that of his vessel was le Moulin à Café: his crew consisted of 83 men.
Lieutenant Ussher was obliged to use crutches for several months after his return to the Pelican; and his wound had not healed when he volunteered to attack another privateer schooner, lying in Artibonite river, at the west end of St. Domingo[1]. This enterprise was undertaken in Jan. 1799. The force intended to be employed consisted of 50 men, placed on board a detained merchant schooner; but as the wind was blowing down the river, and the attacking vessel would consequently be too much exposed to the enemy’s fire in working up, Lieutenant Ussher determined on making the attempt in the Pelican’s cutter alone. Twelve fine fellows instantly volunteered to accompany him, and with that small number he proceeded to the attack. The privateer had not less than 70 men, part of whom were strongly posted behind trees; notwithstanding which immense superiority, he boarded, carried, and, as she was fast aground, destroyed her. She proved to be la Trompeuse, mounting 5 guns, and commanded by the same person who had so nobly fought the Pelican in Sept. 1797, but who was not on board his new vessel to defend her with equal gallantry. The loss sustained by each party on this occasion was comparatively trifling.
Whilst serving as a Lieutenant of the Pelican, Mr. Ussher was engaged in more than twenty boat attacks, the whole of which were conducted by him with the same zeal and gallantry as those enterprises were which we have been describing. In May, 1799, he was appointed third of the Trent frigate, commanded by Captain Robert Waller Otway, an officer likewise distinguished for his active services and very daring exploits.
On the 7th of the following month. Lieutenant Ussher volunteered his services to attack a schooner and a felucca, lying in Aguada bay, at the N.W. end of Porto Rico, which anchorage was protected by two batteries, one of six and the other of four 24-pounders. The barge and a cutter were accordingly placed under his orders, the latter boat commanded
