but the enemy, on observing our in- hope that the variety of occurrences tentions, weighed and went close into necessary to be stated will plead my the shoal of St. Vaast, and imme- excuse. diately between the batteries of La Hogue and Tatiliou. I determined, however, to go as close to her as I could, without getting on shore, in hopes something might be done; but after twice standing in close alongside of her, sustaining the fire of the two batteries, together with the frigate, which by this time had received considerable reinforcements of men from the shore, I found the fire so very heavy, that I saw no hopes of doing any thing effectual against her. At this time Capt. Malcolm, of the Donegal, arrived with the Revenge and Niobe, and the attack was renewed by the four ships, who continued going in alternately, and made every exertion so long as the tide would permit them to do so; and I have no doubt the frigate must have received very great injury from it. I am sure I need not tell you how very mortified all on board the Diana and Niobe are, that, after our anxious blockade, we have not been able to do more; but I trust you will believe that every thing has been done that was in our power to get possession of the frigates; and it is some consolation to be able to say, that one of them is on the rocks of Saint Vaast, on her beam ends, and last night fell over on her larboard side, having been before on her starboard, and the other laying apparently on the shoal near the Fort, and, I trust, not in a state to go to sea for a considerable length of time. It now remains for me to say, that nothing could exceed the steady behaviour of I my officers and men of the Diana; and to Mr. Rowe, the First Lieutenant, I feel particularly indebted for his assistance and exertion. Captain 'Loring speaks in the highest terms of his officers and men, particularly Lieut. Simpson. I am happy to say, that though we were a long time under so heavy a fire, we have only one marine slightly wounded, but the ship has suffered very considerably in her masts, sails, hull, and rigging. Unless they dismantle the enemy's frigate, I shall continue ou my present station until I have the honour to receive your orders. I have to beg your for giveness for the length of this, but

I have, &c.

CHARLES GRANT.

Donegal, Nov. 17. SIR, On the 14th inst. being near to Barfleur, Captain Loring, of the Niobe, informed me that two large French frigates had sail d from Havre on the night of the 12th, and had been chased into La Hogue by the Diana and Niobe. Next morning in com pany with the Revenge, I joined the Diana off La Hogue, and observed one of the enemy's frigates a ground, near St. Vaast (the day before she had been driven from her anchors in the gale from the southward), the other was anchored very near to the shore, between the forts of La Hogue and Tatiliou; it was impossible to approach her but under the fire of her guns and those of the two batteries, which are very considerable. We tacked three times near to her, firing our broadsides whilst going about the Revenge, Diana, and Niobe did the same; and it is with pleasure! inform you that the ships were manouvred with the greatest precision, although the shot and shells fell in abundance around them, and the guns could only be brought to bear when head to wind. At one o'clock the tide of ebb drifting us to leeward, obliged us to desist from the attack, and we anchored out of gun-shot. Some of our rigging is cut, and a shot in the head of the main-top-mast; but other wise our damages are not very ma terial. The Donegal had three men wounded, and Revenge seven, two of whom are since dead. Having on board some of Colonel Congreve's rockets, in the night I sent the boa under the command of Mr. Taylor, First Lieutenant of the Donegal, who fired several in the direction of the frigate. Whether from their effect or from the effects of our cannonade, I know not, but at day-light we ob served her nearer to the shore, and a-ground; the other was on her beamends, and nearly dry at low water. As they were now perfectly protected by the batteries, it did not appear to me that any further attempt could be made to destroy them; I therefore re

I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) P. MALCOLM. To Sir Roger Curtis, Bart. &c.

sumed my station with the Revenge, night. It fell calm early in the evenleaving the Diana and Niobe to watch ing, and conceiving, from our distance the port of La Hogue. Capt. Grant from Grao, that the boats of the Acwill have detailed to you the tive (who was considerably in the particulars respecting his own ship offing) would not arrive in time, I and the Niobe; I have only to say wrote to Captain Gordon to request that the conduct of both, whilst acting they might be sent immediately; I with me, was such as was to be ex- mention this as it will account why pected from well appointed English that ship's boats and marines were not frigates. One of the frigates I con- in the station assigned them in the sider to be lost; she was first on her attack, and that no possible blame can starboard beam-ends, and when raised be imputed to the officers and men by the tide, fell over, on its leaving employed in them for their not being her, on her larboard side; the other present, as distance alone prevented must have suffered very considerably them. Captain Whitby, of the Cerfrom our shot, and where she is berus, very handsomely volunteered aground, is exposed to the cast winds. his services on this occasion; but I considered it as a fair opportunity for my Second Lieutenant (Slaughter), (the First Lieutenant being absent, having been detached on other service in the barge the day before), to distinguish himself, and he has fully I had in him. The convoy were in every way justified the confidence moored in a river above the town of Grao, and it was absolutely necessary to be first in possession of it; the defences of the town were two old castles, almost in ruins, with loop-holes for musquetry, and a deep ditch in their front, extending from one castle to the other. The boats from the Amphion and Cerberus put off from the ship about 40 minutes past eleven, and the marines of both ships, under Lieutenants Moore and Brattle (of marines), and Lieutenant Dickenson of the Cerberus, the whole under the command of Lieutenant Slaughter, landed without musket-shot to the right of the town before day-light, and instantly advanced to the attack, the launches with carronades, under Lieutenant O'Brien (Third of the Amphion), accompanying them along shore. It had been intended that the Amphion's and Active's should have landed to the right of the town, and the Cerberus to the left, but the former boats not arriving, Lieutenant Slaughter very properly took the Cerberus's with him, and left the gig to direct the Active's to the left; of course they had much further to row, and, much to the regget of all, did not get on shore till after the place was taken. A very heavy firing commenced about dawn of day, the enemy considerably stronger than was ima3 H

