epid to (p. 246)
Tripoli when Decatur blew up the Philadelphia, and was promoted to the
rank of master-commandant, May 19, 1804, and of captain, April 22,
1806. While in command of the frigate Constitution he fought and
captured, February 20, 1815, the two British ships-of-war, Cyane,
Captain Gordon Falcon, and Levant, Captain the Honorable George
Douglas, for which brilliant action he received the thanks of Congress
and a gold medal. He commanded in the Mediterranean from 1816 to 1820;
in the Pacific from 1821 to 1823; was member of the Naval Board from
1830 to 1833; commanded the navy yard at Philadelphia, 1837; and was
put on the retired list in 1857; but was replaced on the active list
as senior flag officer, 1859, and was appointed rear-admiral on the
retired list, 1862. He died at Bordentown, New Jersey, November 7,
1869.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Stewart, etc._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled_: That the
President of the United States be, and he is hereby requested, to
present to Captain Charles Stewart, of the frigate Constitution,
a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices, and a silver
medal,[106] with suitable emblems and devices, to each
commissioned officer of the said frigate, in testimony of the
high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct
and services of Captain Stewart, his officers and crew, in the
capture of the British vessels of war, the Cyane and Levant,
after a brave and skilful combat.

[Footnote 106: The silver medals are copies of the
gold medal given to Captain Stewart.]

Approved February 22, 1816.

_____

_Captain Stewart to the Secretary of the Navy._

To the Honourable United States Frigate Constitution,
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, May, 1815.
Washington, D. C.

Sir: On the 20th of February last, the island of Madeira bearing
about west southwest, distant 60 leagues, we fell in with His
Britannic Majesty's two ships-of-war, the Cyane and Levant, (p. 247)
and brought them to action about 6 o'clock in the evening, both
of which, after a spirited engagement of 40 minutes, surrendered