Under such circumstances, I did not conceive that it would he proper for me to claim the restoration of my ship, confident that the claim would he made hy my government to more effect. Finding some difficulty in the sale of my prizes, I had taken the Hector and Catherine to sea, and burnt them with their cargoes. I exchanged Lieut. M'Knight, Mr. Adams and Mr. Lyman and eleven seamen, for part of the crew of the Sir Andrew Hammond, and sailed from Valparaiso on the 27th April, where the enemy were still patching up their ships to put them in a state for proceeding to Rio de Janeiro, previous to going to England. Annexed is a list of the remains of my crew to he exchanged, as also a copy of the correspondence hetween Com.
Hilly ar and myself on that subject. I also send you a list of the prisoners I have taken during my cruise, amounting to 343. I have the honor to he, &c, Eon. Secr'y of the Navij D. PORTER of the United States, Washington. During the action, the Essex-Junior lay in the port of Valparaiso, under the guns of a Spanish fort, unable to take any part in the contest. After the action, Capt. Porter and his crew were paroled, and by arrangement permitted to come home in the Essex-Junior, and a cartel, with his crew. Off the Hook they were detained 24 hours by the British razee Saturn, in company with the frigate Narcissus. Com. Porter left the Essex-Junior on the 6th of July, in one of her yawls, with six men, ahout thirty miles outside of the Hook, and landed on the 7th at Babylon, on Long Island, where he procured a wagon, took on board his yawl and jolly tars, and reached Brooklyn about 5 o'clock, P.
M. The Essex had landed all her specie, amounting to two millions, at Valparaiso, previous to her being captured. EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COM. HILLYAR TO ME. Phcebe, Aprils, 1814. My Dear Sir: — Neither in my conversations nor the accompanying letter, have I mentioned your sword. Ascribe my remissness in the first instance to forgetfulness; I consider it only in my servant's possession with my own, until the master may please to call for it; and although I omitted, at the moment of presentation, from my mind being much engrossed in attending to professional duties, to offer its restoration, the hand that received will he most gladly extended, to put it in possession of him who wore it so honorably in defending his country's cause.
Believe me, my dear sir, very faithfully yours, JAMES HILLYAIt. Capt. Porter. After some conversation on the subject the following correspondence took place. Valparaiso, April 4, 1814. Sir: — Taking into consideration the immense distance we are from our respective countries, the uncertainty of the future movements of his majesty's ships under my command, which precludes the possibility of my making a permanent arrangement for transporting the officers and crew, late of the Essex, to Europe; and the fast approaching season which renders a passage round Cape Horn in some degree dangerous; I have the honor to propose for your approbation, the following articles, which, I hope, the government of the United States, as well as that of Great Britain, will deem satisfactory; and to request, that should you conceive them so, vou will favor me with the necessary bond for their fulfilment.
First. The Essex-Junior to be deprived of all her armament and perfectly neutralized; to be equipped for the voyage solely and wholly at the expense of the American government; and to proceed with a proper American officer and crew (of which I wish to be furnished with a list, for the purpose of giving the necessary passport) to any port of the United States of America that you may deem most proper. Second. Yourself, the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, &c, composing your crew, to be exchanged immediately on their arrival in America, for an equal number of British prisoners of similar rank. Yourself and officers to be considered on their parole of honor until your and their exchange shall be effected.
In case of the foregoing articles being accepted, the Essex-Junior will be expected to prepare immediately for the voyage, and to proceed on it before the expiration of the present month; should any of the wounded at that period be found incapable of removal, from not being sufficiently advanced in their recovery, the most humane attention shall be paid them; and they shall be forwarded home by the first favorable conveyance that may offer. I have the honor to be, &c, JAMES H1LLYAR. Com. David Porter, late commander of the JJ. S. frigate Essex. COPY OF A LETTER FROM CAPTAIN PORTER TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. New York, July 13, 1814. SIR: — There are some facts relating to our enemy, and although not connected with the action, serve to show bis perfidy, and should be known.