by John Marshall

“ Charles Sullivan, to attack and bring out the enemy’s vessels there: this service was completely effected, in a manner highly creditable to the officers and men employed on it; the boats having taken possession of, and towed out from under a heavy fire from the batteries, an armed schooner of 8 guns, and a large merchant brig. The early part of the morning had discovered to us two ships and a brig at anchor outside; and from one of them having the appearance of a ship of war, not a doubt was to be entertained of their being enemies. ”

“ The defenceless state of the ships now destroyed, which lay on shore alongside the hulk, their guns being landed, and the batteries being unequal to oppose the lire of the squadron, did not afford a sufficient opportunity to exercise the united naval and military forces employed on this service; but the difficulties which have been surmounted in bringing up the ships to Griessee, have called forth that active zeal and perseverance which is highly creditable to the exertions of the respective captains and commanders, and every person on board. ”

“ This, in our humble judgment, is an erroneous, not to say slovenly mode of disposing of the case: the specific law remains undefined; the same ‘glorious uncertainty’ is left to puzzle any succeeding court under similar circumstances; and the same variety of opinion is left to prevail among naval men. ”