l was
made for a chase, and the squadron made all sail on the starboard tack.
This being perceived by Captain Byrn, who commanded the British frigate
_Belvidera_, protecting the convoy, he tacked and made all sail,
steering northeast by east. It was now eight o'clock in the morning,
and the _President_ seemed to be gaining on the _Belvidera_,
leaving her consorts, however, far behind her. About half past three in
the afternoon, the _President_ fired three guns, the shot from one
of which was terribly destructive. Two men were killed, and Lieutenant
Bruce and four men were more or less severely wounded. Broadside after
broadside was fired by both vessels soon afterwards, and the
_President_ at last bore off. Each party lost about twenty-two
men, but the British frigate had the advantage. Her guns were pointed
with great skill, and produced a surprising effect, as the American
squadron failed in taking the single English frigate, and the whole
merchantmen escaped untouched. Indeed after a cruise of twenty days and
before the declaration of hostilities was known at sea, the American
squadron returned to port, having only captured seven merchantmen.

[18] Alison says under the command of General Wadsworth, but
Christie speaks of Brigadier-General Van Rensellaer, while the
American accounts speak of Colonel Solomon Van Rensellaer. In
this case Mr. Christie and the Americans are to be preferred to
Alison.

The action between the _Constitution_ and the _Guerriere_ occurred
after this event, the result of which has been already stated, somewhat
out of place, it is true, but, with the design of exhibiting how a
peace might have been effected, had it been desired by the Americans,
without loss of honor on either side. The simultaneousness of the
advantages gained by the British on the land, and of the advantages
gained by the Americans on the sea, is not a little remarkable, nor is
it less remarkable that after the tide of battle had slightly turned
with the British on land, towards the close of the war, the naval
actions at sea were nearly all to the disadvantage of the Americans. It
would seem that providence had designed to humble the pride of the
unnatural combatants.

About the exact time of the surrender of General Wadsworth, at
Queenston, an engagement occurred between the English sloop of war
_Frolic_, and the American brig of war _Wasp_, which proved disastrous
to the former. As far as t