Class U./37_i. Ronlc W/^ // • / ,KXANB¥.B. MFK-IIAT ESQ. cf the UnitC'isf 6f:a.ici lfa.vy. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN NAVAL HEROES IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION, BETWEEN THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC AND THE KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN; COMPRISING SKETCHES OF COM. NICHOLAS BIDDLE, COM. JOHN PAUL JONES, COM. EDWARD PREBLE, AND COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. With Incidental Allusions to other Distinguished Characters, " Patriots hare toil'd. and in their country's cause Bled nobly ; and their deeds, as they deserve, Receive proud recompense." * * * * '• Th' historic muse, Proud of the treasure, marches with it down To latest times." BY S. PUTNAM WALDO, ESQ. Author of the ' Journal of Robbins,'— ' Tour of Monroe,' — ' Me- moirs of Jackson,' — ' Life of Decatur,' Sic, HARTFORD, P0BI.I9HED BY SILAS ANDRVS. 1823. DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT, ss. r g BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the fifth day of Septem= ' ' ber, in the forty-eighth year of the independence of the United States of America, Silas Andrus, of the said district, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as proprie- tor, in the words following, to wit : " Biographical Sketches of distinguished American Naval Heroes, in the War of the Revolu- tion, between the American Republic and the Kingdom of Great Britain ; comprising the lives and characters of Com. Nicholas Bid- die, Com. John Paul Jones, Com. Edward Preble, and Com. Alex- ander Murray : with incidental allusions to other distinguished char acters. " Patriots have toil'd, and in their country's cause Bled nobly ; and their deeds, as they deserve Receive proud recompense," * * * * " Th' historic muse, Proud of the treasure, marches with it down To latest times." By S. Putnam Waldo, Esq. author of the '.' Journal of Robbins," " Tour of Monroe" — " Memoirs of Jackson" — " Life of Decatur," &c. in conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such cop- ies, during the times therein mentioned." CHAS. A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the District of Connecticut. A true copy of Record, examined and sealed by me, CHAS. A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the District of Connecticut p. CANFIELD, PRINTER, PREFATORY NOTICE FROM THE WRITER TO THE READER. THE following volume was commenced in consequence of perusing the well known Letter of the venerable States- man, John Adams, to the well known Editor of the Balti- more Weekly Register, in which this unrivalled American Patriot says to that indefatigable American Journalist, " It is greatly to be desired thatyoung gentlemen of letters in all the states, especially in the thirteen original States, would un- dertake the laborious, but certainly interesting and amusing task, of searching and collecting all the records, pamphlets, newspapers, and even hand-bills, which in any way con- tributed to change the temper and views of the people and compose them into an independent nation," Without aspiring to the proud eminence of a " young gentleman of letters," I undertook the " laborious, but cer- tainly interesting and amusing task of searching and col- lecting all the records, pamphlets, newspapers, and even hand-bills" that came within the scope of my researches. By the goodness of my parents, a very considerable num- ber of Revolutionary pamphlets, from the scattered library of Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam came into my hands. By re- searches, which would remind a lover of Shakspeare of one o(his characters, who sought " for two kernels of wheat, in two bushels of chaff," I gathered a file of newspapers , embracing the whole period of the War of the American Revolution ; and containing a vast variety of facts relating to Naval Heroes, not to be found in voluminous histories of that wonderful war. I also obtained the " Journals of IV PREFACE. the Old Congress," the Acts of which were authenticated by the signature of a man whose name and truth are sy- nonymous — Charles Thomson. Before commencing the volume, I made this " Renewed Request." Mr. Bahcock — In consequence of a " request," which you obliging- ly inserted in your useful andinterestingpaper some weeks since, and which, no less obligingly, was extracted into many of the leading Gazettes of the Republic, a very con- siderable mass of materials has been gathered for an in- tended publication, to be entitled " Biographical Sketches of American Naval Heroes in the War of the Revolution." This subject, for some time past, has occupied much of the attention of the subscriber. He was induced to commence the work, not more by his own inclination, than by the so- licitation of his friends, whose opinions confirmed him in the propriety of his own. " Our Fathers ! where are they?"*^ was an ejaculation of an ancient patriarch. The mem- bers of the " Old Congress" — The signers of the declara- tion of American Independence — the officers of the Army and Navy of the Thirteen Colonies, in the gloomy period of the Revolutionary struggle — " where are they ?" They are, most of them, reposing in the tombs of a country, the In- dependence of which they secured by their toil, their blood or their deaths. Through the medium of the Press, which is the palladium of our liberties, and the source of our knowledge, we have learned something of the gigantic Statesmen and Soldiers of that most important epoch of American history — but the rising generation, like the wri- ter, must search through the scattered and brief details of that period, and catch the narrations of the few hoary head- ed Seamen who survive to learn the unsurpassed achieve- PREFACIE. V ments of the matchless " Naval Heroes,^' who then dared, with means apparently wholly inefficient, to assail the vaunting " Queen of the ocean," as Britain then called and still calls herself, upon her favourite element. Although the writer is aware that " the half is not lolcP* him, yet sufficient has been discovered by research, and received from obliging correspondents, to have enabled him to make considerable progress in the work mentioned. I'he cotemporaries, sons and grand-sons of the following catalogue of heroes are most earnestly requested to for- ward, as soon as possible, brief notices of the birth — early life — the time they entered the iSaval service in the revo- lution — the ships they commanded — the British ships they fought and conquered, or to which they were compelled to strike — incidents of their lives from the conclusion of the revolutionary war to the times of their death — to wit : . Commodores Whipple — Hopkins — Biddle, the elder- Jones — Murray — Decatur, the elder — Truxton. Captains Preble — Manly — Little — Nicholson — Harden — Tryon, and any others who in a high or minor station signalized themselves in the revolution. The task which the writer has undertaken is arduous, delicate, and interesting — he again solicits aid — he asks for nothing but the " raw materials'''' — He will manufaclurt them according to the best of his experience ; and if, from the coarseness of the texture, the fabric should be condemned, he will at least enjoy the satisfaction of having made a lau- dable attempt to rescue from oblivion the memories of de- parted patriots which ought to be cherished. S. PUTNAM WALDO. In compUance with this " request," I was honoured with several deeply interesting communications from gentlemen VI PREFACE. whose names I should feel proud in mentioning here, were I not inhibited by injunctions of concealment. I have listened with rapture and attention to the oral narrations of a few surviving Ocean Warriors of the Revo- lution, whose frosted locks hung upon bended shoulders, like shivered sails upon tottering masts — whose furrowed faces exhibited the stern visage of veterans who had borne the " peltings of the pitiless storm," but whose trembling hands would fruitlessly attempt to record their own achieve- ments, or those of their compatriots in ocean warfare. The subject with them, seemed " To raise a Soul beneath the ribs of Death.^^ and evinced, that the snow upon their heads, had not quenched the revolutionary flame in their hearts. These narrations were noted down with care, when fresh in re- membrance. A recent re-perusal of the productions of Marshall, Ramsay, Gordon, Humphreys, Botta, Wilkinson, Lee, Wirt, &c. shews that although they have immortalized the memories of Washington, Putnam, Warren, Montgome- ry, Gates, Greene, Lincoln, Henr^, Clinton, Wayne, and " a long list beside" of Army Heroes of the Revo- lution, the names of Biddle the elder, Jones the elder, Preble, Murray, Hopkins, Whipple, Gillon, Nichol- son, Truxton, Manly, Harden, Little, Barry, ^ale, and the whole of the little peerless band of " Naval \1e- roes of the Revolution," are either passed by in silence, or thrown into the back ground of the sanguinary arena of the Revolutionary war. -While, in imagination, we can yet hear the reverberation of the clangor of Bunker Hill, Trenton, Harlem, Monmouth^ Saratoga, Camden, and York-Town, the distant roaring of our httle floating bulwarks, " far away o'er the billow," PREFACE. VII and in the very throat of death upon the coast of Britain and her colonies which dared not resist her, dies away in the roaring of the surges that once echoed them amongst the dismayed subjects of George III. I had intended to have gathered something hke a Regis- ter of Naval Heroes of the Revolution. The following ex- tract of a letter from the Secretary of the Navy shows the impossibility of doing it. " The Records of the Department do not enable me to furnish the information you request, respecting the " Naval Officers who signalized themselves during the War for In- dependence ;" the correspondence of the Congressional Committee on Marine affairs during the Revolutionary War, does not contain complete Hsts, even of the Com- manders, much less of the several officers attached to the public vessels during that important and interesting period of our history. " As the work which you contemplate publishing will, it is believed, be one of public utility, it will afford me pleas- ure to furnish any information connected with the subject that may be found in the archives of the Department." From such promiscuously scattered materials was the following volume composed. At this remove of time — from the ravages of death, amongst those who survived the revo- lution, and the diminution and almost destruction of neces- sary materials for the Biography of Dead Worthies, the difficulty of doing any thing like justice to the memories of the Naval Heroes of the American Revolution, is greatly augmented. The stain of ingratitude toward our surviving revolution- ary fathers is, in some degree, wiped off by the auspicious administration of the Fifth Presidejmt of the Republic4, Jt remains for the Press to rescue the memories of the Vlll PREFACE. " Illustrious Dead" from oblivion, and to incorporate their Fame with the archives of the Republic. The Introduction to thfese Sketches will be useless to the well versed historian ; but was designed as a mere ^' birds -eye view" for the young American reader, who has not yet made, as he certainly will endeavour to make him- self acquainted with the causes that induced — the aston- ishing events that accompanied, and the unrivalled charac- ters developed in the Senate, upon the Field, and on the Ocean, in the A,merican Revolution. As to these " Biographical Sketches," the writer can frankly say that with the materials he had, and the circum- stances under which he wrote, he has done the best he could ; and should the first continue to accumulate, and the last be bettered, he hopes his future efforts will be more deserving of the tlattering patronage the public has bes- towed, not upon the writer, but upon the publishers of his previous productions. Eighty Thousand large duodecimo volumes of them published within the four past years, may have increas- ed the presumption of the writer, although the sales of them have added nothing to \i\s pecuniary means. This imperfect and unpolished volume is literally " thrust into the world, scarce half made up" — " in for- ma pauperis,'^'' without claiming one smile of patronage-^ one mite of literary aid, one cheering favour from the for- tunate sons of academic acquirements. It is all the writer has now to offer — and if this little all will have been re- pulsed, the one who offers it, will feel undisturbed at the sneers of a censorious world, to which he acknowledges but little obligation, as from it, he has hitherto received but ^ scanty portion of favour. THE AUTHOR. Hartford, Conn, September 5th, 1823. TO HON. SMITH THOMPSON, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.* sir- Avoiding the fulsome eulogy which character- ises the dedications of mercenary writers, who bask in the rays of Royal Favour — catch the unmeaning smiles of Lords Temporal — the relaxed frowns of Lords Spiritual, and whost language is animated or languid, as their Pensions are great- er or lesser, I offer this volume to you. Sir, with the frank- ness of an American, whose ancestors wielded the sword of Freedom, but never the pen of flattery. Those acquirements as a Scholar, Statesman, and Jurist, which once placed you at the head of a great State Court in the Union, and now sustains you at the head of the Navy Department ofthe Confederated Republic, were the well founded causes of your unsolicited promotion — first, by the constituted authorities of a leading member ofthe Union, which * Since this iras written, the Secretary has been appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court ofthe United States. 2 X UEDICATION. knew you best — next, by the government of the whole Republic which knew and appreciated your merits. The voice of your countrymen declares, that while you de- rive honour from the exalted station you fill, you impart hon- our to the station itself However much your name may add to the little intrinsic value of these Sketches of" Naval Heroes of the Revolu- tion," it cannot remove their imperfections. With all these, however, it is offered to you as a small token of the Respect of, Sir, Your Obd't. Serv't. with high consideration. S. Putnam Waldo. Hartford, (Conn.) Sept. 10, 1823. CONTENTS. PAGE. I INTRODUCTION, . . . . . . .13 Biographical Sketch of Com. Nicholas Biddle, . 37 Biogiaphical Sketch of Com. John Paul Jones, . 75 Biographical Sketch of Com. Edward Preble, . 144 Biographical Sketch of Com. Alexander Murray, 244 APPENDIX. Character, and Official Services of James Monroe, 357 Familiar Letters, of John Adams and Thomas Jef- ferson, . 3«7 ERRATA. From the rapiility with which this volume was forced through the Eress. the following errors, amongst others probably undiscovered, ave occurred — more justly imputable to the Author than to the Printer — Page 16, For vfere read was. 76, For is read was. 100, For givet read give. 15Z, For BiDDLE, read Preble. 162, For Capt. Stewart, read Lieut. Stewart 273, For Charleston read Charlestown. 276, For lolidted read appointed. 901, For eorUroUed read eonstrained- iiri*m#Bw^ta^ii. ADDRESSED TO THE ATTENTION OF THE YOUNGER CLASS OF READERS. Memories of the ancient colonists of America, and heroes of the Ar- my and Navy of the Revolution. — They were always freemen — were always their own defenders. — Presumption and ignorance of Bri- tish officers in the " French War." — William Pitt. — The result of the French war in America. — British ambition and cupidity — Her attempts to coerce Americans — their resistance by argument — the eloquence of their statesmen in the senate, and firmness of their soldiers in the Army.— NAVAL HEROES of the REVOLUTION. — Congress, the States, and individuals aid them. — Vandalism of British officers and soldiers. — Firmness of Americ&ns in resistance. IN the long catalogue of the worthies and benefactors of the human race — amongst the exalted spirits who have res- cued MEN from the degradation of ignorance, and stimula- ted them to manifest their moral and intellectual powers — who have roused them from the humiliated state of bond- age to the dignified attitude of Freemen, the Statesmen of the " Old Congress" — the oflicers of the American Ar- my and Navy in the War of the Revolution, are enti- tled to pre-eminent rank. We might, in retrospect, by the rapid glance of historical recollection, transport the mind to a period still more remote, and contemplate, with so- lemn admiration, the great champions who laid the founda- tion of the two grand pillars upon which our Republic be- gan to rise, and is still rapidly rising — Civil Liberty and Religious Freedom. From their toils and unceasing per- severance, our noble cities, charming towns and delitchlful villages have been rescued from a wilderness. From their 3 14 JNTHUDb\;i'IUi\. science and literature, the language and the aria of civili- zation are heard and enjoyed, where yelling savages and howling beasts poured forth " horrid harmony," and the arrow and the hook furnished ferocious barbarians with precarious subsistence. When the present race of Ameri- cans reflect that these blessings were commenced in the seventeenth — were advanced and secured in the eighteenth — and that in the nineteenth century we are in the full frui- tion of all the enjoyments which the best and freest gov- ernment on earth can impart, it surely becomes our duty, and ought to be our pleasure, to render all the grateful homage to the memories of our unrivalled ancestors which man may render to man, and all the adoration which man can render to his Creator. It is the pastime of the untutored Laplanders to detail and to chaunt the achievements of their sleeping ancestors; and the savages of America, still exult in the fame oi Alk- nomok and Ouconnostota — of Logan and Philip. If bar- barians thus commemorate the achievements of their pro- genitors, which, perhaps, were nothing more than encoun- tering and conquering wild beasts, or capturing and tortur- ing a christian or savage enemy, how much more imperioug and obligatory upon us is the injunction — " Honour tht Fathers." Our expanded and rapidly expanding Republic, in the full enjoyment of every blessing which political wisdom and science — moral and religious principles, and the diffu- sion of useful knowledge can impart, might now (1823) be in an humiliated colonial state under George IV. — his vo- luptuous lords temporal, and his corrupted lords spiritual, had it not been for the exalted and majestic spirit of free- dom and independence which inspired the noble bosoms of INTRODUCTION. 15 our unrivalled ancestors. Let the free and high-minded people who inhabit that portion of the " Western World" which lies north of the Isthmus of Darien, contrast their situation with that of their fellow creatures south of that natural division of the American Continent. Although South America is centuries older in what is called civili- zation than North America, yet the north is two cen- turies older in the enjoyment of the Rights of Man than the south. From the days of the blood-glutted Pizarro, to this time, South Americans have been the most degraded vassals, to the most tyrannical monarchy, that ever wielded the sceptre of despotic power, and the most subjugated slaves to the most detestable and satanic priesthood, that ever imposed a chain upon the human mind. But from the time that true Eriglishmen, the descendants of true Sax- ons, landed in the North, they have ever been free; and their progeny may exclaim with the first of apostles, and one of the first of men " We were born free." While the Christian world may well exclaim — " The Sun of Right- eousness arose in the East,'^^ and is diffusing his redeeming rays over the earth, an emancipated world will hereafter admit that — The Sun of Freedom arose in the West : and that in freedom, there is also a redeeming spirit which will ere long wrest from the hands of tyrants the rod of abused power — convert the chains they have forged for their sub- jects into ropes of sand, and make their thrones vanish be- neath them like the " baseless fabrick of a vision,^^ The " Thirteen Colonies of North America^'' may at this time be called ihegerme of twenty- four Independent States, confederated together by a voluntary ligament that unites them to the American Republic. These ancient colonies, if the expression is admissible, may be said to be " self- 16 INTRODUCTION. created." — They neither originated from royal favour, nor were fostered by princely munificence. They were not acquired by the resistless arm of a potent monarch, but by the purchases of emigrant pilgrims from the oppressed countries of the old world, or by the voluntary conveyances of the native, and sole proprietors of the soil. It is incon- sistent with the limits of these introductory remarks to the following "Sketches" to discuss the question whether the benefits which Europeans have gained, and the original rights which the aborigines have irretrievably lost, by the discovery of America, can be justified by the code usually called " The Laxo of Nations.'^'' Having had occasion to allude very briefly to this subject in two previous publica- tions,* I hope to be excused for referring the reader to the hasty remarks made in these volumes. The British monarch and the British nation, as well by intuitive, as by logical deductions, knew well that national wealth was national power, and that both essentially con- duced to national glory. They therefore were assiduously engaged in draining from the East and the West, Indies, their immense wealth into their own coffers. They thought little of infant colonies, in an hitherto unexplored region, over a vast expanse of ocean. But France, their natural enemy, were either in actual possession, or had uncontroll- ed sway, over the whole western and northern boundaries of " His Britannic JMajesty^s Colonies in North America''^ from the mouth of the Mississippi, to the mouth of the St. Lawrence, two of the most important streams on earth. That aspiring monarchy cast an eye of cupidity upon these growing colonies which had, almost unobserved by East- * " President's Tour," 3d ed, p. 268, 269. " Memoirs of Jackson," 5thed. p. 48,49. INTRODUCTION. 17 yrn potentates, grown up to considerable importance. The British monarchy then began to think that their trans-atlan- tic possessions were worth defending. The king began to profess the most fatherly solicitude for his American sub- jects ; and his ministry most earnestly called upon them to defend themselves, and most graciously condescended to furnish a few British regulars, and a full quota of British officers to command all the American troops. A sort of predatory warfare was carried on between the christian English and French, and the heathen Indians, who espoused the cause of that great father, over the great wa- ter, who offered the strongest allurements, and gave thena the most encouragement for gratifying their insatiable thirst for blood, carnage and plunder. General Braddock was despatched to America, with a small body of troops, and wa-s joined by that prodigy of a man, designed to begin his splendid military career in aid- ing the British monarch to secure the colonies from French rapacity, and afterwards to lead his countrymen in wrest- ing them from British tyranny— GEORGE WASHING- TON. Gen. Braddock, as commander in chief, and Col. Washington, the next in command, advanced upon the savage foe. The commander, claiming that importance which a man versed in the science of war — familiar with military tactics, and determined to slay savages secundem artem, lost his own life, and much of his force, by rashness and ignorance of savage warfare. The cool courage and consummate judgment of Washington saved the remnant of an army, the whole of which had been exposed to de- struction by his superior in command. The American, or what was then called the provincial troops, were almost invariably successful when led by their own commanders.* * Vide English and Americaa histories of the " French War."" 18 INTRODUCTION. In May 1756, war was formally declared by Britain against France ; and in June fol lowing, by France against Britain. Another host of British officers arrived from Eu- rope, amongst whom were Lord Loudon^ Gen. jibercrombie, Gen. Webb, Gen. Hopson, &;c. &c. One after the other made his entry and his exit, like actors at a theatre, per- forming sometimes a comic, sometimes a tragic, and more frequently a tragi-comic part ; and then retiring behind the scenes, followed by the hisses of some, the pity of others, and the contempt of all. At the close of the year 1758, by the tardiness, cowardice or ignorance of British gene- rals, the British colonies in America were all but an appen- dage to the French monarchy. Americans, although loyal in the first degree to his Britannic Majesty, formed the most contemptible opinion of his ministry and his generals. Even a loyal British historian and biographer, speaking of the campain of 1758, says, " That it ended to the eternal disgrace of those who then commanded the armies, and di- rected the councils of Great-Britain.''^ In 1759 the Genius of war and carnage seemed to have crossed the Atlantic, and to have commenced his terrific reign in North America. But that merciful Being, under whose protecting arm the infant colonies were planted, still sustained them — " Qui transtulit sustinet.?'! A great and powerful friend of America, as yet but little known, advanced forward in all the majesty of innate greatness. A lowering and portentous cloud hung over his king, his country, and her colonies. " He stood alone — modern de- generacy had not reached him — With one hand he smote tht house of Bourbon, and wielded in the other the democracy of England.^'' The classical reader will immediately call to f This IB the motto of the Arms of Connecticut, INTRODUCTION. 19 mind the first of orators, the greatest of statesmen, and the noblest of men, William Pitt, a " name which strikes all human titles dead ;" and which needed not the ennobling title of " Earl of Chatham" to add to his native greatness. He was the master spirit, under Providence, who direct- ed the storm that was raging in two hemispheres. Pro- foundly versed in the science of human nature, he selected his officers for the reason, that they would confer more hon- our upon the station they filled, than they could derive from it. Gen. Amherst and Gen. Wolfe, were made commanders in America. The cool and judicious course pursued by the first,* reminds the historian of the Roman Fabius, and the fire and energy of the last, o(Scipio. This wonderful man, William Pitt, who dared, in youth, to repel manfully an attack from the imperious Walpole, dar- ed also, although but a commoner, to expose the effemin- acy of a degenerated English nobility. He cared little for the gaudy and evanescent splendour of royalty, but placed his reliance upon the bone and muscle of his country — the YEOMANRY. His vicws, like the rapidity of the passage of light, were directed to America. His prescience assured him that Anglo-Americans, who had encountered the dan- gers of the ocean — the appalling horrors of savage war- fare — the dismaying prospects of famine, and all the ca- lamities which ''^ fiesh is heir to,''^ were the men upon whom his king must place his reliance, to defend his American possessions. He addressed the governours of the several colonies. Although distinct in regard to interest, and dif- ferent in form of government, he pathetically and energet- ically appealed to the interest, the pride, the patriotism, the loyalty, and, what was paramount, the religion, of all. His spirit operated upon the despairing Americans, like a 20 INTRODUCTION. shock of electricity upon a morbid system, — it infused life and vigour. A single paragraph will suffice for the remaining part of this introduction, so far as it relates to the war of 1755. The Americans, aided by a tew of their English brethren, went on conquering and to conquer, until the tzoo Canadas — the two Floridas^ and half of the Mississippi, were added de facto to the British crown, but dejure to the Americans, by the Peace of Paris in 1763. The nation now looked upon their immense territory in North America as indefeasibly its own, and rested content- ed in regard to it. Its views were withdrawn from the West, and directed to the East. With that avarice and cupidity which reminds the biblical scKolar of the daugh- ters of the horse leach, " crying Give, give,'''' its views were extended to India. While they were conquering re- gions which before were conquered by effeminacy, wealth, and luxury, the Americans, without aspiring to conquest or dominion, were unambitiously engaged in the innocent and laudable pursuit of drawing wealth from their own re- sources, and drawing the wealth of other regions into the bosom of their country. The " mother country," as Britain was then called, with a rapacity unparralleled in the history of plunder, carnage and bloodshed, was ravishing from the unoffending natives of Asia, the fairest and richest portion of that continent, which may be called the parent of the world. Neither the Law that came by Moses, nor the Grace promulgated by the Gospel, restrained Englishmen from inundating the country in blood, in order to wrest from it its treasures.* * The lang'uage of two British poets, " That thieves at home must hang ; but he that puts INTRODUCTION. 21 Neither the deleterious effects of the chmate, nor agony in the black hole of Calcutta, could restrain these relentless marauders, from accomplishing their diabolical work. As soon may we expect that the grave will say "it is enough," as to see a nation of misers satisfied with gold. But Col. Clive was immortalized, and the British treasury was en- riched, and that's enough ! ! But notwithstanding the immense acquisition of wealth from the East, Great-Britain was in the depth of national bankruptc}^, as she fancied she was at the height of national glory. To keep up her sinking credit, and to enable her to prosecute her objects of unhallowed ambition, she re- solved to replenish her cotfers by draining from her Amer- ican subjects their hard earned gains. The British parliament little knew what "stern stuff" it had to deal with upon the west side of the Atlantic. Englishmen, however, might have learned, in the war of 1755, that their American brethren had bone and muscle sufficient to conquer the best French generals, and their best troops ; Indian sachems and their best warriors. The statesmen of Old England supposed that Americans would not have the temerity to resist the mandates of their Euro- pean mother. They supposed that they felt grateful for the protection extended to them, not remembering that the colonists had protected themselves by their own men and their own money ; and that the wealth acquired by Britain, by monopolizing their trade, very far overbalan- ced the money expended in aiding them. But that impe- rious monarchy was determined to show their power over the colonies, whether it acquired wealth by it or not. " Into his overgorg'd and bloated purse *' The wealth- oi Indian provinces, escapes !" " One murder makes a villain — millions a hero !" 4 22 INTRODUCTION. That wonderful statesman, William Pitt,* >\a3 woi« down by incessant service in the cause of his king and country. But although his majestic frame was tottering to its fail, his mind retained its native inspiration — " His soul's dark cottage, batter'd and decay'd, "Let in new light thro' chinks which time had made." His knowledge of Americans made him respect them, not * The following extract from the Speech of William Pitt, (whose name was lowered for that of " Earl of Chatham'''') ought to be com- mitted to memory by every American youth, and admired by every American Scholar, Statesman and Patriot. It was pronounced the January before the battle of Bunker Hill, in the British parliament : " My Lords, " 1 rise with astonishment to see these papers brought to your ta- ble at so late a period of this business ; papers, to tell us what ?, Why. what all the world knew before ; that the Americans, irritated by re- peated injuries and stripped of their inborn rights and dearest privi- leges, have resisted, and entered into associations for the preserva- tion of their common liberties. Had the early situation of the people of Boston been attended to, things would not have come to this. But the infant complaints of Bos- ton were literally treated like the capricious squalls of a child, who, it was said, did not know whether it was aggrieved or not. But full well 1 knew, at that time, that this child, if not redressed, would soon assume the courage and voice of a man. Full well I knew, that the sons of ancestors, born under the same free constitution, and once breathing the same liberal air as Englishmen, would resist upon the same principles, and on the same occasions. What has government done? They have sent an armed foi'ce, con- sisting of seventeen thousand men, to dragoon the Bostonians into what is called their duty ; and so far from once turning their eyes to the po- licy and destructive consequence of this scheme, are constantly send- ing out more troops. And we are told, in the language of menace, that if seventeen thousand men won't do, fifty thousand shall. It is true, my lords, with this force they may ravage the country ; waste and destroy as they march ; but, in the progress of fifteen hundred miles, can they occupy the places they have passed ? Will not a coun- INTRODUCTION. 23 is subjugated vassals, but as descendants of English free- men. He warned king, lords, and commons to beware how they moved in regard to America. His solemn mo- nitions were like oracles, and his warning voice like a voice try, which can produce three millions of people, wronged and insulted as they are, start up like hydras in every corner, and gather fresh strength from every opposition ? Nay, what dependence can you have upon the soldiery, the unhappy engines of your wrath? They are Englishmen, who must feel for the privileges of Englishmen. Do you think that these men can turn their arms against their brethren ? Surely no. A victory must be to them a defeat ; and carnage, a sac- rifice. But it is not merely three millions of people, the produce of America, we have to contend with in this unnatural struggle ; many more are on their side, dispersed over the face of this wide empire. Every whig in this country and in Ireland is with thein. Who, then, let me demand, has given, and continues to give, this strange and unconstitutional advice ? I do not mean to level at one man, or any particular set of men ; but thus much I will venture to declare, that, if his Majesty continues to hear such counsellors, he will not only be badly advised, but undone. He may continue indeed to wear his crown ; but it will not be worth his wearing. Robbed of so principal a jewel as America, it will lose its lustre, and no longer beam that effulgence which should irradiate the brow of majesty. In this alarming crisis, I come with this paper in my hand to offer you the best of my experience and advice ; which is, that a humble petition be presented to his Majesty, beseeching him, that in order to open the way towards a happy setttement of the dangerous troubles ia America, it may gracjpusly please him, that immediate orders bo giv- en to general Gage for removing his majesty's forces from the town of Boston. And this, my lords, upon the most mature aud deliberate grounds, is the best advice I can give you, at this juncture Such conduct will convince America that you mean to try her cause in the spirit oi freedom and inquiry, and not in letters of Hood. There is no time to be lost. Every hour is big with danger. Perhaps, while I am now speakjng, the decisive blow is struck, which ms^y involve millions iu the consequence. And believe me, the very fi rst drop of Mood which is shed, will cause a wound which may never be healed. " 24 ' INTRODUCTION. from the tomb.* The then young and manly Charle? Jam^s Fox, the eloquent Burke, and the unyielding Barre, formed a trio of greatness ia favour of America. But that wrong-headed minister, Lord North, was incorrigible. He had an accommodating majority in parliament which would * It was not far from this period, that Doct. Samuel Johnson wrote his celebrated pamphlet, " Taxation no Tyranny, '^'^ in which he sneer- ed at American Rebels ; and, under the influence of a Pension, even frowned at the immortal Pitt. He lived just long enough to see George III. ratify the Peace of 1783, and surrender the " American Jewel." "Lord Littleton the Younger" not inaptly styled '■'■the paragon of virtue and of vice^"" thus expresses himself upon the sub- ject of American Affairs •. How such a lord as Littleton, could amal- gamate with such a lord as J^orth, is one of the mysteries in " state affairs" "• not to be told." — " In the great subject of this daj''s politics, which seems to engulph every other, 1 am with them. I shall never cease to contend for the universality and unity of the British empire over all its territories and dependencies, in every part of the globe. I have not a doubt of the legislative supremacy of parliament over every part of the British do- minions in America, the East and West Indies, in Africa, and over Ireland itself. I cannot separate the ideas of legislation and taxadon ; they seem to be mere than twins ; they were not only born but must co-exist and die together. The question of right is heard of no more ; it is now become a question of power ; and it appears to me that the sword will detei-mine the contest. The colonies pretend to be subject to the king alone ; they deny subordination to the state, and, upon this prin- ciple, have not only declared against the authority of parliament, but erecteo a government of their own, independent of British legislation. To sup)>ort a disobedience to rights which they once acknowledged, they have already formed associations, armed and arrayed themselves, and are preparing to bnng the question to the issue of battle. This being the! case, it becomes highly necessary for us to arm also; we must prepare to quencli the evil in its infancy, and to extinguish a flame which the natui a! enemies of England will not fail to feed with unremitting; fuel, in order to consume our commerce, and tarnish our glory. If w'ise measures are taken, this business will be soon comple- INTRODUCTION. 25 follow, wherever he lead. Their measures would remind one of the familiar adage — " Quem Deus, perdere vult, prius'dementat." The parliament imposed a tax upon tea, so that the very matrons of America, while sipping this cheering beverage, should remember their Enghsh mother. Then followed the stamp-act, so that every transaction, evidenced by wri- ting, should carry with it evidence of British supremacy. Then followed the tax upon painters^ colours, so that every ted, to the honour of the mother country, and the welfare of the colo- nies ; who, in spite of all the assistance given them b}' the House of Bourbon, must, unless our government acts like an ideot, be forced to submission. For my own part, I have not tha]t high opinion of their Roman spir- it, as to suppose that it will influence them contendedly to submit to all the horrors of war, to resign every comfort in which they have been bred, to relinguish every hope with which they have been flatter- ed, and retire to the howling wilderness for an habitation : and all for a dream of liberty, which, were they to possess to-morrow, would not give them a privilege superior to those which they lately enjoyed ; and might, I fear, deprive them of many which they experienced be- neath the clement legislation of the British government." CowPER, a legitimate British bard, wh6 lived during the " French War" in America, and who was at the height of poetical fame at the close of the " War of the American Revolution," thus alludes to the death of ih& first Pitt, (Earl of Chatham) and Gen. Wolfe.— " Farewell those hoaours, and farewell, with them, " The hope of such hereafter ! They have fallen, " Each in his field of glory ; one in arms, '* And one in council- — Wolfe upon the lap " Of smiling victory, that moment won, " And Chatham, heartsick of his country's shame ! !" Speaking of the Independence of America, he says — " True we have lost an empire — let it pass — " That pick'd the jewel oat of England's crown."— 26 INTRODUCTION, ornament upon American buildings should remind the pos- sessor of British power. If the PaHiament of Britian could impose taxes upon the colonies without their consent, the King of Britain, the head of the " Holy Catholic Church," could send them Arch-hishops^ Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Curates, &lc. &;c. and the whole systematic ramification of a " Church Es- tablishment." Tythes might be imposed to support the gorgeous pageantry of mechanical Christianity, and the Puritans might have been persecuted as schismatics, and their houses of worship denounced as conventicles. The stern unyielding men who composed the popula- tion of the " Thirteen Colonies" were not of that low- born, stubborn race of beings who resist the exercise of all necessary as well as arrogated power, nor were they so destitute of political science as to deny the right of legiti- mate rulers to impose salutary restraints, and necessary contributions. No ! amongst them were statesmen who would have graced the parliament of Britain, either amongst its Lords or Commons — statesmen who had learn- ed the necessity of obedience, before they aspired to the arduous duty of commanding. The Adamses, John Han- cock, James Otis, the Livingstons, Benjamin Frank- lin, the Clintons, Patrick Henry, the Randolphs, Hen- ry Laurens, the Leks, Pinckneys, and an expanded con- stellation of exalted patriots like them, knew well how to manifest a cordial allegiance to a monarch, when in the exercise of legitimate and constitutional authority. Thanks to the stubborn resistance against arbitrary prerogatives and tyrannical power, these peerless and unsurpassed patri- ots and statesmen knew equally well how to expose the en- croachments of tyrants, and to rouse up freemen to resist INTRODUCTION, 27 them. It would require a "Muse ofiire, to ascend the highest heaven of invention" to pen a suitable eulogy up- on these Sampsons of the western wofld. Thej taught the people that they possessed the right of self-government : and spurned a doctrine since taught by American Aristo- crats " that the people are their own worst enemies.'" Whatever were the nature of the different governments — whether exercised by royal Charters — proprietary govern- ments, or their own municipal regulations, every govern ment in the colonies, emphatically exercised what jurists call the Jura summa imperii — the right of supreme power. Their legislative assemblies enacted laws — their judicial forums administered civil and criminal justice. They im- posed taxes upon the people, and adopted the incontrover- tible axiom — " That representation and Taxation should he correspondent,'''' They viewed the constitution of Bri- tain, and saw an hereditary monarch — an hereditary sen- ate ; and commons, which represented rotten burroughs, rather than a free people. Notwithstanding the imperious court of Britain seemed to have fixed its course in regard to the colonies, yet their vacillating policy excited the contempt, as well as the in- dignation of American Statesmen. They imposed taxes, and seeing them resisted, omitted to enforce the collection. They passed acts and repealed them; but finally resolved " that the parliament had power to make lazvs to bind the col- onies in all cases whatsoever,'''' This was a new species of legislation, — it was a preamble without an act, an attempt to atone for an offence, and at the same time claiming the power to repeat it. Fox, Burke and Barre, in the House of Commons, poured forth peals of eloquence and satire, which the imperious Mansfield and North, and the minis- 28 INTRODUCTION. ter's dupes, could meet drily by dumb legislation, and the physical power of voting. Said Fox to the minister, " In your infatuated conauct, resolutions and concession, evtr misplaced, have equally operated to the disgrace and ruin of the nation." But it was native eloquence, in the Forum and from the Press,* that kindled the latent spark of freedom into a * la presenting to the reader the follow^ing extracts from " A Circu. far Letter from the Congress of the United States of America to their Constituents^''^ — '■'■By the tmanimovs order of Congress j''^ dated 23d Sept. 1779, I give him a new opportunity of contemplating- the native majesty of the gigantic statesmen, of the members of the " Old Con- gress ;" and the splendid energy with which their exalted sentiments are conveyed. " That the time has been when honest men might, without being chargeable with timidity, have doubted the success of the present rev- olution we admit ; but that period is passed. The independence of America is now as fixed as fate, and the petulant efforts of Britain to break it down, are as vain and fruitless as the raging of the waves which beat against their cliffs. Let those who are still afflicted with these doubts consider the character and condition of our enemies. Let them remember that we are contending against a kingdom crumbling into pieces; a nation without public virtue; and a people sold to and betrayed by their own representatives ; against a prince governed by his passions, and a rninistry without confidence or wisdom ; against ar- mies half paid, and generals half trusted ; against a government equal only to plans of plunder, conflagration and murder; a government by the most impious violations of the rights of religion, justice, humanity and mankind, courting the vengeance of Heaven, and rev olting from the protection of Providencce. Against the fury of these enemies you made successful resistance, when single, alone, and friendless, in the days of weakness and infancy, before your hands had been taught to war or your fingers to fight. And can there be any reason to appre- hend that the Divine Disposer of human events, after having separated Tis from the house of bondage, and led us safe through a sea of blood, towards the land of liberty and promise, will leave the work of our po- litical redemption unfinished, and either permit us to perish in a wil- INTROUUCTIOJ^. 