The New Hampshire Gazette

Official Account of the loss of the
FRIGATE ESSEX.

Copy of a letter from Captain Porter, to the Secretary of the Navy.

Essex Junior, July 3d, 1814, at Sea.

SIR—I have done myself the honor to address you repeatedly, since I left the Delaware; but have scarcely a hope that one of my letters has reached you; therefore, consider it necessary to give a brief history of my proceedings since that period.

I sailed from the Delaware on the 27th of October, 1812, and repaired, with all diligence, (agreeably to instructions from Com. Bainbridge) to Port Praya, Fernando de Noronho, and Cape Frio: and arrived at each place on the day appointed to meet him. On my passage from Port Praya to Fernando de Noronho, I captured H. B. M. packet Nocton; and after taking out about 11,000l sterling in specie, sent her under command of Lt. Finch for America. I cruised off Rio de Janeiro, and about Cape Frio until the 12th January, 1813, hearing frequently of the Commodore, by vessels from Bahia. There captured but one schooner, with hides and tallow. I sent her into Ri. The Montague, the admiral's ship, being in pursuit of me, my provisions now getting short, and finding it necessary to look out for a supply, to enable me to meet the Commodore by the 1st of April off St. Helena, I proceeded to the Island of St. Catharines, (the last place of rendezvous on the coast of Brazil) as the most likely to supply my wants, and at the same time afford me that secrecy necessary to enable me to elude the British ships of war on the coast, and expected—there, I here could procure only wood, water and rum, and a few bags flour; and hearing of the Commodore's action with the Java, the capture of the Hornet by the Montague, and a considerable augmentation of the British force on the coast, and of several being in pursuit of me, I found it necessary to set to sea as soon as possible. I now, agreeably to the Commodore's plan, stretched to the southward, scouring the coast as far as Rio de la Plata. I heard that Buenos Ayres was in a state of starvation, and could not supply our wants; and that the government of Monteviedo was very inimical to us. The Commodore's instructions now left it discretionary with me what course to pursue, and I determined on following that which had not only met his approbation, but the approbation of the then Secretary of the Navy. I accordingly shaped my course for the Pacific; and after suffering greatly from short allowance of provisions and heavy gales off Cape Horn (for which my ship and men were illy provided) I arrived at Valparaiso on the 14th March 1813. I here took in as much jerked beef, and other provisions, as much as would conveniently allow, as we down the coast of Chili and Peru; in this track I fell in with a Peruvian corsair, which had on board twenty-four Americans as prisoners, the crews of two whale ships, which she had taken on the coast of Chili. The captain informed me, that as the allies of Great Britain, they would capture all they should meet with, in expectation of a war between Spain and the United States. I consequently threw all his guns and ammunition into the sea, liberated the Americans, wrote a respectful letter to the Vice Roy, explaining the cause of my proceedings, which I delivered to her captain. I then proceeded for Lima, and re-captured one of the vessels as she was entering the port. From thence I proceeded for the Gallapagos islands, where I cruized from the 17th April, until the 3d October, 1813; during which time I touched only once on the coast of America, which was for the purpose of procuring a supply of fresh water, as none is to be found among those islands, which are perhaps the most barren and desolate of any known.

While among this group, I captured the following British ships, employed chiefly in the spermaceti whale fishery—viz.

LETTERS OF MARQUE.

As some of those ships were captured by boats, and others by prizes; my officers and men had several opportunities of shewing their gallantry.

The Rose and Charlton, were given up to the prisoners: the Hector, Catharine and Montezuma, I sent to Valpariso, where they were laid up; the Policy, Georgiana and New-Zealander I sent for America; the Greenwich I kept as a store ship, to contain the stores of my other prizes, necessary for us; and the Atlantic, now called the Essex Junior, I equipped with 20 guns, and gave command of her to Lieut. Downes.

