men, bore down through the channel that led to the Merlin. Five smaller vessels, also with troops on board, were at anchor to windward, at the distance of about a mile and a half ; and the remainder of the Spanish flotilla lay at Long-key Spit, as if awaiting the issue of the contest. The Spanish vessels approached, in line abreast, using both sails and oars ; and, on arriving within long gun-shot, dropped anchor. It seeming to be their intention to board the Towzer and Tickler, which vessels lay much nearer to them than the bulk of the flotilla, Captain Moss, at 1 h. 30 m. p.m., made the signal to engage. The British immediately opened an animated and apparently destructive fire, which was returned by the Spaniards, and the cannonade lasted two hours and a half. At, the end of that time the Spaniards, in evident confusion, cut their cables, and sailed and rowed off, assisted by a number of launches, which took in tow the greater part of their vessels. No man was hurt on the part of the British ; but the Spaniards, from the hasty manner of their retreat, appeared not to have been so fortunate. Owing to the shoal water, the Merlin was unable to follow the Spanish vessels ; and the remainder of the British flotilla, without her support, would have been no match for them. The whole therefore effected their escape. The Spaniards remained under Key-chapel until the night of the 15th, when they moved off with a light southerly wind. Some of the vessels went to Baccalar, and others to Campeachy ; nor did the Spaniards again venture to attack the British possessions in Honduras bay.

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