[Footnote 106: The silver medals are copies of the gold medal given to Captain Stewart.] Approved February 22, 1816. _____ _Captain Stewart to the Secretary of the Navy._ To the Honourable United States Frigate Constitution, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, May, 1815. Washington, D. C. Sir: On the 20th of February last, the island of Madeira bearing about west southwest, distant 60 leagues, we fell in with His Britannic Majesty's two ships-of-war, the Cyane and Levant, (p. 247) and brought them to action about 6 o'clock in the evening, both of which, after a spirited engagement of 40 minutes, surrendered to the ship under my command. Considering the advantages derived by the enemy from a divided and more active force, as also their superiority in the weight and number of guns, I deem the speedy and decisive result of this action the strongest assurance which can be given to the government that all under my command did their duty, and gallantly supported the reputation of American seamen. Enclosed you will receive the minutes of the action, and a list of the killed and wounded on board this ship; also enclosed you will receive for your information a statement of the actual force of the enemy, and the number killed and wounded on board their ships, as near as could be ascertained. I have the honour to be, &c., Charles STEWART. American loss: 3 killed, 12 wounded. British loss: 35 killed, 42 wounded. Prisoners taken, 313. _____ _Minutes of the action between the United States frigate Constitution, and His Britannic Majesty's skips Cyane and Levant, on the 20th February, 1815._