The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-12-23
FROM THE ESSEX FRlGATE.


commanding The United Sfafes' Frigafe rs
ser, 90 the Secretary ef the Aauy, dared
United States Frgate Essex.
Pacific Ocean, July 2, 1855
SIR have the honor TO inform YOU that
on the goth of April, in the latitude Of 10, N.
long. 81, Is, w. about twenty miles TO the
northward of the Island of AIbemsrle, one Of
the Galapagos in the Pacific Ocean, cap
tured the British ship Montezuma two 9TH
ers being in sight. Gloss together, distant from
Us abost seven miles, which we were inform
ed were the British letters of marquc ships
Policy and Georgiana; the first mounting 10
guns, six and nine Founders the other 6
eighteen Founders, 4 swiyeIs, and 6 long blum
derbusses, mounted on swivels. Tho wind
being light and variable, and con6ding great
ly in the bravery and enterprize OF my officers
and men, and apprehepsive Of their escape,
from the prevalence OF fogs 10 that climate,
directed the boats Of this ship 10 be armed ana
manned, and divided into two divisions, plsc-
ing the first under the cosnmanl of Lieutcnant
Downes, lst 1t. in a whale boat, accompanied
by MiSshipmin Farragutt. The officers in
command of boats under Ii. Downos, were.
Ii. s. d. M'Knight, in the s. cutter, accom-
panied by Midshipman w. II OdeDheimers
Sailing Master John p, CowelI, ia the Jolly
boat, accompanied by Mkshipman Il. w
Ogden, and Midshipnan George lsaacs, 20
the I'd cutter. The second division, under
the command of Lieutenant WIImor, I'd l.,
in the pinRace, accompanied by Midshipa nan
Henry Gray, and Masters Mate Jane, Ter
ry; 1t. Wilson and Mr.. Shaw, Pufser, IN
the ist cutter and L. Gamble, OF the Ma
rines, in tie gig. Suitable Signals whe e
established, and each boat had her particular
station pointed out for the attack, and evefy
other previous arrangement was made TO pre-
vent confusion. The boats, in numbeS,
rowed off in admirable order. Guos were
fired from the enemy 10 terrify them they
rowed up under the muzzIes of the guns and
took their stations for attacking the first ship,
and no sooner was the American flag display
ed, by 1t. Downes, as the signal for board-
ing, and the intention was discovered by the
enemy, than the colors were struck, without
shot being fired so much were they daun
tea by the intrcpidity of our brave oGcers and
men. They then left crew on board the
prize and took their stations for attacking the
other vessel, when her flag was also struck,
on the fret call to surrender. Thus were two
fine British ships, each picsced for 90 guns,
worth near half million Of dollars, moun,-
ing between them 6 guns, and manned with
SIS men, well supplied with ammunition aud
small arms, surrendered, without tho slight
est resistance, to z small open boats, with so
men, armed only With m0skeis, pistols, board
ing axes and cutlasses Be assured, sir, TIA,
Britons have either learned to respect the
courage Of Americans, or they arc not so
courageous themselves, AS they would wish
Us to believe. have the honor TO be, SC.
ID. PORTER.
The Secretary of fhe Navy, Washington.
United States Frigate Essex, at sea,l
Pscfc Ocean, July %, 1918
SIR--0n the % March last, l sailed i,om
----, shaping my course to the northward,
and on the Goth of the same month fell in
with Peruvian Corsair ship, Noreyda, mount
ing Is guns she had, few days before,
captured two American whale ships, the
crews of which {amounting in number 20 -
mcn) were then detained prisoners on board
her |; and they could assign no other motive
for the capture, than that they were the allies
Of Great Britain, and as such, should capture
all American vessels they could fall in with
therefore, to prevent in future such vexatious
procecdia ags, Il threw all her armament into
tho sea, liberated the Americans, and dismis-
sed the Nercyda.
proceeded with all possible despatch for
Lima, to intercept one Of tho detained YES
sells, which had parted with the Nereyda only
three days before, and l was SO fortunate as
to arrive there and rocapture her on the fifth
April, at the moment she was entering the
port. This vessel (the ship Barcty, Captain
Gideon Randall, Of New. Bedford) took un-
der my protection, and have had her with me
ger since.
From Lima proceeded fos The Galapagos
Island, where captured the following Bit
ish ships, Wis
Letters Of Aiarque,.
Montezuma 270 tons 2 men : guns.
Policy as IS 10
Georgiana $50 IS
Atlantic ISL "a
Greenwich $50 IS 10
Thu Ccorriana being rcnuted a very fast