having allowed sufficient time for this message to be digested, and their resolution taken thereon, I directed the boats to advance, and I am sorry to say, I soon found the more unwise alternative was adopted; for on our reaching within about a mile of the towns, between two projecting elevated points of the river, a most heavy fire of musketry was opened on us from about 400 men, divided and intrenched on the two opposite banks, aided by one long gun: the launches and rocket-boat smartly returned this fire, with good effect; and, with the other boats and the marines, I pushed ashore immediately above the enemy’s position, thereby ensuring the capture of his towns, or the bringing him to a decided action. He determined, however, not to risk the latter, for the moment he discerned we had gained the shore, and that the marines had fixed their bayonets, he fled with his whole force to the woods, and was neither seen nor heard of afterwards, though several parties were sent out to ascertain whether he had taken up any new position, or what had become of him. I gave him, however, the mortification of seeing, from wherever he had hid himself, that I was keeping my word, with respect to the towns, which, excepting the houses of those who had continued peaceably in them, and had taken no part in the attack made on us, were forthwith destroyed, as were four vessels lying in the river, and some stores of sugar, lumber, leather, and other merchandize; I then directed the re-embarkation of our small force, and we proceeded down the river again, to a town I had observed, situated in a branch of it, about half-way up; and here I had the satisfaction to find, that what had passed at Havre, Georgetown, and Frederickstown, had its effect, and led these people to understand, that they had more to hope for from our generosity, than from erecting batteries, and opposing us by means within their power; the inhabitants of this place having met me at landing, to say that they had not permitted either guns or militia to be stationed there, and that whilst there I should not meet with any opposition whatever. I therefore landed with the officers and a small guard only; and having ascertained that there was no public property of any kind, or warlike stores, and having allowed of such articles as we stood in need of being embarked in the boats, on payment to the owners of their full value, I again re-embarked, leaving the people of this place well pleased with the wisdom of their determination on their mode of receiving us; I also had a deputation from Charlestown, in the N.E. river, to assure me that that place is considered by them at your mercy, and that neither guns nor militia-men shall be suflered there; and as lI am assured that all the places in the upper part of the Chesapeake have adopted similar resolutions, and as there is now neither public property, vessels, nor warlike stores remaining in this neighbourhood, I propose returning to you with the light squadron to-morrow morning.
“I am sorry to say, the hot fire we were under this morning cost us 5 men wounded, one only, however, severely; and I have much satisfaction in being able to bear testimony to you, of the zeal, gallantry, and good conduct of the different officers and men serving in this division. To