the operations of his Majesty's fleet under my command; and I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, for the information of the lords commissioners of the Admiralty, that the four ships of the enemy named in the margin have been destroyed at their anchorage, and several others, from getting on shore, if not rendered unserviceable, are at least disabled for a considerable time. The arrangement of the fire vessels placed under the direction of Captain the Right Hon. Lord Cochrane was made as fully as the state of the weather would admit according to his lordship's plan, on the evening of the 11th inst; and at eight o'clock on the same night they proceeded to the attack under a favourable strong wind from the northward, and flood tide, (preceded by some vessels filled with powder and shells, as proposed by his lordship, with a view of explosion,) and led on in the most undaunted and determined manner by Captain Wooldridge, in the Mediator fire-ship, the others following in succession, but owing to the darkness of the night several mistook their course and failed. On their approach to the enemy's ships, it was discovered that a boom was placed in front of their line for a defence. This however the weight of the Mediator soon broke, and the usual intrepidity and bravery of British seamen overcame all difficulties. Advancing under a heavy fire from the forts in the Isle of Aix, as well as from the enemy's ships, most of which cut or slipt their cables, and from the confined anchorage got on shore, and thus avoided taking fire. At daylight the following morning, Lord Cochrane communicated to me by telegraph, that seven of the enemy's ships were on shore, and might be destroyed. Iimmediately made the signal for the fleet to unmoor and weigh, intending to proceed with it to effect their destruction. The wind however being fresh from the northward, and the flood tide run ning, rendered it too hazardous to run into Aix roads, (from its shallow water), I therefore anchored again at the distance of about three miles from the forts on the Island. As the tide suited, the enemy evinced great activity in endeavouring to warp their ships (which had grounded) into deep water, and succeeded in getting all but five of the line towards the entrance of the Charente before it became practicable to attack them. I gave orders to Captain Bligh, of the Valiant, to proceed with that ship, the Revenge, frigates, bombs, and small vessels, named in the margint, to anchor near the Boyart Shoal, in readiness for the attack. At twenty Ville de Varsovie, of 80 Guns; Tonnérre, of 74 Guns; Aquilon, of 74 Guns; and Calcutta, of 56 Guns. + Indefatigable, Aigle, Emerald, Pallas, Beagle, Ætna Bomb, Insolent gun-brig, Conflict, Encounter, Fervent and Growler. minutes past two P.M. Lord Cochrane advanced in the Imperieuse with his accustomed gallantry and spirit, and opened a well-directed fire upon the Calcutta, which struck her colours to the Imperieuse; the ships and vessels above mentioned soon after joined in the attack upon Ville de Varsovie and Aquilon, and obliged them, before five o'clock, after sustaining a heavy cannonade, to strike their colours, when they were taken possession of by the boats of the advanced squadron. As soon as the prisoners were removed, they were set on fire, as was also the Tonnérre, a short time after by the enemy. I afterwards detached Rear-Admiral the honourable Robert Stopford in the Cæsar with the Theseus, three additional fire ships (which were hastily prepared in the course of the day), and all the boats of the fleet, with Mr. Congreve's rockets, to conduct the further operations of the night against any of the ships which lay exposed to an attack. On the morning of the 13th, the Rear-Admiral reported to me, that as the Cæsar and other line of battle ships had grounded and were in a dangerous situation, he thought it advisable to order them all out, particularly as the remaining part of the service could be performed by frigates and small vessels only; and I was happy to find that they were extricated from their perilous situation. Captain Bligh has since informed me, that it was found impracticable to destroy the three decked ship, and the others which were lying near the entrance of the Charente, as the former, being the outer one, was protected by three lines of boats placed in advance from her. This ship and all the others, except four of the line and a frigate, have now moved up the river Charente. If any further attempt to destroy them is practicable, I shall not fail to use every means in my power to accomplish it. I have great satisfaction in stating to their lordships how much I feel obliged to the zealous co-operation of Rear-Admiral Stopford, under whose arrangement the boats of the fleet were placed; and I must also express to their lordships the high sense I have of the assistance I received from the abilities and unremitted attention of Sir Harry Neale, bart. the captain of the fleet, as well as of the animated exertions of the captains, officers, seamen, and marines under my command, and