The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-09-03
CuARLEsroN. Aup .,

reached the,e from Nassau, OF the British ha-
wing landed large force ut or near Pensaco-
la and also, that news had been received
from Bermuda, of the arrival of 10000 troops,
intended to make an attack on the Southern
States-the troops at Bermuda, however, are,
no doubt, those which have arrived in the Che
sapeake. . Courier.
We received this morning, from friend at
St. Mary's, the Kingston GJam.l Chronicle
os the 21st ult. from which we copy the fol-
lowing British official account of the capture
of the U. S. frigate ESSEX. ID.
CAPTURE OF THE AMERICAN FRI
GATE ESSEX.
Intelligence of the capture of the above
frigate in the Bay OF Valparaiso, in the Chi
Ii Seas, reached Admiral Brown Yesterday,
brought by the Argo frigate, who politely ia
vored us with the copy of the following letter,
addressed to him " Capt. Hillyar, of the
Phoebe, detailing the particulars of the at
fair -
His Naajesty's shit Phe6e, Taltiaraiso
Bay, SOth May. 1914. /,
SlR-I have the honor to aCquaint you that
at 8 o'clock in the afternoon of the 28th inst.
after nearly four months anxious watching
with his majesty brig Chcrub, for the United
States frigatc Essex and her companion, to
quit the port of Valparaiso, we saw the form
er under way, and immediately the two ships
made sail to close with her.
On rounding the outer point Of the Bay and
hauling her wind, for the purpose of endeavor-
ing to weather us, and escape, she lost her
nrain-topmast, and afterwards, not succeeding
III an effort to regain the limits of the port,
she bore up and anchored so near the shore
Ia few miles to leewarl Of i'll as to preclude
the possibility of either of his majesty's ships
ra -nl,a Of her will ~
drew near, my intention of going close under
her stern was frustrated, from the ships
broachinS off, and from the wind blowing ex-
tremely fresh. Our first fire commenced a
little past four and continued about ten mi
nutes, but produced no visible effect our
second, a few random shot only, from having
increased our distance by wearing, was not
apparently more successful and having lost
our main sail; jib and main stay, appearan-
ces were a little inauspicious; in standing a
gain towards her, L, hailed the Cherub, and
'sgnihed my intention of anchoring to Capt
Tucker, for which we were ready before
with springs, directing him to keep under sail,
and take a convenient station for annoying our
opponent.
On closing the Essex, at s, minutes past S,
the firing commenced, and before l., gained
my intended position. her cables were cut and
serious conflict ensaed, the guns of his Ma
jesty's ships becoming gradually more des-
tructive, and when it pleased the Almighty
TO bless the efforts of my gallant companions,
and my personal very humble ones, with VIC
tory, my friend. Captain fucker. an officer
worthy of their lortiships best attention, was
most severely wounded at the commencement
of the action, but remained On deck till it
terminated he also informs me of his Off
GERS and crew, of whose loyalty, zeal and dis
cipline, entertain the highest opinion, con-
Quoted themselves to his satisfaction. -, / have
to lament the death of four of my brave COM
parions, and one of his, and my first lieute-
nant, among the number. he fell early. Our
lists of wounded are small The conduct of
my officers, &c. was such as became good &
loyal subjects. ~ -
The defence Of the Essex, taking into con-
sideration our great superiority of forge, the
very discouraging circumstances of having
lost her main top mast, and being twice on
FIRE, did honor to her defender, and most full
ly proves the courage of Capt. Porter,
I was much hurt on hearing that her men,
had been encouraged, when tine result of the
action was evidently decided, some to
take to their boats and others to swim to the
shore, many of whom were drowned in the
latter attempt; sixteen were saved by the
eXertions of our people, and others l believe,
between 80 and 20 effected their landing.
informed Captain Porter that l considered
the latter, in point Of honor, as my prisoners !;
he said that the encouragement was given
when the ship was in danger from fire, and
have not pressed the point. The Essex is COM
plctely stored and provisioned for six months.
although much injured in her upper work S,
Inasts, and rigging, is not In such state as to
give the slightest cause of alarm respecting
her being able TO perform voyage to Eu-
rope with perfect safety ] have the honor
TO be, &c.
(Signed) JAS. HILLYAR, Capt.
The Essex will no doubt prove rich prize,
from the number of captures she has made !;
several of them with large sums of specie,
WHICH were taken on board OF her.
BosToN, Aug. %.
Arrival oftberU. S. Sfooh o. 7oar .1dams.
A gentleman. who arrived last evening in
the Eastern stage, informs, that the y. 8
sloop of war Adams, Capt. Morris, arrived OH
Camden on Thursday last Our informant
conversed with the parser, and learnt, that
she hadbeen cruising in the English Channel
SIC. had captured SIX prizes, from which she
took several articles OF merchandise, and
then destroyed them. She was chased several
times by superior force, apd was Obliged to
Cut away her anchors, and throw articles over
70 lishteH her. She had landed sixty prison
ers at Camden, together with her sick.
On Wednesday night last, in running in for
the land, at the rate of ten and halfkrfots
being very dark, she struck upon the Isle OF
Holt, knocked off her fore foot, beat hole
through her bottom and came very near be-
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