 On 24 December, Constitution intercepted the merchantman Lord Nelson and placed a prize crew aboard. Lord Nelson's stores readily supplied a Christmas dinner for the crew of Constitution; she had left Boston not fully supplied. Off Cape Finisterre on 8 February 1815, Stewart learned that the Treaty of Ghent had been signed, but realized that, until it was ratified, a state of war still existed. On 16 February, Constitution captured the British merchantman Susanna with her cargo of animal hides valued at $ 75,000. She then sighted two British ships on 20 February and gave chase. The two were Cyane and Levant, sailing in company.
