The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-04-19

be silently acquicsced in. 1t requires from
suffering people the exercise of every chari-
table feeling to forget the atrocities commit
ted on the Southern Atlantic border about
the close of the war they cannot forgive a
perseverance in similar practices during
peace. The obstinacy Of some of the British
naval officers in refusing, in the face of the
Treaty, to deliver up the plumber within our
warers In their possession after the ratiGca-
ton of the Preaty, will, we hope and cannot
doubt. receive the marked disapprobation of
their government. Mar. Int.
WAsHINeTou, April IS.
Cofy ola letter from Lit. Hoffman TO the Sc
cretary Of the Navy, dated
His britannia Majesty's late ship Cyanc,
NewYork, April 10th, 1915.
j have the honor to inform you, that
on the evening of the Goth of February last,
while cruizing off Madeira, the United
States frigate Constitution fell in with his
Britannia. Majesty ships CyaIis aud Iaevaiiitt,
which she captured after an action of SO mi
nutes.
The Cyane is frigate built ship, mount
ing 81 carriage guns, viz. % 32lb. carronades
on the main deck, l8lb. carronades on the
quarter deck, 2 Is lib. carronades and 9 long
mines on the forecastie, and from the best in
formation l could obtain, CARRYING a compile
ment of 175 men, commanded by Gordon
Falcon, Esq.-Ihe Levant mounting 9 car
riage guns, viz. IS % ID. carronades, long
mines, and a shifting 10 FOUNDER on the top
gallant forecastle, with complement of $50
men, commanded by the honorable George
Douglass--both ships suffered severely in
their spars, rigging and sails The Constitu-
ton received but trlfiing injury, having only
four men killed and ten wounded. As 70
thea loo rs fia~a 4
certain, but should presume it was very Sc
we're.
On the 9th of March, the Constitution
with her two prizes in company. anchored off
the Isle of May. Zone of the Cape De Verd
Islands.) On the 10th, at five A. NJ got I'M
der way and made Gail for Saint lagos, where
we anchored at 10 rs A. M. On the 18th,
at hall past meridian, discovered sail in
the ofnng-ats1 10, made them to be fri
gates---at which time the Constitution made
signal to get under way. At 20 cut our Ca
ward close on wind. At so the forts on
shore commenced firing on us-at the Con-
stitution made signal to tack, which did to
the northwarl and westward-at 9 the
sternmost frigate commenced firing on us,
and hoisted English colors, distance about 2
miles. AT 9 20 lost sight of the Const tuition
and Levant, who were standing on wind to
the southwark ard eastward. The frigates
in chase. At2 IS lost sight of the enemy
At heard heavy cannonading, which CON
tnued at intervals until half past 4. At
sundown shaped my course for the Uni
ted States. For the further particulars OF
our cruise, beg to refer you to Capt. Stew
arts official account on his arrival to The u
States.
cannot conclude my letter without parti-
cuiarly recommending to your notice Mid
shipuan Joseph Cross, for whose unrenitted
attention and exertions feel myself greatly
indebted, and he is young man who think
would do honor to commission.
AS to Midshipmen Jas. Delany and Jas r
Curtis, and the few men I have under nv
command, words would be insufficient to ex-
| press my gratitude towards them.
Very respectfully, / have the honor tc
| be, Your Obedient servant,
b. T. HOFFMAN.
| The Hon. b. w. Crowninsiield,
Secretary of the Navy,
Washington,
Cofy Of a letter from Commodore Pat
teTSon 10 the Secretary Of the Nary, da
| ted
New-orleans, 17th March, 1915.
| Inclosed have the honor to trans
4
| from Lieutenant. Thomas Ap Catesby Jones
! giving detailed account Of the action be
! tween the Gun-vess@ls under his command
| and fotiila of the enemy's launches anC
! barses, on the 18th Dec. 1914, which, after
rnogt gallant sresstance, Terminated, as state,
in my letter Of the 18TH Dec. in the captur,
| of our squadron.
The courage and skill which was display
ed in the defence Of the gun-vessels ant
| tender, fer such length of time agains
such an overwhelming force as they hat
! tn contend with, reflects additional SPLEEN
! dor on our naval glory, and will, trust
! diminish the regret occasioned by their
| loss.
Ihave the bonor 70 be,
With great consideration
and respect,
Your ob't. serv't.
DANL. 7. PATTERSON.
| Hon. Beri. w. Crowninshicld,
Secretary of the Navy.
Rew-Orleans, 18th March, 1915.
Having sufficiently recovered m
strength, ] do myself the honor of reportir,
tn you the particulars Of the capture of tn
/ division Of y. States guD.boats late unds