Brig Pandora Under Attack, by Joseph Honoré Maxime Pellegrin.<br><p>American Brig Pandora, a 212-ton brig which was built in Steubens, Maine in 1833.<br>
The Dominican Republic, as the Trinitarians, Had declared their independence in February from Haitian rule, which had cast off Spanish rule 17 years earlier. Taking the Haitian Flag and adding the white cross, they won the Battle of Azua on March 19, 1844. It is most likely that the American ship ended up in the wrong place at this time a month later, and as a interloper in the area of hostilities, was set upon as a prize. The nine men and their record of valor and victory in repelling the Dominicans is recorded in the inscription personally by the artist.<br>
Pellegrin either was present or heard the story directly from a participant. 
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INSCRIBED LOWER: “Brig PANDORA James Paxton Commander, Mounted with 5 Guns and 9 Men, was attacked in the Bay of Azua by three Piratical Schnrs of 5 Guns each with 50 men. The three Schnrs hauled off with the loss of 45 men Killed and 30 Wounded the action lasted one hour and a half. (April 15th, 1844)
<bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43484177" class="extiw" title="d:Q43484177"><span title="French painter, active 19th century">Honoré Pellegrin</span></a>
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