James Madison actually said...

"The circumstances and the issue of this combat afford another example of the professional skill and heroic spirit which prevail in our naval service."

"I transmit, for the information of Congress, copies of a correspondence between John Mitchell, agent for American prisoners of war at Halifax, and the British admiral commanding at that station."

"I transmit, for the like purpose, copies of a letter from Commodore Rodgers to the Secretary of the Navy"

"examples which ought to impress on the enemy, however brave and powerful, preference of justice and peace to hostility against a country whose prosperous career may be accelerated but can not be preve..."