the accidental discovery of the following words in the Orion's log, " An English line-of-battle ship in chase of a corvette-brig," that induced us to investigate the subject. In the chase of the two frigates, Sir John might have alleged as an excuse, the distance of the Pomone from them ; but how happened he to forget the Thunderer, when that ship actually accompanied the Pomone and their joint prize to the anchorage at Isle d'Yeu?

Colonial Expeditions - West Indies:

As soon as news reached France of the success of the republicans at Guadeloupe, every exertion was used to send out supplies to Victor Hugues. On the 17th of November, 1794, the 50-gun frigate, or rasé, Hercule, 36-gun frigate Astrée, two corvettes, an armed ship or two, and eight or ten sail of transports, having on board about 3000 troops, with warlike stores of every description, sailed from Brest bound to the Antilles.

On the 5th of January, 1795, at 8 a.m., latitude 16� 30' north, Désirade bearing west, distant 12 leagues, the British 74-gun ship Bellona, Captain George Wilson, cruising in company with the 32-gun frigate Alarm, Captain Charles Carpenter, descried two ships of that very French convoy standing towards her ; but which, on discovering their mistake, tacked and stood away. The British ships went immediately in chase, with light winds and very hazy weather. At noon 10 sail, lying to, were discovered to leeward.

Supposing these ships and the two first seen to be a squadron of French men-of-war, the British 74 and frigate discontinued the chase until 1 p.m.; when the strangers gave a decided proof of their unwarlike character by bearing up. Observing this, the Bellona and Alarm again stood after them, the weather very squally and still hazy. At 5 p.m. the Bellona made the Alarm's signal to attack the convoy, while she prepared to engage the five ships, or as Captain Wilson calls them, "frigates," which had formed in the rear of the convoy.

The Bellona, who was one of the fastest and handiest 74s in the British navy, soon overtook, and, after the discharge of a few shot, compelled the sternmost of these to strike. On taking possession, at 8 a.m., of the " frigate," as Captain Wilson in his journal still calls her, she was found to be "the Duras, of 20 guns, 400 troops, and 70 seamen." The crew reported their ship in a sinking state ; "during which time," says Captain Wilson, " I lay to, expecting the other frigates to fetch me on the same tack, when Captain Carpenter hailed me to observe the same.'' At 8 h. 30 m. p. m., continues Captain Wilson, " I saw the frigates had bore up." On this, after directing the Alarm to take charge of the prize and follow with all expedition, the Bellona, a third time, maid made sail in chase; but, favoured as well by a dark and squally night as by the awkwardness, to use no