by John Marshall

“ I cautioned both the officers and men to be particularly careful, and not suffer more than one man to be at each gun. Nor is it probable that a sloop of war, within pistol-shot of a large 44-gun frigate, should commence hostilities. He offered me every assistance I stood in need of, and submitted to me that I had better put into one of the ports of the United States, which I immediately declined. By the manner in which he apologised, it appeared to me evident, that had he fallen in with a British frigate, he would certainly have brought her to action ”

“ It would be the greatest injustice were I not also to speak most highly of Lieutenant Thomas Levell; Mr. M‘Queen, master, who was wounded in the right arm; and Mr. Wilson, master’s mate. Indeed the conduct of every officer and man was so good, it is impossible for me to discriminate.
“I hope, Sir, in this affair, I shall appear to have done my duty, and conducted myself as I ought to have done against so superior a force; and that the honor of the British flag was well supported.
(Signed) ⁠“A. B. Bingham.” “To Rear-Admiral Sawyer, &c. &c. &c.” ”

“ Rose, on the eastern side of the latter island, and commenced an attack, within grape-shot, upon two batteries commanding that anchorage. Immediately afterwards, the Sapphire sloop, Captain Bertie Cornelius Cator (acting) ran between him and the shore, and opened her broadside, which soon had the effect of silencing the enemy’s fire: a party of men from the frigate then landed, under the command of Lieutenant Bingham, who made the French governor prisoner, spiked the guns (6 in number) , burnt their carriages, and blew up a store of rockets. ”