on American shipping, and that their ships [the secret intention of profiting by the general were, in consequence, manned with picked joy and enthusiasm, and outwitting the quaranmen, and commanded by old officers, well-ex-tine officers. After the complimentary salutes, perienced in seamanship, although totally in- we rowed into the harbour, and were so claexperienced in war. They held our navy in morously invited by the people to land, that it great respect, I had almost said dread, and was impossible to resist. The moment the they zealously exerted themselves to render boat touched the wharf, a rush was made by their ships as perfect as possible. Neverthe-men, women, and children, who embraced us less, I apprehend, it never once entered into with the most lively joy, and finally carried us the head of the commander of the Constitu- in their arms to the town-hall, where the mu tion that he could by any chance capture a nicipal body were assembled, and, totally for British frigate; and I intend nothing disre-getting the quarantine laws, received us with spectful to the Constitution, when I observe, the greatest enthusiasm. The first alderman that had she fallen in with the Shannon, who had got half through a long complimentary was well manned, and in a superior state of speech, when he was interrupted by a deputadiscipline, she would, in all probability, have tion from the Board of Health, expressing met the fate of the Chesapeake.

their surprise, that the first act of the English The first action being successful, gave them should be setting the sanitary laws at noughtconfidence; this was confirmed by the capture laws that had never been infringed but by Buo of another frigate, and several sloops of war, naparte, who was now dethroned. We spoke with equal ease, but all of inferior force; they French badly, and, in the present instance, thought themselves invincible, and, in an evil were inclined to speak but little, and under hour, determined to try their strength with the stand less. After a good deal of shrugging Shannon, and so sure were they of success, our shoulders, shaking our heads,-vocifera. that many of the inhabitants of Boston went tion on the part of the sanitary officers,-atout in pleasure-boats to see the fight, and wel- tempts to calm them on the part of the muni come the Chesapeake back with her prize; cipality and bye-standers,-it was finally dewhen, to their surprise and dismay, a short cided, the ships were to be put in quarantine, quarter of an hour showed the United States' and the captains be allowed to remain on shore. flag struck, and the British colours flying as Orders to that effect were given, but too late usual over those of their enemy. The action to be effectual; every boat at Marseilles had was short, but it was a hard fought and bloody been put in requisition, and the ships were battle; the Americans behaved with great fairly boarded by men, women, and children of bravery, (and why should they not?-they are all classes,-this continued for two days. Reour children,) but nothing could withstand the presentations were made to the Board of Health discipline of the Shannon. to grant pratique, as it was quite impossible to

It is difficult for a naval officer to write about keep the people out, but they were inflexible: America without touching on our disasters, The governor was at last obliged to lay the and the reader must pardon this natural pro-boom across the harbour, and call on the inha pensity, and I will carry him, with as little bitants by proclamation to respect the law; delay as possible, across the Atlantic to the this farce went on for a week or ten days, when scenes of action I am about to describe. I the flag was hauled down, and the officers were was in the Euryalus in those days, cruizing off invited to share in the gaities of the town. Marseilles, under the orders of the Undaunted, The governor, Count Du Mui, an old geneand plans were laid for various enterprises ral upwards of seventy, treated us with great during the summer. On standing in one night kindness and hospitality; his example was folwe observed brilliant illuminations, and con-lowed by the principal inhabitants, who vied cluded that Napoleon had gained a great vic-with each other in their attentions and entertory, or that the Allies had entered Paris, and tainments. In the midst of this gaiety, the made peace-either of which events would Undaunted sailed for Frejus, to embark the have caused rejoicings. At daylight in the fallen emperor, in consequence of a requisition morning, the white flag was seen flying on the from Sir Neil Campbell, the English commisforts, and we stood in to ascertain what had sioner; her place was, however, supplied by taken place, and were rather surprised at re-several line-of-battle ships and frigates, who ceiving a few shot from chateau D'If. The had heard of our reception, and came for the Undaunted was not slow in returning the com-double purpose of recreation and embarking pliment, not exactly understanding what to the numerous English prisoners who had been make of our reception. A boat with a flag of released, and were flocking in from all parts of truce soon made its appearance, and the Mayor France, and who had their full share of the of Marseilles came alongside to apologize for the firing, and to inform us the Allies were in Paris, and Buonaparte dethroned. He invited us to anchor in the road, regretting at the same time that the sanitary laws would prevent him having the pleasure of seeing us on shore. We accepted the invitation most readily, with

hospitalities of Marseilles. The sanitary laws were considerably relaxed, in consequence of the length of time the ships had been at sea, and great harmony prevailed. Entertainments were given on board to the authorities and principal inhabitants; and French and English, who had been so long at war, seemed to for

get their animosities, and were only anxious to perform a voyage across the Atlantic-every to contibute to each other's enjoyments.

