minutes past four she hoisted her colours and returned our fire, wore several times to avoid being raked, exchanging broadsides. At five she closed on our starboard beam, both keeping up a heavy fire and steering free, his intention being evidently to eross our bow. At twenty minutes past five our inizen-mast went over the starboard quarter, and brought the ship up in the wind; the enemy then placed himself on our larboard bow, raking us, a few only of our bow guns bearing, and his grape and riflemen sweeping our deek. At forty minutes past five, the ship not answering her helm, he attempted to lay us on board; at this time, Mr Grant, who commanded the forecastle, was carried below, badly wounded. I immediately ordered the marines and boarders from the main deck; the master was at this time shot through the knee, and I received a severe wound in the back. Lieutenant Kent was leading on the boarders, when the ship coming to, we brought some of our bow guns to bear on her, and had got clear of our opponent, when at twenty minutes past six our fore and main-masts went over the side, leaving the ship a perfect unmanage able wreck. The frigate shooting ahead, I was in hopes to clear the wreck and get the ship under command to renew the action, but just as we had cleared the wreck, our spritsail yard went, and the enemy having rove new braces, &c. wore round within pistol-shot, to rake us, the ship laying in the trough of the sea, and rolling, her main deck guns under water, and all attempts to get her before the wind being fruitless; when calling my few remaining officers together, they were all of opinion that any further resistance would only be a needless waste of lives, I ordered, though reluctantly, the colours to be struck. The loss of the ship is to be ascribed to the early fall of the mizen-mast, which enabled our opponent to chuse his position. I am sorry to say that we suffered severely in killed and wounded, and mostly whilst she lay on our bow, from her grape and musketry, in all fifteen killed, and sixtythree wounded, many of them severely; none of the wounded officers quitted the deck till the firing ceased. The frigate proved to be the United States ship Constitution, of thirty twenty-fourpounders on her main deck, and twenty-four thirty-two pounders, and two eighteen-poun ders on her upper deck, and four hundred and seventy-six men; her loss, in comparison with ours, is trifling, about twenty, the first lieutenant of marines and eight killed, and first lieutenant and master of the ship, and eleven men wounded, her lower nasts badly wounded, and stern much shatter ed, and very much cut up about the rigging The Guerriere was so cut up, that all attempts to get her in would have been use less. As soon as the wounded were got out of her, they set her on fire, and I feel it my duty to state, that the conduct of Captain Hull and his officers to our men has been that of a brave enemy, the greatest care be ing taken to prevent our men losing the smallest trifle, and the greatest attention being paid to the wounded, who, thro' the attention and skill of Mr Irvine, surgeon, I hope will do well. I hope, though success has not crowned our efforts, you will not think it presump tuous in me to say, the greatest credit is due to the officers and ship's company for their exertions, particularly when exposed to the heavy raking fire of the enemy; I feel particularly obliged for the exertions of Lieutenant Kent, who, though wounded early by a splinter, continued to assist me; in the Second Lieutenant the service has suffered a severe loss; Mr Scott, the master, tho wounded, was particularly attentive, and used every exertion in clearing the wreck, as did the warrant officers. Lieutenant Nicholl, of the royal marines, and his party, supported the honourable character of their corps, and they suffered severely. I must recommended Mr Snow, master's-mate, who commanded the foremost main deck guns in the absence of Lieutenant Pullman, and the whole, after the fall of Lieutenant Ready, to your protection, he having receiv ed a severe contusion from a splinter. I must point out Mr Garby, acting purser, to your notice, who volunteered his services on deck, and commanded the after quarter-deck guns, and was particularly active, as well as Mr Bannister, midshipman. I hope, in considering the circumstances, you will think the ship intrusted to my charge was properly defended; the unfortunate loss of our masts, the absence of the third lieutenant, second lieutenant of marines, three midshipmen, and twenty-four men, considerably weakened our crew, and we only mustered at quarters two hundred and forty-four men, and nineteen boys, on coming into action: the enemy had such an advantage from his marines and riflemen, when close, and his superior sailing enabled him to chuse his distance. JAS. R. DACRES. Scottish Chronicle. ELECTION OF PEERS. ON Friday, the 13th of November, the election of the Sixteen Peers, to represent the Peerage of Scotland, took place at Holyroodhouse. Their Lordships were attended by James Walker and Walter Scott, Esqrs. two of the Principal Clerks of Session, as deputes to Lord Frederick Campbell, Lord Clerk Register; by the Rev. Dr David Johnstone of North Leith, and the Rev. Dr John Inglis, Edinburgh, two of his Majesty's Chaplains, and by the other proper officers. The proceedings were opened by a most appropriate