porter's journal. 227 



ihat may attack them. Should you not hear from me in six 

 .weeks from the time of my leaving this, you will burn the 

 New Zealander, after taking every article of value from 

 on board her, and putting thera on board the Seringapatam, 

 and assist with your crew in navigating her, in company 

 with the Greenwich, to Valparaiso, unless the Essex Junior 

 should arrive within that period, in which case lieutenant 

 Downes will have instructions from me as to the disposal 

 of the vessels. 



Very respectfully, 



Your obedient servant, 

 (Signed) D. PORTER. 



Mr. John R. Shaw^ Prize-master 

 of the ship New Zealander, 



Corresponding instructions were delivered to Mr. James 

 Terry, prize-master of the ship Seringapatam. 



U. S. Frigate Essex, 

 Banks' Bay, 21st August, 1813. 



Sir, 



I have directed the prize-ships Greenwich, New Zea- 

 lander, and Seringapatam, to proceed to the cove, and there 

 await my arrival six weeks from this date. I left letters for 

 you at James' Island. I shall now proceed to Charles' Island, 

 and from thence to Hood's Island, at both of which places 

 I shall leave instructions for you. I intend to cruise a 

 short time about Hood's and Chatham Islands. Should I 

 not arrive at the cove by the 2d October, you may calcu- 

 late that some accident has happened to me ; and at the ex- 

 piration of that period, you will take the prizes under your 

 convoy, and proceed with them to Valparaiso, where you 

 will pursue that course most likely to conduce to the good 

 of the service. 



I have the honour to be, 



Very respectfully. 



Your obedient servant, 

 (Signed) ^ D.PORTER. 



■Lieutenant John Downes^ Commanding the 

 U, S* armrd Prhc-ship F4.^scx Junior, 



