Sir: On the 30th ult. I left St. Christopher's, with the Constellation, in excellent trim, and stood to windward in order to gain the station for myself before the road of Guadaloupe; and at half-past seven in the morning of the day following I discovered a sail to the south-east, to which I gave chase, and for the further particulars of that chase, and the action after it, I must beg to refer to the extracts from my journal, herewith, as being the best mode of exhibiting a just and candid account of all our transactions in the late business, which has ended in the almost entire dismantlement of the Constellation, though, I trust, to the high reputation of the American flag. I have the honour to be, &c., Thos. TRUXTUN. _Occurrences on board the United States ship Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, under my command, February 1, 1800_: Throughout these twenty-four hours very unsettled weather; kept on our tacks, beating up under Guadaloupe, and at half-past seven in the morning, the road of Basseterre bearing east, five leagues distant, saw a sail in the south-east standing to the south-west, which, from her situation, I at first took for a large ship from Martinique, and hoisted English colours in giving chase, by way of inducement for her to come down and speak me, which would have saved us a long chase to leeward off my intended cruising ground; but finding she did not attempt to alter her course, I examined her more minutely, as we approached her, and discovered that she was a heavy French frigate, mounting at least fifty-four guns. I immediately gave orders for the yards to be slung with chains, top-sail sheets, &c., stoppered, and the ship cleared, and everything prepared for action, and hauled down the English colours. At noon the wind became light, and I observed the chase that we had before been gaining fast on held way with us, but I was determined to continue the pursuit, though the running to leeward, I was convinced, would be attended with many serious disadvantages, especially if the object of my wishes were not gratified. Passed two schooners standing to the northward, one of these showed American colours, and was a merchant vessel, and the other I supposed to be of the same description.