Admiralty Office, April 20, 1813. Letters have been received at this office from Rear Admiral Dixon, addressed to John Wilson Croker, Esq. by Lieut. Chads, late first lieutenant of his Majesty's ship Java :

United States Frigate Constitution, off St Salvador, Dec. 31, 1812. Sir,

It is with deep regret that I write you, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that his Majesty's ship Java is no more, after sustaining an action on the 29th instant, for several hours, with the American frigate Constitution, which resulted in the capture and ultimate destruction of his Majesty's ship. Captain Lambert being dangerously wounded in the height of the action, the melancholy task of writing the detail devolves on me.

On the morning of the 29th inst. at eight a. m. off St. Salvador (coast of Brazil), the wind at N. E. we perceived a strange sail; made all sail in chase, and soon made her out to be a large frigate; at noon prepared for action, the chase not answering our private signals, and tacking towards us under easy sail; when about four miles distant she made a signal, and

VOL. VI. PART. IL

immediately tacked and made all sai away upon the wind. We soon found we had the advantage of her in sailing, and came up with her fast, when she hoisted American colours; she then bore about three points on our leebow. At fifty minutes past one, p. m. the enemy shortened sail, upon which we bore down upon her; at ten minutes past two, when about half a mile distant, she opened her fire, giving us a larboard broadside, which was not returned till we were close on her weather-bow. Both ships now ma noeuvred to obtain advantageous posi tions, our opponent evidently avoiding close action, and firing high to disable our masts, in which he succeeded too well, having shot away the head of our bowsprit with the jibboom, and our running rigging so much cut as to prevent our preserving the weather-gage.

At five minutes past three, finding the enemy's raking fire extremely heavy, Captain Lambert ordered the ship to be laid on board, in which we should have succeeded, had not our fore-mast been shot away at this moment, the remains of our bowsprit passing over his taffrail; shortly after this the maintopmast went, leaving the ship totally unmanageable, with

L

most of our starboard guns rendered useless from the wreck lying over them.

At half past three our gallant captain received a dangerous wound in the breast, and was carried below; from this time we could not fire more than two or three guns until a quarter past four, when our mizen mast was shot away; the ship then fell off a little, and brought many of our starboard guns to bear: the enemy's rigging was so much cut that he could not now avoid shooting a-head, which brought us fairly broadside and broadside. Our main-yard now went in the slings, both ships continued engaged in this manner till 35 minutes past four, we fre quently on fire in consequence of the wreck lying on the side engaged. Our opponent now made sail a-head out of gun shot, where he remained an hour repairing his damages, leaving us an unmanageable wreck, with only the main-mast left, and that tottering. Every exertion was made by us during this interval to place the ship in a state to renew the action. We succeeded in clearing the wreck of our masts from our guns, a sail was set on the stumps of the fore mast and bowsprit, the weather half of the main-yard remaining aloft, the main tack was got forward in the hope of getting the ship before the wind, our helm being still perfect; the effort unfortunately proved ineffectual, from the main-mast falling over the side, from the heavy rolling of the ship, which nearly covered the whole of our starboard guns. We still waited the attack of the enemy, he now standing towards us for that purpose; on his coming nearly within hail of us, and from his manœuvre perceiving he intended a position a-head, where he could rake us without a possibility of our returning a shot, I then consulted the officers, who agreed with myself that our having a great part of our crew killed

and wounded, our bowsprit and three masts gone, several guns useless, we should not be justified in wasting the lives of more of those remaining, who I hope their lordships and the country will think have bravely defended his Majesty's ship. Under these circumstances, however reluctantly, at 50 minutes past five, our colours were lowered from the stump of the mizen mast, and we were taken possession of, a little after six, by the American frigate Constitution, commanded by Commo ore Bainbridge, who, immediately after ascertaining the state of the ship, resol ved on burning her, which we had the satisfaction of seeing done as soon as the wounded were removed. Annexed I send you a return of the killed and wounded, and it is with pain I perceive it so numerous; also a statement of the comparative force of the two ships, when I hope their lordships will not think the British flag tarnished, although success has not attended us. It would be presumptuous in me to speak of Captain Lambert's merits, who, though still in danger from his wound, we entertain the greatest hopes of his being restored to the service and his country.

