to reconnoitre the island of Curaçoa, and to ascertain, by a flag of truce, whether the inhabitants were disposed towards an alliance with Great Britain.
It was on the 1st Jan. 1807, that this little squadron, reinforced by the Fisgard frigate, arrived off Curaçoa. No orders whatever had been given to attack the island; but, having by means of the pilots taken on board at Aruba, perfectly ascertained the situation of the place, Captain Brisbane formed a plan for carrying it by a coup-de-main; and imparting his intention to the respective Captains under him, with a zeal for the service which would have done honor to the character of a Nelson, taking the sole responsibility of the act upon himself, he led his ships into the harbour, passing the formidable line of sea batteries by which its entrance was protected, and came to an anchor. It is well deserving of remark, that previously to this, and unknown to their officers, the men, participating in the spirit of their gallant leader, had arranged themselves for attack , and, when called to quarters, they were found with the words “Victory or Death” chalked upon their hats! As an additional stimulus, Captain Brisbane instantly put on his full uniform, and proceeded as we have already stated. The harbour, as he describes it in his official letter, was defended by regular fortifications, of two tier of guns, Fort Amsterdam alone mounting 66 pieces of cannon , the entrance only fifty yards wide, athwart which was the Dutch frigate Hatslar, of 36 guns, and Surinam sloop, of 22, with two armed schooners; a chain of forts was on Misleburg, a commanding height; and that almost impregnable fortress, Fort Republique, within the distance of grape-shot, enfilading the whole harbour.
The enemy were panic-struck at such unexpected gallantry, and all was confusion. A severe and destructive cannonade commenced on the part of the Arethusa and Latona, which ships had entered the harbour in close order, and taken their positions before they fired a shot. The larboard broadside of the former bearing upon Fort Republique; the latter placed athwart the hawse of the Dutch men-of-war, and in a position to enfilade the guns of Fort Amsterdam, the fire of which was soon silenced. The Anson, on her arrival, ran alongside of the Surinam; but the Fisgard, less fortunate, got a-ground
