Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

WASHINGTON CITY, OCT. 25.

Copy of a letter from Com. Chauncey to the Secretary of the Navy.

United States' Ship General Pike,
Sackett's Harbor, 8th Oct. 1813.

SIR,

As soon as the last of the flotilla with the troops cleared the Niagara, I proceeded in quest of the enemy. On the 2d inst. at 10 A. M. discovered him steering a course for Niagara with studding-sails and all sails set. Wind from the south and westward; we made all sail in chase, but as soon as we shot out from the land so that he could easily make us out, he took in studding-sails and hauled up on a wind to the westward and made all sail from us; the wind being light all day we made but little progress against the current, and at sundown the enemy was off the 20 Mile Creek and had evidently gained considerably from us. During the night the wind continued so light that we altered our position but very little, and at day-light on the 3d saw the enemy at anchor close in with the land, between 12 and 20 Mile Creek: as soon as he saw us he weighed and made all sail to the westward, wind from south to south west and squally, I made all sail in chase, and continued the chase the whole day, it blowing very heavy in squalls; at sun-down we could barely make him out from the masthead when he appeared nearly up to the head of the lake; it continued squally with rain and the night very dark; at day light on the 4th hazy, could see nothing of the enemy—continued working up for the head of the Lake: towards meridian it became calm, I ordered the Lady of the Lake to sweep up to Burlington Bay and ascertain whether the fleet was there—at half past 9 P. M. she returned with information that the fleet was not there. Saw but two Gun-boats. It struck me at once that he had availed himself of the darkness of the preceding night and had either run for Kingston or down the lake for the purpose of intercepting the flotilla with the army, I therefore made all sail and shaped my course for the Ducks, with a view of intercepting him or his prizes if he should have made any. The wind increased to a strong gale from the northward and westward I continued the whole day on the 5th, we therefore made a great run, for at 1 P. M. we passed Long Point; at 5 discovered seven sail near the False Ducks: presuming them to be the fleet, made sail in chase: at 6 made them out to be sloops and schooners. I made the signal for the Sylph and the Lady of Lake to cast off their tow. and chase N. E. soon after perceiving the enemy separating on different tacks, I cast off the Governor Tompkins from this ship, gave the squadron in charge of Capt. Crane, and made all sail in chase: at 5 the enemy finding us to gain fast upon him, and one of his gun vessels sailing much worse than the rest, he took the people out and set her on fire. At sun-down, when opposite the Real Ducks, the Hamilton (late Growler) Confiance (late Julia) and Mary-Ann, struck to us. The Sylph soon after brought down the Drummond, cutter-rigged. The Lady Gore run into the Ducks, but the Sylph (which was left to watch her) took possession of her early the next morning. The Enterprize, a small schooner is the only one that escaped and she owed her safety to the darkness of the night. Finding much difficulty in shifting the prisoners, owing to the smallness of our boats and a heavy sea, I determined to take the prizes in tow and run for this place and land the prisoners and troops that I had on board. We arrived here at day light. On the 6th, the Lady of the Lake having towed one of the prizes, I dispatched her immediately to cruise between the Real and False Ducks. She returned the same afternoon, having discovered the enemy's squadron going into Kingston. I have repaired the principal damages sustained by this ship in the action on the 28th ult. and have put a new foremast into the Governor Tompkins. We are now ready and waiting the movements of the Army, which is contemplated will leave here on the 10th. The vessels captured on the 5th are gun vessels, mounting from one to three guns each, with troops from the head of the Lake. (but last from York) bound to Kingston. We learnt from the prisoners that the enemy was very much cut up in their hulls and spars, and a great many men killed & wounded, particularly on board