The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-12-24
>. NEUTRAL RIGHTS
CESPISED BY TIE BRITISH
PROOF
CAPTAIN. Reds LETTER

he following is captain Reds account of
ms rencontre with the British at Fayal. and
is communicated 10 the Editors of the Jer-
camille Advertiser for publication:
Fayai, an Oct. 1914.
/ With infinite regret | am constrained To
sHy it has eventually fallen to nv lot to STATE
to YOU the loss and total destruction of the
private armed brig General Armstrong. late
under my command
We sailed from Sandy Hook on the even
ing or the 9Th ult. and about midnight fell in
chase aboard OF race and ship # the line.
They pursucd till next day noon, when they
thought proper to give over chase. On the
11th. after nine hours chase, boarded the
private armed schooner Perry, John Coleron.
days from Phiiadefbhi, had thrown over
all her guns. On the following day fell in
with an enemy's gun brig; exchanged 4 few
shots with, and lett him. On the Oath
boarded Spanish brig and schooner. and a
Portuguese ship, all from the fTavanna. On
the goth following, came too In F4yal Roa IS.
tor the purpose of filling water called on
the American Consul, who very politely or
dered our water immediately sent oT, it
DeinS our intention to proceed to sea early
the next lay.
At p. M. went on board, the Co-sul and
some other gentlemen in company.-I asked
some questions concerning encmy's cruizers
anil was told there had been none at these
Islands tor several weeks when about dusk.
wh'ie we were carousing, the British brig
Carnation suddenly hove in sight close under
the n. T.. head of the harbor, within e,n
shot when FIRST discovered. The idea of get
ting under weigh was instantly suggested
but hnding the enemy's brig had the advan-
taSe 81 "A breeze, aud but little wind with us,
1T was thought doubtful if we should be able
to get to sea without ha@arding an action.
questioned the Consul tn know if in his or1i-
mon the enemy would regard the neutrality
OF the pert! lie gave ME tt, understand | might
make myself perfectly easy, assuring me at
the same time they would never rnolcst MS
while at anchor no sooner did the enc
my's brig understand from the pilot boat who
we were, when she Immediately hauled close
IN and let So her anchor within pistol shot Of
us. AT the same moment the Plantaeenet &
frigate kota, hove in sight. TO whom the Car
nation instantly made signal, and a constant
exchange took place for some tim. The re-
suit was, the Carnation procee led to throw
out all her boats dispatched one on board
the Commodore, and appeared otherwise to
De making unusual eXcrtions From these
circumstances began to suspect their real
intentions. The moon was near its full. which
enabled us to observe them very INFINITELY &
now determined to haul in nearer the shore
Accordingly, after clearing for action, we
got under weigh, and began to sweep in. The
moment tins was observed by the enemy's
brig, she instantly cut her cable made sail,
& dispatched four bo.ts in pursuit ofus. BEING
now about s p. M. rs soon as we saw the
boats approaching, we let go our anchor.
go. springs on our cable, and prepared to re-
ceive them.
nailed them repeatedly as they drew near,
out they feit no inclination to reply. Sure
OF their game, they only pulled up With the
greater speed. l observed the boats were
wen manned, and apparently as we'll armed
ana as soon as they had cleverly got along
side' we opened our FIRE, which was as soon
returned but meeting with rather warm
er reception than they h'd probably been a
ware OF, they very soon led out for quarters
and hauled off. in this skirmish, had one
man man Killed, and my first lieutenant wcunded
ne enemys loss must have been upwards of
twenty killed and wounded.
hey had now repaired to their ships to
prepare for a more formidable attack. We.
in the interim, having taken the hint, prepay
cd to haul close into the beach, where we
moored head and stern within half pistol shot
OF the castle. This done, we again prepared
III the pest possible manner for their sec md
feception About z. NJ. we observed the
eneTy rs brig towing in large feet of boats
They soon after left the brig and took their
station IN three divisions, under covert of
small reef of rocks within about musket sh,t
OF us. Here they continued manoeuvrirc for
seine time. the brig still keeping under way
to act with the boats, shopld we NJ any time
attempt our escape.
The shores were lined with the inhabitants.
waiting the expected attack and from the
brightness OF the moon, they had most favo-
rab view of the sec . The governor, with
most CT the first people of the place stood by
and saw the whole affair
At length about midnight. we observed the
boats in motion, (our crews having laid at
their quarters during the whole Of this inter
vaL) They came on IN one direct line, keep
ing in close order; and we plainly counted
twelve boats. RS t1on as they came within
proper dist nee we opersd our FIRE, which
was warmly returned from the eneTny's car
ronades and small arms. The discharge from
our Long Tom rather staggered them but
soon recommending, they gave three cheers.
and came on mos! sp'ritedly. ia moment
they succeeded in gaining our bow ami star
beard quarter, and the word was 6oard. Orr
great guns now becoming useless, we attacked
item swrrd INLAND, together with cur pixies.
pistols and muskctry, from which our lads
poured on them most destructive FIRE. The
enemy p'lde frequent ard repeated attempts
to gam Ssfr decks. BIZ we're rcpu 4cd at ali