and Captain Wood, of his staff, and
Captain Marshall, master and commander in the British navy, going
to the East Indies to take command of a sloop-of-war there.

Should I attempt to do justice, by representation, to the brave
and good conduct of all my officers and crew, during the action,
I should fail in the attempt; therefore, suffice it to say, that
the whole of their conduct was such as to merit my highest
encomiums. I beg leave to recommend the officers particularly to
the notice of government, as also the unfortunate seamen who were
wounded, and the families of those men who fell in the action.

The great distance from our own coast, and the perfect wreck we
made the enemy's frigate, forbid every idea of attempting to take
her to the United States; and not considering it prudent to trust
her in a port of Brazils, particularly St. Salvador, I had no
alternative but burning her, which I did on the 31st ultimo,
after receiving all the prisoners and their baggage, which was
very tedious work, only having one boat left (out of eight) and
not one left on board the Java.

On blowing up the frigate Java, I proceeded to this place, where
I have landed all the prisoners on their parole, to return to
England and there remain until regularly exchanged, and not serve
in their professional capacities in any place or in any manner
whatever, against the United States of America, until the
exchange shall be effected.

I have the honour to be, &c.,
W. BAINBRIDGE.

_____

_Extract from Captain Bainbridge's Journal, containing minutes of the
action with the British frigate Java._

"_Wednesday, December 30th, 1812_ (nautical time) in latitude 13
degrees, 6 minutes South, and longitude 39 West, ten leagues from
the coast of Brazil, commences with clear weather and moderate
breezes from east north-east, hoisted our ensign and pendant. At
15 minutes past meridian, the ship hoisted her colours, an
English ensign having a signal flying at her main, red, yellow
and red. At 1.26 P.M. being sufficiently from the land, and
finding the ship to be an English frigate, took in the main-sail
and royals, tacked ship and stood for the enemy. At 1.50 P.M. the
enemy bore down with the intention of raking us, whi