Lt. Pownes had conveyed the prizes to Valparaiso, and on his return brought me letters informing me that a squadron under the command of Com. James Hillyar, consisting of the frigate Phoebe, of 36 guns, the Racoon and Cherub sloops of war, and a store ship of 20 guns, had sailed on the 6th of July for this sea. The Racoon and Cherub had been seeking me for some time on the coast of Brazil, and on their return from their cruize, joined the squadron sent in search of me to the Pacific. My ship, as it may be supposed, after being near a year at sea, required some repairs to put her in a state to meet them; which I determined to do, and to bring them to action, if I could meet them on nearly equal terms. I proceeded now, in company with the remainder of my prizes, to the Island of Nooaheevah, or Madison Island, lying in the Washington group discovered by Captain Ingraham of Boston; here I caulked and completely overhauled my ship, made for her a new set of water casks, her old ones being entirely decayed, and took on board from my prizes provisions and stores for upwards of four months, and sailed for the coast of Chili on the 12th December, 1813. Previous to sailing, I secured the Seringapatam, Greenwich, and Sir Andrew Hammond under the guns of a battery which I erected for their protection. After taking possession of this fine island for the United States, and establishing the most friendly intercourse with the natives; I left them under the charge of Lt. Gamble of the marines, with twenty-one men, with orders to repair to Valparaiso, after a certain period.

I arrived on the coast of Chili on the 12th January, 1814: looked into Conception and Valparaiso. found at both places only three English vessels, and learned that the squadron which sailed from Rio de Janeiro for that sea, had not been heard of since their departure, & were supposed to be lost in endeavoring to double Cape Horn.

I had completely broken up the British navigation in the Pacific; the vessels which had not been captured by me, were laid up and dare not venture out. I had afforded the most ample protection to our own vessels, which were, on my arrival, very numerous and unprotected. The valuable whale fishery there is entirely destroyed, and the actual injury we have done them may be estimated at two and a half millions of dollars, independent of the expences of the vessels in search of me. They have furnished me amply with sails, cordage, cables, anchors, provisions, medicines and stores of every description; and the slops on board them have furnished clothing for the seamen. We have in fact lived on the enemy since I have been in that sea, every prize having proved a well found store-ship for me. I had not yet been under the necessity of drawing bills on the department for any object, and had been enabled to make considerable advances to my officers and crew on account of pay.

For the unexampled time we had kept the sea, my crew had been remarkably healthy; I had but one case of the scurvy, and had lost only the following men by death, viz.—John S. Cowan, Lieutenant; Robert Miller, Surgeon; Levi Holmes, Edward Sweeney, ord. seamen; Samuel Groce, seaman; James Spafford, gunner's mate; Benj. Geers, John Rolgers, quarter gunners; Andrew Mahan, corporal of marines; Lewis Price, private marine.

I had done all this injury that could be done the British commerce in the Pacific, and still hoped to signalize my cruise by something more splendid before leaving that sea. I thought it not improbable that Com. Hillyar might have kept his arrival secret, and believing that he would seek me at Valparaiso, as the most likely place to find me, I therefore determined to cruize about that place, and should I fail of meeting him, hoped to be compensated by the capture of some merchant ships, said to be expected from England.

The Phoebe, agreeably to my expectations, came to seek me at Valparaiso, where I was anchored with the Essex, my armed prize the Essex Junior, under the command of Lieut. Downes, on the look out of the harbor; but, contrary to the course I thought he would pursue, Com. Hillyar brought with him the Cherub sloop of War mounting 28 guns, eighteen 32 lb. carronades, eight 24's, and two long 9's on the quarter deck and forecastle, and a complement of 180 men. The force of the Phoebe is as follows:—thirty long 18 pounders, sixteen 32 lb. carronades, one howitzer, and 6 three pounders in the tops, in all 53 guns, and a complement of 320 men; making a force of 81 guns and 500 men; in addition to which, they took on board the crew of an English letter of marque laying in port. Both ships had picked crews, and were sent into the Pacific in company with the Racoon of 22 guns, and a store ship of 20 guns, for the express purpose of seeking the Essex, and were prepared with flags bearing the motto "God and country; British Sailors' best rights; Traitors offend both." This was intended as a reply to my motto, "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," under the erroneous impression that my crew were chiefly Englishmen, or to counteract its effect on their own crews. The force of the Essex was 46 guns, forty 32 lb. carronades, and six long 12's, and her crew, which had been much reduced by prizes, amounted only to 255 men. The Essex Junior, which was intended chiefly as a store ship, mounted 20 guns, ten 18 pound carronades, and ten short 6's, with only 60 men on board. In reply to their motto, I wrote at my mizen, "God, our Country and Liberty; Tyrants offend them."

