Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall sp3.djvu/351

 . I instantly made sail for their protection, and, after a short but anxious chace, succeeded in capturing le Coureur French privateer, of 14 guns and 50 men, belonging to Calais, commanded by Mon. Joreun, who tried us on every point of sailing; but by the uncommon exertion of my officers, although manned with only the marines and a few harbour-duty men, we completely out-manoeuvred, ran alongside of, and boarded him, without any loss on our part. The French captain and two of his crew were desperately wounded before he would surrender.

“I feel great pleasure in reporting the capture of this vessel, she being nearly new, and one of the fastest sailing privateers out of France, commanded by an able and enterprising man, who has been very successful in annoying our trade. The other lugger, la Honoria, of equal force, having got to a great distance whilst we were securing le Coureur, and night coming on, I am sorry it was not in my power to capture; but I completely drove her off the coast, and I have every reason to think the vessels they were in chase of escaped. They had sailed from Dieppe, only 8 hours before, in company with another, and had made no capture. The wind coming strong from the eastward, and not having men sufficient on board, after manning the prize, to guard the prisoners and navigate the Saracen, I have thought it prudent to return to Spithead with the lugger, which I hope will meet your approbation. I have the honor to be, &c.

(Signed)“."”

The Saracen, when manned, was sent to the Mediterranean, and in Feb. 1813, Captain Harper received orders to escort the trade from Malta to the Archipelago: he was at the same time directed to remain on the Smyrna station, but soon afterwards permitted to proceed up the Adriatic, at his own particular request. During the remainder of the war with France, we find him very actively and successfully employed, chiefly under the orders of Rear-Admiral Freemantle, to whom he made the following report, June 18, 1813:–

“Sir,– Upon reconnoitring the coast and islands, on the station you did me the honor of appointing me to, the harbour in the island of Zupano appeared the only place where there were vessels of any burthen, and from information received, it was supposed that some of the last convoy, with grain for Ragusa, was still detained there.

“As it was only guarded by a captain’s party of about 60 men, last night, it blowing and raining excessive hard, with thunder and lightning, I conceived it a most favorable opportunity of making an attack; at 9 I put off from the brig, with the boats, and at 11, landed with the small-arm men and marines, to the number of 40 men. After a very difficult march of nearly 3 miles, we surprised and took prisoners the corporal’s guard in advance, without their being able to give the alarm. We then Instantly pushed for the guard-house and commandant’s quarters, which