prayer by the Rev. Dr Johnstone. PEERS PRESENT. Duke of Buccleuch and] E. of Selkirk Queensberry Duke of Atholl Marquis of Queensberry Earls of Rothes Caithness Morton Moray Home Kellie Lauderdale Kinnoul Elgin & Kin cardine Wemyss and March Leven & Mel ville Balcarras Visc. Arbuthnot PROXIES. Gray Duke of Lennox......to Lord Forbes Earl of Stair........... Mr Walker, the senior Clerk, then read over the roll of Peers commonly called the Union Roll; and after reading over the names of the Dukes, the name of Charles Marquis of Queensberry was inserted as Senior Marquis of Scotland, pursuant to an order of the House of Lords last session of Parliament, his Lordship having proved his right to that title. When the Clerk called the Earl of Abercorn, the Earl of Aberdeen rose, and said, that his Noble Friend had given him a proxy; but, as he resided at present in Ireland, it was not in his power to qualify himself according to law, akhough, from his situation, as Lieutenant of two counties in that kingdom, he clearly came within the limits of the act, which made provision for preserving their privileges to such Peers as were necessarily absent on his Majesty's service. His Lordship, while he did not mean to press the reception of his vote, still thought that Peers in his situation laboured under a great hardship, and he pledged himself, if their Lordships thought proper to return him their representative, to take measures for removing so obvious a grievance, and for preserving to their Lordships the privilege of voting in whatever part of the three kingdoms they might reside. The Earl of Lauderdale and Lord Kinnaird entirely coincided with Lord Aberdeen, and 29 hoped his Lordship would bring the matter under the consideration of the House of Lords. Lord Kinnaird Lord Torphichen...... Lord Forbes Lord Kinnaird-6 A signed list was given in for the Earl of Cassillis, but the Clerks objected to it on the grounds, first, that it was not sealed, and secondly, that the signature and the names in the list were not of the same hand-writing. After some explanations, however, between the Eart of Lauderdale, Lord Kinnaird, and Mr Scott, it was agreed to allow the list to be taken into the number of votes, and the clerks to state shortly in the minutes, their reasons for thinking the list informal. The usual ceremonies having been gone through, and votes marked, the Clerks declared the following Noble Lords to be duly elected, viz. * Charles Marquis of Queensberry.........50 Alexander Earl of Home......... George Earl of Aberdeen............. .51 ..44 Those marked thus are new Peers, in room of the Earls of Strathmore and Haddington, and Lord Cathcart. Votes were also given for the following Noblemen, viz.— Duke of Roxburgh..1 | Lord Colville.......1 Earl of Strathmore.1| Lord Reay.........14 Earl of Northesk...17 Lord Kinnaird....20 Several of these noble Lords were not candidates. After the return was declared by the Clerks, Lord Kinnaird protested against it, and, without stating his reason for the present, expressed his intention of appealing elsewhere. The election was not over till past four o'clock, and we never witnessed such a number of spectators on any former election. At six o'clock the Peers sat down to an elegant dinner in Fortune's great room, Prince's-street, which was attended by several young Noblemen, the Lord Provost and Magistrates, and several gentlemen of distinction. An excellent dinner was also given in the Prince's apartinent in the Abbey, to the officers who were engaged in the business of the election. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. The election for a Member for the county of Edinburgh came on the 26th of October, when, after a very keen contest, Sir George Clerk of Pennicuick, Bart. was elected by a majority of ten votes, there being, For Sir G. Clerk.......... 56 .........46 Sir John H. Dalrymple............................. Several other counties were also contested. The candidates for Ayrshire were Sir Hew D. Hamilton and Major General Montgomerie, when Sir Hew was chosen by a majority of two only. For Perthshire, James Drummond, Esq. and Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Graham, K. B. were candidates, when the former was elected by a majority of seven. For Wigtonshire, Lieut.-General the Hon. William Stewart, and J. Hunter Blair of Dunskey, Esq. were candidates, when General Stewart was chosen by a majority of six. For Roxburghshire, the Hon. Gilbert Elliot and Alexander Don, younger of Newton, Esq. were candidates, when Mr Elliot was elected by a majority of sixThe county of Ross and Stewartry of Kirk. cudbright were also contested, when the Hon. W. F. Mackenzie was chosen for the former, and General Dunlop for the latter, both by considerable majorities. The elections for the Burghs came on the 30th of October.