The enthusiasm of every officer, seaman, and marine on board this ship, on discovering the enemy; their steady conduct in battle, and precision of their fire, could not be surpassed. Where all met my fullest expectations, it would be unjust for me to discriminate. Permit me, however, to recommend to your particular notice my first Lieutenant, William H. Allen. He has served with me upwards of five years, and to his unremitted exertions in disciplining the crew, is to be imputed the obvious superiority of our gunnery exhibited in the result of this contest. Subjoined is a list of the killed and wounded on both sides. (p. 165) Our loss, compared with that of the enemy, will appear small. Amongst our wounded, you will observe the name of Lieutenant Funk, who died in a few hours after the action: he was an officer of great gallantry and promise, and the service has sustained a severe loss in his death. The Macedonian lost her mizzen-mast, fore and main-top-masts and main yard, and was much cut up in her hull. The damage sustained by this ship was not such as to render her return into port necessary, and had I not deemed it important that we should see our prize in, should have continued our cruize. With the highest consideration, I am, yours, etc., Stephen DECATUR. Killed 5 Wounded 7--1 since dead. -- 12 MACEDONIAN. Killed 36 Wounded 68 --- 104 No. 28. (p. 166) PLATE XXIX. _December 29, 1812._ Gulielmus Bainbridge patria victisque laudatus. [Rx]. Pugnando. CAPTAIN WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE. [_Capture of the Java._] GULIELMUS BAINBRIDGE PATRIA VICTISQUE LAUDATUS. (_William Bainbridge praised by his country and by the vanquished foe._) Bust of Captain Bainbridge, in uniform, facing the right; underneath, a star. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_). PUGNANDO. (_In fighting._) The naval action is over. The British frigate Java, of forty-nine guns, Captain Lambert, is completely dismasted; while the United States frigate Constitution, of forty-four guns, Captain Bainbridge, is but slightly damaged in her rigging. Exergue: INTER CONST. NAV. AMERI. ET JAV. NAV. ANGL. DIE XXIX DECEM. MDCCCXII. (_Inter Constitution navem Americanam et Java navem, Anglicanam, die 29 Decembris, 1812: Between the American vessel Constitution and the English vessel Java, December 29, 1812._) FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).