Page 134 - Reading Mercury

of the new Guinea nutmeg, a spice little inferior to the nutmeg of the Moduccus.
Should they succeed, they will prove a valuable article for cultivation in this island, as
they are, on account of the high price of the common nutmegs, in great demand.

th
Mon 24 June
CAPTURE OF A FRENCH FRIGATE
Portsmouth, ‘June 16,’ This morning arrived the Nymph frigate, of 36 guns,--
Captain Pellew, with the Cleopatra French frigate, of 36 guns, which she captured
yesterday morning off the Start, after a most severe action of 50 minutes.
The Cleopatra was a Commodore of five other frigates sent out to protect the trade
of France, and had separated from the fleet, and on coming within hail o the Nymph,
gave her three cheers, coming fairly and by consent into action.
The first broadside from the French frigate, cleared Captain Pellew’s forecastle, and
towards the close of the action the Cleopatra’s wheel was shot away, when she fell on
the Nymph’s quarter, and the /English, with infinite gallantry and resolution, boarded
the enemy, and cut everything before them. The killed, or irrecoverably wounded, in
the French ship amount to 90---
The Chief Captain of the Cleopatra was mortally wounded early in the action, and
did not live to see his colours struck. The second Captain is also said to have died of
his wounds.
The Nymph also suffered severely, having the boatswain, four midshipmen, and 20
seamen killed, and the 2d lieutenant, and the lieutenant of marines, and 20 seamen and
marines wounded.
The Cleopatra’s mizzen mast was carried away about twelve feet from the deck,
also her gib-boom; part of her bowsprit and head went into the water, and her sails
and rigging were shot to pieces. The Cleopatra, though only rated 36, actually mounts
48 guns, 18 and 12 pounders; and the Nymph only 36, 12 and 9 pounders. It must,
however, be admitted, that the French officers and men behaved with singular
courage, and it is by no means is any sort of disparagement to them that they were
under the necessity of lowering their colours to an English ship of war, commanded
by a Pellew.
When Capt. Pellew landed this afternoon, he was received on the platform at the
New Salay port with three cheers from the populace, collected in great numbers to
receive him.

th
Mon 15 July
WOKINGHAM
Mrs. Broom embraces this opportunity of returning her sincere thanks to her friends
for their past favours; and informs them and the public, that MONTAGUE HOUSE
BOARDING SCHOOL, for the reception of YOUNG LADIES, will be opened again,
after the vacation, on Monday the 22d of July instant.

th
Mon 26 Aug
DWELLING HOUSE WITH GARDENS
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION
By Mr. HAWKES
th
On Tuesday the 10 of September, at twelve o’clock, at the Rose Inn, Wokingham,
Berks.
(in separate lots)

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