-The only remarkable contest was for the burghs of Sterling, Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, Culross and Queens. ferry. The candidates were General Campbell of Monzie, and Henry Brougham, Esq. when the General was returned, but it is said the return will be disputed in the House of Commons. HIGH TIDES, &c, On the 19th of October the barometer at Edinburgh was lower than has been known for many years; on that day, the mercury was under 27 inches during the forenoon.The weather had been very unsettled through, out the preceding week; for the most part boisterous, with occasional violent showers of rain and hail. The high westerly winds raised the tides on the east coast. The tide rose, at Leith, to a greater height, on the morning of the 21st, than it has for some years past, by which several houses at the foot of the Sheriff-Brae were inundated, and received some damage; the Ballast Quay was also overflowed, and, on the receding of the water, a part of the street sunk about a foot. At high water, there were 17 feet on the bar, and 20 feet in the harbour, be ing a rise of about four feet higher than the ordinary spring tides. The tide at Eyemouth the same morning rose to a most extraordinary height, higher indeed than has happened in the memory of the oldest inhabitant of the place. The banks for protecting the houses near the shore were completely destroyed, and the water rushing in, did considerable damage to the salt in the cellars, and the road along the beach is nearly washed away. What is rather remarkable, a ling of a pretty large size was found alive in a boat-builder's shop, into which it had been forced by the violence of the tide. The tide rose very high the same day at Whitehaven, Newcastle, Belfast, and seve ral other places, on both the cast and west coast, and did considerable damage. On the 3d of October there was a great storm at Ayr, when a boat from Belfast, with five persons on board, was wrecked off Ayr bar, and the whole were unfortunately drowned. From the year 1750, the North Esk, in Kincardineshire, emptied itself into the sea upon the lands of Kirkside and Woodstone. About a twelvemonth ago, however, in consequence of an overflow in the river, and a very high tide, it excavated a new channel on the lands of Comieston, upon which, on an average, one half of its contents continued to run during last fishing season. A new revolution has now taken place in the course of the river, which, on the 19th October, completely opened out its old channel upon the lands of Kirkside and Woodstone, by which a valuable property is restored to its former proprietors. This river had, several times previous to the first-mentioned date, undergone a similar change from the same causes; and, upon one of these occasions, it gave rise to a long and expensive litigation, between the new and old proprietors, which was at last decided in favour of the gentleman on whose grounds the river had begun to flow; all artificial means employed to obstruct or change the course of a river being declared illegal. On the 19th current, in consequence of the late rains, the new bridge at Potarch, which was in a state of forwardness calculated to inspire all concerned, with a hope of a safe and permanent passage over the Dee this winter, has been almost complete ly demolished. We are sorry to learn, that the ship Sir Simon Clarke of Leith, was captured on her passage, bound from Jamaica, by the American privateer, Globe, Murphy, of Baltimore, after a severe action, in which Mr Robert Sibbald, son of W. Sibbald, Esq. of Leith, and Mr James M'Kenzie, passengers, were killed; Captain Udny, William Martin, first mate, and Mr George Riddoch, passenger, severely wounded, the two latter since dead. The vessel reached Baltimore on the 24th August, but no further particulars since received. Wexford, Oct. 26. A melancholy accident happened at Tuskar on Monday morning last, of which the following are the particulars : Early in the summer, a Mr Needham, an eminent architect, was employed to superintend a light-house, ordered by Government to be erected on Tuskar Rock, and for this purpose, a number of experienced persons were sent down from Dublin, who, together with some people from this town likewise employed there, formed an aggregate of 25. They constructed for their accommodation, on the north side of the rock, near the place appointed for the structure, three small wooden houses; for the better security of which, massy iron bars were inserted in the rock, and to these the houses were fastened down by chains of an enormous size. It may not, for the information of some of our readers, be unnecessary to remark, that the rock contains nearly two acres, and that the habitations, at high water, were 40 feet above the natural level of the sea.-Having thus given a description of their situation, we shall now relate the effects of the storm. The wind was S. S. E. and it blew a perfect hurricane. How awful is the contemplation of such a scene! About four o'clock on Monday morning, the helpless inmates were suddenly roused by a wave breaking on the houses with a most tremendous crash, which was followed by others, in quick succession, equally terrific; and instantly the boards on which they slept began to float.