e wind was light; soon after passing us she
tacked, and stood after us--at this time six sail were in sight,
under all sail after us. At nine 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 colors, as did all the squadron, in hopes to decoy her
down; I immediately hoisted the English colors, that she might not
be deceived; she soon hauled her wind, and, as 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 all night under a press of sail.

On the 20th, at daylight in the morning, only three of them could
be seen from the masthead, 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 engines and fire buckets, and
we soon found that we left the enemy very fast. At a quarter past
eight, the enemy finding that they were fast dropping astern, gave
over chase, and hauled their wind to the northward, probably for
the station off New York. At half past eight, saw a sail ahead,
gave chase after her under all sail. At nine, 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. Bartholomew's, bound to
Philadelphia; but, on being informed of war, he bore up for
Charleston, South Carolina. Finding the ship so far to the
southward and eastward, and the enemy's squadron stationed off New
York, which would make it impossible to get in there, I determined
to make for Boston, to receive your farther orders, and I hope 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 could have wished, yet I cannot in justice to the
brave officers and crew und