1808	Dédaigneuse and Sémillante	65

16th, in the afternoon, the Cornwallis arrived off the entrance of St.-Paul's bay, and discovered the Sémillante and her charge at anchor. On the 17th, at 9 a.m., the Cornwallis bore up, and ran as far into the bay as the wind would allow. At 10 a.m., when three or four miles only from the Sémillante the British frigate became nearly becalmed ; and, in short, Captain Johnston totally unable to effect any thing against the French frigate at her well-protected anchorage.

On the 26th the Sceptre appeared off the entrance of the bay. Well knowing that Captain Bingham would use his utmost endeavours to capture or destroy the French frigate, and the valuable property of which she had despoiled British commerce, Captain Motard removed his prizes close to the shore, and moored the Sémillante with springs on her cables, outside to protect them, " pour les protéger. " But Captain Motard has entirely forgotten to state, that the Sémillante herself was protected by upwards of 100 pieces of cannon, including 37 long 24-pounders, and seven or eight heavy mortars ; and which guns were mounted upon seven distinct batteries, all by their positions admirably calculated to prevent an enemy from approaching the road. Under these circumstances, no attempt was or could be made by the British force at present on the station, to molest the Sémillante and her prizes at their fortified anchorage.

On the 11th of November, however, while on his way, with the Sceptre and Cornwallis, from off Mont Brabant, the south-west extremity of the Isle of France, to Isle St.-Mary on the coast of Madagascar, to get a supply of water, Captain Bingham called off St,-Paul's with the intention of making a demonstration, rather, we believe, than a serious attack, upon the shipping in the road. At about 2 h. 30 m. p.m., having cleared for action and got springs on their cables, the Sceptre and Cornwallis ran into the bay, and at 4 p.m. opened a fire upon the French frigate and vessels within her. This was immediately returned by the Sémillante and shore batteries, both with shot and shells. The heavy cannonade soon hushed the little breeze there had been, and the two British ships could with difficulty manœuvre. At 4 h. 30 m., by signal from the Sceptre, the Cornwallis repeated several signals made by the latter as if to ships in the offing ; Captain Bingham expecting, probably, that the French captain would run his frigate and prizes on shore. Captain Motard, however, knew better the strength of his position, than to resort to so ruinous a measure ; and at 5 h. 30 m. P.M. the Sceptre and Cornwallis ceased firing, and, without, we believe, any loss or damage, made sail for Isle St.-Mary.

In a few days afterwards, finding a clear coast, Captain Motard got under way with the Sémillante and his fleet of prizes, and stood across to the Isle of France. On the 21st, at sunset, the Sémillante was discovered from the mast-head of the

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