-At this direful period, the tide having nearly two hours and a half to flow, those poor halfdressed creatures were compelled to leave their huts, and fasten ropes to headers and stretchers, stones weighing about a ton and a half each, preparing for the building, to which they clung. Now the work of destruction commenced; the houses had not been forsook more than two minutes, when there was not a vestige of them to be seen. The violence of the waves increased with the tide; the ponderous stones above-mentioned were hurled about as if pebbles; some of the persons made fast to them were killed, and others forced from their hold into the ocean. Some were so fortunate, while the waves were rebounding, as to gain the spot where the houses stood, and secured themselves by tying ropes to the bars in the rock. In this situation the waves at times rolled ten feet over them. When the tide fell, and left that part of the rock dry, the survivors proceeded to fasten a cable as tight. as possible to two ring bolts about thirty yards asunder, to which they bound themselves by small ropes round the waist; but here, at the rise of next tide, they had nearly the same horror to encounter, as the waves several times broke over them. At the fall of this tide, they again untied themselves, and sought shelter from the butment of the building, where they were discovered about eleven o'clock on Wednesday morning, (by the boat employed to attend the rock, she being enabled to reach the rock, in consequence of the weather becoming more calm,) having remained from two o'clock on Sunday, at which hour they dined, without any kind of sustenance. In the evening, ten of the unfortunate men were conveyed to town, exhibiting a truly distressing appearance; three were brought to the hospital, one of whom had his leg broken, and the others were much injured. In short, all suffered in some manner. One of the men came to town on Saturday, but fortunately missed the the boat on her return, or he, must inevitably have shared the same fate. What adds to this melancholy catastrophe is, that the greater part of them have left numerous families. APPOINTMENTS. (From the London Gazette.) Whitehall, Oct. 9. The Prince Regent appointed Daniel Bayley, Esq. to be his Ma jesty's Consul-General in Russia. Oct. 31. The Prince Regent appointed Sir Rupert George, Bart., James Bowen, Esq., the Hon. John Douglas, John Harness Doctor in Physic, the Hon. Courtenay Boyle, and William Boothby, Esq. to be his Majesty's Commissioners for conducting the transport service, for the care of sick and wounded seamen, and for the care and custody of prisoners of war. Nov. 3. The Prince Regent granted the dignity of a Baronet of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to the following gentlemen respectively, and the heirsmale of their bodies lawfully begotten, viz. William Congreve, of Walton, in the county of Stafford, Esq. Lieutenant-General in the army, and Colonel in the royal regiment of artillery. William Payne, Esq. Lieutenant-General in the army, and Colonel of the 23d regt. of light dragoons. Albemarle Bertie, Esq. Vice-Admiral of the Red squadron of his Majesty's fleet. Sir Henry Russel, Knight, Chief Justice of Bengal. Sir Evan Baillie, of Portman Square, in the county of Middlesex, Knight, MajorGeneral in the army, and late Provisional Commander of the forces in Bengal. Barry Close, Esq. Major-General in the service of the East India Company. Right Hon. Claudius Stephen Hunter, Lord Mayor of London. Frederick John Falkiner, of Abbotstown, in the county of Dublin, Esq. with remainder to his nephew John Crosbie, of Killarny, Esq. Benjamin Hobhouse, of Chantry-House, in the county of Wilts, and Westbury College, in the county of Gloucester, Esq.. Stewart Bruce, of the city of Dublin, Esq. John Owen, of Orielton, in the county of Pembroke, Esq. Jahleel Brenton, Esq. Post Captain in the royal navy. Rev. Henry Bate Dudley, of Sloane Street, Chelsca, in the county of Middlesex, and of Kilscoran-House, in the county of Wexford, Doctor of Laws, and Chancellor of the Diocese of Ferns.. Gilbert Blane, of Blanefield, in the coun ty of Ayr, and of Culverlands, in the county of Berks, Doctor of Physic, and one of the Physicians in Ordinary to his R. H. the Prince Regent. John Lister Kaye, of Grange, in the county of York, Esq. Sir Charles Ormsby, of the city of Dublin, Knight. Æneas Mackintosh, of Mackintosh, in the shire of Inverness, Esq. George William Leeds, of Croxton Park, in the county of Cambridge, Esq. William Knighton, of Hanover Square, in the county of Middlesex, Doctor of Physic, and one of the Physicians in Ordinary to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. George Jackson, of Forkhillan, in the county of Armagh, Esq. Everard Home, of Well-Manor-Farm, in the county of Southampton, Esq. SerjeantSurgeon to his Majesty. Edward Kennedy, of Johnstown Mount Kennedy, in the county of Waterford, Eq. Richard Nagle, of Jamestown-House and Castle Donore, in the county of Westmeath, Esq. James Caleb Anderson, of Fermoy, in the county of Cork, Esq. James Galbraith, of Shanevally, in the county of Donegall, Esq. Major-General Kempt is appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Fort William, in the room of Lieutenant-General M'Donald. The Prince Regent has presented the Rev. John Taylor to the parish of Barra, vacant by the death of the Reverend Edmund MacQueen. Colonel Oliphant, of Rossie, has appointed Eneas Macbean, Esq. W. S. DeputyWriter to the Privy-Seal, in room of Archibald Milne, Esq. W. S. deceased. The University and King's College of Aberdeen have re-elected the Right Honour able Sylvester Douglas, Lord Glenbervie, to be Rector of the University for the ensuing year; and Alexander Moir, Esq. of Scotstown, Thomas Buchan, Esq. of Auchmacoy, George Gordon, Esq. of Hallhead, and Alexander Leith, Esq. of Freefield, to be assessors during the same period. DEAN OF GUILD COURT. Kincaid Mackenzie, Esq. Lord Dean of Guild. Thomas Scott, Esq. Old Dean of Guild. William Dunlop, merchant. John Paton, mason. David White, wright. RE |