Nor was she the Massachusetts privateer Charming Sally that participated in the disastrous, for the Americans, Penobscot Expedition and whose crew had to scuttle her on 14 August 1779 to prevent the British capturing her.

It is also suggestive of a name other than Charming Sally, one that was either that of an existing British warship, or one honouring an American leader or battle victory.

[2] On 27 February 1781 Barbuda and HMS Surprize, which Admiral Lord Rodney had sent from St Eustatius, appeared at Demerara.

[7] Shortly before they arrived, six British privateers had raided Essequibo and Demerara, captured sixteen Dutch ships, and forced the de facto surrender of the colonies.

On 3 February 1782 a squadron of five French ships led by the frigate Iphigénie captured Demerara and Essequibo.

The French were sighted on 30 January and Commander William Tarhoudin, the senior naval officer, moved his squadron downriver.

The subsequent court martial of the captains exonerated all, and Tahourdin, Pender, and Paul went on to achieve post rank.

The Navy then sold her in 1786 at Brest, where she became the merchantman Inabordable; at the start of the French Revolutionary Wars she served for a few months as a privateer.

After a 10-hour chase the British frigates finally caught up with her; a few shots were exchanged and then Légère, outnumbered and outgunned, struck.

[1] On 18 November 1799 USS Constitution made contact with an unidentified American merchant schooner that had been captured by a French privateer at (26°20′N 70°00′W / 26.333°N 70.000°W / 26.333; -70.000) and then recaptured by Legere at (20°20′N 67°40′W / 20.333°N 67.667°W / 20.333; -67.667), (dates unknown), she was being sent to Jamaica for adjudication.

Quinton sailed towards land as the crew threw guns, stores, and an anchor overboard to lighten her.

[26] On 8 July 1801 at Jamaica the customary court martial acquitted Captain Quinton, his officers, and crew of the loss of Legere.