When I expressed an opinion that our national vessels would be more successful on the sea, he appeared amused, laboring under the error which was universal among the British at that time, that an American frigate of the first class could hardly be considered a match for an English sloop-of-war.
I spoke of the action between the President and the Little Belt, where one broadside, fired through mistake by the American frigate, transformed the proud and defiant sloop-of-war into a sinking wreck.

But my argumentative fact was met by a reference to the unfortunate affair between the Leopard and the Chesapeake.

I urged that the Chesapeake, although rated and officered and manned as a frigate, was merely an armed STORE-SHIP carrying out supplies in a time of peace to our ships in the Mediterranean.

But Bohun, like every other Briton I have met with, would not admit the efficiency of the excuse.

I next recurred to the Tripolitan war, and alluded to the many deeds of daring performed by my gallant countrymen.