met by the most respectable inhabitants in a body, and then having disolved the French municipal authorities, I directed the ancient magistrates of the city to resume their functions. This morning (Dec. 8), in compliance with my directions, the magistrates of the town of Browershaven reported their having driven the French from thence, and they received similar injunctions with respect to their provisional government. I took possession of a brig of 14 guns, formerly H.M.B. Bustler, which the enemy had attempted to scuttle, also a French gun-boat, and a considerable quantity of powder. In the course of this day 1 have collected 20 prisoners, and more are expected.
“I feel happy in having obtained so important an acquisition as the whole island of Schowen, without bloodshed, thereby facilitating the means of opening a communication with the allied forces in the south of Holland[1].
“Having received information that the French had augmented their forces in the island of Tholen with 400 men, and it being necessary to secure the battery at the point of Steavinesse, in order for the ships to pass up the Keeten, I despatched the boats of the two ships at 10 P.M. (Dec. 9), with the boats’ crews only, when they landed two miles in the rear of the battery; immediately on their approach, the French precipitately fled, and did not enable our brave fellows to oppose them, we therefore made only 3 prisoners. The battery mounted six 24-pounders. Lieutenants Whyte and Champion, of the Horatio and Amphion, with the officers and men under their command, dismantled the battery, spiked the guns, destroyed the carriages, &c. and returned on board at 3-30 A.M.”
Lord George Stuart, whose great promptitude of decision to storm the batteries on the island of Schowen, and very spirited preparation for doing so, if the enemy had not immediately submitted, were highly commended by Admiral Young, was soon after appointed to the Newcastle of 58 guns, built for the express purpose of coping with the American ships of similar force. The particulars of his cruise in quest of the Constitution and her supposed consorts will be found at p. 533, et seq. of this volume. His Lordship was nominated a C.B. in 1815.
Agent.– Thomas Stilwell, Esq.
SIR JAMES LIND,
A Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath.
[Post-Captain of 1804.]
This officer received his first commission in 1778; and served as senior Lieutenant of the Princess Royal a second rate, forming part of Lord Hood’s fleet, during the operations
- ↑ The ordnance taken at Zierick-zee, consisted of 12 iron 36 and 24-pounders, 2 brass 13-inch mortars, and 2 six-pounders.
