bearing my flag, leading, and approaching fast, so as to discover before eight that the enemy were in a compact line, under all sail, going before the wind for Cape Nisao, to windward of Ocoa Bay; and as they consisted of only five sail of the line, two frigates, and a corvette (which hereafter will be named), I concluded, from the information I was in possession of, that they were endeavouring to form a junction with their remaining force; and in consequence shaped my course to render abortive such intention, which was completely effected by a little after nine, so as to make an action. certain. I therefore telegraphed the squadron, that the principal object of attack would be the Admiral and his seconds, and at three quarters past nine for the ships to take stations for their mutual support, and engage the enemy as they got up, and a few minutes after to engage as close as possible, when, at a short period after ten, the Superb closed upon the bow of the Alexander, the leading ship, and commenced the action; but after three broadsides she sheered off the signal was now made for closer action, and we were enabled to attack the Admiral in the Imperial (formerly Le Vengeur), the fire of which had been heavy on the Northumberland, bearing the Honourable Rear-Admiral Cochrane's flag. By this time the movement of the Alexander had thrown her among the lee division, which Rear-Admiral Louis happily availed himself of, and the action became general, and continued with great severity till half past eleven; when the French Admiral much shattered, and completely beat, hauled directly for the land, and not being a mile off, at twenty minutes before noon ran on shore; his foremast then only standing, which fell directly on striking: at which time the Superb being only in seven fathom water, was forced to haul off to avoid the same evil; but not long after the Diomede, of eighty-four guns, pushed on shore near his Admiral, when all his masts went: and I think it a duty I owe to character and my country, to add, from the information of Sir E. Berry, after she had struck, and the Agamemnon desisted from firing into her, from the Captain taking off his hat, and making every token of surrender; and

Captain Dunn assures me both ensign and pendant were down: to comment on which I leave to the world. About fifty minutes after eleven the firing ceased; and on the smoke clearing away I found Le Brave, bearing a Commodore's pendant, the Alexander, and Le Jupitre, in our possession.

"When I contemplate on the result of this action, when five sail of the line had surrendered, or were apparently destroyed in less than two hours, I cannot, though bound to pay every tribute to the noble and gallant efforts of the Honourable Rear-Admiral Cochrane, Rear-Admiral Louis, the Captains, Officers, seamen, and marines, under my command, be vain enough to suppose, that without the aiding hand of Providence such result could have been effected, and with a loss so comparatively small; and though I shall ever sympathise with the connections of those that fell, the reflection on the cause will, I hope, afford much consolation.

"To speak individually to the conduct of any one, would be injurious to all, for all were equally animated with the same zealous ardour in support of their King and country. Yet, possessed of these feelings, I cannot be silent without injustice to the firm and manly support for which I was indebted to Captain Keats, and the effect that the system of discipline and good order in which I found the Superb must ever produce; and the pre-eminence of British seamen could never be more highly conspicuous than in this contest.

"After the action, the water being too deep to anchor in the bay of St. Domingue, it was requisite to bring-to with the prizes to repair damages, put the ships in a manageable state, and shift the prisoners, which took me till this afternoon: *when I detached the Honourable Captain Stopford in the Spencer, with the Donnegal and Atlas, which latter had lost her bowsprit, with her prizes to Jamaica; and being anxious with Rear-Admiral Cochrane, that he should return to his command, where his services must be wanted, a jury mainmast is fitting to the Northumberland, under this island, to enable her to get to windward, when I shall order the Agamemnon, which is staying by her, to accompany the Rear

Admiral to his station; and I am now proceeding with the Canopus, Rear Admiral Louis, Acasto, and Magicienne, off St. Domingue, to make certain of the Imperial and Diomede being completely wrecked, after which I shall repair to Jamaica.

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Having recited the transactions of this glorious combat, which will fairly add another sprig of laurel to our naval history, and assist in promoting our country's good,

"I am, Sir, &c.

"J. T. DUCKWORTH."

Finding it absolutely necessary to destroy two, out of five sail of the line, the Admiral, by the aid of the trade wind, fell down to leeward with his prizes, and anchored in his old station at Port Royal. His reception at Jamaica was brilliant in the extreme, and the Assembly, which happened to be then sitting, with its accustomed promptitude voted thanks to this gallant commander for the effectual protection afforded to its commerce and coasts; and at the same time, with its accus tomed munificence, ordered the sum of one thousand guineas to be expended in the purchase of a rich sword, with appropriate emblems.

On the arrival of the important intelligence in England, the tower guns were fired, and an unanimous vote of thanks passed both Houses of Parliament. The corporation of London, also, decreed Sir J. Duckworth the freedom of the city, to which was added a sword of the value of 200 guineas.

Having become a Vice-Admiral of the White, in consequence of a new promotion of flag-officers, he was soon after nominated to the command of the Royal George, of 110 guns. In 1807, he was detached to the Mediterranean, where he had before served, during some time, under Admiral Lord Collingwood. On this occasion, notwithstanding the narrowness of the strait and the vaunted size of the Turkish guns, he passed the Dardanelles without damage; but a variety of

circumstances interposed so as to prevent any thing of consequence being effected,

Having returned to England, in 1810, Sir John was nominated to the Newfoundland station, which he retained during three years. At the end of that period he was appointed to the Plymouth station, and died on the 14th of April, 1817, in the 70th year of his age, leaving behind him the name and reputation of a great, humane, and experienced commander. The last years of his life, were doubtless embittered, by the painful recollection of losing an only son, who had obtained the rank of Colonel in the army, while fighting gallantly under the Duke of Wellington, in Spain. A daughter, some years since, became the wife of Admiral Sir Richard King.

Sir John Duckworth sat in Parliament, for some time, as one of the members for the borough of New Romney, and at the period of his demise, was Commander-in-Chief on the Plymouth station.

LATE MASTER OF THE ROLLS IN IRELAND, AND A MEMBER OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL, &c. &c. &c.

THAT rare and extraordinary talent called ELOQUENCE, has in all ages excited the admiration, and been accompanied by the applause of mankind. In both ancient and modern times, it has produced fame, as well as fortune, to such as have excelled in it; but it is only in free countries, that it is ever cultivated with success.

We are well acquainted with the names of the orators of Greece, of Rome, and of England; but whoever heard of those of Russia, Persia, or Hindostan? And how many ages must elapse, before the banks of the Danube, and the Dwina, the borders of the Arabian gulf, or the shores of the Hellespont shall produce a Cicero, a Demosthenes, or a Chatham?

John Philpot Curran, who is indebted for his rise in life, and all his subsequent celebrity, to eloquence alone, was