29 tiaine. The impassioned eloquence of the Adamses, Han- cock, Otis, &ic. in " Fanueil Hall," in Massachusetts, dsmess of difficulties, or suffer us to be carried back in chains to that country of oppression, from whose tyranny he hath mercifully deliver- ed us with a stretched out arm ?" "• What danger have we to fear from Britain ? Instead of acquiring accessions of territory by conquest, the limits of her empire daily con- tract ; her fleets no longer rule the ocean, nor are her armies invinci- ble by land. How many of her standards, wrested from the hands of ker champions, are among your trophies, and have graced the triumphs of your troops ? and how great is the number of those, who, sent to bind you in fetters, have become your captives, and received their lives from your hands." " A sense of common permanent interest, mutual affection (having been brethren in affliction,) the ties of consanguinity daily extending, «onstant reciprocity of good offices, similarity in language, in govern- ments, and therefore in manners, the importance, weight and splendour of the union, all conspire in forming a strong chain of connexion, which must for ever bind us together. The United Provinces of the Netherlands, and the United Cantons of Switzerland became free and independent under circumstances very like ours : their independence has been long established, and yet their confederacies continue in full vigour. What reason can be assigned why our union should be less lasting ? or why should the people of these states be supposed less wise than the inhabitants of those ?" " We should pay an ill compliment to the understanding and honour of every true American, were we to adduce many arguments to show the baseness or bad policy of violating our national faith, or omitting to pursue the measures necessary to preserve it. A bankrupt faithless republic would be a novelty in the political world, and appear among reputable nations, like a common prostitute among chSiste and respec- table matrons." " The war, though drawing fast to a successful issue, still rages. Be mindful that the brightest prospects may be clouded, and that prudence bids us be prepared for every event. Provide therefore for continu- ing your armies in the field till victory and peace shall lead them home, aod avoid the reproach of permitting the currency to depreciate ia your haads, when by yielding a part to taxes and loans, the whole 5 30 INTRODUCTION. reverberated along the shores of the Atlantic, until it reach- ed the "House of Burgesses" in Virginia, where the ma- jestic spirits of Patrjck Henrv, and Richard Henry Lee, poured forth the thundering and sonorous voice of indignant freemen, resolved to be free. Franklin, who had wrested the lightning from the clouds by his philosophy, led the van of those statesmen in the cabinet, who by the Pen and the Press gave a systematic direction to Ameri- can Patriotism, which eventuated in the " De(;laration OF Independence," and in wresting from the House of Brunswick the sceptre which she wielded over her Amer- ican Colonies. The artillery of the American Press, was little less potent than the thunder of land and floating bat- teries, in converting what was denounced as an unnatural rebellion into the most "Glorious Revolution" of the eighteenth century. " Curses, not only loud, hut dtep^^ were uttered forth from the lips of tottering age •, and the hopes of their country, the rising youth, caught the holy enthusiasm of liberty. The massacre at Boston, and the murders at Lexington, were tocsins of war which echoed might have been appreciated and preserved. Humanity as well as justice makes this demand upon you, the complaints of ruined widows, and cries of fatherless children, whose whole support has been placed in your hands and melted away, have doubtless reached you ; take care that they ascend no higher. Rouse therefore ; strive who shall do most for his country ; rekindle that dame of patriotism which at the mention of disgrace and slavery blazed throughout America, and ani- mated all her citizens. Determine to finish the contest as you began it, honestly and gloriously. Let it neVer be said that America had no sooner become independent than she became insolvent, or that her infant glories and growing fame were obscured and tarnished by bro- ken contracts and violated faith, in the very hour when all the nations of the earth were admiring and almost adoring t^e splendour •£ ber rising." INTRODUCTION. 31 from the Atlantic to the Mississippi— from the Canadas to the Floridas. In the wide range of history, no parallel example of uni- ty of sentiment, and unity of action can be found. Thir- teen distinct governments, moved in more perfect unison, than did ever thirteen different dials point to the minutes of the passing hour. From 1763 to 1775, the materials of a dissevering shock, which was forever to dissolve the con- nexion between the Thirteen Colonies of America and the British monarchy, had been constantly augmenting. A Revolution in public feeling had been effected, before an appeal, to arms — the dernier resort — was made. The immortal Washington at the head, followed by Putnam, Gates, Montgomery, Woostek, Greene, &c. and followed themselves by hosts of true Americans, laid aside the peaceful pursuits of husbandry, and the arts, and re- paired to the " tented field," resolved to be '* Fire to fire, — flint to flint, and t' outface the Brow of bragging horror."* But a class of Americans was scattered over the bosom * The following masterly apostrophe to the memories of the States- men and Heroes of the Revolution is extracted from an anniversary Oration on 4th July, 1787. " But what tribute shall we bestow, what sacred paean shall we raise ever the tombs of those who dared, in the face of unrivalled power, and within the reach of majesty, to blow the blast of freedom throughout a subject continent ? Nor did those brave countrymen of ours only express the emotioDs of glory ; the nature of their principles inspired them with the power of practice ; and they offered their bosoms to the shafts of battle. Bunker's awful mount is the capacious urn of their ashes ; but the flaming bounds of the universe could not limit the flight of their minds. They fled to the union of kindred souls ; and those who fell at the streights of Thermopylae, and those who bled on the heights of CbarlM- tnwn, now r«ap coof eaial joys in th« fields of the blessed." 32 INTRODUCTION. of the rising Republic, who are now to be introdueed to the attention, and it is hoped, to the admiration of the rea- der. They were the energetic, the daring, the adventu- rous sons of the ocean, "Whose march was on the mountain wave. Whose home was on the deep." It was upon that element they wished to display, their courage, and their patriotism. It was \n floating buhoarks, they wished to breast the shock, and hurl the gauntlet of defiance at the enemies of their country. Such a desire, at such a time, with such apparently insuperable obstacles to surmount, could have originated only from souls, that were sti'angers to fear, or have been imbibed in bosoms glowing with the ardour of patriotism. The seaboard of the thirteen colonies, was barricadoed with the " wooden walls" of Old England, her admirals, post-captains and seamen, had acquired almost undisputed sway over every ocean and sea ; and the colonies possessed not a single armed ship. In the war of 1755, commonly called by Americans the " French War," but very few of our ances- tors acquired knowledge of naval tactics ; and what thej did acquire, must have been in very humble stations, — for if the officers of Britain in the army of America, aspired to supreme command, a fortiori, would they in the navy. What little science in naval tactics was acquired, was lost by American navigators in the peaceable pursuits of law- ful commerce, and drawing from the bosom of the oceaft its inexhaustible treasures. Thus, in few words, were situated, the ocean-warriors of the infant Republic, when that awfully unequal contest commenced, which gave Independence to America, and wrested from the British diadem, its most brilliant and in- INTRODUCTION. 33 valuable gem. Merchantmen were suddenly converted into privateers, and British commerce, of immense value, and transport ships, with army and navy stores, were rap- idly brought into American ports. The very naval stores indispensably necessary to fit out armed ships, were drawn from the enemy ; thus weakening them and strengthening our energetic ancestors. The legislatures of the several colonies, aided the daring sons of the deep in their noble endeavours, and began to build " state sArpj." The Con- tinental Congress, at the close of 1775, made provision, for building 5 vessels of 32 guns, 160 guns. 5 ?5 28 55 140 55 3 5? 24 55 72 55 13 372 None of these were fitted for sea until about the time of the Declaration of American Independence. There were no navy yards — no naval depots — no naval stations — and but few naval architects. But that fecundity of genius which draws the means of action from resources invisible to the eye of despondency, enabled the statesmen and war- riors of that portentous period to achieve wonders, bor- dering upon miracles, with means apparently wholly ineffi- cient. The denominations of vessels at that time were " Continental Ships,''^ " State SAt))5," " Letters of Marque.''' and " Privateers.''^ There was then no Naval List of ships, nor Naval Reg ister of Officers ; at least none can be found by the writer. Information upon this subject can be gathered only from the scattered materials of that period, — information from the (ew surviving veterans of the revolution, and communi- cations from obliging correspondents. It will excite astonishment in the reader, that the whole 'J4 INTRODUCTIOV. Continental marine force in 1776, was less than four 74'^< at this time (1823). This diminutive force, with the aid of State ships and privateers, was illy calculated to face the immense naval power of Britain which stretched along the American coast. But it could reach the wealthy com- merce of Britain, if it could not encounter her powerful ma- rine. Let the reader run over the following authentic list of Ships of the Line, and add to them more than tre- ble that number of Frigates, Sloops of War, Brigs, Schoo- ners, which Capt. Biddle had captured, equally regardless of* the monarchy under which they were born, and into the service of which they were daily liahle to be impressed, as they were for the Republic which was striving for inde penqence, enhsted under Capt. Biddle. He was aware that they were good seamen, but he had good reason to doubt their fidelity. They were mostly composed of be- ings who were hired to die, or compelled to spill their blood in supporting and defending the pageantry of royal- ty. They considered themselves as mere " food for pow- der," and cared little in what cause they died. But the determined Captain was resolved to put to sea, and once more to face and defy the enemies of his country. He sailed from Philadelphia in the month of February, 1777. He had been at sea but a few days before he dis- covered the mutinous and pertidious machinations of his crew. The English seamen entered into a combination to rise upon the Captain, his officers, and the American sea- men — take the frigate into their own command, and pre- sent the ship and crew to the British admiral, or become pirates. They possessed the physical power to carry this determination into effect. It required all the energy and intrepidity of Capt. Biddle and his officers to defeat this nefarious design. Indeed, it is upon occasions like this, that the native greatness of man is displayed. To bear a ship into action, with an equal antagonist, with a crew like that of the junior Decatur, whose hearts beat in uni- son with that of their comm'ander, is pastime and pleasure, when compared with the danger that arises from disaffec- tion and treachery. Said a noble Spartan — " May the gods preserve me from friends — my enemies I am always prepared to encounter." The disaifected part o( the tiO NAVAL HEROES. crew, as a signal for rising, were to givd three cheers- rush into the cabin — put the officers in irons, and assume the command of the frigate. The noble, the fearless, and determined Biddle, re-acted the scene he had passed through at the prison, when he re- took his deserters. His presence of mind — his thundering denunciations — his consummate and wonderful power of commanding, struck instantaneous terror into the hearts of the numerous host that opposed him. He was, indeed, a host of himself. The awe-struck mutineers submissively returned to their duty ; and would afterwards as soon set Omnipotence itself at defiance, as to wink an eye-lid in hostility to their commander. No sooner had he restored order in his floating garrison, than he had to endure the distressing scene of beholding all his masts go by the board, from their original defects. He put into Charleston, S. C. to refit. Every hour's de- tention seemed like a whole calender to this unsurpassed ocean warrior. The means of refitting a dismasted frigate in 1777, were next to nothing to what they are in 1823, at our well furnished naval depots. Capt. Biddle's whole soul was entwined around the cause of his country ; and he ardently panted to be constantly facing her enemy. He was not to be restrained by the cold and icy suggestions of prudence, from venturing all his temporal possessions, and his life too, in the holy cause of his country, which he loved better than he did himself. He was lavish to excess, in spending his blood and treas'ure for it. His short stay at Charleston, excited toward him the ad- miration of its patriotic citizens. The enemy had learned that an American Frigate had been to sea, and they were determined to add it to the Royal Navy of Britain. Capt. COM. NICHOLAS BIDDLE. 61 Biddle sailed from Charleston with the patriotic wishes and fervent prayers of every true American for his success. The third day's sail brougnt him into contact with four valuable British ships. The commander of one of them, the True Briton, had expressed his urgent wishes to fall in with the Randolph. As soon as he recognized the ship, he hove to, and at long shot commenced the action. The fire was incessant, although ill directed from the True Briton. Capt. Biddle set the example, which has so successsful- ly been followed by the modern officers of our navy, of bearing down upon the enemy, reserving fire — coming into close action — and settling the contest at once. The aston- ished and vaunting Briton, at the moment the Randolph was about to pour in her first broadside, struck his flag, and surrendered his ship to Capt. Biddle. He instantly officered and manned his prize ; and, with the Randolph, went in pursuit of the other vessels, every one of which he captured. The citizens of Charleston had hardly expected that Capt. Biddle had left the American coast, before he gladdened their eyes and rejoiced their hearts with the sight of his frigate and four prizes of very great value. At that time, such an achievement, and such an acqui- sition, produced perhaps more real joy than the more re- cent achievements of our matchless navy. It was but sev- en days from the time Capt. Biddle sailed from Charleston before he entered the same port with his frigate and prizes. His presence diffused animation through all ranks ; and the possessors of wealth readily advanced it to augment his force. Every exertion was made to prepare a squadron for Commodore Biddle. " The north gave up, and the 10 €2 NAVAL HEROES. south kept not back," as it regarded North and South Car- olina. The very souls of the people were devoted to the cause of their country ; and the wonted enjoyments of pri- vate luxuries, and the more splendid display of glaring and magnificent equipage, were forgotten in the cause of the Republic which must have sunken into the degradation of slavery, had it not risen into the majesty of independence by the unparalleled exertion of the undaunted spirits of '76. Com. Riddle's reputation stood so high at this period, that the ardent youth of South Carolina were solicitous to adventure their lives under his commafld. In a very short time, the Commodore raised his broad pendant upon the Frigate Randolph,* and had in his squadron the ship Gene- ral Moultrie,! the brigs Fair American and Polly, — and * This frigate was named Randolph, in honour of Peyton Randolph, first President of the Old Congress under the confederation. f This ship was named General Moultrie, in honour of William Moultrie, Maj. Gen. in the Revolutionary army^— the defender of Sul- livan's island, and the victor at Beaufort. Lord Montague, ex-gover- nour of S. Carolina, offered a princely bribe to Gen. Moultrie, as Gov. Gage did to Gen. Putnam, to join the British forces. Although the literary acquirements of the latter general, would not enable him to repel the audacious insult so elegantly as the former, his patriotic heart, repelled it as indignantly. As Gen. Moultrie's letter is in my possession, I am persuaded the reader will be gratified in perusing the noble sentiments of a warm friend of the exalted Biddle. Haddrell's Point, March 13, 1781. My Lord — " I received yours this morning. I thank you for the wish to pro- mote my advantage, but I am much surprised at your proposition. I flattered myself I stood in a more favourable light with you. I shalj write with the same freedom with which we used to converse, and doubt not you will receive it with the same candour. I have often heard you express your sentiments respecting this unfortunate war : COM. NICHOLAS BIDDLE. 03 sloop Notre Dame. The Randolph had lost one of her masts by a stroke of lightning. It was immediately restored, when you thought the Americans injured ; but am now astonished to find you take an active part against them ; though not fighting parti- cularly on the continent ; yet the seduc'ng their soldiers away to en- list in the British service, is nearly similar. " My lord, yOT are pleased to compliment me with having fought bravely m my country's cause, for many years, and, in your opinion, fulfilled the duty every individual owes it ; but I differ widely from you in thinking that I have discharged my duty to my country, while it is deluged with blood and overrun by British troops, who exercise the most savage cruelties. When I entered into this contest, I did it with the most mature deliberation, with a determined resolution to risk my life and fortune in the cause. The hardships I have gone through I look upon with the greatest pleasure and honor to myself. I shall continue to go on as I have begun, that my example may en- courage the youths of America, to stand forth in defence of their rights and liberties. You call upon me now, and tell me I have a fair opening of quitting that service with honor and reputation to myself, by going with you to Jamaica. Good God! is it possible that such an idea could arise in the breast of a man of honor .' I am sorry you should imagine I have so little regard to my own reputation, as to listen to such dishonorable proposals. Would you wish to have that man honored with your friendship, play the traitor ? Surely not. " You say, by quitting this country for a time I might avoid disa- greeable conversations, and might return at m}' own leisure, and take possession of my estates for myself and family ; but you have forgot to tell me how I could get rid of the feelings of an injured, honest heart, and where to hide myself from myself. Could I be guilty of so much baseness, I should hate myself and shun mankind. This would be a fatal exchange for the present situation, with an easy and approving conscience, of having done my duty, and conducted myself as a man of honor. " My lord, I am sorry to observe, that I feel your friendship much abated, or you would not endeavour to prevail upon me to act so base a part. You earnestly wish you could bring it about, as you think it will be the means of bringing about that reconciliation we all wish for. I wish for a reconciliation as much as any man, ^ut only upon hon- G4 NAVAL HEROES. and the fiigate was fitted for sea, with a lightning rod on her main-mast. orable terms. The repossessing of my estates ; the offer of the com- mand of your regiment, and the honor you propose of serving under me, are paltry considerations to the loss of my reputation. No, not the fee-simple of that valuable island of Jamaica, should induce me to part with my integrity. " My lord, as you have made one proposal, give nrc leave to make another, which will be more honorable to us both. As you have an interest with your commanders, I would ha* e you propose the with- drawing the British troops from the continent of America, allowing in- dependence, and propose a peace. This being done I will use my in- terest with my commajiders to accept the terms, and allow Great Britain a free trade with America. " My lord, I could make one more proposal ; but my situation as a prisoner, circumscribes me within certain bounds. I must, therefore, conclude with allowing you the free liberty to make what use of this you may think proper. Think better of me. " I am my lord, your lordship's most humble servant. Wm. Moultrie." " To lord Charles Montague. Can the present generation of Americans, at this remove of time* contemplate upon the firmness of Moultrie, when a prisoner of war, and of Biddle, his youthful friend, without the highest exultation, min- gled with the deepest veneration? Joseph Reed, was secretary and aid de camp to Gen. Washington, in the revolution, and afterwards govefnour of Pennsylvania. The Royal Governour Johnston, assured the inflexible patriot '• That ten thousand pounds sterling, and the best office in the gift of the crown in America should be at his disposal, if he could effect a reunion of the two countries." He replied, " That he was not worth purchasing ; but such as he was, the king of Great Britain was not rich enough to do if." A London paper, (1780) says, — "The following were the terms that were offered to Gen. Washington, viz. — To be given rank in the British service ; a landed estate in England purchased for him, of 70001. a year, and great promotions for 12 such persons as he .sboul(? name." COM. NICHOLAS BIDDLE. Go At liiis period the Continental infantry in- the vicinity of Charleston, were under the command of a man, whoso name is now associated with the proudest recollection of our countrymen, — a man, whose talents, science and pat- riotism has added vast weight to the character of Ameri- can greatness ; — whose acquirements as a diplomatist and statesman, have excited the undissembled admiration of the courts of St. Cloud and St. James — Charles Cotes- worth PiNCKNEY. The approbation of such a man was a volume of eulogy in favour of Com. Biddle. The country at that time had nothing like a well organized marine corps ; and Gen. Pijickney offered a detachment iVom a re- giment to serve in the squadron, provided the men would •consent to change their service from soldiers to marines. •Notwithstanding the perfect devotion of the regiment to their accomplished commander, a competition arose amongst the captains and subalterns in the different com- panies, who should have the honour of entering into the more dangerous service of Com. Biddle. These noble and gallant spirits little anticipated the aw- ful fate that was shortly to await them, and their adored commander. As the writer approaches toward the rela- tion of the direful catastrophe, he sensibly feels his incom- petency to delineate it. The coast of S. Carolina was infested with British crui- sers, from Seventy -fours down to Schooners ; yet Com. Bid- dle rendezvoused with his little squadron in what was then called " Rebellion Roads,^'' toward the last of February. The British commanders, in order to decoy him into greater danger, left the coast and bore away for the West Indies. Capt. Biddle resolved to carry the arms of Amer- ica, where the enemies of America were to be found ; and 66 NAVAL HEROES. to conduct his squadron to those regions where he could inflict the severest injury upon the enemy, and render his country the most essential service. Let not the reader conclude that this admired and la- mented commander, had that daring rashness which would carry his ships and crews into danger, that could not be es- caped. Although but twenty-seven years of age — although the gristle of youth had but just ripened into the bone of manhood, he had devoted himself with such assiduity to his profession, and had seen so much service, that he had ac- quired the coolness and prudence of an experienced admi- ral. Upon the 5th March, a number of the officers of the squadron, dined on board the Randolph. The Commodore* observed to them, " We have been some days cruising here, and having spoken a number of vessels, some of them have undoubtedly given information of us. But in this ship, I think myself a match for any thing floating, that car- ries her guns upon one deck." He captured one valuable shin and cargo, and sent her to America. From the time he took command of the Andrew Doria^ to this period of his life, this dauntless and vigilant naviga- tor and tactician, had probably given more annoyance to British commerce, and aid to his country than any other of the intrepid American Heroes upon the ocean. During a considerable portion of the time, his native city and the ad- joining country, was in the hands of an enemy whose " ten- der mercies are cruelties." To adopt the language of the patriotick Humphreys, " Add to the black catalogue of provocations, — their insatiable rapacity in plundering — their libidinous brutality in violating the chastity of the fe- male sex — their more than Gothic rage in defacing private COM. NICHOLAS BIDDLE. 6? writings, public records, libraries of learning — dwellings of individuals — edifices of education, and temples of the Deity — together with their insufferable ferocity, unprecedented indeed among civilized nations, in murdering on the field of battle, the wounded while begging for mercy" — and "carrying their malice beyond death itself, by denying the decent rights of sepulture to the dead." Such is the just and pathetic description of a young and gallant oflicer, who was then encountering the enemies of the rising Republic, upon land, as Biddle was upon the ocean. But mark the difference of the conduct of this noble American, when he had captured a king's ship, or a merchantman. His hu- mane conduct made prisoners forget that they were in the possession of an enemy; and although their property had fallen a sacrifice to the depredations of war, the magnani- mous Commodore shielded them from individual distress; and restored to them every thing needed, for personal ne- cessity and convenience. Although American Naval Officers have always been distinguished for a dignified deportment and feeling human- ity, to a vanquished enemy, yet the example set by Biddle in the First, may well be supposed to have had much influ- ence upon officers in the Second war with Britain. But as if" death loves a shining mark" and designates his sudden victims amongst the most brilliant ornaments of dying man, this favourite of his then warring and distressed country — the delight of his friends, and the admiration of his enemies was, by the most appalling, sudden, and terri- fic shock of warfare, to be torn from time into eternity. The 7th of March 1778, was the day upon which this ad- mired Officer, and one of the most gallant Crews of thr:t age, were to be lost to their friends and country. ^ es JNAVAL HEROES. At 3 P. M. a sail, at the windward, was descried from the Randolph. A signal being made from the frigate, the squadron hauled upon a wind, to speak the strange sail. As the sail neared the Randolph and came directly before the wind, she had the appearance of a heavy sloop,* with only a square-sail set. It was not until 4 P. M. that she was discovered to be a ship. At about 7 P. M. the Ran- dolph had the windward, the General Moultrie being to the leeward, when the ship fired ahead of the General Moultrie and hailed her. Her answer was, " The Polly from New- York," (then in possession of the British forces.) The ship suddenly hauled her wind and hailed the Ran- dolph. The sail was H. B. Majesty's ship of the line Yar mouth, Capt. Vincent, of sixty-four guns. According to the opinion of the most scientific and ex- perienced naval officer?, the Yarmouth was a fair and equal match for three ships of the rate of the Randolph.! As she ranged along side Com. Riddle's ship, an English lieutenant exultingly exclaimed, " The Randolph ! the Ra?i- dolphP^ — and instantly poured into her a full broadside. The fire was returned from the Randolph, and the little Moultrie, with the utmost rapidity ; and, from the disparity of force, with astonishing effect. The night was excessive- ly dark ; the Yarmouth shot ahead of the Randolph, and brought her between that ship and the Moultrie. One broadside from the last mentioned ship, in the hottest of the * To a landsman, like the writer, this would appear improbable ; but I have been assured by accomplished seamen, that this deception is by no means unusual. I The reader is referred to the report of Com. Charles Stewart of the American navy, made to the department of the navy in 1812, in support of this position; which was confirmed by Captains Hull and Morris. Mr. Secretary Hamilton expressly alludes to the battle of the Randolph and the Yarmouth. COM. NICHOLAS BIDDLE. 69 action, through mistake went directly into the Randolph, the moment Com. Biddle was wounded dangerously in the thigh ; and one of' the survivors of the crew conjectured the wound was received from that fire. And here, another example was set by the dauntless Bid die, which, to the admiration of Americans, and astonish- ment of the world, seems to have been universally follow- ed by the modern heroes of our navy — never to leave the deck in consequence of a wound, however severe. After the Commodore fell, and they were about to carry him be- low, he exclaimed with a voice which was almost like a voice from the tomb — " Bring me a chair ; carry me for- ward ; and there the surgeon will dress my wound." — While this painful operation was performing, he animating the crew, the Randolph firing three broadsides to the Yarmouth's one ; while the thunder of an hundred can- non reverberated over the ocean ; while the vivid flashes of three armed vessels increased the horrors of the sur- rounding darkness, the Randolph was blown into atoms, and the mangled fragments of the whole crew, (excepting four) consisting of about three hundred and twenty gallant and patriotic Americans, fell sudden victims to their devo- tion for the cause of their country. Doct. Ramsay in his admirable history of the American^ Revolution, very briefly alludes to this disastrous event, \ and says : " Four men only were saved, upon a piece of her wreck. These had subsisted for four days on nothing but rain water, which they sucked from a piece of blanket." It is with real pleasure I record, as one instance of British humanity, that upon the 5th day of their sufferings, Capt. Vincent of the Yarmouth, suspended a chase to rescue 11 70 Naval heroes, these despairing Americans from certain death, and restor- ed them to their country. Ahhoughthe naval heroes of the revolution are hut sel- dom mentioned in the histories of that sanguinary contest, yet Doct. Ramsay has left upon his record the following testimony of the merits of this justly admired hero : " Capt» BiDDLE, who perished on board the Randolph, was univer- sally lamented. He was in the prime of life ; and had ex- cited high expectations of future usefulness to his country as a bold and skilful naval officer." The consternation produced by this disaster can neither be imagined nor described by one who was not a witness to it. The Yarmouth and Randolph were in such close ac- tion, that the Fair American concluded it to be the former that blew up, and her Captain, (Morgan) hailed her to in- quire after Com. Biddle, knowing him to have been wound- ed. Alas! he, and also his valiant crew, were insensible to the solicitude of the remaining part of the squadron, which but a few minutes before, he so gallantly commanded. The Yarmouth was in a condition so shattered that Capt. Vin- cent could not capture either of the little vessels which were near her, and they all effected their escape. The explosion of an armed vessel, with a large maga- zine of powder, is universally allowed to be one of the most awfully solemn and tremendously horrid scenes that can be presented to the eye of man. The mind of the reader of these imperfectsketches is almost irrisistibly hurried forward from the gloomy catastrophe of the 7th of March 1778, to the no less horrid one ©f Sept. 4th 1 804, when the gallant SoMfcRb, Wadsworth and Israel became victims in chas- tising a barbarous foe. as the gallant Biddle and his asso- ciates did in defending his country against a Christian ene- COM. NICHOLAS BIDDLE. 7i Hiy. From the very nature of such catastrophes, it is im- possible to develope the causes of them. Whether they are occasioned by the inattention of the crew, or the acci- dents occasioned in a close and furious engagement, can scarcely ever be determined. Thus lived, and thus died Nicholas Biddle, one ofthe early champions of American Independence. His prema- ture death deprived him of the honours and rewards of a grateful, protected, and Independent Republic, and the en?- joyment ofthe opulence which he had acquired by his va- lour. But even these enjoyments are trifling and evanes- cent, when compared to that glory which descends to late posterity. It was for this glory that the immortalized Bid- die toiled, fought, bled, and died for his beloved country. Let the ardent and rising youth ofthe Republic ponder up- on the example of this young and exalted hero -^ and when their country shall again be called to defend the independ- ence acquired by the heroes of the Revolution, and secur- ed by the war of 1812, may they emulate his virtues and patriotism ; and like him, and Biddle the younger, ac- quire fame which will d«scend to the remotest posterity. CHARACTER OF NICHOLAS BIDDLE. Nicholas Biddle was born at a period of the world pregnant with the most important events, and was pecu- liarly adapted for a distinguished actor in them. Ever since the discovery of the Magnetic Needle enabled man to traverse oceans from the equator to the arctic and antarctic circles, the watery element has been the fruitful nursery of unsurpassed heroes. But thirteen years had bloomed the cheek of Biddle, when he found kis " home 72 ISAVAL HEROES. upon the deep ;" but early scenes of danger, sufferings, and miraculous preservations, soon converted the sailor boy, to the manly seaman. Sufferings endured and dan- gers escaped, so far from dissuading, rather stimulated him to one deed of noble daring after another. In early life, he became a skilful navigator, and well versed in commercial pursuits. But its dull routine was irksome to his ardent and aspiring mind. His manly qual- ifications procured for him a midshipman's warrant in the Royal Navy of Britain ; and he was in full prospect of ra- pid advancement. He was thus early initiated into the science of naval tactics, and made that science familiar by practical knowledge. It happened to be a period of peace with almost perpetually warring Biitain, and Biddle had no opportunity then, to face an enemy. In Horatio Nelson, Biddle found a spirit congenial with his own ; and both became cockswains in Mulgrave's renowned voyage of discovery towards the north pole. — Stupendous mountains of ice, wafted upon billows moun- tain high, presented the ocean to the view of the lieutenant, acting as cockswain, in all its majestic awful, and destructive grandeur. While Nelson was encountering the snow- white bear, Biddle, encompassed with frowning chffs of ice, was awaiting the awful crush which was threatening mo- mently to send the ship and crew to the bottom. But he returned to England with Nelson and both became favor- ites with the proud admiralty of Britain, the modern Car- thage. Notwithstanding he had become familiar with the im- measurable power of the British marine — notwithstanding he was making rapid strides on the lofty waves of promo- tion with his ship-mate Nelson — notwithstanding the shi* COM. NICHOLAS BIDDLE. 73 rung orders of knighthood, and the " blushing honours" of nobility were within the reach of this ardent aspirant for honourable fame — he frowned indignantly upon a power- ful monarchy which was about to let fall the uplifted aroi of vengeance upon the land of his birth. At a time when the menaces of the House of Brunswick atoeri, and the pro- mised honours and gold of Br\ta.m botight, hordes of Ameri- can loyalists and tories — Biddle was above corruption — above price. The bank of England, nor that over which his respected connexion presides, never had gold enough in their vaults to buy him. He re-crossed the Atlantic whose waves were soon to roll him forth as a warring champion against the " king and country" in whose service he commenced his short and brilliant career of naval glory. With a diminutive force, suddenly fitted out by the almost destitute, infant states, bedashed forth like a rude and fearless intruder upon the imperious " Ocean Queen," and her commerce instantly felt and feared his presence. The profound judgment and deep penetration of the Old Congres, placed the dauntless Biddle in command of a squadron. His broad pendant upon the Randolph waved defiance to any equal hostile force upon the ocean. Such was the celerity with which he moved and the number of prizes that he captured, that his ship was singled out as a victim to British prowess. The fate of naval warfare for- ced him into an awfully unequal contest. The powerful foe, of treble force, descried the devoted ship, while yet the light of heaven directed his unerring course ; and when sable night enveloped the troubled deep in horrid gloom and rendered "darkness visible," the vaunting enemy, sure of victory, vomited forth the thick messengers of death upon 74 NAVAL HEROES. the Randolph. Biddle, cool, collected, animated and fearless, with blood gushing from wounds, animating his comrades, and defying the enemy whom he could not es- cape, breasted the tremendous shock. Amidst the roar of an hundred cannon, and a shower of reddened balls, the in- discribable catastrophe of an exploding war-ship, hurled him and his unrivalled associates from temporal warfare to eternal peace, in a brilliant flame of blazing glory. Thus did the heroic, the patriotic, the exalted Biddle, in the bloom of life, in heaven-approving warfare, give his man- gled corse to the deep — his immortal spirit to the God of battles, and his imperishable fame to the Republic. Vs/ a\.\r-, :-j ji ,-. . .i e.\ ' " "" BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JOHN PAUL. JONES, COMMODORE AND POST-CAPTAIN IN THE CONTINENTAL NAVY, IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. His Life and Character as drawn by a British Biographer Early incidents of his life.... Enters a slave ship.. ..Slave Trade.. ..Goes to service at the Earl of Selkirk's, and is discharged.... Becomes a "Smug," gets married, has the hypo, and leaves his wife.. ..Be- comes the " Prince of smugglers".... Goes to France, gets married again, plays the gentleman landlord, " runs out," and again " sets up business" as a grand smuggler, and afterwards as a merchant. ....Gains wealth, goes to London, dashes and gambles, and "comes upon the world".... Smuggles again.... Makes a voyage to America, and assumes a new and decided character.... He is employed by Congress upon a secret expedition to England.... Accomplishes his object, and returns to America.. ..He is appointed to the command of a Continental ship, and successfully assails British merchantmen ....He joins Com. Hopkins' squadron as commander of the Alfred, distinguishes himself in the capture of the British island of New- Providence. ...Upon his return takes command of the Providence, of 12 guns, in which he convoys vessels and transports He re- ceives the first Captain's commission after the4ih of July, 1776.... Capt. Jones sails again in the Providence, is encountered by the frigate Solebay of 30 guns ; takes valuable prizes ; sails for Nova Scotia ; is attacked by the Milford of 32 guns ; escapes ; effects a landing; destroys fisheries ; takes 17 prizes, and returns.. ..He is appointed to a squadron.. ..Com. Jones sails in the Alfred ; takes the rich transport Mellish, three prizes, and a Liverpool privateer of 16 guns.... Is again attacked by the Milford; escapes with his prizes to Boston.... Receives a vote of thanks from Congress.. ..He takes command of the Ranger, of 18 guns ; sails for France ; takes numerous prizes; announces the defeat of Burgoyne.... Repairs to Paris, returns to the Ranger, and receives the first salute to the American Fla^.... Enters Brest, is saluted by Count D'Orvilliers... He lands at Whitehaven, carries the fort, spikes 40 cannon, and returns on board.. ..He visits his father... .Captures the Drake of 20 j^ns; enters Brest, and visits the court of Louis XVI. ..Com. Jones sails in a squadron of five vessels, on board the Good Man 76 NAVAL HEROES. Richard, of 40 guns.. ..Desperate engagement with the Serapis, 44. ....His official account... .Particulars.. ..Alarm excited... .Jones ap- plauded.... Sails to America in the Ariel, of ^0 guns. ./.Takes the Triumph of 20 guns.... Arrives in America.. /.Retires to Kentucky, and there dies. ...His Character. The naval hero now lo be introduced to the reader, is a sort of phenomenon in human nature. He was an ano- maly in the human character. Born within the dominions of Britain, at a period when his native kingdom was stri- ding on from conquest to conquest — from usurpation to usurpation, he cailght the adventurous spirit of his coun- trymen, and seemed in his own character, to have revived the ancient spirit of chivalry. His life has been sketched by one of his own countrymen, with that malignant asper- ity which characterizes the writers of that country, when treating of the daring spirits who espoused the cause of America in the unparalleled war of the revolution. In order to cast a shade over his wonderful achievements in that contest between the rectitude of weakness and the usurpation of power, they have endeavoured to blast his fame, by attributing to him the most infamous and detest- able vices. While it is readily admitted that it is the business and duty of the biographer to give a faithful portrait of the character delineated, yet, it must also be admitted, that the eccentricities, the irregularities, and the aberrations of untutored judgment and misguided passions, in the early period of life, ought not to be glaringly painted for the purpose of tarnishing the fame of mature manhood. It is unhesitatingly asserted that almost without exception, the private lives of the most distinguished ornaments of human nature are not without some blemishes. But when a man has become a benefactor to his country in the state, the COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 77 church, the army, the navy, or in the walks of literature, why should the just admiration of the world be diminished by publishing his little, private foibles ? One of the biog- raphers of Nelson carries his enraptured readers along through the life of that wonderful man from the days of boyhood, when he encountered a bear in the polar re- gions, until, in the full fruition of glory, he fell at Trafal- gar. Another biographer of the same naval hero, makes the reader almost despise him, because he makes him a victim to the fascinating charms of Lady Hamilton. But, without saying more by way of introduction to the Life of John Paul Jo^ES, and as perhaps too much has been already said, I will proceed in a brief sketch of his event- ful life. He was born at Dumfries, in Scotland, in the month of June, 1748, two years before his associate in war, Nicho- las Biddle. His parents were in what is called, the hum- blest grade of life, but which, in reality, is the most exalt- ed — tillers of the earth. They were amongst the peasant- ry of Scotland, so renowned for their sobriety, industry, intelligence, and devotion. Like Robert Burns, Jones, from the circumstances in which he was born, seemed to be destined for the useful, although dull and unvarying scenes of a peasant's life. But young Jones possessed that restlessness of spirit — that inquietude — that insatiable de- sire to accomplish something beyond the highest achieve- ments of the comrades with whom he was associated, that he could not be limited to their dull pursuits. He would neither be chained down to the business of a hewer of wood, a carrier of water, a heaver of coal, a thresher of oats and barley, or a dresser of flax. It was the misfortune of young Jones, that the first ad- 12 78 NAVAL HEROES. venture he made beyond the humble pursuits of domestic life, was the most detestable of all pursuits — the slave trade. That wicked, that infamous, that infernal and diabolical traffick, above all others, is most directly calculated to di- vest the human breast of every exalted sentiment, and of every moral and religious principle. The slave dealer unites in his own character, the murderer, the robber, the ravisher, and the thief. He directly or indirectly violates the precepts of the whole decalogue. The Law that ^ame by Moses, and the Grace that came by the Redeemer, are equally broken and defied by the slave dealer. But the anathemas of angels and of men against these " devils in- carnate," must be omitted, to remark, that Jones acquired a cruelty and ferocity of temper in the first and only voy- age he made to Guinea. The natural humanity and mag- nanimity of his heart was tarnished by this horrid traffick, but it was subsequently ameliorated by association with humane and dignified Americans. After his return to Scotland the Earl of Selkirk, an ex- cellent Scots nobleman, received Jones under his protec- tion ; but he proved to his patron, as Savage did to Lord Tyrconnel, too turbulent, too boisterous, too regardless of •' the method of regular life," to be endured in a mansion where every thing was to " be done decently and in order." He was turned loose and destitute into the world, which is but little disposed to espouse the cause of such a being. From the whole tenor of Jones' life, it may be inferred that he could not endure restraint, or submit to authority. He aspired to be his own commander and to command oth- ers. He seemed to prefer to fall by his own directions, than to stand by the guidance of others, and — COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 79 " Strong as necessity, to fight his way, Struggle with fate, and brighten into day." An opportunity presented itself, in joining a gang of smugglers. A better " Smug," than Jones, could not be found. He was made for that business, and the hazardous business seemed to be calculated for him. But he had no idea of acting in a subordinate station ; and the hardy smug- glers would not consent to be commanded by a young des- perado. Jones left them in disgust, and once more " came upon the world ;" and after leading a vagabond sort of life for a time, he entered on board a Sunderland brig, which was a regular trader. He devoted himself with the utmost assiduity to his business, and shortly made himself an ac- complished navigator and seaman. By this pursuit he be- came perfectly well acquainted with the coast which was afterwards to become the theatre of his unequalled exploits, and imperishable glory. From this brig he was impressed on board a man of war. *' The floating dungeons" of the British navy almost invari- ably secure impressed seamen for life, unless the ajjmiralty discharge them. But as soon as Jones had acquired a pretty competent knowledge of naval tactics, he took his own time and manner to be discharged, i. e. by desertion. Fear of the yard arm, was probably the occasion of Jones' desperate fighting in his subsequent life. At this period, Jones " took to himself a wife," and a fortune of twelve hundred dollars. At this age and in this country, this sum would excite a smile when speaking of " fortune." But at that age, in Scotland, it amounted to an independence. To such a character-as Jones, the honey-moon is gene- rally of short duration, and such a sum might readily be 8© NAVAL HEROES. squandered. Notwithstanding the glowing representations of hymeneal joys, and domestic felicity, they were entirely too insipid for the romantic and adventurous Jones. He felt that inquietude which the uninteresting and dull routine of regulated life produces in the mind of an ardent spirit. 