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 of the Admiralty may rest assured, that every officer and man on board the Naiad did zealously and steadily fulfil his duty. I have, &c. PHILIP CARTERET, Capt. Naiad, off Boulogne, Sept. 21. SIR,-This morning, at seven, that part of the enemy's flotilla which was anchored to the eastward of Boulogne, consisting of seven praams and 15 smaller vessels, chiefly brigs, weighed and stood out on the lasboard 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 the 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 further from the protection of his formidable batteries. To make known the senior offi. cer's intention, no other signals were deemed necessary, but "to prepare to attack the enemy's van," then standing out, led by RearAdmiral 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 his Majesty's cruisers 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 first, and thereby acquired fresh way, and was now under much sail, pushing with great celerity for the batteries, it became impossible to reach him without too greatly hazarding his Majesty's ship. Haying, 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 Capts. 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 along-side; the small arms men soon cleared her decks, and the boarders, sword in hand, completed her subjugation. Nevertheless, in justice to our braye enemy, it must be observed, that his resistance was most obstinate and and gallant; nor did it cease until fairly overpowered by the overwhelming force we so 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 Coupe, who, as Commodore of a division, was entitled to a broad pendant. Like the other praams she has 12 long guns 24-pounders (French): but she had only 112 men, 60 of whom were soldiers of the 72d regiment of the line. Between 30 and 40 have been killed and wounded. Admiralty Office, Nov. 16. [Transmitted by Captain Beaver.] His Majesty ship Astrea, off Foul Point, Madagascar, May 21, 1811. SIR,-I had the honour of communicating to you, from off Round Island, my determination to quit that station, in order to follow the three enemy's frigates with troops on board, which had appeared off Mauritius on the 7th instant, and also my reasons for supposing they would push for a near point, perhaps Tamatave. I bave now the satisfaction to report to you, that the enemy were discovered on the morning of the 20th instant, far to windward, and well in with the land, near Foul Point, Madagascar. The signal to chase was promptly obeyed by his Majesty's ships Phoebe, Galatea, and Racehorse sloop. The weather was most vexatiously variable during the whole of the day, which, combined with the efforts of the enemy to keep ta windward, rendered it impossible to close them until nearly four o'clock, when (the Astrea being about a mile a head, and to windward) they wore together, kept away, and evinced a disposition to bring us to action. The enemy then commenced firing, I regret to say, at a long range, which soon so effectually produced a calm to leeward, as to render our squadron unmanageable for three hours. No exertion was omitted to bring his Majesty's ships into close action, during this very critical and trying period; but all was ineffectual. The enemy's rear frigate neared the Astrea a little, who lay on the water almost immoveable, only I have, &c. occasionally bringing guns to bear; P. CARTERET, Capt. while his van and centre ship, pre Meanwhile the three brigs completed the defeat 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 erews, 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 merits of, and zealous support I received from, Mr. Greenlaw, the First Lieut. of this ship, as well as from all the officers of every description, brave seamen and royal marines, whom I have the pride and pleasure of commanding. I have the honour herewith to enclose reports of our loss, which I rejoice to find so comparatively trivial, and that Lieut. Charles Cobb, of the Castilian, is the only officer that has fallen. serving serving a light air, succeeded in rounding the quarter of the Phoebe and Galatea, raking them with considerable effect for a long time. At this, his favourite distance, the ene. my remained until nearly dark, when a light air enabled the Phoebe to close the near frigate, in a good position to bring her to a decisive action. In half an hour she was beaten. Her night signals drew the other two frigates to her assistance; the Phoebe was in consequence obliged to follow the Galatea, which ship brought up the breeze to me. At this time I was hailed by Captain Losack, who in formed me, that the Galatea had suffered very considerably; and as she was passing under my lee, I had the mortification to see her mizen, and soon after, her foretopmasts fall. Having shot a head, she made the night signal of distress, and being in want of immediate assistance, I closed to ascertain the cause, when I was again hailed by Captain Losack, and informed that the Galatea was so totally disabled as to prevent her head being put towards the enemy to renew the action, as I before had directed. My determination was immediately communicated to Captain Hillyar to recommence action, when the Phoebe was in a state to support me. She was promptly reported ready, although much disabled. The Astrea then wore, and led towards the enemy, followed by the Racehorse and Phabe; the conduct of which ship, as a British man of war, did honour to all on board. The enemy was soon discovered a little a-head, and his leading ship, the Commodore, was brought to close action by the Astroa. In twenty-five minutes she struck, and made the signal to The and and was destined to reinforce Mauritius, having arms and various other warlike stores on board. I beg to apologise