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BOOK IX, immediately repaired. All farther efforts from the frigates being perfectly useless, the captain CHAP. IX. determined on taking possession of an island in the mouth of the harbour, and within musket-shot of the town. The ships were anchored, after the close of day, about four miles from the shore, and about eleven o'clock the same night 200 seamen, and all the marines, went under the orders of Lieutenant John M'Curdy, senior lieutenant of the Belle Poule, accompanied by the officers and petty officers, and took possession of the island without opposition. With incessant labour and the most extraordinary exertions, a defence was thrown up, and a battery of four guns, (two howitzers and two 9-pounders) mounted on a commanding position by five o'clock. A field-piece was also placed at some distance to the left, to divide the attention of the enemy, who, aware of the operations, had been busily employed during the night in planting guns in various parts of the harbour. Soon after five a. m. the French opened a cross fire from four different positions, which was immediately returned, and kept up on both sides with great vigour for five hours, when the brig being cut to pieces and sunk, and of course the object of their landing accomplished, the guns, ammunition, &c. were all re-embarked with the most perfect order and regularity. This service was not performed without some loss, having had four killed and as many wounded belonging to the two ships.

Captain Parker, of his majesty's ship the Amazon, made a gallant and successful attack by the boats of the said ship, under the directions of Lieutenant Westphal, on an enemy's convoy near the Penmarks. One of the enemy's vessels having been cut off by the Amazon, the remainder, eight in number, ran on shore under the protection of a battery, and of a considerable number of troops; notwithstanding the fire from which Lieutenant Westphall succeeded in bringing out three and destroying the other five, without any loss.

Captain Sutton, of his majesty's sloop Derwent, captured La Rafleur French privateer, of Granville, manned with twenty men with small arms.

A letter from Captain Hawtayne to Admiral Young thus recorded the capture of a division of the enemy's gun-boats.

"His majesty's ship Quebec, Heligoland, Aug. 6. "Sir, I have to acquaint you with a very gallant achievement, (the capture of a division of the enemy's gun-boats), which has been performed by boats from this part of your squadron, under the direction of the first-lieutenant, Samuel Blyth, of the Quebec, who had the honor to command a party of brave officers and men that nobly seconded him.

"The weather was particularly fine and settled for this kind of service, and they had already cap

tured and sent to me a vaisseau de guerre of the Douanes Imperiales, manned with an officer and twelve men (one of them was killed before she surrendered), and a merchant vessel which they were towing out; when, being near the island of Nordeney, on the 3d, four of the enemy's gun-boats were seen at anchor within.

"The enemy silently waited the attack, their guns loaded with grape and canister, (not using any round-shot), until the boats were within pis tol range, when a discharge took place from the whole line. The first vessel was immediately boarded and carried, but the others with great bravery maintained themselves severally, until they found their vessels were no longer in their own possession.

"The loss sustained was, on our side, four killed and fourteen wounded; on that of the enemy, two killed and twelve wounded.-1 have the honor to be, &c. C. HAWTAVNE.” "William Young, Esq. Admiral of the White."

The following account of a naval action during the summer, is extracted from a letter:

"The sufferings and exertions of the Brevedageren commenced on the 31st of July, and continued without intermission until the 2d of August, in opposing a Danish squadron, consisting of the Langeland brig, mounting twentytwo long 18-pounders, and 200 men; Logan and Keil brigs, mounting twenty and eighteen long 18-pounders, 175 men each. The English force consisted of the Algerine cutter, ten guns and sixty men, Lieutenant Blow; and Brevedageren, twelve guns, forty-seven men, Lieutenant Devon.

