fpectable fate of defence, as well as the gallant manner in which it was maintained, gives me entire fatisfaction, and it is with pleasure that I report their fervices to your Grace. I have the honour to be, &c. BALCARRAS. To bis Grace the Duke of Poriland. Honduras, Sept. 23, 1798. MY LORD, After the date of my laft difpatch of the 11th, 14th, and 21ft Auguft, by the exprefs boat Swift, I continued to ftrengthen our flotilla, which now confifts of No. 1. Towfer, one gun, eighteenpounder. No. 2. Tickler, one gun, eighteen- No. 3. Mermaid, I gun, nine-pounder. No. 1 and 2 are commanded by Mr. Gelfton and Mr. Hofmer, masters of merchant veffels, who, with fome of their crews, volunteered the bufinefs in a very handsome manner to thofe Gentlemen I am much indebted for their able and active fervices. The masters and crews of all the other veffels confift entirely of volunteers from the Colonial troops, and together amount to 354 men now on float. The enemy was fo well, watched by scout-boats and canoes, that not a fingle movement could be made by him without our knowledge; and finding that he aimed at the poffetion of St. George's Key, the armed veffels, No. 1, 4, and 5, were fent to that place to guard the narrow channels leading to that commodious harbour. On the 3d of September the enemy endeavoured to force a paffage over Montego-Key-Shoal with five veffels, two of which carried heavy metal, but was repulfed: he renewed his attempt on the following day, but our little fquadron, being now reinforced by fix gun-boats, beat them off with great cafe, and the five veffels returned to the main body of the Alcet, then at anchor about two leagues to the northward. This movement gave our people an opportunity of drawing and deftroying all the beacons and takes which the enemy had placed in this narrow and crooked channel, and without the ufe of which nothing but veffels of a very eafy draught of water can pafs. On the 5th, the fanie veffels, accompanied by two others, and a number of launches, endeavoured to get over this thoal by another paffage, but were repulfed, apparently with lots. On this, as well, as on the two preceding days, the Spaniards expended an immenfe quantity of ammunition to no manner of purpofe; while our people fired comparatively little, but with a steadiness which furpaffed my most fanguine hopes. Captain Mofs, in his Majefty's fhip. Merlin, left his anchorage at Belize on the evening of the 5th, and arrived at St. George's Key about ncon on the The Spaniards, 6th of September. having found a paffage through the Leeward Channels impracticable, had got under weigh on the morning of that day with their whole fleet, feemingly with a view of forcing a paffage through the windward, a fand bore passage, to the eastward of Long-Key;: but on feeing the Merlin beating into the harbour of St. George's-Key, and that our fleet was reinforced by the armed veffels, No. 2 and 3, and a large gun-boat, they returned to their former, anchorage between Long-Key and KeyChappel. I was now of opinion that the enemy would alter his mode of attack, and endeavour to make a landing on the main land to the northward of our posis at the Haul-over. Under this idea I began to prepare finall vetfels and gunboats, in which I meant to embark with 200 men, including detachments of his Majefty's 634 and 6th WeftIndia regiments, and of the Royal Ar tillery, with one howitzer and two field-pieces, fix-pounders: with this force it was my intention to block up the channel between the main and the western point of Hicks's Keys, and to obftruct as much as poffible a landing in that quarter; or, if foiled in both of thefe objects, to throw the whole ftrength into the works at the Haulover, and to defend that poft to the last extremity; while a body of experienced bufh-men, all good hots, and under orders for that purpose, should hang on the flanks and rear of the enemy. On the morning of Monday the roth of September, 14 of the largest veffels of the Spanish fleet weighed anchor, and at nine o'clock brought to about a mile and half diftant from our Acet. Capt. Mofs Mofs was then of opinion that they meant to delay the attack till the following day; but nine of them got under weigh about noon: thefe carried each twenty-four pounders in the bow, and two eighteen-pounders in the ftern: one fchooner carried twenty-two, and all the rest from eight 10 fourteen guns in their wafte; and every one of them, befides being crowded with men, towed a large launch full of foldiers. The other five veffels, with feveral large launches all full of men, remained at this laft anchorage at the distance of a mile and a half. Our fleet was drawn up with his Majefty's fhip Merlin in the centre, and directly abreast of the Channel: the floops with heavy guns, and the gun. boats in fome advance to the Northward, were on her Eastern and Western flanks. The enemy came down in a very handfome manner, and with a good countenance, in a line abreaft, uting both fails and oars. About half after two o'clock Capt. Mofs made the fignal to engage, which was obeyed with a cool and determined firmness, that, to ufe his own expreffion to me on the occafion, would have done credit to veterans. The action lasted about two hours and a half, when the Spaniards began to fall into confufion, and