Page:Final French Struggles in India and on the Indian Seas.djvu/136

108 After this cruise, which began in 1804 and closed the following year, Dutertre entered the French Navy and became lost to the public view. He died in 1811.

Amongst the other adventurers who caused great damage to English commerce, I find the Courson, above referred to, and who, previous to the peace of Amiens, had made several captures and had been taken prisoner and sent to England; Potier of St. Malo, who succeeded Surcouf in the Revenant, and who, in command of that privateer carrying 18 guns, captured the Portuguese man-of-war, the Conceção, pierced for 64, but carrying 54 guns; and Mallerouse of St. Malo, who commanding the Iphigénie of 18 guns, and having captured the Pearl, Indiaman, carrying 10 guns and having on board treasure amounting to more than three lakhs of rupees, found himself suddenly face to face with H. M.'s ship Trincomali, carrying 18 24-pounder carronades. The combat which ensued was so remarkable that I make no apology for recording it at length. I am fortunately able to quote an authority which every Englishman will recognise as impartial, for the extract which follows is taken from a private letter written to his brother in England by Mr. Cramlington, who was chief officer of the Pearl when she was captured, and at the time a prisoner on board the Iphigénie.

After recounting the story of the capture of the Pearl Mr. Cramlington thus continues: "The treasure was shifted on board the privateer the next day; and they were so elated with their success that they determined