by John Marshall

“ By half-past 8 a.m., the enemy had advanced within extreme range, and opened their fire: they continued rapidly gaining upon us until about half-past 9, when they were so near that I was compelled to sweep her broadside to, and engage under the greatest disadvantages the Vincejo could possibly be exposed to; – a perfect calm; a strong flood tide then made against her; the people fatigued by hard labour at the sweeps, and divided, during the action, between the larboard guns and the starboard oars. ”

“ In this painful situation, without a chance of escape, or hope of succour, closely pressed in a dead calm by seventeen vessels advancing to board with numerous troops; with a crew reduced to fifty efficient officers and seamen. ”

“ We first find this officer serving as senior lieutenant of the Vincejo brig. Captain John Wesley Wright, when that vessel was sent to cruise between the Loire and l’Orient, for the purpose of carrying on the communications between this country and the French royalists, which led to the mysterious death of her gallant commander in the tower of the Temple at Paris. ”