'He experienced that feeling which the French call eymui — which equally defies translation and description. Ameri- cans call it hypo, and whoever is afflicted with this non- descript in the long catalogue of the " miseries of Ruman life," inay well justify Jones in striving to tear himself away from this paralyzing incubus. His former companions, with his aid, purchased a stout vessel, and Jones became her commander. He now filled a station which tilled his desires. The marauders upon the coast of Scotland and Ireland, at this period, were nu- tnerous. Captain Jones was not deterred, from any con- scientious scruples from pursuing a business which others pursued. He was a child of fortune ; and, in the language of his eccentric countryman, he was determined to follow his advice in his epistle to a young friend. " To catch dame fortune's golden smile, " A>siduous wait upon her." — " And gather gear by ev'ry wile, — ***** Like a comet, his eccentric course defied calculation. He suddenly acquired a considerable amount of wealth, and hot wishing to return to the " dull pursuits of civil life" amongst the virtuous peasantry of Scotland, he landed in France, at the port of Boulogne. This was a new scene for a Scottish peasant. The fas- cinating blandishments of that captivating country, allured Jones into the good graces of a widow who kept what is COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. S l called a Restomteur or hotel. But she could not give her hand to an adventurer, or fortune-hunter, until she was con- vinced that she should receive something besides the hand of a rough and boisterous Scotsman. But Jones, to con- vince her of tiie sincerity of his profession, placed in her liands two hundred guineas, and once more resorted to his favorite element — the ocean. Possessing requisite funds, he became atirstrate smug- gler, and estabhshed himself at Dover, the nearest port to the coast of France, where some of his treasure, and all of his heart, were deposited. He resumed the business of a smuggler; and his success exceeded his most sanguine ex- pectations. But Capt. Jones was not satisfied with the mere accumu- lation of wealth. He was disgusted with a pursuit which did not embrace something bold and daring. Having cruis- ed against defenceless merchantmen, he resolved to com- mence an attack upon an English cruiser designed to chas- tise the Barbarians up the Mediterranean. However much the cool calculator of chances may con- demn the temerity of Jones, it was an attempt that perfect- ly comported with his character. With his feeble force he captured a well-fitted, armed vessel, and made her his own. In this vessel, he dashed into the midst of armed ships and peaceful coasters : and, although opposed by an over- whelming superiority of force, either by nautical skill, or deep laid stratagem, he effected his escape. Having acquired enough to return to Boulogne "in style" his thoughts were turned to his amorous French widow who still remained there. He transferred his vessel to his ascociates — disembarked ; and, with a very considera- h\e fortune, proceeded to Boulonge. The widow, witk 82 NAVAL HEROES. the artful finesse, of affected rapture, no longer hesitated to take Jones to her bosom, since it made such an augmen- tation to her wealth. Coptain Jones now appeared in a capacity, the worst of all fitted to his genius and disposition — that of a landlord. It was like Hercules at the distaff — it was like an eagle up- on a shrub. He, who could not endure the control of any one, was now, in a measure, under the control of every one. He was a slave to slaves ; and subjected to the calls, the whims and caprices of every one who visited his hotel. But he figured away in most splendid style — gave sumptu- ous entertainments to his customers, and appeared more like one of the French noblesse, than a retailer of cham- paigne, soups, and pastry. This was a grand scene for a Scots peasant who seemed to have been born to subsist upon oaten cakes, barley broth, and "gude parritch." But these halcyon days, like an autumnal squall, only por- tended the storms of winter. Jones became outrageous — drove away his customers, and prepared again to drive in- to more boisterous sceiies. It would not comport with the limits prescribed for this sketch, to give a minute detail of the numerous and diver- sified incidents of the life of this extraordinary man — ex- traordinary he surely was, for he completely transcended the ordinary traits of the human character. He left his hotel in the care of his wife — embarked for the Isle of Man, which had just come into the possession of Great Britain, and commenced business as a sort of prince of smugglers. He amassed riches ; and, as money is the sinew of enter- prise, he repaired to Dunkirk, and prosecuted business with success — not the business of a regular merchant, for there was nothing at this time of regularity in his charac- ter. COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 83 Having once deserted from a king's ship ; having been engaged in an illicit trade, and fearing to be betrayed by some of his numerous comrades, he hesitated whether to visit his native country or not. But with his usual rash- ness, he dashed into London, that world in miniature, that resort of every thing that elevates, and every thing that de- grades the human character. The Captain here began to display the " high charac- ter." He rolled in splendour, and figured at the gambling table. Here, to use a familiar expression, he found his match, and was soon outmatched. He was reduced almost to indigence ; and finding he could not regain his wealth by honest gambling upon land, he resorted to the business of an honest smuggler at sea. Here he was perfectly at home ; and having a crew as daring as himself, he soon acquired a large amount of property. Towards the latter end of the year'1773, Capt. Jones turned his attention towards America, and was determined to make a voyage to this country. He sailed from Havre, in France, in the spring of 1774. Upon his arrival in America, he found the Colonies in a state of tnrbulence exactly suited to his wishes. Despi- sing the idea of joining the strongest party, and having the utmost detestation for tyrannical usurpation, he resolved to espouse the cause of America, which he made his adopted country. With his high sense of independence — his hostility against English power, from having been impressed — his perfect acquaintance with the coast of England, Scotland and Ireland ; his skill as a navigator and naval tactician, ad- ded to his undaunted courage, rendered the acquisition of such a man, at such a time, of the highest importance, T< 84 NAVAL HEROES. was a time of daring expedients, and required daring spirits to act. Capt. Jones took the earliest opportunity to impart the most important information to the high minded and indig- nant whigs of that day. He was received and treated with every mark of distinction by these unrivalled patriots and statesmen. This was a new sphere for the ambitious Jones to move in. His associates, in his own country, had been men of desperate fortunes, and contaminated hearts ; and he must have been most favourably impressed with the American character, when contrasted with that of his own country- men. From an irregular and dissolute life, he became the steady, cool, and determined hero, in the great cause of freedom against oppression. The confidence reposed in him by the master spirits who were to direct the storm that was lowering over the Thirteen Colonies must have been highly gratifying to a man who was born, and might have died, an humble peas- ant. Being deemed of high importance that every informa- tion possible should be obtained concerning England, and especially of her naval depots and commercial ports, Capt. Jones was selected for the purpose of repairing to Great- Britain for this purpose. This evinced the sagacity of the early patriots of the revolution. Such information was deeply interesting, as it regarded the contest which was just commencing, and Jones, the best calculated of any man to obtain it. His Scotch accent was calculated to elude suspicion ; and his previous pursuits to lead him to proper subjects of inquiry. He explored London ; min- gled in society ; learned the sentiments of all classes con- COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 86 erning the Americans, and their " rebellion.'''' He repair- ed to the docks and roads where arnned vessels and mer- chantnmcn were moored — learned their destination, and oh- jects — purchased maps, charts, and soundings of the coasts, and obtained information which became afterwards of vast importance. Capt. Jones returned to America in 1775 — communica- ted with the leaders of the patriotic and ardent heroes amongst our ancestors who dared to resist, and even defy the gigantic power of Britain, when that imperious power presumed to wrest from their American Colonies their mu- nicipal and chartered privileges, and to deprive them of the rights of self-government. He was appointed to the command of an American arm- ed vesijel ; and British merchantmen found the same ad- venturous hero upon the ocean, preying upon their com- merce, who was recently viewing their ports and preparing for more important enterprizes. His success, in this first of his efforts in the cause of America, excited great applause, and raised the hopes of intrepid American seamen, who like Com. Biddle, wished to face the enemy upon their adopted element. A small ship called the Alfred, was fitted for sea, belong- ing to a small squadron under Com. HofKiNS, who, it is believed, was the first commander of a squadron under the American government. Jones was a Lieutenant of this ship ; and on board of her, with his own hands, hoisted the first " star spangled banner" which ever waved from the ma?t of an American public ship. It was in this squadron that Lieut. Jones became acquainted with the gallant and accomplished Capt. Nicholas Biddle, who soon discovered his fitness for a commander, and distinguished him with bis 13 86 NAVAL HEROES. particular attention. Com. Hopkins also bestowed upoit him the highest approbation. The expedition of this squadron to the British island of New-Providence was ex- ceedingly successful. They took at this island a large quantity of the munitions of war ; took some valuable pri- zes on the homeward bound passage, and entered the port of New-London to refit. The squadron was here broken up, and the different ves- sels were despatched to different stations, and upon vari- ous services. Capt. Bijddle continued in the command oi the Andrew Doria, and Capt. Jones was ordered to the small sloop Providence, of twelve small guns and the small crew of seventy men. His skill and intrepidity were so well known, that the government ordered him to the hazardous and important duty of convoying transports with troops from the Eastern states, to the city of New- York. This was in the early part of the year 1776. Lord Howe's naval forces lined the coast from Halifax to Chesapeake bay, and rendered the utmost vigilance indis- pensable. In convoying the transports, he had a running engagement with H. B. M. frigate Cerberus ; but he esca- ped with his vessel and convoy and arrived at the port of destination in safety. He was then ordered to convoy a ship containing naval stores, of great value. He again encountered the Cerbe- rus, and some other of the enemy's vessels, — again effected a complete escape, and arrived in the Chesapeake twenty- seven days after the Declaration of American Inde- pendence. The importance of his services were duly appreciated by the Old Congress, and the President of that august body, COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 87 with his own hand, presented John Paul Jones, with the first commission of Captain, issued after the states were declared " Free, Sovereign, and Independent." It bore date 8th August, 1776. At this early period, there was scarcely any thing on board the few armed ships which had sprung up, as if by naagic, which is like that discipline, which now, (1823) is established in the navy of the Repubhc, and which was be- gun in the naval warfare with France, in the administration of Adams — advanced in the war with Tripoli, in the ad- ministration of Jefferson ; and which was almost perfected in the second war with Britain, in the administration of Madjson. The stern and resistless voice of command could hardly, with safety, be given, lest the restless spirits of that turbu- lent, and doubtful period, should mutinously disobey it. Captain Jones with a crew of high-minded Americans, but yet little accustomed to rigid discipline, and strict obedi- ence, was differently situated from Captain Jones, with a crew of Scotch, Irish, Welsh, and English, smugglers. His perfect acquaintance with the human character, in all its ramifications, made him fully aware of this ; and convinced him that he must govern more by the influence of persuasion, than by the exercise of authority. He was but twenty-eight years of age — had been in America but two years, and was by birth a Scotsman — circumstances not very favourable for conciliating a race of men who had thrown the gauntlet of defiance at kings, dukes, lords, generals, and admirals. But the subject of this sketch, seemed to be endued with faculties calculated for almost every possible emergency. 88 NAVAL HEROES. Soon after Capt. Jones was honoured by a conomission from Congress, he repaired to sea in his old shi', the little Providence. His orders were indefinite, and he was left to govern himself by the dictates of his own judgment. He run down the Bermudas, and fell in with a large con- voy, under the protection of the frigate Solebay, of 30 guns. His object was to escape ; but his officers and seamen were bent upon capturing some part of the convoy. He was attacked by the Solebay — for nearly six hours main- tained a distant contest with this vast superiority of force, and by a masterly manoeuvre effected an escape. His crew were now convinced that they needed his judgment in going into action, as his skill had saved them by disen- gaging the ship from such an unequal contest. He now bore away for Nova Scotia, and soon captured several merchantmen. He was now placed in a situation where he could not avoid a contest with a ship of war, still superior to the Solebay. It was the celebrated Frigate Milford, of 32 guns. Capt. Jones manoeuvred the Provi- dence so as to keep at a considerable distance from the en- emy, as he must have done, to withstand a cannonade from 10 A. M. until 6 P. M. with such a force as the Milford. He then, by a favouring breeze, made his escape into a small harbour, into which the Milford could not pursue him. He here made the enemy feel the distress and the losses from which his crew and ship had just escaped. He de- stroyed the vessels in the harbour, and the fisheries ; but he did not destroy a single habitation of the people. He continued some time in this region, taking valuable prizes, — sinking or burning vessels, and destroying fishe- eries. After a cruise of seven weeks, in which time he COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 89 nad been attacked by, and escaped from two heavy frig- ates, he returned to Rhode Island, having sent in, or bring- ing with him sixteen vahiable prizes ! ! This gallant and successful cruise of course, augmented the reputation of Capt. Jones; inflicted a severe wound upon the enemy, and aided the resources of the country, to which he had become devoted. Thirteen ships, called frigates,* had previously been or- dered to be built ; but upon the return of the Providence from her third cruise, were not ready for sea. An expe- dition had been planned however, for Capt. Jones, well calculated for his active and daring spirit. Amongst American prisoners taken by the British, there were about three hundred and fifty incarcerated in the coal mine, on Isle Royale. To restore these unfortunate Americans, and to destroy the very valuable whale and cod fishery at that place, was the twofold object of this expedition. The vessels designed for this important ser- vice, were the Alfred, Hampden, and Providence. Com- modore Jones now hoisted his pendant on board the same ship which first displayed the American banner. As the season was advancing, and as the expedition was destined for a northern and boisterous region, Jones felt extremely solicitous to weigh anchor and get under way. The Hampden, not being fitted for sea, was left in port. Upon Nov. 2d, 1776, Com. Jones set sail in the Alfred, the Providence in company. He soon had the satisfaction of falling in with and capturing the British armed ship, the Mcllish. She was a fine ship of her class, having a vast amount of stores for the army of Gen. Burgoyne. At this period, the American land forces were in a state * See Introduction. 90 NAVAL HEROES. of destitution, which, if described, would excite the incre- dulitj of the younger class of readers. One of the best ap- pointed British armies, under Burgoyne, that ever landed in America, was forcing its way through the northern states to form a junction with sir Henry Clinton's army at New York, Gen. Washington was retiring with the dis- heartened wreck of a little army through New Jersey ; and the Thirteen Colonies recently declared independent seemed to look like so many trembling victims, about to be immolated upon the sanguinary altar of monarchial vengeance. Com. Jones sent in his prize, containing 1 0,000 complete suits of winter uniform, and other materials of war. As by weakening the enemy, by destroying their materials of war, the strength of the successful party is augmented, so by preserving them, it gains a double advantage. The loss to the army of Burgoyne can hardly be calculated — the gain to that of Washington, cannot be estimated. The campaign of '76 closed by the victory of Trenton, where Washington triumphed — that of '77, when Burgoyne fell at Saratoga.* * A recent perusal of Burgoyne's " State of the expedition into Ca- nada, during the campaign of 1776 and 1777," induces me to extract the following as a signal instance of female fortitude and affection in Mrs. Ackland ; and as exhibiting a fine trait in the Revolutionary Hero, Horatio Gates, as dalring and successful in the army, as Jones was in the navy. " At the time the action began, she found herself near a small un- inhabited hut, where she alighted. When it was found the action was becoming general and bloody, the surgeons of the hospital took pos- session of the same place, as the most convenient for the first care of the wounded. Thus was this lady in hearing of one continued fire of cannon and musketry for some hours together, with the presumption, from the post of her husband at the head of the grenadiers, that he COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 91 In the Mellish, Com. Jones also made two British navai officers prisoners, one of whom was afterwards exchanged for Lieut. Josiah, a favourite officer of the gallant Biddle, was in the most exposed part of the action. She had three female companions, the Baroness of Reidesel, and the wives of two British officers, Major Harnage and Lieutenant Reynell ; but, in the event: their presence served but little for comfort. Major Harnage was soon brought to the surgeons very badly wounded ; and a little while after came intelligence that Lieutenant Reynell was shot dead. Imagina- tion will want no helps to figure the state of the whole group. " From the date of that action to the 7th of October, Lady Harriet with her usual serenity, stood prepared for new trials. And it was her lot that their severity increased with their numbers. She was again exposed to the hearing of the whole action, and at last received, the shock of her individual misfortune, mixed with the intelligence of the general calamity ; the troops were defeated, and Major Ackland, des- perately wounded, was a prisoner. " The day of the 8th was passed by Lady Harriet and her compan- ions in common anxiety ; not a tent or a shed being standing, except what belonged to the hospital, their refuge was among the wounded and the dying. " I soon received a message from Lady Harriet, submitting to my decision a proposal (and expressing an earnest solicitude to execute it, if not interfering with my designs] of passing to the camp of the ene- my, and requesting Gen. Gates' permission to attend her husband. " Though I was ready to believe (for 1 had experienced) that pa- tience and fortitude, in a supreme degree, were to be found, as well as every virtue, under the most tender forms, I was astonished at this proposal. After so long an agitation of spirits, exhausted not only for want of rest, but absolutely for want of food, drenched in rains for twelve hours together, that a woman should be capable of such an un- dertaking as delivering herself to the enemy, probably in the night, and uncertain of what hands she might fall into, eppeared an effort above human nature. The assistance I was enabled to give was small indeed ; I had not even a cup of wine to offer her ; but I was told, she had found, from some kind and fortunate hand, a little rum and dirty water. All I could furnish to her was an open boat, and a 92 NAVAL HEROES. The Providence, in a nnannef wholly inexplicable, left the ship Alfred ; and Corn. Jones, encumbered with pris- oners — encountered by storms — and surrounded by ene- mies, prosecuted his cruise alone. He effected a landing, demolished every building and establishment connected with the whale and cod fisheries, and also a rich transport. Bearing away for Isle Royale, as if '-'■ fortune always fa- vours the brave,'''' he captured three valuable transports, while the frigate Flora, which was convoying them, was hard by, concealed in a fog. Soon after, he captured a large Liverpool privateer, mounting sixteen heavy guns. Thus surrounded with prizes, and having more prisoners than crew, he steered for an American port. Otf Massa- chusetts Bay he was a second time encountered by the frigate Milford. ' But the little Alfred still proved to be " Alfred the great." He instructed his prize-masters to few lines, written upon dirty and wet paper, to Gen, Gates, recom- mending- her to his protection. " Mr. Brudenell, the chaplain to the artillery, readily undertook to accompany her, and with one female servant, and the major's valet de chambre, (who had a ball which he had received in the late action., then in his shoulder,) she rowed down the river to meet the enemy. But her distresses were not yet to end. The night was advanced be- fore the boat reached the enemy's outposts, and the sentinel would not let it pass, nor even come to shore. In vain Mr. Brudenell offer- ed the flag of truce, and represented the state of the extraordinarj' passenger. The guard, apprehensive of treachery, and punctilious to their orders, threatened to fire into the boat, if they stirred before daylight. Her anxiety and sufferings were thus protracted through seven or eight dark and cold hours ; and her reflections upon that first reception could not give her very encouraging ideas of the treatment she was afterwards to expect. But it is due to justice, at the close of this adventure, to say, that she was received and accommodated V»y General Gates, with all the humanity and respect, that her rank, her merits, and her fortunes deserved." COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. . 93 make all possible sail for the nearest port ; and as dark- ness approached, placed the Alfred between them and the frigate — raised his lights, and suddenly changed his course. The Milford continued in chase, a.id the next day, at 3 P. M. engaged the Alfred. This gallant warrior could not endure the thought of lowering that flag which he first raised. The contest was fearfully unequal ; but the Commodore, by dauntless cou- rage, and nautical skill saved his ship and prizes, and tri- umphantly entered Boston harbour, Dec. 1, 1776. Regardless of wealth, as he was ambitious of fame, he paid the crews of the Alfred and Providence their wages and prize money out of his own purse, and transmitted the remainder ol it to Congress, to aid in the glorious cause in which he was now so enthusiastically engaged. A vote of thanks from such a body of men as the Old Congress, by the recommendation of such a man as George Washington, must have elated such a cipampion as John Paul Jones to the highest elevation of joy. Such thanks he received, and became more and more devoted to the cause of American Independence. To speak of the American Navy at the beginning of the last quarter of the eighteenth, — at near the close of the first quarter of the nineteenth century, would almost excite a smile. Indeed American armed ships were then but "cock- boats" to the navy of the Repubhc in 182 J. This was not the only difficulty. Although there were many gal- lant and accomplished commanders, there was no " Com- mander in chief of the Navy;" like him whose matchless wisdom guided the armies of the struggling States. Fur- ther; there was but little of naval discipline, system, or subordination — and there was no concert. 14 94 NAVAL HEROES. Commodore Jones, after his arrival in Boston, proposed to Congress an important expedition to the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies. It met the entire approbation of that body ; but was relinquished from either the cowardice, malice or jealousy of a senior naval officer who will not be named. But this ardent hero could not endure a state of inaction or suspense. He knew what he had accomplished, and was prepared to attempt any enterprise within the ac- complishment of human exertion. Early in the year 1777, he took command of the sloop of war Ranger, of 18 guns, destined for France. This cruise, as it would carry him to near the scenes of his early life, in a new, and in an important capacity, he entered in- to it with avidity. Upon the coast of France, and the opposite coast of Bri- tain, he was unceasingly vigilant, and uncommonly success- ful in taking prizes and sending them into French ports. In December, 1777, he had the honour and the satisfac- tion of entering the port of Nantz, and communicating the first intelligence of the splendid victory of the American forces under Gen. Gates, over those of Britain, under Gen. Burgoyne. The bearer of official intelligence of a great victory, is regarded with a respect almost equal to the one wh« achieves it. By communicating this exhiliarating intelli- gence, Commodore Jones attracted the attention of the courtiers of the splendid court of Louis XVI. By this victory, France was induced to aid the British colonies in America, in breaking the ligament that previously bound them to their natural enemy — Great Britain. France ac- knowledged the independence of " The United States of COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 95 America," which was deemed a declaration of war against Britain. Commodore Jones was now determined to sustain the character in Europe, which he had acquired in Ameri- ca. He repaired to Paris early in 1778, to concert meas- ures with the American minister at the Court of St. Cloud. He returned to the Ranger, and convoyed a great number of American vessels from Nantz to Quiberon Bay, where a French fleet with stores for America, and destined for that country was l)ing. That gallant and noble friend of Amer- ica, and of the rights of man. Marquis Fayette was on,board this fleet. As the Ranger was entering the bay, Com. Jones sent ina Lieutenant to know if his salute would be answered ? By a signal he was assured it would. He immediately saluted the French Admiral, and he immediately saluted Com. Jones — the first salute the American Flag ever received from a foreign power. When the treaty of alliance between America and France was announced to him, he entered the port of Brest in the most gallant style, and saluted the Admiral, Count D'Ovil- liers, who returned the salute and received Com. Jones on board the Bretagne, his flag ship. It would seem that this would have been the consumma- tion of this aspiring man's wishes ; but when a Scotsman begins to acquire wealth, he is like the daughter of the horse-leach, crying "give give." — When he begins to ac- quire power, he is unsatisfied, until it becomes as near ab- solute as possible. Commodore Jones now resolved to accomplish some- thing beyond convoying merchantmen and capturing prizes. He steered for Carrickfurgus, Ireland, from whence the an- % NAVAL HEROES. cestors of Andrew Jackson emigrated to America, about ten years previous. He omitted to take prizes because it would diminish his crew ; being determined to achieve some heroic deed. He intended to attack the Drake, a heavy armed -20 gun ship. Boisterous weather prevented him at this time from a tete a tete with that ship, and led him into another, the most daring deed in the annals of desperation. He selected thirty volunteers, with whom he was deter- mined to make a landing in Whitehaven, a large shipping port on the Firth of Solway. He left the Ranger, and entered a boat at ebb-tide, in the night season, when the vessels could not escape — landed near the fort, and was the tirst who mounted the walls. He carried the fort — spiked forty pieces of cannon — set fire to the shipping, and, by daylight, entered again on board the Ranger. The alarm spread rapidly through the country and the shores were lined with soldiers, who could only look with fear and chagrin at the American Flag proudly waving upon the little Ranger. Commodore Jones, landed at his birth place, and visited his father, who still remained the humble industrious, and pious peasant. Probably he would not have exchanged the happiness he derived from that Scotch devotion so admi- rably described by Burns in his " Cottager's Saturday-night" for the wealth and fame of his son. Tiie reader will recollect that the Earl of Selkirk dis- carded Jones in early life. The Commodore now deter- mined to take his Lordship prisoner, and entertain him on bourd the Ranger. In this he was disappointed, as the Earl was in Parliament in London. His otficers and men, contrary to his wishes, rifled the castle of a large amount of piale, which Jones afterwards purchased and returned to COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. !)7 Ins Lordship, and received from him a letter of thanks, • ouched in the most grateful and flattering terms. This was perfectly in character with this gallant and pe- culiar man. He would have given more to have had the Earl a prisoner on board the Ramger, than to have had the fee-simple of all his Lordships domains in Scotland. The commander of the British ship Drake, now in turn went in pursuit of the Ranger, In the latter end of April, 1778, about six weeks after the loss of Com. Biddle in the Randolph, the two ships hove in sight of each other. Com. Jones disguised his ship as much as possible — masked his guns — concealed his men, and had the appearance of a merchantman. A boat's crew from the Drake approach- ed to reconnoitre the Ranger, and were suddenly made prisoners. The Drake immediately bore into action. The Ranger laid to, until the enemy came within pistol shot. She then poured in her tire with such admirable gunnery and rapidity, that in one hour, the hull and rig- ging of the Drake were severely injured — her Captain and 1st Lieutenant slain, and over forty men killed and wound- ed. She struck her flag to the Ranger, and was carried triumphantly into Brest on the 7th May, 1778. Com. Jones had beside taken a number of prizes, and had with him more than 200 prisoners, for which the im- perious court of St. James was necessitated to deliver the same number of American Rebels. Count D'Orvilliers sent an express to Dr. Franklin, American minister, informing him of this brilliant afiair, and his majesty Louis XVI, gave an order for Com. Jones to repair to Versailles. France and England were now seriously at war, and very impurtaut designs were communicated to him. It is 98 NAVAL HEROES. unnecessary to detail the various plans conceived, and then relinquished. He was illy calculaleH to digest a sys- tenni of extensive operations. The negotiations of the courts at Versailles and Annsterdam were niot so well cal- culated for the genius of John Paul Jones, as negotiation at the cannon?s mouth. Ihat was a language he better un- derstood than he did that of the diplomatist. . Although m the midst of the blandishments and charms of France, he became impatient at the delays which from time to time oc- curred. He was determined to take his little Ranger, and range where he chose. At length an ill-appointed and ill-fitted squadron was pre- pared for him. The American frigate Alliance was in France. An old ship, which he named Le Bon Homme Rich- ard, (the Good Man Richard) was fitted up with old carmon, unfit for a ship of war. She was called a 40 gun ship ; but was no ways equal to the late American frigate Essex, of 32 guns. The Pallas was a large merchantmen, and was furnished with about 30 little eight pounders. The Ven- gea^ 124 NAVAL HEROES. juries of John Paul Jones. He fought in the cause of free- dom, of religion, and humanity, against despotism, super- stition, and barbarity ; and he fought in a manner worthy the cause he espoused. Let the tables be reversed, and for a moment examine what kind of warfare was carried on in America at the very time. Com. Jones was conquering ships of war, capturing privateers, taking forts, spiking cannon, and making prizes of merchantmen on the coast of Britain. Let the follow- ing proclamation of an incendiary knight of Britain be read with the highest indignation by Americans, and with the deepest shame by Englishmen. •' By Commodore Sir George Collier, Commander in Chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels in North America, and Major General William Try on, commanding his Majesty's Land Forces on a separate expedition. Address to the Inhabitants of Connecticut. " The ungenerous and wanton insurrection against the sovereignty of Great Britain into which this colony has been deluded by the artifices of designing men, for private purposes, might well justify you in every fear, which con- scious guilt could form respecting the intentions of the pre- sent armament. Your towns, your property, yourselves, lie within the grasp of that power, whose forbearance you have ungen- erously construed into fear ; but whose lenity has persisted in its mild and noble efforts, even tho' branded with the most unworthy imputation. The existence of a single habitation on your defenceless coast, ought to be a constant reproof to your ingratitude. Can the strength of your whole province cope with the force which might at any time be poured through every COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 125 district in your country ? You are conscious it cannot. Why then will you persist in a ruinous and ill judged resis- tance ? We hoped that you would recover from the frenzy which has distracted this unhappy country ; and we be- lieve the day to be now conne, when the greater part of this continent begin to blush at their delusion. You who lie so much in our poroer, afford the most striking monument of mercy, and therefore ought to set the first example of re- turning allegiance. Reflect on what gratitude requires of you ; if that is in- sufficient to move you, attend to your own interest : we offer you a refuge against the distress, which you univer* sally acknowledge broods with increasing and intolerable weight over all your country. Leaving you to consult with each other upon this invi- tation, we do now declare, that whosoever shall be found and remain in peace at his usual place of residence, shall be shielded from any insult either in person or property, excepting such as bear offices either civil or military, un- der your present usurped governments ; of whom it will be further required, that they shall give proofs of their penitence and submission, and they shall then partake of the like immunity. Those whose folly and obstinacy may slight this favour- able warning, must take notice, that they are not to ex- pect a continuance of that lenity which their inveteracy would now render blameable. Given on board his Majesty's ship Camilla, in the Sound, July 4, 1779. George Collier, Wm. Tryon."* * The following Hudibrastic version of this proclamation appear«d originally in the Connecticut Courant, published by Hudson and Good" 18 126 NAVAL HEROES. The addition of William Tryon's name, ex-governor of New York, shews that the army and navy of Great Britain win, July 27, 1 779, the leading Gazette in New England, in the re- volutionary war. The production carries strong internal evidence' that it emanated from the same " Connecticut Butler" who produced that inimitable burlesque poem — " M'Fingal." " By Collier George, Sir commodore, Of all the ships that line this shore ; Of vessels too, and all the squadron. In North America, the Lord on : And Major General Tryon Billy, Of separate party sent to kill ye : The Royal, mighty, arch director, And of the Tories kind protector. To all Connecticut folks greeting, Let this address save you a beating. When people blinded by delusion, Have set the world in dire confusion : When factious freemen dare cabal AgaiHst the Royal must and shall ; The conscious rogues may well feel chilly. At the approach of George and Billy. You see until the time that now is, We have forborne t'exert our prowess ; Thankless rebels ! with wanton sneer. You've construed mildness into fear ; When long ago you might have lost gi Each house and barn upon your coast. Each moment now a force at hand, Might spread wild horror through the land. Nor all your vile militia rabble, Could cope with Britons in the squabble. Why then resist almighty force, And every day grow worse and worse? We waited long that we might then see If you'd recover from your frenzy ; And we believe the day now present. COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 127 produced twin Goths in Collier and Tryon in the first, and Cockburn and Ross in the second war with Britain. Let the American reader peruse this short extract from When all from Congress down to peasant, Who've not obtain'd the king's protection. Begin to blush at their defection. All those in reach of cannon shot, We can destroy as well as not. Since you're expos'd to British power. And death's before you every hour, And not recover'd from your blindness, You're striking proofs of British kindness. The wings of mercy you've not flew to, And must find shelter with old Pluto, A dismal cloud with vengeance dire. Hangs o'er your heads and now grows nigher, 'Twill fall intolerably severe, On all you rebels far and near. On this invite and threatning thunder, We leave you to consult and ponder. We therefore solemnly declare, Which is as much as 'tis to swear, That he in usual place who stays, Shall not be injur'd several ways ; We'll only rob him, and his person, Let soldiers have to make a farce on. But officers in state and army, You've something more that ought t'alarm ye : 'Tis fell submission, penitence, Entitles you to like defence. But they who still may choose to slight us, And rashly dare to arm and fight us, Who disregard this friendly warning, Must feel the effects to morrow morning. In seventeen hundred seventy-nine, July the fourth, at sun's decline ; Given on board King's ship Camilla, Sir Collier George and Tryon Billy, 128 JNAVAL HEROES. the speech of the patriotic Lord Camden in the House ot Lords, in 1778, and the Protest drawn by his unequalled pen. How striking must have been the contrast between Lord Camden and Lord Mansfield, when one arose as an advocate for humanity — the other for barbarism. " What did the desolation of war mean, but destruction of the houses, and massacreing the people in an enemy's country ? The declaration in his opinion, held forth a war of revenge, such as Moloch, in the Pandemonium of Hell advised." His lordship added, " That the Proclamation ought to be damned ; for it would fix an inveterate hatred in the Americans against the very name of Englishmen, which would be left as a legacy from father to son to the latest posterity. If there was any doubt of the intention of it, let a comparative retrospect prove it : What had been done by that fellow. Colonel Butler. Had he not surprised a little peaceable settlement, and put the poor people, men, women, and children to the sword ? He hoped he did not now bear the King's commission." The following are the inscriptions on the flags captured at the taking of York, conveyed by major Armistead to Washington : " The standard of the notorious plundering, burning, murdering, scalping corps of rangers, commanded by col. Butler, in the service of England, in the revolutionary war, whose savage barbarities will long be remembered by the inhabitants of Mohawk and Susquehanna river ; taken at Fort George, Upper Canada, May 27, 1813." [This flag was held in great veneration by the savages.] The declaration alluded to by Lord Camden, is presented to the reader for the double purpose of shewing the Gothic COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 129 rage of the British ministry, and the exalted magnanimity of thirty-one Peers of the realm, who protested against it in language, humane as it is Christian — just as it is forcible. As they " chose to draw themselves out, and distinguish themselves to posterity," as enemies to *' ferocity and bar- barism in war," let the present generation of Americans venerate their memories as friends to the infant colonies. The declaration says, " If there he any persons, who, divested q^ mistaken resentments and uninjiuenced by self- ish interests really think it is for the benefit of the Colonies to separate themselves from Great Britain, and that so sep- arated they will find a constitution more mild, more free, and better calculated for their prosperity, than that which they heretofore enjoyed, and which we are empowered and disposed to renew and improve ; with such persons we will not dispute a position, which seems to be sufficiently contradicted by the experience they have had. But we think it right to leave them fully aware of the change which the maintaining such a position must make in the whole nature and future conduct of this war, more especially when (o this position is added the pretended alliance with the court of France, The policy, as well as the benevolence of Great Britain, have thus far checked the extremes of war, when they tended to distress a people still consider- ed as our fellow subjects, and to desolate a country shortly to become again a source of mutual advantage ; but when that country possesses the unnatural design, not only of estranging herself from us, but of mortgaging herself, and her resources, to our enemies, the whole contest is changed, and the question is, how far Great Britain iliay, by every means in her power, destroy or render useless a connection contrived for her ruin, and for the aggrandizement of 130 NAVAL HEROES. France. Under such circumstances, the tazos of self-pre- servation must direct the conduct of Great Britain ; and if the British Colonies are to become an accession to France, will direct her to render that accession of as little avail as possible to her enemies ! /" Dissentient, 1st. Because the public law of nations, in affirmance of the dictates of nature, and the precepts of revealed religion, forbids us to resort to the extremes of war upoa our own opinion of their expediency, or in any case to carry on war for the purpose of desolation. We know that the rights of war are odious, and instead of being extended upon loose constructions and speculations of danger, ought to be bound up and limited by all the restraints of the most rigorous construction. We are shocked to see the first law of nature, self-preservation, perverted and abused into a principle destructive of all other laws ; and a rule laid down, by which our own safety is rendered incompatible with the prosperity of mankind. The objects of war which cannot be compassed by fair and honorable hostility, ought not to be compassed at all ; an end that has no means but such as are unlawful, is an unlawful end. The Manifesto expressly founds the change it announces from a qualified and mitigated war, to a war of extremity and desolation, on the certainty that the provinces must be in- dependent, and must become an accession to the strength of the enemy. In the midst of the calamities by which our loss of empire has been preceded and accompanied ; in the midst of our apprehensions for the farther calamities which impendaoyer us, it is a matter of fresh grief and ac- cumulated shame to see, from a commission under the Great Seal of this kingdom, a declaration for desolating a COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 131 vast continent, solely because we had not the wisdom to retain, or the power to subdue it. 2dly. Because the avowal of a deliberate purpose of violating the law of nations, must give an alarm to every state in Europe. All commonwealths have a concern in that law, and are its natural avengers. At this time, sur- rounded by enemies, and destitute of all allies, it is not ne- cessary to sharpen and embitter the hostility of declared foes, or provoke the enmity of neutral states. We trust that by the natural strength of this kingdom, we are secur- ed from a foreign conquest, but no nation is secured from the invasion and incursions of enemies. And it seems to us the height of frenzy, as well as wickedness, to expose this country to cruel depredations, and other outrages too shocking to mention (but which are all