"On the evening of the 31st of July, our two ships observed three suspicious vessels standing towards them from the coast of Norway, which were soon discerned to be enemies; the wind being very light, the Algerine and Brevedageren continued going from them during the night, as fast as they were able, and at day-light found themselves about four miles from the advanced brig of the enemy, which appeared considerably distant from the two others. Lieutenant Blow, commanding the Algerine, being the senior of ficer, sent a boat to the Brevedageren, to inform Lieutenant Devon that it was his intention to at tempt cutting this vessel off; and accordingly both the Algerine and Brevedageren tacked for that purpose, and commenced sweeping towards her, it being calm. The enemy observed this manoeuvre, and prevented its being executed by closing his squadron. The Algerine and Breve dageren again sought safety by retreating. At four o'clock, a. m. 1st of August, the Danish commodore in the Langeland, being nearly within shot, the Algerine and Brevedageren again bore down to the attack, by desire of Lieutenant Blow. It must be observed, that the Danish commodore

was at this time about two miles from his own squadron. The action was commenced about thirty minutes past eleven o'clock, with the Langeland-at twelve o'clock in close action. Soon after, the second enemy's brig commenced firing on the Algerine and Brevedageren, when the Algerine found it necessary to take to her sweeps, and hauled out of the action. The Brevedageren could not follow the example; consequently, she was left in the midst of three brigs of the enemy, each of them more than double her force. In this perilous situation, Lieutenant Devon, the gallant commander of the Brevedageren, resolved to fight as long as he could fire a gun; and the few brave fellows he commanded admirably supported his heroic resolution, never in the least betraying a symptom of fear, but, on the contrary, nobly cheered their commander in obeying every order. At half-past one, p. m. when scarcely a shadow of hope existed of saving the Brevedageren, a favorable breeze of wind sprung up, of which Lieutenant Devon availed himself to get off, and fortunately the enemy, intent on keeping up his fire, seemed not immediately to perceive it. Lieutenant Devon then directed to cease firing, and took to his sweeps, which, aided by a boat's crew of ten men, sent by the Algerine about the close of the action, and the breeze, gained nearly a mile on the enemy by two o'clock, who still continued his broadsides with an apparent intention to sink the Brevedageren, as all his shot fell low. The enemy perceiving the advantage gained over him, left off firing, and again every exertion was made on the one side to escape, and on the other to prevent it. The Brevedageren, however, preserved her distance, the Langeland continuing to annoy her with her chace-guns. At five, one of the other Danish brigs, the Logan, was advancing fast on the Brevedageren, and ranging upon her starboard quarter. At this time the Algerine cutter, who had much the advantage of the Brevedageren, from her superiority of sweeping, hove to, and attracted the enemy's attention. This manœuvre was of much advantage, as the enemy from this time did not gain the least upon the Brevedageren, and at sun-set he gave up the chace. Lieutenant Devon, however, not thinking himself safe so near such powerful and hostile neighbours, continued with his little crew labouring at the sweeps until twelve o'clock at midnight, when they literally fell from their oars, completely worn out. The wonder is how they could have stood it. so long, having been closely engaged with so superior a force for upwards of an hour, besides tugging at the oar from six o'clock on Wednesday evening until Thursday at midnight.

"At day-light on Friday, the enemy was distant about six miles, but they did not resume the

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chace. Thus, by an exertion and perseverance not BOOK IX. to be exceeded, was rescued from the Danes his majesty's brig, which they probably were the CHAP. IX, more anxious to possess, as she had formerly been taken from them. The Brevedageren had one man killed in the beginning of the action, and providentially only three wounded throughout the whole of the severe contest. She has, however, suffered much in her hull, masts, sails, and rigging, which I should presume would necessitate her going to England. To prevent the possibility of his colours being shot away, Lieutenant Devon had hoisted and nailed in different parts of his brig several English union-jacks; and to remind his brave fellows of the anniversary of the memorable 1st of August, he took from his cabin a likeness of the immortal Nelson, and made it fast to the mast."

An unpleasant affair took place on the 16th of May, between his majesty's ship Little Belt, and the American frigate President. About ten o'clock in the morning, the latter was perceived by Captain Bingham; but not knowing what she was, he made towards her, and on discovering her to be a frigate, carrying a broad pendant, he stood on a different tack. About six o'clock in the evening he observed the frigate standing towards him under a heavy press of sail, and about eight o'clock she was so close to him, that the stars in her pendant were very visible; and perceiving that it was the intention of the frigate to take him, he avoided the same, and at the same moment hailed to know what ship it was. No answer being returned, he again hailed, and was answered by a full broadside of round and grape shot. The action then commenced, and continued for three-quarters of an hour, when both at one moment ceased firing. Captain Bingham was hailed by Commodore Rogers, to know if he had struck, and informed him, at the same time, that it was the American frigate President; and was answered by Captain Bingham in the negative.

