The Enquirer

People's Friend.

N. York, Nov. 24.—Latest from Bermuda—Arrived at this port, this morning, the cartel brig Diamond, capt. Williams, in 18 days from Bermuda, with 158 American prisoners on board. Among the number are the following:—Capt. Jones, his officers and crew, of the U. S. sloop of war Wasp; Capt. Joy, of Nantucket; Capt. Merrill, of Portland; Capt. Jewett, of New Hampshire; Capt. Dunch, of Salem; Capt. Brooks and officers and crew of the U. S. revenue cutter, Madison, of Savannah; Capt. Lattimore, of New York; Capt. Wiley, of Philadelphia, and Doctor Henry, of Norfolk.

By this arrival, we have received the following List of American vessels, which have been captured and carried into Bermuda. The Brig Hero, Jewitt, of Portsmouth, N. H. captured Sept. 24th. The Brig Factor, Dunch, of Salem, from Montevideo—the Captain and his Mate have arrived in the Cartel; but its crew were detained on board the British sloop of war Tartarus.—The ship Ranger, Joy, of Nantucket, from the South Seas. The brig Little William, Capt. Wiley, of Philadelphia, from the Isle of May.

By this arrival, the Editor of the Commercial Advertiser, has been obligingly favored with the following copy of a letter, from an officer on board the U. States sloop of War Wasp, to Col. McLane of Philadelphia, detailing the particulars of the action between that vessel and the British brig Frolic, and the subsequent capture of the Wasp, by the British ship Poictiers.

H. M. S. Poictiers, of 74 guns, off Bermuda, Oct. 25, 1812.

"DEAR SIR—On the 17th inst. in lat. 35, 20. and long. 65, W. about 11 P. M. a fleet of seven sail were discovered near the Wasp. Being unable to ascertain what they were, we stood from them for some time. At length, we hauled our wind, and stood on the same tack they were standing on. Early the next morning, (the 18th) they were again discovered, and proved to be five ships and two brigs, one of the brigs being the protector of the convoy. We immediately made sail, and on nearing the brig, discovered that she had Spanish colors flying. About 10 o'clock she made a signal to the convoy to make sail; and she lay too awaiting our approach.

At 27 minutes past 11 A. M. being near her, we hauled up our courses and hoisted our colors, and bore down on her larboard side to the windward. At 32 minutes past eleven, we hailed her, when she hauled down Spanish colors, hoisted the British Ensign, and fired.—The action then commenced. About 5 minutes afterwards, our main-topmast, and mizen top gallant-mast were shot away. We still continued the action with great vigor, our guns being well directed and our men in high spirits. About ten minutes past 12, we wore ship and run on board the brig, with her starboard bow on our larboard quarter. Her bowsprit, it being immediately shot away, hung over our quarter. She was then boarded by the gallant Lieut. Rodgers, at the head of his division, accompanied by the brave Lieutenants Biddle and Booth, and several Midshipmen. At 15 minutes past 12, her colors were hauled down; and in a few minutes after, her masts went by the board.

We had 4 Killed, and 5 wounded, one of whom is since dead. The captain of the brig informed Lieut. Rapp, that he had 50 killed, and 48 wounded.

The conduct of Capt. Jones, evinced that cool collectedness which is ever the characteristic of the brave and intrepid hero.—To do justice to his merits, or to the merits of Lieuts. Rodgers, BIDDLE, BOOTH and RAPP, and Mr. KNIGHT, the sailing master, requires far greater talents than I possess. Suffice it to say, that the American flag never gained greater honor, since we have had a navy, than on the 18th inst. Every other officer and man behaved with the utmost courage and coolness, and deserve well of their country.

The brig is called the Frolic. She mounted 18 thirty two pounders, and two long twelves, and had 120 men; equally manned with us and superior in guns.

About three hours after the action, another sail was discovered, bearing down to us.—We immediately cleared away for another action. On nearing us, she proved to be a 74; and being considerably disabled in our rigging, we were obliged to haul down our colors to the Poictiers, capt. Beresford. This would have been extremely mortifying, had we not the consolation to know, that we have convinced the British, that we, with equal force, can always bear the palm of victory. We are now near Bermuda, and shall go in to-morrow.

I am, sir, with high respect,
Your obd't servant,
CAESAR R. WILSON.

P. S. Lieut. Claxton was too unwell to command his division: but he was on deck during the action. His division was commanded by Lieut. Rapp."