but merely state, that on the 23d of October the French squadron, having thus signalized itself, quitted Tappanooly, and steered for the bay of Bengal.

On the 18th of November, at daylight, latitude 6° 30' north, longitude 92° 45` east, the honourable company's outward-bound ships Windham, Captain John Stewart, United-Kingdom, Captain William Parker D'Esterre, and Charlton, Captain Charles Mortlock, while standing on the larboard lack with a light breeze from the westward, discovered in the east-south-east, about seven miles distant, three ships close hauled on the starboard tack. At 6 a.m. the strangers, which were no other than the Vénus, Manche, and Créole, tacked and stood towards the Indiamen.

The three latter were of the same size as the Streatham and Europe ; and two of them, the Windham and Charlton, mounted the same guns on the main deck, with six medium 9-pounders on the quarterdeck. The United-Kingdom mounted 20 medium 12-pounders on the main deck, and six 6-pounders on the quarterdeck. Each ship had a crew of 110 men, including Lascars ; and between the three were distributed about 200 recruits going to join the Indian army. Opposed to two heavy French frigates and a corvette, the three Indiamen would have stood no chance ; but, as it would have been equally impossible to escape, and particularly as one of the frigates, the Manche, was considerably detached and to windward of her two consorts, Commodore Stewart considered that a prompt and well-concerted attack upon her might succeed before she cold be supported by the ships to leeward. He accordingly telegraphed his wishes to the United-Kingdom and Charlton, and they affirmed the signal. Upon this the Windham bore down under all sail, and was tardily followed by her two consorts.

At 8 a.m., having arrived well up with the weathermost French frigate, and finding that his two consorts still remained far astern, and were making no efforts to co-operate with him, Captain Stewart resolved singly to engage the French frigate, hoping to be afforded a chance of boarding her. His proposal was cheered by the ship's company and troops, and the Windham continued to advance towards the Manche. At 9 h. 30 m. a.m. the latter hoisted French colours and commenced a heavy fire, but the Windham continued to close without returning a shot. Seeing her determination, the French frigate evaded it by wearing round on the starboard tack. The Windham followed the frigate in the manœuvre and opened her fire ; but Captain Stewart soon found that, while the shot of the Manche were flying over him those of the Windham fell short. The latter now backed her main topsail, and commenced a close action with the Manche; who, finding that the Windham's two consorts kept aloof from the battle, merely firing low and then a few distant and harmless

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