THE “PENGUIN” STRIKES TO THE “HORNET”
XIX
THE ESCAPE OF THE “HORNET”
[April 29th, 1815]
Although the treaty of peace between England and the United States was concluded at Ghent on November 24th, in the year 1814, hostilities continued even after the signing of the document that took place a month later to a day.
This can be well understood when we stop to think that at the best rates of travelling it would take in the neighborhood of three weeks, or possibly four, for the news to reach the United States.
The battle of New Orleans, so disastrous to the English arms, would never have taken place if there had been such a thing as a cable in those days. Nor would there have occurred several smart actions at sea, including, sad to relate, the capture of the U. S. S. President by a British squadron.
There is no excuse, however, for the long detention of American prisoners in the hands of the British, when there was no longer any chance of their serving against her.