foon afterwards cut their cables, and failed and rowed off, aflifted by a great number of launches, which took them in tow. Capt. Mofs, on feeing them retreat, made the fignal for our veffels to chace; but night coming on, and rendering a purfuit too dangerous in a narrow channel and difficult navigation, they were foon after recalled. At half after three in the afternoon, I received a letter from Capt. Mofs, ftating that the enemy was preparing to attack him, and requiring all the affiftance which I could give. I immediately ordered as many mien to embark and proceed to his affistance, as fmall craft to carry them could be procured. The alacrity fhewn on this occafion was great indeed; but as a requifition of this nature was by no means expected, the neceffary arrangements had not been made for fo fpeedily embarking the troops, and of confequence fome irregularity enfued; for the can. nonade being diftinetly heard, and a certainty of an engagement having ta ken place, it became impoffible to reftrain the eagerness of the Colonial troops, who, poffeffing canoes, dories, and pit-pans, without thought or retrofpect of thofe left behind, haftened with impetuofity to join their companions, and fhare their danger: hence arofe difficulty and difappointment to the regular troops, who being under arms, and anxious to proceed with all expedition, fuffered delay from want of the neceffary boats and craft to embark in. As foon as I faw feventeen craft of different defcriptions, having on board two hundred men, fet off with orders to rally round the Merlin, I imme. diately joined them in hopes of affift. ing Captain Mofs and harraffing the enemy; but although we were only two hours in getting on board the Merlin, a distance of three leagues and a half, in the wind's eye, we were too late to have any fhare in the action. But I am of opinion, that the fight of fo many craft full of men coming up with velocity, haftened the return of the enemy, and that their appearance on the following day, as well as the junction of two armed fhips, the Juba and Columbia, which I had ordered round to St. George's Key on the 9th, induced the fleet to prepare for returning to their respective pofts. The Spaniards remained under Key Chappel until the 15th; on the morning of which they made various movements, and in the courfe of the day fome of them anchored under Key-Caulker. On the morning of the 16th, it was difcovered that they had ftolen off; eight of their largest veffels got out to fea, and ftood to the Northward; the remainder, being twenty-three in number, fhaped their courfe for Baccalar. We have every reafon to believe that the enemy fuffered much in the action of the 10th, as well in killed and wounded as in the hulls and rigging of the veffels engaged; and I am happy to inform your Lordthip that we had not a fingle man hurt, and that no injury was done to any of our veffels deferving of notice. It would be unjust, my Lord, to mention the names of any Officers, either of the Military or Militia, on account of any particular fervice per formed by them; for the condu&t of all being fuch as to merit my best thanks, no particular diftinction can be made. It is alfo unneceffary for me to fay any thing refpecting Capt. Mofs: his penetration in difcovering, and activity in defeating the views of the enemy; his coolness and feady conduct in action, point him out as an Officer of very great merit. He firft fuggefted to me the very great ufe which might be made of gun-boats against the enemy, and gave me much affistance by the artificers belonging to his hip in fitting them out. I am happy to fay, that the moft cordial co-operation has always existed between us. On the 13th inft. I fent out two fcout canoes, well man. ned, with orders to pass the Spanish feet in the night; and, proceeding to the Northward, to board the first (mall veffel they could fall in with. On the 16th they captured a fmall packet-boat with five hands, when, taking out the prifoners, letters, &c. and deftroying the boat, they returned here on the 17th. At day-light of that day the canoes were entangled with the retreating Spanish fleet near Savanna-Quay, and efcaped with difficulty. The expedition was commanded by Arthur O'Neil, a Field-Marshal in the armies of Spain, and Captain General of the Province of Yucatan. The Campeachy fleet was commanded by Capt. Bocca Negra: two thoufand foldiers were embarked and diftributed in pro. portion to the dimensions of the veffels, on board of the fleet, which confifted of, The vessels which made the attack, number Referve of equal force A very large floop of equal force, and fix fchooners not fo large, but armed in the fame manner as thofe which came down to the attack, and drawing too much water remained with the tranfports and victuallers Transports, victuallers, &c. all carrying bow and fide guns of different calibres Total in 9 5 7 31 and navigated by 500 feamen, principally from the Havanna and Cam. peachy. I am, &c. THO. BARROW, Lieut. Colonel Commandant. (True Copy) BALCARRAS. To the Earl of Balcarras. ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JAN. 22. 