exertions throughout the whole affair, were duly acknowledged, as will be seen by reference to Vol. II. Part II. p. 974 et seq.
Previous to this unlucky rencontre, the Guerriere had been one of the most successful cruisers on the North American station, having, amongst other prizes, taken three vessels with very valuable cargoes, from Bourdeaux, for a breach of the Orders in Council.
About a fortnight after their arrival at Boston, the captain, surviving officers, and ship’s company of the late Guerriere, were exchanged and sent to Halifax, where they underwent the usual trial by court-martial, and obtained an honorable acquittal. This ordeal over, Lieutenant Kent was preparing to return home, but had not completed his arrangements when he was sent for by Admiral Sir John B. Warren, and informed that it was his intention to retain him on the station, and that he had accordingly appointed him to the command of the Nova Scotia brig, formerly an American privateer; in which vessel, during the winter of 1812, we find him employed in convoying the trade between Halifax and New Brunswick, and cruising in the Bay of Fundy.
In June 1813, Lieutenant Kent was sent home, with the despatches announcing the capture of the American frigate Chesapeake; and on his arrival in England, the Nova Scotia having been rated a sloop of war, he appears to have been superseded in the command of that vessel by the present Captain William Ramsden. Being then placed on the Admiralty list for promotion, in North America, he immediately returned thither, and had the gratification to find that his friend Captain Robert Lloyd, having joined the fleet on that station, in the Plantagenet 74, had applied for him to be appointed his first lieutenant; a request most readily granted.
After cruising for some time amongst the West India islands, in quest of the large American frigates, the Plantagenet was attached to the Jamaica station, then again recently become a separate command. In consequence of this arrangement, Lieutenant Kent reluctantly left that ship, in order not to lose his chance of an Admiralty vacancy, and
