by John Marshall

“ James, “la Palineur, being greatly disabled in her rigging, fell on board the Carnation. In common cases this would have been the moment for the British vessel to terminate the contest in her favor; but the Carnation was not so fortunate: her gallant commander was dead, and all her principal officers and several of her crew had been either killed or badly wounded ; so that the boatswain, William Triplet, was now the commanding officer on deck. Finding that the British were not, as usual, ready to run on board their vessel, the French took confidence, and became themselves the assailants. ”

“ La Palineur had only fourteen 24-pounder carronades, 2 long guns [1] , and about 100 men; her loss has never been ascertained. The French captain died, of yellow fever, in less than an hour after his victory.
The master of the Carnation died on board the Neptune 98, Nov. 6, 1808. The surviving officers were tried by a court-martial, in Fort Royal bay, Martinique, Feb. 28, 1809, when the whole of them, and a few of her crew, obtained an honorable acquittal. ”

“ Anthony Metherell (master) , Mr. Morgan Thomas (purser) , Mr. Thomas Griffiths (carpenter) , and all those of her crew who were killed during the battle, did perform their respective duties as became them.”
Of the remainder of the brig’s company then present to take their trial, 32 seamen and marines were found guilty of gross cowardice, and sentenced to 14 years’ transportation, except the Serjeant of marines, who was condemned to death, and, on the following day, executed. ”