insisted upon confining the mediation to particular parts of South America, instead of taking an enlarged and liberal view, with the intention of adjusting the whole of the differences, and entering into a hearty and permanent reconciliation, as was intended and proposed by the British cabinet.
A few days after his return home from this unsuccessful mission, Commodore Cockburn was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral, and ordered to assume the command of the squadron at Cadiz. He accordingly once more proceeded thither, in the Marlborough 74, taking with him Mr. Westphal, as his first lieutenant. In Nov. following, he was appointed second in command on the Halifax station, where a fresh field for exertion had recently been opened; and on the 3d Mar. 1813, we find him arriving in the Chesapeake with a detached squadron under his orders.
Although the war between Great Britain and the United States of North America had existed since June 1812, the enemy’s extensive navigable rivers had hitherto remained unmolested; but Rear-Admiral Cockburn was determined, so far as rested with himself, that this supineness should no longer continue. Immediately on his arrival in Lynhaven bay, he caused the necessary surveys of the channels to be commenced, and then with part of his force penetrated into Hampton roads. From thence, with armed boats, he entered James river, cleared it of vessels, and carried consternation into the heart of Virginia. An American frigate which had been lying at the mouth of Elizabeth river, watching a favorable opportunity to put to sea, was obliged to return up to Norfolk: and to prevent the possibility of her being followed, the enemy sunk a line of ships across the channel of the river between their forts. Rear-Admiral Cockburn then proceeded up the northern branch of the Chesapeake, capturing on his way several armed and other vessels. On the 22d March, he was joined by his commander-in-chief. Sir John B. Warren, with whom he penetrated nearly up to Annapolis. He subsequently proceeded, first in the Maidstone frigate, and next in the Fantome brig, until he entered the Elk river, at the very head of the Chesapeake waters. The
