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time an English sailor went a 7 oft, and tori? down the Zealand’s pendant, which was nailed to the ensign-staff, (the ship not being rigged for active service) and hoisted an English pendant in its room. Commodore Steen Bille, on per­ ceiving this, went in his barge to the battery of the Three Crowns, and demanded of its commander (a major of the marines) why he had not sunk the Zealand, rather than suffer her to fall into the hands of the enemy ? The major answered, that as hostilities had ceased he could not fire. “ True,” re­ plied Bille, “ but do you see how snugly the “ English are making off with our ship ?” Commodore Bille not having been ordered on the day of battle to slip his cables and stand out with his little squadron, afforded much matter of discussion as to the propriety or im­ propriety of the act. The valor of Bille had been conspicuously tried ; the officers who served under him were men of skill and intre­ pidity ; the crews were in a state of high dis- ,cipline and spirits 5 and their ships very nearly