were scarcely re-established in India, and no reduction had taken place in our naval force there, as war with the United States still continued, and that station had become the object of additional enterprise on the part of the American Government. He accordingly hoisted a broad pendant in the Leda, and made so judicious a disposition of the force under his orders, that Rear-Admiral Sir George Burlton, on his arrival from England in June 1815, to assume the chief command, sent him from Madras to the Straits of Sunda and China sea, for the purpose of directing the movements of the ships he had already despatched thither to counteract the designs of the enemy.
At Java, July 23, Captain Sayer heard officially the fate of the American frigate President[1], the ratification of peace on the part of the United States[2], and the formal cessation of hostilities by the only American cruiser[3] in those seas, whose commander, in conformity to an article of the treaty, had restored the Hon. Company’s brig Nautilus, captured by him off Anjier Point, on the 30th of the preceding month.
After giving the necessary directions to the ships of war in that neighbourhood, Captain Sayer proceeded towards the China sea; and finding our peaceable relations with America every where completely confirmed, was returning from thence at the first change of the monsoon to re-join Sir George Burlton, when he experienced a Ty-foong, in which the Leda sustained much damage, and was nearly lost. Thus retarded in his progress, Captain Sayer did not enter the Straits of Malacca till the 19th Nov. 1815, when he received intelligence of the Rear-Admiral’s death at Madras, on the 21st Sept., by which event he again found himself authorized to hoist the distinguishing broad pendant, and assume the denomination of a Commodore.
Great Britain being now at peace with all the world,
- ↑ See Captain Henry Hope, C.B.
- ↑ Feb. 17, 1815.
- ↑ The Peacock sloop of war, Captain Warrington, was the only vessel that reached the Eastern seas; the rest having been prevented by the vigilance of our cruisers.
