punish, any insult that may be offered to the flag she has the honor to bear, to the last drop of blood that shall remain of the dutiful and loyal subjects of a beloved Sovereign, and an exalted country.
On the 12th June, 1807, Commander Love fell in with the pirate he was in search of, and succeeded in decoying him under the Driver’s lee-bow; the following is a copy of his official letter on this subject:–
“Sir,– By the capture of the Spanish packet Ranger, on the 20th of April last, I obtained information of a schooner having been purchased at Charlestown, and fitted as a privateer at St. Augustine, to intercept which vessel has occupied much of my attention; and I have great satisfaction in acquainting you that she was captured this day by H.M. ship under my command. She proves to be El Boladora, armed with one 6-pounder, and having on board twenty-five men, amongst whom are several Americans, commanded by Robert Ross, a man notorious on many occasions, but particularly at the massacre of the crew of the Esther, of Liverpool, off Charlestown. E1 Boladora had been at Norfolk, and sailed from thence on the 6th instant, in company with the British brig Ceres, James Nevin, master, bound to Liverpool, with logwood, which vessel she boarded, captured, and sent for St. Augustine, at 2 p.m. the same day, being at the time within eight miles of Cape Henry light-house; she had not made any other capture, but had committed various depredations on American vessels. I have the honor to be, &c.
“To the Hon. Vice-Admiral Berkeley.”
Respecting this capture, the following was addressed to Commander Love:–
“Sir,– We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st ultimo, and are very happy to observe that you have at length succeeded in capturing the privateer commanded by Robert Ross. We lost no time in stating the fact, and other particulars of the case, to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and we have the pleasure to annex the copy of a letter from their lordships, by which you will observe that Ross is ordered to be sent to this country, to be dealt with according to justice.
“We are not aware that any reward has been offered for the capture of Ross, either in this country or in America: there may have been one in Charlestown, but certainly none here. We shall feel much pleasure in lending our aid to obtain for you some remuneration for the services you have done to both countries on this occasion. It will give us great satis-
