Note 9 — JOHN QUINCY ADAMS IN RUSSIA

This incident resulted from what was known as the affair of the Little Belt. It occurred May 16, 1811, off Cape Charles, Virginia. The United States frigate President, of forty-four guns, and the British corvette, of twenty guns, were concerned in it. The affair was accidental, and the Little Belt escaped being sunk, but, at the time, asserted that after a sharp engagement it had driven off the American frigate of greatly superior force. It was alleged that the commander of the President had mistaken the Little Belt for the Guerrière; and consequently the captain of the Guerrière, it was said, subsequently had the name of the ship painted as indicated by Mr. Adams, in order that in future there should be no possibility of mistake.