The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-12-07

natciy ran bow upon one Of their scnooners,
within pistol shot of his object, which
brought his ship into the wind, when he
found himself under the necessity of making
a short tack. Until that moment he was not
discovered. Alarm guns we're now fred.
cables cut, and the whole Brazilian squad
ron Immediately under weigh. He made
brisk attack on one Of their largest vessels,
and it was some time before the fire was re-
turned: proving how completely he had sur
prsed them. The other vessels of his
squadron now came into the action, which,
however, lasted but an hour, when the firing
entirely ceased. At day-break the squadrons
we're seen separated, the Brazilans having
taken position in deep water, where with
out any inconvenience, they could man9uvre
their heavy vessels-and seemed to invite
combat. They had not long to wait for
second attack on the part of Brown. The
action commenced at half past six, A. M,
and continued until half past one p. NJ
Thousands of spectators lined the shores of
the River, and the house-tops. The Admi-
RAILS ship, the 25th of May, ever foremost in
danger, and ever the object upon which the
enemy seemed desrous to direct their great
est force, was engaged sngiy in close fight
for nearly three hours. with four of their
largest vessels, which seemed to be bent ex-
clusively upon her destruction, viz: the Ne
troya and Maria dc Gloria, each SO and
Liberal and Naharica, each % guns. Now
dismantled of her rgging-her hull riddled
her decks spiintered by showcrso OF grape
shot, and flooded with blood, she became al
most completely unmanageable. Literally
! torn To hieces, she was at length hauled off
| fron the action into shallow water, where
she was successfully defended by her sur
! viving crew, against the attacks OF the
smaller vessels. Amidst all this carnage,
still lived her noble commander The brave,
the intrepid BRowN, was seen to take his
| flag and go on board the brig Republica,
where, for more than three hours longer, he
sustained the conflict, and valiantly and
dexterously combatted this awful disparity
of force. Several of the enemy's heavy YES
sells were dismasted or otherwise disabled
and towed off. At half past one the action
ceased, the whole of the Brazilian squadron
standing down the river, having a number
of their vessels in tow, and perhaps of the
mind that, to maintain the blockade of our
port, they will hereafter be content to re-
| main in their former station below. The
ash Of I1av was towed into the inner roads,
having resisted, i'll her shattered condition,
the repeated attempts by the smaller YES
sells of the enemy in the heat of the action,
to make prize of her. The valiant rem
nant of her crew, remembering the charge
Of their Admiral when he transferred his
flag, "6oys, take care Of tic shh," each
swore to die upon her deck before she should
be surrendered. The number of killed and
wounded on board the 25th Of May, is sup
posed to exceed that Of the whole squadron.
The following despatch from the Admiral
was received last night at the Department
of War.
On board the brig Rcpu]'ica .heentinn,2
duiy so, 1926.
| SIR--NVe have sought-we have found
but not surrendered to, the ships of the en-
envy. Permit me to inform you that those
of the enemy are free. But it is with pain
that l assure you that the killed and
wounded are many, and among the latter is
4 my brave Captain, Eshora.
The 25M Of May is completely disabled,
A lis. of the killed and wounded shall be
made and shall be communicated as early
possible.
i. With profound respect,
Your obedicnt servant,
WILLIAM BROWN.
To His Excelency General CHARLES DE
i ALvEAR, Minister Of War and Marine.