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the express purpose of coping with the heavy American frigates. His plan being approved, he was appointed, in Jan. 1813, to the Majestic, a third rate, ordered to be reduced, and armed, according to his suggestion, with twenty-eight long 32-pounders, and the same number of 42-pr. carronades, to which was added one long 12, as a chase gun. When ready for sea, he proceeded to join the squadron employed under the orders of Sir John B. Warren, on the Halifax station; and during the remainder of that year we find him charged with the blockade of Boston, in which port the Constitution was then lying ready for sea. On the 3d Feb. 1814, he captured a French frigate in the vicinity of the Azores, whither he had gone in quest of the American forty-four, which ship had eluded his vigilance during a snow storm on the first of the preceding month. We here subjoin an extract from his official letter to Sir J. B. Warren, reporting the above capture:

“Majestic, at Sea, Feb. 5, 1814.

“At day-light on the morning of the third instant, in lat. 37 and long. 20, being then in chase of a ship in the N.E. supposed to be one of the enemy’s cruisers, three ships and a brig were discovered about three leagues off, in the S.S.E. of very suspicious appearance; and they not answering the private signal, I gave over the pursuit of the other, hoisted my colours, and proceeded to reconnoitre them, when two of the ships immediately gave chase to me. On closing within four miles, I discovered them to be two 44-gun frigates, a ship mounting 20 guns, and a brig, which I could not perceive to be armed. I determined on forcing them to shew their colours, (which they appeared to wish to avoid,) and for that purpose stood directly towards the headmost frigate, when she shortened sail, and brought to for the other to close. I now made all sail, in the hope of being able to get alongside of her before it could be effected, but in this I was foiled, by her wearing, joining the other, and taking a station a-head and a-stern, with the 20-gun ship and brig on their weather bow. They stood to the S.S.E. with larboard studding-sails, and all the canvas that could be carried; the sternmost hoisting French colours. At 2^h 15' P.M. she opened a fire from the aftermost guns upon us; and at three o’clock, being in a good position, (going ten knots an hour,) I commenced firing with considerable effect, the shot going either through, or just over the starboard quarter to the forecastle, and passing over the larboard bow. At 4^h 49' she struck her colours to H.M.S. under my command. The wind increasing, the prize being in a state of great confusion, and night fast approaching, obliged rne to stay by her, and to suffer the other frigate, with the ship and brig, to escape. The sea got up so very fast that only 100 of the pri-