Night coming on, each ship commenced repairing damages, and on the following morning Commodore Rogers sent his lieutenant on-board the Little Belt, stating his regret at the circumstance; that he did not know she was a vessel of such inferior force, and requesting to conduct her into an American port to repair her damages, which Captain Bingham declined; but no explanation for his cowardly conduct took place. Captain Bingham had eleven men killed and twentytwo wounded. It was said that the President had been dispatched in search of his majesty's ship Guerriere, which had taken an English seaman out of an American coasting-vessel, to demand him; and, in case of refusal, to conduct the British frigate into New York.

It was apprehended that this business would be productive of some serious consequences. The

"Three Sisters, off the Isle of Wight, Sept. 18. "I have to acquaint you with a desperate engagement I have had with a French privateer, Le Fevre, mounting ten guns, six long sixes, and four 12-pound carronades, with swivels and small arms, manned with fifty-eight men, out from Brest fourteen days, in which time she captured the Friends schooner from Lisbon, belonging to Plymouth, and a large sloop from Scilly, with codfish and sundries, for Falmouth. On the 11th, at nine p. m. we observed her on the larboard bow; we were then steering N. N. E. about ten leagues from Scilly, and nearly calm.

"I immediately set my royals, fore-steering sails, and made all clear for action. At two a. m. when all my endeavours to escape were useless, she being within musket-shot, I addressed my crew, and represented the hardships they would undergo as prisoners, and the honor and happiness of being with their wives and families. This had the desired effect, and they immediately huzzaed with a desperation I never before witnessed, and made me confident of success. I ordered the action to commence, and endeavoured to keep a good offing, but which he prevented by running alongside, and immediately attempted to board, with a machine I never before observed, which was three long ladders, with points at the end that served to grapple us to them. They made three desperate attempts with about twelve men at each ladder, but were received with such a determination, that they were all drove back with great slaughter, and formed a heap for the others to ascend with greater facility.

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Finding us so desperate, they immediately, on their last charge failing, knocked off their ladders, one of which they were unable to unhook on our side, and left it with me, and sheered off; but I am sorry to say, without my being able to injure them, as they bad shot away part of my rudder before they boarded me, and wounded several of my masts and yards; for it seemed to be their aim to carry away some of my masts, but which happily they did not effect. The most painful of my narrative is the loss of two men and a boy killed, and four wounded, but the wounded are doing well. Our whole crew amounted to twenty-six men and four boys, and deserve the highest applause that can be bestowed upon them. (Signed) "GEORGE THOMPSON."

We shall conclude this chapter with the remarkable actions off Boulogne, which was thus detailed by Capt. Carteret.

"His majesty's ship Naiad, off Boulogne, 7 a. m. Sept. 21. "SIR,-Yesterday morning, while this ship was lying at an anchor off this place, much bustle was observed among the enemy's flotilla, moored along shore close under the batteries of their bay, which appeared to indicate that some affair of unusual moment was in agitation. At about noon, Bonaparte, in a barge, accompanied by several other officers, was distinctly seen to proceed along their line to the centre ship, which immediately hoisted the imperial standard at the main, and lowered it at his departure, substituting for it a rear-admiral's flag; he afterwards visited others, and then continued in his boat for the rest of the evening.

"Since it is so much within the well-known custom of that personage to adopt measures that confer supposed eclat on his presence, I concluded that something of the kind was about to take place. Accordingly, seven praams, each having twelve 24-pounders long guns, with one hundred and twenty men, and commanded by Rear-admiral Baste, weighed and stood towards this ship, being expressly ordered by the French ruler, as I have since learned, to attack us. As the wind was S. W. with a very strong flood-tide setting to the N. E. while the enemy bore nearly south from us, it was clear that by weighing we could only increase our distance from him; so that our only chance of closing with him at all, was by remaining at anchor.

"The Naiad, therefore, quietly awaited his attack in that position, with springs on her cable.