necessary representation was made, without effect, and even after being under way, outside the Gut, a telegraphic signal was made to the squadron, which had also sailed, that we had neither water nor provisions, which was answered by the word "supply."

Business was not forgot in the midst of these gaieties. The caulking-iron, which had been many years silent, was again heard; ships were seen rigging, repairing, and taking in cargoes, and every inhabitant appeared to feel prosperity had again smiled on their town. A favourable wind brought us to the Canary The military alone seemed dissatisfied; but Islands, where we obtained, with much diffistill they were polite and attentive to their for- culty, a scanty supply of water; three days mer enemies, which was both pleasant and were passed at Santa Cruz in obtaining this, agreeable. It was most amusing to see our and the convoy sailed from that port on short weather-beaten tars, who had been long shut allowance of water. The trade wind conducted out from any rational amusement, except what us within a couple of hundred miles of Berthey found at Minorca, figuring away in qua- muda, where we were met by a westerly drilles, with all the good humour and awk-breeze, and the water becoming short, it was wardness of John Bull, quite unacquainted at a question whether we should not be obliged that time with French dancing. The ladies to proceed to Halifax. After beating about a of Marseilles were beautiful and most fascina- few days, it fortunately changed, and we soon ting, and not a few officers left their hearts arrived at Bermuda. I mention this circumbehind them. From this dream of pleasure-stance, to show how much maritime expedifor it was but a dream-we were awakened tions depend upon weather, and how necessary by an order to proceed forthwith to Mahon. to their success are good and proper arrangeWe hardly had time to bid adieu to our fair ments at their commencement: in this infriends; nothing was further from our wishes stance, for want of management, an expedithan a trip to America, which was our ultimate tion, intended to close the war with America, destination: we had been long most actively fitted out at an enormous expense, must have employed in the Mediterranean, and looked failed had not the wind changed to the eastforward to a relaxation from all our toils and ward. Officers who were there, and read these troubles, with unfeigned pleasure; that pros- pages, will well recollect this circumstance; pect, however, was at present at an end, and who was to blame it is not for me to say, nor we left Marseilles, with heavy hearts, to pro- do I know: all that our commodore could do, ceed to Minorca, where we arrived in a couple by way of remonstrance and application, was of days. The Iphigenia, Bacchante, and Fu- done, and yet we sailed in the manner I have rieuse, were already there, refitting for the described. At Bermuda we found Sir AlexAmerican station; we were put under the or- ander Cochrane, the commander-in-chief, and ders of Captain King, the senior officer, and Sir Pulteney Malcolm, who had arrived from we followed their example with all the alacrity Bordeaux a few days before, with a squadron that could be expected from a disappointed of troopers, having General Ross, and between ship's company. The Euryalus was the oldest two and three thousand soldiers and artillery frigate in the Mediterranean, and officers and on board. Part of these troops were destined men had fully made up their minds to be or-to act in the Chesapeake, and part on the coast dered home from Marseilles: they, however, of New England; but, by some unaccountable bore their disappointment with great good hu- mistake, the despatch containing the distribumour; the worst hands were ordered to be tion of the troops, and the officer who was to discharged, and our complements were filled command them, was nowhere to be found. up from the squadron. Somehow or other we General Ross, on leaving Bordeaux, had reason managed to receive worse men than we dis- to suppose he was to have a separate command. charged; and I believe I may safely say, the General Gosling, who commanded the Mediterother frigates were in the same predicament, ranean troops, and was the senior officer, made and we all sailed from Minorca with ship's his appearance with no orders at all. Search companies by no means fit to cope with the was made for the ill-fated letter, and, after a picked men of America. On our arrival at couple of days' perplexity, it was found, either Gibraltar we received orders to take under on board a transport or troop-ship. General convoy between three and four thousand men, Ross had orders to carry on the war in the under General Gosling, who were daily ex- Chesapeake, and General Gosling the operapected from Genoa, and who were destined to tions in New England-this arrangement was carry on offensive operations in America. Five most agreeable to the Wellingtonian troops, three-deckers and the convoy soon arrived, who were again to serve under one of their the latter had to provision and water, and own generals.

