tain Downie, agreeably to directions he had himself left on that head. The following correspondence (under a flag of truce) subsequently took place between the generous American and the subject of this memoir:
“Dear Sir,– When you left the Saratoga, I was under an impression that the sword of my friend Captain Lawrence, who fell on board the frigate Chesapeake, had been given up to his friends who took charge of his effects; my having been informed of the contrary, and that Captain Lawrence’s sword was retained by Captain Broke, I beg the same thing may be observed with the sword of Captain Downie, and that it may be delivered to the officer who will deliver this request. I beg, my dear Sir, this may be considered as a point of etiquette, and in no way reflecting on your late commander’s memory. I am, dear Sir, with respect and esteem, your obedient servant,
“To Lieutenant James Robertson, R.N.”
“Dear Sir,– In reply to your letter of the 21st instant, which I did not receive until this morning, requesting that the sword of the late Captain Downie should be delivered to you, as a point of etiquette, and quoting as a precedent the instance of Captain Broke having retained the sword of your late friend Captain Lawrence, I have the honor to observe, that Captain Lawrence lived to see his ship surrender to the British flag, consequently Captain Broke had an undoubted right to have the emblem of Captain Lawrence’s services presented to him; but as Captain Downie fell early in the late action, and the command of the Confiance then devolved on me, I conceive, that though you have an unquestionable title to my sword, who am alone the only officer responsible for her surrender, it is a duty I owe to the memory and friends of my ever to be lamented commander, never to acknowledge the propriety of his sword being delivered to you as a point of etiquette. Should you, my dear Sir, still think that this is a case in point with the one you mention, I am ready to deliver the sword of the deceased; but cannot consider the transfer in any other point of view than that of private property taken in the Confiance, and in no manner emblematic of the surrender of the late Captain Downie to the arms of the United States. I have the honor to be, dear Sir, with much regard, your most obedient servant,
“To Captain Macdonough, commanding the U.S. squadron,
Lake Champlain.”
It is proper to mention, that previous to this, Captain Mac-
