1841.
Bengal Governmental Notifications.
547
I have the honor to inclose lists of the officers who have been engaged in the operations on shore and afloat in boats, but it must be remarked that the duties and the fatigues of commander Pritchard of the Blenheim, and of those who remained on board their respective ships, were increased in the same ratio as their numbers were diminished, and that the ultimate success is the attainment of the whole body, each working in his praticular sphere. The names of many will be seen who have already distinguished themselves at Chuenpee, Anunghoy, Wang- tong and the many affairs in the Canton river, and no doubt have already, like their brother-officers at Acre, been so fortune as to secure their country's notices Never was there a superior set of zealous able commanders. Commander. Belcher and Warren have only continued in that path of able and judicious ser- vice on which they have so long traveled their own services will always attract attention,of the lieutenants, It. Joseph Pearce, It. Goldsmith, It. Watson, sir Frederick Nicholson, It. Morshead, first of their respective vessels, may, perhaps, be named without injury to all others who well played their parts,-to It. Kellett, of the Starling, I am much obliged; and It. Mason, of the Algerine, has won his promotion by a long series of gallant and brave services. I beg to acknowledge the zeal and the assistance I have had from every captain and offi- cer of the squadron whom I have had the happiness to command.
No 1.
To captain T. HERBERT, commanding the advanced squadron.
Her majesty's ship Alligator, off Howqua's folly, May 22d, 1841. Sir, I have the honor to acquaint you that last night, shortly after 12 o'clock an attack was made by the Chinese upon her majesty's ship Alligator, under my command, by fire rafts. They were chained in pairs, and brought down in a direct line for the ships on a flood tide: owing to the confined position I was in, and the sunken junks and line of stakes astern, I could not ship, but by steering ship, and the activity of It. Stewart, first of this ship, and Messrs. Woolcombe and Baker, mates, in command of the boats, they were towed clear, althongh they passed within ten yards of the bows: as I had reason to believe that a con- siderable force was assembled in the vicinity, to take advantage of any accident that might occur, I fired several shots on both sides to clear the banks. No damage has been sustained.
(Signed)
I have the honor to be, &c.,
AUGUSTUS L. KUPER, captain (acting).
No. 2.
Capt. sir H. LE FLEMING SENHOUSE, KT., K. C. H, senior officer, &c., &c.
Her majesty's ship Sulphur, off Canton, May 23d, 1841. Sir,-In pursuance of your directions I proceeded up the creek on the western side of Canton in order to examine the nature of the country, our force consisting of the Druid's launch, lieutenant Goldsmith (1st lieutenant of the ship) Sulphur's pinnace, and two cutters, Modeste, Pylades, and Algerine's cutters, Starling's cutter, and my gig, the two first-named boats carrying guns.
On approaching Neishing, where the boats of the squadron were yesterday engaged, I observed the fast-boats of the enemy collected in great numbers, part retreated by a creek to the left, but shortly after returned and manifested a dispo- sition to impede our progress, by firing guns and drawing up across the creek. Our advance, and notice of our determination by a round from each of the boats
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