Biter, and Boxer gun-brigs, within piftol-fhot, before they cut. I kept the Selby in the rear to act, had any remained long enough on fhore, to have destroyed them by firing car cafes, and have now to regret I referved her for that purpofe, as I am confident, had captain Williams been directed to lay one of the enemy's fhips on board, he would have been fuccefsful in bringing her out. I put Mr. Scott, firft lieutenant of the Andromeda, in the command of the boats in a gig, and Mr. Cochran, third lieutenant, in another boat; and as I had all the cutters to attend on the fire-vessels except the Kent, directed their lieutenants in gigs to put themselves under his command, and by which means not any lives were loft; the Kent, lieutenant Cooban, I directed to attack the gunveffels, who trimmed them pretty handfomely, and prevented any boats from annoying our's that were employed to take out the crews of the fire-fhips. I feel particularly indebted to captains Mainwaring, Baker, and Seater, as alfo to lieutenant King, second lieutenant, who was left in command of the Andromeda, for their perfeverance in getting over the banks, to render us every affiftance by boats, and to be in readiness to meet the enemy, had they ventured over the Braak Sand; which pofition they maintained for that purpofe in fpite of fresh gales, and direct oppofition to the establifhed pilots, who gave up the charge of each fhip on their hands while in this fituation; and before, when I first made the propofition, pofitively refused taking charge of any veffels of the lighteft draught of water intended for this fervice; but with the affiftance of Mr. Moor, mafter (who I put on board the Dart, to lead in), and Mr. Wheatland, mate of the Ann hired cutter, who very handfomely volunteered their fervices to take any of the thips in, on my fuggefting it to them, and fome men which I got out of fmugglers, I was enabled to put one on board each of the gun-veffels and fire-brigs: I feel an inward fatisfaction at bringing the whole of the fquadron through the roads without the leaft difficulty. I cannot omit mentioning that Mr. Butcher, master of the Nile, and Mr. Dean, mafter of the Vigilant (luggers), at my request, would have laid as a leading mark at Gravelines Hook; the former performed this fervice, and I embarked with 30 volunteers from the Andromeda in the latter; and through the whole of this fervice I feel particularly indebted to the commanders of the feveral veffels and cutters for their very fteady conduct. I enclofe a lift of the killed and wounded, and am forry to fay, captain Leef, of the Comet, is among the latter, having been blown up. I have allo to acquaint you, for their lordships' information, that, from the mangled and unhappy state of many of the prifoners, I was induced to fend a flag of truce with them into Dunkirk. I have the honour to be, &c. Dart, off Dunkirk, July 8. Sir, Agreeable to the directions you honoured me with, to board the eafternmoft of the enemy's frigates in Dunkirk Roads, fhould it be practicable, I have complete fatisfaction in acquainting you, that about one, A. M. I fucceeded in carrying La Defirée national frigate, mounting 40 guns, long 24-pounders on the Your very humble fervant, To captain Inman. A Lift of the French Squadron in Dunkirk Roads, on the Evening of the 7th of July. La Pourfuivante, of 40 guns, 24pounders on the main deck, wears a broad pendant, commodore's name Caftagnie, chief of divifion.—La Defirée, of 40 guns, 24-pounders on the main deck, commanded by citizen Deplancy; taken by his majefty's floop Dart.-L'Incorruptible, of 40 guns, 24-pounders on the main deck.-La Carmagnole, of 50 guns, 18-pounders on the main deck. [Here followed the lift of killed and wounded.] main deck; with a complement of you a lift of killed and wounded, 330 men, fome of whom were on and am, fir, fhore. From your being fo nearly fituated to me during the attack, I have only to anticipate your approbation of the Dart's conduct; but, as individual merit could not be diftinguished but by thofe prefent, I truft I may be permitted to speak in terms the moft gratifying of lieutenant M'Dermeit, who gallantly led the boarders on this occafion, and who, I fear, will lofe his arm by a fevere wound he received; indeed I cannot fay enough in praife of his gallantry in this unequal conteft, having every reafon to believe the enemy were fully apprized af your intentions, from the refiftance they made, and the preparations that were found on board. Lieutenant M'Dermeit, with much prefence of mind, on being wounded, called to me he had poffeffion of the fhip, but feared they would rally, and requested an officer might be fent to take charge. Lieutenant Pierce gallantly anticipated my wifhes by jumping on board, completely repulfed the enemy, who were rallying at the after-hatchway, inftantly cut her cables, got