Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Engagement on Lake Ontario.

All the recent accounts from the Lakes have represented the American squadron as much superior to that of the British, and we had confidently expected that whenever they should meet Com. Chauncey would give a good account of his opponents; but the event has proved otherwise.

By accounts from Albany, it appears the American and British squadrons came in sight of each other on the 4th instant, off Fort George, and after maneuvering some time for the weather-gage, Com. Yeo obtained it and succeeded in cutting off two schooners from Com. Chauncey, one of which, of 10 guns, was attacked by the Gen. Wolf, and after an obstinate resistance was sunk, with all on board. The two squadrons, it is stated, separated in a gale of wind, and Com. Chauncey proceeded to Niagara. The fate of the other schooner which was cut off is not mentioned, but is supposed to have fallen into the hands of the British.

After the above was put in type, we received the Albany Argus of the 17th instant, which gives the following account of the rencontre between Com. Chauncey and Com. Yeo:-

Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Sacket's Harbour, dated August 13, 1813.

The fleet arrived here this morning from Niagara, being obliged to put in for provisions, and leave the harbor to-night. On Sunday, the British fleet hove in sight within view of Niagara, and bore down on the American squadron, where finding it pretty well prepared for action, they sheered off; evidently having for their object to detach some part of our squadron. Commodore Chauncey made sail at the head of his squadron: and Sir James Yeo, thinking he could decoy the Pike, maneuvered for this purpose; but failed in succeeding to detach her from the fleet --they were within sight of each other constantly for three days--The American squadron endeavoring to bring the enemy to action, who as assiduously avoided it, and could choose their own time for fighting, as they were to windward. In this situation they at length succeeded in cutting off two of our schooners, which were too slow to keep up with the fleet. The commander of one, Mr. Trent, a gallant fellow, finding himself cut off from the squadron, laid his small bark along side the British commodore's ship & the Royal George, where he fired thirty rounds of 18 and 32 lb shot, until they literally blew him from the water-for he declared he never would strike, and went down in that situation--the other schooner was captured- two other schooners of the squadron upset in the gale of Sunday night, and out of 90 people on board, only sixteen were picked up after being an hour and ten minutes in the water. Lieutenants Winter and Osgood were both drowned. The fleet goes out to-night prepared for a five weeks cruise, and determined, if possible, to bring the British fleet to action.

The enemy have a superiority already, and are still determined; not to risk an action until their force is increased by the vessel now building at Kingston. The British Commodore's ship is said to have been so much injured by the fire of our schooner, as to be obliged to enter port to refit Commodore Chauncey told me to day, he could fight as well without the schooners which have been lost as with them; for by their dull sailing, they prevented his maneuvering to advantage. The loss of our valuable Officers & Seamen is much to be regretted. The army on the Niagara are about to commence offensive operations.

From the Albany Gazette.

The Post-Master at Utica, endorses on a hand bill from Buffalo addressed to a gentleman in this city, (containing an account of the defeat of the British at Lower Sandusky, and of the raising of the siege of Fort Meigs) and received by the last evening's mail, the following very unpleasant news from our Fleet on Lake Ontario- " I have heard from Commodore Chauncey- he has lost four of his schooners-two by a squall, and two are captured by the British he lost 120 men, and some of our most valuable naval officers are lost."

Extract of a letter from Sacket's-Harbour, to a gentleman in this city, dated on Friday last, 13th inst.

This morning our fleet arrived, after a cruise of three weeks. On Monday night, the wind was so heavy as to upset two schooners, commanded by Sailing master Osgood and Lt. Winter. Eight men were only saved from each vessel--the officers were lost. The Fair American, Lt Chauncey, and the Pert, Lt Adams have been sent into Niagara, unfit for service. The Growler, Lt. Deacon, and the Julia, Sailing master Trent, lay along side the Wolf for half an hour, with musket shot distance. I cannot inform you with any certainty, what become of them- they are sunk or in possession of the enemy. This is truly unpleasant intelligence. The Commodore is going out immediately, with provisions for five weeks. The loss, does not dishearten the officers of the navy in the least. The new vessel now building at this place is nearly ready to launch."

Tho' the foregoing accounts vary in some respects, it is evident that six of Com. Chauncey's squadron have been lost or rendered unfit for service, and a number of valuable men have been sacrificed in prosecuting Madison's foolish and unnecessary war, and the time is not far distant when the people will universally curse the authors of it most bitterly. It commenced in hatred. madness and folly, and has been carried on with defeat and disgrace as it respects its authors and conductors. Tho there can be no question of the bravery and skill of Com. Chauncey and the officers and men under his command, the force committed to his charge has at no period equalled that of the British, and the recent loss must render it still more inferior. So long as the English keep the command of the Lakes there is little prospect of our getting possession of Canada.