The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-08-23
WAsHINGroN, August II.
C'ofy eta Lctter. from Capt. Biddlc 10 Com.
Decatur, dated
United States sloop Hornet,
St. Salvatore. June 10. 1915


have the honor to report, that the Pea
cock and this snip, having Continued off Iris
tan d 'Acunha, the number o. DAYS directed
byyou in your letter of Instructions. proceed
ed in company to the eastward on the 9th of
April, bound TO the second place Of rendez-
vous. Nothing os any Importance occurred
20 us until the 9th OF April when at a. N.
IN lat, SO, 90 5. and long. IS. T.. we made
strange sal. in the s. Z. to which we gave
chase. The wind was from the NJ E. bv
n. and light throughout the day, and by sun
down we had neared the chase considerably.
IL was calm during the night, and at daylight
on the 18th, he was vet in SIGHT. A bret re
sprlnging up from the NJ w we crowded sail
with steering sails on both sides; the chase
standing to the northward upon wind.--
At two hours forty-five minutes P NJ. the
Peacock WAS about six miles ahead of
this ship--and observing that she appeared
to be suspicious of the chase, took in star
board steering sails, and hauled up for the
Peacock. / WIS still, however, of opinion
that the chase was an Indiaman, though, in
deed, the atmosphere was quite smoky and
indistuct, and ] concluded as she was very
large, that Capt. Warrington YVES waiting for
me to join him. that we Inieht togethergo A.
long side of her. Ats h. % m. >. NJ. The
Peacock made the signal that the chase was
ship otthe line an an enemy. / immedi-
ately took in all steering sails, and hauicd up-
GU wind, the enemy then upon our lee quar-
ter, distant about miles. f}y shutdown. I
had perceived that the enemy sailed remark
ably fast, and was very weathery At9 p.
NJ. as The enemy Was gaining upon US, and as
there was every appearance that he would
be enabled to keep sight Of sduring the night.
l considered it necessary to Tighten this ship.
therefore threw overheard ~ tons OF kent
ledge, part Of our shot, soue Of our heavy
spars, cnt away the sheet anchor aui cable.
and started the wedges Of the rDasts. At2s
N. tile enemy being rather before our i.e-
beam, tackled to the westward the enerny
also lacked and continued inchase OF US at
daylight Oh the 2s.h he was within gun-shot.
upon cur iee-QuaIter. At n. I.-havinp
hoisssd English colours and rear-adinral's
neg, he commenced firing from his bow-euns.
rs us SHOT went over us, ! cut away the re-
uiaining anchor and cable, threw overheard
the iiunch, SIX OF our gAus. more OF oar shut
and every heavy article that was at hand
the enemy fred about thirty shot. not one
OK which took effcct, though most of thea D -
sed over US. While nc was firing, had the
satisfaction to perceive that we slowly drolt
him, and at A. NJ. ne ceased his Ere
Atli A.. N. the eJemy was again coming M
with us. now, thersfors, tbrew overbotrd
al our remaini guns, butone long gun, near
~ All onr shot, all our ~ spurs, Cut away the
topg ilsnt forec.stle, & cle.red every thing Off
deck, as well as from below, to ishte6 as
much as possible. AZ noon, the ENEMY a.
gam commenced firing II, fred many shot.
ony three IT which came on b ard twosai
k'ag the huh and Que passing through .lie i,b
Il IS, however, extraordinary, that evciv shot
did not ,ake effect for the enemy the second
tia ne commenced friag,wls certa NV y ih.
N thr e-q' arters Of a mile Of the snip, & the
sea erIte smcotll
perceived nom hls sails that the effect &C
his FIRE was to <cadcn his end. and "a . :,
". he gam ceased firing. At 2h. 3orn. p. NJ
the wind which mad rsyieusly. ami greatly
20 or disu..antage. Backed 20 the south -ess,.
3aued tn tbc westward, ard freshenea 10
* shutdown. The enemy was about icar nilc4
as,ero. Inc ~iud was ifcsh, 4ad sc went