The French cutter Curieuse, of 10 guns and under the command of Captain Trolong du Rumain, chased Lively and ordered her to lie to, which order Biggs declined. However, the 32-gun Iphigénie, Captain Kersaint de Coëtnempren, came up and  ordered Biggs to sail Lively to the French admiral.
In this naval confrontation, the French cutter Curieuse, armed with 10 guns and commanded by Captain Trolong du Rumain, pursued Lively and gave an order for her to alter course, but Biggs refused. The larger Iphigénie, captained by Kersaint de Coëtnempren, then appeared and ordered Biggs to sail Lively towards the French admiral.