their forwardness to volunteer upon any service that might be allotted to them; particularly the zeal and activity shewn by the captains of line-of battle ships in preparing the fire vessels. I cannot speak in sufficient terms of admiration and applause, of the vigorous and gallant attack made by Lord Cochrane, upon the French line of battle ships which were on shore, as well as of his judicious manner of approaching them, and placing his ship in the position position most advantageous to annoy the enemy, and preserve his own ship; which could not be exceeded by any feat of valour hitherto achieved by the British navy. It is due to Rear-Admiral Stopford, and Sir Harry Neale, that I should here take the opportunfty of acquanting their lordships of the handsome and earnest manner in which both these meritorious officers had volunteered their services before the arrival of Lord Cochrane to undertake an attack upon the enemy with fire ships; and that, had not their lordships fixed upon him to conduct the enterprise, I have full confidence that the result of their efforts would have been highly creditable to them. I should feel that I did not do justice to the services of Captain Godfrey of the Ætna, in bombarding the enemy's ships on the 12th, and nearly all the day of the 18th, if I did not recommend him to their lordships notice; and I cannot admit bearing due testimony to the anxious desire expressed by Mr. Congreve to be employed wherever I might conceive his services in the management of his rockets would be useful; some of them were placed in the fire shins with effect; and I have every reason to be satisfied with the artillerymen and others who had the management of them, under Mr. Congreve's direction. I sen herewith a return of the killed, wounded, and missing of the fleet, which I am happy to observe, is comparatively small. I have not yet received the returns of the number of prisoners taken, but I conceive they amount to between 4 and 500. I have charged Sir Harry Neale with this dispatch (by the Imperieuse) and I beg leave to refer their lordships to him, as also to Lord Cochrane, for any further particulars of which they may wish to be informed. I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed) GAMBIER 15th April. P.S. This morning three of the enemy's line of battle ships are observed to be still on shore under Fouras, and one of them is in a dangerous situation. One of their frigates (L'Indienne), also on shore, has fallen over, and they are now dismantling her. As the tides will take off in a day or two, there is every probability that she will be destroyed. Since writing the foregoing, I have learnt that the Hon. Lieut-Colonel Cochrane (Lord Cochrane's brother) and Lieut. Bissett of the navy, were volunteers in the Imperieuse, and rendered themselves extremely useful, the former by commanding some of her guns on the main deck, and the latter conducting one of the explosion-vessels. Names of the Ships in Aix Roads, previous to the attack on the 11th April, 1809, L'Ocean, 120 guns, Vice Admiral Allemande, Capt. Roland.-Repaired in 1806, on shore under Fouras. Foudroyant, 80 guns, Rear-Admiral Gourdon, Capt. Henri. Five years old; on shore under Fouras. Cassard, 74 guns, Capt. Faure, Commodore. -Three years old; on shore under Fouras. Tourville, 74 guns, Capt. La Caille.-Old; on shore in the river. Regulus, 74 guns, Capt. Lucus.-Five years old; on shore under Madame. Patriote, 74 guns, Capt. Mahèe.-Repaired in 1803. Jemappe, 74 guns, Capt. Fauva.-On shore under Madame. Tonnerre, 74 guns, Capt. Clement de la Ronciere-Nine months old, never at sea. Aquilon, 74 guns, Capt, Maingron.-Old. Ville de Varsovie, 80 guns, Capt. Cuvillier. -New, never at sea. Calcutta, 56 guns, Capt. La Tonie.-Loaded Indienne, Capt. Proteap.-On shore near Isle N.B. One of the three last frigates on Return of Officers, Seamen, and Marines, killed, Names of Officers wounded.-Wm. Edward GAMBIER Return received since the above was written.-1 officer, 1 man, wounded,, This gazette of the 15th of April, contains a letter from Captain Yeo, of the Confiance, dated Cayenne Harbour, Jan. 15th. It announces the capture of that important colony by a descent of British and Portuguese troops on the 4th of that month. Little resist ance was made by the enemy; and there is nothing in the above letter, which would authorise us to give it in detail. Captain Yeo pays the highest compliments to all the officers and men under his command. The place was taken possession of in the name of the the Prince Regent. We are sorry to add A letter from Captain M. Seymour, of the Amethyst, announces also the capture of Le Niemen, a fine new French frigate, of 44 guns, and 319 men, two days from Verdun roads, with six months provisions and naval stores on board, and bound to the Isle of France, commanded by M. Dupotet, Captaine de Frigate, a distinguished officer, who defended his ship with great ability and resolution. The action lasted from one till half past three A.M. on the 6th instant; when the Arethusa appearing in sight, the enemy struck She fell on board us (says Capt. S) once in the contest; she had 47 killed and 73 wounded. The main and mizen-masts of the Amethyst fell at the close of the action, and she had eight killed and 39 wounded. The Gazette of the 22nd of April contains a letter from Captain G. Scott, of the Horatio, to Sir J. B. Warren, dated Feb. 19, announcing the capture of le Junon French frigate, on the 10th, in lat. 12. 