In the controversy that followed this conflict the significance of the figures--significance of the deadly fire of the Americans--was wholly lost to sight. The whole affair was, of course, carefully investigated by both Governments. The officers on each ship swore that the other fired the first gun. The British captain’s statement, however, was greatly weakened by his assertion that he had kept up the fight for three-quarters of an hour and that he had really beaten off his bigger opponent. So Allen, already quoted, says that “a gun was fired from each ship, but whether by accident or design, or from which ship first, remains involved in doubt.” This fight occurred, as the reader remembers, when the two nations were nominally at peace, but it was a blow--the first blow struck at the press-gangs. Another incident of similar import, though bloodless, occurred before the end of the year 1811. The _Constitution_, Captain Isaac Hull, had gone to Texel to carry specie for the payment of interest on the American bonds held there, and when returning had called at Portsmouth to enable Captain Hull to communicate with the American legation in London. One night, while the captain was in London, a British officer came on board the _Constitution_ to say that an American deserter was on the British war-ship _Havana_, lying near by, and the _Constitution_ could have him by sending for him. So the executive officer, Lieutenant Morris, sent a boat next morning, but it came back with a notice that an order for the man must first be obtained from Admiral Sir Roger Curtis. To this official then went Lieutenant Morris, when the admiral calmly informed him that the man claimed to be a British subject, and therefore he should not be returned. It was fairly manifest that the British officials had for some reason been playing with the temporary commander of the _Constitution_, but Lieutenant Morris had his revenge within a day, for on the next night a British sailor boarded the _Constitution_, admitted that he was a deserter from the _Havana_, and said, when asked his nationality, that he was “An American, sor.” At that, word was sent the commander of the _Havana_ that a deserter from his ship was on the _Constitution_, but when an officer from the _Havana_ came after the man, Lieutenant Morris blandly informed him that the man claimed to be an American and therefore he could not be given up. This threw the British naval people into a turmoil, and a little later two British frigates shifted their berths and anchored where it was probable that the _Constitution_ would, on getting under way, foul one or the other. Seeing they were laying a trap for him, Lieutenant Morris got up anchor, and by the skill in handling a ship common among American officers, dropped clear to a new berth. Hardly was he at anchor again, however, before the two frigates once more drew near and again anchored to trap the Yankee frigate.