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body of the army, in the event of the beach being impracticable the ensuing morning.

The surf along the shore of Lospard's Bay having considerably abated the ensuing morning, I determined, with the concurrence of Cominodore Sir Home Popham, to make an effort to get the troops on shore, and accordingly the Highland Brigade, composed of the 71st, 72d, and 93d regiments, effected that object, under the command of Brig. Gen. Ferguson.

The shore had been previously very closely inspected by the Brigadier, and by his spirited exertions and example, our efforts were crowned with success, although a confined and intricate chan. nel to the shore, which had been accurately pointed out with beacons laid down by the boats of his Majesty's ship Diadem, and a tremendous surf, opposed the passage of the troops.

The enemy had scattered a party of sharpshooters over the contiguous heights, and commanded the landing, but the casualties of this service arose principally from natural difficulties, and it is with the deepest concern I have to inform your Lordship, that we lost thirty-five rank and file of the 93d regiment, by the oversetting of one of the boats, notwithstanding every possible effort was made to rescue the unfortunate men.

The remainder of the troops could only be brought on shore on the succeeding day, when the extraordinary obstacles to all intercourse with the fleet, which nothing but the courage and perseverance of British seamen could surmount, barely enabled us to obtain the indispensible supplies of water and provisions for immediate subsistence.

On the morning of the 8th, the army, consisting of the 28th, 71st, 72d, 83d, and 934 regiments, about 4000 strong, was formed into two brigades, with two howitzers, and six light field pieces, and moved off towards the road which leads to Cape Town; and, having ascended the summit of Blaw Berg, or Blue Mountains, and dislodged the enemy's light troops, I discovered their main body, dawn up in two lines, prepared to receive us, and even in motion to anticipate our approach.

The enemy's force apparently consisted of about five thousand men, the

greater proportion of which was cavalry, and twenty-three pieces of cannon yoked to horses, the disposition of which, and the nature of the ground occupied by the enemy's troops, made it evident that they intended to refuse their right wing, and with their left attempt to turn our right flank; but, to frustrate their design, I formed the army into two columns, the second brigade under Brig.-Gen. Ferguson keeping the road, whilst the first struck to the right, and took the defile of the mountains. Having accomplished my purpose, our line was formed with cqual celerity and order; and the left wing, composed of the Highland brigade, was thrown forward, and advanced with the steadiest step, under a very heavy fire of round shot, grape and musquetry. Nothing could surpass or resist the determined bravery of the troops, headed by their gallant leader, Brig. Gen. Fergusson, and the number of the enemy who swarmed the plain, served only to augment their ardour, and confirm their discipline. The enemy receiv ed our fire, and maintained his position obstinately, but in the moment of charging, the valour of British troops bore down all opposition, and forced him to a precipitate retreat.

The first brigade, composed of the 24th, 59th, and 83d regiments, and commanded, in the absence of Brig. Gen. Beresford, by Lieut.-Colonel Baird, was unavoidably precluded, by their situation, from any considerable participation in the triumph of the British arms, though the flank companies of the 24th had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves in dislodging a number of Horse and riflemen from the heights on our right flank. This brilliant atchievement, however, was clouded by the loss of Capt. Foster, of the grenadiers, whose gallantry is best recorded in the bosoms of his brother soldiers, and the universal regret of the army.

It is impossible to convey to your Lordship an adequate idea of the obstacles which opposed the advance, and retarded the success of our army.The nature of the country--a deep, heavy, and arid land, covered with shrubs, scarcely pervious to light bodies of infantry; and above all, the total privation of water under the effects of a burning sun, had nearly exhausted

our

our gallant fellows in the moment of victory, and with the utmost dithculty were we able to reach the Reit Valley, where we took our position for the night. A considerable portion of the provisions and necessaries with which we started, had been lost during the action, and we occupied our ground under an apprehension that even the great exertions of Sir Home Popham and the navy could not relieve us from

starvation.

My Lord, on every occasion where it has been found necessary to call for the co operation of British seamen in land enterprizes, their valeur has been so conspicuous, and their spirit of labour and perseverance so unconquerable, that no tribute of my app ause can add a lustre to their character; but I discharge a most agreeable por ion of my duty in assuring your Lordship, that on the recent employment of their services they have maintained their reputation; and that the uniform good conduct of these gallant fellows, and the conduct of Captain George Byng, who commanded them, with that of every su. bordinate officer, have merited my fullest approbation.