for so lengthened a detail; but few actions have been fought under such a variety of peculiarly trying and vexatious difficulties. I am, however, called upon by my feelings and a sense of my duty, to bear testimony to the meritorious conduct of the officers and ships' companies of his Majesty's ships Phoebe and Astrea. To the discipline of the former 1 attribute much; but as Captain Hillyar's merit as an officer is so generally, and, by you, so particularly appreciated, it is needless for me to comment on it, further than to observe, that the separation of 'the Galatea was amply compensated by the exertion manifested in the conduct of the ship he had 'the honour to command. To the officers, seamen, and marines, of the Astrea, I am for ever indebted; their cool and steady conduct when in close action with the enemy, and on fire in several places from his wadding, merits my admiration (particularly having been so recently formed.) A difference in the personal exertion of each officer was not distinguishable; bot I cannot allow the efforts and judgment of Lieut.John Baldwin, first of this ship, to pass without particular encomium; I received the greatest assistance from him, and also from "Mr. Nellson, the master. The moment the Phoebe and Astrea are in a state to get to windward, the prisoners exchanged, and la Renommée rendered sea-worthy, I shall proceed off Tamatave for farther information, as I have reason to think it in possession of the enemy. I have the honour to transmit returns of the killed and wounded on board his Majesty's ships. The loss on board La Rennommée is excessive-145 killed and wounded. Galatea having parted company, no return.-I have the honour to be, &c. H (Signed) C. M. SCHOMBERG, Captain. Capt. Beaver, his Majesty's ship Nisus, senior officer, at the Isle of France. List of killed and wounded on board his Majesty's ship Astrea, in action with the enemy on the 20th of May, off Madagascar. 2 Seamen killed; 1 lieutenant, 11 searaen, 3 marines, 1 boy, wounded.--Total killed and wounded-18. (Signed) C. M. SCHOMBERG, List of the killed and wounded on board his Majesty's ship Phoebe in action with the enemy, on the 20th of May, off Mada gascar. 7 Seamen killed; 1 midshipman, 21 seamen, 2 marines, wounded.— Total killed and wounded-31. (Signed) JAMES HILLYAR, Captain. List of killed and wounded on board his Majesty's ship Galatea, Woodley Losack, Esq. Captain, in action with the French squadron off the Isle of Madagascar, on the 20th of May. 16 Killed, 45 wounded-Total killed and wounded, 61. (Signed) WOODLEY LOSACK, Captain. N. B. Transmitted by Captain Beaver, of the Nisus. His His Majesty's ship Astrea, at anchor, Tamatave, Madagascar, May 28. SIR,-In my letter of the 20th instant, detailing the action be tween his Majesty's ships under my orders and those of the enemy, I had the honour to inform you, that it was my intention to reconnoitre this port, as I had received information that the enemy had landed and surprised the garrison, on his first arrival on the coast. The state of his Majesty's ships Astrea and Phoebe did not admit of their beating up quickly against the currents and very variable winds; the Racehorse sloop was therefore dispatched in advance, to summon the garrison of Tamatave to immediately surrender. On the evening of the 24th instant, Capt. De Rippe rejoined me, reporting his having seen a large frigate anchored in that port; a strong gale prevented his Majesty's ships from getting in sight of her until the afternoon of the 25th instant, when every thing being ready to force the anchorage, I stood in, and observed an enemy's frigate, placed in a most judicious position within the reefs of the port, for the purpose of enfilading the narrow passage between them, supported by a strong fort in her van, within half musket shot, full of troops; there were also new works in forwardness, to flank the anchorage. Not having any body of local knowledge in either of his Majesty's ships, and it being almost impracticable to sound the passage between the reefs, which was intricate, and completely exposed to the whole concentrated fire of the enemy within grape distance, I judged it expedient, under existing circumstances (both ships being full of prisoners, and having a proportion of men absent in La Renommée,besides sick and wounded), to defer, until necessary, risking his Majesty's ships. I therefore summoned the garrison and frigate to immediately surrender; when, after the usual intercourse of flag of truce, I have the honour to inform you, that the fort of Tamatave, its dependencies, the frigate, and vessels in the port, together with the late garrison (a detachment of the forty-second regiment) were surrendered to, and taken possession of by, his Majesty's ships under my orders. I was induced to grant the terms (a copy of which, together with the summons, and answer thereto, I have the honour to enclose), in order to prevent the destruction of the fort of Tamatave, the frigate, and vessels-a measure they intended to adopt. The enemy's frigate proves to be la Nereide (one of the finest, only two years old) of 44 guns, and 470 men (200 of whom are choice troops), commanded by Capitaine le Maresquier, Member de la Legion d'Honneur, who fell in the action of the 20th inst. in which she suffered very considerably, having 130 men killed and wounded. She was much engaged by the Phœbe. The crew of La Nereide, together with the French garrison of Tamatave, I intend sending to the Mauritius as soon as possible, fifty excepted, who are too severely wounded to survive removal. The whole detachment of his Majesty's 22d regiment retaken, being ill of the endemic fever of this country, I mean to embark on board the Nereide, so soon as she is in a state to receive them; when, after hav |