by John Marshall

“ Captain Douglas again hauled his wind, as well to ascertain the fate of the Cyane, as to renew the desperate contest. On approaching the Constitution and her prize, the Levant, with admirable boldness, ranged close alongside the former to leeward, being unable to weather her; and at 8-30 those very unequal combatants, while passing on opposite tacks, exchanged broadsides. The forty-four then wore under the Levant’s stern, and raked her with a second broadside. At 9-30, finding that the Cyane had undoubtedly surrendered. Captain Douglas once more put before the wind ”

“ Out of 115 officers and men, and sixteen boys, on board at the commencement of this long action, the Levant had 6 killed and 16 wounded: the Cyane, which ship had only 145 officers and men, and no less than twenty-six boys, sustained a loss of 6 slain and 13 wounded. That of the Constitution, as acknowledged by her commander, Captain Charles Stewart, was 4 killed and 11 (including 2 mortally) wounded. The Levant’s marines, it should be remarked, were young raw recruits, and although considered as men, would all have been rated boys in the American service. ”

“ The Levant was soon afterwards retaken at Porto Praya [4] ; from whence the Constitution proceeded with her prisoners to Maranham, on the coast of Brazil. The Cyane having also escaped from Sir George Collier, arrived at New York without any further interruption. It need scarcely be added, that Captains Douglas and Falcon were most honorably acquitted, by a court-martial, held at Halifax, Nova Scotia, to try them for the surrender of their respective ships, and justly applauded for the gallant defence they made against an enemy so decidedly superior. ”