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 orders I had the honor to receive from you at Bermuda, the Belvidera was on the 23d instant in lat. 39&deg; 26' N., long. 71&deg; 10' W., in expectation of the French privateer Marengo coming out of New London. At break of day, the officer of the watch informed me the upper sails of five vessels were seen in the S.W. I stood towards them to reconnoitre; and when about six miles from us they hauled to the wind by signal in chase of the Belvidera. I tacked from them, and made sail in consequence of their not answering the private signal. At 11$h$ 30' A.M. we hoisted our colours, and the strange squadron shewed the American flag. The breeze falling light with me, but still favouring them, brought their van ship, which I believe to have been the President, within point blank distance on our weather quarter. At 4$h$ 20' P.M. she opened her fire from her foremost guns. I had given the most positive orders to my Lieutenants to prick the cartridges, but not to prime the guns. Although ignorant of the war, we were of course prepared; and about five minutes afterwards opened ours, with two 32-pounder earronades, and two long 18-pounders from the stern. In light winds the President sailed better than the Belvidera; and as her second, a very heavy frigate, sailed as well, I 