den’s official letter, relative to his gallant but unfortunate action with the United States:
“The truly noble and animating conduct of my officers, and the steady bravery of my crew, to the last moment of the battle, must ever render them dear to their country. My first Lieutenant, David Hope, was severely wounded in the head, towards the close of the battle, and taken below; but was soon again on deck, displaying that greatness of mind and exertion, which, though it may be equalled, can never he excelled.”
Mr. James, in the second edition of his Naval History, informs us, that Lieutenant Hope “was severely wounded in the leg, at the commencement, and more severely still in the head, towards the close of the battle;” – this, we have every reason to believe, is correct.
On the 27th May, 1813, and three following days, Captain Carden, his officers, and surviving crew, were tried for the loss of their ship, by a court-martial assembled on board the San Domingo 74, at Bermuda. The following is an extract of the sentence pronounced:–
“The Court is of opinion, that Captain John Surman Carden, his officers, and ship’s company, in every instance throughout the action, behaved with the firmest and most determined courage, resolution, and coolness; and that the colours of the Macedonian were not struck, until she was unable to make further resistance. The Court does therefore most honorably acquit Captain John Surman Carden, the officers, and company of H.M. late ship Macedonian; and Captain Carden, his officers, and company, are hereby most honorably acquitted accordingly. The Court cannot dismiss Captain Carden, without expressing admiration of the uniform testimony which has been borne to his gallantry and good conduct throughout the action; nor Lieutenant David Hope, the other officers, and company, without expressing the highest approbation of the support given by him and them to the captain, and of their courage and steadiness during the contest with an enemy of very superior force; a circumstance that, whilst it reflects high honor on them, does no less credit and honor to the discipline of H.M. late ship Macedonian.”
Immediately after this honorable acquittal. Lieutenant Hope was appointed by Sir John B. Warren to the command of the Shelburne schooner, of 14 guns, recently taken from the Americans. During the ensuing twelve months, he drove on shore and destroyed a number of the enemy’s small
