Her two battles in the French war eclipsed any thing else that had been done by any other vessel of her size, then in existence, but the Constellation's exploits would not compare with those of Old Ironsides. The former ship had captured one French frigate, and beaten off another; but the Constitution had taken two Englishmen! The difference was essential, and considering all things, even the glorious little Enterprise, one of the most successful cruisers to the very last, that ever floated, could scarce be thought to compete with Old Ironsides. Here was the war only seven months old, and, in that brief space, tho eyes of the country were drawn on that ship, by the chase, worth a victory any day, and the combats with the Guerriere and the Java! Three such exploits in so short a time, were sufficient to give any ship a name, and the nation had not forgotten the achievements of Preble before Tripoli. It seemed to make no difference who commanded, the old barky was always successful; always in harm's way, and always getting out of the scrape with credit. Preble, Hull, or Bainbridge; each, and all had been victorious on the decks of this staunch old ship. Jack began to think that if he wanted a victory and prize-money, he had only to ship on board Old Ironsides.

There was one singular exception to the rule, however, which it may be well to mention. One of the Hornet's lieutenants, Mr. Ballard, was anxious to share in the luck of Old Ironsides, after the capture of the Java, while Lawrence was willing to try the luck of John Shubrick, who had now been in the chase and the two battles, and an exchange was made, off the port of St. Salvador. Both parties may be said to have succeeded, in a certain sense; for John Shubrick was in the Hornet, when she took the Peacock, and Ballard, by sticking to his new ship, subsequently shared in her honors.

A new commander was now given to the Constitution, in the person of Charles Stewart, Bainbridge being transferred to a ship of the line then building. Some other changes also took place among her superior officers. Henry E. Ballard became her first lieutenant, Parker having been promoted and attached to the Siren. John Shubrick had left the ship off St. Salvador, and did not return to her; but his brother, William Branford Shubrick, was transferred from the Constellation, Stewart's last ship, to Old Ironsides. Mr. Hunter also was attached to her. Hoffman stuck to the old craft, going through the whole war in her, and sharing in all her honors. Morgan quitted her also. The crew was principally transferred, and a new one was shipped. When the ship was ready to sail, which was not until the ensuing winter, in consequence of the extensive repairs she required, her lieutenants were as follows, viz.:—H. Ballard, 1st; B.V.P. Hoffman, 2d; W.B. Shubrick, 3d; Hunter, 4th; Winter, 5th; Taylor, 6th; the two last, acting. Hickson was the sailing-master. The present General Henderson commanded her marine guard.

When Stewart had got a. Thew crew and was ready to go out, it was already winter. The ship shaped her course for the West Indies, old cruising ground for both vessel and commander, passing along our own coast. In this cruise Old Ironsides had no action, though she came near engaging a frigate off the Mona Passage, which was afterwards ascertained to be La Pique, 36. The English vessel got off in the night, by running through the Mona passage.