contained in the idea of the extremes of war and desolation) by establishing a false, shameful, and pernicious maxim, that where we have no interest to preserve, we are called upon by ne- cessity to destroy. This kingdom has long enjoyed a pro- found internal peace, and has flourished above all others in the arts and enjoyments of that happy state. It has been the admiration of the world for its cultivation and its plenty; for the comforts of the poor, the splendour of the rich, and the content and prosperity of all. This situation of safety may be attributed to the greatness of our power. It is more becoming, and more true, that we ought to at- tribute that safety, and the power which procured it, to the ancient justice, honour, humanity, and generosity of this kingdom, which brought down the blessing of Provi- dence on a people who made their prosperity a benefit to the world, and interested all nations in their fortune, whose example of mildness and benignity, at once humanized w. 132 NAVAL HEROES. others, and rendered itself inviolable. In departing from those solid principles, and vainly trusting to the frailtj of human force, and to the efficacy of arms, rendered impotent by their perversion, we lay down principles, and furnish examples of the most atrocious barbarity. We are to dread that all our power, peace and opulence, should van- ish like a dream, and that the cruelties which we think safe to exercise because their immediate object is remote, may be brought to the coasts, perhaps to the bosom of this king- dom. 3dly. Because, if the explanation given in debate, be expressive of the true sense of the article in the manifesto, such explanation ought to be made, and by as high author- ity as that under which the exceptionable article was ori- ginally published. The natural and obvious sense indi- cates, that the extremes of war had hitherto been checked, that his Majesty's Generals had hitherto forborne (upon principles of benignity and policy) to desolate the country ; but that the whole nature, and future conduct of the war must be changed in order to render the American accesion of as little avail to France as possible. This in our appre- hension, conveys a menace of carrying the war to ex- tremes and to desolation, or it means nothing. And as some speeches in the House (however palliated) and as some acts of singular cruelty, and perfidy, conformable to the apparent ideas in the manifesto, have lately been exer- cised, it becomes the more necessary, for the honour and safety of this nation, that this explanation should be made. As it is refused, we have only to clear ourselves to our con- sciences, to our country, to our neighbours, and to every individual who may suffer in consequence of this atrocious menace, of all part in the guilt, or in the evils that may be- COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 133 come its punishment. And we choose to draw ourselves oat, and to distinguish ourselves to posterity, as not being the first to renew, to approve, or to tolerate the return of that ferocity and barbarism in war, which a beneticent re- ligion, enlightened manners, and true military honour, had for a long time banished from the christian world. Camden, Abergavenny, Beausieu, Abingdon, Coventry, Harcourt, Fitzwilliam, Dc Ferrars, Etiingham, Fortescue, Ferrars, Grafton, Stanhope, Craven, Rockingham, J. S. Asaph, Tankerville, Richmond, Ponsonby, Wycombe, Scarborough, Cholmondeley, Devonshire, Foley, Spencer. Bolton, Derby, Radnor, Manchester, Egremont, Portland, London, December 12. The list of noble Peers, who protested against " the ex- tremes of war and desolating America," on Monday last, is one of the most respectable that has appeared for some years, as, independent oftheirgreat characters in private and public life, there are ten of them whose fortunes altogeth- er make up above two hundred thousand pounds per }ear ; yet the^e are the men whose sentiments must avail nothing at so critical and important a crisis as the present : whilst a mad and impracticable war is carrying on for the pur- poses of a false pride, the aggrandizement of vicious, igno- rant statesmen, and the rapacity of hungry contractors." It was certainly a studied, as it was a low insult, to date this conflagration edict upon the anniversary of American 19 134 NAVAL HEROES. independence : and, like the ancient Noro,who fiddled while Rome was burning, these modern Vandals were " grinning borriblj ghastly smiles," while, in three days only, after its date, the beautiful towns of Fairfield and Norwalk,* were in smoking ruins. No wonder that the prophetic Lord Camden foresaw that such barbarism " would fix an inveterate hatred in Ameri- cans against the very name of Enghshmen, which would be left as a legacy from father to son to the latest posteri- ty." Although the powerful empire of Britain may boast, that in the eighteenth century she carried her conquests thro' the four quarters of the globe, let her not again, in the nineteenth, attempt to subdue that portion of America, which lies between the Atlantic and the Western ocean — the 45lh degree of north latitude, and the Gulf of Mexico. At the sessions of the common pleas at Whitestown, N. Y. in September 1820, Kirkland Griffin, Esq. a veteran of the revolution,' appeared in person to witness an assem- blage of heroes of the revolution, who appeared before the court, to procure the proper vouchers to enable them to obtain the pension munificently graiited to them,. through Ihe exertions of James Monroe, who was himself a se- verely wounded lieutenant at the " Victory of Trenton," in 1776, and now (1823) President of the United States. The venerable Griffin, did not come to ask for himself, but to congratulate those who asked conscientiously, and who received gratefully. The scene revived his ardour, and he proceeded as follows : " Who could forbear to go into service, when fathers, * The British general Garth, one of Collier^s torch bearers, was taken by the Experiment, and 80,000 guineas with him. COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 136 mothers, sisters, and friends, all implored it, and all would ^give every thing and do every thing in their power to pre- pare the young men. Those were the days of devotion to our country. I went on board a privateer. We were soon captured. We could not help it. We had but 10 guns, and they came upon us with 64 — we could not resist, and surrendered. It was early in the war, and we were not considered or treated as prisoners of war, but as rebels. We heard nothing from our country but/from our keep- ers, who gave us the most dismal and gloomy accounts ; until after a long confinement a clergyman happened to say to us that there was good news from America for us. After he was gone we had a long consultation about what it could mean, and finally concluded that it must be, that Burgoyne,* of whose invasion and progress we had heard the most exulting statement from our keepers, had surren- dered. We immediately mustered a crown and bribed a poor woman to bring us a paper that had in it the account of Burgoyne's capitulation, and a candle : for we had not seen the light either of a fire or a candle for many months. Having procured them, we mounted one of the best read- ers on a beam, for we occupied a second story, and had no floor over head, and all gave attention. He read the ac- count in a loud voice, and it was with difficulty that order was preserved until he had finished, and the moment he had, there was a tremendous shouting. The guards were roused, we heard them and retired. They examined and left us. We went at it again ; they returned — we retired as they approached. They took oflfa few and departed; we re-assembled and determined that we would rejoice. How to dp it we knew not ; for we had nothing to drink, and precious little to eat ; but rejoice we must and would. ■■ Com. Jones announced this victory to the French Admiral. 136 NAVAL HEROES. Finally, we concluded we would dance.— We had a few fiddles, and we set two or three to playing, and then all throughout the whole extent of our long prison we.it at it, and in spite of the keepers and guards we had a real Con- necticut dance." After an imprisonment of more than two years, our Paul Jones* was liberated, and again went into the service under the brave commander of that name, and was with huTi during his most successful cruises, and par- ticularly in th? terrible engagement between the Good Man Richard and Seraphis, when the engagement was de- cided by boarding. The Americans lost 150 out of 350 men, and the British suffered a still greater loss. The American Frigate was old, and not built for war, and it was believed, during the battle, that she would sink : ' Nev- er mind it,' said Paul, ' we shall have a better one to go home in,' and so it proved. All, said our Paul, that I ever received for my services, except a little prize money, was 180 dollars in continental money, and that I have now." Since the preceding sketch was written, the writer has enjoyed the high gratification and the amusement and in- telligence of an acquaintance with Mr. William Henderson, a remote connexion of Capt. Matthew Henderson, immor- talized by the elegy and epitaph of the charming bard of " Old Scotia," Robert Burns. This inimitable bard, who, like Pope, " lisped in numbers," was often hospitably en- tertained at the house of Mr. Henderson's father, situated upon the estate of the Earl of Mansfield. At this hospita- ble mansion. Burns wrote many of his unsurpassed effu- sions ; and Mr. Henderson's brother, who, with him, left " Qld Scotia," for " New (Nova) Scotia," during the lasj war, has in his possession a large poem in the hand writing of Burns, never yet published. * In his Ticinitj Mr. Griffin was so called. COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 137 Mr. Henderson had explored almost the whole of Scot- land, England and Wales, before his desire for novelty and enterprise led him to the province of Nova Scotia ; and, late in 1821 , to New England. He has been acquainted, from early life, with that part of Scotland, so long menaced by one of his own country- men, and the adopted champion of American freedom, John Paul Jones. He assured me, that amongst the elder portion of the people still surviving, the achievements of Jones are still a subject of animated, yet fearful conversa- tion. As the Scots peasantry are remarkable for supersti- tious belief in ghosts, witches, warlocks, &c. they probably still fear Jones, " though he be dead," as much as Sir John Falstatf did " that gunpowder Percy." It is with the highest satisfaction 1 present the following anecdote, so perfectly characteristic of the ancient Presbyterian clergy of the kirk of Scotland, in the language of Mr. Henderson. " About the time that Jones visited Whitehaven, he went round to the Firth of Forth, and made his appearance off 'the harbour of Kirkaldy, a noted small town on the borders of Fifeshire (called by the Scotch the ' Lang toun o' Kirkaldy y'' owing to its length.) No other enemy however formida- ble, could have created in the minds of the inhabitants, such consternation and alarm as that which then approach- ed. Paul Jones was the dread of all, old and young, (and pamphlets of his depredations were as common in every house as almanacs.) He was looked upon as a sea-mon- ster, that swallowed up all that came in his power. The people all flocked to the shore to watch his movements, expecting the worst consequences. There was an old Presbyterian minister in the place, a very pious and good old man, but of a most singular and eccentric turn, espe- 138 NAVAL HEROES. cially in addressing the Deity, to whom lie would speak with as much familiarity as he would to an old farmer, and seemingly without respect, as will appear from the follow- ing ; he was soon seen making his way through the people with an old black oak arm chair, which he lugged down to low water mark, (the tide flowing) and sat down in it. Almost out of breath, and rather in a passion, he then be- gan to address the Deity in the following singular way. " Now deed Lord, dinna ye think its a shame for ye to send this vile Pireet to rub our folk o' Kirkuldij ; for ye ken they're a? puir enough already, and hae naetliing to spairc. They are a' gaily guid, and it 7Dad be a peely to serve them in sic in a zva. The wa the wim blazvs, he'll be here in a jijffie, and wha kens what he may do. He's nane too guid for ony thing. MeickWs the mischief he has dune already. Otiy packet gear they hae gathered thegithcr he will gang 7i)P the heal oH ; may burn their hooses, tak their vary claes, and tirl them to the sark ; and zoaes me ! zoha kens but the bliddy villain might tak their lives. The puir weemen ere maist freightencd out o' their zjouts, and the bairns skirling after them. / canna'' tho'^lt ! I c anna'' thoHt ! I hae been Inngafaithfii^ servant toye, Lard; hut gin ye dinna turn the zmin about, and blazo the scoundrel out o' our gate, I'll na slur a Jit, but w'lWjuist sit here, until the tide comes and drouns me ; Sae takeyere zoull o'<." Whether the wind suddenly turned or not, Jones al- tered his course, and moved otT. The good old man took up his chair and went home ; expressing his thanks to the Lord for the favour, in a more humble manner than he requested it. To Mr. P. Waldo, from his ob't servant, Wm. Henderson." P. S. I will send you the original poem, by Robert Bukns. COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 13j 1 at first thought of furnishing a glossary explanative of the Scotticisms in this singular specimen of Scots devotion, which Mr. Henderson repeatedly heard recited by his fa- ther, and many aged people of Kirkaldy ; but there is so much "sprinkling of Scots," as Burns says, it is all offered in modern English under the correction of Mr. Henderson. " Now, indeed, Lord, do not thou think it is a shame for thee to send this vile Pirate to rob the people of Kir- kaldy ? for thou knowest they are all poor enough already, and have nothing to spare. They are all, in great measure good ; and it would be a pity to serve them in such a way. The course the wind blows he will be here in a jitfin ; and who knows what he may do ? He is none too good for any thing. Much is the mischief he has done already. Any little wealth they have gathered together, he will go off with the whole of it. He may burn their houses — take their very clothes, and strip them to the very shirt ; and woe be to me ! who knows but the bloody villain might take their lives. The poor women are almost frightened out of their wits ; and the little children are screaming af- ter them. I cannot endure it ! I cannot endure it ! I have long been a faithful servant to thee, Lord ; but if thou dost not change the wind about, and blow the scoundrel out of our way, I will never stir a foot ; but will sit here until the tide flows and drowns me. — So let thy will be done." CHARACTER OF JOHN PAUL JONES. John Paul Jones was a phenomenon in human nature, and an anomaly in the human character. However sacred and endearing is the principle to Americans, that " all men are born equal, and born free ;" a Scots peasant has but a 140 NAVAL HEROES. faint conception of native equality or native freedom — jet, although Paa/ of Dumfries w?is horn of humble peasants,, he might, with " Paul of Tarsus" liave said, " / was born fret.'''' The devotion of the Scots peasantry is proverbial for its fervor ; but the fervor of Jones seemed to have but little reference to Heaven lAfHe divested himself of devo- tion and humanity also, and attached himself to an infernal, blood-stained, slave dealer. He left the diabolical traffic in human flesh, and became commander in chief in smug- gling goods. He left the business of defrauding the reve- nue, for the daring employ of capturing the war ships of his king. He found himself an outlaw from the land of his birth, and sought a new home iri France. As he had been a prince of smugglers on a little island,* he became a princely tavern-keeper on the continent : Disgusted with retailing wine and soup at Boulogne to replenish his pnrse, he dash- ed into London to fill it by gambling. Calculating himself St match for any thing, he there suddenly found himself outmatched. He once more appeared like a piece of abandoned goods, ready to be taken up by the first fortu- nate finder. This thoughtless and inconsiderate being, at length began to consider and think. Driven from two king- doms in the Old World, he sought an asylum in a rising Republic in the new. A passage across the Atlantic dissipated all the incongru- ous eccentricities of his character. From soaring like a comet, where the varying gusts of flames and winds hurled him/he began, and continued to move like a planet in a regular orbit. Furnished with secret instructions from Washington and the Old Congress, he repaired, tncogwifo, to the proud capital of Britain. With a minute knowledge * Isle of Man. COM. JOHN PAUL JONES. 141 t)f the preparations of the Admiralty of the first naval pow- er on the ocean, he returned to the struggling colonies, and suddenly ascended the " mountain wave" with the first " star-spangled banner" that ever waved upon a war ship of Independent America, bearing the first Post-Captain's commission, under the signature of Washington, that'issu- ed after the " Declaration of American Independence," and sailed in a ship, bearing the name of the first legitimate Saxon Prince who first gave regulated existence to English Liberty ; which, after being banished from degenerate Bri- tain, was rearing her mild and majestic front amidst a new race of Freemen, sprung from an old stock of subjugated and unresisting vassals. The new-born Jones, a champion of the new-born Re- public, wafted forth, violating the mechanical rules of stu- died naval warfare, and defying an enemy, who defied heav- en and earth, nor shrunk at the power of " profoundest hell." He rushed on from victory to victory, from " con- quering and to conquer," till the Genius of Conquest claim- ed him as a favourite son. From the time of his defection from his tyrant king, and the beginning of his achievements in the cause of his " rebel colonies," he was sought after as a "piece of lost silver," and pursued, by the arm of vengeance, as a daring traitor. Jones eluded their search and their wrath ; and, with a squadron of ill appointed ships, excited alarm for the homeward bound fleets of Bri- tish merchantmen — captured their convoy, and compelled St. George's Cross to fall before the Republican Banner of America. He menaced the cities of Old Scotia — visited the place of his birth as a conquering Commodore — took the plate of a Scots Peer for his own cabin, and drew from him a letter 20 142 NAVAL HEROES. of thanks for his magnanimity in restoring it. Upon one month he spread consternation and dismay upon the coast of Britain — upon the next, he received the congratulations of a Prince of Bourbon, and their High Mightinesses of Holland. He announced the victory over Burgoyne, and received the first salute ever given by a foreign power to the American flag. He re-crossed the Atlantic, like a pro- digy, conquering as he passed, and received the highest raced of praise ever bestowed upon a hero — a Vote of Thanks from th^ Old Congress by the recommendation of WASHINGTO^f. 'At the height of glory, and the depths of bankruptcy, he once more rolled across the ocean — placed in his coffers the reward of his valor — again made his last voyage to the admired Republic — his adopted country. In the bosom of that favoured land, he lived an object of wondering contemplation, and died with the glory of one of the first heroes of the eighteenth century. His birth, his life, and his death, evinces that the most disheartening circumstances furnish no insurmountable barriers against an ardent and determined spirit ; and that, by exertion, with the smiles of heaven, man can arise from obscurity to dis- tinction, from penury to competence, and from degradation to glory. »IOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF EDWARD PREBLE, LIEUTENANT IN THE CONTINENTAL NAVY IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION , ^ AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF TlfE AMERICAN SQUADRON IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, IN 1803 AND 1804. His birth, early propensities, pursuits, obtains a midshipman's warrant — enters the Protector 26 gun ship — engages the Admiral Duff, 36 guns, takes her, and she explodes — Epidemic on board the Protec- tor — Preble is promoted to 1st Lieutenant — Enters the Winthrop in that capacity — Capt. Little designates him for a daring enter- prise in Penobscot bay, which he executes, brings out his prize, and enters with her into Boston harbour — Peace is concluded — Lieut. Preble commences the merchant service, accumulates pro- perty, and marries an excellent wife. — Incidents of domestic life omitted — He is appointed a lieutenant in the modern navy in 1 798 — Capt. Preble is appointed to command the Essex — Repairs to the East Indies — Returns to America — He is appointed commander of the Mediterranean squadron — Mahometan depredations upon Chris- tian merchants — Com. Preble's squadron, names and force of ves- sels, and commanders — Modesty and reserve of naval officers — Com. Preble's measures with the emperor of Morocco — Lays his squadron before Tangier — Is invited to land — Declines to lay off his arms when on shore — His unshaken firmness and decision — Be- fore he returns to the squadron, effects an accommodation — Pro- ceeds to his ultimate destination — Loss of frigate Philadelphia, and bondage of the crew — Lieut. Decatur captures a Tripolitan cor- sair — Difficulty and importance of Com. Preble's situation, and his fitness for it — His general rendezvous, Syracuse — Jussuff, Bashaw of Tripoli — Com. Preble designates Lieut. Decatur to command an expedition against the Philadelphia frigate— Danger of it— Master- ly execution of it — Com. Preble obtains two bombards and six gun- boats from Naples— Gen. Eaton's attempt to aid Cora. Preble— Carramalli ex-bashaw — First general attack upon Tripoli, Aug. 3. 1804— Desperate engagement of tlie gun- boats— Death of Lieut. James Decatur— Effects of the engagement— Second attack Aug. 7th— Proposition from Com. Preble to the Bashaw— Third attack, Aug. 27~Fourth attack. Sep. 3d— Upon the 4th Sept. Lieut. Som- 144 NAVAL HEROES. ers, &c. enters the harbour witli a fire-ship, which explodes — Re- mark — Com. Barron arrived Sept. 9th, and Com. Preble returns to America — Employed in Navy Department — Died at Portland^ Maine — His character. The man whose life and character I now attempt to pre- sent to the reader, moved in a subordinate station in the first war between America and Britain — for he was then but a ^outh. He was born in Portland, the capital of the then District, and now State of Maine, in the year 1761. His native country, then under the dominion of Britain, was ^ struggling, hand in hand, with what was then called, " the mother country," against Frenchmen and Indians. Born in a frigid, and what was then deemed a sterile region, as he advanced along into that stage of life when the " ruling passion" evinces itself by overt acts, he manifested his pre- dilection for a nautical life. His surviving companions in boyhood, relate many inci- dents of his early life, which clearly show the original firm- ness and greatness of his mind. Although habit, educa- tion, pursuits, associates, and innumerable other circum- stances, give a tone and direction to the human mind, yet there is a certain native trait of character which distin- guishes one boy, as well as one man, from another. It seems to be born at their birth, to grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength. Neither the mother in the nursery, — the father in the active scenes of life — the preceptor in the school, nor the president in the universi- ty, can divert the mind of some youth from their predom- inant aim and object. Although it is said " the stream is made by nature, but the channel is cut by custom ;" yet Edward Preble would float in the stream which nature made for him ; and it was as vain to attempt to change his course, as it would be to strive to divorce the sun from the ecliptic, or the eartlt from the zodiac. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 145 The parents of young Preble, being amongst the most respectable class of citizens, designed their son for one of the learned professions. He was placed in one of the best seminaries, and under the tuition of one of the most accomplished preceptors of that period, to pass through studies preparatory for a university. He made rapid pro- gress in his studies ; but while his eyes were upon his books, his thoughts were upon the ocean. The remonstrances of his parents could not long dis- suade, nor their threatenings deter him. They were coln- pelled to part with a favourite son, or dampen his ardour by thwarting his inclination , and the adventurous youth wafted from his native shore, to his adopted elemtnt, as a cabin-boy. Disgusted with the humble duties of the cab- in, he was almost constantly on deck, or hanging in the rigging, " in calm and in storm." He was too inquiet for a cabin-boy, and fitted by nature for some duty more man- ly and daring. He continued at sea in the merchant service until the year 1779. He was then of the stature of manhood, and had a heart beating ardently for heroic enterprise. Hav- ing influential friends, they obtained for him from govern- ment a midshipman's warrant. Although this was but a humble rank, it is the " first de- gree" that is now obtained in the British navy. Even then it became necessary for lord Nelson, and the duke of Cla- rence, (son of Geo. III.) to pass through the duties of this station as a passport to one of higher grade. Young Preble in this capacity, entered on board the Protector, then commanded by Capt. J. F. WiUiams. Preble soon discovered his qualifications for the station he filled. Although like a true seaman, he was to all, " Manly and honest, good-natured and free." 146 NAVAL HEROES. he maintained and exercised the authority vested in him with a firm, steady, and undeviating hand. Although but eighteen years of age, he had entirely divested himself of the frivolous puerilities of boyhood. The year 1779, was a year, memorable in the desperate struggle which eventuated in the independence of the American Republic. The armed ships belonging to the Thirteen Colonies were like little barques, thrust into the midst of powerful fleets ; and they were compelled to swim or sink by the most unparalleled exertions of human courage. Swim- ming or sinking, their crews, inspired by the patriotic sen- timents which the genius of liberty infused into their hearts, were cool, dauntless and undismayed in the hour of disas- ter — humane and dignified in the midst of victory. The first cruise the Protector made was upon the coast of Newfoundland. It was the theatre upon which the first Jones* and the first Biddlet began to act their splendid parts in the tragedy of the Revolution. The Protector af- forded every possible protection to American commerce, and gave every possible annoyance to that of Britain. She mounted 26 guns, and her crew were principally " Yan- kee seamen," prepared for the most desperate enterprise. An opportunity was afforded them to display their cour- age when the Protector fell in with the British ship Admi- ral Duff", of 36 guns. Capt. Williams might well have wished to avoid an engagement with a ship so much supe- rior to his own. But he chose not to strike the American Flag, which so lately began to wave over the Atlantic in a hostile capacity. He laid his ship along-side the Admiral * Com. John Paul Jones. fCom. Nicholas Biddle. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 147 Duff, and entered into action as close as possible, unless it were by boarding. This was the first serious engagement young midship- man Preble ever entered into. The men under his imme- diate command, were inspired to the highest pitch of en- thusiasm by his fearless example. The ships laid so near together, that as the survivors relate, the men actually cast balls at each other from the decks with their hands. After a short, but most furious contest, the Admiral Duff struck to the Protector, Midshipman Preble with his su- perior officers, was on the point of taking possession of her, when she was blown to pieces by the explosion of the magazine. Whether it was occasioned by the chagrin of the British commander at being compelled to strike to a Yankee ship, of inferior force, or by accident, never was, and never can t)e determined. Instead of taking possession of the ship, the officers and crew of the Protector, were now engaged in picking up the surviving crew of the enemy, from the fragnients of the destroyed ship. \Five minutes before, Preble would have encountered a whole gang of them, single handed — but now, when he saw them at the mercy of the waves, he strove to save human beings who could no longer resist him as enemies. The consequence of taking on board the Protector the S surviving crew of the Admiral Duff, was the spreading of a jmalignant disorder, on board the ship, and losing two thirds \of the crew. --^ The humanity and benevolence of American Naval He- roes, were displayed at this early period of the naval glory of the American Republic. It was not in the instances of a few individuals only that these exalted sentiments were 14« NAVAL HEROES. displayed — it was a sentiment common to the American 1 character. \ The moderation of our ancestors during the sanguinary struggle of the revolution, must excite the admiration of their descendants, and the applause of the world. Noll race of people upon earth, however, ever had more cause* to resort to violent measures. Americans were denounced as rebels, and threatened as traitors. Wanton destruction and Vandal devastations, marked the presence and the pas- sage of the enemy. The capital of Preble's native Dis- trict was burned, Charlestown, (Mass.) was in ashes, New London, Fairfield,* and Norwalk, (Con.) were reduced by conflagration. The beatitiful island of Rhode-Island was turned into a waste. But why extend the long cata- logue of barbarous deeds ? It might indeed be extended ; and as the character of Britons approximated to that of Vandals, that of Americans would remind the historian of Romans in the best days of Rome. Capt. Williams returned into port to refit the Protector, and recruit his crew, so alarmingly reduced by a dreadful malady. This was soon effected, and the Protector once more wafted into the midst of the enemy. It was her last cruise under American colours. She was obliged to strike to a heavy British Frigate, and Sloop of War in company ; as it would have been the height of desperation to have contended with a force so vastly superior. The severe treatment the crew of the Protector receiv- ed, was unquestionably occasioned by their unrivalled gal- * Vide Gen. Humphreys " Elegy on the burning of Fairfield." Also preceding Sketch of Com. Jones. The debates in Parliament, in the most vindictive language condemned the conduct of British officers in America. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 149 lantry in compelling the frigate, Admiral Duff, to strike ; but which really ought to have excited the admiration of the British Captains. Instead of paroling the officers and exchanging the seamen for British prisoners, the gallant Capt. Williams, Lieut. George Little, and many other un- rivalled patriots in the cause of freedom, were transported (O England, and lodged in Plymouth prison. Midshipman ;eble, however, by the intervention of influential friends, ■•obtained his release in America. Mr. Preble, for his gallant, and his highly meritorious services on board the Protector, received the commission of first Lieutenant. He was but twenty years of age, at the time he was placed in this highly responsible station. The British might be led to suppose that the favours be- stowed upon the Lieutenant by his exchange, would have conciliated his feelings towards the crown of England. But while he was gratified at being in the bosom of his country — receiving the approbation of the Old Congress, and be- ing promoted to a station in which he might again serve his country ; he could not forget the gallant Williams and Little, incarcerated in a British dungeon, three thousand miles distant. He was not long separated from the deter- mined Little. He scaled the wall of his Plymouth prison — made his escape to France, and returned to Boston. He was immediately promoted to the rank of Captain. '^^ A fine sloop of war, called the Winthrop was prepared for sea ; and Capt. Little, and Lieut. Preble entered on board •, and very soon had a crew well calculated for such oflicers. They immediately put to sea, and these young officers soon gave evidence of those exalted qualities which afterward raised them both to the acme of glory. At this time. Penobscot Bay, and the adjoining country. IbO NAVAL HEROES. was in possession of the British forces. How much benetii the possession of it was to Britain or detriment to Ameri- ca, cannot well be calculated, considering the state of that portion of the country at that period. At any rate, in the war of 1 812, the British forces were permitted by the con- stituted authorities of Massachusetts, to remain for a long time in peaceable and undisturbed possession of a large portion of the State of Maine ; and Castine, became a com- mercial, rather than a naval depot. A' The British had erected considerable batteries upon the ^ shore, and had a considerable marine force in the harbour. Capt. Little and Lieut. Preble conceived the daring design of capturing a heavy armed ship and her tender, as they lay at their moorings. The design was to be executed in the night season, and Lieut. Preble was honoured with the immediate command of the expedition. Forty dauntless New-Englanders were selected to accompany the gallant Lieutenant. To avoid confusion arising in a night battle, from mistaking friends for foes, the Americans were all clad in white frocks. The enterprize was a most desperate one. When every thing was ready, and a night favoura- ble to the expedition came round, Capt. Little bore into the harbour, and alongside the British ship. The unsus- pecting. enemy supposed the Winthrop to be their tender. The sea was running high ; and the sentry of the British ship exclaimed — " You will run us aboard !" The cool and collected Preble, in a tone of decision, answered — " Aye, aye, we are coming aboard." His forty " white frocks'- were all ready to follow him ; but from the head way the Winthrop had made, and the state of the waves, but four- teen could follow him to the deck of the British ship. Th^ solicitude of Capt. Little was excited to the high- COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 151 est pitch at the situation of Lieut. Preble, and his fourteen fearless comrades. When doubtful of the result of the ar- duous contest between fourteen of his crew, and over 200 British seamen, he hailed Lieut. Preble, and demanded of him " Do you not want more men ?",yTiieut. Preble, with the thundering voice of a stentor, answered, " No, Sir! we have more than we want ; we stand in each other's way ;" and suddenly rushed into the cabin of the ship, full armed, and found the officers, who had been disturbed by the noise upon deck, just " turning out." The intrepid Lieutenant said to them : " You are my prisoners — resistance is vain — and, if attempted, may prove fatal to you." The panic- struck enemy leaped over the gunwale of the ship, and through the cabin-windows into the water and swam to the shore, or were drowned. Complete possession having been gained of the ship, and Lieut. Preble, being about to bear his prize out of the har- bour, the batteries commenced a cannonade upon the Win- throp and the captured ship. The British troops rallied — rushed to the shore, and poured harmless vollies of mus- ketry upon the two ships which were sailing triumphantly out of the harbour of Penobscot. Their cannon had an elevation so great, that it was fruitless to attempt to ob- struct their passage out of the harbour. Neither the hulls or rigging of the Winthrop or the prize received the least injury. The " striped bunting" waved proudly over St. Georges Cross 5 and the gallant Little and Preble conduct- ed their valuable prize triumphantly into Boston harbour. The little glory which British arms acquired in taking Pe- nobscot, was more than counterbalanced by losing this ship 5 and the victors were remunerated for the loss of the Admiral Duff, which blew up after she was captured. 152. NAVAL HEROES. The contest between America and Britain was now draw- ing to a conclusion, by the commencement of negotiations ; but Lieut. Preble continued to fill the station of first Lieu- tenant on board the Winthrop, in the active and vigilant discharge of his duty until the treaty of Peace was ratified in 1 783. Thus early and brilliant was the commencement of Ed- ward Preble's life in the naval profession — a profession for which he was peculiarly adapted by nature, and to which he became ardently attached by inclination and habit. But the conclusion of peace with Britain, and the com- manding attitude which the American Republic assumed as a Sovereign and Independent Nation, was the annihila- tion, of the little gallant marine force which had accom- plished such wonderful effects upon the enemy. Such gal- lant spirits as Biddle, Jones, Murray, Nicholsom, Man- ly, Hardin, Tucker, Decatur the elder, and a long list of naval heroes, who had encountered the convoys of Bri- tish fleets of merchantment, or British armed ships and fleets themselves, w-ere now driven from their darling pur- suits as naval officers. The Republic, although independent as it regarded the privilege of self-government, were destitute of the "ways and means" to sustain a respectable naval force. The of- ficers of the Army as well as those of the Navy, were com- pelled, while the wounds they received in the cause of their beloved country were hardly healed, to relire, unreward- ed — the first to their farms ; the second to the merchant-ser- vice, as a mean of subsistence. The few little armed ships were converted into merchantmen, to strive to regain by commerce what the States of the Republic bad lost by war. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. IW Lieut. Preble returned to his native town and commen- ced the business of a seaman in the merchant service. It would be thought by a British naval officer to be degrada- tion itself to leave the quarter deck of a frigate, sloop of war, or any other armed ship, belonging to the government under which they had served, to enter on board an India, man. West India trader, or coaster. But Americans, at that epoch of their progress to national glory, knew well how to aid the infant Republic in any station. They knew also that individual wealth would ultimately add to the treasures of their native country, while it would furnish them with the enjoyments of individual necessaries, con- veniences, and luxuries. Lieut. Preble, at about this period of his age, entered into matrimonial life. Although a stern commander upon the ocean, he was not insensible to the fascinating and al- luring charms of domestic life. His bosom companion happened to possess the noble and exalted sentiments of her husband. He now entered, with his usual ardour, into the business of commerce, — to make provision for a family ; — knowing well that his fame as an ocean warrior, would be but a miserable support for a domestic establishment upon land. He lived in the midst of a commercial people, and was sur- rounded by the most accomplished and adventurous sea- men. He could not endure a state of inactivity. He en- tered into the business of a seaman, with the same energy he did, when he entered into the contest with the enemies of his country. He was fully aware that national wealth was the sinew of national glory. He was also sensible that individual wealth added essentially to individual consequence ; and \d4: NAVAL HEROES. enabled the possessor of it to accomplish objects beyond the reach of want and dependance. Although but few commercial treaties were established between the Repub- lic and other commercial nations in the eastern continent, yet the name of an American was a passport through the world, for the glory his country had acquired for manfully struggling for, and securing national independence. Eve- ry keel that wafted from the American Republic to the ports of Europe, Asia, or Africa, were welcomed as coming from the most energetic and exalted race of men who ex- isted in the eighteenth century, and were generally treated on terms " equal to the most favoured nations." Lieut. Preble, was one amongst the numerous American navigators, who had aided, by his courage, in acquiring the high rank his country sustained ; and while acquiring wealth by commercial pursuits, he was remembered and admired as one of the young and gallant champions of American Independence. From the conclusion of the war of the Revolution, the commercial enterprise of Americans surpassed every pre- vious example from the discovery of the magnetic needle to that period. The torrid, the temperate, and the frigid zones witnessed the presence of this " New People," and their canvas whitened every sea and ocean. While the kingdoms of the " Old World" were expending their treas- ures, and tearing from their subjects the hard-earned pit- tance of their labour to sustain thrones which began to tot- ter before the majestic march of liberty which moved from the Republic in the Western World. While immense standing armies covered the realms of monarchs, and vast fleets alTorded wooden walls to their shores. While eas- tern empires and kingdoms were rising to the height of COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 156 glory, and sinking to the depths of corruption, Americans, better understanding the nature of true national glory, — that which produces the greatest possible happiness to the greatest number of people, were peaceably pursuing a lu- crative commerce, and with unparalleled rapidity were accumulating national and individual wealth. They grew rich, not by rapine and plunder, but out of the follies, vices, and ambition of other nations. It would be an useless waste of time, for the writer to de- tail, and for the reader to peruse the various pursuits of Edward Preble in the seasons of peace. However delight- ful peaceful scenes may be in the enjoyment of them, they are generally tame, and uninteresting in description. The biography of this energetic American, need not be pro- tracted by expatiating upon the same events of his life, which are common with many of his humbler countrymen, whose names were never heard beyond the sound of the parish bell where they were born, and whose graves can be discovered only by the humble stone, which humble friends have erected. The biography of Edward Preble, is vastly more fertile in incidents, than that of Samuel Johnson ; yet the " Laird of Auchinleck" by detailing the httle, puerile minutiaes of that giant of literature, as he was glad to be called, and as Bozzy, parrot-hke, was happy to repeat, has extended his life to three huge octavos. What would the " Tars of Co- lumbia" think, in taking up the " Life of Preble," their departed naval father, and instead of learning what he had been doing, while alive, worth reading, they should be told, that he went to the barbers upon Saturday, and dined upon fish — to church upon Sunday, and dined upon roast beef — that upon Monday he cut his nails, and drank one glass of 156 iHAVAL HEROEb. wine — upon Tuesday he changed his linen — upon Wed- nesday looked into the harbour with his spy-glass and scoured the rust from his quadrant — upon Thursday (if it was thanksgiving-day,) he ate turke}'^, plumb-pudding, and pumpkin pie — upon Friday (if it was " Good Friday,") he ate no butter upon his bread, drank no cream with his coffee, nor brandy with his water. " Avaust there ! blind my top-lights — stun my hearers, if I bring the first into ac- tion, to look at such blarney, or the last, to hear the report of it." This, or something more nautical, would be their exclamation. But badinage aside. Thanks to the noble, daring, and gallant achievements of our valiant countrymen, their lives are pregnant with deeds worthy of detailing and worthy of reading. It might be amusing to follow Preble as a master in the merchants service through the various voyages he made to various portions of the globe ; but there was nothing in them to distinguish his from the voyages of other masters. The same breeze that wafted this hero of the Revolution from the ports of the Republic to those of foreign domin- ions, wafted also thousands of his own countrymen whose names were to be found in no higher register than the ledg- er in the counting room ; the files of the custom-house, or the marine list of a gazette. While Mr. Preble was thus engaged in the unostentatious pursuits of commerce, the government of the Republic was preparing the only effectual safeguard for that commerce — a Navy. It would illy comport with the limits of this Sketch, and be but repeating what the writer has attempted in the Biog- raphy of Com. Murray, to dilate upon the immense im- portance of Naval Power to our Commercial Republic. