The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-05-18
pp @ait.
WAR EVENTS, &c.
From the National InlelEgenccr.

Copy of letter from Commodore Chauncey to the
Secretary of the Navy, dated
". 5. ship Gen. Pike,)
SackeTs Har6Or, .3prd IS, 1914.
SIR-The Lady of the Lake (Which have
kept cruizing as a look out vessel between the
Gallows aud Kingston ever sincdehe ice
broke up having a commanding breeze yes
terday, run close into Kingston and showed
her colors, which were answered by the enc
my's fleet and batteries-His old fleet lay
moored off the town with all sails bent and
top gallant yards acTost-a number Of Gun
Boats also appeared to be ready--one only
of the new Ships had her lower masts in, the
other appeared to be preparing to take masts
in. I have the honor to be, Sc,
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
From the same TO the same, dated .fhril am.
SIR-The night of the 25,h inst. two of
our guard-boats fell in with three ofihe en-
emy's boats in this bay. Lieut. Dudley (thc
officer of the guard) hailed and was answered,
guard boats" This, however, not being
satisfactory, he repeated the hail, but was
not answered finding that the strange boats
were attempting to cut him off from the shore,
he fred upon them; the enemy, laying upon
their oars short time, pulled in towards Bull
Rock Point, without returning the fire. It.
Dudley returned to the fleet and got reinforce
ment of boats but nothing more was seen Of
the enemy that night. Yesterday morning
directed both shores of Sheimont Bay to be
examined, TO see whether the enemy had
not secreted himself in some of the small
creeks. Nothing, however, was discovercd,but
SIX barrels OF powder found in the water
near the shore, where our guardboats fired
on the enemy; these barrels where all slung
in such manner that one man could take
two across his shoulders and carry them
each barrel had hole boared in the head Of
about an inch diamiter,with wooden plug in
1t, these barrels OF powder were evidently fit
ted for the purpose OF blowing our large ship
up, ii the enemy could have got in undiscov-
ered,by placing them under the ships bottom
and putting piece of SLOW match or port FIRE
in the hole in the head which would burn a
sufficient time TO allow the parties 10 escape
before the fire would communicate 10 the
powder, this also accounts for the enemy not
returning the fire of our boats, having much
powder in, he was apprchcnsive Of accidents
which no doubt induced him to heave it over
board, to be prepared to return the fire if he
was pursued.
1t would have been impossible for the en-
envy 10 have succeeded even if nc had cluded
our guard boats (Which there are two lines
off, for independent of all the approaches by
water being secured by booms, the Madison
is moored across the large ships stern, within
30 yards, and her guns loaded with canister
!. and bags of muskct-balls, TO rake under the
bottom If necessary. A 1t. two Midshipmen
and ten men are on watch under the ships
bottom every night, besides marine guard
outside OF her. With all these precautions.
/ think that it would be Impossible for an en-
emy to land near the ship-yard unobserved.
However, after this discovery of the encmy's
intentions, we shall redoubIe our vigilance and
exertions to preserve cur fleet TO meet the
enemy fairly upon the Lake. l am, &c.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
From the same to the same, dated May lSt.
SIR--I am happy to have 1t in my power
to inform you that the U. S. ship Sutersr,
was launched this morning, without accident.
The Superior is an uncommon beautiful, we'll
built ship, sontbing larger than the President,
and could mount 81 guns, if it was thought
advisable to put as many upon her. This
ship has been built in the short space of
eighty days, and when il is taken into view,
that two briggs OF 500 tons each have also been
built, rugged, and completely fitted for SER
vice, since the first of February, it will be
acknowledged, that the mechanics employed
on this station have done their duty. am, sc.
ISAAC CHAUNCEY.
Letter from Capt. Blakely, to the Secretary of the
Navy, dated
U. S. slip Uasp, at Sea,1