She captured one that gave rise to an incident between the British East India Company (EIC), Royal Navy, and the Chinese government.

Captain Benjamin Rich had sold a brig named Rambler to Amos Binney, the agent for the United States Navy on 3 July 1813, for $18,000, exclusive of armament.

[7][a] On 30 April 1814 Captain Nathaniel Snow and others brought libel for condemnation in the United States court at Boston for one case of goods taken from Union ‘which she did seize, take and capture, mounting ten carriage guns, and about 280 tons burthen with a cargo of cotton, coffee and various other articles of merchandise.

The case of goods in question contained lace shawls, dresses and handkerchiefs which brought $1800 at auction.’ Shortly thereafter, a group of Boston merchants, headed by J.

Perkins and Bryant & Sturgis, dispatched three letters-of-marque to Canton: Rambler, ship Jacob Jones, and schooner Tamaamaah (contemporary spelling of Kamehameha).

I have protested against this proceeding, and hope a proper representation will be made to the Portuguese government, who ought in justice to pay us the amount she was insured for (60,000 rupees eighteen days out).'

On the way to Canton, on 24 August, Rambler encountered the British brig Arabella, Captain Price, which was sailing from Bengal to Sumatra.

Edes also removed five chests of opium, 16 bales of Madras goods, and 25 boxes of medicines, etc.

When Arabella anchored outside Portuguese waters, Doris sent a boarding party to examine her; as they approached, the American prize crew left in a boat and reached Rambler at Whampoa.

The Chinese government took Doris's seizure of Arabella as an attack by the British on an American vessel and remonstrated with the EIC.

[15] Return to the United States: Rambler, Jacob Jones, and Tamaamaah, having delivered their orders to the merchant vessels to remain until peace was declared, then loaded cargoes.

[4][16] On 19 March, on her way home, Rambler captured "the Morley transport", which was coming from Algoa Bay.

[17] One account (incorrectly) names the transport Mosely, and describes her as of sixteen 18-pounder carronades and 20 or 30 men, and sailing in ballast.

[18] A contemporary account from Boston, dated 8 May stated, “Arrived the elegant letter-of-marque brig Rambler, Samuel B. Edes, Esq.