APPENDIX TO 
Majestic, at Sea, Jan. 17, 1815, 
lat. 39 min. 43 deg. N. long. 
71 min, 53 deg. W’. 
Sir,—I have the honour to ac- 
quaint you, that notwithstanding 
my utmost endeavours to keep the 
squadron committed to my charge 
close in with Sandy Hook, agree- 
able to your directions, for the 
purpose of preventing the escape 
of the United States’ ship Pre- 
sident, and other vessels ready for 
sea at Staten Island, we were re- 
peatedly blown off by frequent 
gales; but the very great attention 
paid to my orders and instructions 
by the respective captains, in situ- 
ations difficult to keep company, 
prevented separation ; and, when- 
ever the wind did force us from 
the coast, I invariably, on the 
gale moderating, placed thesquad- 
ron on that point of bearing from 
the Hook I judged it likely, from 
existing circumstances, would be 
the enemy’s track; and it is with 
eat pleasure I have now to in- 
orm you of the success of the 
squadron, in the capture of the 
United States’ ship President, 
Commodore Decatur, on Sunday 
night, after an anxious chase of 
eighteen hours, 
On Friday, the Tenedos joined 
me, with your order to take Cap- 
tain Parker in that ship, under my 
command. We were then in com- 
pany with the Endymion and 
omone, off the Hook, and in 
sight of the enemy’s ships; but 
that night the squadron was blown 
off again in a severe snow storm. 
On Saturday, the wind and wea- 
ther became favourable for the 
enemy, and I had no doubt but 
he would attempt his escape that 
night: it was impossible, from 
the direction of the wind, to get 
CHRONICLE. 
in with the Hook, and, as before 
stated (in preference to closing 
the land to the southward,) we 
stood away to the northward and 
eastward, till thesquadron reached 
the supposed track of the enemy, 
and, what is a little singular, at 
the very instant of arriving at that 
point, av hour before day-light 
Sandy Hook bearing W. N. W. 
15 jeagues, we were made happy 
by the sight of a ship and brig 
standing to the southward and 
eastward, and not more than two 
miles on the Majestic’s weather 
bow. The night signal for a 
general chase -was made, and 
promptly obeyed by all the ships. 
In the course of the day, the 
chace became extremely interest- 
ing bythe endeavours of theenemy 
to escape, and the exertions of the 
captains to get their respective 
ships along side of him the former 
by cutting away his anchors, and 
throwing overboard every move- 
able article, with a great quantity 
of provisions, and the latter by 
trimming their ships in every way 
possible to effect their purpose. 
Asthe day advanced, the wind de- 
clined, giving the Endymion an 
evident advantage in sailing; and 
Captain Hope’s exertions enabled 
him to get his ship alongside of 
the enemy, and commence close 
action at half an hour past five 
o'clock in the evening, which was 
continued with great gallantry 
and spirit on both sides, for two 
hours anda half, when the Endy- 
mion’s sails being cut from the 
yards, the enemy got a-head ; 
Captain Hope taking this oppor- 
tunity to bend new sails to enable 
himto get hisship alongsideagain, 
the action ceased, till the Pomone 
getting up at half-past eleven at 
139 
