but with very little wind. As the line-of-battle-ship being close upon our starboard quarter, and the Thetis about a quarter of a mile on our larboard quarter, I was of opinion the sooner I attacked the line-of-battle ship the better, as disabling her was the only chance remaining of escape; I immediately put the helm a-port, and when within pistol-shot commenced the action, which was instantly returned by the enemy, and continued without intermission for fifty minutes.

As I was under the necessity of bringing the ship to action under all possible sail, she was soon completely unrigged by the enemy's fire. Finding the ship totally unmanageable, and our escape rendered impossible, by the near approach of the rest of the enemy's squadron, I saw that it would be only sacrificing the lives of my people to contend any longer; and I was therefore under the painful necessity of ordering his Majesty's colours to be hauled down. At day-light the next morning, I had much satisfaction in finding that his Majesty's ship had not been uselessly sacrificed, for the ships of the convoy being all out of sight except the Brothers, which was brought in by the Sylph) I trust they will arrive in safety. I am further gratified, that, in consequence of their escape, information will be given of this powerful squadron's cruising immediately in the track of our homeward-bound trade; and the certainty, if my convoy arrived safe, of a superior squadron being inmediately sent after them, determined the commodore to quit that latitude, and run to the S. W. but not till he had captured seven sail of the Illustrious's convoy, and destroyed twentyfour neutrals in the course of the cruise, to prevent information of his situation.

During the action both with l'Armede frigate, and la Magnanime lincof-battle-ship, though in the face of the squadron, the officers and men I had the honour to command did their duty like men, so truly courageous, that no superior force had power to depress them). Much praise is due to my first-lieutenaut, Mr. J. Tuckey, to Lieutenant Richard Donovan, and Acting-lieutenant John Collas, for their spirited conduct and active exertions during the pursuit by the enemy and subsequent action; and though his Majesty's ship has been captured, I trust the country has been materially benefited by the escape of my convoy and its subsequent con

Evidence having been heard in support of the above letter, the Court agreed, that the conduct of Captain Woodriff was that of a brave, cool, and intrepid officer; and did adjudge him, his officers, and ship's company, to be most honorably acquitted. Captain Hargood, president.

*This ship first engaged the Calcutta; afterwards la Thetis; and then la Magnanime engaged and took her.

A court martial assembled on board the Magnanime in Sheerness harbour, to try Mr. John Brenholm, master of his Majesty's ship Centurion, on charges exhibited against him by the captain of the said ship for drunkenness, &c. when the charges being fully proved he was dismissed his Majesty's service.

A court martial has been held on board the Magnanime, at Sheerness, on Mr. Albany Thomas Williams, assistant-surgeon of the Skylark, on charges of having absented himself from his duty as assistant-surgeon of that sloop. The charges were proved; but the court, in consideration of his having been so short a time in the service, and his ignorance thereof, do only adjudge him to be dismissed the ship, and placed at the disposal of the commander-in-chief.

On Saturday a court martial was held on board the Magnanime at Sheerness, on Mr. D. Cunningham, boatswain of the Proserpine, for drunkenness, &c. The court sentenced him to be dismissed his ship. Captain Har. good, president.

On the 29th ult. a court martial was held on board the Magnanime, at Sheerness, on Lieutenant Lillyman, of the Skylark sloop, on charges preferred by Captain Hurt of that sloop, for drunkenness and unofficer-like conduct; when there appeared a flaw in the indictment; the court, therefore, did not proceed in the trial.

Promotions and Appointments.

Lieutenant Oxley is appointed to the Porpoise, at New South Wales. Mr. G. Parsons is appointed hospital mate at Haslar.

M. Thomas M'Neece is promoted to the rank of surgeon, and appointed to the Pilot sloop, at Portsmouth.

Mr. Robert Prideaux is appointed to be surgeon of the Sprightly cutter. Mr. Philip Lowry, late of the Sprightly, is appointed to the Erebus sloop, Captain Autridge, at Plymouth.

Mr. Stephen Mason is appointed to be assistant surgeon of the Trent, hospital ship, at the Cove of Cork.

Rear-admiral Sir William Sydney Smith is appointed commander in chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels on the coasts of the Brazils.

Mr. Gordon, midshipman of his Majesty's late ship Hussar, a prisoner in France, and who made his escape, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Mr. Stephen Jones, of the Prince Frederick, is appointed assistant surgeon of the Presidente.

Captain E. B. Bettesworth is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Tartar, at Deptford.