On getting their provisions on board, they went off the port for the purpose of blockading me, where they cruised for near six weeks; during which time I endeavored to provoke a challenge, and frequently, but ineffectually, to bring the Phoebe alone to action, first with both my ships, and afterwards with my single ship, with both crews on board. I was several times under way, and ascertained that I had greatly the advantage in point of sailing, and once succeeded in closing within gun-shot of the Phoebe, and commenced a fire on her, when she ran down for the Cherub, which was 2 1/2 miles to leeward; this excited some surprize and expressions of indignation, as previous to my getting under way, she hove too off the port, hoisted her motto flag, and fired a gun to windward. Com. Hillyar seemed determined to avoid a contest with me on nearly equal terms, and from his extreme prudence in keeping both his ships ever after constantly within hail of each other, there were no hopes of any advantages to my country from a longer stay in port. I therefore determined to put to sea the first opportunity which should offer; and I was the more strongly induced to do so, as I had received certain intelligence that the Tagus, rated 38, and two other frigates, had sailed for that sea in pursuit of me; and I had reason to expect the arrival of the Racoon from the N. W. coast of America, where she had been sent for the purpose of destroying our fur establishment on the Columbia. A rendezvous was appointed for the Essex Junior, and every arrangement made for sailing, and I intended to let them chase me off, to give the Essex Junior, an opportunity of escaping.

On the 28th March, the day after this determination was formed, the wind came on to blow fresh from the southward, when I parted my larboard cable, and dragged my starboard anchor, directly out to sea. Not a moment was to be lost in getting sail on the ship. The enemy were close in with the point forming the West side of the bay; but on opening them, I saw a prospect of passing to windward, when I took in my top-gallant sails, which were set over single reefed top sails, and braced up for this purpose; but on rounding the point, a heavy squall struck the ship and carried away her main topmast, precipitating the men who were aloft into the sea, who were drowned. Both ships now gave chase to me, and I endeavored in my disabled state to regain the port; but finding I could not recover the common anchorage, I ran close into a small bay about three quarters of a mile to leeward of the battery on the East side of the harbor, and let go my anchor within pistol shot of the shore, where I intended to repair my damages as soon as possible.

The enemy continued to approach and shewed an evident intention of attacking, regardless of the neutrality of the place where I was anchored; and the caution observed in their approach to the attack of the crippled Essex, was truly ridiculous, as was their display of their motto flags, and the number of jacks at their mast heads. I, with as much expedition as circumstances would admit of, got my ship ready for action, and endeavored to get a spring on my cable, but had not succeeded when the enemy at 54 minutes after 3 P.M. made his attack, the Phoebe placing herself under my stern, and the Cherub on my larboard bow; but the Cherub soon finding her situation a hot one, bore up and ran under my stern also, where both ships kept up a hot raking fire. I had got three long 12 pounders out of the stern ports, which were worked with so much bravery and skill, that in half an hour we so disabled both as to compel them to haul off to repair damages. In the course of this firing, I had by the great exertions of Mr. Edward Barnewall, the acting sailing master, assisted by Mr. Linscott, the boatswain, succeeded in getting springs on our cable three different times; but the fire of the enemy was so excessive that before we could get our broadside to bear, they were shot away, and thus rendered useless to us. My ship had received many injuries and several had been killed and wounded; but my brave officers and men, notwithstanding the unfavorable circumstances under which we were brought to action, and the powerful force opposed to us, were no ways discouraged; and all appeared determined to defend their ship to the last extremity, and to die in preference to a shameful surrender. Our gaff, with the ensign and the motto flag at the mizen, had been shot away, but Free Trade and Sailors' Rights continued to fly at the fore. Our ensign was replaced by another; and to guard against a similar event, an ensign was made fast in the mizen rigging, and several jacks were hoisted in different parts of the ship.