The loss of the enemy in this engagement is reputed to exceed seven hundred men in killed and wounded; and it is with the most sensible gratification that I contrast it with the inclosed return of our casualties. Your Lordship will perceive the name of Lieut. Col. Grant among the wounded; but the heroic spirit of this officer was not subdued by his misfortune, and he continued to lead his men to glory, as long as an enemy was opposed to his Majesty's 172d regiment. I have the cordial satisfaction to add, that his wound though severe is not pronounced dangerous; and I indulge the hope of his early recovery.

On the morning of the 9th, recruited by such supplies as the unwearied efforts of the navy could throw on shore, the 59th regiment, however, being almost completely destitute of food, we prosecuted our march toward Cape Town, and took up a position south of Salt River, which we trusted might preserve a free communication with the squadron; for our battering train, as well as every other necessary, except water, was to pass to us from his Ma.

jesty's ships. In this situation, a flag of truce was sent to me by the commandant of the garrison of Cape Town, (the Governor General Jansens, having retired after the action of the 8th, into the country, moving by Hottentot's Holland Kloof,) requesting a suspension of hostilities for 48 hours, in order to negociate a capitulation. In answer to this overture, I dispatched Brigadier General Ferguson, accompanied by Lieut. Col. Brownrigg, to stipulate, as the condition of my acquiescence, the surrender of the outworks of the town within six hours, allowing thirty six for arranging the articles of capitulation.

My proposition being assented to, the 59th regiment marched into Fort Knokke; and the next day, in conjunction with Sir Home Popham, the terms were agreed upon; and his Majesty's forces were put in possession of the several defences of the town. Of the modified capitulation, as ratified by us, I have the honour to inclose a copy.

The cordial, able, and zealous cooperation of Commodore Sir Home Popham, emulated by all the officers under his command, merits my warmest acknowledgments and commendation; and I have the satisfaction to add, that no united service was ever performed with more true harmony, than has uniformly been manifested by both branches of his Majesty's forces. Such of his Majesty's ships as could be spared from the service of Lospard's Bay, constantly coasted the enemy's shore, throwing shot among his troops and people, and contributing to keep him ignorant of the actual place of our disembarkation; and a very spirited effort was made by the marines of the fleet, and a party of seamen from the Diadem, under the Commodore's imme. diate command, to occupy a position in Reit Valley, and co-operate with the army.

The marines and the Hon. Company's recruits, as well as their cadets, headed by Lieut. Colonel Willett, of the Bengal establishment, have been usefully employed in different branches of the service.

The duties of the Quarter-Master General's department were very ably and judiciously discharged by Lieut.Col. Brownrigg; and although the army had the greatest cause to lament the

absence

absence, from severe illness, of Major Tucker, Deputy Adjutant-General, yet the zeal and activity manifested by Major Trotter, of the 83d regt. and the assistant Adjutant-General, Capt. Munro, happily precluded all deficiency in that departinent. The absence of Capt. Smyth of the Royal Engineers, with the Saldanha detachment, was also a matter of great regret to me, for his knowledge of the country would have relieved me from much embarrassment.

To the several Officers commanding corps, I am under considerable obligations, for their gallant, spirited, zealous, and judicious conduct and example, in leading their men up to the enemy.

This dispatch will be delivered to your Lordship by Lieut.-Col. Baird, to whom I beg leave to refer any additional information, and to recommend this meritorious officer to your Lordship's pro

tection.

I take the liberty of mentioning to your Lordship, that not having been joined by the Narcissus frigate prior to our disembarkation, and subsequent operations in the field, I was unfortunate. ly deprived of the services of Capt Sorrell, assistant Adjutant-General, who was charged with my dispatches from Madeira to Governor Patton, to procure intelligence relative to the strength and condition of this colony; and from whose extensive local knowledge and professional talents I expected to derive great assistance.

I have the honour to inclose a return of the ordnance found in the citadel and other defences of this settlement.

D. BAIRD, Major General,
Commanding in Chief.

General return of Killed and Wounded.

