and several pieces of flying artillery, was compelled to anchor at the distance of about 400 yards from two of their batteries. After the discharge of the first gun, which was from the flying artillery, I hailed the shore, and observed to the officer, that if another gun was fired, I would bring the prisoners on deck, and expose them to the same fate we should all share; but, notwithstanding, they disregarded the caution, and continued a constant, and destructive fire. One single moment's reflection, determined me not to commit an act, that would subject me to the imputation of barbarity. The Caledonia had been beached, in as safe a position as the circumstances would admit of, under one of our batteries at Black Rock. I now brought all the guns of the Detroit on one side, next the enemy, stationed the men at them, and directed a fire, which continued as long as our ammunition lasted, and circumstances permitted. During the contest, I endeavored to get the Detroit on one side, by sounding a line, (there being no wind,) on shore, with all the line I could muster; but, the current being so strong, the boat could not reach the shore. I then hailed our shore, and requested that warps would be made fast on land, and sent on board; the attempt proved useless. As the fire was such as would, in all probability, sink the vessel in a short time, I determined to drift down the river, out of reach of their batteries, and make a stand against the flying artillery.

I, accordingly, cut the cable, made sail with very light airs, and at that instant discovered that the pilot had abandoned me. I dropped astern for about ten minutes, when I was brought up on our shore, on Squaw Island-got the boarding-boat ready, had the prisoners put in, and sent on shore, with directions for the officer, to return for me, and what property we could get from the brig; he did not return, owing to the difficulty of the boats getting ashore. Discovering a skiff, under the counter, I put the four remaining prisoners in the boat, and, with my officers, I went on shore to bring the boat off. I asked for protection to the brig, of Lieut. Col. Scott, who readily gave it. At this moment, I discovered a boat, with about 40 soldiers, from the British side, making for the brig; they got on

board, but were soon compelled to abandon her, with the loss of nearly all their men. During the whole of this morning, both parties kept up, alternately, a continued fire upon the brig, and so much injured her, that it was impossible to have floated her; several shot in her bends, her sails in ribbons, and rigging all cut in pieces.

To my officers and men, I feel under great obligation; to Capt. Towson, and Lieut. Roach, of the 2d regiment of artillery, Ensign Prestman, of the infantry, Capt. Chapin, Mr. John M'Comb, Messrs. Town, Dain, Overstocks, and Sloan, resident gentlemen of Buffaloe, for their soldier and sailor-like conduct; in a word, sir, every man fought, as with their hearts, animated only by the honor and interest of their country.

The prisoners, I have turned over to the military. The Detroit mounted 6 six pounder long guns, a commanding Lieutenant of marines, a boatswain and gunner, and 56 men-about 30 American prisoners on board, musquets, pistols, cutlasses, and battle axes. In boarding her, I lost one man, one officer wounded, Mr. John, C. Cummings, acting Midshipman, a bayonet through the leg-his conduct was correct, and deserves the notice of the Department. The Caledonia mounted two small guns, blunderbusses, pistols, musquets, cutlasses, and boarding-pikes; 12 men, including officers, and 10 prisoners on board; the boat, boarding her, commanded by sailing-master George Watts, who performed his duty in a masterly style; but one man killed, and four wounded badly. I enclose you a list of the officers and men engaged in the enterprise, and also a view of the lake and river, in the different situations of attack in a day or two, I shall forward the names of the prisoners. The Caledonia belongs to the NorthWest Company, loaded with furs, worth, I understand, 200,000 dollars.

I have the honor, &c.

JESSE D. ELLIOTT.

Hon. P. Hamilton, Sec. Navy.

CAPTURE OF THE JAVA.

Copy of a letter from Commodore William Bainbridge, to the Secretary of the Navy, dated

U. States Frigate Constitution,

St Salvadore, 3d Jan. 1813,

SIR-I have the honor to inform you, that on the 29th ult. at 2, P. M. in S. lat. 13, 6, and W. lon. 38, about 10 leagues distance from the coast of Brazils, I fell in with, and captured his B. M. frigate Java, of 49 guns, and upwards of 400 men, commanded by Captain Lainbert, a very distinguished officer. The action lasted 1 hour and 55 minutes, in which time the enemy was completely dismasted, not having a spar of any kind standing. The loss on board the Constitution, was 9 killed, and 25 wounded, as per enclosed list. The enemy had 60 killed, and 101 wounded, certainly; (among the latter, Capt. Lambert, mortally,) but, by the enclosed letter, written on board this ship, (by one of the officers of the Java,) and accidentally found, it is evident that the enemy's wounded must have been much greater than as above stated, and who must have died of their wounds, previously to their being removed-the letter states, 60 killed, and 170 wounded.