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 157 Its efficiency and its absolute necessity too, seem now to be admitted by all. But in the administration of John Ad- ams, who is emphatically denominated The Father of the American Navy, the question called forth the talents of the greatest men in the nation, as the Journals of Congress for 1797, and '98, will show. Our navy was commenced in the face of potent opposition — it struggled into exist- ence — sustained itself by its early achievements, and has now fought itself into glory. As soon as any g&the frigates, or vessels of inferior rates were fitted for sea,^dward Preble was remembeced as the gallant Lieutenant in the war of the Revolution'; and was placed in command of the brig Pickering. In this active craft, the Lieutenant rendered immense service in convoying American merchantmen, and protect- ing them from French picaroons. Such services, although they seldom call forth " Public Thanks," public applause, splendid swords, or gold medals, are neverthelss rewarded by the thankfulness and gratitude of Americans, who enjoy the protection and the independence which is thus secured to them. Lieut. Preble, less fortunate than his senior in the revo- lution| Capt. George Little, ^ad not, like him, an oppor- tunity in this war, to distinguish himself by any brilliant achievement. Had Preble have been in command of the Frigate Boston, the La Burceau would have met with the fate she experienced, Capt. Preble wiU now be presented to the reader of these imperfect sketches of his eventful life, in a capacity in which he was calculated to shine, and in which he shone most conspicuously. After the salutary chastisement which French aud Span- 22 158 NAVAL HEROES. ish picaroons received, in the administration of Mr. Ad- ams, from Capts. Little, Truxton, Murraj_^the senior De- catur, and the gallant constellation of heroes in the naval warfare, between America and France, Capt. Preble was appointed to the command of that wonder-working ship, the Frigate Essex, of 36 guns. In 1 800, it was deemed expedient to despatch an Amer- ican frigate to the East Indies, to protect the immense amount of American trade in those seas. The presence of a single frigate in thf commercial ports of that country, immediately after the splendid victories over Le Insurgente, Le Berceau, and other French ships, indicated to every power that were guilty of the least en- croachment upon American commerce, what their fate would be. Capt. Preble introduced into his frigate that inimitable discipline — that nautical skill — that familiarity with naval tactics — that skill in gunnery — that system of police in an armed ship, which distinguished the squadron he afterwards commanded in the Mediterranean, and which now gives American officers and seamen, a rank above all other offi- cers and seamen in the fleets, squadrons, and ships, of any naval power on the earth. He finished his cruise and re- turned to America. Omitting numerous incidents in the life of Preble, the detail of which would be inconsistent with the limits of this sketch, I now attempt briefly to narrate the events of his life, while commanding the American squadron in the Mediterranean. The kingdoms, most justly denominated Barbary States, upon the northern coast of Africa, including Morocco, Al- giers, Tripoli and Tunis, and all owing allegiance to the COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 159 Siiltan at Constantinople, the head of that vast race of hu- man beings called Mahometans, have, for many centiirtee past, mercilessly preyed upon that portion of men called Christians, who prosecuted commerce in the Mediterrane- an, the largest and most renowned sea known to men. It would be sickening to the philanthropic heart to detail, or to read, the diabolical cruelty of these infernal descend- ants of Ishmael, and ferocious disciples of Mahomet, to- wards every portion of the Christian race, whose commer- cial pursuits lead them within their barbarous grasp. Too powerful to be resisted by unarmed merchantmen, their corsairs, for ages, have sacrificed the wealth and made miserable slaves of the crews of merchant vessels. If captured in the Mediterranean, they are incarcerated in dungeons, chained to the galley, or treated like beasts of burthen. If wrecked upon the iron-bound coast, they be- come still more despairing slaves to those demons incarnate, the Wandering Arabs ; and in a state of hopeless destitu- tion, are compelled to wander, with naked bodies, parch- ing thirst, and famishing frames, over that vast, outspread scene of cheerless desolation, the Desart of Zahara. The cruelties of these children of wrath towards unfortu- nate Christians, whom they denominate kellup ensaiirah, (Christian dogs) can hardly be described in Christian lan- guage. In hearing the pathetic and heart-rending narration of Archibald Robbins^ (a miserable slave for about two years, but thanks to redeeming mercy, and the smiles of Providence, now a respectable commander in the merchant- service) and by attempting to present, his oral communi- cation in " Robbins' Journal," impressions were made up- on the mind of the writer which nothing can eradicate, and t60 NAVAL HEROES. which may have led to the use of language, which one race of imperfect human heings ought not to use towards anoth- er. Human, indeed they must be admitted to be, for their origin can be traced to the most ancient race of men ; but their principles and conduct would do credit to the char- acter of the devil himself, if the inspired Job, and the half inspired Milton have afforded a correct picture of that in- vsible being. Nations the most powerful by land and by sea, have for ages obtained a temporary suspension from the wrath of these Ishmaelitish pirates, whose " hands are against every man," by paying them tribute, as the price of peace, and ransom for the redemption of their enslaved countrymen. It is almost invariably the practice with these detested robbers against all mankind, to make war against other na- tions who are warring with each other ; especially against that nation whom they consider the weakest. Until within eighteen years past, these untutored barbarians, and half- civilized hottentots, considered Americans as a mere fee- ble race of merchantmen. Hence in the naval warfare with France in 1798, &c. the Tripolitan corsairs commen- ced a destructive war upon American commerce. When that contest ended so gloriously for our little naval power, these vaunting marauders were to learn the American char- acter in a new light. From 1801 to 1803, a small naval force, commanded the first squadron by Com. Dale, the second by Com. Murray, the third by Com. Morris, and the fourth by Com. Rodg- ers, had been in the Mediterranean ; but were barely suffi- cient to menace the ports of Tripoli, awe their Corsairs and hold in check Morocco, which kingdom also had com- mitted depredations upon Americans. This rapid sketch COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 161 was deemed expedient to prepare the mind of the reader to follow the determined, gallant, and conquering Preble, and his unrivalled comrades, in compelling the proud Cres- cent of the Turks to fall before the Stars and Stripes of America. The American government, at peace with all the world ; with a commerce expanded over every sea and ocean — with a fine little naval force unemployed, and with officers and seamen ardently panting for an opportunity to sustain, and, if possible, to augment the glory of the American na- vy acquired in the contest with France, determined in ] 803 to effect suddenly, what all the kingdoms of Chris- tendom had not effected in centuries. This determination was worthy of the only real Republic on earth ; and Ed- ward Preble as well qualified as any man on earth to ex- ecute it. His achievements in the war of the Revolution — in the naval warfare with France — bis subsequent acquaintance with navigation and commerce — his recent cruise in the Essex to the coast and ports of the East-Indies, and, to crown the climax of his high qualities, his cool determina- tion, and dauntless courage pointed him out to his govern- ment as Commander in Chief, with an augmented force to relieve the little squadron in the Mediterranean, then com^ manded by the active and vigilant Com. Rodgers. This appointment was made in June 1803. It appears from the archives in the navy department, that the government not only felt but expressed their high estimation of Com. Preble. The language of the depart- ment to him is, " Reposing in your skill, judgment and bra- very, the highest degree of confidence, the President has de- termined to commit the command of this squadron to your di- 162 NAVAL HEROES. rection,^^ &.C. (Sic. It was in reality the most important command with which any naval officer had been invested since the adoption of the American Constitution. He was sensible of this ; and elegantly said "/ am fully aware of the great trust and responsibility of this appointment. The honour of the American flag is very dear to me ; and I hope it will not be tarnished under my command.^^ I am indebt- ed to the politeness and urbanity of Com. Macdonough for the following list of vessels, their rate, and their com- manders in Com. Preble's squadron, when he entered the Mediterranean ; made from recollection. Frigate Constitution, 44 (flag ship) Com. Preble. " Philadelphia, 44 - Capt. Bainbridgc. Brig Argus, 18 - Lieut. Hull. " Syren, 16 - Capt. Stewart. Schr. Vixen, i6 - Lieut. Smith. " Nautilus, 16 - Lieut. Somers. " Enterprize, 14 - Lieut. S. Decatur. It would be a source of the highest pleasure to the wri- ter, and undoubtedly a gratification to the reader to be furnished with a Register of all the commissioned and warrant officers, attached to this justly renowned squadron. Many gallant young Lieutenants, and Midshipmen, till then unknown to their country and to the world, are now enrolled in the Naval Register in the temple of fame.* Commodore Preble hoisted his broad pendant on board the frigate Constitution, now emphatically called " Old Iron sides." With a rapidity of sailing in squadron sur- passed only by the squadron of Com. Decatur in 1815, he entered the Mediterranean Sept. 12th, 1803. That peculiar reserve and retiring modesty, which dis- tinguishes American naval officers, while it spreads a lus- * See close of the sketch of Com. Preble. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 163 tre over their splendid achievements, is, nevertheless, a source of regret to those who would ponder with all the rapture of delight over the record of their brilliant actions. It seems to be an invariable determination with them, nev- er to speak in detail of gallant deeds in which they were principal actors ; and, excepting their extremely brief of- ficial accounts' transmitted to their government, the bio- graphical writer can learn nothing from them. Other sources of information must therefore be assiduously sought, and the labour of research must be endured. As it regards that portion of Com. Preble's brilliant ca- reer, as commander of the American conquering squadron in the Mediterranean, it might well occupy a volume. If given in detail, it would be a history of American prowess in that renowned sea, which from the earliest periods of Carthage, Greece, Rome, and Syracuse, to near the close of the first quarter of the nineteenth century, ha« been the theatre of the most interesting and astonishing events in the civilized world. — It would be the description of the American Naval School, where the present brilliant con- stellation of naval officers obtained the first rudiments of their noble profession. Previous to the arrival of Com. Preble with his squad- ron, his predecessor, Com. Rodgers, and then Capt. Bain- bridge, had detained some Moorish armed ships, by way of retaliation for the Capture of American merchantmen. The emperor of Morocco, who considers himself as a sort of Grand Sultan over the Mahometans of Africa, and feels the most sovereign contempt for the feebler Christian powers, assumed the most hostile attitude towards Amer- icans, and detained the venerable James Simpson, Ameri- can Consul General, who received his appointment from 164 NAVAL HEROES. Washington ; and who had remained at Tangier, in Mo rocco until that time. As the difficulty with Morocco was so suddenly settled, it will not be minutely detailed. Com. Rodgers, although relieved by Com. Preble, with a magnanimity and patriotism characteristic of his whole naval and official life, consented, on request, to remain in the squadron with his ships, until affairs were determined by negotiation or bombardment, wnth the emperor, who had repaired to Tangier with more than 5000 men. Com. Preble, with the Constitution and Nautilus, Lieut. Somers, bore, in the most gallant style, into the bay of Tan- gier, and laid them within gun-shot of the extensive and powerful batteries before that city, the strongest and most important in the empire of Morocco, upon the 5th of Oc- ber, 1803. Com. Rodgers joined him with the frigates New York and John Adams. He wished to communicate with the American consul ; but sentinels were placed at the door of the consular resi- dence, and an interview between him and the commander of the American squadron, was thus inhibited. Ambassadors, Plenipotentiaries, Ministers, and Consuls, are, by the acknowledged law of nations, considered as the representatives of the governments from which they de- rive their authority ; and any indignity offered to them, is considered as an insult to the nation they represent. The American commander was aware of this ; and made every preparation in his squadron to sustain the dignity of the American Republic. The enthusiasm of his officers, seamen and marines, cor- reapoaded with his own. They were at quarters night and ^ay ; and, upon a given signal, were ready to perish them COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 165 selves, or make the imperious Mahometans on shore bow to Christian thunder upon the waves. A description of the batteries at Tangier, a part of which, are in the form of a crescent, and commanding the whole bay, might be amusing to the reader. But as the power of them was not tried upon the commodore's little squadron, nor the force and skill of the squadron apon them, it is omitted. The next day, the emperor, surrounded by his numerous and splendid retinue, and at the head of his powerful army, appeared in full view of the American squadron. Com. Preble, as is customary with civilized nations at peace with each other, saluted the Emperor from his ship — the Emperor saluted the Commodore from his batteries, and sent, as a token of peace, a few Moorish bullocks, sheep, and fowls, which were politely received by the commodore. Previous to this, Com. Preble had ordered the ships of his squadron to bring in all Moorish vessels which fell in their way, by way of reprisal for the capture of American vessels ; and this order was still in force. From the pacific conduct of the Emperor, amidst his warlike armaments, he was convinced that he was anxious to effect a pacification between the American government and his empire. But to effect this, was only a secondary object with the energetic Preble. His primary object was, the subjugation of the Bashaw of Tripoli, whose aggres- sions had been vastly more aggravating. But he saw that this was the time to prevent a protracted negotiation with Morocco, and, in conjunction with the two American con- suls, James Simpson and Tobias Lear, was determined to effect a peace speedily. 23 166 NAVAL HEROES. He brought his squadron to within a few cables' lengt'ti of the batteries, and assumed the most warUke appearance, upon the 7th and the 8th, in full view of the Emperor, who, upon the 9th, relieved the American consul from his re- straint, and condescended to permit him to have an inter view with the American commander! Such was the sud den change of the feelings of a powerful prince, conscious of his aggressions, when beholding the slender force of an unoffending Republic, determined to avenge them. The sagacious Commodore, however, was fully aware of the faithless and perfidious conduct of the disciples of Ma- homet towards all the people of Christendom ; and, in his peculiar critical situation, resolved to prepare, as well as he could, for the worst possible emergency. At his interview with the American Consul, he was in- formed that the Emperor would give " audience" to him on shore upon the 10th.* This dauntless son of the ocean could speak more audibly from his squadron than from his lips ; but as the potent prince had invited him to a tete a tete, he was resolved to be heard, in human language, and be a pacificator on shore for once. Upon the 1 0th, in the morning. Com. Preble prepared to go on shore with only four attendants.! Before leaving * In a London paper in 1 779, is found this article — Gibraltar, Sept. 18 — We hear that the Emperor of Morocco hath refused to give an audience to Mr. Logic, the English Consul, and that he will neither admit him into his presence, nor receive the pre- sents from his court." Little did the imperious court of Britain suppose that a young Lieu- tenant in the then " rebel marine," would, twenty-five years after, awe the Emperor, and be " admitted into his presence," full armed, and compel him to respect "American Rebels." f Consul Simpson, his Secretary, Charles Morris, and two midshipmen COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 167 the Constitution, he addressed the officers of his squadron, as near as could be recollected, in these energetic terms : " Comrades — The result of the approaching interview is known only to God. Be it what it may, during my ab- sence, keep ships clear for action — let every officer and seaman be at his quarters : — and, if the least injury is of- fered to my person, immediately attack the batteries, the castles, the city, and the troops, totally regardless of me or my personal safety." As represented by a spectator, and actor in this scene, (Mr. Morris) it was one of the most solemn and interesting that can be conceived, and the effisrts of the pen and the pencil would equally lag behind reality in the description. The mosques, towers, terraces, and dwellings of Tan- gier were crowded with spectators. Five thousand full armed Moorish troops were drawn up in double files, form- ing a lengthened vista, rendered brilliant by burnished mus- kets, sabres, and scimetars. The Emperor, in the splen- did costume of Eastern monarchs, surrounded by a numer- ous retinue of princes, courtiers, alcades and guards, was seated upon a spangled carpet spread out in his castle. The bay presented a view, less variegated, but no less in- teresting. The frigates Constitution, New- York, and John Adams, and brig Nautilus, with colors hoisted, were arran- ged with all the masterly skill of naval tacticians. Com. Preble and his attendants descended from the quar- ter deck of the Constitution, upon which his broad pend- ant was proudly waving, into his barge, and was rowed to the shore. Full dressed and full armed, he landed, near the fortress. The Emperor's officer requested him to lay off his arms. With manly dignity, he promptly declined it. With a firm iS8 NAVAL HEROES. and dignified step, he approached towards the Emperoi through the double files of Moorish troops, viewing them as calmly as he passigd along, as a general would review a regiment in time of peace. Upon reaching the Emperor, he was requested to kneel, pursuant to custom. Upon de- clining it, the ceremony was dispensed with. The Empe- ror demanded of the Commodore — " If he was not in fear of being detained ?" "No! Sir,'"' said he — "you dare not detain me. But if you should presume to do it, my squad- ron, in your full view, would lay your batteries, your cas- tles and your city in ruins in one hour! !" The Emperor, who had always been accustomed to re- ceive the humble submission of subjugated men, was awe-struck by the presence and firmness of the American commander. He immediately gave orders to his marine officers to re- store all American vessels that had been taken, and formal- ly renewed the treaty made with America in 1786. Com. Preble revoked his orders to capture MoorisJi ships, and re- stored those that had been taken. Happy had it been for the blood-stained Jm*5w/; the Bashaw of Tripoli, if he had followed the example of Moolay Solimaan,^ the Emperor of Morocco. The memory of Com. Preble, ought to be venerated, and the characters of Commodores Rodgers and Bainbridge du- ly estimated, for having first compelled the Emperor of Morocco to respect the American Republic. From 1803 to this time, Americans have suffered no obstructions in their commercial pursuits from the Moors. * The writer of these Sketches is not certain that this was the name of the Emperor of Morocco in 1803 ; but he knows it to be the name of the emperor in 1817, when Archibald Robbins passed throug^h his dominions from Zahara Desart. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 169 From the decision, firmness, and energy of Com. Preble, in his transactions with the Emperor of Morocco, his offi- cers and seamen were readily enabled to anticipate their duty when they reached their ultimate destination before Tripoli. He had declared Tripoli to be in a state of blockade, and had given formal notice of it to all the American Con- suls in the Mediterranean. It was not like the " Decrees of Berlin and Milan," without power to enforce them — it was a blockade with a competent naval force to carry it into execution. The writer of this sketch, having recently offered to the public, the second edition of the " Life of Com. Stephen Decatur ;" and having in that volume attempted to give a succinct account of the operations of Com. Preble's squad- ron in the Mediterranean, derived from sources of unques- tionable authenticity ; and being under the necessity of connecting the actions of the gallant Commander in Chief, with that of his favorite officer, Capt. Decatur, the detail of some events, of Com. Preble's Life, while in the Mediter- ranean, is adopted from that volume, with such additions and corrections as recent information suggested. While Com. Preble had been thus engaged. Captain Bainbridge, in the frigate Philadelphia, Lieut. Smith, with the Vixen Sloop of war, laid before Tripoli, and, with this small force, completely blockaded that important port. On the last day of October, the Philadelphia, lying about fifteen miles from Tripoli, Captain Bainbridge discovered a large ship, with Tripolitan colours, under sail, between him and the shore. He immediately gave chase to her, and continued the pursuit until the ship entered the port for safety. Jn beating out of the harbour his noble frigate 170 NAVAL HEROES. struck violently upon an unseen and hitherto undescribed rock. It is wholly impossible to conceive what must have been the feelings — the distress — the agony of the gallant Bain- bridge, and his no less gallant officers and crew, upon the happening of this dreadful disaster. Capt. Bainbridge and his crew, while the frigate floated would have fought at sea, all the Tripolitan marine, single handed. But his irreversible fate was decided — the ship could not then be moved, and he was compelled, when an overwhelming Tripolitan force assailed him, to strike the banner of his country, to the crescent of Mahomet, and, with his truly American crew, to be reduced to the most abject slavery, which the most merciless of human beings, can inflict upon civilized man. The whole crew exceeded three hundred Americans ; and they were immediately immured in a dungeon. In this crew were Bainbridge, Porter, Jones, Biddle, — names familiar to every American, who knows or appreciates the glory of their country. And here I have the infinite satisfaction of recording an instance of mutual attachment, perhaps without a parallel in the history of the most romantic affection. Captain Bainbridge, his officers and crew, now reduced, in a degree, to equality, by common misery, pledged themselves to each other, never to separate alive ; but to endure one common bondage, or injury together, one general emancipation. The friends of the accomplished Biddle, offered the sum demanded for his ransom, which he decidedly refused to accept. This noble crew were confined in a tower which over- looked the bay of Tripoli. They beheld their gallant COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 17i countrymen, wafting triumphantly in their floating bul- warks, and knew that the day of their redemption would one day come. They knew that a Preble, and a band of unconquerable warriors from the ' land of their home' would not forget them. They knew what they had done, in Morocco, and what they could do in Tripoli. They nevertheless could not help thinking of their country, — - their friends ; and, what to an ocean-warrior, perhaps, is dearer than all, the laurels they wished to gain in chas- tising the diabolical wretches, who, by an unavoidable dis- aster, and not by their courage, now held them in degra- ded subjugation.* * The following pathetic lines are extracted from a poem originally published in the " Analectic Magazine." They apply with peculiar force to the captive crew of the Philadelphia frigate in a Tripolitan dungeon. I should be happy to give the author's name. Blest country of freedom ! no longer my home ! In my boyhood I lov'd o'er your green fields to roam ; Columbia ! still sweet to my ear is the sound, ■r Though now I'm a captive dishonour'd and bound. Dear land of my birth ! where my kindred all dwell, Couldst thou see thy lost son in this comfortless cell, .Pale, starving, a slave, and with irons compress'd, Thy vengeance would rise, and his woes be redress'd. While milliom* thy bloom-scented breezes inhale, And on thy rich harvests of plenty regale ; Here, far from the shores of abundance and health, My wretchedness* adds to a rude tyrant's wealth. When night o'er the world drops her curtains of gloom, I am plung'd in the damps of this horrible tomb ; Where nought can be heard but the clanking of chains, And moaning of slaves that give vent to their pains. * It is the practice of Mahometans, to aggravate the miseries »f Christian slaves to extort a higher ransom. 172 NAVAL HEROES. But we turn from a picture coloured in the darkest shades of human calamity, to some of the brightest orna- ments of the human race. Com. Preble despatched Lt. Decatur, on the 14th of December from Malta with the schooner Enterprise, and he laid his course for Tripoli. The Tripolitans had seen this little schooner before, and the reader already knows what was the result of the inter- view.? On the 23d, in full view of Tiipoli, he engaged an arm- ed Tripolitan vessel ; and, in a few minutes, made her his own. She was under Turkish colours, and manned prin- cipally withtjreeks and Turks, and commanded by a Turk- ish Captain. Under these circumstances, the Lieutenant hesitated for some time, whether to detain or release the captured vessel. Upon investigation, he found that there was on board two very distinguished Tripolitan officers, and that the commander of her, in the most dastardly man- ner, had attacked the Philadelphia frigate, when driven on a rock. He farther learned from unquestionable authori- ty, that on this occasion he fought under false colours ; and that when the heroic but unfortunate crew of the Philadel- phia, could no longer resist the immense force brought against her, he boarded her ; and with the well known fero- city of a Mahometan, plundered the officers of the captur- ed frigate. Here the exalted character of Com. Preble's favorite officer Lieut. Decatur, began to be developed. He was then, as he ever was, a lamb to his friends — a lion to his enemies. He had before his eyes the beloved frig- ate, which had fallen a victim to misfortune and to de- mons. But, adhering rigidly to the rights of war, he man- * Alluding to the victory of Lieut. Sterrett. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 173 ifested no resentment against the humbled and trembling wretches now in his power. His great spirit scorned to make war upon weakness, or triumph over a fallen foe. He indignantly disposed of the crew — handed the papers of the vessel, to Com. Preble, who took her into the service of his own country, and gave her a name which she after- wards so well supported, The Ketch Intrepid. Notwithstanding the loss of the fine frigate Philadelphia, and the bondage of her accomplished crew, which very materially reduced the force of Com. Preble's little squad- ron, that veteran officer was not to be deterred from at- tempting to accomplish the great object of his government, in sending him to the Mediterranean. Fortunately for his own fame, and for the lasting glory and benefit of his beloved country, he united the most cool deliberation, with the most dauntless courage. The first, enabled him to prepare well for the tremendous contest which lay before him. He might have exclaimed, in the language of an inimitable, although not a very modern bard — " The wide, the unbounded prospect lies before me. But shadows, clouds, and darkness rest upon it." The second quality enabled him, when entered into the dreadful brunt of devastating warfare, to brave death in its^ most appalling and horrid forms. In his officers and sea- men, he recognized chivalrous warriors, who, amidst a host of dangers, and the strides of death, thought less of them- selves than they did of their country. Fortunately, was it, I may again say, that there was such a man as Preble at such a time, to command such men. He wanted nothing to stimulate him to the most daring at- tempts. 24 174 NAVAL HEROES. As commander of the little squadron in the Mediterrane an, he" was in some measure situated as Jackson was, when commanding his little army at New Orleans. His language to Mr. Monroe, then secretary of war, was, " as the safety of this city will depend upon the fate of this army, it must not be incautiously exposed." The gallant Com- modore might have said — " As the glory of my country, the safety of her merchants, and the redemption of my countrymen depend upon my small force, it must not rash- ly be carried into a contest where so many chances are against its success." He selected the harbours of the cities of Syracuse and Messina for his general rendezvous in the Mediterranean — occasionally laid off the island of Malta, and sometimes carried his squadron into the bay of Naples. No portion of this globe could afford the ardent hero, and the classical scholar a more sublime subject for con- templation. Excepting some sections of the immense American Republic, no part of our world seems to have been created upon a scale so wonderfully grand. It is calculated to inspire the most exalted views of the bound- less greatness, incomprehensible wisdom, and resistles? power of the Creator. Com. Preble, his accomplished officers, and intelligent crews, in different ships, and in different positions, were in view of three of the four quarters of the globe — Oi Asia. whence issued the Law from Sinai, and Grace from Bethle- hem, and where Mahometans and heathen now bear sway. 0{ Africa, once the seat of Egyptian power and science, and now the region of superstition. Of Emojoc, the smallest, and yet more powerful than all the three other quarters of relent. But his conviction was more the result of alarm- mg fears, than of a consciousness of guilt. The noble hearted Preble treated his wounded prisoners with the greatest humanity. Their wounds were dressed with the utmost care ; and, upon the 3th, he sent fourteen of them home to their friends. In a generous bosom, although an enemy, such an acl woald have excited inexpressible admiration ; and although a species of revenge calculated to " heap coals of fire upon the head" of a subdued enemy, yet it should have melted a heart of adamant. The Bashaw knew that one of his offi- cers had basely slain Lieut. Decatur, and could not com- prehend the motives of his humanity. His savage subtilty augured evil, even from an act of pure benevolence. But when he heard the wounded and restored Tripolitans ex- claim in the rapture of enforced gratitude, " the AmericanB in battle are fiercer than lions, and after victory, kinder COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 207 than Mussulmen," his savage heart began to soften. But, without a great ransom, he would not release a single pris- oner who belonged to the Philadelphia frigate. From the 3d to the 7th of August, Com. Preble, and the rest of the officers and seaman had but little time for repose after their arduous toils in reaching the harbour of Tripoli, and administering to the Bashaw aportion of American ven- geance. They were all incessantly engaged in preparing for another visit. They had become perfectly familiar with the theatre of action on which the American squadron was now acting its various parts. Every scene was draw- ing towards the developement of the tragedy. The impe- rious tone of the Bashaw was lowered as his hopes of safe- ty diminished. He however would surrender no prisoners without a ransom beyond what Com. Preble thought him- self authorised by his government to offer. He rather preferred to have consul Lear negotiate upon land ; and he felt confident of his powers to negotiate with his invin- cible squadron. All the officers of every grade, and every seaman, exert- ed every nerve to aid Com. Preble. They stood around him like affectionate and obedient children around a be- loved and dignified parent, anxious to learn his precepts, and prompt to obey his commands. He stood in the midst of them in the double capacity of their father, and a repre- sentative of his and their country. He knew they would follow wherever he would lead, and would lead where ne- cessary prudence would prevent him from following. — Well might the astonished Turks compare them to lions ■■, for they had proved themselves irresistible in battle — gen- erous and noble in victory. Com. Preble could bestow nothing upon his officers and 208 NAVAL HEROES. seaman, but his highest and most unqualified commenda- tion. This was not the mere effusion of an admiring com- mander, surrounded by his victorious comrades around the festive board, after a signal victory, but it was official- ly announced to the whole squarron in a "general order'' upon the 4th. The Commodore knew well where to be- stow applause, and when to make, or rather to recommend promotion. His general order is in the Navy Depart- ment, m Amidst the congratulations in the squadron for the suc-w cessful issue of the first attack upon Tripoli, a silent gloom* irresistibly pervaded the hearts of the officers and seamen. It was not caused by contemplating upon the arduous and yet uncertain contest which they were directly to renew. Inured to duty and familiar with victory, they were total strangers to fear. But Lieutenant James B. Decatur " was dead i" While they were floating triumphantly up- on the waves of the Mediterranean, his body was reposing in death upon its bed ; and his gallant spirit had flown to heaven. The shouts of joy over all Britain for the victory of Trafalgar, were mingled with groans of grief for the death of Nelson. No less pungent was the sorrow of in- trepid Americans at the fall of Lieutenant Decatur. He had unremittingly pursued the duty of the naval pro- fession from the time he entered the navy, until the day he was basely and treacherously slain. It is inconsistent with the design of this sketch, to go into a minute detail of his life. Suffice it then to say, that by a long course of assiduous duty in various ships of the American navy, and under different commanders, he secured to himself the con- fidence of his superiors, and the approbation of his govern- ment. The post assigned him upon the 3d of August, COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 209 evinced the high estimation in which he was holden by the discerning and penetrating Com. Preble. The manner in which he discharged the duty imposed upon him, and the manner in which he fell, have already been mentioned. His memory is embalmed with those of Somers, Wads- worth, and Israel, who followed him into eternity thirty days after he left the world, and who made their exit from the same sanguinary theatre upon which he fell. The fearful, yet temporising Bashaw, through the me- dium of a foreign consul, offered terms to Com. Preble which he indignantly rejected, as degrading to his govern- ment. Upon the 7th, another attack was resolved upon ; and the squadron arranged in order to execute it. The effect desired was produced. A heavy battery was silenced — many bomb shells and round shot were thrown into the town — and, although the damage to the enemy \Yas not so essential as the attack of the 3d, it increased the dismay of the Bashaw. Amongst the Gun-boats engaged in this second attack, was one taken from the enemy by Capt. Decatur. She was blown up by a hot ball sent from the batteries ; and Lieutenant Caldwell, Midshipmen Dorsey, and eight sea- men were killed ; six were wounded ; and Midshipman Spence with eleven seamen were rescued unhurt from the waves. Two days afterwards, Com. Preble took a deliberate view of the harbour in one of the Brigs, in order to deter- mine the best mode of commencing a third attack. He gave " no sleep to the eyes nor slumber to the eyelids" of the sullen and incorrigible wretch who wielded the sceptre of blood-begotten power over his subjects, the wretched 210 NAVAL HEROES. and degraded race of beings who were dragging out a mis- erable existence in Tripoli. The hopes of the American prisoners increased, as those of the Bashaw and his troops diminished. The terms for ransom were lowered more than two thirds, from the original enormous sum; but Com. Preble had become a stern negotiator ; and Mr. Lear chose to let him continue to display his diplomatic skill, upon his cho- sen element. The prospect of a long protracted warfare, at an im- mense expense to the American government — the tedious and gloomy imprisonment of nearly half a thousand of Americans, in the dungeons of a barbarian, amongst whom were some of the noblest hearts that ever beat in human bosoms — the probabihty that more American blood must be shed in effecting a complete subjugation of the yet un- yielding Bashaw, induced Commodore Preble to offer the sum of eighty thousand dollars, as ransom for the prison- ers, and ten thousand dollars as presents, provided he would enter into a solemn and perpetual treaty with the American government, never to demand an annual tribute as the price of peace. The infatuated and infuriated Bashaw rejected these proposals with affected disdain mingled with real fear. Com. Preble, had nothing now to do but to renew his na- val operations. To repel the idea that the pacific offer of the Commodore arose from apprehensions of defeat, the bombards occasion- ally disgorged their destructive contents into the city, to the dire consternation of the bashaw and his slaves. Upon the 27th of August, another general attack was made with such effect as to induce the Bashaw to renew COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 211 negotiations for peace, but nothing definitive was elTected ; and Com. Preble took every advantage ofhis horrid fears. Upon the 3d of September, another attack was made to the very great injury of the Bashaw's batteries, castle and city : . the particulars of which would too much swell this sketch. Although but few Americans had lost their lives in the various battles, yet the vessels of the squadron had suffer- ed very considerable injury from incessant service. It was proposed that the ketch Intrepid should be convert- ed into a fire ship, and sent into the midst of the enemy's galleys and gunboats to complete their destruction. To this the Commodore acceded — loaded her with one hun- i dred barrels of powder, and one hundred and fifty shells ; and fixed upon the night of the memorable 4th of Septem berfor the daring and hazardous attempt. I Capt. Somers volunteered his services and was designa- ted as the commander. He was immediately joined by Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel, and a sufficient number of gallant seamen. Of the awfully tremendous scene that followed, the read- er may be gratified by a succinct account, as related by an accomplished eye-witness, to the writer; but any descrip- tion by the pen or the pencil is tame and dull, compared with the animated narration of Capt. . The evening was unusally calm ; and the sea scarcely presented the smallest wave to the eye. That part of the squadron which was not designated as a convoy to the In- trepid, lay in the outer harbour. Two swift-sailing boats were attached to the Intrepid, and the Argus, Vixen, and Nautilus, were to conduct them to their destination, and receive the crew after the match was applied to the fata} train. 212 IS AVAL HEROES. At a little before 9 o'clock the Intrepid, followed by the convoy, moved slowly and silently into the inner harbour, watched with the deepest solicitude by the Argus, &c. — Two of the enemy's heavy galleys, with more than a hundred men each, encountered the fire-ship, unconscious that she was pregnant with concealed magazines of death. They captured her of course, as the little crew could not withstand such an overwhelming force for a moment. It being the first prize the Tripolitans had made, the ex- ulting captors were about bearing her and the prisoners tri- umphantly into port. The crew were to be immured in the same dungeon with Capt. Bainbridge and his crew, who had worn away eleven tedious months in dismal slavery. To Somers, Wadsworth and Israel, " One hour of virtuous liberty, was worth " A whole eternity of bondage.^* and, instant death, far preferable to Turkish captivity. It is still left to conjecture, and must always be so left, by whom their instantaneous release from slavery and from mortal- ity was occasioned. It is with an agitated heart and a trembling hand that it is recorded, that the Intrepid suddenly exploded, and a few gallant Americans, with countless numbers of barbarians, met with one common and undistinguished destruction. It is generally understood by American readers that Capt, Somers, his officers and crew, after being captured, mutu- ally agreed to make voluntary sacrifices of themselves to avoid slavery and to destroy the enemy. In support of this, the writer is authorised to state that Capt. Somers direct- ly before entering into this enterprise, declared that " he COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 213 would never be captured by the enemy or go into Turkish bondage." It is entirely beyond the reach of the most fertile ima- gination to form an adequate conception of the reality of this awful scene. The silence that preceded the ap- proach of the Intrepid, was followed by the discharge of cannon and musketry, and ended by the fearful and alarming shock of the explosion. Every living Christian and Mahometan within view or hearing, stood aghast and awe-struck. Thus barbarous Turks and gallant Americans met with one common destiny, and all was an outspread scene of desolation. The remaining part of the night was as silent as the season that immediately succeeds some violent con- vulsion of nature. Com. Preble, who had the preceding day enjoyed an animated interview with this trio of heroes, found an awful chasm made in the catalogue of his associates. If the biographical writer could be allowed to blend his own " reflections and remarks" with the incidents and events he records, this momentous occurrence might justi- fy them. It will, however, only be observed, that Captain Somers's memory has sometimes been assailed by those whose contracted and scrupulous system of morals evinces a " zeal without knowledge." Admitting that he made a voluntary sacrifice of himself, his officers and his crew, to avenge the injuries of his coun- try, and rescue his numerous countrymen, in his full view, from bondage ; let the severest casuist that ever perverted the plain dictates of conscience, by metaphysical subtlety, be asked if every man who enters the navy or army of his country does not voluntarily expose himself to death in de- oq 214 NAVAL HEROES. fending its rights, its honour, and its independeuce ? Nc matter in what manner death is occasioned, so be it the sacrifice adds to the security and advances the glory of his country. Whether it happens in the midst of opposing hosts, in single combat, or as that of Somers and his com- rades did by voluntary sacrifice, it equally redounds to their glory and their country's weal. To those who form their systems exclusively from the records of inspiration, exam- ples from them might be quoted ; and the instance of Sampson alone, who fell with a host of his enemies, will not, by them, be denied as being analogous. The classical reader will immediately recollect that Rome herself was twice saved from destruction by the voluntary sacrifice of the Decii. The writer hopes to be indulged in a brief allusion to the gallant, the accomplished, the lamented Lieutenant Wads- worth, with whom he bad the honour, and enjoyed the pleasure, of some acquaintance. His birth-place and resi- dence was in Portland, the metropolis of the state of Maine, and in the immediate neighbourhood of the great Preble. To a very elegant person, he added the captivating charms of a mind highly refined. His situation placed within his reach all the fascinating enjojments of fashionable life ; but a participation in them could not render him efTeminate. The previous examples of Stephen and James B. Decatur inspired his ardent bosom with a thirst for naval glory, and this was enhanced by the renown acquired by his distin- guished townsman, and naval father, Com. Preble. H^e repaired to the renowned sea, whose waves are bounded by three of the great quarters of the globe, and almost in the sight of which the American squadron was triumphant- Iv wafting. He did not envy, for envy found no place in COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 215 iii3 noble heart ; but he wished to emulate the gallant deeds of his brother officers. The disastrous, yet splendid affair oi the 4th of September, has been briefly detailed. Wads- worth upon that fatal, awful night, left the world in a blaze of glory — gave his mangled corse to the waves — his exalt- ed spirit to heaven — and his immortal fame to his country. Although his precious manes are " far away o'er the bil- low," his virtues and gallantry are commemorated by a monument in his native town, the voluntary tribute of his admiring friends to his inestim'able worth. While the American squadron was achieving such unpar- alleled deeds in the Mediterranean, the American govern- ment yet unadvised of its splendid success, despatched an additional squadron to that sea. From the state of the naval register, and the rank of the post-captains, the new squad- ron could not be supplied with officers without designating one who was senior to Com. Preble. This devolved upon Com. James Barron, who arrived upon the 9th of Septem- ber, 1804. To an aspiring hero just entering the path of fame, and anxious to reach its temple, a sudden check to his progress is like the stroke of death. It was not so with Com. Pre- ble when he was superseded by Com. Barron. His work was " done, and well done ;" and he surrendered the squadron to his senior as, Gen. Jackson did his army to Gen. Pinckney, when there was nothing to do but to enjoy the fruits of victory. He immediately gave the command of his favourite fri- gate, the Constitution, to his favourite officer. Captain Dc catur, and obtained leave to return to America. It has been barely mentioned that the government of the Repubhc were unadvised of the splendid achievements of 216 NAVAL HEROES. Com. Preble, when the additional force was sent out from America to Tripoli. The slightest recurrence to dates will place this subject beyond all doubt. Nothing but the intervention of contrary winds for a long period, had spared the boasting Bashaw of Tripoli, from the accumulated stores of vengeance, and the red artillery of Preble's squadron, which were in reserve for the chas- tisement, the consternatioiv, and all but the annihilation of this diabolical representative of the Sultan of Turkey, and the vicegerent of Mahomet on earth. The first general attack upon the strong city of Tripoli, was made upon the third of August, when the terrible battle of the gun-boats took place. Upon the 7th another general attack was made ; and for a number of days in suc- cession, the alarmed and atTrighted Bashaw was coiled up like a venomous reptile in his bomb-proof castle, — gnash- ing his teeth like a " serpent biting a file," and, like the enraged lion in a cage, lacerating himself by his own tail. he was torturing his own horrid and blood-guilty soul, by the agonizing contortions of his blood-stained body. He occasionally " grinn'd horribly a ghastly smile," at half a thousand Americans incarcerated in his dungeons near at hand. Amongst them, he recognized the exalted spirits of Bainbridge, Porter, Jones, Biddle, and about four hundred other noble American ocean-champions whose bodies only were held in " durance vile" by a detested power which they could not then resist, or escape, but which they despised with ineffable contempt. Upon the 4th of September, as the reader will recollect, the truly awful explosion of the fire-ship " Intrepid" con- vinced the astonished Bashaw, that his whole marine was COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 217 fo be destroyed, unless he hastened to make peace with the veteran Com. Preble, and Preble's indignant govern- ment, whose energy he had so sorely felt. During the whole of the memorable month of August, 1804, Com. Barron and his vessels were as peaceably wafting over the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean as Amer- ican ships are now, 1 823. As mentioned, his vessels appear- ed before Tripoli upon Sept. 9lh, when the echo of Com. Preble's cannon had scarcely ceased ; and when the com- motion of the waves from the explosion of Capt. Somers' fire ship, had hardly subsided. He had the good fortune to enjoy the fruits of the con- quest, without hazarding any " hair breadth 'scapes" or at- tempting any " imminent deadly breach." The Bashaw's immense batteries were silenced — negotiations were just commencing, and Com. Barron, without any opportunity to show his skill and prowess, had nothing to perform but the manoeuvrings of his squadron — standing off and on — and blockading Tripoli, which Capt. Bainbridge* in the Phila- delphia, and Lieut. Smith! in the little Vixen had done be- fore him. His duty, compared with what Com. Preble had performed, was as different as a regimental review in time of peace is from a sanguinary battle in field fight. The admiring comrades of Com. Preble were now to perform a duty more affecting to the hearts of noble and high-minded men, than danger, battles, bondage, wounds, and death itself — it was to bid adieu to their beloved, vene- rated, and almost adored commander, Edward Preble. The parting scene, as described by one who painfully witnessed, and who was sensibly penetrated with it, wa? one of the most interesting that the mind can conceive. * Now Com. Bainbridge. f Now Capt. Smith 218 NAVAL HEROES. For more than a year, the Commodore, and his gallant comrades, had been absent from their friends and their country — a year that may well be denominated an age ia the cailendar of American Naval skill, prowess and glory — a period of splendid and "successful experiment" with our ships, and of naval instruction and experience to our officers and seamen. Their mutual attachment had become strongly cement- ed by common toils and privations — common dangers and disasters, and by fighting the common enemy of the civili- zed world, and forcing Mahometans to crave mercy of the same Christians, whom, a few months before, they affected to despise. The war-worn and veteran Preble, gave the parting hand to his officers, as the father would extend the hand of pa- rental affection to his children, who were about to depart into a world beyond his immediate care, but never out of his remembrance and solicitude. His officers manifested a dignified regret, mingled with a consciousness of untarnished honour, rectitude of con- duct, and unsurpassed courage. His noble tars, who always sought the post of duty and of danger, and whose natural heroism was augmented by the fearless example of their noble commander, gazed at a res- spectful distance upon their Patron, their Friend, and their Commodore. With swelling, but with manly grief, they cast their moistened eyes upon the last visible piece of canvas that wafted their once beloved commander in chief from their anxious view. Although all were affected, none could be more so than Charles Morris* his midshipman and his faithful secretary * Now the highly respected and accomplished Capt. Morris, com- missioner of the navy. eOM. EDWARD PREBLE. 