privateers and row-boats were lurking in Portuguese creeks and rivers, I determined upon sending a boat to the northward, and at the solicitations of my first lieutenant, Mr. Mulcaster, I despatched him on the 9th instant, in the barge, with his former companion. Lieutenant Menzies, R.M. who, upon every opportunity, has most handsomely volunteered his services, and Mr. Turrell, midshipman, to cruise a few leagues north of this port, with the hope of intercepting some of the piratical cruisers belonging to Guarda.
“On the evening of the 11th, I had the satisfaction to be rejoined by the barge, having a Spanish lugger in company, la Buena Dicha privateer, armed with one 9-pounder, blunderbusses, and musketry, manned with 26 of the Guarda desperadoes, and capable of rowing 20 sweeps.
“The very active and enterprising character of Lieutenant Mulcaster will not, I trust, suffer by my giving you the particulars of the capture of the privateer, which, though insignificant in herself, is one of those, from their peculiar construction, which have done much mischief to British Oporto traders. The lugger having been apprised by a fishing-boat of the barge being near her, was far from avoiding the contest, which, though short, was very severe. The barge advanced under a discharge of grape-shot, from the prow gun, which was soon cleared, when the enemy prepared to defend themselves with the sabre and pistol, which the activity and resolution of the officers, seconded by the boat’s crew, soon rendered unavailing. One Spaniard was killed; the captain and 4 others miserably wounded. The regret I should feel on any other occasion is considerably diminished by a knowledge of the character and description of the people the boat’s crew had to deal with; and I have little doubt but this check, so much desired by the British factory at Oporto, will destroy, in a great measure, that spirit of enterprise vhich has so long marked the inhabitants of Guarda. I have the greatest pleasure in staling Lieutenant Mulcaster’s report of the very active and determined conduct of Lieutenant Menzies, the inferior officers and boat’s crew, after a fatiguing row of near 40 miles; and am sure you will feel equal pleasure in a knowledge that none were killed or wounded.
“To Rear-admiral Harvey.”
We next find Lieutenant Mulcaster serving as first of the Confiance 22, commanded by the late Sir James Lucas Yeo, at the capture of Cayenne, in Jan. 1809. The following account of that conquest is taken from the London gazette:–
"Captain James Lucas Yeo, of H.M.S. Confiance, has transmitted copies of his letters to Sir William Sidney Smith, detailing his proceedings against Cayenne.
“Having, in conjunction with the Portuguese land forces, under the command of Lieutenant-colonel Manuel Marques, taken possession, onErrata:
- ↑ Correction: C. should be amended to G.