her under fail, and over banks, which could not have been effected half an hour later, I also beg to ftate Mr. Ingledon, the mafter's conduct, as highly meritorious, in placing the Dart fo com. pletely on board the Defirée, and who nearly loft his life fupporting the boarders, by falling between the fhips; indeed all the officers whom I had the honour to command, behaved in a manner that will ever merit my warmeft acknowledgements; and when I think of the fupport given me by my brave crew, I feel confident I fhall never forget their loyalty and merit. Enclosed I fend London Gazette, August 9. Admiralty-Office. Copy of a Letter from the Earl of St. Vincent, K. B. Admiral of the White, &c. to Evan Napean, Efq. dated on board his Majesty's Ship Royal George, at Sea, the 4th Inflant. Sir, I did not think the enterprife of fir Edward Hamilton, or of captain Campbell, could have been rivalled, until I read the enclosed letter from fir Edward Pellew, relating the defperate fervice performed by acting lieutenant Coghlan, of the Viper cutter, on the 29th July, which has filled me with pride and admiration; and although the circumftance of his not having completed his time in his majefty's navy operates at present againft his receiving the reward he is most ambitious of obtaining, I am perfuaded perfuaded the lords commiffioners of the admiralty will do all in their power to confole him under his fevere wounds, and grant him promotion the moment he is in a capacity to receive it. I am, fir, &c. &c. &c. My lord, Impeteux, Palais Road, I have true pleasure in ftating to your lordship the good conduct of lieutenant Jeremiah Coghlan, to whom, for former gallant behaviour, you had given an acting commiffion to command the Viper cutter from this fhip. This gallant young man, when watching Port Louis, thought he could fucceed in boarding fome of the cutters or gun-veffels, which have been moving about the entrance of that harbour, and, for this purpose, he entreated a ten-oared cutter from me, with twelve volunteers; and on Tuesday night, the 29th instant, he took this boat, with Mr. Silas H. Paddon, midshipman, and fix of his men, making, with himfelf, twenty; and accompanied by his own boat and one from the Amethyst, he determined upon boarding a gun-brig, mounting three long 24-pounders, and four 6-pounders, full of men, moored with fprings on her cables, in a naval port of difficult accefs, within piftol-fhot of three batteries, furrounded by feveral armed craft, and not a mile from a feventy-four and two frigates, bearing an admiral's flag. Undifmayed by fuch formidable appearances, the early discovery of his approach (for they were at quarters), and the loft aid of the other boats, he bravely determined to attack alone, and boarded her on the quarter; but unhappily, in the dark, jumping into a trawl-net hung up to dry, he was pierced through the thigh by a pike, and feveral of his men hurt, and all knocked back into the boat. Unchecked in ardour, they hauled the boat further a-head, and again boarded, and maintained, against 87 men, 16 of whom were foldiers, an obftinate conflict, killing 6 and wounding 20, among whom was every officer belonging to her. His own lofs 1 killed and 8 wounded; himself in two places, Mr. Paddon in fix. I feel particularly happy in the expected fafety of all the wounded. He fpeaks in the highest terms of Mr. Paddon, and the whole of his party, many of whom were knocked overboard, and twice beat into the boat, but returned to the charge with unabated courage. I truft I fall ftand excufed by your lordship for fo minute a defcription, produced by my admiration of that courage which, hand to hand, gave victory to a handful of brave fellows over four times their number; and of that fkill which formed, conducted, and effected fo daring an enterprife. Le Cerbere, commanded by a lieutenant de Vaiffeau, and towed out under a very heavy fire, is given up as prize by the fquadron, to mark their admiration, and will not, I know, be the only reward of fuch bravery; they will receive that protection your lordship fo liberally ac cords to all the young men in the fervice, who happily diftinguish themfelves under your command. I enclofe lieutenant Coghlan's letter, and have the honour, &c. (Signed) Edward Pellew. Admiral the earl of St. Vin cent, K. B. &c. His Majefty's Cutter Viper, Tuesday Morning, eight o'Clock. Dear fir, I have fucceeded in bringing out the gun-brig Le Cerbere, of 3 guns, 24-pounders, and four 6-pounders, and 87 men, commanded by a lieutenant de Vaifleau-pray forgive me when I fay from under the batteries of Port Louis, and after a moft defperate refiftance being made, firft by her, and afterwards by the batteries at both fides, and a fire from fome fmall veffels which lay round her but nothing that I could expect from a veffel lying in that inactive fitudtion, was