er, and at a
cable's distance, at half-past ten, began the action, which
continued with scarcely any intermission two hours and ten
minutes.

Both ships were soon cut up in their sails and rigging, our
fore-topsail yard being shot away, and soon after the
fore-top-mast; the ship came to, and wearing on the other tack,
gave us an opportunity to fire our guns, which were so well
served that the French ship soon became unmanageable, and
enabled us to rake her fore and aft; in which situation she
struck her colours. I must observe that they had been before
shot away, and, imagining she had struck, I gave orders to cease
firing; she, however, soon relieved us of our suspense by giving
us her broadside: we were so well prepared, and kept up so good
a fire, that in a short time after they waved their colours and
made signs from the gunwale with their hats that they had
struck.

I immediately sent Mr. Parker to take possession of the ship,
and send the first and second captains on board the Crescent.
They informed me that the ship they had surrendered was La
Reunion, mounting thirty-six guns and three hundred and
twenty-one men. When we came into action, another frigate was in
sight to the eastward, which we took to be her consort; we
therefore lost no time to exchange prisoners, and repair our
damages, in the best manner we could: she, however, proved to be
the Circe, and joined us four hours after the action ceased.

The circumstance that has made me most happy from this
engagement is, that we have not had a single person hurt by the
enemy, and but one man injured, who had his leg fractured by the
recoil of a gun. There being little wind the sea was perfectly
calm; and I had the satisfaction to observe that most of our
shot were perfectly well directed. The enemy's frigate is indeed
most sadly a wreck, thirty-four men killed and eighty-four
wounded, many of them mortally; one officer only has suffered,
being badly wounded. She was commanded by Citizen Denain,
capitaine de vaisseau, to whose obstinacy they ascribe the
sacrifice of many lives.

It is unnecessary for me to observe, my dear Richard, the great
happiness I derive from the consciousness that this event will
afford you and all our friends particular satisfaction. My dear
Martha, too,--I scarcely know how I shall disclose the
circumstance