50 lon, 53. 30. W. "The enemy's frigate (says Captain S.) on making us out, bore right up before the wind for a short time, but very soon hauled up again. At three quarters past twelve, we met upon different tacks and came to close action, the Horatio wearing under the enemy's stern to get upon the same tack with her. In the early part of the action the country lost the services of the first Lieutenant Manley Hull Dixon, being badly wounded, and not long after, I am sorry to say, that I recived a severe wound in the shoulder by a grape shot, which obliged me to quit the deck; however, the service did not suffer by that event, as the succeeding Lieutenant, the Hon. George Douglas, fought the ship through the action in the most gallant manner, which continued about one hour and thirty-five minutes. The enemy having from the beginning pointed their guns high, we were by this time a complete wreck in our masts, sails, and rigging. Notwithstanding the situation the enemy was then reduced to, she tried to effect her escape, which I knew was impossible, from the state of her rigging, and more particularly as at that time the Superieur (the brig I before mentioned) hailed us, and gave us information that the strange sail just seen to leeward was the Latona. On the Latona's coming within gun-shot of the enemy, and giving her a few guns, which she returned, and slightly wounded a few of the Latona's men, she im mediately brought to on the starboard tack, and every mast went by the board. She proved to be the French frigate La Junon, of forty-four guns, and three hundred and twenty-three men, commanded by Mons. Augustin Rousseau, a member of the Legion of Honour; France. out from the Saints only four days, bound to tained by his Majesty's ship under my com"I now detail the loss and damages susmand. hull, from the reason already given, of the "The Horatio has suffered but little in her enemy's aiming particularly at our masts and rigging, which they effected, having nothing else standing but our lower masts, much wounded, and completely dismantled, all to our foresail, and the rags of our mainsail. rines lost on this occasion to their country and "The number of officers, seamen, and ma❤ their friends, are by no means considerable, when compared with the dreadful loss of the enemy, which I shall hereafter relate. The loss on board the Horatio consists of Mr. George Gutter, midshipman, and six.seamen, killed; Mr. Andrew Lock, boatswain, and twelve seamen, badly wounded; Lieut. Richard Blakeney, of the royal marines, Mr. Rotwo marines, slightly wounded. bert King, master's mate, six seamen, and the enemy, as I have before stated, was all The loss of her lower masts; her hull most wonderfully cut up, making, in consequence, a great deal of water, until the shot holes were stopped. "The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded amounted to one hundred and thirty. The captain expired soon after the action from the wounds he received." In the House of Lords, on the 21st of April, Earl GREY, in a most eloquent and argumentative speech of four hours, took ty's ministers, which he arraigned in the a retrospect of the conduct of his Majesving. severest terms, and concluded with mo his Majesty, expressing to his Majesty an opi- o'clock in the morning the house di- Contents..92 Not Contents..145 Majority against the motion 53 day, April 17th, Lord FOLKESTONE rose tice of, "That a cominittee be appointed, in order to its taking into consideration certain abuses now existing in the expenditure of the public money."-The Noble Lord observed, that it had for years been well known, that great abuses of that description prevailed in the expenditure of the revenue. He had little doubt if such a committee should be appointed, that it would soon bring to light various and gross abuses. He disclaimed any object of attack on ministers; stating, that he felt impelled to the motion by a sense of duty, and a knowledge that such abuses as he had alluded to, had too long been endured. He did not expect any resistance from ministers, who were concerned, more than he was, in rooting out these abuses. Mr. PERCEVAL said, that it appeared to him that the Noble Lord's motion was not only superfluous, but unnecessary. The Right Honourable Gentleman said, he had a few days since introduced a bill for preventing the sale and brokerage of places, which would meet the Noble Lord's object, and render his notion unnessary, Lord FOLKESTONE explained; remark ing, that the bill alluded to by the Right Honourable Gentleman had been one among other inducements he had, to submit the present motion. On the Right Honourable Gentleman's bill, he contended no