Captain Daniel M'Leod is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Victory; which ship the immortal Nelson fell in the glorious victory off Trafalgar She is to be the flag-ship of Rear-adıniral Ŏtway.

Captain Hon. F. P. Irby is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Amelia, at Sheerness.

Captain J. Serrel is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Victory, vice M'Leod.

Captain Brodie is appointed to the Hyperion, a new frigate, at Chathana.

Captain W. Hargood, who commanded the Belleisle, in the glorious vic◄ tory off Cape Trafalgar, is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Northumberland.

Captain M'Leod is appointed to the Minotaur.

Lieutenant Marshall is appointed to be first lieutenant of Admiral Russel's flag-ship, the Alajestic, in Yarmouth Roads.

Doctor Keen, late surgeon of the Ville de Paris, whilst bearing the flag of the Hon. Admiral Cornwallis, is appointed to supersede Mr. Richard Lloyd, as surgeon of his Majesty's hospital-ship Matilda, at Woolwich.

The Hon. Court of Directors of the East India Company have, with their accustomed liberality, presented Captain Richard Rolles, of his Majesty's ship Lion, with the sum of 500, for the purchase of a piece of plate, as an acknowledgment of his services in convoying home several valuable East India ships from St. Helena.

Captain Manley Dixon is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Queen.

Captain Pownall B. Pellew, son of Sir Edward Pellew, is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Psyche, of 36 guns, in India.

Mr. Jeans, midshipman of the Veteran, is promoted to be lieutenant of the Hunter sloop.

Captain M'Leod is appointed to the Barfleur; Captain Fyffe to the command of the Hebe; and Captain Douglas tot he command of the Reindeer sloop.

Mr. Stevenson Eden is appointed to be surgeon of his Majesty's Ship Victory; Mr. Joseph Dallaway is appointed to be surgeon of the Princess; and Mr. David Cowan to be surgeon of the Gladiator.

Mr. C. Matson is appointed to be purser of the Leander; Mr. J. Archdeacon to be purser of his Majesty's ship Lion; and Mr. J. Lockhart to be purser of the Eugenie sloop.

Captain Thomas Boys is appointed to the Saturn, and Captain Hugh Cameron to the Achates sloop, at Plymouth.

Mr. Leyson Rees is appointed surgeon of the Alexandria; Mr. Henry Plowman, surgeon of the Lion; Mr. Robert Riddell, to be surgeon of the Vengeance; and Mr. R. Cockerill, to be assistant surgcon of the Amelia.

Mr. Emaley is appointed to be purser of the Semiramis; Mr. W. Manley to be purser of the Christian VIIth. late Danish ship; Mr. G. Mitchener to be purser of the Crown Princess Maria, late Danish ship; Mr. J. S. Heelbert is appointed purser of the Ackiam.

Mr. Jacob Farrington is appointed to be surgeon of the Braave.

M. C. Waldgrave is appointed surgeon and agent for sick and wounded scamen, at Milford.

Captain Parkinson, who brought the despatches from Sir Alexander Cochrane, relative to the surrender of the Danish West India islands, is promoted to the command of his Majesty's ship Ardent.

Mr. Thomas Alexander is appointed surgeon of the Revolutionaire; Mr. Britton to be surgeon of the Tartar; and Mr. Burnside, surgeon of the Resolution.

Mr. James Baker is appointed to be purser of the Dartmouth; Mr. Thomas Leonard, to be purser of the Curaçoa; and Wm. Hammond to be purser of the Santa Dorothea.

Captain Bell is appointed to command the Shark sloop; Captain Bayntun to the Leviathan; and Captain Barnett to command the Africa.

Mr. James W. Taylor is appointed surgeon of his Majesty's ship Jamaica. Mr. Andrew Page to be assistant surgeon of the Turbulent, gun brig; and Mr. Heury Hart to be assistant surgeon of the Orion.

Captain Miller is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Thetis.

Mr. John Watkins is appointed to be hospital mate at Mill-prison hospital.

Captain H. Parker is promoted to the rank of post captain.

Lieutenant C. Owen is appointed to the Dreadnought; Lieutenant IIenderson is promoted to the rank of commander; and Mr. Jeans is promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

His Majesty's ship Thisbe is ordered to be commissioned for the flag-ship of Vice-admiral Sir Henry Edwin Stanhope, commander in chief of his Májesty's ships and vessels in the River Thaines.

Captain M. Malbon is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Adamant.

Mr. John Gray is appointed to be surgeon of the Entreprenante cutter; and Mr. Patrick Donelly to be surgeon of the Wolverene.