Killed-24th Regt. Capt. And. Foster, and 3 privates.-59th, 1 private.71st, 6 privates.—72d, 2 privates.-93d, 2 privates.-Marine bat. 1 private.Total, 16.

Wounded.-Brigade Major Weir.24th Regt. 16 privates, 2 ditto missing. -59th, Capt. Alex. Macpherson, 5 privates and i ditto missing.-71st, Lieut. Col. D. Pack, Lieut.-Col. R. Campbell, 2 serjeants, 67 privates, and one ditto misssing.-72d, Lieut.-Col. Cha. Grant (severely,) Lieut. Alex. Chisholm, 2 serjeants, 34 privates, and one ditto

March 1806.

missing.-83d, 2 serjeants, 2 privates, and 3 ditto missing.-93d, Lieut.-Col. R. Honyman, Lieuts. Scobie and Strachan, Ensigns Heddrick and Craigh, 1 serjeant, i drummer, 51 privates. Total 191.

N.B.-1 drummer, and 35 privates, 93d regiment, drowned in landing.

The articles of capitulation state, that the Cape Town, with the circumjacent fortifications, are to be immediately surrendered to his Britannic Majesty; the ours of war, then lay down their arms garrison to march out with all the hoand become prisoners; all officers, except such as are natives, to be sent to Europe on parole, the French subjects to be treated the same as the garrison, but must be sent to Europe; the inhabitants who have borne arms, to be considered as belonging to the town, and to be at liberty to return to their former occupations; all private property to remain untouched; public property of every description to be given up; the burghers and inhabitants shall preserve their rights and privileges; the paper money actually in circulation to continue current; the lands and houses to floating paper money; the prisoners of be given up, to remain as security for -war shall not be impressed into his Britannic Majesty's service against their own free will; the inhabitants of Cape Town shall be exempt from having troops quartered on them; two ships sunk in Table Bay to be raised by the persons who sunk them, and delivered over in an entire state of repair.

Return of Ordnance taken at the several Batteries at Cape Town and its Dependencies.

113 brass and 243 pieces iron ordnance -356

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said to be coming towards the town, and consequently will be soon in my possession.

His resources, with respect to subsistence, are of a kind not very susceptible of interruption, from the disposition of the farmers, or the means I can immediately oppose to him, unless he should experience a deficiency of ammunition by our possession of some of his depots. The farmers are not likely to assist him heartily, for the devastation of their property must be the inevitable consequence of a prosecution of the contest in the interior.

To preserve his temporary superiority in that particular, it will be necessary for him to move, in a northerly direction, into the district of Stellenbosch; but as the measure is of a most desperate tendency, and requires that his heart should be steeled to those sensations which are said to govern his actions, I indulge a sanguine expectation that consequences so dreadful may be averted.

I have therefore deemed it both honourable and expedient for his Majesty's Government, to make an overture to General Jansens, a copy of which is in closed, deprecating the destructive result of his further opposition to his Majesty's arms, and treating him with the generosity and distinction due to his

character.

But, in order to give weight to the anxious desire I entertain of inviting General Jansens to a pacification, I have, at an early hour this day, detached Brigadier-General Beresford, with the 59th and 72d regiments, two howitzers and four six-pounders, to possess himself of the village of Stellenbosch, and thence to forward my letter to the General, accompanied by such additional arguments as the Brigadier may consider expedient to submit to him, and with full powers to conclude whatever treaty existing circumstances may ex

act.

Cape-Town, January 11.

SIR-You have discharged your duty to your country as became a brave man at the head of a gallant tho' feeble army. I know how to respect the high qualities of such a man, and do not doubt that that humanity which ever characterises an intrepid soldier, will now ope

rate in your breast, to check the fatal consequences of a fruitless contest.

The naval and military forces of his Britannic Majesty, which have possessed themselves of the seat of your recent government, are of a magnitude to leave no question respecting the issue of further hostilities; and therefore, a temporary and disastrous resistance is al: you can possibly oppose to superior numbers.

Under these circumstances, nothing can result, but the devastation of the country you casually occupy; and such a consequence can never be contemplated by a generous mind, or be gratifying to the man who feels for the prosperity and tranquillity of the colony lately subject to his administration. But if, unhappily, your resolution is formed to oppose an enemy of such su perior force, by protracting a contest which must entail misery and ruin on the industrious and peaceably disposed settlers of this colony, I shall be exonerated from the reproach of my own conscience by this frank overture; and you must justify to yourself, and to your countrymen, the further effusion of blood, and the desolation of the country.

