144 



porter's journal. 



proceeded to sea. We had not yet taken down the awn- 

 ings, flags, &:c. which we usually employed on these occa- 

 sions for the decorations of ships of war, nor got clear of 

 the confusion which so large a company naturally occa- 

 sioned, before the Essex Junior made a signal for two 

 enemy's ships in sight. At this time, one half of my 

 crew were on shore ; but, having established a signal for 

 them to repair on board, 1 caused a gun to be fired, and 

 after directing the ship to be prepared for action, repaired 

 on board the Essex Junior, and went out to reconnoitre. 

 Both vessels had the appearance of frigates. Upon this I 

 directed Lt. Downes to run into port, and take a position 

 where we could mutually defend each other. 



On my return to the Essex, at half past seven, one hour 

 and a half only after the enemy came in sight, I found the 

 ship completely prepared for action, and every man on 

 board, and at his post. We had now only to act on the 

 defensive. At eight o'clock the two ships came into the 

 harbour; the frigate, which proved to be the Phoebe, 

 Captain Hillyar, ranging up alongside of the Essex, and be- 

 tween her and the Essex »Tunior, within a few yards of the 

 former. The Phoebe was fully prepared for action. 



Captain Hillyar very politely inquired after my health ; 

 to which inquiry I returned the usual compliment. And 

 here it may be proper to observe, that Captain Hillyar and 

 myself had been acquainted in the Mediterranean. While 

 his family resided at Gibraltar, I was in the habit of visiting 

 them frequently, and had spent many pleasant hours in 

 their company. For Captain Hillyar and his family I en- 

 tertained the highest respect ; and among the American 

 officers generally, no officer of the British navy was so 

 great a favourite as Captain Hillyar. I he former paid to 

 his family greater attentions than to any other persons si- 

 milarly situated ; and on the other hand, were always re- 

 ceived with the like in return. On one occasion, during 

 the absence of Captain Hillyar, they placed themselves 

 under the protection of Commodore Rodgers, and came 

 in his ship from Malta to Gibraltar ; where Mrs. Hillyar 

 joined her husband. But, to proceed with my narrative : 



Finding the Phoebe was approaching nearer than pru- 

 dence or a strict neutrality would justify me in permitting, 

 ! observed to Captain Hillyar. that my ship was perfectly 



