vent the men losing the slightest article, and the greatest attention being paid to the wounded."

The Constitution arrived in Boston harbour the 30th day of August. When captain Hull landed, he was received with every demonstration of affection and respect. The Washington Artillery, posted

on the wharf, welcomed him with a federal salute, which was returned from the Constitution. An immense assemblage of citizens made the air ring with loud and unanimous huzzas, which were repeated on his passage up State Street to the Exchange Coffee House. The street was beautifully decorated with American flags.

A splendid entertainment was given to captain Hull and his officers by the citizens of Boston, at which commodore Rodgers and the officers of his squadron were invited. The citizens of Philadelphia subscribed for two elegant pieces of plate-one to be presented to captain Hull, and the other to Mr. Charles Morris, his first lieutenant. The legislature of New York, the council of the cities of Albany and Savannah, the Congress of the United States, the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, and other public bodies, voted their thanks to captain Hull, his officers and crew. The order of Cincinna ti admitted him as an honourary member. Congress voted fifty thousand dollars as an indemnification to the captain, officers, and crew, for the loss sustained by the destruction of the Guerriere.

CAPT PORTER.-FIRST CRUISE OF THE ESSEX.

THE Essex, commanded by captain David Porter, sailed from New York the third of July, 1812, and shortly after fell in with a fleet of transports, under convoy of a frigate and two bomb-ketches, from Jamaica for Halifax, with troops. The Essex kept at a distance until night, when she cut off a brig with one hundred and fifty soldiers on board, which was ransomed for a bill of exchange on London for fourteen thousand dollars. The men were disarmed, and an exchange receipt taken for them, and they severally took an oath not to serve until exchanged.

The following day captain Porter captured the brig Lamprey from Jamaica, by which he received intelligence that the Thetis frigate, with specie and a large convoy was about sailing for England. Every exertion was made to get off St. Augustine in time to fall in with them, but without effect, as fresh gales prevailed from the southwest, which increased till the 19th of July, when, by the violence of the tempest, they were compelled to run before the wind.

On the thirteenth of August, the British sloop of war Alert, of twenty guns, ran down on the weather quarter of the Essex. Her crew gave three cheers, and immediately commenced an engagement. But so spirited and well directed a fire was kept up from the Essex, that in eight minutes after the commencement of the action, she forced the Alert to strike

her colours. She had seven feet water in her hold. She was much cut to pieces, and had three men wounded. The Essex did not receive the slightest injury.

Captain Porter, being much embarrassed by the number of his prisoners, amounting to about five hundred, concluded an arrangement with the captain of the Alert for sending them to a British port, in the Alert, as a cartel.

The Alert, on her return to the United States, was fitted out as a government vessel.

On the 30th of August, the Essex being in latitude 36 N. longitude 62 w. a British frigate was discovered standing towards her, under a press of sail. Captain Porter stood for her under easy sail, with his ship prepared for action; and apprehensive that she might not find the Essex during the night, he hoisted a light. At nine the British vessel made a signal. It consisted of two flashes and a blue light. She was then apparently about four miles distant. Captain Porter stood for the point where she was seen, until midnight, when perceiving nothing of her he concluded it would be best to heave-to for her, until morning, concluding she had done the same. But to his great surprise, and the mortification of his officers and crew, she was no longer in sight. Captain Porter, believed it to be not unlikely, that this vessel, was the Acasta, of fifty guns, sent out, accompanied by the Ring Dove, of twenty-two, to cruise for the Essex.

On the 4th of September, the Essex being off the tail of St. George's Bank, two ships of war were discovered to the southward, and a brig to the northward. The brig was in chase of an American merchant ship. Captain Porter immediately chased the brig, which attempted to pass, and join the rest of the squadron. This he prevented, and compelled her to stand to the northward. He continued in chase of her, until abreast of the American ship, when the wind becoming light, she escaped by means of her sweeps. Or shewing American colours, several signal guns were fired by the ships to the southward. All sail was made by them in chase. At four P. M. they had gained the wake of the Essex, and were coming up with her very fast. Calculating on making his escape by some manœuvre during the night, he fired a gun to windward. The two ships still continued to gain on the Essex. The largest was considerably to windward of the other, and about five miles astern of the Essex. Captain Porter determined to heave about as soon as it grew dark, and, in case he should not be able to pass her, he determined to fire a broadside into her, and lay her on board. The crew, as soon as the plan was proposed to them, gave three cheers, and were in high spirits. Twenty minutes after seven, the Essex hove about, and stood s. E. by s. until thirty minutes after eight, when she bore away s. w. without seeing any thing more of them. This was the more surprising, as a pistol was fired on board the Essex when nearest to them.