Captain G. Hope is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Pompéc. Lieutenant Henderson, who was the bearer of the despatches from Rearadmiral Sir Samuel Hood, announcing the surrender of the island of Madeira, is promoted to the rank of commander.

Mr. W. McKinley is appointed to be surgeon of his Majesty's sloop Cyg; net; Mr. Obadiah Pine to be surgeon of his Majesty's sloop Hyperion.

Captain W. Bligh is recalled from the government of the colony of New South Wales.

Captain Heathcote is appointed to command his Majesty's ship Lion, vice Rolles.

Lieutenant Muir, on the death of Captain Sheriff, of the Curieux, is appointed to act as commander of that sloop.

Rear-admiral Sir William Sydney Smith has shifted his flag from the Ville de Paris to the Minotaur, and sailed from the squadron off Lisbon to the Brazils, being superseded by Vice-admiral Sir Charles Coffin, and Rearadmiral Otway.

Captain J. L. O'Connor is appointed to command the Ned Elven, Danish sloop at Woolwich.

A list of midshipmen who have passed for lieutenants:-George Haye, John Thompson, Thomas Shapcote, F. Goodench, James Banee, William Leetman, David Sedley, James Shipley, Percy Simpson, Thomas Doorue, R. Incledon, Thomas Bradish, T. W. Carue, J. F. Chapinan, Thomas Hill, Charles Pearson,

BIRTHS.

Of a son, at her apartments in Greenwich Hospital,t he lady of Frederick Bedford, Esq. of that institution.

Mrs. Lawrence, daughter of Wm. Miller, Esq. of the royal navy, of a son. At Captain Hope's house, in the Admiralty, Lady Ann Johnstone Hope, of a son,

MARRIAGES.

Lately, at Ramsgate, W. Clarke, Esq. of Northumberland, to Miss Rains, eldest daughter of Captain Stephen Rains, R. N. commanding the pea fencibles at that place.

Captain Bedford, of his Majesty's ship Ville de Paris, to Miss Fanshawe, daughter of Commissioner Fanshawe, of the dock-yard, Plymouth.

Lately, at Kilkeedy church, Limerick, Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, of the royal marines, to Miss Cooper, of Cooper-hill.

On Thursday, at Mary-le-bone church, Captain Walter Bathurst, of the Salsette frigate, to Miss Marianne Wood, of Manchester-street, Manchester-square.

On Monday last, at Fareham, by the Rev. John Aubrey Wools, Mr. Barney, to Miss Chads, the eldest daughter of Henry Chads, Esq. late of Chichester, captain in the royal navy.

Lately, Lieutenant Newman, R. N. to Miss Hocart of Weymouth.

OBITUARY.

On the 31st of October last, aged 17, on board the Kent man of war, after a few days illness, Mr. J. Armstrong, only son of the late J. Armstrong, Esq. of Pimlico, Middlesex.

Mr. Duvan, gunner of his Majesty's yacht Royal Charlotte, at Deptford.

Lately, in the West Indies, in action with a French privateer, Captain Sheriff, of his Majesty's sloop Curieux, whose manly heart was fraught with every generous aud heroic quality.

Mr. Richard Riley, midshipman, and Mr. Fagersfield, clerk of his Majesty's gun-brig, Sparkler, were both drowned when that vessel was wrecked on the coast of Holland last month.

Lately, in the West Indies, on board the Firefly schooner, Lieutenant Price, commander of that vessel, together with the whole of the crew, by striking on a sunken rock.

On Sunday the 14th inst. Miss Martha Dewsnap, second daughter of Joseph Dewsnap, Esq. one of the officers of the royal hospital at Greenwich.

Lieutenant Matthews of the Hunter sloop,

Lieutenant Read (Royal Marines), of the Dædalus.

Mr. Maude, purser of the Chichester.

Mr. John Cole, purser of the Adamant.

On Thursday morning, the 18th instant, at her father's house in Parkrow, Greenwich, Miss Jessy Kerr, only daughter of Captain Robert Kerr, of the royal navy.

On Monday the 1st inst. at Glo'ster-place, Mary-le-bone, Miss Octavia Ann Hardacre, youngest daughter of H. J. Hardacre, Esq. R. N.

Lately, at sea, Captain Deans, commander of the Prince of Wales packet.

On the 22d instant, Mrs. Williamson, of Chapel-street, Bedford-row, widow of the late Captain James Williamson of the Ganges East India

man,