by John Marshall

“ At the commencement of the French revolutionary war Lieutenant Epworth proceeded to the West Indies, on which station he was frequently employed in boats, capturing the enemy’s vessels, and cutting them out of their harbours. We next find him serving in the Alexander of 74 guns, commanded by the late Sir Richard Rodney Bligh, whose memorable defence of that ship against a French squadron of five sail of the line and three frigates, can never be forgotten [5] . ”

“ Towards the conclusion of the war with the United States, Captain Epworth was appointed to the Bulwark 74, stationed off Boston to watch the American line-of-battle ship Independence, then lying in that harbour ready for sea. During his continuance on that station, in the Nymphe and Bulwark, he captured six privateers, carrying in the whole 41 guns and 309 men; took and destroyed sixty-three sail of the enemy’s coasting and other traders; and recaptured eight British merchantmen with valuable cargoes. ”

“ You are not ignorant, doubtless, of the arrival of an English commissary a few days since, in one of our ports in the Channel, sent by your government to treat for the exchange of prisoners of war. The representatives of the people immediately sent a courier extraordinary to the Committee of Public Safety, to ascertain if they would enter upon negociations on the subject. ”