proceeding could be adopted, at least none such as his (Lord F.'s) motion went to institute; therefore he considered the Right Honourable Gentleman's argument as of no avail; as, unless such a committee was appointed, it was very unlikely that any of these abuses could be done away, or even corrected. Lord H. PETTY opposed the motion, upon the same grounds as Mr. Perceval. Mr. WHITBREAD supported the motion, on the ground that the Chancellor of the Exchequer did not deny the existence of abuses in the expenditure of the public money. From information he Mr. W. had received, he knew that many and various abuses had existed for numbers of years, in the expenditure. of the public money; but so far from these abuses having been finished and swept away, he regretted to state, that they still existed in all their pristine vigour. This was a serious fact, which the Right Honourable Gentleman could not deny, nor could any steps he (Mr. Perceval) felt inclined to take, prove available; unless that Right Honourable Gentleman was really sincere. He hoped the gentleman was really sincere, and wished the motion success. Mr. TIERNEY opposed the motion. He said he hopedthe Noble Lord would withdraw it and bring it in some other shapc, for otherwise he could not agree without some strong grounds to criminate all departments of the state. He believed the majority of the house had no disposition to shrink from enquiry, but still that inquiry must be instituted in a manner the most proper and just to satisfy the public. His own character must speak for itself, but he must say that no cry whatever should induce him to agree with such a motion. Messrs. BRAND, PONSONBY, WYNNE, and P. MOORE, objected to the motion, as did Mr. CANNING in a long speech. He concluded by saying, the Noble Lord, by pursuing the course which he now adopted, might probably succeed in driving from the career of public service, every honourable man, whose landable ambition might lead him to fill a public situation. He might succeed in making the cast of public men so degraded, that no honest man would belong to it. But should such a period ever arrive, he had no hesitation in saying that it would be a period of degradation and rain to the country. He would not, then, let loose this wide-wasting power, that must spring out of the Noble Lord's motion; a power that must be as disgraceful to submit to, as it would be afterwards impossible to do unawed by ministerial threats, exhibited serious charges against the late Commander in Chief, which have been clearly substantiated, and which have, in fact, induced his Royal Highness to resign a situation of which he is unworthy, is entitled to the esteem and gratitude of this Court and the country. That the thanks of this Court, and the freedom of this city, in a gold-box, of the value of one hundred guineas, be presented to Gwyllym Lloyd Wardle, esq. in grateful testimony of the high sense they entertain of the zeal, intrepidity, and patriotism, which he so, eminently evinced in that arduous and laudable undertaking. That the thanks of this court be presented to Sir Francis Burdett, bart. (Seconder), Lord Folkestone, Samuel Whitbread, esq. Sir Samuel Romilly, knight, General Ferguson, Harvey Christian Combe, esq. Alderman, and one of the representatives of this city in parliament, and the rest of the 125 independent members, who, upon the important question on the conduct of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, attempted to stem the torrent of corruption. That a considerable number of those who voted in favour of the late Commander in Chief, on the 18th of March last, hold lucrative appointments at the pleasure of the crown: a vote of acquittal under such circumequivocal; but when given, as in the present stances, must at all times appear extremely instance, in direct contradiction to the evitrary to the legitimate expectations of the dence produced, which led to a decision so conpeople, affords ground for apprehending that ting influence of which this court before bas the decision has arisen from that preponderacomplained. loudly for constitutional correction and re- Amount of Bank of England Notes of Five Pounds each, and upwards, including Bank Post Bills, payable seven days after sight:1808. May 1st 1.13,429,610 August ist 1809. February 1st 13,521,380 13,255,460 13.226,860 Amount of Bank of England Notes of 21. and 11. each. 1808. November 1st 4,211,710 1809. February 1st 4,333,200 INCIDENTS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS IN AND NEAR LONDON: AT the beginning of the month of April, a The daughter of the celebrated Addison, by Lady Warwick, who died a few years ago, left 5001. for the purpose of raising a monument to his memory. Lord Bradford, who is one of her executors, allotted the task to Mr. Westmacott, adding 5001. to the bequest. This ingenious artist has made a fine statue of Addison, which is placed in the Poeta' Corner, Westminster Abbey, and which will be opened for public inspection. Lord Somerville's annual cattle shew took for his two six-years old Devon oxen; and as |