Virginia Argus

PRIVATEER GOVERNOR TOMPKINS.
NEW YORK, Feb. 21.

Copy of a letter from Captain Shaler, of the Privateer Governor Tompkins, to his agents in this city, dated at sea, 1st January, 1814.

"Two days after dispatching the Nereid, I took a whaleman from London, bound for the South Seas: but she being of no value I took out such stores, &c. as I could stow; and being much lumbered with prisoners and baggage, I put them on board and ordered her for Falmouth.

The chasing this ship had taken me some distance off my ground, and, owing to calms, I could not regain it until the 25th ult. when at sunrise 3 sail were discovered ahead, and we made sail in chase. The wind being light, we came slowly up with them. On a nearer approach they proved to be two ships and a brig. One of the ships had all the appearance of a large transport; & from their manoeuvres they appeared to have concerted measures for a mutual defence; and the large ship appeared prepared to take the bulk of an action. Boats were seen passing to and from her; she had boarding nettings almost up to her tops; she also had her topmast studding sail booms out, with the sails at their ends, ready for a running fight. Her ports appeared to be painted, & she had something on deck resembling a merchantman's boat; and, after all, what the deuce do you think she was? Why have a little patience and I will tell you.

At 3 p. m. a sudden squall struck us from the northward, and the ship not yet having received it, before I could get in my light sails, and almost before I could turn round, I was under the guns—not of a transport but of a large Frigate! and not more than one third of a mile from her. I immediately hauled down English colors, which I previously had up; set 3 American ensigns, trimmed our sails by the wind, and commenced a brisk fire from our little battery: but this was returned with woeful interest. Her first broadside killed two men and wounded 6 others, 2 of whom severely, 1 since dead. It also blew up one of my salt boxes, with two nine pound cartridges. This communicated fire to a number of pistols and 3 tube boxes which were laying on the companion way; all of which exploded. and some of the tubes penetrated through a small crevice under the companion leaf, and found their way to the cabin floor; but that being wet, and the fire screen being up, no further accident took place.

This, together with the tremendous fire from the frigate, I assure you, made warm work on the Tompkins' quarter deck; but, thanks to her heels, and the exertions of my brave officers and crew, I still have the command of her.

When she opened her fire upon me, it was about half past 3. I was then a little abaft her beam. To have attempted to tack, in a hard squall, would at least have exposed me to a raking fire: and to have attempted it and miss, would have been attended with the inevitable loss of the schooner. I therefore thought it most prudent to take her fire on the tack on which I was; and this I was exposed to from the position which I have mentioned until I passed her bow; she all the while standing on with me, and almost as fast as ourselves, and such a tune as was played around my ears, I assure you, I never wish to hear again in the same key.

At 4 her shot began to fall short of us. At half past 4, the wind dying away, and the enemy still holding it, his shot again began to reach us, got out sweeps and turned all hands too. I also threw over all the lumber from the deck, and about 2000 wt. of shot from the after hold. From about 5, a. m. all his shot fell short of us. At about 25 minutes after 5, the enemy hove about, and I was glad to get so well clear of one of the most quarrelsome companions that I ever met with.

After the first broadside from the frigate, no shot struck the hull of the Tompkins: but the water was literally in a foam all round her.

The moment the squall struck us, I told Mr. Farnam that she was too heavy for us, and he went forward with the glass to take another look; when the squall took the schooner as if by magic, and up with her before we could get in our light sails.

My officers conducted themselves in a way that would have done honor to a more permanent service; Mr. Farnam first lieutenant, conducted himself with his usual vigor. Mr. Acheson, sailing master, performed his part in the style of a brave and accomplished seaman. Messrs. Miller and Dood, 2d and 3d lieutenants, were not so immediately under my eye; but the precision with which all my orders were executed, is sufficient proof that they are to be relied on. Mr. Thomas, boatswain, and Mr. Caswell, masters' mate, were particularly active and deserve encouragement.

The name of one of my poor fellows who was killed, ought to be registered on the books of fame, and remembered with reverence as long as bravery is considered a virtue. He was a black man, by the name of John Johnson. A 24lb shot struck him in the hip, and took away all the lower part of his body. In this state the poor brave fellow lay on deck, and several times exclaimed to his shipmates, "Fire away my boys!—No haul a color down!" The other was also a black man by the name of John Davis, and was struck in much the same way. He fell near me, and several times requested to be thrown overboard, saying, "He was only in the way of others."

Whilst America has such tars, she has little to fear from the tyrants of Europe.

From the circumstances of her shot being 24's (which I assure you is the case, as we have felt and weighed them) I am of opinion it was the Laurel, a new frigate that I had information of. A gentleman whom I took told me she was in the fleet: that she was built and manned on purpose to cope with our frigates; and that if she got sight of me she would certainly take me, as she was the fastest sailer he ever saw.

Inclosed I send you a list of the killed and wounded. In every thing else we are in good order and high spirits.

Yours respectfully,
NATHANIEL SHALER