Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-11-26
WASHINGTON, November %.
Copies Of Letters from johnson Btakley
Esq. eonmander Of fhe U. S. slooh Of
v'ar Wasp, TO the Secretary Of fhe Navy.
dated ~
u. s, 6. WASP, at SEA.
Of Belte Isie, 27fh n,


{. sou of the delays we have experienced at
this place, but had they been of shorter du.
ration We could not possibly have sailed. as
one continued westerly wind has prevailed
from the hour of arrival up to the present
day.
The course pointed out in your INSTRUCT
ons having been interrupted, shall eDdea,
vor to fulfil your further intentions as far as
may pos sibly be in my power.
With great satisfaction. add that every
aid and information in the power of Mr..
Crawford has been promptly afforded, and
that feel under many obligations to him
for his attention ard assistance.
We are now of this place with q fair
wind and favorable prospects.
have the honor TO be.
Very respectfully.
Your most
cbedient servant,
t ). BLAKELY.
Hon I'm. Jones,
Secretary offhe Nary
u. S. S. Wasp,ns sea, 11th Lept 1914.
Latitude 20, N. Song. l6, w,
SIR-After a protracted and tedious stay
at L'Orient, had at last he pleasure of.
leaving that place on Saturday 9th August.
On the S0th, captured the British brig Let
tice, Henry Cockbain. master |; and Sisl
August, rho British brig Bon Accord. Adam
Bnrnc. master. In the morning of the Isl
September, discovered a convoy of ten sail
toieeward. in charge Oft the Armada "a, an5
uomb ship, stood for them and succeeded
in cutting out the British brig Mary, John
D.AIan, master. laden with brass Gamer.
taken from the Spaniards. iron cannon and
military stores from Gibraltar to England,
removed the prisoners. set her OF iire and
endcavoretl TO capture another Of the convoy
bot was chased oHby the Armada- On the
evening of the sa.nc day. at 9 past ,wEils
going free, discovered four resss Is nearly a
the same time, two ON the star,oard, ant
two or the larbcard box, hauled up for the
one most on the s.arboard bow being the
farthest to windward. AZ r, the chase Ia
brig) commenced making signals with flags,
which ccnid not ke distinguished Tor want o.
light, and soon after made various ones witt
lanterns, rockers and guns At IS minutes
after 9, a,ing the chase underour lee bow
the 10 pound car1cnsde was directed to b.
Fred into him, wllicilhe returned; rln ",
der his Ice TO prevent his escaping, and e, %,
minutes after 9 commenced the s.ctioIi A,
10 o'clock, believing the enemy 10 hesl:eEc
ed. orders we're given 60 cease firing, whs,..
hailed and asked il lie had surrendered
No answer being given to lhis. and his FIR
having Recommended, j. was aspin reiurncc
At ~ INMATES after 10 the enemy having
suffered greatly and having made no return
to cur two last broySsiGe>, hailed him III
second time toIsaow il he bad surrendered,
when he answered in the affirmative Jh
guns were thep ordered to Se secured and
the boat lowered to take possession. In the
act of lowering the boar, a second brig WAS
discovered, Iittle distance astrsn ans.
standing for Us SER the crew to thei,
quartets, prepared every t.,icg for another
action, and awai;sd his coming up lat SO
minutes aacr 10, discovered two more sails
astern standing towards US i how felt my
self competed 10 faregn the. satisfaction Of
destroying the I,rze. Our brsces having
been cut away wc kept OF the wind until o.
theirs could be rose, and with the expecta>
ton ot drawing the second Drig from his
companions, bu, ia this iast we've disappoint
ed The second brig continued to approach
us until she came close 70 our stern, when
she hauled By the wind, fred her broadside
which CUT oui rigging and sails consNlera
bly, and shot away a lower main tree, and
retlaced her steps TO joia her consos,s--
when we were bccessitated to abandon the
prize, he appeared IL every respect q total
wreck. He continued fer some time firing
guns of distress until probably delivered BY
Il e two last vessels who madt their appeal
aiee. The second brig could have engaged
M IL he had thought proper. as he reared US
last, but contented himself with firing a
broaGsne. and immediately returned to his
companions.
It's with real satisfaction / have again
the pleasure OF bearing testimony TO the me-
yjts If Iieuts. Reilly, Tillmghast, Baury
and Sailing Master Carr and TO the good
condsct Of every officer and wan on board
the wasp. Their divisions and depart.
ments were attended and supplied with the
utmost regularity & abundance, which, with
the good order maintained. together with
the yivacily and precision az their FIRE, re
fec,1 On them The grsstess credit. Our los
81 t~c killed. ard one siighdy wounded
will a waG. The hill received four ropnt
sto,, and the foremost many grape shot
Chr rigging and sails suffered great deal
Every damage has been repaired Tie daj
after, wi,h the exception Of our sails.
or the VI sssi vi h whom we were cn9a
Eed. rotling positive car be said. with re
gard to her name or force While hailins
him previous to his being fred into, it wa
olowiug fresh ltIiep gn'ag 81, 'sno's) ane
the name ~3s nni distinctly understood
or her fotce. tie four shct which strucl
scs arc I'll iintv.two pounds in weight. teins
n pound arg three quarters heavier thai
Try belonging to tbs vessel, From thi
eircum staHce. the number nf men in he
tops, her general appearance Hod grea