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[1-2 February 1800] Address of Captain Thomas Truxtun, "Public thanks, though but a small tribute, is nevertheless justly due, to seamen and soldiers, who have manifested their zeal, activity, and bravery so conspicuously, in support of the honor and dignity of their country's flag, as the crew of the Constellation, of thirty-six guns, did last evening, in an engagement with a French national Frigate of fifty-four guns or upwards, (carrying much heavier metal,) in which the enemy was completely beaten, and would have become their prize, but the damages sustained in making the first effort to get along side of her, together with the loss of the mainmast, main-topmast, main-topgallantmast, mizen-topmast, and several other spars, which also went over the side, at the moment of her sheering off, together with the dismantled state of the ship otherwise, made a further pursuit impracticable. "As the commander, therefore, I feel infinite satisfaction in returning my thanks to the officers of every description, seamen, marines, and others, for the gallantry they displayed on this occasion, which under a beneficent Providence, has enabled me to add another laurel to the American character, on the records of the Navy; and you may be assured, gentlemen, seamen, and soldiers, that you shall be properly noticed to the President of the United States, and such of you as have been unfortunately wounded, and survive, will, no doubt be put on the pension list, and while their misfortunes I regret, I shall state with pleasure their just claims to the government, in order that they may have that protection and care taken of them, which is provided by a grateful country, for those that the fortune of war has been unkind to." Thos. Truxtun.
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