It is most gratifying to my feelinga to notice the gallantry of every officer, seaman, and marine on board: in jus. tice to the officers, I beg leave to mention them individually. I can never speak too highly of the able exertions of Lieutenants Hevringham and Buchanan, and also of Mr Robinson, master, who was severely wounded, and Lieutenants Mercer and Davis, of the royal marines, the latter of whom also was severely wounded. To Captain John Marshall, R. N. who was a passenger, I am particularly obliged for his exertions and advice throughout the action. To Lieutenant Aplin, who was on the main deck, and Lieutenant Saunders, who commanded on the forecastle, I also return my thanks.

I cannot but notice the good conduct of the mates and midshipmen, many of whom are killed, and the greater part wounded. To Mr T. C. Jones, surgeon, and his assistants, every praise is due, for their unwearied assiduity in the care of the wounded. Lieutenant Gen. Hislop, Major Walker, and Captain Wood, of his staff, the latter of whom was severely wounded, were solicitous to assist and remain on the quarter deck. I cannot conclude this letter, without expressing my grateful acknowledgments, thus publicly, for the generous treatment Captain Lambert and his officers have experienced from our gallant enemy Commodore Bainbridge, and his officers.

I have the honour to be, &c.

H. D. CHADS, First Lieu tenant of his Majesty's late ship Java.

P. S. The Constitution has also suffered severely both in her rigging and men, having her fore and mizennasts, main-top-mast, both main top sail-yards, spanker-boom, gaff, and try-sail mast badly shot, and the greatest part of the standing rigging very much damaged, with ten men killed, the commodore, fifth lieutenant, and 46 men, wounded, four of whom are since dead.

Weight of metal, 1490. Crew, 480.

Downing Street, March 3, 1813.

Dispatches, of which the following are copies, were this day received by Earl Bathurst, one of his Majesty's principal secretaries of State, from Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, Bart. Governor-general and Commander-in-chief of the forces in NorthAmerica:

Head-quarters, Chambly, Nov. 21, 1812.

My Lord, I have the honour to acquaint your lordship, that the efforts of the enemy at Sackett's harbour, on Lake Ontario, enabled them to send out, on the 10th instant, seven sail of armed vessels, manned by the crew of one of the American frigates, and commanded by some of their naval officers, having on board a considerable detachment of troops, for the purpose of carrying the port of Kingston by surprise, and of destroying his Majesty's ship Royal George, then lying there. I have much satisfaction in reporting to your lordship, that the vigilance and military skill of Colonel Vincent, who is in command at Kingston, frustrated their designs; and after many hours of ineffectual cannonade, the American flotilla hauled off, and on the follow ing day returned into port. I have also the honour to report to your lordship, that, having received information of the advance of the enemy with their whole force of regulars and militia encamped at Plattsburgh, from that place to the village at Champlain, about six miles from the province line, with the avowed purpose of penetrating into this frontier, I directed the brigade of troops at Montreal, consisting of two companies of the Royals, 7 companies of the 8th or King's, 4 companies af

the Montreal volunteer militia, and the 5th battalion of the embodied Canadian militia, with one troop of volunteer cavalry, and a brigade of light artillery, the whole under the command of Colonel Baynes, to cross the St Lawrence, and advance to the support of Major-general De Rottenburgh, whose front was threatened by this movement of the enemy: the troops crossed with uncommon expedition on the evening of Thursday last, the 19th inst. and reached La Prairie that night.

I am happy to inform your lordship, that immediately upon the alarm being given that the enemy were advancing, the sedentary militia flocked in from all quarters with a zeal and alacrity which I cannot too much praise, and which assures me that I shall de rive essential assistance from them when the occasion shall require it. The enemy, since the advance to Champlain, have made several reconnoissances beyond the lines into the province; one in particular, on the night of the 19th with a detachment of cavalry, and a body of about 1000 of their regular infantry, the whole under the command of Lieut-Col. Pike, who is esteemed in the United States an able officer; but falling in unexpectedly with a small party of Voyageurs and Indians, one of our advanced pickets, by whom they were fired upon, they were thrown into the greatest confusion, and commenced a fire upon each other, which was attended with a loss of about 50 of their men in killed and wounded, when they dispersed. Our picket made good their retreat unmolested, and without a man being hurt; by se veral deserters, who have since come in to us, and some of whom were of the reconnoitering party, we have ascertained their loss, and that but a small proportion of the militia accompanied them that night to the lines; the

others having wavered respecting advancing beyond them.