For further details of the action, I beg leave to refer you to the enclosed extracts from my journal. The Java had, in addition to her own crew, upwards of 100 supernumerary officers and seamen, to join the British ships of war, in the East Indies; also Lieut. General Hyslop, appointed to the command of Bombay, Major Walker, and Capt. Wood, of his staff, and Capt. Marshall, master and commander in the British navy, going to the East Indies, to take command of a sloop of war. Should I attempt to do justice, by representation, to the brave and good conduct of all my officers and crew, during the action, I should fail in the attempt; therefore, suffice it to say, that the whole of their conduct was such as to merit my highest encomiums.-I beg leave to recommend the officers, particularly, to the notice of government, as also the unfortunate seamen,

who were wounded, and the families of those brave men who fell in the action. The great distance from our own coast, and the perfect wreck we made of the enemy's frigate, forbade every idea of attempting to take her to the U. States; I had, therefore, no alternative but burning her, which I did, on the 31st ult. after receiving all the prisoners and their baggage, which was very tedious work, only having 1 boat left, out of 8, and not one left on board the Java.

On blowing up the frigate Java, I proceeded to this place, where I have landed all the prisoners on their parole, to return to England, and there remain until regularly exchanged; and not to serve in their professional capacities, in any place, or in any manner whatever, against the U. S. of America, until regularly exchanged. I have the honor, &c.

Hon. Sec. Navy.

WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE.

LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED,

On board the U. States Frigate Constitution, under the command of Com. Wm. Bainbridge, in an action with his B. M. Frigate Java, Henry Lambert, Esq. commander, Dec. 29, 1812.

Killed, 9-Wounded, Com. Bainbridge, Lieut, Aylwin, Master's Mate, Waldo, and Qr. Master Woodbury, 4-Wounded, Seamen and Marines, 21-total 34. A. A. EVANS, Surgeon. R. C. LUDLOW, Purser.

W. Bainbridge.

The following is a list of his B. M. military and naval officers, parolled at St. Salvadore, by Com. Bainbridge, viz.

One Lieut. General, 1 Major, 1 Captain, (military officers,) 1 Post-Captain, 1 Master and Commander, 5 Lieutenants, 3 Lieuts. of Marines, 1 Surgeon, 2 Asst. Surgeons, 1 Purser, 15 Midshipmen, 1 Gunner, 1 Boatswain, 1 Master, 1 Carpenter, 2 Capts. Clerks-making 28 officers, and 323 petty officers, seamen, and marines; add 161, the killed and wounded, and it will appear that 512 men were on board the Java.

At 2, 10, P. M. commenced the action, within good grape and canister distance, the enemy to windward, (but much further than I wished.)-at 2, 30, our wheel was shot entirely away-2, 40, determined to close with the enemy, notwithstanding his raking; set the fore and main sail, and luffed up close to him.—2, 50, the enemy's jib-boom got foul of our mizen rigging3, the enemy's bowsprit-head, and jib-boom, shot away by us-3, 5, shot away the enemy's foremast, by the board-3, 15, shot away the main top-mast, just above the cap-3, 40, shot away gaff, and spanker boom3, 55, shot away his mizen mast, just by the board4, 5, having silenced the fire of the enemy completely, and his colors and main rigging being down, supposed he had struck; then hauled aboard the courses, to shoot ahead, to repair our rigging, which was extremely cut, leaving the enemy a complete wreck; soon after, discovered the enemy's flag was still flying-hove too, to repair some of our damage-4, 20, the enemy's main mast went by the board-4, 50, wore ship, and stood for the enemy-5, 25, got very close to the enemy, in a very effectual raking position, athwart his bows, and was at the very instant of raking him, when he most prudently struck his flag; for, had he suffered the broadside to have raked him, his additional loss must have been extremely great.

W. BAINBRIDGE.

WINCHESTER'S AFFAIR.

Copy of a letter from Brig. Gen. Winchester, (now a prisoner of War,) to the Secretary of War.

Malden, January 23d 1813.

SIR-A detachment from the left wing of the N. W. Army, under my command, at Frenchtown, on the River Raisin, was attacked on the 22d inst. by a force, greatly superior in number, aided by several pieces of artillery. The action commenced at the dawn of day;

K