219 on board the Constitution. This gallant son of Connecti- cut was born in the vicinity of the writer of this imperfect sketch of his matchless commander's life. It is a sentiment entirely paramount to local attachment, which excites his esteem and respect for this excellent man and excellent officer. His father was an offic r in the naval warfare with France in the administrati; •>£ Adams. His son Charles, as soon as requisite year '-«« T suitable acquirements rendered him fit for the station 1)f ft Midshipman, repaired to the Mediterranean, the American Naval School. The correct discernment of Com. Preble selected him as his confidant and his secretary. He was one of the foui; who landed at Tangier with him, amidst Moorish hosts, and accompanied him to his interview with the emperor of Morocco, previously described. He sailed with him to Tripoli. He was one of the first who volunteered, with Lawrence and Macdonough, under that unequalled, that universally lamented hero, Decatur, for the destruction of the Philadelphia frigate. He was the first who gained the deck of that ill-fated ship, after his dauntless leader reached it. He was in the Constitution in all her attacks upon Tripoli. In the war of 1812 with Britain, he was first Lieutenant of the same wonder-working ship, in the first wonderful es- cape from a British squadron. He was in the same capaci- ty when the same ship sent the Gurriere to the bottom. Morris was the favourite of the gallant Hull, the favour- ite of Connecticut and his country, in the action with the Gurriere, as a native poet elegantly says, " Where virtue, skill and brarery, With gallant Morris feU ; — 220 NAVAL HEROES. That heart so well in battle tried Along the Moorish shore." He long lang;iished, but survived to advance still farther in the dangerous path to fame. He became commander of the frigate Adams — entered Pe'o^scot bay, (where his patron, Com. Preble signalized bimsej'f in the war of the Revolution,) ascended the Penob- scot river, defended his ship against an immense force, un- til, to use his own language, " he had no alternative but precipitate retreat or captivity." He destroyed his own ship, and, with his noble crew, wandered over the wilds of Maine, in a state of destitution, to Portland, once the home of the then sleeping Preble, whose tomb he bedewed with manly tears.* Morris still lives ; and lives the ornament of * Although this volume professedly relates to the Naval Heroes of the Revolution, yet, as Com. Preble's young officers in the Mediter- ranean acted such signal parts in the second War with Britain, and as Capt. Morris, after he left the Constitution and took the command of the Adams, had not the good fortune again to meet the enemy in equal contest, I give the following extract from his official letter, shewing his conduct in the hour of disaster. Although overwhelmed, he did not " give up the Ship" to the enemy. — Boston, September 20, 1814. Sir— I have the honour to forward a detailed report of the circum- stances attending the destruction of the United States' ship Adams, at Hampden, on the 3d instant. On the first instant, at noon, I received intelligence by express that the enemy with a force of sixteen sail were off the harbour of ( Jas- tine, 30 miles below us. This intelligence was immediately forward- ed to brigadier general Blake, with a request, that he would direct such force as could be collected to repair immediately to Hampden. As our ship, prepared for heaving down, was in no situation to receive her armament, our attention was immediately directed to the occupa- tion of such positions on shore as would best enable us to protect her. By great and unremitted exertions, and the prompt assistance of all the inliabitants in our immediate vicinity, during the 1st and 2d inst. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 221 of the navy, the delight of his friends, and the pride of his country. This brief digression will be excused in the wri- nine pieces were transported to a commanding eminence near the ship, one to the place selected by general Blake for his line of battle, four- teen upon a wharf commanding the river below, and one on a point covering the communication between our hill and wharf batteries; temporary platforms of loose plank were laid, and such other arrange ments made as would enable us to dispute the passage of a naval force. Want of time prevented our improving all the advantages of our posi- tion, and we were compelled to leave our rear and flanks to the de- fence of the militia in case of attack by land troops. Favoured by a fresh breeze, the enemy had advanced to within 3 miles of our posi- tion at sunset on the 2d with the Sylph mounting 22, and Peruvian IS guns, and one transport, one tender and ten barges manned with sea- men from the Bulwark and Dragon, under command of Com. Barrie. Troops were landed under command of Col. John, opposite their ship- ping without opposition, their number unknown, but supposed to be about 350. To oppose these troops, about 370 militia were then col- lected, assisted by lieut. Lewis of the U. S. artillery, who by a forced march had arrived from Castine with his detachment of 28 men. Ma- ny of the militia were without arms, and most of them without any am- munition, and as our numbers were barely sufficient to man our bat- 'teries, I ordered the ship's muskets to be distributed among the mili- tia, and further ordered them to be supplied with ammunition. Our sick were sent across a creek with orders for such as were able, to secure themselves in the woods in case of our defeat. These arrange- ments were not concluded until late on the evening of the 2d. As the wind was fair for the enemy's approach, and the night dark, rainy, and favourable for his attempting a surprize, our men were compelled, notwithstanding previous fatigue, to remain at their batteries. At day-light on the 3d, I received intelligence from general Blake, that he had been reinforced by three companies, and that the enemy were then advancing upon him. A thick fog concealed their early movements, and their advance of barges and rocket boats was not dis- covered until about seven o'clock. Believing from their movements that they intended a simultaneous attack by land and water, I placed the hill battery under the direction of my first lieutenant, Wadsworth, assisted by lieutenant Madison and Mr. Rogers, the purser, and di- 30 222 NAVAL HEROES. ter, — it is a feeble tribute of respect to a juvenile acquaiu tance. rected lieutenant Watson to place his small detachment of 20 marines in a position to watch the movemems of the enemy's main body, as- sist in covering our flank, and finally to cover our retreat in case that became necessary. I had but just joined the wharf battery under the direction of lieutenants Parker and Beatty, and sailing-master M'Cul- locb, when the enemy's infantry commenced their attackupon the mi- litia. The launches still lield their position beyond the reach of our fire, ready to improve any advantage their troops might obtain. A (ew ramutes onlj^ had elapsed when lieutenant Wadsworth informed me that our troops were retreating, and immediately after that they were dispersed and flying in great confusion. We had now no alter- ■ative but precipitate retreat or captivity. Our rear and flanks en- tirely exposed, wiihout other means of defence on that side than our pikes and cutlasses. The only bridge across the creek above us near- er the enemy than ourselves, and tlie creek only fordable at low wa- ter, with the tide then rising, I therefore ordered lieutenant Wads- worth to spike his guns, and retire across the bridge, which was done in perfect order, the marines under lieutenant Watson covering their rear. Orders were given at the same time to fire the ship, spike the guns of the lower battery and join our companions across the creek. Before these orders were fully executed, the enemy appeared on the hill from which our men just retired and were exposed to their fire for a short time while completing them. Retreating in front of them for about five hundred yards, we discovered it impossible to gain the bridge, forded the creek, ascended the opposite bank, and gained our companions without receiving the slightest injury from the ill-directed fire of the enemy. We continued our retreat towards Bangor, when we found and retired upon a road leading to the Kennebec, by a cir- cuitous route of 65 miles. Perceiving it impossible to subsist our men in a body through a country almost destitute of inhabitants, they were ordered to repair to Portlatid as speedily as they might be able. Xbe entire loss of all personal efi"ects rendered us dependant on the gene- rosity of the inhabitants between the Penobscot and Kennebec for sub- sistence— -who most cheerfully and liberally supplied our wants to the utmost extent of their limited means. Our warmest thanks are also due to the inhabitants of Waterville, Augusta and Hallowell, for their COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 223 « At the time Com. Preble left the Mediterranean, — that sea, its islands, and the nations bordering upon it, had be- liberality and attention. Our loss was but one marine and one sea- man made prisoners. That of the enemy was estimated at eight or ten killed and from forty to fifty wounded, principally by the 18 pound- er under charge of lieutenant Lewis of the U. S. Artillery. ^ As the Constitution was the favorite ship of Com. Preble in the Med- iterranean — as Hull and Morris were his favourites in that sea — as they, in the same ship, achieved the first victory in the Atlantic, against Britain, the following, amongst the first, and certainly amongst the best Odes and Songs, during the second war with Britain, is offer- ed to the reader in this place. There is nothing in the author's ' Hubert and Ellen," superior to it. Britannia's gallant streamers Float proudly o'er the tide ; And fairly wave Columbia's stripes, In battle, side by side. And ne'er did bolder foemen meet, Where ocean's surges pour. O'er the tide now they ride, While the bellowing thunders roar. While the cannon's fire is flashing fast. And the bellowing thunders roar, When Yankee meets the Briton, Whose blood congenial flows, By Heaven created to be friends, By fortune rendered foes ; Hard then must be the battle fray, Ere well the fight is o'er ; Now they ride, side by side, While the bellowing thunders roar, While the cannon's fire is flashing fast. And the bellowing thunders roar. Still, still for noble England, Bold Dacres' streamers fly ; And, for Columbia, gallant Hun's, As proudly and as high ; 224 NAVAL HEROES. come the expanded theatre of his glory. The " Two bi cilies," with their two volcanic mountains, ^tna and Ve- Now louder rings the battle din, More thick the volumes pour. Still they ride, side by side, While the bellowing thunders roar, While the cannon'^ fire is flashing fast, And the bellowing thunders roar. Why lulls Brittania's thunder, That waked the watery war ? Why stays the gallant Gurriere, Whose streamer waved so fair ? That streamer drinks the ocean wave ? That WE^rrior's fight is o'er ! Still they ride, side by side. While Columbia's thunders roar, While her cannon's fire is flashing fast, And her Yankee thunders roar. Of Bush, the gallant spirit, Starts from the reddening wave ; * For the deck it was' his ' field of fame,' ' And ocean' is his ' grave.' The waters high their bosoms heave, For valour now no more ; That in the clouds, glory shrouds, While contending thunders roar, And Victory bears from Earth to Heaven, As the rolling thunders roar. Hark ! 'tis the Briton's lee gun ! Ne'er bolder warrior kneel'd ! And ne'er to gallant mariners Di I braver seamen yield. P oud be the sires, whose hardy boys Then fell, to fight no more ; With the brave, mid the wave, When the cannon's thunders roar, Their spirits then shall trim the blast. And swell the thunder's roar. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 226 suvius, which disgorge their adamantine contents, in the midst of columns of fire, and spread desolation around their bases, witnessed the approach of this Christian hero, with a dauntless band of warriors from a distant Christian land. Malta, (the ancient Melita,) where Paul, once the pupil of Gamaliel, and afterwards the apostle of the Gen- tiles, preached the gospel, and where the renowned Knights of Malta, long enjoyed and practised their mysterious rites — Italy, once the dominion of imperial Rome, which once conquered the world by arms, and then conquered herself by luxury — Corsica, the birth place, and Elba the prison of Napoleon, the modern Charlemagne — Sardinia, Genoa, indeed every country and island in that portion of the globe, which did not acknowledge the supremacy of the Sultan — and even the Pope of Rome, with all his rancour- Vain were the cheers of Britons, Their hearts did vainly swell, Where virtue, skill, and bravery, With gallant Morris fell. That heart, so well in battle tried, Along the Moorish shore, Again, o'er the main, When Columbia's thunders roar. Shall prove its Yankee spirit true, When Columbia's thunders roar. Hence be our floating bulwarks, Those oaks our mountains yield ; 'Tis mighty Heaven's plain decree — Then take the watery field ! To ocean's farthest barrier then, Your whitening sails shall pour ; Safe they'll ride o'er the tide, While Columbia's thunders roar, While her cannon's fire is flashing fast- And her Yankee thunders roar. 226 NAVAL HEROES. ous bitterness against Protestants, all, all joined their notes of praise, in one harmonious concord of applause and ad- nniration, for the peerless Hero, from the Republic of the Western World. The Pope, the suprenrie head of the Roman Catholic regime, forcibly declared that — " All Christendom had not eflfected in centuries, what the American Squadron had accomplished in the space of a single year !" Even British naval officers, whose tutelary deity upon the ocean, (Lord Nelson,) declared that " In the germe of the American Navy, he saw the future rival of Britain upon the ocean" — suspended, lor awhile, their deep rooted jeal- ousy, and poured forth the effusions of involuntary admira- tion for Preble. Grateful as such applause undoubtedly was to such an aspiring mind as his, no approbation came so " home to his business and bosom" as the unqualified demonstration of attachment from his own Comrades — his own Govern- ment, and his own Family. Such approbation from such sources, must have filled his capacious heart to repletion. The value of praise is doubly enhanced, when it proceeds from those whose ex- alted merit deserves the praise they bestow. Like " the quality of mercy" " It is twice blessed — it blesseth him, " Who gives, and who receives." The Congress of the United States, the only legitimate government in existence, presiding over the only Repub- lic upon earth, deeply penetrated with the exalted worth, and vast services of " The Commander in Chief of the American Squadron in the Mediterranean in 1803 and 1804," bestowed upon Edward Preble, a Vote of Thanks COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 227 — a reward more grateful to the feelings of that noble offi- cer, considering the moving cause of it, than would have been an estate equal to the dukedom bestowed upon Arthur Wellesley, by the Parliament of Britain. As a visible token of the regard of that august body, the Congress voted a splendid gold medal, with devices em- blematical of his achievements. This was presented by the same hand that drafted that unequalled state paper " The Declaration of American Independence" — by the same statesman who selected Pre- ble, as Commander — then President of the American Re- public, now the Philosopher of Monticello — Thomas Jef- ferson. This portable monument of his fame is now, with the other archives of this ocean-hero, in the hands of his posterity — an invaluable legacy — a treasure of fame ! His family and his countrymen, when he was " far away over the billow," cast their anxious thoughts to the sangui- nary arena in which he and his comrades were contending with the thickening hosts of Mahometans. When the Turkish Crescent bowed to the " Star-span- gled banner" of the Republic, and he returned with his rich harvest of honours, the elder portion of Americans re- membered the gallant Lieutenant Preble, in the war of the Revolution, when in the Protector he assisted in capturing the Adrtiiral Duff, and led in capturing a heavy ship of war in Penobscot bay, when fee sailed in the Winthrop. The younger Americans, with the virriter, enthusiastical- ly recognized in him the redeeming spirit who rescued oui countrymen from Mahometan bondage ; and compelled a strong power, under the Grand Sultan, to submit to Ameri- can prowess. He might well have wished, at this time to retire into the i28 NAVAL HEROES. bosom of his family, at his delightful residence in the capi tal of Maine ; but he had become identified with the Amer- ican navy, and its future respectability depended essential- ly upon the application of the skill and experience of the Commodore to its future operations. Although considerable experience, as well as many splendid victories were gained in the naval warfare with the French Republic, a few years previous, and many and much of each under his command in the Mediterra- nean, yet the complicated system, requisite in the Navy Department, was by no means thoroughly digested. The admirable police, which is now systematized on board 74s, 44s, 36s, sloops of war, brigs, and schooners, was then in an incipient state — it has ever since been pro- gressive, and it may now almost be said, that it is perfected. Com. Preble had, at the seat of government, the collec- ted wisdom of naval officers, and the heads of the different departments, to aid him in putting the " American Naval System" into operation. If it required the wisdom and penetration of Oliver Ellsworth* to arrange and digest the Judiciary System— if it required the stupendous mind of Alexander Hamil- ton, from a chaotic mass, to perfect a System of Finance — it also required the scientific and practical knowledge of Edward Preble to arrange a Naval System, for the marine force of the Republic. * The profound discernment of President Washington, and the First Congress under the Constitution, selected this exalted man and great jurist, to digest the Judiciary System of our vast Republic, consisting then of thirteen, and now of twenty-four distinct govern- ments. It was a subject full of importance, and abounding in difficul- ty. To give sufficient energy to a Federal court, and yet to securp COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 229 His time at the seat of government was not wasted by en- joying the fashionable blandishments of the metropolis, in the " piping time of peace ;" and although he had recent- ly returned from ' attempting the imminent deadly breach,' he was in no danger of being effeminated by " listening to the soft lulling of the lute." He was not one of those courtly retainers who make an accessary of the languishing genius of evanescent amusement, in the murder of time, the most bounteous gift of heaven. With Preble, as with Franklin, ' time was money ;' yea it was more than money — ' money is trash,' in comparison to the invaluable results of patient study, sound reflection, and matured wisdom. The American people employ their civil Rulers, as well as their Naval officers, to act, and to act efficiently. The aggregated wisdom of the Republic is not annually concen- trated at the seat of government to convert and pervert the season of legislation into an endless succession of ' holi- days,' excursions of pleasure, or intrigues for office.* the rights of indiviual State Courts, was a vast undertaking ; and was accomplished by the vastness of this great man's mind. Oliver Ells- worth succeeded Chief Justice Jay when he was appointed ambassa- dor to the Court of St. James; and continued Chief Justice himself until he was appointed ambassador to the Court of St. Cloud. * The following is an extract from a very recent publication ; and is inserted in a note to excuse the presumption of the text. *' Is it for this that the people of the nation send representatives to Washington, and pay each of them ^56 a week ? Is it to spend their nights in revelry, and their days in slumber, that they have been sent there ? Is it to enable the higher officers of the government " to feed and plaister," to corrupt and prostitute their representatives, that they have suffered the late great increase of their salaries to pass almost unnoticed? If this apathy is continued, they will only merit the politi- cal degradation and perdition which infallibly awaits them." 31 230 NAVAL HEROES. The assiduity of the Secretary of the Navy, the Navy Commissioners, and Naval Officers, is a shining light that points out the path of duty to every officer in every station, in every department of the government. Com. Preble remained at the seat of government until peace was negotiated by Mr. Lear, which he had conquer- ed with the American squadron. Com. Barron returnedwith the constellation of ocean -warriors who subjugated Tripo- li when under Preble. Gen. Eaton, with Hamet Cara- malli, ex- Bashaw, whom he found an exile in Egypt — whose dying hopes he revived, and whose motley multitude call- ed an army, he conducted through desarts to within a few leagues of Tripoli, also returned to America, to reap the reward of his well-meant, romantic, and daring endeavours * and also to induce the government to pay the disheartened Caramalli for the loss of his throne, and the disappoint- ment of his wishes. It is believed that this is the first and only instance of a Mahometan prince begging money of a Christian power — they have, for centuries, obtained it by blood and plunder. Com. Preble, cool, collected, dignified, and gratified, lived to behold the consummation of the first wishes of his heart-- -the subjugation of the Barbary powers, and the re- storation of the noble Bainbridge,! his gallant officers, and fearless crew, and the rest of the Americans, from dismal bondage, to the fruition of freedom. He cared little for the scramble for office, promotion, or money. He saw the happy result of his toils forhiscoun- * Gen. Eaton, in his letter of Dec. 3, 1805, to the Secretary of the NaFy, says — " Mr. O'Bannon and myself united in a resolution to pe- f Amongst the returning heroes, who received the congratulation of Com. Preble — the delivered hferoes, Bainbridge, Jones, Porter, COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 2ai try. He saw his gallant comrades in the Mediterranean, once more in the bosom of the Repubhc, enjoying the peace they had obtained by valour-the blessings they had ren- dered secure by their victories, and the applause they so richly deserved for their unparalleled services. He retired from public life, like Washington, the father of his country — like Adams, the father of the American navy— and like Jefferson, his patron and friend, and the patron of the Republic, to enjoy the sweets of retirement in the boiJom of his family, in his native town, where every temporal blessing awaited his return. There, with a consciousness of having faithfully served his country in that tremendous contest, " The War of the Revolution," against Britain, in a subordinate station — having assisted in chastising Frenchmen — having awed the Emperor of Morocco into a peace, and having fought the rish with him [Caramalli] before the walls of Tripoli, or to triumph with him within those walls." " I have" said a British Peer " reso- lutions to make resolutions, if I cannot keep them." BiDDLE, and their gallant crew, once of the unfortunate Philadelphia Frigate, after a dismal bondage of nineteen months, must have poured out the undissembled gratitude of hearts, glowing with feelings, unap- preciated by the luxurious, and effeminate sons of indolent security. Their feelings are thus painted by an anonymous poet, who unites, in these lines, two of the fine arts, poetry and painting. The dawn through my grates the thick darkness dissolves, And again the huge bolt of my dungeon revolves ; That monster's dread step is a prelude to pains, When the lash that he bears will drink blood from my veins. Hark ! what notes of sweet music ! they thrill through my soul ; Columbia's own strain is that soft melting roll ! Gracious Heav'n ! my dear countrymen once more I view, Hail fjiberty's banner ! ye base tyrants adieu. 232 NAVAL HEROES. blood-stained Bashaw of Tripoli into subjugation, he enjoy ed that repose of body which toils, privations, long service and sanguinary battles had rendered necessary ; and that tranquillity of mind which conscious virtue, rectitude and honour, rendered sweet and felicitous. But these enjoyments were hardly began before they were to be ended. Death, which he had so often undaunt- edly faced in the most appalling forms, removed him from the scene of his temporal, to that of his eternal glory upon the 25th day of August, 1 807 — just three years from the memorable month of August in which he conquered a pow- erful nation of Barbary. Like his beloved comrades in that warfare, Stephen De- catur, and James Lawrence, he died in the meridian of life, being but forty-six years of age. CHARACTER OF EDWARD PREBLE. Edward Preble, possessed peculiar native powers — those which the heroes of antiquity most craved — a sound mind, in a sound body. So far as countenance is an index of mind, his indicated decision of character. It also indi- cated benignity of heart, and generosity of feelings. His person was tall and commanding ; his posture erect ; his movement natural and unaffected. His whole presence pointed him out as a " mighty man of war."* As to the qualities of his mind, the prominent traits were a restless Wy wrongs are all cancelled — your shore is receding — My country has freed me, my heart has ceas'd bleeding : In the arms of affection I soon shall be bless'd, And my dust with the dust of my fathers shall rest. * " That form indeed, th' associate of a mind. Vast in its pow'rs — etherial in its kind, COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 233 emulation, and an inquietude for enterprise. For listless indolence and effeminating inaction, he manifested the most sovereign contempt and contemptuous pity. Not satisfied with achieving deeds of common renown, he aspired to those which would leave previous examples of noble daring far behind him. Possessing by nature a high-minded sense of independence, he espoused the cause of his country when imperious Britain was attempting to subjugate his countrymen to vassalage. Although then but a youth, " He gave the world assurance of the man." Returning to the peaceful pursuit of commerce, he placed himself and his family in independent circumstances. Ev- er ready to avenge the injuries of the Republic, from what- ever quarter of the world they should proceed, he repair- ed as Commander in Chief to the renowned Mediterranean. France, Spain, Italy, Naples, and Genoa, upon the borders of that sea. — Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, Minorca, and Mal- ta, islands in its bosom, witnessed with astonishment and admiration the approach of this Christian hero from the Christian Republic. To the people of these regions, as well as to his own countrymen, who were exposed to Tur- kish capture and bondage, he was a ministering angel of protection and redemption. But, to the merciless disci- ples of Mahomet, he was a minister of wrath, armed with stores of vengeance, to avenge the barbarous cruelties for centuries inflicted upon unoffending Christians. The vol- canoes of Vesuvius and ^tna excited but httle more con- That form- -the labour of Almighty skill, Fram'd for the service of a freeborn will, Asserts precedence, and bespeaks control, But borrows all its gprandeur from the soul." COWPEB. 234 NAVAL HEROES. sternation with exposed Neapolitans and Sicilians, than did the gleaming messengers of death, "red with uncommon wrath," hurled by the American Preble, into the capital of the Tripolitans. Mahometans were subjugated by him and his dauntless band, and the Turkish Crescent fell beneath the American Banner. The veteran finished his work in i the Eastern World, and returned to the enjoyment of civil I liberty and religious freedom, amongst his redeemed, pro- tected, and happy countrymen in the Western World. He died, as a hero would wish to die, before the ravages of time had debilitated his body or deteriorated his mind. Never having been humbled by a mortal enemy, he yield- ed all of himself that was mortal io the King of Terrors, and gave his body to the tomb — " Till mould'riag- worlds and tumbling systems burst, " Till the last trump shall renovate the dust." His exalted soul he gave to that Goo who gave it to him, and he bequeathed his temporal glory to the Republic ; and if that Republic hath not yet raised a monument* to his * It would be gratifying to learn how much money has been di-awn from the National Treasury, to erect Mausoleums, Monuments, Sta- tues, &c. to Revolutionary Heroes. Soon after the death of Gen. Washington, a resolution was passed in Congress on the subject. In 1818, the following was found in the Congressional Journal : " The joint resolution for a monument over the remains of General Washington, and some minor business, was postponed to Monday." In 1818, the following notice concerning the " Washington Monu- ment Association" was published : " Boston, jybv. 23. We learn that the Trustees of the Washington Monument Association, through the Agency of our countrymen, Messrs. West, Alls ton, and Samuel Williams of London, have engaged the celebrated sculp tcr. Chantry, to form a Pedestrian Statue of George Washington, and that some progress has been made in the execution." The elegant monument in Portland, to the memory of Capt. Bur- rows, was erected by the patriotic munificence of Matthew L. Davi?, Esq. of New-York. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 23o memory, he hath a living monument iu the heart of every surviving Naval Officer and Seaman, who knew his virtues, appreciated his worth, and emulated his valour. But as the government of the American Republic, in the plenitude of its gratitude, has seen fit to draw from its treasury the small sum of one thoxisand dollars to erect a monument to the memory of Eibridge Gerry ; it may hereafter remem- ber the Father of the Modern Sons of the American Navy ; and future generations will behold a monument erected to his glory, and his glory shining in the monument. REGISTER Of American Jiaval Officers in the Mediterranean, in the years 1S03 and 1804, under COMMODORE PREBLE; In presenting this Catalogue of Officers to the reader it IS impossible to repress the feelings of admiration with which the mind of every patriotic American must be pene- trated. In retrospect, we behold the little infant navy of our infant Republic, in that renowned sea where the marine of ancient Carthage, spread dismay and consternation upon the borders of the three great continents, whose shores are laved by its waters. In that sea where the Grecians gain- ed their naval renown. In that sea where Cleopatra waft- ed in her barge, and captivated Antony. It would be invidious to make a selection from this con- stellation of ocean heroes, who entered the dangerous path of glory with the immortalized Preble — some of whom have followed him from temporal warfare to eternal peace — from a life of glory on earth to immortal honours in 236 COM. EDWARD PREBLE. heaven. Saying nothing of the Commanders, Rodgers, Bainbridge, Stewart, Hull, Smith Somers,* and Decatur,* we find among the Lieutenants, — Gordon, Dent, Jones, Porter, Trippe, Crane, Read, J. B. Decatur,* Lawrence,* and J. Bainbridge. Amongst Midshipmen, Burrows,* Morris, Nicholson, Gadsden, Wadsworth,* Israel,* Ridge- ley, Henley, Patterson, Mead, Macdonough, Gamble, Ren- shaw, Spence, Pettigrew, Warrington, Ballard, Cassin, Thompson, &c. These then ai'dent youth were unknown to fame — their names are now inscribed in its temple, and their glory is identified with that of the Republic. I'heir monuments will hereafter rise in various parts of our vast Republic, and consecrate the places where the naval he- roes rest. It is however, ungenerous, unjust — to bestow all our ap- plause upon the fortunate heroes whose destiny enabled them to signalize themselves by some glorious achieve- ments. Their associates, equally gallant, equally skilful, equally meritorious, are too often obscured by the halo of glory that shines around their companions. Had not Gib- bon, perished in the flaming theatre of Richmond, he might have acted as glorious a part on the theatre of naval glory, as his brother midshipmen, Morris, Biddle, Macdonough, Burrows, Warrington, etc. As the meed of praise is the highest reward of a hero, it ought to be bestowed with im- partiality. In page 162 of this volume, a List of Ships and Com- manders of Com. Preble's Squadron is inserted. It was all the information the writer had when he drove through this imperfect Sketch of Com, Preble's life. * Dead ! I COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 237 Since it was written, the very obliging and ever atten- tive Secretary of the Navy, has furnished me with the fol- lowing " Official List." Officers attached to the Squadron under Com. Edward Preble in the Mediterranean in 1803, &c. Constitution frigate, Edward Preble, Commodore. John Rodgers, Captain. Lieutenants. *■ Thomas Robinson, Jun. Samuel Elbert. William C. Jenckes, Charles Gordon. Joseph Tarbell, John H. Dent. Nathaniel Harriden, Sailing Master. James Wells, Surgeon. Thomas Marshall, Surgeon's mate. Patrick Sim, do. James S. Deblois, Purser. Noadiah Morris, chaplain. Jonathan N. Cannon, Boatswain. William Sweeny, Gunner. Isaac Steel, Sail Maker. Thomas Moore, Carpenter. Midshipmen. Hethcote J. Reed, Ralph Izard, Jun, David Deacon, William Burrows. John Rowe, Daniel S. Dexter. Thomas Hunt, Charles Morris. John M. Haswell, John Davis, Alexander Lausn. Francis C. Hall, Thomas Baldwin, Leonard J. HunewelK Joseph Nicholson, Louis Alexis, Charles Gadsden, Jun. Henry Wadsworth, Charles G. Ridgely, Henry P. Casey, 32 238 NAVAL HEROES. Joseph Israel, William Lewis, John Thompson, Robert Henley. John Hall, Captain of marines, Robert Greenleaf, 1st Lieut. Philadelphia frigate, William Bainbridge, Commander. Lieutenants. John S. H. Cox, Jacob Jones, Theodore Hunt, Benjamin Smith, David Porter. William Knight, Sailing Master. John Ridgely, Surgeon. Jonathan Cowdery, Surgeon's mate. Nicholas Harwood, do. Keith Spence, Purser. George Hodge, Boatswain. Richard Stephenson, Gunner. William Godby, Carpenter. Joseph Douglass, Sail- maker. Midshipmen. James Gibbon, Daniel T. Patterson, Benjamin F. Read, Thomas Macdonougb, James Biddle, Bernard Henry, Wallace Wormeley, William Cutbush, Simon Smith, Robert Gamble, Richard B. Jones, James Renshaw. William S. Osborne, 1st Lieut, of Marines. Brig Syren, Charles Stewart, Captain. Lieutenants. James R. Caldwell, Michael B. Carroll, Joseph J. Maxwell. Samuel R. Marshall, Surgeon. Alexander C. Harrison, Sailing Master. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 239 Nathan Baker, Purser. John Unsworth, Boatswain. James Welman, Gunner. John Felt, Carpenter. Thomas Crippen, Sail-maker. Midskipmen. Thomas O. Anderson, Robert T. Spence, John Dorsey, Cornelius de Krafft, William R. Nicholson. John Howard, 1st Lieut. Marines. Brig Argus, Isaac Hull, Captain. Lieutenants, Joshua Blake, William M. Livingston, Sy brant Van Schaick. Humphrey Magrath, acting sailing master. Nathaniel T. Weems, Surgeon. John W. Dorsey, Surgeon's mate. Timothy Winn, Purser. George Nicholson, Boatswain. William Huntress, Gunner. Stephen Hurley, Carpenter. Charles Smith, Sail-maker. Midshipmen. Joseph Bainbridge, Samuel G. Blodget, George Mann, William G. Stewart. Pascal Paoli Peck, John Pettigrew. John Johnson, 1st Lieutenant marines. Schooner Vixen, Jphn Smith, Commander. Acting Lieutenants. John Trippe, William Crane. Richard Butler, SaiHng-master. Michael Graham, Surgeon, 240 NAVAL HEROES. Clement S. Hunt, Purser. John Clarke, Boatswain. James Bailey, Gunner. Bartholomew M'Henry, Carpenter. Joshua Herbert, Sail-maker. Midshipmen. John D. Henley, Lewis Warrington, William Ballard, John Nevitt, John Lyon. Schooner Nautilus, Richard Somers, Commander. Lieutenants, James B. Decatar, George W. Read. Edward N. Cox, Acting Sailing-master. Gershom R. Jacques, Acting Surgeon. James Tootell, Purser. Charles Walker, Boatswain. James Pinkerton, Gunner. Robert Fell, Carpenter. Midshipmen, Octavius A. Page, Stephen Cassin, George Marcelliu, William Miller, Charles C. B. Thompson. Schooner Enterprize, Stephen Decatur, Jr. Commander. Acting Lieutenants. James Lawrence, Daniel C. Heath, Jonathan Thorn, Joseph Bainbridge, Seth Cartee. William Rogers, Acting Surgeon, Alexander M'Williams, Surgeon's mate. Mr. Bearry, Boatswain. William Hook, Gunner. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 241 Mr. West, Carpenter. Patrick Keogh, Sail-maker. Midshipmen. Daniel C. Sim, George Mitchell. Waiter Boyd, Robert Innes, Benjamin Turner. Samuel Slewelljn, 1 st Lieutenant of marines. The very names of the vessels composing this Httle squad- ron, have become familiar with Americans, for their achievements in the Mediterranean under Com. Preble, in the war against Tripoli ; and on the Atlantic, in the second war with Britain. The Constitution bore the broad pendant of Preble in all the victories of the squadron in the Mediterranean. In the Atlantic, commanded by Hull, she astonished British officers in escaping from a British squadron. Commanded by the same officer, she sent the boasting Guerriere to the bottom ; commanded by Bainbridge, she compelled the Java to submit to the same fate, and commanded by Stew- art, in one action, added the Cyane and Levant, to the American navy. The Philadelphia, was conquered only by hidden rocks, ani^ a foe, with hearts harder than rocks, who dared not point a gun at her while wafting. But her loss to America was retrieved by Decatur, in destroying her under the tremendous batteries of Tripoli, in the midst of her ma- rine. The Syren, commanded by the ever vigilant and intrepid Stewart, was constantly in the station of duty and of dan- ger. She accompanied the Jotrepid to the bay of Tripoli^ and witnessed the destruction of the Philadelphia. Her 242 NAVAL HEROES. language, unlike the fabled Syren, was more calculated to alarm than to allure. — While commanded by the accom- plished Nicholson she fell before a "hell of England." The Argus, commanded by Hull, acted well her part in the Mediterranean ; and, commanded by Allen in the war with Britain, spread dismay upon her coast — swept her commerce from her very harbours ; and when she fell be- fore superior force, was deemed a trophy, and her com- mander who fell gloriously, was " By strangers honour'd and by strangers mourn'd." The Vixen, was a terror to Tripolitans, and in the war with Britain, fell a victim to the elements in company with a British Frigate, commanded by the modern pride of Bri- tain, James Lucas Yeo, who publickly thanked the gallant R^jED and his crew for their gallant courage as enemies, and magnanimity as friends. The Nautilus, was the favourite of the seas. She me- naced Tangier, in Morocco — Tripoli on the Barbary coast — and her nautical skill extorted admiration, from a Bri- tish Commodore when she fell into his hands, and who re- turned the gallant Crane his sword for his masterly exer- tions to save this ship. The Enterprise,* (" who can tell her deeds") has be- come the most renowned schooner upon the ocean. In the hands of Sterrett she battered a Barbarian corsair to pieces — Commanded by Decatur she captured the won- derful little Intrepid — Commanded by the lamented Bur- * This fine craft was wrecked and lost in July, 1823 ; so that there is not now, in the American Navy, a single keel of this renowned squadron, but the Constitution (" Old Iron-Sides.") It is to be hoped that she may never be sent to sea again, lest the elements should slestroy, what enemiet never could catch or capture. COM. EDWARD PREBLE. 243 ROWS, she captured the Boxer — and with the frigate Con- stitution, is still the pride of Americans. As if the whole of these vessels, possessed an " inani- inate ardor," corresponding with the animated heroism of their commanders, they became renowned for conquests, and seemed to extort smiles from the genius of victory in the hour of disaster. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF ALEXANDER MURRAY, CAPTAIN IN THE ARMY AND IN THE NAVY IN THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION , POST CAPTAIN IN THE NAVAL WARFARE BETWEEN Till AMERICAN REPUBLIC AND FRANCE ; ■JOMMODORE OF AN AMERICAN SQUADRON IN THE WAR WITH TRIPOLI, AND COMMANDANT OF AN AMERICAN NAVY YARD. Biographical writers, and subjects of Biography.. ..Alexander Mur ray's birth. ...a lineal descendant of the Highland chief, Murray of Elginshire, who espoused the cause of the Pretender in the Rebel- lion of 1715, who was banished to Barbadoes, and his estates confis- cated.... Houses of Tudor, Stuart, and Brunswick.. ..The grandfath- er a Scotch Rebel, the grandson an American Revolutionist.... Dr. Murray, Alexander's father.. ..Alexander, the youngest son. ...His education. ...Commencement of his nautical life.. ..His highminded sentiments.. ..William Murray, Earl of Mansfield.. ..Alexander, ap- pointed a Lieutenant in the Navy, by the Old Congress.. ..for want of a ship, enters Col. Smallwood's regiment as Lieutenant in the ar- ray. ...As James Monroe did Col. Weedon's.... Note.. ..Battles in which he fought. ..Sufferings of the American army... Note. ...Lieut. Murray seriously affected by explosion of a battery Is promdihi to a Captaincy.... Becomes an invalid for a short time.. ..Retires^ his father's... For lorn state of the poor and sick soldier... Extortioners... Murray recovers, and resumes his station in the Navy as Comman- der of a Letter of Marque.... Fidelity of American officers, but one exception, Benedict Arnold.... Note.... Incessant serv-ce of Lieut. Comdt. Murray... .He is taken prisoner, paroled and exchanged.... He enters the continental frigate Trumbull, 32 guns. ...Note.. ..She encounters a violent gale, and immediately enters into a most des- perate engagement with the frigate Iris, 38 guns, and Monk, of 18 guns....Descriptionof the battle. ...Lieut. Murray is severely woun- ded.. ..The wreck of the Trumbull is towed into New York by the enemy ...He again recovers, is exchanged, and enters the frigate Alliance as 1st Lieutenant... Peace with Britain, ] 783.. ..The fame of Murray, and revolutionary veterans.. ..He resumes the character of the private citizen.. ..Annihilation of the navy.... Meagre resour- COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 245 ues of the colonies at the close of the revolution... .Caution of Ame- rican Statesmen. Spoliations upon American commerce, and indignity to American cit- izens. ...Commencement of a naval force.. ..Lieut. Murra'y appointed Post Captain.. ..Sails in corvette Montezuma against French. ...Im- mense service to commerce... Receives a vote of thanks... Appointed to frigate Insurgente.