The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-07-20

scs who covered the surrounding hills can
testify that he fought his ships nea: hours
and half; upwards Of fifty broadsides were
fired by the enemy agreeably 10 their own &C
couuts, and upwards of seveniy-6ve by ours !;
except the few minutes they were repairing
damages, the firing was incessant.
"ln Justice to Commodore Hillyar, must
observe, that, (al,hough can never be recon-
ciled 10 The manner OF his attack on the Essex,
or to his conduct before the action,) he has,
since our capture, shewn the greatest humanl-
~ TO my wounded, (whom he psrmitied me
TO land, on condition, that the United States
should bear their expenses and has endeavor-
cd as much as lay in his power to alleviate
the distresses of war by the most generous
ADD delicate deportmens towards myself, my
officers and crew he gave orders tha, the pro-
perty of every person should be respected,
BY the arrival of the Tagus, few days at
ter my capture, l was informed that besides
the ships which had arrived in the Pacific In
pursuit of me, and those still expected, 9TH
crs were sent to cruze for me in the China
Seas, off New Zealand, Timor and New Ho!-
land, and that another iriga,e was sent to the
River la Plata.
" To possess the Essex, il has cost the Brit
ish government near six millions OF dollars
and yet, sir, her capture was owing entirely
to accident and if we consider the expedition
with which naval contests are now decided,
the action is dishonor TO them.
"During the action, our Consul General
Mr.. Poinsett called on the Governor of Val.
paraiso, and requested that the batteries might
protect the Essex. This request was refused,
but he promised that if she should succeed in
fighting her way To the common anchorage,
he would send an officer to the British Com
mander and request him TO cease firing, but
declined using force under any circumstances,
and there is no docbt perfect understanding
existed between them this conduct, added TO
the assistance given to The British, and their
friendly reception after the action, and the
strong bias Of the faction which govern Chill
in favor of the English, as we'll as their hos
tility TO the Americans, induced Mr.. Poinsett
to leave that coUntry. Under such circum-
stances, did not conceive 1t would be proper
for me to claim the restoration of my ship,
confident that the claim would be made by my
government to more effect. Finding some
difficulty in the sale of my prizes, l had taxi
en- the Hector and Catharine to sea and burnt
them with their Cargocs.
Here the letter closes, with note, the enume.
ration OF sundry documents, and statement of the
number OF his prisoners, during the cruze, which
amount 10 343 The lst document is letter from
Com. Hiyar. returning him his sword in which Com.
Ii. says, The hand vhich rcceued 1vH be most gad-
y extended, to PIT it an possession Of him. 1Vho
H so honoraJly an defending hs county's cause" The
% is the list of killed and wounded. The Sd con-
talns several letters which passed between the two
commanders, relating to the arrangements of the
Cartel, and the exchange of part of the officers
and crew. The 4th and last contains list OF the
prisoners liberated parole, to return to the Unit
ed States in the Essex Junior all Of which EMBARK
ed, excepting Ofis Gale, Wm. Whitney, Wm Cole,
seamen, and Leon Green, quarter.master, who were
left at Vaiperaso, in consequence of the severity
of their wounds
E.on, Or.