546 
boarded and taken by the launches 
of the Bellerophon and the Ele- 
phant, without the loss of a man 
killed or wounded, though, for a 
short time, under a very smart fire 
from the enemy’s great guns and 
small arms: she proves to be the 
French national schooner La De- 
couvert, commanded by Monsieur 
Froyan, enseign de vaisseau; she 
had mounted six six-pounders, and 
six brass swivels, and 52 men: the 
enemy had two men wounded.— 
The officer commanding the De- 
sirée’s launch, being anxious to se- 
cure the passage, got so far to the 
eastward of the entrance, as not to 
observe the motions of the other 
boats, that he unfortunately could 
not join them, or get near the 
schooner till daylight, or, I am sen- 
sible, from the character he bears, 
would haye been as vigilant as the 
other boats. 
I have the honour to be, &c. 
(Signed) J. Loring. 
Str J. T. Duckworth. 
Bellerophon, off Fortuda, 
Nov. 30. 
Sir, 
I have to inform you of the sur- 
render of Cape Frangois to the gen. 
Dessalines, onthe 18th inst. when 
he attacked it at the head of the ar- 
my, and agreed with the general in 
chief, Rochambeau, for ten days. to 
complete the evacuation, Not hay- 
ing received a second proposition. 
from Rochambeau, during the sus- 
pension of hostilities between the 
two parties, 1 endeavoured, if pos- 
sible, to learn the disposition of 
Dessalines, seeing his flag displayed 
on the forts, as to the ships of war 
and other vessels in the harbour; 
and you will see, by his letter to me 
ef the 27th, which J herewith trans. 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1803, 
mit, as well as a copy of mine to 
him, the indefinite mode of expres- 
sion he makes use of. I therefore 
sent capt. Bligh to explain with 
him. On his arrival at the Cape, 
he met, on the part of Rochambeau, 
a strong desire to agree for the ser- 
render of the ships and vessels, 
which, from his declaration to de- 
stroy them, 1 had no reason to ex- 
pect. The articles of agreement 
which were entered into I herewith 
inclose, and hope they will meet 
your approbation. Capt. Bligh 
immediately made known to Dessa- 
lines the surrender of the frigates 
and merchant-vessels to his Britan- 
nic majesty, and requested he 
would give orders to prevent firing 
on them, which till then was his in- 
tention ; and, after some hesitation, 
gen. Dessalines reluétantly com- 
plied. This morning the Surveil- 
Jante, Cerf brig, an hospital ship, 
and three or four neutral schooners, 
came out; the whole were under. 
weigh in the harbour, but, owing to 
the sudden change of wind, they 
were prevented from proceeding. — 
I am sorry to say, the Clorinde is 
on shore under Fort St. Joseph, 
and I fear will be totally lost. I 
have taken possession of the vessels 
that are out, and left capt. Bligh 
with the Hercule, Desirée, and 
Pique, to complete the evacuation 
of the Cape and Monte Christie.— 
When the Elephant joins with the 
Vertu and merchant-vessels I left 
in the Cape, I shall proceed with 
her and prizes to Port Royal, leay- 
ing the Tartar to blockade the 
Mole. 
I am, &c. John Loring. 
His Majesty’s Ship Bellerophon. 
Sir, me, 
Not having had the honour to re- 
ceive 
