Concluding Operations 175 



their positions on her lee or starboard quarter; so 

 that if any ship had been detached after the Levant 

 it should have been the Leander, which had least 

 chance of overtaking the American frigate. The 

 latter was by no means as heavily armed as either 

 of the two 50*8, and little heavier than the Acasta; 

 moreover, she was shorthanded, having manned 

 her two prizes. The Acasta, at any rate, had made 

 out the force of the Levant, and, even had she been 

 a frigate, it was certainly carrying prudence to an 

 extreme to make more than one ship tack after her. 

 Had the Newcastle and Acasta kept on after the 

 Constitution there was a fair chance of overtaking 

 her, for the Acasta had weathered on her, and the 

 chase could not bear up for fear of being cut off 

 by the Newcastle. At any rate, the pursuit should 

 not have been given up so early. Marshall says 

 there was a mistake in the signaling. The British 

 captains certainly bungled the affair; even James 

 says (p. 558) : "It is the most blundering piece of 

 business recorded in these six volumes." As for 

 Stewart and his men, they deserve the highest credit 

 for the cool judgment and prompt, skilful seaman 

 ship they had displayed. The Constitution, having 

 shaken off her pursuers, sailed to Maranham, where 

 she landed her prisoners. At Porto Rico she learned 

 of the peace, and forthwith made sail for New York, 

 reaching it about the middle of May. 