with so strong a naval force, and two admiral's Sir Alexander Cochrane, having made all flags flying, it might be supposed that com- the necessary arrangements, put the convoy pleting them was no difficult task; be that as under Sir Pulteney Malcolm, and sailed for the it may, little or no assistance was given, and Chesapeake, taking the Euryalus with him; an easterly wind coming on, we were ordered Sir Pulteney, after provisioning and watering to sea, short of everything that was necessary the fleet, was to follow with the greatest de

spatch. The commander-in-chief, after a te-shore on board, led, the Euryalus and the dions passage, arrived off the Capes of Vir- rest of the squadron following; the wind was ginia, in the beginning of August, and soon light, and several boats were ahead sounding. after joined Sir George Cockburn, who had As long as the soundings were good, no apprebeen actively employed, feeling his way with hension was entertainad, not being aware of a battalion of marines, and had kept the coast the smallness of the obstructions, and it apin a constant state of alarm. A flotilla of gun-peared almost impossible, if the ship ahead boats was blockaded in the Patuxent, but the found a passage, that those immediately astern military force under him was not sufficiently should be brought up. We were, however, strong to make any impression on their posi-mistaken: the Euryalus opened the ball, and tion, and he had been anxiously looking for the struck, or rather, was suddenly brought up, for arrival of the chief, and the army destined to nothing was felt, and the lead gave us plenty act in the Chesapeake. Sir Pulteney arrived a few days after, hav-boats and hawsers were sent to assist in getof water; the signal was made to anchor, and ing, by singular good fortune, met with a fair ting her off. No one could tell where she wind, which led him from the Capes of Vir-hung; there was abundance of water ahead, ginia to the entrance of the Potomac without astern, and all around, and yet the ship was the possibility of the enemy receiving informa- immoveable; a diver went down, and found, tion for some days after. No time was lost in to the astonishment of all on board, that an making the necessary arrangements: the troops oyster bank, not much bigger than a boat, was sailed the day after for the Patuxent, accom-under her bilge, the boats had missed it with panied by the admirals, and the greater part of the lead, and the Seahorse had passed, perhaps the squadron; the Euryalus, Devastation, Etna, by a few feet on one side. After some hard Meteor, Erebus, and Anna Maria tender, were heaving, we floated, and the squadron weighed. put under the orders of Captain Gordon, of the We proceeded with great caution, having se Seahorse, with the following instructions: veral boats abreast of each other, with leads "SIR-You are hereby ordered and directed to going ahead of the ships; but, notwithstandproceed up the Potomac river as high as you may ing all this care, the Seahorse grounded on a find practicable, without endangering the ships, small bank; every effort was made to get her for the purpose of keeping the country bordering off, without lightening, in vain; the tide apthe river in a state of alarm, and to bombard and peared flowing, and no difficulty was anticidestroy, if possible, such fortifications as the ene-pated, but she was immoveable; a strict examy have erected for the protection of its naviga-mination showed that, though the tide was tion; and you will continue on this service until apparently running up, the water was actually you receiver further advices from me, but sending diminishing; and not until it had flowed seveto me in the Patuxent any intelligence you may ral hours was there any perceptible increase deem it important for me to be acquainted with of depth. Her water was started, a great part by the Manly.

"Given under my hand, &c.

