fired only an occasional gun when the ship was in stays. At 1 P.M.. the first division of seamen and marines in the boats stormed and carried the fort without loss, and struck the Dutch colours, which the enemy, on retreating, had left flying. By a rapid movement the British gained the heights, and, with the loss of only four or five killed and wounded, drove the Dutch soldiers from the position. This done, the remainder of the men and marines were landed, and the Gipsy schooner anchored in the cove. Captain Bligh also went on shore ; and, as there was no anchorage for them, the Theseus and Hercule continued to stand off and on, but, owing to the wind and current, found a great difficulty in keeping their stations. During the night several shot were fired at the ships from Fort Amsterdam ; but, although two or three went over the Theseus, not one shot struck either ship.

On the morning of the 1st of February two 18-pounder carronades and a light field-piece were landed from the Theseus ; and, with great difficulty and some danger, were dragged four miles to the advanced post at the height. This post was situated about 800 yards to the westward of the town of St.-Ann, which it in part overlooked, and was placed under the command of Lieutenant Willoughby, while the post between that and the point of disembarkation was commanded by Lieutenant Hills. On the 2d two long 18-pounders were landed, and one or both were got to " Willoughby's battery ; " as was also one of the Dutch 12-pounders from Fort Piscadero. But this was not accomplished without some loss from the heavy fire kept up by Fort République. Four more 18-pounder carronades and another field-piece or two were landed and mounted at one or the other of the posts ; and a constant interchange of firing was kept up between the British and Dutch batteries. In this firing a French battery, mounted by some of the guns, and manned by the crews, of the privateers, also took a part.

On the evening of the 4th there was a smart skirmish between the British at the advanced post and the enemy's sharpshooters, in which the latter were repulsed ; and on the morning of the 5th a more serious affair took place between the marines under Lieutenant Nicolls and a force of Dutch and French estimated at 500 men. Notwithstanding his numerical inferiority, Lieutenant Nicolls, in the most gallant manner, repulsed the allied forces ; but, pursuing the enemy too far, not without the loss of nearly 20 in killed and wounded, chiefly from the cannon of Fort République. On the next day, the 6th the cannonade between the forts was resumed ; but Lieutenant Willoughby, finding it in vain to present any of his pieces at Fort République, directed them at the town and at the shipping in the harbour. By this means the town was partially set on fire; and the Hatslaar would probably have been destroyed, had not the Dutch placed

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