H. D. Corneck to Lieutenant Wood.
Prisoner on board the American frigate Constitution.
St. Salvador, Brazils, January 1st, 1813.
To
Lieutenant Peter V. Wood,
22d Regiment of Foot,
Isle of France or Bourbon, East Indies.
My dear Sir: I am sorry to inform you of the unpleasant news of Mr. Gascoigne's death. Mr. Gascoigne and myself were shipmates in Marlboro', and first came to sea together. He was shot in the early part of the action by a round shot in his right thigh, and died a few minutes after; four others of his messmates shared the same fate, together with 60 men killed and 170 wounded. The official account you no doubt heard of before this reaches you. I beg you will let all his friends and relations hear of his untimely fate. We were on board the Java frigate for a passage to India, when we fell in with this frigate. Two parcels I have sent you under good care. Hope this will reach you safe.
Yours truly,
H. D. Corneck.
[A true copy.]
William Bainbridge.
September 4, 1813.
Edward ℞. McCall navis Enterprise præfectus. Sic itur ad astra. ℞. Vivere sat vincere.