"ALEXANDER COCHRANE. "To Capt. Gordon, H.M.S. Seahorse."

of her provisions, and eight or ten guns were hoisted out before she floated; several of the other ships were also on shore, but got off with The river Potomac is navigable for frigates in her provisions and guns, sounding the chanmore ease. Next day was employed in getting as high up as Washington; but the navigation nel, and preparing to warp in the event of a is extremely intricate, and nature has done foul wind. much for the protection of the country, by

On the 19th, the squadron again weighed

placing one-third of the way up very ex-with a favourable breeze, and the Kettle Bottensive and intricate shoals, called the Kettle toms were cleared before dark, without any Bottoms; they are composed of oyster-banks serious difficulty, each vessel acting indepenof various dimensions, some not larger than a dent, and picking her way to the best of the boat, with passages between them. The best commander's judgment; all were occasionally channel is on the Virginia shore, but the charts ashore, but got off with more ease than the gave no marks, very bad directions, and no Seahorse did two days before. pilots could be procured. A frigate had attempted some time before to effect a passage, the signal was made to warp. Each ship diThe following morning, the wind being foul, and after being frequently aground, gave it up vided her boats in two divisions; one using the as impossible. The American frigates them-stream and the other the kedge. The stream selves never attempted it with their guns in, was first laid out, and all the hawsers bent to and were several weeks in the passage from it, and as the ship was warped ahead, the hawthe naval yard at Washington to the mouth of sers were coiled in the boats of the second dithe Potomac.

The evening of the second day brought this so arranged that the end should be on board as vision, which laid out the kedge; and it was little squadron, without any accident, to the the other anchor became short, stay, or peak. entrance of the Kettle Bottoms; we were fully When the tide was favourable and the wind aware of the difficulties we had to encounter, light, we warped by hand; with the ebb, and but were determined to conquer them if pos- the wind strong, the hawsers were brought to sible. The Seahorse, keeping the Virginian the capstan. This operation began at daylight,

and was carried on without intermission till | main-sail, jib, and spanker. The squall thickdark, and lasted five days, during which time ened at a short distance, roaring in a most awthe squadron warped upwards of fifty miles; ful manner, and appearing like a tremendous and on the evening of the fifth day anchored surf. No time was to be lost: everything was off Maryland Point. The same day the public clued up at the moment it reached us; neverbuildings at Washington were burnt; the re-theless we were nearly on our beam ends. A flection of the fire on the heavens was plainly couple of anchors were let go; and as we seen from the ships, much to our mortification swung to the wind the bowsprit rose right up; and disappointment, as we concluded that act this slackened the stays, and away went the was committed at the moment of evacuating heads of all three top-masts; this saved the the town. It was nevertheless decided to pro- fore-mast, which, in another moment, would ceed; and as the next reach was sufficiently have fallen. The bowsprit being relieved, sunk wide to beat through, though the water was back to its place, but broke completely through. very shoal, we anticipated some little relaxa- The Seahorse sprung her mizen-mast; and all tion from our toils. Warping all day was not the squadron suffered more or less: the Meour only occupation: at night the boats were teor was lying on a bank, and was fairly blown rowing guard in every direction, and the ham- over it, and brought up in deep water. This mocks were never piped down. It is true the catastrophe took place a little after noon. We enemy gave us no trouble, either with fire-piped to dinner, leaving the wreck as it was. vessels or with light troops, who might have The squadron was all together, with the exbeen stationed in such a manner on both banks ception of two, who were four or five miles of the river as to have rendered the laying out lower down the river. anchors totally impossible; but, considering we were several hundred miles in the interior of an enemy's country, the utmost precaution was necessary to provide against any unforeseen

attack.

Captain Gordon thought the game up; but he was assured we should be refitted before the other ships joined. At half past one, the hands were called, the wreck cleared, bowsprit hoisted on board, a new one made out of a topThe strictest discipline was observed in the mast; new cross-trees and trustle-trees made guard-boats: no landing or plundering was and fitted; and although we did not work after permitted; the numerous flocks of geese swam dark, next day at one o'clock we were all undisturbed in the river; the bullocks and ataunt, and weighed as the two sternmost vessheep browzed unmolested; the poultry-yards sels passed; it was calm. The boats, manned were respected; and every act that might ir- with the marines, towed the ship, as the searitate the inhabitants was most industriously men were setting up the rigging. At dark avoided. In one instance only a boat did land the squadron anchored for the night. in the night, in search of stock, and the breach of discipline was justly punished by an American wounding one of the seamen, which served as a salutary example to the rest.

