by John Marshall

“ Mackenzie established his character as a brave officer, by boarding and carrying l’Eclair a French national schooner, moored under the batteries at Trois Rivieres, Guadaloupe, and fully prepared for action. ”

“ Mackenzie, in a manner which exceeds all praise, ran the schooner on board, though a superior enemy, and evidently prepared for him. He then entered with Lieutenant Peachey and 30 men, and after a contest of fifteen minutes, succeeded in bringing her off under a most tremendous fire from the batteries, she being moored so close to the shore as to have a stern hawser fast on the beach. In this contest the French Captain, his 2 Lieutenants, and 6 men, were wounded; besides 1 killed and 2 drowned. In the tender, 2 men were killed and 3 wounded. ”

“ Though I was not an observer of this exploit, which appears to be amongst the first traits of gallantry in the course of the war, their Lordships will be able to appreciate the value of Lieutenant Mackenzie’s conduct, which, I must further add, is, in its probable consequences, of the greatest moment to the trade of our islands, as l’Eclair sails rapidly, and when fully armed will carry 12 six-pounders, besides 20 one and a half-pounder brass guns, mounted as swivels. ”