by John Marshall

“ The gallant conduct of the officers and men employed upon this enterprise will. I trust, meet with your lordship’s approbation; and it is from a desire of doing justice to their merits that I have been drawn into this, otherwise unnecessary, long detail. ”

“ Mr. Mather now found his situation extremely critical, having the hatchways to guard to prevent the enemy rising from below, the boats’ crews fatigued with rowing all night, and the gun-boats approaching fast, and raking the ship, he had therefore the mortification of feeling himself obliged to relinquish his prize, after being in possession of her above three hours; and unfortunately failed in several attempts, before he retreated, to set her on fire. The moment I could discover the Bull-dog was out of the mole, I got the Mercury under weigh ”