by John Marshall

“ On the breaking out of the American war, in 1812, the Poictiers proceeded to the Halifax station, and was employed in the blockade of the river Delaware, up which her boats were very frequently sent to annoy the enemy. On one of these occasions, an officer and a party of marines having been taken prisoners. Lieutenant Harris was sent under a flag of truce to effect their exchange, with orders, in case the ship should go in chase, to rendezvous on board a prize sloop at anchor in the mouth of the river. ”

“ On the 26th Feb. 1810, in consequence of favorable representations personally made to the Board of Admiralty by Sir John Poo Beresford, he was advanced to the rank of lieutenant, and about the same lime appointed to serve under his constant patron, in the Poicters 74, then fitting out at Chatham. ”