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 to the Emperor of Russia, and which I doubt not will prove a valuable acquisition to our own dock-yards. The boats of the ships, under that active and valuable officer. Lieutenant Joseph Hawkey, have looked into every creek along the south coast of the gulf, without finding any vessels whatever, and he is now on the opposite, with the same view. * * * * * *

“Since writing the above. Lieutenant Hawkey has returned with 3 vessels, captured by the boats of the Implacable, Melpomene, and Prometheus, under his command; he reports 8 sail of gun-boats protecting some ships in shore, and is very desirous of attacking them, which shall be done, if there is a reasonable hope of success.

“July 8, 1809.

“The position taken by the Russian flotilla, under Percola Point, seemed so much like a defiance, that I considered something; was necessary to be done, in order to impress these people with that sense of respect and fear which his Majesty’s other enemies arc accustomed to shew to the British flag; I therefore determined to gratify the anxious wish of Lieutenant Hawkey, to lead the boats of the Implacable, Bellerophon, Melpomene, and Prometheus, which were assembled by 9 o’clock last night. They proceeded with an irresistible zeal and intrepidity towards the enemy, who had the advantage of local knowledge, to take a position of extraordinary strength within two rocks, serving as a cover to their wings, and from whence they could pour a destructive fire of grape upon our boats, which, notwithstanding, advanced with perfect coolness, and never fired a gun till actually touching the enemy, when they boarded sword in hand, and carried all before them.

“I believe a more brilliant achievement does not grace the records of our naval history; each officer was impatient to be the leader in the attack, and each man zealous to emulate their noble example; the most complete success has been the consequence of such determined bravery; of 8 gun-boats, each mounting a 32 and a 24-pounder, with 46 men, six have been brought out, and one sunk; and the whole of the ships and vessels, 12 in number, under their protection, laden with powder and provisions for the Russian army, also brought out, and a large armed ship taken and burnt. I have deeply to lament the loss of many men killed and wounded, and especially that most valuable officer Lieutenant Hawkey, who, after taking one gun-boat, was killed by a grape-shot, in the act of boarding the second. No praise from my pen can do adequate justice to this lamented young man; as an officer, he was active, correct, and zealous, to the highest degree; the leader in every kind of enterprise, and regardless of danger; he delighted in whatever could tend to promote the glory of his country: his last words were, ‘huzza! push on! England for ever!’

“Mr. Hawkey had been away in the boats on different services, since last Monday, accompanied by Lieutenant Vernon, whose conduct in this affair has been highly exemplary, and shewn him worthy to be the companion of so heroic a man; but while I am induced to mention the name of Mr. Vernon, from his constant services with Mr. Hawkey, I feel that every 