equal to the few brave men belonging to your fhip, whom I fo juftly confided in, affifted by 6 men from the cutter, and Mr. Paddon, midshipman, who, I am forry to fay, was wounded in feveral places, though I hope not mortally. I am forry to ftate the loss of 1 man belonging to the cutter, who was fhot through the head, and 4 of your brave men, with myfelf, wounded in different parts of the body: the principal one I received was with a pike, which penetrated my left thigh. Mr. Pattefhall, in the cutter's small boat, affifted with 2 midfhipmen from the Amethyft in one of their boats. The lols of the enemy is not yet afcertained, owing to the confufion. I remain, &c. J. Coghlan. N. B. There are 5 killed and 21 wounded; fome very badly. A Return of killed and wounded in a ten-eared Cutter belonging to his Majesty's Ship Impeteux, under the Command of Lieutenant Jeremiah Coghlan, on the Night of the 29th Viper cutter-1 feaman killed; lieutenant Jeremiah Coghlan, Mr. Silas H. Paddon, midhipman, 2 feamen wounded. feamen wounded. Impeteux-4 feamen wounded.-Total, 1 killed, 8 wounded. London Gazette, November 29. Admiralty-Office. Copy of a Letter from Captain Frederick Watkins, Commander of his Majesty's Ship Nereide, to Evan Nepean, Efq. dated in Curaçao, 15th October. Sir, Be pleased to inform my lords commiffioners of the admiralty that I have thought it indifpenfably neceflary to fend thefe difpatches to England by my firft officer, lieutenant Paul, to acquaint their lordships of the furrender of the valuable island of Curaçao to his majesty's frigate under my command. I beg leave to tranfmit duplicates of all my letters to the right honourable lord Hugh Seymour, and the articles of capitulation agreed between his excellency Johan Rudolph Lauffer and myfelf; as alfo inventories of warlike ftores, fhipping, &c. I hope their lordfhips will fanction my conduct in taking poffeffion of this centrical and valuable ifland in his majesty's name. Lieutenant Paul I cannot recommend in too strong language to their lordships, for his zealous exertion's during the whole of the fiege; and for any farther information he is per fectly fectly able to defcribe every thing their lordships may be defirous of knowing refpecting Curaçao. I have the honour to be, &c. His Majefty's Ship Nereide, off Amfterdam, Ifand of Curaçao, 11th September. My lord, I wish not to lofe a moment in fending a faft-failing veffel to inform your lordship, that the inland of Curaçao has claimed the protection of his Britannic majefty. I have in confequence felt it my duty to take poffeffion of it in his name. I am now running for the harbour, as it is abfolutely neceffary to lofe no time to fave the island from the enemy, who threaten to ftorm the principal fort to-night; but I truft the Nereide's affiftance will be the means of fruftrating the enemy's views, and faving a most valuable colony for his majesty. I compute the force of the French to be about fifteen hundred now in poffeffion of the weft part of the ifland, but no ftrong poft of any confequence to prevent my holding the forts commanding Amfterdam, until I am honoured with an answer from your lordship. There is great property afloat belonging to the Spaniards. Lieutenant Paul will have the honour of delivering this difpatch to your lordship, of whofe exertions and zeal for the fervice I cannot fpeak in too ftrong terms. I have the honour to be, &c. &c. (Signed) F. Watkins. The right hon. lord Hugh Seymour, &c. &c. &c. His Majefty's Ship Nereide, off Amfterdam, Septem ber 14. My lord, Since fending my last dispatch of the 11th inftant, governor Johan Rudolph Lauffer has finally furrendered the ifland of Curaçao and its dependencies to his majesty's arms. Enclofed I have the honour of tranfmitting to your lordship a copy of the terms of capitulation. I have the honour to be, &c. The right hon. lord Hugh Seymour, &c. &c. &c. Articles of Capitulation agreed between Frederick Watkins, Efq. Captain of his Britannic Majesty's Ship Nereide, now lying off the Harbour of Curaçao and Johan Rudolph Lauffer, Governor (interim) of the faid Island, and its Dependencies, and Commander-in-Chief of all the armed Force of the faid Ifland; namely, that the faid Island of Curaçao and its Dependencies fhall surrender, and be placed under the immediate Protection of his Britannic Majesty, in Conformity to the following Articles, viz. Art. I. The island of Curaçao and its dependencies shall be placed under the protection of his Britannic majefty, and fhall peaceably and quietly fubmit to the government of his faid majesty. Anfwer.-Agreed to. Art. II. The inhabitants of this ifland and its dependencies fhall enjoy perfect fecurity in their persons and properties, and the full exercise of their religion, except fuch as fhall appear to belong to the fubjects of the powers now actually at war with Great |