ADMIRALTY OFFICE, NOV. 24.

Transmitted by Sir Charles Cotton.

Amphion, Gulph of Trieste, June 2. SIR, A convoy of several vessels from Trieste were chaced into the harbour of Grao by the boats of the Amphion yesterday, and the officer, (Lieutenant Slaughter) on his return, reported they were laden with naval stores for the arsenal at Venice. As the Italian government are making great exertions at the present moment to fit out their marine at that port, the capture of this convoy became an object of importance, and I was the more induced to attempt it, as its protection (it was said) consisted only in 25 soldiers stationed at Grao, an open town in the Friule; the sequel will shew that we were both deceived as to the number of the garrison and the strength of the place; and if I should euter too much into detail in relating to you the circumstances attending its capture, I trust you will consider it on my part as only an anxious desire to do justice to the gallant exertions of those who were employed on the occasion. The shoals of Grao prevent the near approach of shipping of burthen; the capture of the convoy, therefore, was necessarily confined to boat service, and I telegraphed to his Majesty's ships Cerberus and Active on the evening of the 28th, that their boats and marines should assemble alongside the Amphion by twelve that

UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL. XIV.

The same intrepidity which had insured success before was equally conspicuous on this second occasion. About seven in the evening, I had the satisfaction of seeing the whole detachments coming off to the squa dron, which I anchored about four miles from the town directly the wind allowed, and every thing was secured by eight o'clock. A service of this nature has not been performed without loss; but every thing considered, it falls short of what might have been expected from the obsti nate resistance met with. Lieutenant Brattle, of the Royal Marines, of the

gined, and, assisted by a numerous 'peasantry, kept up a very destructive fire on our men whilst advancing, who purposely retired a little to the left, taking shelter under some hillocks, and what the unevenness of the ground afforded; they were followed by the French troops, who, conceiving this to be a retreat of the boats, quitted their advantageous position, and charged with the bayonet. It no longer became a contest to be decided by musquetry; they were received with the steadiness and bravery inherent in Englishmen; both officers and men were personally engaged hand to hand, and out of the number Cerberus, is severely wounded in killed of the enemy in this encounter, the thigh, but will, I trust, recover. eight were bayonet wounds, which He has (with every officer and man in will convince you, Sir, of the nature the party) distinguished himself of the attack. A struggle of this kind greatly.-No credit can attach itself could not last long, and the French to me, Sir, for the success of this entroops endeavoured, in great confu- terprize; but I hope I may be allowed sion, to regain their former position; to point out those to whose gallant they were closely pursued, and charged exertions it is owing; nor can I suffi in their turn, which decided the busi- ciently express my thanks to the comness, and the whole detachment of the manding Lieutenant Slaughter, who enemy, consisting of a Lieutenant, has on this, and on frequent instances Serjeant, and thirty-eight privates of before, given proofs of courage and the 81st regiment (all Frenchmen) conduct, which merit every encou were made prisoners, leaving our ragement, and I beg leave to recombrave men in possession of the town, mend him in the strongest terms to and twenty-five vessels laden with your consideration. He expresses stores and merchandize. The Ac- himself in the handsomest manner tive's boats landed at this moment, of Lieutenants Dickenson of the and her marines, under Lieutenant Cerberus, and Moore and Brattle of Foley, were of great use in completely the Marines, and of every petty officer securing the advantages gained. Every and man employed. It is hard to exertion was now made to get the particularize where all distinguish convoy out of the river; but it being themselves; but the conduct of almost low water, it was late in the Lieutenant Moore, who commanded evening before they could be got the marines, (till the Active's landed) afloat, and much labour and fatigue is spoken of in such high terms by all, was occasioned, being obliged to shift that I feel it a duty to mention him, the cargoes into smaller vessels to get and I do it in that confidence of his them over the bar. About eleven worth which his exemplary behaviour o'clock in the forenoon an attack was during five years service together, has made on the town by a party of French long insured him. Opportunities do troops coming from Maran, a village not often occur where officers are per in the interior; the force nearest them, sonally engaged; but in the one I under Lieutenants Slaughter, Moore, have endeavoured to describe, the and Mears, of the Active, instantly commanding Lieutenant, and his attacked, assisted by the launches in gallant associates (Moore and Dickthe river; and the enemy, finding all enson) owe their lives to their own inresistance ineffectual, after losing two dividual bravery and strength. Inkilled, threw down their arms and deed, the conduct of every one emsurrendered. In this latter business a ployed merits the warmest encomiLieutenant and 22 men of the 5th ums; and I regret I cannot have it in regiment of Light Infantry (all French my power to particularize them. The troops) were made prisoners. vessels captured are chiefly laden with

