ight. Soon after passing us she
tacked and stood after us. At this time six sail were in sight
under all sail after us. At 9, in the morning, saw a strange sail
on our weather beam, supposed to be an American merchant ship.
The instant the frigate nearest us saw her, she hoisted American
colours, as did all the squadron, in hopes to decoy her down. I
immediately hoisted English colours, that she might not be
deceived. She soon hauled her wind, and it is to be hoped made
her escape. All this day the wind increased gradually, and we
gained on the enemy, in the course of the day, six or eight
miles, they however continued chasing us all night under a press
of sail.

_July 20th._ At daylight in the morning only three of them (p. 157)
could be seen from the mast head, the nearest of which was
about twelve miles off directly astern. All hands were set at
work wetting the sails, from the royals down, with the engine and
fire-buckets, and we soon found that we left the enemy very fast.
At quarter past 8, the enemy finding that they were fast dropping
astern, gave over the chase, and hauled their own wind to the
northward, probably for the station off New York. At half-past 8,
saw a sail ahead, gave chase after her under all sail. At 9, saw
another strange sail under our lee bow. We soon spoke the first
sail, discovered and found her to be an American brig from St.
Domingo, bound to Portland. I directed the captain how to steer
to avoid the enemy, and made sail for the vessel to leeward. On
coming up with her, she proved to be an American brig from St.
Bartholomews, bound to Philadelphia, but on being informed of
war, she bore up for Charleston, S. C.

Finding the ship so far to the southward and eastward, and the
enemy's squadron stationed off New York, which would make it
impossible for the ship to get in there, I determined to make for
Boston to receive your further orders, and I hope that my having
done so will meet your approbation. My wish to explain to you as
clearly as possible why your orders have not been executed, and
the length of time the enemy were in chase of us, with various
other circumstances, have caused me to make this communication
much longer than I would have wished, yet I cannot (in justice to
the brave officers and cr