You are necessarily so well acquainted with the extent of the calamities in which the interior of the country may be involved, that I shall not enlarge upon your power of causing mischief to be done to all its inhabitants; but I persuade myself, that considerations of a more laudable nature will influence your decision on this occasion; and that you will manifest an immediate disposition to promote a general tranquillity.

I have the honour to subscribe, with sentiments of the highest respect and consideration, Sir, yours, &c. &c.

(Signed) D. BAIRD, Major-General Commanding in Chief, To Lieut. Gen. Jansens, &c. &c.

Sir Home Popham's dispatches to the Admiralty give nearly the same account of this event, and contain no fact that is not stated more at large in the General's letters. The enemy had attempted to destroy the Bato of 68 guns in Simon's bay, but it was believed they had not succeeded, and Capt. Percy

was

was sent to take possession, and if possible to move her into a place of safety. The Commodore concludes his letter with stating the high confidence and unanimity exemplified between the two professions on the present occasion, and the uncommon exertions of all the officers, both of the navy and of the East India ships, in every service in which they were employed.

AMERICA.

The American Congress met on the 3d Jan. A message was, as usual, presented from the President, containing his annual exposition of the situation of the American Commonwealth, of which the following is an outline :

"The message sets out with adverting to the late affliction of two of their cities with the fatal fever, which fortunately has terminated earlier than usual, and done less mischief. It is merely local, confined to cities on the tide-waters only, and incommunicable in the country, either by diseased persons, or by goods carried from diseased places. The message then proceeds to state, that the coasts of America have been infested by private armed vessels, which have captured in the very entrance of the harbours, not only the vessels of friends, but also American vessels. They have plundered and sunk them, and maltreated the crews. To put a stop to such depredations, a force has been equipped to arrest all vessels of these descriptions, and to bring the offenders to trial as pirates. New principles have also been interpolated into the Law of Nations, respecting neutrals, to which an effectual opposition must be made.

"With Spain, the negociations have not had a successful issue. The compensations she had formerly acknowledged, have been refused. On the Mobille, the American commerce has been obstructed, and the propositions for fixing the just boundaries of Louisiana have not been acceded to. Inroads have been made into the territories of Orleans and the Mississippi-the American citizens have been seized, and their property plundered in the very ports delivered up by Spain. Orders have therefore been given to the troops on the frontiers, to be in readiness to

protect American citizens, and to repel by force of arms any similar aggressions; and as some of them are of a nature to be met by force only, it is recommended to make such preparations as circumstances may require-and to put the sea-ports out of danger.-For this purpose, heavy cannon have been sent to the land batteries to defend them against armed vessels and a competent number of gun boats is recommended to be immediately built. The militia, which can furnish 300,000 able bodied men, is to be organized-and an active force of young efficient men called into service, which will give time to raise a regular force, if it shall be wanted. Considerable provision has been made of materials for building ships of 74 guns. An immediate prohibition of the exportation of arms and ammunition is recommended. Peace has been made with Tripoli and Tunis, and the ransom of American citizens agreed upon. The Indians are advancing in civilization and in agriculture, and they have sold some large and valuable tracts of land to the United States. Nearly two millions of dollars of the debt contracted under the British treaty, have been paid off, and four millions of the national debt, making eighteen millions, paid off altogether.'

The Congress has been occupied in close sitting in the discussion of the differences between the Court of Madrid and the United States, as well as the grounds of complaint preferred by the mercantile interest against the acts of violence that have been so frequently imputed to the British cruisers. On this subject a message was delivered from the President to the Senate and House of Representatives on the 17th Jan. It was partly of a confidential nature. The part that has been published accuses the English of introducing new principles and practices relative to the American commerce, derogatory of the rights of neutrals, and unacknowledged by the usage of nations. In consequence of the remonstrances preferred to the Court of London, these practices had been partially suspended, without any disavowal of the principle, and the evil was now proceeding under adjudications founded on that principle.

The clamour throughout the States against the measures adopted by the British Government to restrain, in

some

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