Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-04-01

aftcr the battle, was such an became good
and loyal subjects, jealous for the honor OF |
their much loved though distant king and
country.
The defence Of the Esser, taking into
consideration our superiority of force, the
very discouraging circumstance of her hav
ing lost her main.top,mast, and beine
twice on ire. did honor to her brave defen-
ders. and most fully evinced the courage Of
captain Porter aud those under his com
inand. Her colors were not struck until
he loss in killed ard wounded was SO aw
fully great, her shattered condition so Sc
riously bad as to render further, resistance
unavaihag.
was much hurt at hearing that her men
had been encouraged when tie result or the
action was evidently decided. some 10 take
to their boats, and o:hers to SWIM ON shore:
| many were drowned. IN the attempt: six.
teen were saved by the exertions of my peo
pie, and others. believe between thirty &
forty, effected their landing I informed
captain Porter that I considered the latter.
IN point OF honor, as my prisoners. He said
the encouragement was given when the
ship was in danger from FIRE, and have
not pressed the point, The Essex is com.
pietely stored and provisioned for at ieas,
months. and although much injsred in her
upper works, masts and rigging, is not in
such state as TO give the slightest cause of
alarm. respecting her being able TO perform
| a voyage to Europe WIKI perfect safety.
| Our main and mizcn mssts and main ward
| are rather seriously wounded these. with
| few shot holes between wind and water
which we can get at without tightening. and
| loss Of canvas and cordage, which we can
partly replace from our well stored prize
| are the extent Of ne injuries his maies,v's
| ship has Sustained
feelir pleasant duty to recommend to
their iordship's notice my now senior l;eut
Pearson, and Messrs. Alien, Gardner. Por.
ter and Daw, midshipmea I should do We i,
rs great injustice to MIR. George O'Br;en.
| the mate OF the Emily, merchantmen. who
joined boats crew of mine in the harbor
! and pushed for the ship the msment ne saw
! her likely to come to action, were I to q
| init recommending him TO their lordshins
iiis conduct, with that Of Mr.. n. Murnhy
master of the English brig Good Friends.
| were such as to entitle them both to INV
| lasting regard, and prove that they were
ever ready to hazard their lives in their
| coun'ry,s honorable Cause. They came on
board when the attempt was attended
with great risk. and both their boats were
lordships that Mr.. 'Brien was once lien.
tenant in his majesty's <service-(may now
add that youthful indiscrctions apoear 70
have given place to great correctness of
Conduct)-and as he has proved his lauda.
BILE yea; Tor its honor, think, if restored. he
will be found one of its greatest ornaments.
] enclose returns OF the killed and wounded:
and, il conceived TO have trespassed ON their
lordships' time by this very loag letter, hone
it will be kindly ascrl5ed to the right Cause
AN earnest wish that merit may meet its
due reward.
have the honor to be, &c.
JAMES HILLYAR.
P.S. There has not been found a .hip's
book or paper OF any description gcharts ex
cepted) on board the Essex, or any docu.
ment relative to the number serving in her
previous to the action. Captain Porter in
forms me that he had upwards of two hun
dred AMI sixty victualed Our prisoners.
including torty"two wounded, amount to one
hundred and sixty .one; % were found dead
on her decks three wounded were taken
away by captain Downes. of the Essex Jun.
few minute. before the c,Iors were struck,
and believe twenty or thirty reached the
shored he remainder we're killed or drown.
ed.
A<iSi VI hiIcu q WOuEuSO III MS Wd1eStY'S
ships aforementioned, in action with the u.
States trigate Essex. on the 2Sth of March
1914.
Phoe6e--4 killed-7 wounded.
Cheru6 ---1 killed---3 wounded.
Total killed-I0 wounded.
New YoRR, March 81
U. S Brig Sven In looking over our file
Of English papers, we find in the London Cou
rer of Nov. Dist, the British official account
OF the capture of U. s brig syreH, by II. NJ. S
Midway, "a guns, commanded by Augustus
Brine. She was captured on the 12.h OF last
July after chase of ii hours--was command
ed by 1t NJ. j. Nicholson, her captain (Parker)
having died at sea-. Post.
LONDON, Nov, 81.
admiralty Office, Nov1g.
COPY ofG letter from Captain Brine, Of HE Ma
jesty's ship MedDay, Gddressed TO Vice Ad,ni.
raj Tyler, and transmitted By tnat officer 10
John WrlsOn Croker. Esq.
His JNaje'y's Ship .,fea.0ay,
SIR, ~
have the honor TO acquaint you, that
cruising in the execution of your orders. I
this day att A. n. fell in with and captured
after chase OF IL hours nearly on wind, the
U. s. brig of war Syren, commanded by 1t. N
y. Nicholson, who succeeded to the command
by the death of her caDtain (parkerN n, 90.