"It was exclusively in the enemy's own power to choose the distance; each ship of his squadron stood within gun-shot, gave us successively her broadsides, tacked from us, and in that mode continuously repeated the attack. After this had so continued for three-quarters of an hour, ten brigs(said to have four long 24-pounders) and one sloop (said to have two such guns) also weighed and joined the ships in occasionally cannonading us, which was thus kept up for upwards of two hours without intermission, and returned, I humbly hope, with sufficient effect by this ship.

"At slack water the Naiad weighed her anchor and stood off, partly to repair some trivial damages, but chiefly by getting to windward, to be better enabled to close with the enemy, and get within shore of some at least of his flotilla. After standing off a short time, the Naiad tacked and made all sail towards them; but at about sun-set it became calm, when the enemy took up his anchorage under the batteries eastward of Boulogne, while the Naiad resumed hers in her former po

sition.

“In this affair not a British subject was hurt, and the damages sustained by this ship are too trifling for me to mention or report. I have, inI have, indeed, to apologize for dwelling so long on this affair, but my motive is the manner in which I understand it has been magnified by the enemy, and the extraordinary commendations which have been lavished on the Frenchmen engaged in it by their ruler. It is fitting, therefore, that his majesty's government should know the real state of the case, and the lords commissioners of the admiralty may rest assured, that every officer and man on board the Naiad did zealously and steadily fulfil his duty. I have the honor to be, &c.

"PHILIP CARTERET, Capt.

"Thomas Foley, esq. rear-admiral of the red," &c.

"His majesty's ship Naiad, off Boulogne, Sept. 21, 1811.

"SIR,-This morning, at seven o'clock, that part of the enemy's flotilla which was anchored to the eastward of Boulogne, consisting of seven praams, and fifteen smaller vessels, chiefly brigs, weighed and stood out on the larboard-tack, the wind being S. W. apparently to renew the same kind of distant cannonade which took place yesterday; different, however, from yesterday, for there was now a weather-tide. The Naiad, therefore, weighed, and getting well to windward, joined his majesty's brigs Rinaldo, Redpole, and Castilian, with the Viper cutter, who had all zealously turned to windward in the course of the night to support the Naiad in the expected conflict. We all lay-to on the larboard-tack, gradually drawing off-shore, in the hope of imperceptibly inducing the enemy also to withdraw farther from the protection of his formidable batteries.

"To make known the senior officer's intentions, no other signals were deemed necessary, but "to prepare to attack the enemy's van," then standing out, led by Rear-admiral Baste, and "not to fire until quite close to the enemy."

"Accordingly the moment the French admiral tacked in shore, having reached his utmost distance, and was giving us his broadsides, the king's small squadron bore up together with the utmost rapidity, and stood towards the enemy under all the sail each could conveniently carry, receiving a shower of shot and shells from the flotilla and batteries, without returning any, until within pistol-shot, when the firing on both sides of his majesty's schooners threw the enemy into inextricable confusion. The French admiral's praam was the principal object of attack by this ship; but as that officer in leading had of course tacked

1811.

first, and thereby acquired fresh way, and was BOOK IX. now under much sail, pushing with great celerity for the batteries, it became impossible to reach CHAP. IX. him without too greatly hazarding his majesty's ship. Having, however, succeeded in separating a praam from him, which had handsomely attempted to succour his chief, and which I had intended to consign to the particular care of Captains Anderson and M'Donald, of the Rinaldo and Redpole, while the Castilian attacked others, it now appeared best preferably to employ this ship in effectually securing her.

"The Naiad accordingly ran her on-board; Mr. Grant, the master, lashed her alongside; the small arms-men soon cleared her decks, and the boarders, sword-in-hand, completed her subjugation. Nevertheless, in justice to our brave enemy, it must be observed, that his resistance was most obstinate and gallant, nor did it cease until fairly overpowered by the overwhelming force we so promptly applied. promptly applied. She is named La Ville de Lyons, was commanded by a Mons. Barbaud, who was severely wounded, and has on-board a Mons. La Coupé, who, as commodore of a division, was entitled to a broad pendant. Like the other praams she has twelve long guns, 24-pounders (French), but she had only one hundred and twelve men, sixty of whom were: soldiers of the 72d regiment of the line. Between thirty and forty have been killed and wounded.

