by John Marshall

“ I have to request you will acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with the unconditional surrender of the capital city of Batavia, on the 8th inst., and the destruction or capture of the greatest part of the enemy’s European troops, by a successful assault made upon a strongly entrenched and fortified work, called Meester Cornelis, on the morning of the 26th, by the army under the command of Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, who had also with him the royal marines of the squadron. ”

“ The eager exertions of the corps of seamen, when permitted at their earnest request to leave the batteries and join in the pursuit of the enemy, gave the most satisfactory proof that British sailors, though not acting on the element particularly their own, are in every situation ready, able, and happy, to oppose with vigour and effect the enemies of their King and Country. ”

“ The zeal and gallantry manifested by the whole party were deservedly praised by the Board of Admiralty, who promoted the surviving officers, each of whom received a sword from the Patriotic Fund. Le Lynx being a fine brig of 337 tons, was added to the navy as a sloop of war, and the command of her given to Lieutenant Coombe [7] . The Galatea returned to England in the spring of 1809, and being found very defective, was soon after put out of commission and taken to pieces at Woolwich. In Nov. following Captain Sayer was appointed to the Leda, a new frigate of 42 guns ”

“ When we take into consideration the fatigue of so long a row as the boats’ crews had before they came up with le Lynx, their great disparity in numbers, their having to attack a man of war under sail, completely prepared for their reception, and their perseverance in the attack, without a chance of support from the Galatea, after being twice repulsed, we can have no hesitation in declaring that more determined bravery was never displayed, and that the eulogy afterwards pronounced in the House of Peers was highly merited. ”

“ Lieutenant-General Sir Samuel Auchmuty requests Captain Sayer, the senior officer of the naval detachments, and all the officers and seamen of the Royal Navy under his command, to accept his thanks for the able and active assistance rendered by the naval detachments from the moment of their disembarkation to join the army and assist in the batteries. ”

“ He accordingly hoisted a broad pendant in the Leda, and made so judicious a disposition of the force under his orders, that Rear-Admiral Sir George Burlton, on his arrival from England in June 1815, to assume the chief command, sent him from Madras to the Straits of Sunda and China sea, for the purpose of directing the movements of the ships he had already despatched thither to counteract the designs of the enemy. ”

“ The Honorable the Lieutenant-Governor cannot omit expressing the very high sense he entertains of the services rendered by Captain Sayer, since the capture of the island, while exercising the chief naval command. ”

“ At the head of our invaluable mens’ names, who fell in this quarter of an hour’s sharp contest, stands that of the second Lieutenant, Harry Walker, of his third wound; of the officers commanding our five boats, only Lieutenant Robert Gibson escaped unhurt. It may be unnecessary to add Lieutenant Coombe’s report, that every man did his duty. I am satisfied they did, &c. &c.
(Signed) ⁠“Geo. Sayer.” “To Rear-Admiral
⁠Hon. Sir Alex. Coohrane, K.B.”
The loss sustained by the British on this brilliant occasion amounted to 9 killed and 22 wounded; the enemy had 14 slain and 20 wounded. ”

“ Previous to this important and decisive advantage, the Lieutenant-General had caused batteries to be erected, consisting of twenty 18pounders, which were entirely manned by 500 seamen from his Majesty’s ships, under the direction of Captain Sayer, assisted by Captains Festing, Maunsell, Reynolds, and Stopford.
The enemy was enabled to bring 34 heavy guns, (18, 24, and 32-pounders) to bear upon our batteries; but from the superior and well-directed fire kept up by the British seamen, the enemy’s guns were occasionally silenced, and on the evening of the 25th completely so ”