-.Soon after to the Constellation. .Is encoun- tered by the Razee Magnanimique... Returns the fire.... Injures his supposed antagonist.... Finds him to be friendly... Mutual explana- tion, and mutual satisfaction.. .Constellation and Magnanimique, (Murray andTaylor,' President and Little Belt, (Rodgers and Bing- ham) Chesapeake and Leopard, (Barron and Humphrey).... Peace between America and France... .Note. Turkish rapacity against American commerce, and infernal cruelty against American seamen. ...Commodore Murray appointed to com- mand American Squadron in the Mediterranean, as successor of , his revolutionary comrade. Com. Dale.. ..Restricted power.. ..His flagship, Constellation assailed by Tripolitan corsairs.. ..He disper- ses them, and drives them under the Bashaw's batteries.... He could not act offensively. ...In the midst of his defensive operations, is su- perseded by Com. Morris.... Sec ret intrigue and palpable injury. Com. Murray, though not degraded, feels himself injured, and re- monstrates.... Inexplicable " affairs of state".... Peace with Tripoli, and renown of modern Naval Heroe3....Affair of the Chesapeake.... Com. Murray solicits a command.. ..Is detained at home.... Secret machinations. Second war between America and Britain.. ..Com. Murray, senior Commodore and Post Captam in the Navy, again refused a command at sea, and detained at home to discharge duties in the home depart- ment.. ..Peace with Britain... .Com. Murray is appointed Comman- dant of an American Navy Yard.. ..Efficiency of Naval defence.... Importance of Naval Architecture.... Com. Murray's science, skill and judgment in his new capacity... American and British Naval Architecture.... Com. Murray's indefatigable exertions, and unpar- alleled economy in the service of the Republic. ...Increase of the Navy and decrease of expenditure. ..Com. Murray's closing years... His death.... His character.. ..Original Ode. ...Death of Com. Mfcr- rav's son. It is the usual course with writers of Biography, to se- lect for the subjects of their researches and lucubrations, those fortunate characters who have signalized themselves by one or more splendid achievements or literary produc- tions, and have become the idols of " the people." The name of the hero is a passport for the volume, whether he is dressed out in the simple, artless, and beautiful attire of 33 240 NAVAL HEROES. Marmoiitel, or in the heavy, coarse, and clumsy garb ot Bos- well. Our o\Tn country, from the landing of the pilgrims to this time, affords as rich a harvest of biography as Rome did for Plutarch — as France has for Marmontel and La Montaigne — and as England, Scotland Ireland, and Wales has, for a countless throng of major and minor biographers. But notwithstanding " the harvest is truly plenteous, the la- bourers are few." To the conductors of the Port Folio* and the Analectic Magazine, the American reader is more indebted for the Biography of modern worthies, than to all other American periodical publications. The only regret in the mind of their readers is, that although they have multum in parxo, they do not furnish their patrons with half enough. In the last mentioned publication, is found the following forcible remark — " We have seen works of this kind (" American Biographical Works,") too often made the vehicles of adulation to the living, and extravagant eulogy of the dead, for the sordid purpose of gaining patronage, and swelling subscription lists." And, in speaking of au- th^-s, it says that there " is a chance of being dazzled by the glare of fresh blown reputations, or of mistaking tran- sient notoriety for that solid fame which is slowly colleiRd from the sober judgment of the nation." One fact however is certain, that the " Analectic Maga- zine itself," has suddenly captivated its readers, with high- ly coloured and highly finished biographies of " fresh-blown reputations" which were gained in a fortunate hour and not ^ slowly collected." * With deference, however, Henry Dearborn''s • Account of ^h^• Battle of Bunker Hill." must always be excepted. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 247 These biographies were to be found in the offices of men and upon the toilets of ladies. The faces of these favour- ites of fortune, and heroes of renown were exhibited in galleries of painting, in parlours and in print-shops ; and the lovers of the olfactory cordial could scarcely gratify one of the five senses, without snuffing to the " immortal glory" of some matchless hero, looking from the lid of his pocket- box. The fatigued nymph, while wafting to her relief the refreshing breeze, would suddenly stop — eye the heroe's face upon her fan — give a melting sigh ; and, in tender tones exclaim "May beauty ever be the reward of the brave." Such has not been the high destiny of the venerable veteran whose life and character, with deep solicitude, I now attempt imperfectly to portray. Aexander Murray was born in Chestertown. state of Maryland, in the memorable year 1755 — memorable as the year which tirst involved the infant colonies in a war with a foreign civilized power, for with native savages they had always been at war. To trace back the parentage of Alexander Murray, would open one of the most capacious fields of biography, and em- brace one of the most interesting periods of British history. It Ifc'ould require the polished pen of their own Robertson to detail, with historical fidelity, the various and deeply in- teresting events, in which his grandfather, the " Highland Chief Murray" was engaged, and the heart-rending scenes through which he, his family and his Clan were doomed to pass. The Highland chiefs^of Scotland have ever been renown- pA as the most daring, romantic, chivalrous and dauntless race of men upon earth. Their simple, unvarnished histo- 248 NAVAL HEROES. ry will speak their eulogy, far better than the inflated ro- mances and wizzard fictions which " invade" our country. When the House of Stuart became extinct, as it regards regal power, by the abdication of the British throne, by James 11., and the House of Brunswick began, by import- ing the Guelphs from the continent, real high-minded Scots- men claimed in the eighteenth century, as a matter of right, what, in the nineteenth, has been enforced by the arm of pow- er, that none but a " legitimate sovereign" should set upon the throne of Britain. The ardent and chivalrous young Murray, Alexander's grand-sire, put himself at the head of his Clan, possessed each of spirits, chivalrous as his own, and espoused the cause of the Pretender. Every American reader is, or ought to be, well acquaint- ed with English history at that period, as it is so much con- nected with the history of our own country. History has been well denominated " Philosophy teaching by exam- ple," and every American, in a certain degree, must be a historian, philosopher, and politician, to enable him to ap- pieciate the invaluable blessings enjoyed in our Republic, when compared with the oppression of his fellow-creatures in other portions of the globe. The cause that Murray's ancestor espoused was the cause of the Catholic Relrgion and the cause of his Prince ; a religion which may well claim the greatest antiquity of any system adopted under the Christian dispensation ; and since the Reformation effected by the immortal Martin Lu- ther, may claim quite as much consistency. It was a master-stretch of policy in the House of Tudor, to alarm their subjects about the horrors of the Catholic religion, and to set at defiance the Papal power, in order COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 249 to exercise as corrupt a power themselves over their own ' ubjects.* It was well for the House of Brunswick to denounce the House of Stuart — to adhere to the " Protestant Succes- sion" — to raise the alarm of " gun-powder plots and trea- son" in order to furnish a pretext for the persecution of the unoffending Catholics, whom they still persecute ; and, to secure themselves upon the throne of Britain. It is unnecessary to ascertain whether the ancient Mur- rays were advocates of the Pope, of Luther, Calvin, or Knox — suffice it to say that in the memorable " Scots Re- bellion" in seventeen hundred and fifteen, the gallant Scots Chief, Murray, and his dauntless clan fought as much in the cause of a legitimate sovereign, as did the Irish gen- eral, Arthur WellesleVj in the " Holy Alliance" of eigh- teen hundred and fifteen.? * The history of Henry VIII. and his daughter, Queen Elizabeth. f Attend for a moment to what a high-minded Englishman said up- on this subject "to the People" — (in Feb. 1780,) which met the ej'e of Geo. III. in an hour after it issued from the press. — " Let me conjure you to be no longer deceived by the pious hypoc- risy of the present king ; he has done more in the short space ofajeto years, to subvert your religion and liberties, and to ruin the nation, than ever Charles thejirst did during the whole course of his life, and yet he was brought to the block, by the virtue, firmness, and resolu- tion of our forefathers ; if he had not, we at this day should not have had either liberty or freedom to have contended for, nor would Eng- land have been reduced to its present miserable, disgraceful and ru- inous state, by a dasterdly, mulish tyrant, of the house of Brunswick." " James the second at his first coming to the crown of England, pro- fessed (though not BORN a BRITON) so much tenderness for the people, and so great a regard for the preservation of their liberties and their property, that thp parliament and people gave him more money than he asked, and he himself had honour enough to put a stop to the profusion of their grants and foolish loyalty. The deluded pec- 250 NAVAL HEROES. A successful rebellion acquires the more courtly iiame of a revolution ; while a suppressed one is denominated treason. The rebellion of Scotland, in 1715, was crushed by the hand of English power, and her union with the British crown annihilated her ancient greatness forever. Murray's immense estates were confiscated to pay for his valour — he was banished from the land of his nativity, as Napoleon was from Europe, because his presence might endanger the safety of a then new dynasty, but which has now become legitimatized, by the legerdemain of princes and the force of arms. The British king, little thought that from the loins of this banished Chief, in little more than half a century after the sentence of banishment was promulgated and executed, there would arise a gallant warrior in the New World, who would act a most distinguished part in a drama, the catas- trophe of which would be, in wresting from the crown of Britain the finest section of the British empire — and such was Alexander Murray, the subject of this sketch. He pie presently saw their error, for he soon began to put the imperial law of his own WILL in execution, and to exercise an arbitrary and uncontroled power over them." " James being deserted by his priests and chaplains (who had in- yested him with all his illegal arbitrary power) he was at length obli^ ged to fly from the face of an injured people, and seek refuge in a for- eign land, as a proper and just reward for all his villainy. That anoth- er base, ungrateful, perjured, hypocritical and blood-thirsty tyrant, may share the same or a worse fate, is the sincere wish of millions." Thus it would seem from the days »f the Charleses and the Jameses of the House of Stuart, and down to the third George of the House of Brunswick, there has been a succession of changes from bad to worse, until no change could render the British monarchy more oppressive to the people. It was the House of Brunswick that the Mnrrays op- posed, and for that they were banished as rebels. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 251 Aviis surely a legitimate, and he was also a successful rebel — ■ revolutionist. The reader may wish to be informed of the destiny of (he Chief, subsequent to his banishment. What would fur- nish materials for a volume, must be despatched in a few sentences, and this will lead directly to the notice of his descendant, the American Murray. The banished Highland Chief landed with the wreck of his fortune, and with his family, upon the island of Barba- does. The attachment of a Scotsman to " Auld Coila" is proverbial ; and although the pensioned Johnson sneer- ed at her barren fields, and oaten cakes, and declared that " The best prospect he saw in Scotland was the high road that led to Old England" — yet a more high-minded — a more profound literati — a more virtuous peasantry, were never known than she has always produced. Although on the beautiful island of Barbadoes, it must, for a season, have seemed to him like a waste, and he to himself but an exile and a wonder.* But his innate great- ness could not be diminished by being driven from a once powerful kingdom to an island in the West Indies. It was here the father of our hero was born, as was also a sister of his father, the grand-mother of Benjamin Chew. Esq. of Philadelphia. His father and his aunt, in early life, directed their views to America, which was then, is now, and heaven * The situation of this banished chief, reminds the historian of that of the Doge of Genoa, at Paris, who had been ordered to leave his dominions, and appear before his Most Christian Majesty. A French courtier asked the Doge " What was the greatest wonder he there saw ?^ He indignantly answered, " The Doge of Genoa in the city of Paris." 252 NAVAL HEROES. grant it ever may be, the most capacious field for manlj enterprise, and the safest ' asylum for oppressed humanity.* He selected Chestertown, in Maryland, as the place of his residence, and soon became distinguished as a physi- cian. His dignified manners, his scientific acquirements, and his manly virtues, attracted the attention of people of the first rank, and secured the affection of a Miss Smith, the daughter of a distinguished citizen, whom he mar- ried. They were blessed with a numerous progeny, who have all sustained the high standing of their exalted pro- genitors. Alexander Murray, (the late Commodore) was the yiDungest child of this numerous family. Had he been born in the dominions of Britain, where the hereditary principle exalts the first-born, and leaves younger sons to press forward to fortune and to fame, by their own efforts, this circumstance alone would have served as a sort of impetus to urge him forward. But in our beloved Repub- lic, primogeniture is known only in family records, or the parish register. All sons are here ' born equal,' and like Paul, are ' born free.' Young Murray received as good an education as the se-^ minaries of learning in that portion of the country, at that time, could afford. The literary and scientific acquire- ments of his father led him to appreciate duly the inesti- mable value of knowledge, in any and in every situation in life ; and he spared no pains to qualify his numerous children to act well their parts, as they entered, one after the other, upon the stage of life. It will not comport with the limits or design of this im- perfect Sketch, to notice further any branch of this inter- esting family, except the one who is the subject of it. A COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 253 Biography of the Family of Murray would make a capa^ cious and deeply interesting volume. Bora and educated in a state, which bounds upon the largest bay in the world, and has for its capital one of the most important commercial cities in the Republic, the an- imating scenes upon the bosom of the Chesapeake, and the ceaseless activity in the city of Baltimore, led young Mur* ray to select the nautical profession as his pursuit for life. It was a circumstance peculiarly favourable to the then future renown of the American navy, that those who after- wards became commanders in it, first made themselves masters of the theory and practice of navigation. As it would be but repeating what the writer hastily expressed in a recent publication upon this subject, he hopes to be excused for referring the reader to that volume.* In the organization of the British navy a vast many young men, who can scarcely distinguish the main from the quarter-deck — the starboard bow from the larboard quarter — the mainsail from the jib, being " younger sons of younger brothers," " the cankers of a calm world," and yet having the clumsy blood of a degenerated nobility sluggishly coursing through their nerveless bodies, are ap- pointed officers to command the weather-beaten sons of Neptune in their floating dungeons, who were forced into them by a press-gang. Such men there, have to obey such boys there. Not so was it in the little marine force of the Thirteen Colonies in the War of the Revolution, which sprang up, as if by magic, and as if by magic conquered the floating: bulwarks of the " Queen of the Ocean." * " Life and Character of Com. Decatur." 2d Edition, 34 254 NAVAL HEROES. The little Continental Ships were then commanded by such men as Mcholas Biddle, Gcorsie Little, John Manleyy James Micholson, Edward Preble, John Paid Jones, Thomas Truxton, the Subject of this Sketch, and a list of men too numerous to mention here, and too valiant and patriotic ever to be forgotten. • They learned to serve themselves, before they ordered.'] others to service — they learned the necessity of obedience, before they aspired to the rank of commanders. So indefatigable was young Murray as a navigator — so skilful, so trust-worthy, that at the early age o( eighteen, he became master of a valuable ship in the European trade. The early education of this high-minded descendant, of a high-minded race, made him well acquainted with the history of the country of his ancestors, and more minutely with the tragical history of his ancestors themselves. His classical parents infused into his naturally ardent mind, a high sense of independence — detailed to him the scenes of sufferings through which his grandsire passed — gave him an account of the confiscation of his ample estates in Scotland, to satiate the almost insatiable cupidity of the reigning House of Brunswick, wielding the sceptre of pow- er over the land of Wallace, Bruce, Lovatt, and " Murray of Elginshire." As the same dynasty began to stretch her powerful arm across the Atlantic, and to wield the rod of oppression over his adopted, as she had for a century over the native land of his ancestors, he rekindled in the bosom of his son the noble flame which three quarters* of a century before glow- ed in the bosom of his grandfather, a Chief of the Clan of Elginshire. * The Rebellion in Scotland began in 1715, in America in 177S COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 255 It was not so with all the Murrays who sprang from Scotland. The classical William Murray crossed the Riv- er Forth, — became a subservient courtier to George III, — left the muses which he had courted in the land of Ossian, Campbell, and Burns, and became a peer of Old England. This defection made Pope, the Bard of Twickenham, ex- claim, " How great an Ovid was in Murray lost." This Prince of British poets, had he not been somewhat captivated with the princes of Hanover, might better have sung, " How great ^Murray* was in Mansfield lost." * William Murray, by his subserviency to the house of Brunswick, was created " Earl of Mansfield." Well may the American Mur- rays despise the memory of a Scots Murray, springing from the same countr)', and from the same stock, when they reflect, that he, in the court of Britain, advised his master George ni. to exterminate them in their adopted country. In" The Scourge" No. IV. puhhshed in London, Feb. 19, 1780. his loi'dship is thus addressed. To the RighL Hon. (subtle Scotsman) William Murray, Earl of Mansfield. My Lord, The vsricked, mischievous, and hellish conspiracy your Lordship had formed (in conjunction with others,) under the auspices of a das. tardly tyrant, against the common rights of mankind, and envied con- stitution of the British empire, was laid deep, and it spread wide, you urged it on with a steady zeal, and an unwearied application, but as soon as your infernal scheme of destroying charters, and arbitrarily imposing taxes, on a people whom you never saw, in America, contrary even to any pretence or legal claim of right failed ; you watched all opportunities to begin the bloody execution and slaughter of mankind, that you might satiate your Scots revenge with human gore ; thefirs^ opposition to despotic power you declared in the privy council, to be an act ©f rebellion, and in consequence of that diabolical advice which 256 NAVAL HEROES. But the Earl of Mansfield, once the companion of Pope. and once the idol of the House of Brunswick, and still the you knew would please the temper of your master, whose aim is to be .^! the imperial tyrant and butcher of the human race ; many thousand , distressed orphans, and unhappy widows are now bewailing the lossy of their murdered fathers and husbands, and daily call to Heaven for : vengeance on your head, as the author of their miseries ; for they > well know, my Lord, that you have been the artful friend who planned and advised their total extirpation by the sword, if they would not submit to be slaves. This, my Lord, the whole kingdom must be con- vinced of, and believe, for none but a monster in human shape, or some malignant devil could have said what you uttered in the House of Peers against the people of America more than four years since, " If we don't kill them, they will kill us ;" yes, my Lord, it was your advice and your design to kill them, and you, together with your hu- mane master, gloried in the slaughter : Heaven be praised, your suc- cess has not been so great as you expected, they have gloriously and manfully resisted your tyranny, and frustrated all your schemes of despotism and arbitrary power over them. As you found, my Lord, the Americans were too wise, too brave, and too virtuous to be cheated out of their birth-rights as Englishmen, by your chicanery, sophistry, and Scotch cunning, or by force ; you and your master the toolof a desperate faction, are now determined to try the same experiment upon the deluded people of this country." It is well known to tlie legal profession what broad strides towards despotic power " Lord Chief Justice Mansfield," made in the trial of Woodfall, for publishing the " Letters of Junius" — Letters which now rank with the very first of the " British Classics," — Letters which William Murray might have considered as cheaply suppressed a1 the price of his " Earldom in Scotland," — Letters which must make the present hereditary Earl of Mansfield blush at the " bad eminence" of his ancestor, and which may well make the American Murrays exult that their ancestor became a victim instead of a favourite to the House of Brunswick. The following language was used by another patriotic Englishman. " Freedom of speech and public writing, is the birthright of every man, a sacred and most invaluable privilege, so essential and necessa- ry to the happiness of a free people, that the security of property, and COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 267 oracle with the legal profession, will never be forgotten, lor the Letters of Junius will forever be read; and Wil- liam Murray, will " Be dam'd to everlasting fame." Alexander Murray, when the olive branch of peace eased to wave over his native land, and the clarion of war echoed along its extended shores, and over its lofty mountains, left the peaceable aad profitable pursuits of commerce, to face the enemies of his country arm to arm. From eighteen to twenty one, he had been in command of merchant vessels, and had become acquainted with eve- ry part of the Atlantic ocean, where it was most probable, that the British marine, would bring its force to operate, and where British commerce would be most exposed to capture. the preservation of liberty, must stand or fall with it. Whoever, like the present king and his ministers, would undermine an equal, limited and free government, and destroy the natural rights of mankind, must begin by subduing freedom of speech and public writing (^this was at- tempted in the second year of this blessed reign, against the authors, printers and publishers of the Monitor, North Bnton, &c.) which that hoary traitor Mansfield (who has more than once on his knees drank damnation to the present family on the throne) calls the licen- tiousness of the press, because he and his master wish to do public mischief without hearing of it, conscious that it has been a terror to tyrants, traitors, and oppressors." That great and able statesman, the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, used frequently to say that England would never be ruined, unless it was by a Parliament ; he consequently foresaw, that other oppressions wrought by violence, would be at once resisted and by violence shaken off again. This maxim those notorious enemies to the peace and freedom of mankind, Lords Bute and Mansfield, instilledjinto the mind of the king, and he with a narrowness of soul, peculiar to himself, and to every tyrant upon earth, sucked in the poison ; and Lord North, the contemptible puppet of the court faction, was singled out as a proper tool to carry into execution the grand design of public mis- '"hief and public ruin. -B8 NAVAL HEROES. In 1 776, he was appointed a Lieutenant m the Continen- tal Navy, although there was then no navy but " in em- bryo." Although privateering was then, as it still continues to be, a legalized mode of warfare, yet it was a pursuit not congenial with the lofty sentiments of the lieutenant. Although the ocean was his adopted and favourite ele- ment, he solicited a command in the first Maryland regi- ment, then about to be organized under the command of Col. William Smallwood,* who afterwards highly distin- guished himself. * Fully persuaded that the reader will be gratified with'a conclusive testimony of the high reputation of Com. Murray's first commander upon land, I present bim with that from the lips of the dying and gal- lant Baron De Kalb, communicated by his gallant aid-de-camp Chevalier Dubuyson, who, when his general had received eleven wounds, flung his own body between him and the enemy's bayonets, and received them himself. Charlotte, August 26, 1780. " Dear General, " Having received several wounds in the action of the 16th instant, I was made a prisoner with the Honourable Major General the Baron de Kalb, with whom I served as aid-de-camp and friend, and had an opportunity of attending that great and good officer during the short time he languished with eleven wounds, which proved mortal on the third day. " It is with pleasure I obey the Baron's last commands, in present- ing his most affectionate compliments to all the officers and men of his division : expressed the greatest satisfaction in the testimony giv- en by the British army of the bravery of his troops : and he was charmed with the firm opposition they made to superior force, when abandoned by the rest of the army. The gallant behaviour of the De- laware regiment, and the companies of artillery attached to the brig- ades, afforded him infinite pleasure, and the exemplary conduct of the whole division, gave him an endearing sense of the merit of the troops he had the honor to command. I am, dear General, With regard and respect, your most obedient, humble servant, La Chevaxier Dubuvson. To Brigadier General Smallwood. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 259 He was immediately appointed a Lieutenant in this re- 'iment, and, with his gallant company of Marylanders. In less than thirty days after this battle, (at Camden, S. C.) in which Brig. Gen. Smallwood bore a disting'uished part (and in which I he Maryland regiment in which Alexander Murray was once a Cap- tain, " covered itself with glory,") he was appointed Major General of the division then lately commanded by the heroic De Kalb. Confident that the reader will be pleased with the following' letter in my possession, I insert it ; and would add, that Gen. Morgan men- tioned in the letter was the Hero of the battle of the Cowpens, and afterwards commander of the Virginia forces in suppressing the " Whiskey Rebellion," in the western counties of Pennsylvania. Col. Washington was a captain at the victory of Trentou ; and, with Lieut. James Monroe, (the President) took from the British artiller- ists two cannon in the act of firing, and were both there severely wounded. The pine log stratagem was admirably calculated to intin>- idate the detested tories of the south, who infested that country as much as they did New York, when Capt. Murray was in the army. , (Copy) Camp, Dec, 6, 1780. Dear Sir, Receiving intelligence, on the first of this instant, that parties of the tories were advancing from the outposts of the British, up to Cane and Lynche's creeks, with a view to intercept our waggons, and avaij themselves of the supplies in those settlements, from whence the prin- cipal support of the troops under my command has been drawn for some time past. I detached General Morgan, with 500 infantry, and Lieut. Colonel Washington with lOO cavalry, to cover a number of waggons which were ordered down in that quarter after corn and pork, and if possible to intercept the tories. The enemy, gaining intelligence of the advance of our troops, re- treated, and whilst the covering party remained on that duty, Lieut. Col. Washington, with the continental and some militia horse, reduced Col. Rugely, Maj. Cook and 112 tory officers and soldiers, (in a log- ged barn, on Rugely's plantation, strongly secured by abatis) to sur- render at discretion, without firing a shot. The ColoaePs address and stratagem, on the occasion, deserve ap- 260 NAVAL HEROES. followed Colonel Smallwood to the "tented field," as Lieutenant Monroe (now the admired President of the American RepubUc) did, with his company of gallant Vir- ginians, follow Col. Weedon. Both of these regiments joined the main army near New York. Both of these ardent Lieutenants fought in the battle of White-plains. Both of them were promoted to a captaincy for their steady conduct and cool courage. Each contracted a friendship for the other, which lasted and which strengthened until the day of Alexander Mur- ray's death. Lieut. Murray was also in the sanguinary battle of Flat- bush, where he displayed his usual gallantry. In this bat- tle Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam was senior officer, as he was the preceding year, at the battle of Bunker Hill. Lieut. Murray was in the masterly retreat from Long Island with Gen. Putnam's division of the army, and again joined .the main army in the city of New York. Capt. Murray had hitherto escaped unhurt, although in the midst of danger. But he was soon to receive an injury which was to end only with his life. Gen. Washington's whole force in New York was less than 20,000, while Sir William Howe's army, as estimated plause ; having no artillery, he mounted a pine log-, and holding out the appearance of an attack with field pieces, carried his point, by sending in a flag, and demanding an immediate surrender. With very sincere regard, I remain, your most obedient, Humble servant, Wm. Smallwood. Hon. Gen. Greene. Published by order of Congress, . Charles Tdomson, Sec'ry. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 261 the British minister, consisting of British and Hessian troops, amounted to more than 30,000. The city was invested by a strong naval force — Hudson and East rivers were commanded by British men of war, and the whole American army seemed to be in the same state as a " forlorn hope." That consummate general, Washington!; like the Roman Fabius, and the French Moreau, knew that the salvation of an army by a skilful and military retreat,* was far more jflorious than to expose it to almost inevitable destruction, *In relation to this retreat, which might be said to have been the salvation of the American cause, I find the following fact in relation to the imminent danger of about one fifth of the whole force, in "Thatch- er's Journal." "When retreating from New York, (in 1776) Major General Put- nam at the head of 3300 continental troops, was in the rear, and the last that left the city. In order to avoid any of the enemy that might be advancing in the direct road to the city, he made choice of a road parallel with, and contiguous to, the North River, till he could arrive at a certain angle whence another road would conduct him in such a direction as that he might form a junction with our army. It so hap- pened that a body of about 8000 British and Hessians were at the same moment advancing on the road which would have brought them in im- mediate contact with Gen. Putnam, before he could have reached the turn in the other road. — Most fortunately, the British generals, seeing no prospect of engaging our troops, halted their own, and repaired to the house of a Mr. Robert Murray, a Quaker and a friend of our cause. Mrs. Murray treated them with cake and wine, and they were induced to tarry two hours or more. Governor Tryon frequently joking her about her American friends. By this happy incident, Gen. Putnam, by continuing his march, escaped a rencontre with a greatly superior force, which must have proved fatal to his whole party. — One half hour, it is said, would have been sufficient for the enemy to secure the road at the turn, and entirely cut off Gen. Putnam's retreat. It has since become almost a common saying among our officers, that Mrs. Murray saved this part of the American army." 35 262 NAVAL HEROES. a rushing precipitately upon an overwhelming superiority of force. Capt. Murray at about the time of the evacuation of the city of New York, was stationed at the battery, and there, by the bursting and explosion of numerous pieces of cannon was severely deafened. The loss of one eye and one arm to Nelson, was scarcely a greater calamity than the partial loss of hearing was to Capt. Murray. Nelson had one eye remaining to descry '^ the enemy, and one arm left to wield his sword ; but Mur- | ray could not distinctly hear the deserved applauses of his | friends, or the mysterious whispering of his enemies — for | such a man will always have them. v The approbation of Washington, the Commander in Chief, — of Putnam, his chief Commander at Flatbush, and > of Smallwood, his immediate commander, all evidenced . by promoting him to a Captaincy, was a volume of com- mendation. Had Capt. Murray retired from the army with such a rank — obtained for such services, — from such exalted men, it would have been announced at his death that he was an Hfc,Ro IN THE War of the Revolution. But Murray knew that his countrymen had " passed the Rubicon ;" and although but a youth of twenty- one, he was resolved to face the enemy, until the last glimmering of hope from resistance was extinguished — then sullenly to retire before them, fighting as he retired ; and, when he had reached the utmost verge of the land of liberty, that place should be his sepulchre. He continued in the service of the American army, until the close of the campaign of ]777, embracing, from the time he entered it, to that period, the most gloomy, dee- COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 263 pairing, and desperate period, of the unequal contest be- tween the infant colonies of America, and the kingdom of Great Britain, probably when he entered into it, — during the progress of it, and to the close of it, the most powerful kingdom in Europe. . During the two campaigns of '76 and '77, Captain Mur. ray was always at the post of duty and of danger, as a sol- dier ; but he impatiently awaited the time when he could resume his station of Lieutenant, as an ocean-combatant. The service he had to perform when in the army, as was that of all the otHcers and soldiers in those two desponding years, was more arduous and dangerous, than during any other period of the revolutionary struggle. They not only had to contend against the best disciplined troops which Europe could produce, but they suffered all the wants, privations, sicknesses, and despair which an ill appointed camp invariably occasions. There was scarce any arrangement that would make an American officer of 1823 think of a Quarter-master, Com- missary, or Hospital Department. In addition to these disheartening circumstances, that ef- feminate, nerveless, heartless race of beings called then by a name, which is now almost synonimous with traitor, — the American tories, were an annoyance to the American troops, worse, if worse could be, than the arms of a foreign enemy in the field of battle, or the ravages of want and dis- ease in the camp. But, as the clemency of the American government then spared them, let them now be remember- td only with indignant and contemptuous pity. Of the many thousand patriotic Americans who aided in the holy cause of freedom, in the city of New York and its vicinity : more became victims in British prison ships 264 NAVAL HEROES. I —by the predatory incursions of tories and cow-boys, (not meaning the stern unyielding patriots, Williams, Van Wert, and Paulding, who captured Andre,) and also by un- wholesome food and want of medical aid, than ever fell by the arms of the enemy in open contest.* Capt. Murray, besides the serious injury sustained by|^ the explosion at the battery in New-York, was so muchij;! * The writer, not having' been born until the close of the War of#| the Revolution, hopes to be indulged with a brief note, to allude t< circumstances relating to his immediate connections, detailed to him^ by the surviving veterans of that awful contest. In 1777, Gen Putnam, from incessant anxiety and exertions as.'j Commander of the most important post between the armies of Sir| Henry Clinton and General Burgoyne, was seized with sickness, as a\ prelude to the paralytic shock, which afterwards suddenly prostrated one half of his powerful frame. His Head Quarters were near West Point, where the Military Academy, and Fort Putnam are now situa- ted. Major (now Col ) Daniel Putnam, his son, his constant aid, and unlimited confidant, endured the excessive fatigue attached to his office, and the anxiety of a son for a sick father. Doctor Albigence Waldo, — the'intimate of Gen Putnam — the principal surgeon of his division — and afterwards his eulogist at his grave, by perpetual pro- fessional labour, in attending upon his sick, and dying comrades, was reduced almost to the grave himself. Mr. Samuel Waldo, (son in law to Gen. Putnam.) and a non-commissioned officer in his division, beheld more than one half of the company to which he was attached, carried corpses from their beds of straw to the grave, expecting every hour to follow his departed companions to the common grave of the soldier. Such tales of distress, made an impression upon the mind of the writer, in very early years which become more deepened as he ad- vances in life. How must the hearts of the present race of Ameri- cans, glow with admiration, when they know, that amidst this army of calamities, as well as amidst an army of foreign and domestic foes, not a murmur was heard but against the common enemy — not an execra- tion was uttered but against the barbarous banditti of Tories and Cow boys- COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 265 ifected in his health, as to render it indispensably neces- sary for him to retire for a season to the hospitable man- sion of Dr. Murray, his father, in Chestertown. Happy for him was it that he had such a refuge from the " peltings of the pitiless storms" which he had for twenty- four tedious months, endured. But " pitiful, wondrous pitiful" like the sufferings of Othello, was the destiny of many war-worn and veteran officers and soldiers, whose frames had been mutilated by wounds, — emaciated by want of food, — uncovered for want of clothing — and debilitated by hard service and wasting sickness, when wandering towards their distant homes through a country swarming with tories, more merciless than the king of terrors, or with avaricious tavern keepers, whose pendant signs, perhaps with the face of Washington, Putnam, Warren, Montgomery, or Greene, upon them, to induce the war-worn veteran to enter for refreshment and repose — for which these harpies extorted from them, per- haps the whole avails of a campaign, for twenty-four hours rest, and a small pittance of food. Many overgrown estates in the country were begun in this way ; and the present holders of them roll in wealth and splendour upon the hard-earned gains of the veterans of the revolution ; and who would now spurn from their doors these few surviving heroes, unless their pockets were lined with the pension money from government, obtained for them by one of the wounded Heroes of Trenton, James Monroe. Capt. Murray, as soon as his health would permit, resum- ed his station in the navy : and although there was no go- vernment vessel of suitable force for him as first lieutenant; and as the grade of Mastet Commandant was not then es- tablished ; he urgently solicited some immediate command. 266 iJ^AVAL HEROES. He had become well acquainted with the enemy by two years' constant service in the army. He had seen them di- vest themselves of the noble sentiment of the ancient Sax- ons from whom they derive their origin, and assume the fe- rocious character of Goths. His whole soul was enthusiastically alive in the sacred cause of his country, of liberty, and of man. Inaction to him, was next to despair. The Marine Committee, for there was then no Navy Department organized as it now is, selected Lieutenant Murray to command a Letter of Marque. The Old Congress confirmed the appointment ; for the congress, then as a body, discharged nearly all the various duties which are now discharged in the various departments of the Treasury, War, and Navy, and as to the " Depart- ment of State," that consisted ostensibly of Charles Thomson,* whose counter-signature to that of " President * It may not be uninteresting to some readers to learn, that the venerable Secretary of the Old Congress still survives; and that at his retired mansion in the vicinity of Philadelphia, he has occupied much of his time in latter years, in translating the whole of the Old and JSTew Testament, and, with the utmost care and scrupulous accura- cy, revising the proof sheets as they issued from the press, when his translation was printed in four volutnes. A perusal of that translation would be interestiug in this age o( Bihlual criticism. It is however to be regretted that this " Octogenarian" did not occupy the same time in giving outlines of the proceedings of the Oid Congress. We have, to be sure, his official signature to the most important Acts, Resolu- tions, Recommendations, &c. &c.of the 18th century — But we want detail, minutce, incidents, charaiters, in the Army, J\avy, &c. from such a source. The exalted Secretary, in his exalted employ of translating the Bible, may he in danger of being remembei'ed with such sacrilegious translators as Hone, &c. in Great Brilain, who by Mr. Gifford is called " The mocker of his God, the rude scorner of his SaviftuTf the buffoon parodist of Holt^ril — lue cold olooded, heartless, COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 267 of Congress" operated upon American officers much more forcibly than does the amulet and charm upon Mahometans. To see the names of Peyton Randolph, John Hancock, Kenry Laurens, Jonathan Trumbull, &c. with Secre- tary Thomson's upon the same parchment, was a pledge that those who c&rried this evidence, were true to their country; and what must forever excite wonder, but one officer df any considerable grade, ever proved to be false, and lie was the once gallant, but afterwards the disappoint- ed, revengeful, diabolical, and traitorous Benedict Arni>ld. While I feel a pride as a native citizen of Connecticut, whose ancestors were true to their country, ai;d evidenced their fidelity by leading and joining the embattled ranks of the Republic — when I remember that that little beloved and patriotic state furuislied double her proportion of sol- dieis, and treble her quota of officers in the army — when it is not forgotten that she furnished Major Gen. Israel Putnam — Major Gen. Parsons, — Major Gen. Huntington — Brig. Gen. Wooster, Col. Trumbull, Col. Allen, Col. Hum- phreys, Col. Knowlton, Col. Grosvenor, Col. Chesterj Maj. Daniel Putnam, Maj. Pierce and others of inferior grade, but probably of equal valour; — and that in the Na- vy she furnished Capt. Harden, Capt. Tryon, &;c. as enga- ged in the same cause with Alexander Murray,* all of whom distinguished themselves — while this gallant cata- logue is looked upon with a laudable pride, with the very extremity of mortification is it remembered that Arnold malicious infidel, who labours day and night to rob the sick of their consolations of religion, and the dying of their hopes of immortality.^^ * In the war of »98 with France, of 1803 and 4 wiA Tripoli, and iu 1812 with Britain, Connecticut also pr&duced Isaac Hull, Isaac Chaun- cey and Charles Morris. 268 NAVAL HEROES. also was a native of Connecticut.