sail under our lee bow, we soon spoke the first sail discovered,
and found her to be an American brig from St. Domingo, bound to
Portland; I directed the captain how to steer to avoid the enemy,
and made sail for the vessel to leeward; on coming up with her, she
proved to be an American brig from St. Bartholomew's, bound to
Philadelphia; but, on being informed of war, he bore up for
Charleston, South Carolina. Finding the ship so far to the
southward and eastward, and the enemy's squadron stationed off New
York, which would make it impossible to get in there, I determined
to make for Boston, to receive your farther orders, and I hope my
having done so will meet your approbation. My wish to explain to
you as clearly as possible why your orders have not been executed,
and the length of time the enemy were in chase of us, with various
other circumstances, have caused me to make this communication much
longer than I could have wished, yet I cannot in justice to the
brave officers and crew under my command, close it without
expressing to you the confidence I have in them, and assuring you
that their conduct while under the guns of the enemy was such as
might have been expected from American officers and seamen. I have
the honor to be, with very great respect, sir, your obedient humble
servant,

ISAAC HULL."

[Illustration: Hull's Victory]

Such is Captain Hull's modest account of this truly brilliant exploit.
Sailing on a cruise immediately after this, with the same frigate,
officers, and crew, on the 19th of August he fell in with His Britannic
Majesty's ship Guerriere, rated at thirty-eight guns, and carrying