The following morning, to our great joy, the wind became fair, and we made all sail up the river, which now assumed a more pleasing aspect. At five o'clock in the afternoon Mount In the course of this day I landed with a flag Vernon, the retreat of the illustrious Washof truce at an agreeable-looking residence, the ington, opened to our view, and showed us, for first indeed we had observed on the banks of the first time since we entered the Potomac, a the river, for the country was thickly wooded, gentleman's residence. Higher up the river, and few habitations visible. The owner was on the opposite side, Fort Washington appearan American farmer, not the most polished man ed to our anxious eyes; and to our great satisin the world. He had two daughters, rather faction it was considered assailable. A little homely, and as uncouth as himself. They before sunset the squadron anchored just out of guessed we would not go farther than Mary-gunshot; the bomb-yessels at once took up their land Point, as the water was shoal; seemed to positions, to cover the frigates in the projected know and care very little about what was go-attack at daylight_next morning, and began ing on; offered us a glass of peach brandy; throwing shells. The garrison, to our great and hoped the Britishers would not carry off surprise, retreated from the fort; and, a short their negroes, which appeared to be their only time after, Fort Washington was blown up, apprehension.

which left the capital of America and the poOn the morning of the 22d, the squadron pulous town of Alexandria open to the squaweighed, and were beating up Maryland Reach, dron, without the loss of a inan. It was too in about the same water the frigates drew, and late to ascertain whether this catastrophe was sometimes less, but the bottom was soft and occasioned by one of our shells, or whether it we dragged through it, when the sky became had been blown up by the garrison; but the suddenly overcast, and everything portended opinion was in favour of the latter. Still we one of the severe north west squalls. We had were at a loss to account for such an extraorheard much of the violence of these gusts, but dinary step. The position was good, and its always concluded them exaggerated, and were capture would have cost us at least fifty men, not quite so cautious as we ought to have been; and more, had it been properly defended; bewe, however, took in the top-gallant sails, sides an unfavourable wind and many other

chances were in their favour, and we could fan arrangement with the enemy, by which it has only have destroyed it had we succeeded in been stipulated that, during their continuance bethe attack. fore the town, they shall not be molested. No

At daylight the ships moored under the bat-superior force having, in this emergency, appeartery, and completed its destruction. The guns ed to defend or direct, the Common Council has were spiked by the enemy; we otherwise mu- considered itself authorised, from extreme necestilated them, and destroyed the carriages.sity, to make the above stipulation,—they, conFort Washington was a most respectable de-sidering it binding on themselves and the nation, fence: it mounted two 52-pounders, two 32-require a faithful observance of it from all the inhabitants of the town. pounders, eight 24-pounders; in a battery on the beach were five 18-pounders; in a martello Resolved, that copies of the above resolution tower, two 12-pounders, with loop-holes for be transmitted to Brigadier-General Winder, of the 10th military-district, and to Generals Young musketry; and battery in the rear mounted two 12, and six 6-pound field-pieces. and Hungerford, with the request of the Common secure a strict observance of the public faith which Council, that proper measures may be used to the Common Council has been compelled to "THOS. HERBERT, President. "JOHN GIRD, Clerk pro tem."

A deputation from the town arrived to treat; but Captain Gordon declined entering into any arrangements till the squadron arrived before Alexandria. The channel was buoyed, and next morning, the 27th, we anchored abreast of the town, and dictated the following terms: By the 1st, the greater part of the vessels The town of Alexandria, with the excep- had been hove down, caulked, repaired, and tion of public works, shall not be destroyed, loaded; several that had been sunk were raisunless hostilities are commenced on the part ed; and the whole were in a fit state to quit of the Americans; nor shall their dwellings be entered, nor the inhabitants molested in any manner whatever, if the following articles are strictly complied with:

The occurrence I allude to was neither more nor less than an American midshipman's lark; and it appears they have larking mids as well "The forts erected for the defence of the dis-as us; but it had well nigh put the town in a trict having been blown up by our men, and blaze.

abandoned without resistance, and the town of We had been in the habit of walking about Alexandria having been left without troops or any the town, and even to the part nearest the means of defence against the hostile force now camp, without fear of interruption, which, I within sight, the Common Council of Alexandria suppose, had been communicated by some perhave with reluctance been compelled, from a re-son in the town. An enterprising midshipman gard to the safety of the inhabitants, to authorise thought it would be fine fun to carry off an