DESTRUCTION OF THE SETTLEMENT OF BARRATARIA.

Copies of letters from Commodore Patterson to the Secretary of

the Navy, dated New Orleuns 10th October, 1814. Sir,

I have very great satisfaction in reporting to you, that the contemplated expedition against the pirates, so long and strongly established among the western islands and waters of this state, of which I had the honour to inform you in my letter of the 10th ultimo, has terminated in the capture and destruction of all their vessels in port, their establishments on the island of Grand Terre, Grand Isle, and Cheniere Caminada, and the dispersion of the band themselves. The succesful issue of this attack upon them will, I trust, prevent their ever collecting again in force sufficient to injure the commerce of this state.

The force of the pirates was twenty pieces of cannon, mounted, of different calibres, and, as I have learned since my arrival, from eight hundred to one thousand men of all nations and colours.

I have brought with me to this city six fine schooners and one felucca, cruizers and prizes of the pirates, and one armed schooner under Carthagenian colours found in company and ready to oppose the force under my command.

Herewith I have the honour to transmit a detailed account of this expedition, which, I hope, will prove satisfactory to the department, as also a copy of a letter from Lafitte, the chief of the pirates, to captain Lockyer, of H. B. M. brig Sophia, which forms the conclusion of a correspondence entered into between the English commanders in the Gulf of Mexico and the Floridas, and the pirates, copies of which his excellency governor Claiborne informs me he transmit. ted to the department of state. This correspondence shows the importance of the expedition, and the important species of force we have prevented the enemy's receiving by their proposed alliance with the pirates, and added to our own.

I have the honour to be, with great consideration and respect, your obedient servant,

DANIEL T: PATTERSON.
The honourable William Jones,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington.

Sir,

New Orleans, October 10th, 1813. I have the honour to inform you that I departed from this city on the 11th ultimo, accompanied by colonel Koss, with

a detachment of seventy of the 44th regiment of infantry, on the 12th reached the schooner Carolina, at Plaquemine, and formed a junction with the gun-vessels at the Balize on the 13th, sailed from the south-west pass on the evening of the 15th, and at half past 8, A. M., on the 16th, made the island of Grand Terre (Barrataria), and discovered a number of vessels in the harbour, some of which showed Carthagenain colours. At 9 perceived the pirates forming their vessels, ten in number, including prizes, into a line of battle near the entrance of the harbour, and making every preparation to offer me battle; at 10, wind light and variable, formed the order of battle with the six gun-vessels, viz. Nos. 5, 23, 156, 162, 163, and 65, the Seahorse tender, mounting one six-pounder and fifteen men, and a launch mounting one twelve-pound carronade; the schooner Carolina drawing too much water to cross the bar; at half past 10 perceived several smokes along the coast as signals, and at the same time a white flag hoisted on board a schooner, at the fore, an American flag at the main-mast head, and a Carthagenian flag (under which the pirates cruiz-) at her topping lift; replied with a white flag at my main; at 11 discovered that the pirates had fired two of their best schooners; hauled down my white flag and made the signal for battle, hoisting with it a large white flag bearing the words “ pardon to deserters," having heard there were a number from the army and navy there, who wished to return if assured of pardon, and which the president's proclamation offered till the 17th. At a quarter past 11 gun-vessels No. 23 and 156 (the latter bearing my pendant) grounded, and were passed agreeably to my previous order, by the other four which entered the harbour; manned my barge and the boats belonging to the grounded vessels, and proceeded in, when to my great disappoiniment I perceived that the pirates had abandoned their vessels, and were flying in boats, in all directions. I immediately sent ihe launch and two gun-barges with small boats in pursuit of them; at meridian took possession of all their vessels in the harbour, consisting of six schooners and one felucca, cruizers and prizes of the pirates, one brig, a prize, and two armed schooners under the Carthagenian flag, both in the line of battle, with the armed vessels of the pirates, and apparently with an intention to aid them in any resistance they might make against me, as their crews were at quarters, tompions out of their guns, and matches lighted. Colonel Ross at the same time landed, and with his command took possession of their establishment on the shore,

consisting of about forty houses of different sizes, badly constructed, and thatched with palmetto leaves. !

When I perceived the enemy forming their vessels into a line of battle, I felt confident, from their number and advantageous position, and their number of men, that they would have fought me; their not doing so I regret; for had they, I should have been enabled more effectually to destroy or make prisoners of them and their leaders; but it is a subject of great satisfaction to me, to have effected the object of my enterprize, viz. capturing all their vessels in port, and dispersing the band without having one of my brave fellows hurt.

The enemy had mounted on their vessels twenty pieces of cannon of different calibre; and, as I have since learnt, from 800 to 1000 men, of all nations and colours.