The enemy soon repaired his damages for a fresh attack; he now placed himself, with both his ships, on my starboard quarter, out of the reach of my carronades, and where my stern guns could not be brought to bear; there he kept up a most galling fire, which it was out of my power to return, when I saw no prospect of injuring him without getting under way and becoming the assailant. My top-sail sheets and halyards were all shot away, as well as the jib and fore-top-mast-stay-sail-halyards. The only rope not cut away was the flying-jib-halyards; & that being the only sail I could set, I caused it to be hoisted, my cable to be cut, and ran down on both ships, with an intention of leaving the Phoebe on board. The firing on both sides was now tremendous; I had let fall my fore-top-sail and fore-sail, but the want of tacks and sheets rendered them almost useless to us yet we were enabled for a short time, to close with the enemy; and although our decks were now strewed with dead, and our cock-pit filled with wounded—although our ship had been several times on fire, and was rendered a perfect wreck, we were still encouraged to hope to save her, from the circumstance of the Cherub, from her crippled state, being compelled to haul off. She did not return to close action again, although she apparently had it in her power to do so, but kept up a distant firing with her long guns. The Phoebe, from our disabled state was enabled, however, by edging off, to choose the distance which best suited her long guns, and kept up a tremendous fire on us, which mowed down my brave companions by the dozen. Many of my guns had been rendered useless by the enemy's shot, and many of them had their whole crews destroyed. We manned them again from those guns which were disabled, and one gun in particular was three times manned—fifteen men were slain at it in the course of the action but, strange as it may appear, the captain of it escaped with only a slight wound.

Finding that the enemy had it in his power to choose his distance, I now gave up all hopes of closing with him, and as the wind, for the moment, seemed to favor the design, I determined to endeavor to run her on shore, land my men and destroy her, Every thing seemed to favor my wishes. We had approached the shore within musket shot, and I had no doubt of succeeding, when, in an instant, the wind shifted from the land, (as is very common in this port in the latter part of the day) and payed our head down on the Phoebe, where we were again exposed to a dreadful raking fire. My ship was now totally unmanageable; yet, as her head was toward the enemy, and he to leeward of me, I still hoped to be able to board him. At this moment, Lieut. Commandant Downes came on board to receive my orders. under the impression that I should soon be a prisoner. He could be of no use to me in the then wretched state of the Essex; and finding (from the enemy's putting his helm up) that my last attempt at boarding would not succeed, I directed him, after he had been about 10 minutes on board, to return to his own ship, to be prepared for defending and destroying her in case of attack. He took with him several wounded, leaving three of his boat's crew on board to make room for them. The Cherub now had an opportunity of distinguishing herself, by keeping up a hot fire on him during his return, The slaughter on board my ship had now become horrible, the enemy continuing to rake us, and we unable to bring a gun to bear. I therefore directed a hawser to be bent to the sheet anchor, and the anchor to be cut from the bows to bring her head round : this succeeded. We again, got our broadside to bear, and as the enemy was much crippled and unable to hold his own, I have no doubt he would soon have drifted out of gun shot before he discovered we had anchored, had not the hawser unfortunately parted.

My ship had taken fire several times during the action, but alarmingly so, forward and aft, at this moment: the flames were bursting up each hatchway, and no hopes were entertained of saving her ; our distance from the shore did not exceed three quarters of a mile, and I hoped many of my brave crew would be able to save themselves, should the ship blow up, as was informed the fire was near the magazine and the explosion of a large quantity of powder below served to increase the horrors of our situation—our boats were destroyed by the enemy's shot ; I therefore directed those who could swim, to jump overboard and endeavor to gain the shore. Some reached it—some were taken by the enemy, and some perished in the attempt, but most preferred sharing with me the fate of the ship.

