Peake land "Sr (said he a
better man, or braven officer, or better
disciplined ship, nevefSailed out of Englands
every man eNerted himself toAthe utmost,
but they were too heavy for US e