His Majesty's Ship Ath?all, Sierra Leone, May 3.

Sir.—I have the honour to acquaint you that the Hon. Company's schooner, St. Helena, arrived here this day on her way to England, with despatches from Commodore Collier. She was attacked on the 6th of April, in lat. 1.30 south, and lon. 90. west, by a piratical felucca under French colours, and manned with a crew of from forty to fifty men of all nations, who, I regret to hear, murdered Captain Harrison, the chief officer, and twelve of the crew, besides Dr. Waddle, of the Hon. Company's medical service; and plundered the vessel of all the money that could be found on board, a great deal of her cargo, cut away her masts, scuttled the vessel in order to sink her, and after they left her fired many shots through her and abandoning her, not knowing that the carpenter and five men were left on board concealed, by whose exertions the vessel has been saved, and brought into this port.

I am sorry that the mail, the Commodore's despatches, and almost all the letters, appear to have been destroyed, at least, they are nowhere to be found.

From the description of the vessel (which I have forwarded to the Admiralty), she appears to be well known to the ships of the squadron, and as it is probable has no idea that the St. Helena escaped, I am in great hopes she may proceed to the coast and be there captured by one of the ships of the squadron.

It is my intention, in the absence of Commodore Collier, to render every assistance in the re-equipment of the schooner from the public stores, and to put her in charge of Lieut. Warren, a deserving officer on half-pay, lately in command of a ship lost on the coast through the ignorance of the pilot.

I have the honour, &c.

(Signed) Alexander Gordon, Captain,

And senior officer of his Majesty's ships at Sierra Leone.

To the secretary to the Hon. East India Company, London.