We, who remained, now turned our attention wholly to extinguishing the flames ; and when we had succeeded, went again to our guns. where the firing was kept up for some minutes, but the crew had by this time become so weakened, that they all declared to me the impossibility of making further resistance, and intreated me to surrender my ship to save the wounded, as all further attempts at opposition must prove ineffectual, almost every gun had been disabled by the destruction of their crews. I now sent to the officers of divisions to consult them ; but what was my surprise to find only Acting Lieut. Stephen Decatur M'Knight remaining, (who confirmed the report respecting the condition of the guns on the gun deck—those on the spar deck were not in a better state). Lieut Wilmer, after fighting most gallantly throughout the action, had been knocked overboard by a splinter while getting the sheet anchor from the bows, and was drowned. Acting Lt. John G Cowell had lost a leg ; Mr. Edwd. Barnewall, Acting Sailing-Master, had been carried below, after receiving two severe wounds, one in the breast and one in the face; and Acting Lt. Wm. H. Odenheimer had been knocked overboard from the quarter an instant before, and did not regain the ship until after the surrender. I was informed that the cockpit, the steerage, the ward-room and the birth-deck could contain no more wounded ; that the wounded were killed while the surgeons were dressing them, and that, unless something was speedily done to prevent it, the ship would sink, from the number of shot holes in her bottom. And on sending for the Carpenter, he informed me that all his crew had been killed or wounded, and that he had once been over the side to stop the leaks, when his slings had been shot away, and it was with difficulty he was saved from drowning.

The enemy, from the smoothness of the water, and the impossibility of our reaching him with our carronades, and the little apprehension that was excited by our fire, which had now become much slackened, was enabled to take aim at us as at a target; his shot never missed our hull, and my ship was cut up in a manner which was perhaps never before witnessed—in fine, I saw no hopes of saving her, and at 20 minutes after 6 p. M. gave the painful order to strike the colors. 75 men, including officers, were all that remained of my whole crew, after the action, capable of doing duty, and many of them severely wounded, some of whom have since died. The enemy still continued his fire, and my brave, though unfortunate companions, were still falling about me. I directed an opposite gun to be fired, to shew them we intended no further resistance ; but they did not desist ; four men were killed at my side, and others in different parts of the ship. I now believed he intended to show us no quarter, and that it would be as well to die with my flag flying as struck, and was on the point of again hoisting it, when, about ten minutes after hauling the colors down, he ceased firing.

I cannot speak in sufficiently high terms of the conduct of those engaged for such an unparalleled length of time (under such circumstances) with me in the arduous and unequal contest. Let it suffice to say that more bravery, skill, patriotism and zeal were never displayed on any occasion. Every one seemed determined to die in defence of their much loved country's cause, and nothing but views to humanity could ever have reconciled them to the surrender of the ship ; they remembered their wounded and helpless shipmates below.

To acting lieutenants M'Knight and Odenheimer I feel much indebted for their great exertions and bravery throughout the action in fighting and encouraging the men at their divisions, for the dexterous management of the long guns, and for their promptness in remanning their guns as their crews were slaughtered, The conduct of that brave and heroic officer, acting lieutenant John G. Cowell, who lost his leg in the latter part of the action, excited the admiration of every man in the ship, and after being wounded would not consent to be taken below untill loss of blood rendered him insensible. Mr. Edward Barnewall, acting sailing master, whose activity and courage were equally conspicuous, returned on deck after his first wound, and remained after receiving his second until fainting with loss of blood. Mr. Samuel B. Johnston who had joined me the day before, and acting as marine officer, conducted himself with great bravery, and exerted himself in assisting at the long guns; the musketry after the first half hour being useless (from our long distance.)

Mr. M. W. Bostwick, whom I had appointed acting purser of the Essex Junior, and who was on board my ship, did the duties of aid in a manner which reflects on him the highest honour, and Midshipmen Isaacs, Farragut, and Ogden, as well as acting Midshipmen James Terry, James R. Lyman and Samuel Duzenbury, and master's mate William Pierce, exerted themselves in the performance of their respective duties and gave an earnest of their value to the service ; the three first are too young to recommend for promotion, the latter I beg leave to recommend for confirmation as well as the acting lieutenants, and Messrs. Barnewall, Johnston and Bostwick.

We have been unfortunate, but not disgraced. The defence of the Essex has not been less honourable to her officers and crew, than the capture of an equal force, and I now consider my situation less unpleasant than that of Com. Hillyar, who, in violation of every principle of honour and generosity, and regardless of the rights of nations, attacked the Essex in her crippled state, within pistol shot of a neutral shore ; when for six weeks I had daily offered him fair and honorable combat, on terms greatly to his advantage ; the blood of the slain must be on his head, and he has yet to reconcile his conduct to Heaven, to his conscience, and to the world.—The annexed extract of a letter from Commodore Hillyar, which was written previous to his returning me my sword, will shew his opinion of our conduct.

