embrace the same opportunity of meeting the Endymion, commanded by Captain Hope. In the event of Sir Thos. Hardy's permitting our joint acceptation of this rendezvous, I, of course, must be the senior officer; but, in the interim, I shall confine my reply to your obliging letter, as to the future acts of H. M. ship I have the honor to command.

It will afford her captain, officers, and crew the greatest pleasure, to meet Captain Jones in the Macedonian tomorrow, next day, or whenever such a meeting may suit his purpose: let him only be pleased to appoint the day and place. Say, six or ten leagues south of Montauk point, or further if he pleases; my only object for selecting this distance from the shore is to avoid any interruption. Little, I think, can be apprehended, as all the cap. tains commanding frigates, excepting one, in these seas, are junior to me; and, in the event of chance, or by accident, meeting him, I will hoist a flag of truce, pledging the word and honor of a British officer, (further I cannot offer,) to keep the truce flying till the Macedonian is out of sight; and, in the event of a junior officer appearing, the same guarantee shall be kept flying until I can detach him.

In accepting this invitation, sir, it is not to vaunt, or, in the most trifling degree, to enhance my own professional character, or take from what is so justly due to Captain Jones;* although I have been twice mortified, in being obliged to retreat, on the 26th and 28th of August,

The reader will recollect that Captain Jones commanded the Wasp in her action with the Frolic. See page 249

1812, by six American men of war; and, for 12 weeks together, cruizing alone, it has never fallen to the Statira's lot to meet one singly.

The honor of my king, defence of my country, engaged in a just and unprovoked war, added to the glory of the British flag, is all I have in view.

I perceive a statement in your letter of the comparative force of the two ships; and, as I fear you have been led into error, shall take this opportunity to say, the Statira carries only 46 guns, instead of 50, with two little boatguns, of more utility in exercising the men, than any effect they might have in the hour of battle; and, without any external finery to recommend her, is simply a British man of war of her class: nevertheless, a more fair and equal match, in ship and guns, may not soon occur. In number of men, I am aware of having a superiority to oppose: all I request is, that both ships may quickly meet.

Having received your communication by the hand of Sir T. M. Hardy, Bart. I shall convey my reply through the same channel, requesting you will be so good as to hand it to the captain of the Macedonian.

I am, sir, with every

consideration,

Your obedient humble servant,

HASSARD STACKPOOLE.*

Captain Stackpoole was afterwards killed in a duel with Lieutenant Cecil of the British Navy, near Port Henderson, on the Island of Jamaica, April 28th, 1814.

SIR,

Sir T. M. Hardy to Commodore Decatur.

Ramillies, off New London,

January 18, 1812.

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, by Captain Biddle, signifying a desire on your part, and that of Captain Jones, as commanders of the ships United States and Macedonian, to meet H. B. M. ships Endymion and Statira, in consequence of a conversation reported to you by Mr. Moran, master of a sloop recently captured: and, in reply, I beg to inform you, I have no hesitation whatever to permit Captain Stackpoole, in the Statira, to meet the Macedonian, as they are sister-ships, carrying the same number of guns, and weight of metal; but, as it is my opinion, the Endymion is not equal to the United States,* being 200 tons less, and carrying 26 guns on her main-deck, and only 32-pound carronades on her quarter-deck and forecastle, when, I am informed, the United States has 30 guns on her main-deck, and 42-pound carronades on her quarter-deck and forecastle, I must consider it my duty, (though very contrary to the wishes of Captain Hope,) to decline the invitation on his part.

The captains of H. B. M. frigates under my orders, as well as myself, cannot too highly appreciate the gallant spirit that has led to the communication from you, sir; and are equally convinced, that no personal feeling towards each other can ever influence a laudable ambition to add to the naval renown of our respective countries.

I have the honor to enclose a letter from Captain Stackpoole, bearing your address; and I pledge my honor to facilitate, by every means in my power, the meeting on the rendezvous pointed out by him, and that none of the captains of H. M. ships, junior to me, shall interfere. Captain Stackpoole's proposal amply provides against that of a senior officer.

Should success attend the Macedonian, I guarantee her proceeding unmolested to any port to the eastward of this anchorage; and I propose the same from you, sir, for the Statira to proceed to Bermuda.

Captain Coote will have the honor to deliver this letter, and to make any arrangements that may be necessary. I have the honor to be, &c.

T. M. HARDY.

From Commodore Decatur to Sir T. M. Hardy.

SIR,

U. S. ship United States, New London,
January 19, 1814.

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of yesterday, with the enclosure from Capt. Stackpoole by the hands of Captain Coote.

The proposition for a contest between H. B. M. frigates Endymion and Statira, and this ship and the Ma

cedonian, was made by me in the full belief that their force was equal; but it has been declined in consequence of your entertaining a different opinion on this subject from my own.

I do not think myself authorised to comply with the wishes of Captains Jones and Stackpoole, for a meeting in their ships.

This squadron is now under sailing-orders from the government; and I feel myself bound to put to sea the first favourable opportunity that may occur.

In my proposal for a meeting of the four ships, I consented, and I fear incautiously, that you should make up the complements of the Endymion and Statira from the crews of the Ramillies and Borer.

I was induced to accord this indulgence, from a supposition that their crews might have been reduced by manning prizes; and a hope that, as the selected men would be divided between the two ships, the advantage would not be overwhelming.

But, Sir, if the Statira is to avail herself alone of this concession, it must be obvious to you, and every one, that I should be yielding to you an advantage I could not excuse to my government; and in making the crew of the Macedonian any degree equal to such a conflict, I should be compelled to break up the crews of this ship and the Hornet, and thus render a compliance with my orders to proceed to sea utterly impracticable. I beg leave also to state, that the guarantee against recapture, in case the Macedonian should prove successful, is very far from satisfactory.