I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) GEORGE PREVOST

Earl Bathurst, &c.

Head-quarters La Prairie, Nov. 28. My Lord,-Since my last report to your lordship from Chambly, the vigour of the enemy's operations against Lower Canada has gradually declined, and terminated on the 22d, at noon, in a complete retreat, which was effected in two divisions on that and the fol lowing days upon Plattsburgh, Bur. lington, and Albany ; at which places, I am informed, they propose to take up their winter-quarters. 1 beg leave to transmit to your lordship copies of the general orders I have issued to the militia of Lower Canada upon this occasion, as I cannot more properly bring their active loyalty and their desire to maintain the rights of their Sovereign before your lordship, for the consider. ation of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent.

I have the honour to be, &c.
GEORGE PREVOST,

Earl Bathurst, &c.

Downing-street, April 22.

A dispatch, of which the following is a copy, was this day received by the Earl Bathurst, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, from Lieutenant-general Sir George Prevost, Bart. governor-general and com mander-in-chief of the forces in North America :—

Quebec, Feb. 8, 1813.

My Lord, I have the honour to congratulate your lordship upon the signal success which has again attended his majesty's arms in Upper Ca. nada. Brigadier-general Winchester, with a division of the forces of the United States, consisting of upwards

of 1100 men, being the right wing of Major-General Harrison's army, thrown in advance, marching to the attack of Detroit, was completely defeated on the 22d of January last, by Colonel Proctor, commanding in the Michigan territory, with a force which he had hastily collected upon the approach of the enemy, consisting of a small detachment of the 10th royal veteran battalion, three companies of the 41st regiment, a party of the royal Newfoundland fencibles, the sailors belonging to the Queen Charlotte, and 150 of the Essex militia, not exceeding 500 regulars and militia, and about 600 Indians; the result of the action has been the surrender of Bri. gadier-General Winchester, with 500 officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the American army, and with a loss on their part of nearly the like number in killed and wounded. For the details of this affair, which reflects the highest credit upon Col. Proctor for the promptitude, gallantry, and decision, which he has manifested upon this occasion, I beg leave to refer your lordship to his letter to Major-Gen. Sheaffe, herewith transmitted. I have also the honour of transmitting to your lordship, returns of the killed and wounded on our part, and of the prisoners taken from the enemy, the latter of which, your lordship will not fail to observe, more than exceeded the whole of the regular and militia force which Colonel Proctor had to oppose to them. Major-Gen. Harrison, with the main body of his army, consisting of about 2000 men, was reported to be four or five days' march distant from Brigadier-General Winchester's division, advancing in the direction of Detroit. I think it not improbable, that, upon hearing of the disaster of this division, and the loss of his supplies, he may commence his retreat: but should he persevere in his endeavours to penetrate farther

into the Michigan territory, I feel the fullest confidence in the skill and bravery of Colonel Proctor, and the troops under his command, for an effectual resistance to every attempt of the enemy in that quarter. A small detachment from the royal artillery at Fort George, with the light infantry company of the 41st regiment, have marched to reinforce Detroit; they are to be re-placed on the Niagara frontier, by troops now in motion from Montreal.

I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed) GEORGE PREVOST. To the Right Hon. Earl Bathurst, &c.

Sandwich, Jan. 25th.

Sir,-In my last dispatch I acquainted you, that the enemy was in the Michigan territory, marching upon Detroit, and that I therefore deemed it necessary that he should be attacked without delay, with all and every description of force within my reach. Early in the morning of the 19th I was informed of his being in possession of Frenchtown, on the river Raisin, 26 miles from Detroit, after experiencing every resistance that Major Reynolds of the Essex militia had it in his power to make, with a 3-pounder well served and directed by Bom. bardier Kitson, of the royal artillery, and the militia, three of whom he had well trained to the use of it. The retreat of the gun was covered by a brave band of Indians, who made the enemy pay dear for what he had obtained. This party, composed of militia and Indians, with the gun, fell back eighteen miles to Brown's town, the settlement of the brave Wyandots, where I directed my force to assemble. On the 21st inst. I advanced twelve miles to Swan Creek, from whence we marched to the enemy, and attacked him at break of day on the 22d inst. ; and after suffering, for our numbers, a considerable loss, the enemy's force