My loss has been dreadfully severe, 58 killed or have since died of their wounds, and among them Lt, Cowell; 39 were severely wounded 27 slightly, and 31 are missing : making in all 154 killed, wounded, and missing, a list of whose names is annexed.

, The professional knowledge of Dr. Richard Hoffman, acting Surgeon, and Dr. Alexander Montgomery, acting Surgeon's Mate, added to their assiduity and the benevolent attentions and assistance of Mr. D. Adams, the Chaplain, saved the lives of many of the wounded; those gentlemen have been indefatigable in their attentions to them ; the two first I beg leave to recommend for confirmation, and the latter to the notice of the Department.

I must in justification of myself, observe. that with our six 12 pounders only we fought this action, our carronades being almost useless.

The loss in the killed and wounded has. been great with the enemy; among the former is the first Lieutenant of the Phoebe. and of the latter Capt. Tucker of the Cherub, whose wounds are severe. Both the Essex and Phoebe were in a sinking state, and it was with difficulty they could be kept afloat until they anchored in Valparaiso next morning. The battered state of the Essex, will, I believe, prevent her ever reaching England, and I also think it will be out of their power to repair the damages of the Phoebe, so as to enable her to double Cape Horn. All the masts and yards of the Phoebe and Cherub are badly crippled, and their hulls much cut up; the former had eighteen 12 pound shot through her below her water line, some three feet under water. Nothing but the smoothness of the water saved both the Phoebe and the Essex.

I hope, sir, that our conduct may prove satisfactory to our country, and that it will testify it by obtaining a speedy exchange, that we may again have it in our power to prove our zeal.

Commodore Hillyar (I am informed) has thought proper to state to his government that the action only lasted 45 minutes; should he have done so, the motive may be easily discovered—but the thousand of disinterested witnesses who covered the surrounding hills can testify—that we fought his ships near two hours and an half; upwards of fifty broadsides were fired by the enemy agreeable to their own accounts, and upwards of seventy-five by ours; except the few minutes they were repairing damages, the firing was incessant.

Soon after my capture I entered into an agreement with Com, Hillyar to disarm my prize the Essex Junior, and proceed with the survivors of my officers and crew in her to the U. States, taking with me all her officers and crew. He consented to grant her a passport to secure her from re-capture. The ship was small and we knew we had much to suffer, yet we hoped soon to reach our country in safety, that we might again have it in our power to serve it. This arrangement was attended with no additional expense, as she was abundantly supplied with provisions and stores for the voyage.

In justice to Commodore Hillyar, I must observe, that (although I can never be reconciled to the manner of his attack on the Essex, or to his conduct before the action,) he has since our capture, shewn the greatest humanity to my wounded (whom he permitted me to land on condition that the United States should bear their expences) and has endeavored as much as lay in his power to alleviate the distresses of War by the most generous and delicate deportment towards myself, my officers and crew; he gave orders that the property of every person should be respected—his orders, however were not so strictly attended to as might have been expected : besides being deprived of books, charts, &c. &c. both myself and officers lost many articles of our clothing, some to a considerable amount. I should not have considered this last circumstance of sufficient importance to notice, did it not mark a striking difference between the Navy of Great Britain and that of the U. States highly creditable to the latter.

By the arrival of the Tagus, a few days after my capture, I was informed that besides the ships which had arrived in the Pacific in pursuit of me, and those still expected, others were sent to cruize for me in the China Seas, off New Zealand, Timour and New Holland, and that another frigate was sent to the River la Plata..

To possess the Essex it has cost the British government near six millions of dollars, and yet, sir, her capture was owing entirely to accident ; and if we consider the expedition with which naval contests are now decided, the action is a dishonor to them. Had they brought their ships boldly to action with a force so very superior, and having the choice of position, they should either have captured or destroyed us in one fourth the time they were about it.

During the action, our Consul General, Mr. Poinsett, called on the Governor of Valparaiso, and requested that the batteries might protect the Essex. The request was refused, but he promised that if she should succeed in fighting her way to the common anchorage. he would send an officer to the British Commander and request him to cease firing, but declined using force under any circumstances, and there is no doubt a perfect understanding existed between them ; this conduct added to the assistance given to the British, and their friendly reception after the action, and the strong bias of the faction which governs Chili in favor of the English, as well as their hostility to the Americans, induced Mr. Poinsett to leave that country.

