Amsterdam, August 18th, 1781.
Sir,
We have received at last, Parker's account of the action with Admiral Zoutman; according to which, the battle was maintained with a continual fire for three hours and forty minutes, when it became impossible to work his ships. He made an attempt to recommence the action, but found it impracticable. The Bienfaisant had lost her maintopmast, and the Buffalo her mizzen-yard, and the other vessels were not less damaged in their masts, rigging, and sails. The enemy did not appear in a better condition. The two squadrons remained some time over against each other; at length the Dutch retired, taking with their convoy the course to the Texel. He was not in a condition to follow them. The officers and all on board behaved with great bravery, and the enemy did not discover less courage. He encloses the particulars of the number killed and wounded, and of the damages which the vessels have sustained. The last is prudently suppressed by the Ministry.
The following is a list of the killed and wounded in the action of the 5th of August.
| Killed. | Wounded. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortitude, | 20 | 67 | 87 |
| Bienfaisant, | 6 | 21 | 27 |
| Berwick, | 18 | 58 | 76 |
| Princess Amelia, | 19 | 56 | 75 |
| Preston, | 10 | 40 | 50 |
| Buffalo, | 20 | 64 | 84 |
| Dolphin, | 11 | 33 | 44 |
| 104 | 339 | 443 |
| Killed. | Wounded. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral de Ruyter, | 43 | 90 | 133 |
| Admiral-General, | 7 | 41 | 48 |
| Batavier, | 18 | 48 | 66 |
| Argo, | 11 | 87 | 98 |
| Holland, | 64 | ||
| Admiral Ret Hein, | 9 | 58 | 67 |
| 476 |
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN ADAMS.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Amsterdam, August 22d, 1781.