Kentucky Gazette

A TRULY BRITISH OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE, FEB 13

Majestic, at sea, Jan. 17 lat. 39 min. 45 deg. N. long. 71 min. 33 deg. W.

Sir—I have the honor to acquaint you, that notwithstanding my utmost endeavors to keep the squadron committed to my charge, close in with Sandy Hook, agreeably to your directions, for the purpose of preventing the escape of the U. S. ship President and other vessels ready for sea at Staten Island, we were repeatedly blown off by frequent gales; but the very great attention paid to my orders and instructions by the respective captains, in situations difficult to keep company, prevented separation; and, whenever the wind did force us from the coast, I invariably, on the gale moderating, placed the squadron on that point of bearing from the Hook, I judged it likely, from existing circumstances, would be the enemy's track: and it is with great pleasure I have now to inform you of the success of the squadron, in the capture of the U. S. ship President, commodore Decatur, on Sunday night, after an anxious chase of 18 hours.

On Friday the Tenedos joined me, with your order to take captain Parker in that ship, under my command; we were then in company with the Endymion and Pomone, off the Hook, and in sight of the enemy's ships; but that night the squadron was blown off again in a severe snow storm. On Saturday, the wind and weather became favorable for the enemy, and I had no doubt but he would attempt his escape that night ; it was impossible, from the direction of the wind, to get in with the hook, and as before stated, (in preference to closing the land to the southward,) we stood away to the northward, and eastward, till the squadron reached the supposed track of the enemy, and what is a little singular, at the very instant of arriving at that point, an hour before day-light, Sandy Hook, bearing W. N. W. fifteen leagues, we were made happy by the sight of a ship and brig standing to the southward and eastward, and not more than two miles on the Majestic's weather bow; the night signal for a general chase was made, and promptly obeyed by all the ships.

In the course of the day, the chase became extremely interesting by the endeavors of the enemy to escape, and the exertions of the captains to get their respective ships alongside of him, the former by cutting away his anchors, and throwing overboard every moveable article with a great quantity of provisions, and the latter by trimming their ships in every way possible to effect their purpose. As the day advanced, the wind declined, giving the Endymion an evident advantage in sailing; and capt. Hope's exertions enabled him to get his ship alongside of the enemy, and commenced close action in half an hour past 5 o'clock in the evening which was continued with great gallantry and spirit on both sides for two hours and a half, when the Endymion's sails being cut from the yards, the enemy got ahead; capt. Hope, taking this opportunity to bend new sails to enable him to get his ship alongside again, the action ceased, till the Pomone getting up at half past 11 at night, and firing a few shots, the enemy hailed to say, she had already surrendered.

The ship on being taken possession of proved to be the President, as above stated, by commodore Decatur. The vessel in company with her was the Macedonian brig,* which made her escape, by very superior sailing.

And now, sir, a very pleasing part of my duty is the bearing testimony to the very able and masterly manner in which the Endymion was conducted, and the gallantry with which she was fought; and when the effect produced by her well directed fire upon the President is witnessed, it cannot be doubted but that captain Hope would have succeeded in either capturing or sinking her, had none of the squadron been in sight.

For our further information I have the honor to enclose capt. Hope's letter, with a return of killed and wounded on board the Endymion—I have not yet been able to ascertain the loss of the President, but I believe it to be much greater than the Endymion's: and she had six feet water in the hold when taken possession of; both ships were very much cut in masts and rigging, and had the present most severe gale commenced twelve hours sooner, the prize would undoubtedly have sunk : as soon as the weather will permit a communication, I shall procure further particulars, and then send the Endymion and Pomone with the prize and prisoners to Bermuda.

I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN HAYES, Captain.
Rear admiral the hon. Sir Henry Hotham, &c.

P. S. The ships having parted company in the gale, no further particulars have been obtained.
Number of persons of all descriptions on board the President previous to the action, about 490.

*A merchant ship laden with provisions
[Capt. Hope's letter, referred to in the above contains merely his commendations of his officers & ship's company. He stated his loss at 11 killed and 14 wounded.]