(Signed)

steel, iron, and merchandize. The one individual was to be seen in prisoners in all are two lieutenants, the streets who was not attired in two serjeants, and fifty-six privates of mourning. the 5th and Sist regiments, which composed part of General Marmont's army, and distinguished themselves in the late war with Austria, at the battle of Wagram. I enclose returns of the killed and wounded, and have to regret four valuable marines amongst the former. I also forward arrangements made for the funeral, it the returns of the officers employed was found necessary to limit the numon this service, with the vessels ber to 300. Disappointed in their captured, and I have, &c. hope of obtaining tickets, hundreds now endeavoured to gain a view of the interior of the chapel, but here again were disappointed. AugustaLodge now became an object of public curiosity, in front of which many persons appeared in the course of the day, who appeared to feel a melancholy pleasure in contemplating the mansion in which her Royal Highness breathed her last. The windows of the Lodge were closed, and the gloomy silence which reigned around, tended not a little to heighten the mournful solemnity of the scene. At an early hour the persous who were to walk in procession assembled at Augusta Lodge.

W. HOSTE. Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, Bart. Commander in Chief, &c.

"

Amphion's list of seamen and marines killed and wounded:Killed-D. Coles, T. Kenyon, J. M'Donough, T. Felix, marines. Wounded-J. Clarke, marine, severely; W. Jones, able seaman, ditto; G. Brown, able seaman, slightly. Enemy's luss, 10 killed, 8 wounded, (Signed) W. HOSTE, Captain. A list of marines wounded on board his Majesty's ship Cerberus-J. Brattle, lieutenant, severely; W. Sharp, private,dangerously; S.Cunningham, private, lost an arm; S. Haynes, private, severely; H. Bentley, private, slightly.

(Signed) HENRY WHITBY, Capt. List of enemy's vessels captured and destroyed in the above action-Burnt in the river, not being able to get them over the Bar, 11; brought out and sent to Lissa with cargoes, five; small trading vessels, loaded from the 。 large vessels burnt, 14 or 15.

(Signed) W. HOSTE, Captain.

DEATH OF THE PRINCESS AMELIA,

Her Royal Highness, after a long and painful illness, departed this life at Windsor, on Friday, November 2, in the 28th year of her age. Her Royal Highness was the youngest daughter of their Majesties.

On Tuesday, November 18, the body was interred in St. George's Chapel. A solemn silence pervaded Windsor during the whole of the day. All the shops were shut up, and scarce

A more lively interest was never felt on a similar occasion. The appli cations for tickets of admission to the chapel were so numerous as to exceed all calculation. Originally it was intended to issue 400 admissions; but subsequently, in consequence of the

Between two and three o'clock the

Castle-gates were closed against the
public, and guards stationed at each
avenue. This precaution was adopted
in consequence of an order issued
in the morning by Lord Aylesford, to
prevent the admission of improper
'persons, as also to guard against that,
excessive crowding from which so
many inconveniences have arisen on
similar occasions. At about five
o'clock the King's own Staffordshire
militia were marched from their bar-
racks to flank the procession. These
drawing up in front of the private en-
trance to St. George's chapel, lined
the way thence to Augusta-Lodge. A
burning flambeau was carried by
every seventh or eighth man, all the
these was very grand, as the light was
The effect of
way along the line.
not sufficiently strong to detract from
the gloom fitting such an occasion,
while it served to show the various
groups of persons in black who mourn
fully paraded the Castle-yard. Shortly
after the soldiers thus drew up, the
moon arose in, great splendour, and

ber silver rays, glittering on the bat- cession then moved on in the order tlements of the castle, had a beauti- which had previously been concerted. fully serene appearance, which ren- The Choir, with burning tapers, dered the spectacle more picturesque walked before the coffin, singing as and interesting, as furnishing a fine they advanced. A page also preceded contrast to the sable appearance of the body, bearing the coronet of the all around, though it in some mea- Princess Amelia on a cushion of black sure softened the awful aspect of the velvet trimmed with gold. whole.