Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-05

nas are seen lying IN the fleet and six frgates under
the Dutch flag, are formed in separate close line of
battle ahead. French corvette that was lying in tho
bay on the appearance ofhe combined meets this morn
ing, left her anchorage and stretched out amongst them
Atiory'hve minutes past one, four bomb vessels take
their positions opposite the city, distances hardly OK
ceedlng mile from the principal marine batteries At
quarter past two any signals are seen living and the
man@uvres Of the fleet Indicate the intention of alin-
positions Ot attack At half past two =. NJ the British
Admiral in tho Queen Charlotte, of one hundred and
twenty guns fills away with moderate breeze from the
nth and leads in majestic style, followed by two ships
vi seventy-lour one of ninety eight, and another of Sc
Yehy four guns; the irlgaes stand in promiscuouslv
with the apparent intention of taking allotted stations
aud the Dutch squadron follows iii REGULAR line of hat
tie.
~ few minutes before three the British Admiral
passes out OF SIGHT OF this position and TO apuearouca
almost brushing the formidable line of marine batteries
WIN ms yaids AT this moment two seventy four GUN
ships take their positions at distances apparautlv mot
beyond pistol shot, aud the same time the lrnpreona
n'eo ninety eight guns, with Ecar Admiral's flag
though at much greater distance: obviously an error
~ tins time the fleet has Passed out OF sight of this no.
Slllon except the three last mentioned, and several
Soops and small craft, which keep rnaunuyeripp under
san, without apparent intention to anchor. At exactly
three O'clock gun is fred BY the Alernes upon tho
Brush Admiral, and the battle instantly becomes ren-
era 1T twenty minutes past three the fire of the ma :
ihe batteries appeared to be senCed and hundreds of
ugItVes from them are flying along the sea shore
under the walls of this house. where many OF them are
moved down by the fire of the Irnpregnabe The can
nonade endures with great fury on the part of the Br
tIsh and IS returned with cons; ancy from the batteries
IN tins quarter AT five o'clock the fire of the mar
batteries is renewed and continued at intervals At
malt past seven, the shipping in the port is discovered TO
be on fire. At eight o'clock the Consul is informed that
the British Consul has been taken from his house bv an
armed band and confined in heavy chains in the com
mon prison for criminals At half past eight the can
nonade endures. The upper part of this house is ap-
pa'enty IN runshve shells have burst within its walls
AT nine the fire begins TO slacken on both sides At
eleven the growing of cannon only heard at long IN
terVals Al midnight from the terrace of this house
every thing IN the port appears be in ames and two
wrecks on fire are drifting out. The spectacle al this
moment Is peculiarly grand and sublime. a black thun
dersortn is rising, probably effect of the long can
nonade its vivid lightning discovers the hostile fleets
TeFing with the land breeze and paints them in strong
eet on the deep obscurty of the horizon Shells and
rockets occasionally streaming the horizon and
discharges OF cannon from ships still within reach pro-
clam an enemy, ltigued, exhausted but not vanqusl
cd whie the Agerines, by discharges of cannon at in
ervas, from line OF batteries more than three miles
III extent, lay claim 10 tie ionors.
Inc morning OF the 23th discovers that the Alre
i"es are unable 10 make any further resistance while
TIE combined licet appear 10 be in a state to renew
me battle In the of the day. the former ac-
NN0Wedge themselves vanquished, by accepting the
Illuminating terms OF peace offered them by the vic
tors. ~ ~