Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

New-York, March 25.

Another Brilliant Naval Victory

Arrived at the Navy-Yard this forenoon, thro' the Sound, the U. S. sloop of war Hornet, Capt. Lawrence, from a cruize of 145 days. She arrived at Holmes' Hole on Friday, and dispatched an officer to the seat of government with the particulars of her cruize. The Hornet remained off the harbor of St. Salvador after Commodore Bainbridge left him (6th January) until the 24th, blockading the Bonne Citoyenne, when the Montague 74 hove in sight, and chased the Hornet into the harbor. Night coming on, the Hornet stood out to the South and escaped. The Montague had left Rio Janeiro for the express purpose of relieving the Bonne Citoyenne and the packet, which were blockaded by the Hornet. Capt. Lawrence then changed his cruizing ground, and on the 24th of February, off Pernambuco, captured the English brig Resolution, of 16 guns, from Rio Janeiro for Maranham, with jerk beef, flour, &c. and twenty-three thousand dollars in specie; took out the money and burnt the brig, not having spare men enough to man her, and she being a dull sailer.--Feb. 24th, off Demerara, discovered a brig to leeward, and run into a quarter less four--not having a pilot was obliged to haul and give up the chace. At 3 P. M. discovered another sail on the weather quarter, standing down for the Hornet. At 20 minutes past 4 she hoisted English colors, and was discovered to be a large man of war brig. The crew of the Hornet were beat to quarters, and the ship cleared for action, and kept close to the wind, in order if possible to get the weather gage. At 10 minutes past 5, Capt. Lawrence, finding he could weather the enemy, hoisted American colors and tacked. At 25 minutes past 5 passed each other, and exchanged broadsides, within half pistol shot. Observing the enemy in the act of wearing, the Hornet bore up and received his starboard broadside, run him close aboard on his starboard quarter, and kept up such a heavy and well-directed fire, that in less than fifteen minutes he surrendered, being literally cut to pieces, and hoisted his ensign union down from his fore rigging, as a signal of distress. Shortly after the enemy's mainmast went by the board. Lieutenant Shubrick was then sent on board, and returned with the first lieutenant of the enemy, who reported her to be his Britannic majesty's late brig Peacock, capt. Wm. Peake, who fell in the latter part of the action; that a number of the enemy's crew were killed and wounded, and that she was very fast sinking, having six feet water in her hold. The boats were immediately dispatched for the wounded, and both vessels brought to an anchor. Such shot-holes as could be got at were plugged, the guns thrown overboard, and every possible exertion used to keep her afloat, until the prisoners could be removed, but without effect, as she unfortunately sunk in five and a half fathoms of water, carrying down with her thirteen of her own crew and 3 of the Hornet's. The remainder of the Hornet's crew, who were employed in removing the prisoners, saved themselves with difficulty. Four of the thirteen above mentioned gained the main top, and were taken off by the boats. The exact number killed on board the Peacock not ascertained. Capt. Peake and 4 men were found on board dead. The master, one midshipman, carpenter, captain's clerk, and 29 men wounded, most of them severely.--3 died after their removal. Our loss is trifling in comparison with that of the enemy. John Place killed; Samuel Colson and Joseph Dalrymple slightly wounded. George Coffin and Lewis Tord severely burnt by the bursting of a gun, the latter survived but a few minutes. The Hornet received one shot through her foremast; her bowsprit was slightly injured, and she sustained little or no damage in her hull. At the time of the action the Le Speigle, gun brig of 16 32 pound carronades and 2 long nines, was at anchor six miles in shore. Apprehensive she would come out to assist her consort, such exertions were made by the officers and crew, that a new set of sails were bent,--and she was put in completer order-for another action-by 9 O'Clock
Finding there were 270 souls on board the Hornet, including the crew of the brig Hunter of Portland (taken a few days before by the Peacock) and being on short allowance, determined Capt. Lawrence to make for the United States.

The Peacock mounted 16 24 pound carronades 2 long nines, 1 twelve pound carronade on her forecastle as a shifting gun, and one 4 or 6 pounder, and 2 swivels, with a crew of 122 men.

The Hornet rates 18 guns and mounts 20. The Peacock has 5 inches more breadth in her beam than the Hornet, and the latter 6 feet longer.

The Hornet has on board 106 prisoners. Yesterday off New-London she passed a ship with a flag of truce, bound in.