to the ship under my command.

Considering the advantages derived by the enemy from a divided
and more active force, as also their superiority in the weight
and number of guns, I deem the speedy and decisive result of this
action the strongest assurance which can be given to the
government that all under my command did their duty, and
gallantly supported the reputation of American seamen.

Enclosed you will receive the minutes of the action, and a list
of the killed and wounded on board this ship; also enclosed you
will receive for your information a statement of the actual force
of the enemy, and the number killed and wounded on board their
ships, as near as could be ascertained.

I have the honour to be, &c.,
Charles STEWART.

American loss: 3 killed, 12 wounded. British loss: 35 killed, 42
wounded. Prisoners taken, 313.

_____

_Minutes of the action between the United States frigate Constitution,
and His Britannic Majesty's skips Cyane and Levant, on the 20th
February, 1815._

Commences with light breezes from the east, and cloudy weather.
At one, discovered a sail two points on the larboard bow, hauled
up and made sail in chase. At a quarter past one, made the sail
to be a ship; at three-quarters past one, discovered another sail
ahead; made them out at two P.M. to be both ships, standing
close hauled, with their starboard tacks on board; at four P.M.
the weathermost ship made signals, and bore up to her consort,
then about 10 miles to leeward; we bore up after her, and set
lower top-mast, top-gallant, and royal studding-sails in chase;
at half-past four, carried away our main royal mast; took in the
sails and got another prepared; at five P.M. commenced firing on
the chase from our two larboard bow guns; our shot falling short,
ceased firing; at half-past five, finding it impossible to
prevent their junction, cleared ship for action, then about four
miles from the two ships; at forty minutes after five, they
passed within hail of each other, and hauled by the wind on the
starboard tack, hauled up their courses, and prepared to receive
us: at forty-five minutes past five, they made all sail close
hauled by the wind, in hopes of getting to the windward of us; at