935 Extract of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, Knt. Commander in Chief of his Majefty's Ships and Veffels at Jamaica, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated on board bis Majefty's Ship Aberga, venny in Port Royal Harbour, the 6th Nov. 1798. SIR, Right Honourable the Lords Commif You will be peased to acquaint the fioners of the Admiralty, that I have received difpatches from Captain Mofs, Honduras, 27th September, a copy of of his Majefty's floop Merlin, dated Spanish flotilla, is herewith enclosed. which, defcribing the defeat of the SIR, Merlin, St. George's-Key, ; which failed from Honduras exprefs on My letters by the Swift fchooner, you of the enemy's force intended for the 21st of last August, have informed the reduction of this fettlement, and their fituation at that time; fince which our look-out canoes have watched them fo clofely, that all their movements pened. On the 4th of this month they were made known to me as they rapBelize, and look-outs reported to me were visible from our mast-heads at thirty-one fail of all descriptions; but their exact force by no means certain. attempted to force their paffage over The next day fix of their heaviest veffels Montego-key thoals, by putting their provifions and stores into other veffels had they effected this, it would have fecured them all a paffage to Belize over thoal-water, where I could by no means act. I ordered three of our armed veffels to annoy them in their endeavours, which fucceeded fo far as to occafion their removal at dark, and a small channel they had marked by driving down flakes was alfo taken up by our canoes. I now clearly faw that their next effort would be to get poffeffion of St. George's key, from which place (only nine miles from Belize) they might go down through the different channels leading to it, and continue to harrafs the inhabitants and deftroy the town at their le:fure, and drive me from my anchorage there; this determined me to gain the Key before them, if poffible; I therefore left Belize on the evening of the 5th, and fecured this place, at the inftant twelve of their heaviest heavicft veffels were attempting the fame; they hauled their wind and returned to Long-key, on my hauling my wind towards them. They continued working and anchoring among the fhoals until the 11th, at the distance of three or four miles; when having made their arrangements, at one P. M. nine fail of floops and fchooners, carrying from twelve to twenty guns, including two twenty-four and two eighteen pounders each had in prow and stern, with large launch a-fern of each full of men, bore down through the channel leading to us in a very hand. fome cool manner; five fmaller vefiels lay to windward out of gun-fhot, full of troops, and the remainder of their squadron at Long-key Spit to wait the event, each of which carried fmall prow guns, with fwivels fore and aft. At half paft one P. M. feeing their intention to board the two loops, and that they meant to come no nearer, but had anchored, I made the fignal to engage, which began and continued near two hours; they then cut their cables and rowed and towed off by fignal in great confufion over the fhoals. I had placed the Merlin as near the edge of them as poffible, and nothing that I had was equal to follow them, unfup ported by the Merlin. At dark they regained their other veffels, and conti nued in fight till the 13th at night, when they moved off with a light Southerly wind: fome are gone to Bacalar, and fome prifoners taken report others are gone to Campeche. I am happy to add that the fervice was performed without a man killed on our fide. The enemy I think muft have fuffered much from the great number of men on board, and the precipitate manner they made their retreat. This armament was commanded by General O'Neil, Governor of the Province; troops and failors included, about 2500 men; and fo certain were the Spaniards of fuccefs, that the letters found in a canoe taken were actually directed to Belize and St. George's Key. The behaviour of the officers and crew of his Majefty's fhip gave me great pleafure, and if we had had deep water to follow them in, I think many of them would have fallen into our hands. The fpirit of the Negro flaves that manned the fmall crafts was wonderful, and the good management of the different Commanders does them great eredit, One floop with 1 short nine-pounder and Two fchooners, with 6 four pounders and 25 men each. Seven gun-flats, with 1 nine-pounder. and 16 men each. I have the Honour to be, Sir, &c. ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JAN. 22. Extract of a Letter from Sir Thomas Williams, Knt. Captain of his Majefty's Ship Endymion, to Evan Nepean, Esq. dated in the Downs, the 20th inft. You will be pleafed to inform their Lordships, that the Endymion has captured two Spanish privateers :Prudentia fchooner, of 1 fix pounder, 8 fwivels, and 34 men; La Cafualidad, of 6 fix-pounders, 8 fwivels, and 40 men. ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JAN. 26. La [A Letter from Vice-Admiral Kingf mill to Evan Nepean, Efq. inclofes the following from Capt. Frafer, of his Majefty's hip Shannon, to him.] Shannon, Cove of Cork, Jan. 17. SIR, I beg leave to acquaint you, that being on the morning of the 15th inft. in latitude 49 deg. 40. min. and long. 9 deg. 30 min. W. with his Majefty's thip under my command, proceeding to the rendezvous prefcribed by Capt. Faulknor, I faw, and after a chace of feven hours captured Le Grand Indien, a ship privateer, from Granville, commanded by Gand Ohvier Vubois, carrying 18 brafs carronades, 18 pounders, and two long 12-pounders, manned with 125 men. She was only five days from Granville, had taken nothing, is quite new, with provifions and ftores for a three months cruize. From the circumftance of the prize having carried her main-maft by the board while chaced (and as the Shannon alfo fprung a maintop-maft, and tore to pieces two boats in fhifting prifoners), the wind blowing ftrong with a heavy fea, I hope will approve of my having accom. panied her into port. you I have the honour to be, &c. ALEXANDER FRASER, [FROM [FROM THE OTHER PAPERS.] MANIFESTO OF THE KING OF NAPLES. BEFORE the commencement of hoftili. ties, his Majefty published the following affecting Manifefto to his loving Subjects : "San Germano, Nov. 22, 1798. "Dear, Faithful and Beloved Subjects. "After having, for almost forty years, exerted every effort to render you happy, and to fuccour you in all the calamities which it has pleafed God to fend you, I am now about to leave my beloved Country, for the fole purpose of defending our Holy Religion, almoft overthrown, to re-animate the divine worship, and to fecure to you and to your children the enjoyment of the bleffings which the Lord has given you. If I had been fure of attaining that object by any other facrifice, believe me, I fhould not have hefitated a moment to prefer that alternative; but what hopes could be entertained of fuccefs after the many fatal examples with which you are well acquainted? I fet out therefore at the head of the brave defenders of their Country, full of confidence in the Lord of Hofts, who will guide our steps, and protect our operations. I go to brave all danger with the greateft chearfulness becaufe I do it for my Fel low-Citizens, for my brothers, for my children, for fuch I have ever confidered you. Be always faithful to God, and to her whom I leave in my ftead to conduct the Government of thefe States, my dear and well beloved Confort. I recommend to you then your tender mother, I recommend to you my children, who are not more mine than they are yours. At all events, remember that you are Neapolitans, that those are brave who are willing to exert their courage, and that it is better to die gloriously for God and our Country, than to live thamefully oppreff. ed! Meanwhile, may God beltow you all the bleffings and the happineis upon which is the with of him, who is, and while he lives fhall be, your most affectionate Father and Sovereign. "FERDINAND." We make the following extract from an infamous Proclamation of a French General, which has appeared in the Paris Papers:- · THE GENERAL OF DIVISION TO THE NEAPOLITANS. "People of the Abruzzos, the hour of your liberty is at last founded in its turn. The reign of your oppreffors is finished. "The King of Naples, in violating the most facred treaties, has dared to VOL. XXXV, FEB. 1799. roufe the flumbering Lion. God whe judges Kings, bas bad pity on your miferies. He imagined he could refift the Great Nation, and change the order of the Supreme Arbiter of Empires, who bas chofen the French People to renew the furface of the globe, disfigured by the crimes of Governments, and to establish upon it the reign of that Liberty and Equality to which he has deftined men. "Neapolitans, fuch was your deftiny. You are to be restored to your ancient Liberty; and Italy, the cradle of fo many Republics, fhall at laft recover its anci ent dignity. "In entering your country, we come not to fubjugate, but to deliver you; we with not to make flaves, but are defirous of procuring friends. We fhall make no ufe of our victory but against defpotifi and its adherents. I fwear, in the name of my nation, that your perfons, your property, and your religion, fhall be refpected. The ftricteft difcipline prevails in the French Army which I command, and in all the French Soldiers you shall fee only friends and protectors. Render yourfelves worthy of fo efficacious a friendship, by fincerely joining your de liverers. "Turn against your tyrants the arms with which they have armed you against us, and merit the liberty we bring you. Wretched, thrice wretched the Commune, the inhabitants, or the foil, that ball be flained with French blood. The fire of Heaven fhall be lefs prompt and lefs terrible than my vengeance! "G. DUHESME." On the rft of February, the French Count Lehrbach, his Minifter, in the Plenipotentiaries at Raftadt fignified to quality of King of Hungary and Bohemia, that it within fifteen days his Ma jelly did not make the Russian troops evacuate Auftria, the Directory would order the troops to recominence hoftilities. Every thing which was apprehended on the tide of Naples is unfortunately verified. On the 7th of February, the Direc tory communicated to the Councils the important news of the capture of Naples, Council by the Executive Directory:— in the following Meffage, addrefled to the "The Army of Rome, now the Army of Naples, was attacked the 2d Pluvoife, by an innumerable multitude, compofed of the remains of the Neapolitan Army, the Lazzaroni, and Peafants, all well armed, well conducted, and inflamed by the torch of the mott delirious fanaticifm. The foldiers of liberty furrounded on all T fides |