Only 13, midshipman Jarvis was killed during the engagement between frigates Constellation and La Vengeance, 2 February 1800. Sent aloft in command of the topmen to secure Constellation’s unsupported mainmast, he refused to come down when warned that the mast might topple: “My post is here. I can’t leave it until ordered.” When the mast crashed, Jarvis was swept over the side with the falling rigging.

Honoring Jarvis’ bravery and devotion to duty, the Sixth Congress by Joint Resolution 29 March 1800 deemed his conduct "deserving of the highest praise" and his loss "a subject of national regret."

2 February

At one P.M. the wind being somewhat fresher than at the noon preceding, and appearance of its continuance, our prospect of bringing the enemy to action began again to brighten, as I perceived we were coming up with the chase fast, and every inch of canvass being set that could be of service, except the bog reefs, which I kept in the top sails, in case the chase finding an escape from our thunder impracticable, should haul on a wind and give us fair battle; but this did not prove to be her commander's intention.

I however got within hail of him at eight P.M. hoisted our ensign, and had the candles in the battle lanthorns all lighted, and the large trumpet in the lee gangway ready to speak him, and to demand the surrender of his ship to the United States of America; but he at that instant commenced a fire from his stern and quarter guns, directed at our rigging and spars.

No parley then being necessary, I sent my principal Aid-de Camp M. Vandyke, to the different officers commanding divisions on the main battery to repeat strictly my orders, before given, not to throw away a single charge of powder, but to take good aim, and fire directly into the hull of the enemy; and load principally with two round shot and now and then with a round shot, and a stand of grape, &c. to encourage the men at their quarters; to cause or suffer no noise or confusion whatever; but to load and fire as fast as possible when it could be done with certain effect. These orders being given, in a few moments I gained a position on his weather quarter, that enabled us to return effectually his salute, and thus a close and as sharp an action as ever was fought between two frigates commenced and continued until within a few minutes of one A.M. when the enemy's fire was completely silenced, and he was again sheering off.

It was at this moment that I considered him as my prize, and was trimming in the best manner I could, my much shattered sails; when I found my main mast was totally unsupported by rigging, every shroud being shot away, and some of them in several places, that even stoppers were useless, and could not be supplied with effect. I then gave orders to the officers to send the men up from the gun deck, to endeavour to secure it, in order that we might go alongside of the enemy again as soon as possible; but every effort was in vain, for the mainmast went over the side in a few minutes after, and was carried with it the top-men, among whom was an amiable young gentleman, who commanded the main-top, Mr. James Jervis, son of James Jervis, Esq. of New York. It seems this young gentleman was apprised of the mast going, in a few minutes, by an old seaman; but he had already so much of the principle of an officer ingrafted on his mind, not to leave his quarters on any account, that, he told the man if the mast went they must go with it, which was the case, and only one of them was saved.

I regret much his loss, as a promising young officer, and amiable young man, as well as on account of a long intimacy that has subsisted between his farther and myself; but have great satisfaction in finding that I have lost no other, and only two or three slightly wounded, out of 39 killed and wounded: 14 of the former, and 25 of the latter.

As soon as the main-mast went, every effort was made to clear the wreck from the ship as soon as possible, which was effected in about an hour. It being impossible to pursue the enemy, and as her security was then the great object, I immediately bore away for Jamacia, for repairs, &c. finding it impossible to reach a friendly port in any of the islands to windward.

I should be wanting in common justice, was I to omit to journalize the steady attention to order, and the great exertion and bravery of all my officers, seamen and marines, in this action, amny of whom I had sufficiently tried before on a similar occasion, and all their names are recorded in the muster-roll I sent to the Secretary of the Navy, dated the 19th of December last, signed by myself.

All hands are employed in repairing the damage sustained in the action, so far as to get the ship into Jamaica as soon as possible.

Thomas Truxtun