Under such circumstances, I did not conceive that it would be proper for me to claim the restoration of my ship, confident that the claim would be made by my government to more effect. Finding some difficulty in the sale of my prizes, I had taken the Hector and Catharine to sea, and burnt them with their cargoes.

I exchanged Lieut. M'Knight, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Lyman, and eleven seamen, for part of the crew of the Sir Andrew Hammond, and sailed from Valparaiso on the 27th April, where the enemy were still patching up their ships to put them in a state for proceeding to Rio de Janeiro previous to going to England,

Annexed is a list of the remains of my crew to be exchanged, as also a copy of the correspondence between Com. Hillyar and myself on that subject. I also send you a list of the prisoners I have taken during my cruise, amounting to 343.

I have the honor to be, &c.

D. PORTER.

The Hon. Sec'y of the Navy of the U. States, Washington.

P. S. To give you a correct idea of the state of the Essex at the time of her surrender, I send you the Boatswain's and Carpenter's report of damages; I also send you a report of the divisions.

	tons.	men.	guns.	p'd for
Montezuma,	270	21	2
Policy,	175	26	10	18
Georgiana,	280	25	6	18
Greenwich,	338	25	10	20
Atlantic,	355	24	8	20
Rose,	220	21	8	20
Hector	270	25	11	20
Catharine,	270	29	8	18
Seringpatam,	357	31	14	26
Charlton,	274	21	10	18
New-Zealander,	259	23	8	18
Sir A Hammond,	301	31	12	18

Hillyar, to Porter.

"My dear Sir—Neither in my conversations nor in the accompanying letter, have I mentioned your Sword. Ascribe my remissness in the first instance to forgetfulness; I consider it only in my servant's possession with my own, until the master may please to call for it; and although I omitted, at the moment of representation, from my mind being much engrossed in attending to professional duties, to offer its restoration, the hand that received will be most gladly extended to put it in possession of him who wore it so honorably in defending his country's cause."

"Believe me, my dear sir, very faithfully yours,

(Signed) JAMES HILLYAR."

Capt. Porter.

Here follows a list of the killed, wounded, and missing, which we have published.

After some conversation on the subject the following correspondence took place.

Valparaiso, April 4th 1814.

SIR—Taking into consideration the immense distance we are from our respective countries, the uncertainty of the future movements of His Majesty's ships under my command, which precludes the possibility of my making a permanent arrangement for transporting the officers and crew late of the Essex to Europe; and the fast approaching season which renders a passage round Cape Horn in some degree dangerous; I have the honor to propose for your approbation the following articles, which, I hope, the government of the United States, as well as that of Great-Britain will deem satisfactory: and to request that should you conceive them so, you will favor me with the necessary bond for their fulfilment.

1st. The Essex Junior to be deprived of all her armament and perfectly neutralized; to be equipped for the voyage solely and wholly at the expence of the American government; and to proceed with a proper American officer and crew (of which I wish to be furnished with a list, for the purpose of giving the necessary passport) to any port of the United States of America that you may deem most proper.

2d. Yourself, the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, &c. composing your crew, to be exchanged immediately on their arrival in America, for an equal number of British prisoners of similar rank.—Yourself and officers to be considered on their parole of honor until your and their exchange shall be effected.

In case of the foregoing articles being accepted, the Essex Junior will be expected to prepare immediately for the voyage, and to proceed on it before the expiration of the present month.

Should any of the wounded at that period be found incapable of removal, from not being sufficiently advanced in their recovery, the most humane attention shall be paid them; and they shall be forwarded home by the first favorable conveyance that may offer. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) JAMES HILLYAR.

Capt. David Porter,

late Commander of the United States frigate Essex, Valparaiso.

Valparaiso, 5th April, 1814.

SIR—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of yesterday's date.

The conditions offered by you for our return to the United States, are perfectly satisfactory to me, and I entertain no doubts of their being equally so to my country. I therefore do not hesitate to pledge my honor, (the strongest bond I can give,) that every article of the arrangement shall, on our part, be fully complied with—a list of the Essex Junior's crew shall be furnished you as soon as it can be made out, and her disarmament effected with all possible dispatch. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) D. PORTER.

