cheerfulness so characteristic of Englishmen when in the presence of their enemy.
“To Captain Black, of the Weazle, I owe much for his advice and cordial co-operation; his zeal and indefatigable exertions made all difficulties to appear trifles: his merits as an officer are well known to you. Lieutenant Holmes, senior of the Saracen, who had the command of the convent, was constantly on the alert with his piquets, and entirely prevented the enemy getting supplies from the town or villages; his conduct on this, as on former occasions, has been that of a most zealous and enterprising officer. Mr. Brien, gunner of the Weazle, who constructed and commanded the battery on the mountain, proved himself a brave and experienced man. I hope the terms I granted the enemy, and my conduct, will meet your approbation. The inhabitants arc delighted to see the English. I have ordered every thing to remain the same until your pleasure is known. I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)“J. Harper.”
“To Rear-admiral Freemantle, &c. &c. &c.”
Enclosures.
No. 1. – Terms demanded by the enemy.
“The troops comprising the garrison of Mezzo to be permitted to go to Ragusa, taking with them their arms and ammunition, and not to be considered prisoners of war.” – Refused.
No. 2. – Terms offered by Captain Harper.
“The officer commanding the castle of Mezzo shall be allowed his parole of honour, not to serve against Great Britain or her allies until regularly exchanged.
“The troops to march out of the castle with shouldered arms, and to ground them on the glacis; to be considered prisoners of war, to be landed near Ragusa, and nut to serve against Great Britain or her allies until regularly exchanged.
“The officers to keep their swords.
“The castle, with all the ordnance, arms, ammunition, stores, &c. to be given up in the state it now is.” – All accepted.
Return of Ordnance, &c, taken.
“Five long 9-pounders, one brass 51/2-inch howitzer, 500 round shot, 30 shells, 8000 musket-ball cartridges, and four barrels of gunpowder.”
The capture of Mezzo was a great annoyance to the French general at Ragusa, who immediately withdrew his troops from Calamotta, saying “nothing in the shape of an island was secure from the English brigs.“On the other hand. Rear-Admiral Freemantle was so well pleased with the conduct of Captain Harper, that he gave him the entire direction of the blockade of Ragusa and Boco di Cattaro, with orders
