 Offshore , Sirius had blockaded Saint Paul after landing her soldiers and , on 9 July , observed a ship attempting to break out of the harbour after hearing news of the surrender . Sirius sent her barge , under the command of Lieutenant George Norman , to pursue the fugitive . In an exhausting twelve @-@ hour chase , Norman was able to catch and board the ship , revealed to be a privateer named Edward carrying four guns and 30 men . Norman was able to defeat the crew in a brief struggle in which three men were wounded , and discovered that she was carrying despatches from the French government for the authorities on Isle de France , all of which fell into British hands . 
