Star. — 1813-03-20 (London, England)

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER ON BOARD THE MARLBOROUGH, ADMIRAL COCKBURN'S FLAG SHIP, DATED BERMUDA, JAN. 29:  4, During our stay at Cadiz the Gleaner arrived, with instructions from Government, which caused us to hoist our sails for the American coast, where we arrived after having captured one of their vessels in our passage. We found the Maidstone frigate, with the Wanderer and Lauriestone sloops of war, departing on a cruize from Bermuda ; and the Cleopatra, /Eolus, and Belvidera frigates, with the Fantome sloop of war, anchored in the harbour.— We immediately proceeded to get the Marlborough fitted for a cruize of three months, and in a few days completed all our preparations. We are now waiting the arrival of Admiral Warren, who will dispatch us to the Chesapeak. Before our departure from Cadiz, we heard of the loss of the Guerriere, but our astonishment was immeasurable when we learned, at Bermuda, that both the Macedonian and Frolic had been added to the number of American captures.— These disasters have created an extraordinary diligence among all the seamen to accomplish themselves in naval discipline, for heretofore the bare unfurling of the British flag was all the warlike manceuvre required to conquer the French ships of war, or any enemy that dared to meet us on the ocean. In many of the British ships the polishing icons and varnish brushes have given place to the continual exercise of great guns, of muskets, and boarding-pikes; and many additional modes of annoyance have beeii adopted to retaliate upon the Americans, who, in their mode of naval warfare. are more subtile than any maritime people in the world. The tops of the American vessels are filled with riflemen, and some of them carry cul-, vcrins aloft loaded with buck shot, which sweep their enemy's decks in close action. Box and chain shot have been brought by them into use, and even their wads are stuffed with small bullets. Their muskets which are all of large calibre, carry fifteen large buck shot beside a ball, and make tremendous havoc, the truth of which the brave seamen of the Frolic unfortunately can verify, All the ships here are imitating this example, the Poictiers has constructed eight hundred cartridges on the American plan, and the Marlborough six. Marines are stationed on the top, and in addition to that our Captain intends to plant a couple of brass pieces on each. These murderous arrangements will in a few weeks be cartied into execution against our enemies, who have the consloation of thipking that they alone plucked down this visitation upon their own heads. In the mean time, the Americans have become abundantly haughty, and, elated with their success, they have lately launched a 74. gun ship, called the Venus, and more are constructing with infinite expedition and diligence. Unfortunately no British fri-i gates on this station are equal in strength and appointment to the frigates of the United States, any of whi.ch pour a heavier broadside than an English ship of 50 guns, and their complement of men equals that of a 74. All our frigates on this station have had their complement increased to upwards of 300, and warm work will have commenced before you receive this.  ... Extracts from diffi.reat Dispatches, addressed to his Excellency the Minister at War, by M. the General Count Reille, Commander of the Army of Portugal. " Valladolid, Feb. 2. " MY