Arnold escaped in the night.  The squadron pursued, and on the morning of the 13th overtook him, within a few leagues of Crown Point.  After a running fight of two hours the four headmost vessels of the enemy succeeded in reaching Crown Point, and sheltering themselves in the narrow part of the lake beyond it.  Two others, the Washington and Jersey, were taken; and the rest were run on shore and burnt by their own crews.  The enemy then set fire to their works on Crown Point, and abandoned it.

The Carleton’s action on the 11th, which certainly was never surpassed for gallantry and conduct, obtained for her crew the credit they so well deserved.  Lieutenant Dacres, who recovered sufficiently to go home with the despatches, received promotion as soon as he arrived in England, and was honoured with a personal interview with the king.  He rose to be a vice-admiral.  How Mr. Pellew’s services in this, his first action, were appreciated by his superior officers is best told in their own words.  In a few days, Sir Charles Douglas, the senior officer at Quebec, to whose command all the Lake service was subordinate, sent him the following letter:—­

“Isis, Quebec, Oct. 30th, 1776.

“SIR,—­The account I have received of your behaviour on board the Carleton, in the different actions on the Lakes, gives me the warmest satisfaction, and I shall not fail to represent it in the strongest terms to the Earl of Sandwich and my Lord Howe, and recommend you as deserving a commission for your gallantry; and as Lieutenant Dacres, your late commander, will no doubt obtain rank for his conduct, when he reaches England, I am desired by General Sir Guy Carleton to give you the command of the schooner in which you have so bravely done your duty.

“CHARLES DOUGLAS.”

The report of Sir Charles Douglas, obtained for Mr. Pellew the following letter from the Commander-in-Chief:—­

“Eagle, New York, Dec. 20th, 1776.

“SIR,—­The account I have heard of your gallant behaviour from Captain Charles Douglas, of H.M.S. Isis, in the different actions on Lake Champlain, gives me much satisfaction, and I shall receive pleasure in giving you a lieutenant’s commission, whenever you may reach New York.

“HOWE.”

It is, perhaps, a singular occurrence for a midshipman to be honoured with a letter of thanks from the First Lord of the Admiralty, but the service itself was important, and Captain Pownoll strengthened Sir Charles Douglas’ report of his young officer’s conduct, by a communication of his own.  Their joint eulogy obtained for Mr. Pellew the following letter from Lord Sandwich:—­

“Admiralty Office, London, Jan. 5th, 1777.

“SIR,—­You have been spoken of to me by Sir Charles Douglas and Captain Philemon Pownoll, for your good conduct in the various services upon Lake Champlain, in so handsome a manner, that I shall receive pleasure in promoting you to the rank of a lieutenant, whenever you come to England; but it is impossible to send you a commission where you now are, it being out of the jurisdiction of the Admiralty.

“SANDWICH.”