Oi/Com. Hillyar's arrival at Valparaiso, he ran the Phoebe close along-side of the Essex, and inquired politely after my health, observing, that his ship was cleared for action, and his men prepared for boarding. I observed, " Sir, if you by any accident, get on board of me, I assure you that great confusion will take place; I am prepared to receive you, but shall onlv act on the defensive." He observed, coolly and indifferently, " Oh, sir, I have no such intention." At this instant, his ship took aback on my starboard bow, her yards nearly locking with those of the Essex. I called all hands to board the enemy, and in an instant my crew were ready to spring on her decks.
Com. Hillyar exclaimed, with great agitation, " I had no intention of getting on board of you; I had no intention of coming so near you; I am sorry I come so near you." His ship fell off with her jib-boom over my decks; her bows exposed to my broadside, her stern to the fire of the Essex-Junior, her crew in the greatest confusion, and in fifteen minutes, I could have taken or destroyed her.' After he had brought his ship to anchor, Com. Hillyar and Capt. Tucker of the Cherub, visited me on shore, when I asked him if he intended to respect the neutrality of the port. " Sir," said he, " you have paid such respect to the neutrality of this port, that I feel myself bound, in honor, to do the same/' I have the honor to be, &c, DAVID PORTER After the capture of the Essex, Capt.
Porter entered into an arrangement with Com. Hillyar, to transport the survivors of his crew to the United States in the Essex-Junior, on parole, on condition that she should receive a passport to secure her from re-capture and detention. On the 5th of July, fell in with H. B. M. ship Saturn, Capt, Nash, who examined the papers of the Essex-Junior, treated Capt. Porter with great civility, furnished him with late newspapers, and sent him on board"some oranges; and at the same time made him an offer of services. The Boarding officer endorsed the passport, and permitted the ship to proceed. She stood on the same tack with the Saturn; and about two hours afterwards was again brought to, the papers examined, and the ship's hold overhauled by the boat's crew and an officer.
Capt. Porter expressed his astonishment at such proceedings, and was informed that Capt. Nash had his motives. It was stated that Com. Hillyar had no authority to make such arrangement; that the passport must go on board of the Saturn again, and the Essex-Junior be detained. Capt. Porter then insisted that the smallest detention would be a violation of the contract on the part of the British, and that he should consider himself as the prisoner of Capt, Nash, and no longer on his parole; at the same time offering his sword, which was refused, assuring the officer he would deliver it up with the same feelings he had presented it to Com. Hillyar. The officer went on board, returned and informed Capt, Porter, that the Essex-Junior must remain all night under the Ice of the Saturn.
Then, said Capt. Porter, I am your prisoner; I do not feel myself bound by any contract with Com. Hillyar, and I shall act accordingly. At seven o'clock next morning, the wind being light from the southward, the ships being about thirty or forty miles from the land off the eastern part of Long Island, and about musket shot from each other, there appearing no disposition on the part of the enemy to liberate the Essex-Junior, Capt. Porter determined to attempt his escape. A boat was lowered down, manned and armed; he desired Capt, Downes to inform Capt. Nash, that he was now satisfied that most British naval officers were not only destitute of honor, but regardless of the honor of each other; that he was armed and prepared to defend himself against their boats, if sent in pursuit of him; and that they must hereafter meet him as an enemy.
He now pulled off from the ship, keeping the Essex-Junior in a direct line between him and the Saturn, and got near gunshot from them before he was discovered; at this instant a fresh breeze sprung up, and the Saturn made all sail in pursuit of him, but fortunately a thick fog set in and concealed him, when he changed his course, and eluded them. During the fog he heard a firing, and on its clearing up discovered the Saturn in chase of the Essex-Junior, who soon brought her to. After rowing and sailing about sixty miles, Capt, Porter succeeded, with great difficulty and hazard, in reaching the town of Babylon, (Long Island) where, being strongly suspected to be an English officer, he was closely interrogated, and his story appearing so extraordinary, none gave credit; but on showing his commission, all doubts were removed, and he met from all the inhabitants the most friendly and hospitable reception.