Early in the morning of the 20th, the Carolina at anchor, about five miles distant, made the signal of a " strange sail in sight to the eastward;" immediately after, she weighed anchor, and gave chase, the strange sail standing for Grand Terre, with all sail; at half past 8 the chase hauling her wind off shore to escape; sent acting-lieutenant Robert Spedden with four boats manned and armed to prevent her passing the harbour; at 9, A. M., the chase fired upon the Carolina, which was returned; each vessel continued firing during the chase, when their long guns could reach; at 10 the chase grounded outside the bær, at which time the Carolina was, from the shoalness of the water, obliged to haul her wind off shore, and give up the chase; opened a fire upon the chase across the island from the gun-vessels; at half past 10 she hauled down her colours, and was taken possession of by lieutenant Spedden; she proved to be the armed schooner called the General Bolivar, under the Carthagenian flag; by grounding she broke both her rudder pintles, and made water; hove her off in the course of the day, and at day-light on the 21st sent out a small prize schooner to lighten her, took from her her armament, consisting of one long brass eighteen-pounder, one long brass six-pounder, two twelve-pound carronades, small arms, &c. and twenty-one packages of dry goods, and brought her into port; and as I could not wait for the repairs necessary for her rudder, ordered her to this port for adjudication. I am well convinced that she is one of the vessels belonging to, or connected with the pirates, as signals of recognition for her were found on board one of the pirate's cruizers, and at the time she was discovered, she was standing directly for Grand Terre, which she still endeavoured VOL. IV.

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to gain, after being chased by the Carolina, not knowing of our being in possession of it; she fired several shots at the Carolina, after the latter had shown her colours.

On the afternoon of the 23d got under way, with the whole squadron, in all seventeen vessels (but during the night one schooner under Carthagenian colours scaped)on the morning of the 24th entered the south-west pass of this river and on the 1st instant arrived opposite this city with all my squadron.

The amount of the prizes and prize goods will probably be considerable; but at present cannot be ascertained.

Three of the schooners are admirably adapted for the public service on this station, being uncommonly fleet sailers and light draught of water, and would be of infinite public utility.

I cannot speak in too high terms of commendation of the good conduct of the officers, seamen, a: d marines, whom I have the honour to command; nothing could exceed the zeal shown by all on this occasion.

Great credit is due to lieutenant Louis Alexis and Mr. Thomas Shields, purser, for gallantly leading in, in the face of the enemy; the former in the Seahorse tender; and the latter in the launch, when they had every reason to believe the enemy would open their whole battery upon them, supported by gun-vessel No. 5, astern of them, commanded by Mr. J, D. Ferris; Mr. Shields very handsomely volunteered his services on this expedition, and has from his being a seaman rendered me great assistance in taking charge of and bringing one of the prizes to this city.

Lieutenant Thomas A. C. Jones, particularly distinguish. ed himself by boarding one of the schooners which had been fired, and extinguishing the fire after it had made great progress; a quantity of powder being left in her open cabin, evidently designed to blow her up; he is also with lieutenant Norris, and acting-lieutenant Thomas S. Cunningham, entitled to my thanks for the severe duty performed by them in open boats for several days and nights.

Acting-lieutenant Spedden merits particular notice for the handsome manner in which he led the boats to cut off the General Bolivar, and afterwards bringing her into port.

I am also greatly indebted to licutenant Alexis, acting-lieutenants Spedden and M-Keever, sailing-masters J. D. Ferris, George Ulrick, and William Johnson, for their indefatigable exertions in fitting the prizes for sea; to acting-lieutenant M.Keever, also, for his extreme attention to the duties devolving on him from my pendant being hoisted on board

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No. 23, under his command. I beg leave, sir, to seize this opportunity of recommending these officers to your particular notice, and to solicit a confirmation of their present rank for acting lieutenants Robert Spedden, Isaac M.Keever, and Thomas S. Cunningham.

It affords me great satisfaction to inform you that the most cordial co-operation of colonel Ross, and the detachmeni of his regiment, in every measure adopted or duty performed, the utmost harmony existing between the two corps during the whole expedition, himself, officers, and men sharing in every enterprise or arduous duty where their services could be useful.

Had it been possible for the Carolina to have entered the harbour, or prudent to have drawn her officers and men from her, when anchored in an open roadstead, and where I had every reason to expect the appearance of enemy's cruisers, I should have derived great aid from captain Henley, his officers, and crew, who all expressed the strongest desire to partake of our toils, and any danger there might be to encounter. I have no doubt the appearance of the Carolina in the squadron had great effect upon the pirates.

I have the honour to be, with great consideration and respect, vour obedient servant,

DANIFL T. PATTERSON. The honourable William Jones, secretary of the navy, Washington.

CAPTURE OF PENSACOLA.

Copy of a letter from Major-General Andrew Jackson, to the

Governor of Tennessee.

Head- Quarters, 7th Military District, Sir,

Tensaw, November 14, 1814. On last evening I returned from Pensacola to this place, I reached that post on the evening of the 6th. On my approach sent major Pierre with a flag, to communicate the ob. ject of my visit to the governor of Pensacola. He approached Fort St. George with his flag displayed, and was fired on by the cannon from the fort-he returned and made a report thereof to me. I immediately went with the adjutant-general and the major with a small escort, and viewed the fort, and found it defended by both British and Spanish troops. I immediately determined to storm the town, retired and en.