and Lieutenant-general Sir Charles Green, with the naval and military forces (about two thousand troops) under their respective commands, undertook the reduction of the Dutch settlements of Surinam, on the main land of South America. The forces assembled at Barbadoes, and on the 6th of April sailed for their destination. On the 25th they reached the shallow coast of the continent, and came to an anchor ten miles from the shore, off the mouth of the river of Surinam. A strong detachment, under the command of Brigadier-general Maitland, and Captain C. Shipley of the Hippomanes, was sent to make a landing at the mouth of the Warappa creek, about ten leagues to the eastward of Surinam river, where the enemy occupied a post. The object of this diversion was, to obtain a communication by water with the Commewina river, and to procure plantation boats in sufficient numbers to transport the troops down that river, into the rear of the fort of New Amsterdam, and also to cut off a considerable force of the enemy, stationed at Fort Brandwacht, on the Mud creek.

On the same day, the Emerald, Pandour, and Drake, went in to attack Braam's Point, where there was a fort of seven eighteen pounders, which after a few broadsides they silenced, and a detachment of troops landed and took possession of it. This battery commanded the entrance of the river of Surinam, into which our frigates and small vessels entered. The Commodore hoisted his broad

pendant on board the Emerald, as the Centaur, from her draught of water, could not approach. Captain M. Maxwell of the Centaur, and Captain Drummond of the 60th regiment, were sent up under a flag of truce to summon the Governor of Surinam to surrender. This his Excellency refused to do, and no time was lost in preparing to compel him.

Nothing, says Sir Charles Green in his despatch, can be more difficult of approach, than the coast about Surinam; numerous and extensive shoals, an uncleared country, thick woods or jungle extending to the water's edge, no landing but at high water, and at particular places, and from the swampy nature of the country, it is only to be penetrated by the rivers. The shores on each side of the river of Surinam are equally difficult of access, until you reach the battery of Frederici, with the exception of the plantation called Resolution. The enemy were therefore very strongly fortified with forts, ships of war, and armed vessels, commanding the river. On the confluence of the Surinam with the Commewina river, stands the fort of Amsterdam, mounting eighty pieces of cannon; Fort Leyden, near the same spot, on the right bank of the Surinam, has twelve heavy guns. This fort is opposite to and commanded by Fort Am sterdam, at the distance of two thousand yards. The forts Frederici and Purmurent, lower down the river, occupy the right and left banks, with ten and twelve guns each. The approaches to these

forts are through swamps, marshes, and woods, almost impracticable; and the fire of the works, crossing each other, completely commands the channel of the river.

The town of Paramaribo is defended towards the water by a battery of ten guns, called Fort Zelandia. On the 28th, the squadron, with the transports, moved up the river, to attack Fort Purmurent. On the 29th, Lieutenant-colonel Shipley, of the Royal Engineers, having ascertained that a path might be practicable through the woods, by which forts Leyden and Frederici could be attacked with success, a party of two hundred soldiers and seamen, under the command of Brigadier-general Hughes, supported by the Captains Maxwell, Ferris, and Richardson, of the Royal Navy, landed between the hours of ten and eleven at night, and proceeded through the woods to the fort, led by the negro guides. Although a heavy fall of rain had rendered the paths (at all times difficult) almost impassable, such was the public spirit and zeal of our countrymen, that they overcame every obstacle with the assistance of their sabres and felling axes; and after a tedious march of five hours, got into the rear of Fort Frederici, where, as they were forming into columns for the attack, they were received with a heavy fire of grape and musketry. Undaunted by this salute, our men pushed forward and entered the fort with fixed bayonets, the enemy flying to Fort Leyden; but in their re

treat they fired a train, which blew up their magazine, and severely wounded many of our officers. Fort Leyden was next carried with the same invincible spirit, although the way to it lay along a narrow path, enfiladed by five heavy guns, whose discharges of grape, aided by vollies of musketry, could not arrest the progress of our troops. They entered the fort, and hoisted the British flag; the enemy called for quarter, which was nobly granted; the captain, some officers, and one hundred and twenty men, were made prisoners. From the position they had gained, the British found they could open a fire on Fort Amsterdam. The command of the Commewina river ensured them supplies, gave them possession of the finest part of the colony, and the means of joining General Maitland's corps, which, we before observed, was detached to the mouth of the Warappa creek. That gallant officer, having effected a landing, had taken a battery, and, on the 3d of May, a sufficient number of boats being procured, he came triumphantly down the Commewina, and formed the desired junction with the body of the army, now approaching very near to Fort Amsterdam.

The Dutch Governor, on seeing their successes, thought farther resistance useless; he therefore sent out a flag, desiring to capitulate. The place was taken possession of on the 4th, and a Dutch frigate and brig fell into our hands: thus the rich colony of Surinam was added to the British dominions. All public property, and all Dutch ships

or vessels, in the colony, were given up to the captors.

The frigate taken was the Proserpine of thirtytwo guns, eighteen pounders, and the corvette Pylades of eighteen guns. Our total loss on this. occasion was five killed and eight wounded; among the former was Lieutenant Smith of the Centaur. The Commodore, for this and his former brilliant services, was created a Knight of the Bath, and held the command till the following year, when he was succeeded by Rear-admiral the Honourable Sir Alexander Cochrane.

When Captain Maxwell arrived in England with the despatches, the news soon reached the Emperor Napoleon, who, incensed by these repeated disasters to the French and Dutch colonies, resolved to send forth his fleets and his armies to regain them. His orders and his plans, already referred to, shew the anxiety of his mind. Gantheaume, Villeneuve, Missiessy, Grandelana, Magon, all the admirals, French and Spanish, and even Dutch, if they could get out, were ordered to be on the alert to escape; to go to the West Indies, and to ravage and destroy, to burn and to pillage, without mercy.

The Honourable Sir Alexander Cochrane had the command off Ferrol, when, in February, 1805, he heard of the sailing of Missiessy, and at the same time received orders to go in pursuit of him. He had with him six sail of the line; Northumberland, seventy-four (flag), St. George, ninety-eight,