"Meanwhile the three brigs completed the de-. feat of the enemy's flotilla, but I lament to say, that the immediate proximity of the formidable batteries whereunto we had now so nearly approached, prevented the capture or destruction of more of their ships or vessels. But no blame can attach to any one on this account; for all the commanders, officers, and crews, did bravely and skilfully perform their duty. If I may be permitted to mention those who served more immediately under my own eye, I must eagerly and fully testify to the meri's of, and zealous support I received from, Mr. Greenlaw, the first lieutenant of this ship, as well as from all the excellent officers of every description, brave seamen, and royal marines, whom I have the pride and pleasure of commanding.

"I have the honor herewith to inclose reports of our loss, which I rejoice to find so comparatively trivial, and that Lieutenant Charles Cobb, of the Castilian, is the only officer who has fallen.. I have the honor to be, &c..

"P. CARTERET, Captain. "Thomas Foley, esq. rear-admiral of the red," &c.

BOOK IX. CHAP. X.

1811.

THE French emperor, with consummate caution, maintained an entire control over the press in France. An imperial decree, of the 2d of February contained the following regulations relative to suppressed printers :

"The printers retained in Paris are bound to purchase the presses of the suppressed printers; they shall pay for them according to the valuation which shall be set upon them, within the period of one year, and by four instalments.

"Each of the retained printers shall pay one sixtieth of the total price of this purchase. "Immediately after the publication of this decree, seals shall be affixed on the types belonging to the suppressed printers.

"They may sell them if they please, provided they are sold only to licenced printers and type

founders.

"An indemnification shall be paid to the suppressed printers by those who are retained. "This indemnification is fixed at the rate of 4,000 francs to every suppressed printer.

"It shall form one general fund, which shall be divided a nong the suppressed printers, in proportion to the extent and business of their printing establishment duly ascertained.

"For this purpose the suppressed printers shall be divided into classes.

"This division into elasses shall be made, and the indemnification fixed by a commission.

"Each of the sixty retained printers shall pay a sixtieth of the sum total fixed for the indemnification due to the suppressed printers.

"Every creditor of the suppressed printers may object to the amount of the purchase-money, for the preservation of his rights.

"The commission shall consist of the inspector of the imperial press, who shall preside, of an auditor of the council of state, of two inspectors of books, and two licenced printers."

Another decree of the same date ordered, that printers' licences should be delivered to them on parchment by the director-general of the press. The price of issuing these licences was fixed at

fifty francs for Paris, and twenty-five francs for the other cities of the empire.

Though the retreat of Massena and the defeat of Victor were known in France towards the latter end of January, there was not the slightest allusion to these events in any of the French pa pers of that period. The birth of the young Napoleon seemed to have entirely engrossed the public attention for the moment. No expense was spared by the government to give all possible éclat to this event.

In any review of the state of Europe, France, not only from her magnitude, but still more from her ambition, necessarily obtruded herself as the main object of the picture. The aim of the Emperor Napoleon at this time was, to render France, according to his own term, and the original idea of Talleyrand, the centre of a system of public law and government; or, in other words, to occupy the place amongst the European nations, which was formerly possessed by the emperors Germany amongst the electoral states. The young Bonaparte accordingly received the name of the King of the Romans, which was formerly the title of the prince appointed to succeed the

emperor.

The object of the Emperor Napoleon was evidently a compromise with the house of Austria. The Emperor Francis had been persuaded to consider the family of Napoleon as his own, and therefore not to consider his own grandeur so much lost as transferred. The son of Napoleon being the grandson of the Emperor Francis, the splendid title of the King of the Romans, and the acknowledged supremacy amongst the European states, was still attached to the Austrian family.

Though this point of view was calculated to satisfy the Emperor Francis, it could not have been equally pleasing to the remainder of the Austrian family. It for ever excluded the archdukes from all hopes of the imperial thrones; it tended, in fact, to extinguish the greatness and sovereignty of the house of Austria, and most effectually to merge it in that of the house of