Two large ships and a brig had been seen early in the morning at anchor outside, afterwards found to be the Resolutie, armed merchant vessel, of 700 tons, with a valuable cargo, and having the colours and staff of a Dutch European regiment on board; the Scipio, national corvette, of 24 guns and 150 men; and the Ceres, Company’s brig of war.  That he might be ready to take advantage of the sea-breeze, Captain Pellew destroyed the prizes, and before noon the Psyche was clear of the harbour in chase, the enemy having weighed and stood to sea.  The frigate gaining fast upon them, they all ran themselves on shore at half-past three, and opened their fire.  The Psyche anchored as near as the depth of water would allow, and presently compelled the merchant ship to surrender.  At half-past four, just as the frigate was lowering her boats to board, the Scipio struck:  and the brig soon after fired a broadside, and hauled down her colours.  They were all got off safely the same night, and Captain Pellew, after arranging with the Governor of Samarang for sending on shore the prisoners, who far outnumbered his own crew, returned to port with his prizes.

On the arrival of the Psyche, Sir Edward sailed from Madras, with the Culloden and Powerful, seventy-fours; Caroline and Fox, frigates; Victor, Samarang, Seaflower, and Jaseur, sloops of war; and Wexford, a large Indiaman, fitted as a troop-ship:  with five companies of the 34th regiment, and a company of artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Lockhart.  The squadron proceeded first to Prince of Wales’ Island, where it embarked the Royals, and the 34th; and on the 20th of November sailed finally for its destination.  On the morning of the 5th of December it arrived off Point Panka, the eastern extremity of Java; and Sir Edward sent a summons to M. Cowell, commander of the Gallo-Batavian force, to surrender the ships of war under his orders.  “The British,” he wrote, “are the natural friends of the Dutch.  We are impressed with correspondent sentiments.  It is become our duty to prevent the Dutch ships of war from acting under the control of France in hostility to the British.”  He then proposed that the ships of war, and all vessels under French colours, be given up, promising in that case security for the inhabitants and garrison; and threatening, in the event of a refusal, those hostile operations which the naval and military forces were jointly prepared to accomplish.  Captain Fleetwood Pellew, with a military officer, and the Admiral’s secretary, delivered this proposal to the French commodore; but that officer, in violation of the flag of truce, detained them all as prisoners, and returned an answer of defiance.