will have made you acquainted with my intention of accompanying the expedition then about to proceed under the command of his Excellency Sir John Sherbrook, K.B, for this place.
“I have now the honor to inform you, that I put to sea on the 26th ult. with the ships and sloop named in the margin[1], and ten sail of transports, having the troops on board, and arrived off the Metinicus Islands on the morning of the 31st, where I was joined by the Bulwark, Tenedos, Rifleman, Peruvian, and Pictou. From Captain Pearce, of the Rifleman, I learned that the United States’ frigate Adams had a few days before got into Penobscot, but not considering herself in safety there, had gone on to Hamdeu, a place twenty-seven miles higher up the river, where her guns had been lauded, and a position was fortifying for her protection.
“Towards evening, the wind being fair and the weather favorable, the fleet made sail up the Penobscot bay, Captain Parker, in the Tenedos, leading. We passed between the Metinicus and Green islands, about midnight, and steering through the channel formed by the Fox islands and Owl’s Head, ran up to the eastward of Long island, and found ourselves at daylight in the morning, in sight of the fort and town of Castine. As we approached, some shew of resistance was made, and a few shot were fired; but the fort was soon after abandoned and blown up. At about eight A.M. the men of war and transports were anchored a little tp the northward of the Peninsula of Castine, and the smaller vessels taking a station nearer in for covering the landing, the troops were put on shore, and took possession of the town and works without opposition.
“The General wishing to occupy a post at Belfast, on the western side of the bay (through which the high road from Boston runs), for the purpose of cutting off all communication with that side of the country, the Bacchante and Rifleman were detached with the troops destined for this service; and quiet possession was taken, and held, of that town, as long as was thought necessary.
“Arrangements were immediately made for attacking the frigate at Hamden; and the General having proffered every military assistance, six hundred picked men, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John, of the 60th regiment, were embarked the same afternoon, on board his Majesty’s sloops Peruvian and Sylph, and a small transport. To this force were added the marines of the Dragon, and as many armed boats from the squadron as was thought necessary for disembarking the troops and covering their landing, and the whole placed under the command of Captain Barrie, of the Dragon; who with the Lieutenant-Colonel made sail up the river at six o’clock that evening.
“I have the honor to enclose Captain Barrie’s account of his proceedings; and taking into consideration the enemy’s force, and the formidable- ↑ Dragon 74, Endymion and Bacchante frigates, and Sylph sloop of war.
