steep his senses in forgetfulness. On the 1st of January, at 1 A.M., the high land of St.-Barbary's on the east end of Curaçoa made its appearance. It was necessary to make this end of the island, to have the benefit of the regular trade or south-east wind in running for the harbour of St.-Ann, situated on the south-east side of Curaçoa ; and which, as being the capital of the colony and its principal naval depot, was to be the first object of attack. The frigates now hove to, hoisted out their boats, and took them in tow with small cablets.

Of the nature and extent of the difficulties that stood in the way of success, some idea may be formed by a brief description of the harbour of St.-Ann, and its sea-defences. The entrance to the harbour, according to Mr. Mantor's chart, is only 50 fathoms wide, and is defended by regular fortifications ; the principal of which, Fort Amsterdam, standing on the right of the entrance, mounts 60 pieces of cannon, in two tiers. Athwart the harbour, which nowhere exceeds a quarter of a mile in width, were the Dutch 36-gun frigate Halstaar, Captain Cornelius J. Evertz, and 20-gun ship-corvette Surinam, Captain Jan Van-Nes, exclusive of two large armed schooners. There was a chain of forts on Misselburg height ; and that almost impregnable fortress Fort-République, situated upon a high hill at the bottom of the harbour, and almost within grape-shot distance, enfiladed the whole.

At 5 A.M., every preparation having been made for an immediate attack by storm, the four British frigates, the Arethusa leading, followed in close order by the Latona, Anson, and Fisgard, bore up, with an easterly wind, for the mouth of the harbour. At daylight the Arethusa, with a flag of truce at the fore, entered the port ; but the Dutch forts and shipping, taking no notice of the flag, opened upon the British frigate a smart though ineffective fire. Just at this moment the wind shifted to north, and checked at once the further progress of the Arethusa. Fortunately, however, not many minutes elapsed ere the wind, in a squall, changed back to north-east ; thereby enabling, the whole of the squadron, except the Fisgard, which frigate grounded on the west side, to lay up along the harbour. The three remaining British frigates, after an unavoidable delay of some minutes on the part of the Anson, then anchored in positions for opening their several broadsides upon the Dutch forts, frigate, and corvette.

Upon the capstan of the Arethusa, whose jib-boom was over the wall of the town, Captain Brisbane now wrote, and sent off to the governor, the following summons : " The British squadron are here to protect, and not to conquer you ; to preserve to you your lives, liberty, and property. If a shot is fired at any one of my squadron after this summons, I shall immediately storm your batteries. You have five minutes to accede to this determination. " No notice being taken of this summons, the flag of

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