which was due to her, that of having, when no ship was at hand to assist her, so boldly engaged a heavy French frigate.

The Despatch had her rigging much cut by the fire of the Pr�sidente, and received one shot in her larboard bow between wind and water, but fortunately had not a man hurt. The French frigate mounted 44 guns, long 18 and 8 pounders, with 36-pounder carronades, and had a crew of 330 men. She did not, as far as appears, sustain any damage or loss from the fire of her tiny antagonist. The Pr�sidente measured 1148 tons, was a remarkably fine frigate, and become a great acquisition to the British navy. The Seringapatam, and several of the large class of 18-pounder frigates still building, are from the draught of this French frigate, which, in the year 1815, was named Pi�montaise.

The two remaining ships of M. L'Hermitte's squadron subsequently arrived safe in France ; the R�gulus, on the 5th of October, at Brest, and the Cyb�le, in the course of the following year, at Rochefort or Lorient.

On the 18th of October, in the morning, as the British 18-pounder 36-gun frigate Caroline, Captain Peter Rainier, was taking possession of the Dutch 14-gun brig Zeerop, Captain Groot, at anchor between Middleby and Amsterdam islands, off the coast of Java, the Dutch 36-gun frigate Phoenix was seen to slip from Onroost, and run for Batavia road ; where also was lying, as communicated by the officers of the Zeerop, the Dutch 36-gun frigate Maria-Riggersbergen, Captain Jager. The Caroline instantly proceeded in chase, and soon discovered the Maria-Riggersbergen, in company with the 14-gun ship-corvette William and brig Zee-Ploeg, and the Dutch Company's armed ship Patriot of 18 guns. Not at all dismayed by a force apparently so formidable, Captain Rainier, placing springs on both his cables, ran straight for the Maria ; who, on the arrival of the Caroline within gun-shot, opened her fire. No return, however, was made, until the Caroline had got as close as the wind would permit her, which was within half pistol-shot. The latter then opened her fire, and, in half an hour, compelled the Maria, although partially assisted by the three vessels already named and some gun-boats, to strike her colours. Thirty other gunboats lay in-shore, but did not attempt to come out.

The Caroline mounted altogether 42 guns, with a complement, deducting 57 men that were absent, of 204 men and boys. Of these she had three seamen, and four Dutch prisoners who were in the hold, killed, a lieutenant of marines (Zachary Williams, mortally), 16 seamen, and one marine wounded. Not a spar was shot away, and very little damage done either to masts, rigging, or hull. The Maria-Riggersbergen was a frigate similar in size and force to the Pallas, * and therefore mounted 12, and not " 18

*  See p. 252.

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