we bore up, as if with an intention to speak the frigate; and when within hail, all further disguise being unnecessary, we shifted our colours, and commenced firing, which was instantly returned with a smartness and spirit that evinced they were fully prepared for the contest. The Harrier, who had kept close astern of the Greyhound, on seeing her engaged, bore round up, and passing between the frigate and her second astern, raked them both, the latter with such effect that she bore up to return her fire” (as did also the two-decked ship), “thus leaving the frigate separated from them. Being resolved to avail myself of this advantage, and anxious to be in a position for supporting the Harrier, now engaged in the centre of the enemy’s line, I wore close round the frigate’s bows, raking her severely while passing; and when on the starboard tack, by throwing our sails aback, we fell into the desired position. The cannonade from the Greyhound was now admirable, while that of the frigate visibly slackened, and at last, after an action of forty minutes, wholly ceased. On hailing to know if they had struck, they answered they had; and Lieutenant Home took immediate possession of her. On directing her fire on the ships astern, they all followed her example, except the corvette, who, from being in the rear, had suffered little in the action, and now made off towards the shore. Captain Troubridge immediately wore in pursuit of her, sending, at the same time, a boat to take possession of the large ship, whose fire he had silenced early in the action. Perceiving the corvette sailed remarkably well, and that she could spread more canvass than the Harrier, her masts and rigging being entire, I recalled the latter from a chase which was likely to be fruitless.
“The prizes proved to be the Dutch republican frigate Pallas, of 36 guns, commanded by N. S. Aalbers, a Captain in the Dutch navy” (who was mortally wounded); “the Victoria, of about 800 tons; and the Batavia, of about 500 tons: both the latter are armed for the purpose of war, and richly laden with the produce of the Moluccas. The ship which escaped was the republican corvette William, mounting twenty 24-pounders, and manned with 110 men.
“The support and assistance I have received from Captain Troubridge on every other occasion, through a difficult and perilous navigation, I attribute to the same talents, ability, and zeal, which he so nobly displayed on this one.
“I feel happy in an opportunity for recommending Mr. Purvis Home, first Lieutenant of the Greyhound, a deserving good officer, who proved that innate courage was to be assisted by experience; and I reaped the benefit of that which he had acquired at Copenhagen, by the advice and assistance he gave mc. The fire from the main-deck, and the consequences of it, is the best encomium on Lieutenants Andoe and Whitehead; but I beg leave to add, that their conduct has been as good and exemplary on every other occasion. I have had cause to speak of Mr. Martin in the body of this letter; I can only add, that he is a credit to the profession to which he belongs. The behaviour of the warrant officers and midshipmen was