Com. James Hillyar,

commanding H. B. M. frigate Phoebe, Valparaiso.

Com. Hillyar sent me a paper, certifying that he had exchanged certain individuals therein named, making part of the crew of the Sir. Andrew Hammond, for an equal number of the most severely wounded of my crew.—This occasioned the following letters.

Valparaiso. 5th April, 1814.

SIR—I have received a paper signed by you, dated yesterday, stating that you had exchanged certain wounded prisoners, making part of my crew, for the captain and crew of the prize-ship Sir Andrew Hammond, which paper I have taken the liberty to return to you, and protest in the strongest terms against such arrangement.

In the first place the wounded and helpless individuals therein named, do not wish such exchange; one died last night, and several others expect to share his fate.

Secondly, should I from any circumstances, be separated from them, which would be more likely to be the case than if they remained prisoners, their situation would be more deplorable than it is at present.

Thirdly, this arrangement has been made without my consent, and on terms far from offering equal advantages to the United States.

I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) D. PORTER.

Com. James Hillyar

commanding H. B. M. frigate Phoebe.

H. B. M. ship Phoebe, Valparaiso, April 4, 1814

SIR—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, protesting against the arrangement made in the paper you returned; and to express a regret that my wish, which was to alleviate and not increase the afflictions of your wounded officers and crew, has failed of being gratified. I am sorry you have thought proper to mention the dead and dying, as I so fully explained to you this morning, that in the event of the loss of any, other names should be added to the list. I shall now direct Capt. William Porter to consider himself still a prisoner of war on his parole; but as I have ordered the people to go on board the Essex to work under the impression that no difficulty would arise, will liberate in exchange for them, an equal number of prisoners, as their names, being seamen, shall be found to follow each other on your late ship's books and give up also two mates or midshipmen, for the two mates which are of the English party.—I hope this may prove satisfactory to your government and self.

I am yours, &c.

(Signed) JAMES HILLYAR.

Capt. David Porter.

Valparaiso, 5th April, 1814.

SIR—The arrangement which you have suggested respecting the exchange of the seamen of the Sir. Andrew Hammond, for an equal number of the seamen of the late U. S. frigate Essex, they stand on the list furnished you, is perfectly satisfactory. It will be a great satisfaction to the three officers who accompany the Essex, to know that after your objection taking them with you shall be effected, there will be no difficulty in their proceeding immediately for the United States: I take the liberty therefore to suggest, that they might be exchanged here for Capt. Wm. Porter and his three mates. This will be an accommodation to all parties, and reconcile the officers so exchanged to a separation from their friends.

I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed) D. PORTER

Com. James Hillyar,

commanding H. M. frigate Phoebe.
Copy of a letter from Capt. Porter to the Secretary of the Navy, dated,

NEW-YORK, JULY 13th, 1814.

SIR—There are some facts relating to our enemy, and although not connected with the action, serve to shew his perfidy, and should be known.

On Commodore Hillyar's arrival at Valparaiso, he ran the Phoebe close along side of the Essex, and enquired, politely after my health, observing that his ship was cleared for action, and his men prepared for boarding. I observed, "Sir, if you, by any accident, get on board of me. I assure you that great confusion will take place; I am prepared to receive you, but shall only act on the defensive." He observed, cooly and indifferently, "Oh Sir, I have no such intentions;" at this instant his ship took aback on my starboard bow, her yards nearly locking with those of the Essex. I called all hands to board the enemy; and in an instant my crew were ready to spring on her decks. Commodore Hillyar exclaimed, with great agitation, "I had no intention of getting on board of you; -I had no intention of coming so near you; I am sorry I came so near you." His ship fell off with her Jib-boom over my decks; her bows exposed to my broadside; her stern to the fire of the Essex Junior, her crew in the greatest confusion, and in fifteen minutes, I could have taken or destroyed her. After he had brought his ship to anchor Commodore Hillyar and Capt. Tucker, of the Cherub, visited me on shore, when I asked him if he intended to respect the neutrality of the port; "Sir." said he, "you have paid such respect to the neutrality of this port, that I feel myself bound, in honor to do the same,"