The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-07-27

Taly fetlis sea. Tie ilacooa AID Chsrnb bad besn
seeking me for some time on the coasi OF bFazianu
ON their rctrn feon. their cruize, c6cd the sqaad-
roo sem M search IF me to the Pacific Ally ship,as
Il r,svbc supposed. after being near year az sea-
required some repairs 20 pat her IN state TO meet
them which determined TO do, aud bring ibem
90 action If could meet them on nearly equai
terms proceeded, now in company with tue re-
IN nder Of my prizes, to the Island OF Nooahee'ah'
or .If4disons islaed lying in the WaSDg'0n groupe,
discovered bya Capt iograham. OF boston nero !
cauil.ed and completely overllaued my SNIP mace
for her new set Of water casks, her ola ones DcinB
entirely decayed, and took on board from my prizes
provisions and stores for upwards oil iour months,
and sailed for the coast Of Chill on the l2h Decem.
bcr 1915. Preyioas to sailing secured The oerin.
IapalaD, Greenwich, and SIR Andrew Hamfnond
under the guns Of a battery, which j erected for
,hcr protection (aftcr taking possession OF this
fne Island Cor the United States, and establishing
30 most friendly intercourse with the natiyeso
left them under the charge OF Lieut.. Gamble OF the
marines, vth twcnsy-one men, with orders TO re-
pair 10 Valparaiso after a certain period.
1 arrived on the coast Of Chill on the 18th Janua-
w, 1871; looked into Conception and Valparaiso,
found at both places only three English vessels, and
learned that The squadron which sailed from Hio de
Jnero os that sea had not been heard OF since their
departure and were supposed TO be lost IN endeav-
oring to double Cape Horn
i lad completely broken up the British navigation
ia the Pacific; the vessels which had not been cap
tired By me- were laid up and dare not venture out.
had Afforded the most ample protection to our own
vessels, witch were, on my arrival, very numerous
aud unprotected che valuable whale fishery there
is entirely DESTROYED, and the actual injury we have
done them may be estimated at two and hal: mn
lions Of dollars independent Of the expenses OF the
vessels in search of me- They have iurmshed me
arSuly with sails cordage, cables, anchors, proyis
ions medicines aid stores OF every description and
the sops on board them have furnished clothing tor
the searncn We had in fact lived the enemy since
had been in that sea, every prize having proved
well found store ship for me had not yetDeeh uh-
der the necessity Of drawing bills on the department
for any object, and had been enabled TO make con-
siderable advances TO my officers and crew on ac'
count Of pay, tf
For The unexamplcd time we had kept the sea,ry
crew had continued remarkably he.fby
Cory Of letter from Com. Porter 10 M'
Secretary Of tie Nary. dated NesD' YORK
July Is, 1914.
SIR--1'hcrc arc some facts relating to ou'
enc my, and although not connected wilh the
ac,lon, serve 10 shcw, his pcrlidy, and shou!s
bc known.
On. Commodore IIiyar's al rival at Valpar.
also, hc ran the PhGbe close along side OF th'
Essex, and onqured, politely after my health
observing tha, his ship was cleared Tor action
and bis men prepared for boar ding. obscrv
cl. sir, IL you, py any aeciochc bS' "" WV"
me, assure you that great confusion WI
take place am prepared to receive you, bu
shall only act on the defensive He observ
cd, ccoly and indiiierently," Oh sir, l have
no such intentions - at this instant his shil
took aback on my sta,board bow, her yard
nearly locking with those OF tho Essex.
called all hands 10 board the enemy; and !
an instant my crew where ready to spring o
her decks. Commodore Hiilyar exclaimed
with great agitaiion, l had no intention {
getting on board of you ;---I had no iptsn.ic
OF coming so near you am sorry came S
near you" His ship fell of with her jib boor
over ry decks; her bows exposed 10 M
broadsidc, her stern TO the fire OF the Essc
Junior, her crew in the greatest confusion
and in Is minutes could have taken or des
troycd her. After he had brought his shi
10 anchor, Commodore HiIlyar and Cap,ai
Tucker ofthe Chcrub, visited me on shore
when asked him if he intended to respec
the neutrality Of the port; "s sir" said he,
you have paid such respect TO the ncutraiily
of this port, iha, feel myself bound, 10 honor
TO 90 the same"
! have the honor 10 be, with great respect
your obedieLt servant,
DAVID PORTER.