An American privateer captured a British letter of marque at the Spanish port of La Guaira in Venezuela.

[1][2] On 10 December while on a commerce raiding cruise, the American schooner Saratoga, of 16 guns and 140 men under Captain Charles Whiting Wooster anchored off La Guaira.

After the engagement it turned out that she was the letter of marque Rachel, originally commanded by Captain N. Dalmahoy (or Dalmarhoy), of 23793⁄94 tons burthen, mounting fourteen long 9-pounders with a crew of thirty-six men.

After volleys of small arms fire had driven the British sailors below decks, the Americans closed in and boarded.

[3] The next day HMS Fawn, under the command of Captain Thomas Fellowes, encountered Rachel and captured her,[4] together with the 12-man prize crew of Americans.