the distance of about six miles from, their companions, abreast of the entrance of Bantam bay, between the small islands of Pulo-Panjan and Toenda, or Pulo-Baby. On the 24th, at 6 a.m., three ships and a brig, being the French frigates Prudente and Cybàle, the late Indiaman, Princess-Royal, now named the Duguay-Trouin, and the 14-gun brig-corvette, Vulcain, under the command of Captain Renaud, of the Prudente, were seen by the Nonsuch and prizes near Dwars in de Weg, or Thwart the Way island, working up in chase, with the wind from northwest by north. Finding, by their not answering the private signal, that these vessels were enemies, Captain Canning, at 1 p.m., weighed with the Nonsuch, and, directing the two prizes to follow, made sail upon a wind to the north-east. During the squally weather of the ensuing night the Résolu parted company, and had great difficulty in escaping from the Duguay-Trouin, who at one time was nearly on board of her. On the 25th, at daylight, the Houghton joined the Nonsuch and Vengeur, and informed Captain Canning of the situation of the commodore ; towards whom all three ships immediately bore up. At 6 h. 30 m. a.m. the Houghton, Nonsuch, and Vengeur discovered the William-Pitt, Britannia, and Nautilus brig at their anchorage, and at the same moment saw the French squadron getting under way from off Saint-Nicholas point, Java ; also a ship, which proved to be the Résolu, trying her utmost to get from them.

At about 8 h. 30 m. a.m. the William-Pitt, Britannia, and Nautilus, on the near approach of the French squadron, cut their cables, and prepared to engage. By this time the shot of the Prudente and Cybèle were passing over the Résolu : the latter, however, continued her course, and ran for protection between the William-Pitt and Britannia, who now opened their fire upon the enemy. At 9 h. 30 m., just as the Cybèle, the rearmost French ship, was tacking to the southward, the Houghton commenced firing into her stern. The Nonsuch, also, in a very gallant manner, hauling up her mainsail, and backing her mizen topsail, luffed up as close as she could, and poured into the Cybèle an acknowledged destructive fire, losing one man by a shot from the latter.

* The following was the exact gun-force of the Houghton and Nonsuch ; and it is probable that the Britannia and William-Pitt, and indeed all the larger Indiamen, at this time, were armed much in the same manner.

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