on the subject of a challenge, stated to have been offered through Mr. Hill, by Captain Lawrence, of the U.S. sloop of war the He met, to myself, as commander of H.B.M. ship the Bonne Citoyenne, anchored in this port, pledging his honor, as well as that of Commodore Bainbridge, that no advantage shall be taken by the Constitution, or any other American vessel whatever on the occasion. I am convinced, Sir, if such rencontre were to take place, the result could not be long dubious, and would terminate favorably to the ship which I have the honor to command; but I am equally convinced that Commodore Bainbridge could not swerve so much from the paramount duty he owes to his country, as to become an inactive spectator, and see a ship belonging to the very squadron under his orders fall into the hands of an enemy: this reason operates powerfully on my mind for not exposing the Bonne Citoyenne to a risk upon terms so manifestly disadvantageous as those proposed by Commodore Bainbridge; indeed, nothing could give me greater satisfaction than complying with the wishes of Captain Lawrence; and I earnestly hope that chance will afford him an opportunity of meeting the Bonne Citoyenne under different circumstances, to enable him to distinguish himself in the manner he is now so desirous of doing. I further assure you, that my ship will, at all times, be prepared, wherever she may be, to repel any attacks made against her, and I shall also act offensively wherever I judge it proper to do so. I am. Sir, with great regard, &c.
“It would appear,” says Mr. James, “as if the Commodore had purposely inserted the words, ‘or not interfering,’ lest Captain Greene, contrary to his expectation, should accept the challenge; for, had the two ships met by agreement, the Constitution looked on without interfering, and the British been the conqueror, the pledge of honour, on the part of both American commanders, would have been fulfilled; and can any one for a moment imagine, that Commodore Bainbridge would have seen the Bonne Citoyenne carry off a United States’ ship of war, without attempting her rescue? It was more than his head was worth. Where was the guarantee against recapture, which always accompanies a serious proposal of this sort, when a stronger force, belonging to either party, is to preserve a temporary neutrality?”[1] The Bonne Citoyenne and Hornet each mounted eighteen 32-pounder carronades; in addition to which the former had two long 9-pounders, and the latter two long twelves: the British
- ↑ Nav. Hist. VI. 276.