* His gallantry at Que- bec and Saratoga ivas tarnished, yea, obliterated by his < treason at West- Point, and his barbarity in Virginia and at Groton and New-London in Connnecticut. The mental happiness he once derived from integrity and patriotism, ; was converted to anguish of heart for his treason.! * Since the above was in type, the Author has been informed, by good authority, that Arnold was a native of New Jersey. • f While the detested Arnold was plotting " treason, stratagems, and spoils" at West Point, the most important inland post in Ameri- ca, the Father of the Republic, the now sainted Washington, was in council at Hartford, Con. at the residence of the patriotic Jeremiah Wadsworth, devising- measures of defence and offence against the enemy, with Gen. Knox, and other American officers, together with CountRocHAMBEAu, Admiral Ternay, and Marquis De la Fayette. The treason ivas announced by that consummate general, Nathan- iel Greene, in General Orders. Orange Town, Sept. 26, 1780. Treason, of the blackest die, was yesterday discovered. General Arnold, who commanded at West Point, lost to every sentiment of ho- nour, of private and public obligation, was about to deliver up that important post into the hands of the enemy. Such an event must have "•iven the American cause a deadly wound, if not a fatal stab ; happi- ly, the treason has been timely discovered to prevent the fatal misfor- tune. The providential train of circumstances which leads to it, af- fords the most convincing proof the liberties of America are the object of Divine Protection. At the same time the treason is to be regretted, the General cannot help congratulating the'army on the happy discovery. Our enemies, despairing of carrying their point by force, are prac- tising every base act to effect by bribery and corruption, what they cannot accomplish in a manly way. Great honour is due to the American army, that this is the Jirst in- stance of treason of this kind, where many were to be expected from the nature of the dispute, and nothing is so bright an ornament in the character of the American soldiers, as their having been proof against all the arts and seductions of an insidious enemy. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 269 ' The reader is now respectfully invited to leave the gal- ( lant Murray as a Captain in the army, and follow the wri- I ter in attempting to portray his no less, and, if possible, his more brilliant career, from a lieutenant, to the senior Post Captain and Commodore in the American navy. In the narrative thus far, it was totally impossible to avoid noticing events in which he was an actor, and indi- viduals with whom he acted. Indeed, history and biogra- phy are like twin brothers, and as they were produced to- gether by nature, so history and biography must travel hand in hand ; and, to make a quotation from ' The word,' which never should be quoted with levity — " Can two walk together unless they are agreed ?" In his Letter of Marque, Capt. Murray made his pas- sage into the Atlantic ocean ; and, in the midst of an im- placable, boastful, and imperious enemy, fought " various battles with various success." To give a particular detail of all his service3---of all his rencontres — of all his dangers, and all his escapes, woald Gen. Washington, who by the direction of Congress, reprimanded Arnold, even before his treason, says, afler he had committed it — " 1 am mistaken, if at this time, Arnold is not undergoing the torments of a mental hell." When upon his expedition against Virginia, he had a Virginian captain as prisoner, whom he asked — "What would the Americans do with OTC if they should take me?" The noble Virginian, worthy of the state that produced Washington, answered — " They would first cut off that lame leg, which was wounded in the cause of freedom and virtue [at Quebec] and bury it with the honours of war ; and after- wards hang the remainder of your body in gibbets." But let us dis- miss the disgusting subject, and of all traitors say, with the Prince of the drama— - Why let the stricken deer go loeep. The hart ungalled play. 3S 270 NAVAL HEROES. be so similar with those previously attempted m this vol-, ume, that it would be, to readers, like " tales twice told to the ears of a drowsy man." Suffice it to say, that as long as he sailed under the ' Con- tinental Flag,' he acted worthy of the glorious cause in which he patriotically engaged ; and advanced in reputa- tion, as his country advanced towards the conclusion of the glorious struggle for independence. After a long, laborious, and incessant course of service, the persevering Lieutenant, near Newfoundland, encoun- tered an enemy's armed ship, of about equal force to his own. After a determined contest for victory, the proud Briton | struck to the undaunted American. Murray's ship was encumbered by prisoners equal in number to his own crew, and manifested strong indications of attempting a re-capture. But the Lieutenant bore away for a port in France, with his prize in company, un- til his hopes of landing with it were blasted, and his soli- citude for his prisoners was relieved by being himself, together with his officers and crew, his ship and his prize, captured by a British fleet, and all were carried into New- York, then in possession of Sir William Howe's army. This was the theatre of the once gallant Capt. Murray'f military career. He now found himself, by pursuing his naval profession, a prisoner to an overwhelming naval force. But the time had come when imperious Britain begaB to treat her rebel children in her possession as prisoners of war ; and to extend to them the rights belonging to ci- vilized nations. Lieut, Murray was not incarcerated in the Jersey pris- COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 271 on-ship, once " a floating," but here a stationary, " hell of Old England," in which thousands of his gallant country- men had perished as the victims in the cause of freedom. If the reader has condescended to peruse the preceding sketch of Com. Biddle, he will recollect the measures pur- sued by that noble hero of the revolution — by the Old Congress, and by Gen. Washington, to insure proper treat- ment to one of his heutenants by the name of Josiah.* Powerful as Britain was, and feeble as she imagined the •' rebel colonies" to be, she began to be deterred — yes, de- terred, from treating American prisoners with barbarity, lest their government should resort to the lex talionis. Capt. Murray was paroled — visited his admiring friends in Philadelphia, and was soon after exchanged for a British prisoner of equal rank with himself. Although he had been commandant of a number of well appointed letters of marque, yet he expressed the deepest anxiety to enter as a subordinate oflicer, on board of a con- tinental frigate. That heroic and consummate officer, and gallant warrior in the cause of his country, Capt. James Nicholson, had been for some time the victorious commander of the Fri- gate Trumbull. Believing that the reader will be gratified with a brief account of an engagement between this frigate and a supe- rior ship of war, before Murray entered her, I present it as published in a Boston Gazette, of June \5, 1780. " Yesterday arrived here the Continental frigate Trum- bull from a cruise, James Nicholson, Esq. commander, who on Friday the 2d inst. in lat. 45, Ion. 64 10, had an engage * See sketch of Biddle, where the particulars relating to lieuteaant Josiah, and Capt. Cunningham, are detailed. 272 NAVAL HEROES. ment with a British ship of 36 twelve and six pounders. The action was close and severe,' and supported with great gallantry by the Captain, officers and company of the Trumbull, against the superior force of the enemy, for' five glasses, when both ships were equally disposed to part, the Trumbull having all her masts wounded in such a man- ner as to render it impossible for her to continue the en- gagement, and the British ship in a situation equally unfit for it. In ten minutes after the action ceased, the Trum- bull lost her main and mizen topmasts within musket shot of the enemy, which they took no notice of, and soon lost her main and mizen masts. The masts of the British ship were left in a tottering condition, and it is supposed, must be gone. She was hulled in many places, all her pumps going, hove over manj' dead ; and, it is presumed, she suf- fered more than the Trumbull, and must have struck to her, if the Trumbull had not unfortunately sustained the loss of her masts. The Trumbull had 8 men killed, and 31 wounded, six of whom have since died of their wounds ; among the latter was Daniel Starr, the third Lieutenant. The British ship appeared to be bound to Charlestown ; but, as no questions were asked, and the action commenced without ceremony, her name or destination are unknown." As much as the American reader has been astonished at the almost miraculous eJSect of American naval gunnery in the splendid triumphs of our navy in the second war with Britain, yet if the combats in the first, were as well known as those in the last, they might well excite equal wonder. Witness the Richard and Seraphis — the Randolph and Yar- mouth — the Protector and Admiral Duff, the one just de- tailed, and to which another will now be added. Such a commander as Nicholson, and such a ship as thfe COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 273 Trumbull,* were well fitted for such an officer as Murray, and he entered her as first lieutenant. As soon as the Trumbull was fitted for sea, a most gallant })and of ofticejip and seamen were ready, and anxious to catch the first favouring breeze that would waft her along s;ide of any hostile sail of equal force, that would presume to point her guns at this " rebel Frigate" named after the '• Rebel Governor of Connecticut." Capt. Murray, as lieutenant on board the Trumbull, al- * This frigate was named after Jonathan Trumbull, of Connec- \/''^ ticut, president of Congress, and the first of that name, governor of Connecticut. His son, the renowned historical painter, who is now, (J 823) in the employ of Congress, delineating, and painting, historical views of the most interesting events of the Revolution, was imprisoned in London during that war, in consequence of the following "• word to I the wise," from a " loyal American," alias, an American tory. He did not perish in the *' conflagration," as appears from a note announ- I cing his arrival in America. He returned to London after the peace, and there finished his " Battle of Bunker Hill," and the " conflagra- tion of Charleston." From the London Morning Post, August 17. " As a loyal American, and a friend to the best of kings, I think il my dutj' through the channel of your paper, to inform administration, that there are arrived in this city, two Americans (via Holland) and the one is son to the rebel Governorf of Connecticut ; the latter an in- habitant of Boston, ]New England, and a Major in a rebel regiment, by the name of Massachusetts. J If such persons are suffered to be at liberty in England, another conflagration may soon happen. — A word to the wise is sufficient. Your humble servant, J T— PLE. f Mr. John Trumbull, t John- Steel Tyler. " I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that Governor Trumbull's son, who was a prisoner in England, is arrived at Falmouth, Casco- Bay, and a number of vessels from Holland," 274 NAVAL HEROES. though not first m command, yet, being next to the first, a very important duty devolved upon him. The reputation of his commander, as well as the fame of the ship, from previous achievements, inspired him with a restless emu- lation to identify his name with both. The Trumbull sailed about the middle of August, 1781, to convoy a fleet of merchantmen to the Havanna. It was the last cruise she ever made under American colours ; and probably the last she made under any col- ours. Flushed far more with hopes of victory over some of the boasted " wooden walls of Old England" than over rich transports or merchantmen, which would swell their coffers with prize money, the gallant and daring Nichol- son, with officers and sailors, daring and gallant as himself, bore away for the Capes of Delaware with his convoy. Lieut. Murray was as familiar with these waters as the village swain is with the rivulets and fish-ponds of his dis- trict, and as fearlessly wafted towards the station of the powerful foe, as he angles for the finny tribe. But, " A storm was nigh — an unsuspected storm." Scarcely had the Trumbull cleared the dangerous Capes before she was struck with a most violent gale of wind. To this, in rapid succession followed the most tremendous peals of thunder, and momently succeeded by gleaming chains of lightning, which increased the horrors of the sur- rounding darkness. The ship was severely injured in her spars, and rigging ; and needed a port to refit. But, such is the fate of naval warfare, the war of the elements which was rending the tackle of the Trumbull asunder, was also precipitating her COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 275 into a host of foes, though less powerful, more malignant than the elements themselves. The darkness was so intense, that no sail could be des- cried, until the gale had somewhat abated. Capt. Nich- olson then discovered that his ship was close along side H. B. Majesty's Frigate the Iris of 33 guns, and Sloop of War Monk, of 18 guns ! ! The phlegmatic calculator of chances would perhaps gravely declare that Capt. Nicholson ought immediately to have lowered his flag. But amongst his officers were Lieut. Murray, and Lieut, Dale,* who, like their com- mander, took no counsel from fear, were ready to enter into the contest. Instantly all hands were beat to quarters, and with fear- less promptitude repaired to them. The sea was still in terrible commotion from the gale, and the rival ships went furiously into action. The combat was long and doubtful, and the first signal of a cessation of it, was the extinguish- ment of the battle-lanterns of the Iris, which enveloped her again in darkness. The exulting victors were about to board the Iris, as a prize, when the Monk, which had before taken but little part in the action, gained a raking position — run directly under the stern of the Trumbull, which was almost bat- tered to pieces, and poured into her a succession of raking broadsides. In this dreadful situation — the ship unmanageable— Lieuts. Murray and Dale severely wounded, and more than one third of the crew killed or bleeding upon the deck, oi in the cockpit, Capt. Nicholson, cool and collected, low ered the flag of the gallant little Trumbull. * Afterwards the justly respected and raliant Com. Dale. 276 NAVAL HEROES. She was towed into New-York, a useless wreck, — and object of curiosity — a hard earned trophy of the prow^ess of Britain ! As her name does not appear in the " List of the Royal Navy" of the " Queen of the Ocean," she is probably in the same state (allowing for the decay of a third of a cen- tury) as the Chesapeake, Essex, and President frigates, which like the " Continental frigate" Trumbull, were so gallantly defended against superior force as to render them better fitted for the situation of the once British frigates, the Guerriere, and Java, and the British Sloops of War. Peacock, and Penguin ! Capt. Murray might have said, in regard to this action, as he did, as President of the Court Martial, in 1815, which tried the lamented Decatur, for surrendering the frigate President to a squadron, after conquering the Endymion, " The enemy gained a ship — the Victory was ours." After languishing with his wounds — fortunately (for his country) surviving them, and obtaining an exchange, Lieut. Murray, was solicited by the government of The Colonies, (for so the British continued to call Congress to that time, 1781,) to be First Lieutenant, of the Continental frigate, Alliance.* This ship was for some time upon the coast of Britain, and belonged to Com. Jones' squadron, when the memora- ble engagement between the Good Man Richard, and the Seraphis occurred. When Lieut. Murray entered her, she was commanded by Capt. Barry, one of the earliest " Naval Heroes of the ♦This frigate was so named from the Treaty of Amity and "Alli- ance," between America and Louis XVI. and belonged to the squad- xon of Com. Jone? See " Sketch of Jones." COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 277 Revolution," and who, through a great variety of grades, and a long succession of important services, became the senior Commodore of the American navy. The revolutionary services ofCapt. Barry, and Capt. Murray, (acting as lieutenant,) were now drawing towards a close ; and it would be useless to tell what these gallant officers " might have done" had not the proud, and hith- erto unconquered " King of England," sued for peace with his " Rebel Colonies." George III. was happy to give a quit claim deed to his tenants in America, in 1783, and to suffer them to be " Lords of the Manor ;" and, by the 'J'reaty of Ghent, in 1815, he very nearly promised to " warrant and defend the premises." His son, then " Prince Regent," now George IV. may rest assured that if Americans surrender the Rupublic, the surrendry will be made to a power " more powerful" than the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and her dependen- cies. Peace, " with healing in her wings" now shed her be- nign influence over the " Free, Sovereign, and Independ- ent American Republic." The clarion of war, which for seven years of sanguinary contest, had echoed from the em- battled hosts of Republican soldiers, and from the floating bulwarks of Republican seamen, was now succeeded by the harmonious "concords of sweet sounds-" The Olive Branch waved tranquilly over the swelling hills and fertile vallies, where late the unfurled banners of hostile foes challenged to combat. A grateful, a protected, an emancipated people, raptur- ously embraced the peerless champions of their national salvation. 37 278 NAVAL HEROES. Conspicuous in the midst of this band of matchless wai- riors, stood the grandson of a Highland Chief, Alexander Murray^ If the immortalized spirits of the illustrious dead are per- mitted to blend with their celestial jo}s a participation in the scenes of terrestrial felicity, the ancient Murray, who was banished from the land of his fathers, by the implaca- ble vengeance of the house of Brunswick, must have look- ed down with complacent delight upon his heroic descend- ant, who had avenged the injuries of his own house — the bouse of Murray. Capt. Murray of the Navy, and Capt. Murray of the Ar- my, uniting in himself the gallant soldier, and the ocean- hero ; and divesting himself of the double wreath of laurels acquired in both, assumed the character of the plain and dignified citizen ; proving then, by his amiable and unas- suming deportment, that, with the scars of honour as a warrior, he could return to the gentle pursuits of peace as a citizen ; and proving afterwards that he could re-assume the character of the determined warrior, and conduct the victorious arms of his country to any ocean or sea where the enemies of his country were to be found. It might be amusing to trace the life of this early veteran through the season of uninterrupted peace, (excepting the occasional skirmishing with native savages and native insurgents*) which intervened between the conclusion of the war of the revolution, in 178 3, and the commencement of the naval warfVue with France in 1798. But his life is so exceed- ingly fertile in incidents of a public nature, that a descrip- tion of his private virtues, however exalted, would be like * Sbays' Insurrection in Massachasetts, and the Whisky Rebellioo an Pennsylvania. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 27B the transition from an animating breeze that swells the can- vas of the ship upon her course, down to the lifeless calm, when sleep, the image of death, holds dominion. Upon the conclusion of the war, every single vestige of the little gallant wonder-working navy of America, was an- nihilated ; or, what is the same as to warlike power, was converted into merchantmen. The same keels, that for years had carried the thunder of freemen to the very shores of tyrants, were now trans- porting the productions of every quarter of the globe into the bosom of the Republic. The civil fathers of the country knew well that although America was at the Zenith of national glory, she was at the Nadir of national bankruptcy — that she was plus in fame, that she was minus in wealth. It would have been the very extremity of madness to continue the expense of a naval establishment, when the wounds of the revolutionary heroes were scarcely healed ; and the treasury had scarcely coin enough to defray the expense of medicine for healing them. The gigantic statesmen of that portentous period knew it was as difficult to secure, by constitutional, legislative, judicial, and financial regulations, the rights and liberties of the Republic, as it had been to obtain them by some of the best blood that flowed in the eighteenth century. They acted upon the great and exalted principle, that national glory would be more permanently established by national justice, than by standing armies and powerful fleets in time of peace, requiring a never-ending succession of taxes and burthens to support them. The reader will again excuse the writer for referring him 280 NAVAL HEROES. to a previous publication, and for adopting some hasty re- marks therefrom into this volume.* The profound sagacity, and wary policy of American Statesmen, who set the intricate machine of government in operation under our Republican Constitution, well under- stood the overwhelming bankruptcy in which the British empire was sinking, or rather sunk, by her immense naval force. They sought to bestow upon their Republic richer bles- sings than the blessing of national debt. No human saga- city, however, could, at that time foresee that American commerce would soon become the direct road to sudden national wealth ; although they must have known that an extended commerce could not long be protected without a naval force, nor a naval force be supported without com- merce. England, the imperious, and then almost undisputed mis- tress of the ocean, wielding the trident of Neptune over every sea, beheld American canvas in every latitude. Her jealousy was roused ; her armed ships searched our vessels for " contraband goods," and impressed our seamen, and immured them in their " floating dungeons." Other petty naval powers, whose power on the ocean is now merged with that of Britain, the real dictator of, be- cause the most powerful nation in, Europe, followed the example of aggression, as feeble whappets follow in the train of a ferocious mastitT. The pride of American seamen arising from the national glory of America, acquired in the glorious revolution, was compelled to succumb to the mandate of every puny whip- * Vide Life of Decatur, 2d edition, chap. VL "National glory and national taxes." COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 281 ster who could show a gun upon his deck. It was not vol- untary submission, but subnnission " ex necessitate rei,'''' — the necessity of the case, — a nnost painful necessity. The national resources had been almost exclusively de- rived from individual wealth, and that wealth had for years been committed to the ocean as the road to immediate opu- lence. Other nations, which were contending for dominion upon land and upon water, for a considerable period, lost sight of the advancing wealth, and, as a consequence, national power of the American Republic. Contending for crowns which sat loosely upon the fear- ful heads that sustained their ponderous weight, and dread- ing to see them fall, these nations, although contending with each other, seemed to unite in trying to blast the growing commercial importance d( America. The Barbary powers, whose corsairs hovered over that portion of the ocean where some part of our enterprising merchantmen were pursuing their lucrative business, plun- dered their vessels, and made slaves of their crews. The greater commercial nations, with more power, and also with more humanity, endeavoured to extirpate American commerce, and check the rapid progress of American wealth. They possessed naval power ; of which our Re- public was then destitute. Our patriotic rulers, as soon as they found our country in possession of the means adequate to the hard task of sup- porting our natural rights upon the ocean, began to devise " ways and means" to do it. It would require more pages than the limits of this sketch will admit, to epitomize the diversified arguments resort- 282 NAVAL HEROES. ed to by the/most eminent of American statesmen, in favour of, and agaiinst, an efficient naval power,* Some of them looked upon the " thousand armed ships'" of England, and despaired. They saw also the Russian, French, Spanish and Danish fleets, and dismissed all hopes of ever coping with any naval power. But Washington was still alive ; and guiding the high destinies of our Republic in peace, as he had done in the ; war of the Revolution. His prescience readily suggested to his great and expanded mind, the indispensable necessity of a naval force to protect our extensive and extending commerce. Negotiation, to be sure, had obtained some indemnifica- tion for spoliations upon it ; but the most successful nego- tiations have always been made at the mouth of the cannon. Our rulers could no longer endure the thought that our citizens, who had sought a " home upon the deep," should become victims to every prince who could send out a few cruisers, with a rapacious crew. They were determined that American citizens, pursuing a lawful commerce upon the ocean should, as they ought, be protected there as well as those pursuing lawful business on land. This was not the gasconading threat of a nurse, who on- ly brandishes the rod before the eyes of a truant child without daring to strike ; it was the decisive language of a parent, having a right to command, and power sufficient to enforce his decrees. The year 1794, the auspicious period which laid the foundation of our present naval power, ought to be remem- bered with equal enthusiasm as that of 1776, which made * See Journal of Congress, 1797, 98. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 283 Uie declaration, and laid the foundation, for American Inde- 'lenilence. The first keel of a frigate that was laid by our govern- ment, was the key-stone to the triumphant arch of Ameri- can glory. If fancy might be indulged upon a subject which needs not its fehcitous aid, we might see Neptune approaching our shores, and surrendering his trident to the banners of Columbia, when the first American frigate was launched into the bosom of the deep. The writer, then a boy, may hope to be indulged for ex- pressing now, the enthusiasm he felt when he beheld the frigate Constitution launched from a Boston ship-yard. This untutored enthusiasm was occasioned, not by knowing then, the immeasurable power of a navy, but from the im- mense assemblage of animated citizens who witnessed the animating scene. They might have exclaimed : — " There is one of our protectors upon the ocean ; while she swims, she will not only protect our individual wealth, but she will manfully sustain our national rights upon the waves." What might have then been prophecy is now history. Proceeding with that caution and judgment which must mark the course of our rulers, they authorised the building of only four frigates of forty-four guns, and two of thirty- six. Although this diminutive force was hardly sufficient to defend a single port in our own country, or to blockade a single island of any belligerant power, yet the amount of the force was of a secondary consideration to the adoption of the principle that a Naval Force was necessary for the defence of the vast extent of the seaboard of the American Republic, and for the convoy and protection of her im- mensely extended commerce. 284 NAVAL HEROES. For fifteen years, the naval ardour of Americans, which, during the revolutionary struggle elicited such brilliant sparks of ocean valour, had been extinguished by the lu- crative pursuits of connmerce — the sordid love of wealth, and the luxury and effeminacy which wealth invariably produces. Towards the close of the administration of the political father and saviour of the Republic, Washington, the younger and middle aged class of Americans seemed to have degenerated alarmingly from the exalted spirit of their ancestors ; who, from the conclusion of the " French war," to the commencement of the " War of the Revolu- tion," were inspired with the " Amor Patriae," far more than they were with the gaudy charms of wealth. The historian will never forget, that the victorious army of Hannibal was conquered upon the plains of Capua where there was no enemy but luxury ; and that Rome herself, having conquered Greece by arms, was herself conquered by the effeminate refinements of Greece ; and the Grecians themselves, after the lapse of many centuries of abject slavery, seem again to be returning to the hero- ism of the days of Achilles ; and may the God of armies fire their souls and strengthen their arms, till the Crescent shall bow to the banner of Greece. John Adams, who with John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and others, first began to rock the " Cradle of Independ- ence" — who manfully sustained the majesty of the warring colonies in foreign courts, when alone and unassisted, and which defied the gigantic power of Britain, was advanced, by the suffrages of his countrymen, in 1797, to the chair which the exalted, the august, the almost adored Wash- ington, had left. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 285 No prince of the House of Brunswick — of Bourbon — of Braganza, or of any other house, or of any other realm, ever ascended a throne so really exalted, as the Chair of the Chief Magistrate of the American Republic. And here, let every surviving American Murray feel a glow of patriotic rapture, that, amongst the first acts of the second President, was giving his signature to the commission of Alexander Murray as a PostCaptain* in the American navy, and designating him to assist in organizing it. 'This early notice of the new President, must have been doubly gratifying to Capt. Murray, as it was an unsolicited appointment — unknown to his nearest friends, and wholly unknown and unexpected to himself till the moment it was announced to him. Notwithstanding the long and arduous course of service in the army and navy, and the numerous battles in which he had valiantly fought, upon land and water, Capt. Mur- ray when called again into service, was but little over forty years of age. As soon as the French marauders in the West Indies laid aside all disguise, and began to prey upon American com- merce, as wolves prowl and prey amongst unprotected flocks, Capt. Murray was ordered to leave the further organization of the navy to other hands, and to conduct a small Corvette into the midst of picaroons (another name for buccaneers and pirates) and neither of them deserving even the humble name of privateersmen. Capt. Murray, in the Corvette Montezuma, with officers and a crew of real Americans, dashed fearlessly amongst these despoilers of merchant ships ; spread dismay and * The writer is not positive that this commmission was sig-ned by Adams. If it were by Washington, it was equally flattering. 38 286 NAVAL HEROES. consternation amongst them, — rescued thousands, and per- haps millions of dollars from their grasp, and diffused j >y amongst hundreds, and perhaps thousands of American merchants, who might otherwise have been reduced from independence to bankruptcy. While he was thus securing the wealth of individuals, he was pouring treasures into the national coffers. So sensible was the government of his invaluable servi- ces, that Congress passed a vote of thanks* to him, and promoted him to the frigate Insurgente, which had been captured by Com. Truxton. Before he had an opportunity to turn the guns of this ship against the nation that built her, he was removed to the ship that took her. Capt. Murray was then appointed to the command of the frigate Constellation of 32 guns. This little ship had before become a favourite with sailors from her splendid victor)' over the Le Insurgente, one of the finest frigates in the marine of France. While her gallant commander was walking upon her quarter deck, where the veteran Truxton had walked and conquered before him, his naturally ardent mind must have experienced a sort of extra stimulus. He felt^ if he did not express, these sentiments. " This little ship is one representative of the power and energy of the American Republic. The French Republic, once the friend of America, when the murdered Louis XVI, and his matchless queen, Maria Antoinette of the house of Theresa, wielded the gentle sceptre of power over that most charm- ing portion of our world, is now the deadly enemy of my * It is believed that this was the first and only vote of thanks by Congress for similar service. Thanks for single victories have be- come (perhaps) too common. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 287 beloved country. Washington, who went on majestically CO ujuering and to conquer, with Fayette, Rochanibeau, and Tcrnay, in the War of the Revolution, resolved that my country, which he, and his compatriots, of which 1 was one, and whose commission I then bore, rescued from the despotic power of the House of Brunswick, should not be overwhelmed in the tremendous vortex of the French Re- volution. His prescience enabled him to fathom the very dedth of that destruction which would accompany the mo- dern Gauls, when they tore asunder the ligament of des- potism with which they had been bound from the time of Clovis, her first monarch, to Louis XVL, her last and her best. He declared America a neutral power. Adams, his successor, now presides over the destiny of the Republic, and will support, by an armed neutrality, what Washmgton published as an edict." Capt. Murray was as indefatigable in this ship, as he was in the corvette Montezuma, in extending protection and atTording convoy to merchantmen. It can hardly be con- ceived how an American Frigate can be more profitably, or indeed, more honourably engaged, than by preserving the wealthy commerce of their countrymen from the ra- pacity of marauders and picaroons, and their persons from imprisonment, indignity and insult. It is a fact commu- nicated directly to the writer from some of the present dis- tinguished officers of the American navy, who were then midshipmen upon the West India station, that the French, and even the Spanish officers and seamen, treated Ameri- cans in their possession with a barbarism which would as- similate the naturally humane Frenchman to the morose and sullen Spaniard, and both of them to the malignant and implacable disciples of Mahomet. This treatment arous- 288 NAVAL HEROES. ed all the latent sparks of American indignation in the bo- som of Capt. Murray, and his manly and determined ship's crew. They panted for an opportunity to let the little Constellation once more exhibit her cor r us cations to the boasting Monsieurs and sulky Dons. They knew that the gallant Little, in the Boston frigate, had all but sent the La Burceau to the bottom. They most impatiently waited and sought for an opportunity to achieve deeds and gather laurels of equal renown. It would be a hopeless undertaking to endeavour to con- trovert the prevalent sentiments of the sons of glory who make a profession of arms ; and it would be deemed arro- gance to doubt the correctness of their opinions. Far be it from Americans to entertain even a thought in opposition to that high sense of honour and fame, which inspires the bosoms of our noble countrymen in the navy and army. It is that, that has pressed them forward to give to Ameri- cans a pre-eminent rank, and to Ameriga the title of The ONLY Republic. But it may well be asked, if in the be- stowment of applause, of medals, of swords, and rewards, the favourites of fortune are not always the favourites of the nation ? In the naval warfare with France, the names of Truxton and Little, echoed from the Atlantic to the Mississippi — from the lakes to the Mexican Gulph, while those of Com. Decatur the elder, Capt. Murray, Capt. Tryon, and others whose unceasing assiduity and sleepless vigilance had swept the ocean of picaroons, and filled our harbours with richly laden merchantmen, are remembered only as "good men and true," who instead of encounter- ing and conquering an equal or superior armed ship, have only saved the citizens and the commerce of the country from the rapacious grasp of ocean robbers. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 289 Allusion might be made to the war of 1 803 and 4, with Tripoli and of J 8 1 2, with Britain ; but as we are drawing the sketch of the venerable veteran, Alexander Murray, towards those periods, in which many of his cotemporaries acquired a deathless fame ; and as many of them, thank heaven, still survive, as the honour and the hopes of the Republic, a deep solicitude is felt lest the labours, even of the "hon- est chronicler," should be converted into a " vehicle of adulation to the living or extravagant eulogy of the dead." But, living, Alexander Murray never courted the ephe- meral adulation of the day. He possessed a native ener- gy of mind which could not be enervated by fulsome praise, or disheartened by censure or neglect. And, dead, his memory needs not " extravagant eulogy" to transmit his name down to latest posterity amongst the high worthies of his species, and the benefactors of the Republic. During the most sanguinary period of the naval contest between America and France, the British had a considera- ble naval force oa the West India station. The natural hostility of Britons against Frenchmen, was heightened by the tremendous strides that mighty power was making through the faUing kingdoms of Europe. The unnatural hostility of Britons against Americans, was in some measure lowered by the splendid victories they had recently gained over their deadly foe. The naval commanders of " the Queen of the Ocean" were compelled to manifeart at least an involuntary respect towards the American flag. The Magnanimique, once a French ship of the line of 64 guns, was captured and razeed down to a British frigate of 48 guns. She was able to sink the Constellation at a single well-directed broadside. 290 NAVAL HEROES. Capt. Murray was cruising in the leeward islands in the Constellation, (then of 32 guns) Capt. Taylor, in the Mag- nanimique, in the dead of night gave the Constellation a gun. This was done, without exhibiting any signal, or in any way discovering the character of his ship. Whether this was an intentional insult to Capt. Murray — a design to disgrace the ship, as the Little Belt attennpted to disgrace the President frigate, and as the Leopard actu- ally did disgrace the frigate Chesapeake, years after, the reader will judge from the sequel. Capt. Murray, in the Constellation, set the first example to his brother officers of repelling any indignity to the American flag, proceeding from any cause whatever. His gallant cotemporary. Com. Rodgers, followed his example ; but the commander of the Chesapeake, in 1 807, did not follow it. That ill fated ship, manned from the fine bay where she first embraced her destined element, and on the borders of which still was visible insignia of the Gothic devastations, perpetrated by a Gothic British Admiral in the second war between America and Britain, seemed to have something ominous in her very name. A field for digression is here opened ; but here — " jBc- shrew the somhre pencil j''"' and return, with delight, to the gallant Capt. Murray, who, upon this singular occasion, dis- covered that cool discretion which constitutes the charac- ter of a great warrior, quite as much as dauntless bravery. Upon receiving the shot, he immediately' ordered his ship cleared for action. The result I have the pleasure of giving in the language of a Philadelphia correspondent : •' In that doubtful moment of coniiict, in the bosom of COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 291 his officers, he ordered (he reefs out of his topsails, to gain time in preparing the ship for battle. As. soon as that ob- ject was attained, the ship was put in stays — ail hands beat to their quarters — she passed close under the lee, on oppo- site tacks, bringing all the guns to bear and poured into ihe strange sail a most destructive broadside. As the sail did not return the lire, the Constellation was immediately put about ; and it was resolved to hail before a second fire was made. This was instantly done, and it was soon discover- ed that the ship had fired into a friendly sail. Her boat was then despatched to the Constellation, and satisfactory ex- planations were made. " The British officer, from the Magnanimique, assured Capt. Murray that nothing but the uncommon prudence of Capt. Taylor, her commander, and the course pursued by Capt. Murray, checked a dreadful combat, which would have ensued. Every officer and seaman on board each ship, could scarcely be controled from keeping up the fire, as each supposed that it was a French frigate that each had encountered, 6oe campaigns of 1812 and 1 3, he saw many oflicers of the highest grade taking the field, many years older than himself; and he panted to resort to the ocean as the thea- tre of his exertions. He longed to meet the inveterate foe of America, which assailed his country in 1775, comparatively an infant upon the ocean, to what she had become, (small as her marine was) in 1812. His application for a command, correspondent with his rank, was received with the utmost respect, at the Navy Department ; for Com. Murray had too much weight of character — too much dignity, to meet with a disdainful re- pulse. In the Executive at that period, indeed, in all the pre- ceding Presidents, he had found friends who evinced their high estimation of his character, by their courteous deport- ment, and marked attention to him. But owing either to COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 315 exterior influence around the Navy Dep3rtment, more potent than the Department its^elf, or some other unfath- omable cause, with which " strangers intermeddle not," Com. Murray's senior claim to command, was granted to his juniors / for every Post-Captain in the American Na- vy was junior to him at the commencement of the second war between the American Republic and the Kingdom of (Treat-Britain. It is readily admitted that Com. Murray retained his rank in the Navy — that he was paid — that every man in , America who could read, and boys who could not read, but who could be taught the Naval Register, as boys sometimes learn the alphabet and catechism by recitation, pronoun- ced the name of Alexander Murray, ^r^L As a first-rate ship, with timbers as sound as they were when they studded the mountain's side, is sometimes laid up " in ordinary" until the " powers that be" put them in commission, so this veteran warrior was detained in port, while many aspiring and gallant young officers, who were Midshipmen when he was Commander of a squadron, were sent forth to encounter an enemy which he had conquered when still younger than they were. While Com. Murray was at home, presiding in Courts- martial for the trial of his juniors, who lost their ships by the war of the elements, or by the overwhelming superiority of force of the enemy. — While, with his countrymen, he was exulting in the splendid victories of that navy in which he served in the whole naval warfare with France, until the peace in 1802, and of which he was Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean in 1802 and 3; he was deprived of an opportuniy of adding to the number of battles in which he had fought, and to the victories he had won. 316 NAVAL HEROES. Although his advice and counsel, from his superior judg- nnent and practical knowledge, were of incalculable ser- vice during the last war, yet he would have much prefer- red to have died in the arms of victory, yea, in the hour of defeat ; or, as many of his younger brethren did, to have returned the Conquering Hero. The achievements of the war of 1812, were heightened with exploits in the little American navy of equal splen- dour with those of any period since the power of nations was exemplified in floating batteries. To mention names in the order in which they stand ac- cording to seniority, and not regarding the time when vic- tories were obtained over H. B. Majesty's ships of war of equal, and often of superior force — and what was of as great, or greater detriment to the enemy, and benefit to the Republic, the capture and destruction of the immense amount of British merchandise, and protection of our own — the names of Rodgers, Bainbridge, Decatur,* Stewart, Hull, Chauncey, Porter, Jones, Morris, Perry,* Macdon- ough, Warrington, *Blakeley, &c. were familiar with eve- ry reader of the journals of the day. But the name of Murray, senior to them all, was not — excepting with those who knew and who duly appreciated the vast services he had previously rendered to the Republic. The unqualified respect and admiration of the surviving veterans of the revolution — of the statesmen who guided the helm of state, when American naval officers made im- perious Frenchmen bow, and merciless Turks tremble, was a full measure of consolation to this dignified warrior, conscious as he was of his own services, and his own high deserts. This time honoured and war-worn hero, knew that he * Dead. COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 317 had been prodigal of his blood in the cause of his country from his boyhood ; and that he should reap a rich harvest of reward in the plaudits of a grateful people. He lived to rejoice in the peace of 1815, and to exult in the augmented glory of the American navy. The navy had become the theme of all Americans, of all parties ; and from that day to the time when these hasty sketches are writing, (1 823) every American naval officer, from a Post- Captain to a midshipman, finds a ready passport to the presence of the great — the circles of the refined, and even to the admiration of the fair. When the gust of joy, at the conclusion of an honourable peace, had subsided into tranquillized pleasure, and the high honours and rewards to the officers of the army, a8 well as the navy, had been apportioned, the sound judg- ment and deep penetration of the American cabinet, di- rected its attention to those who could best advance the growing importance and future greatness of the American navy in the " home department," as America was at peace with all the world. Alexander Murray was appointed Commandant of the Navy Yard at Philadelphia ; and, as will be shown in the conclusion, he soon evinced that he still possessed a sound mind, in a sound body. As to his mental faculties, the result of his exertions will elucidate their original and augmented vigour. As to his bodily powers it will be shown that he could see — that he could/ee/— that he could even " hear.'*'' To adopt a fashionable expression, the small American navy had " conquered a peace" with France in 1802 — with Tripoli in 1805 — had essentially hastened a peace with Britain in 1815 ; and one of the greatest conquests it had 42 318 NAVAL HEROES. made, it had " conquered the principle" that a navy was the most safe, most efficient, most immediate, and least expensive mode of defending the coast of our vast Repub- lic, and if necessary, carrying on offensive operations against her enemies. Most safe, because it is the crowning glory of American seamen, never to desert from their country, or to turn their arms against her. Jn their floating garrisons, they never annoy their countrymen, or depredate upon tlieir earnings. Most efficient, because a ship of war, has her crew, her munitions, her stores, her implements of movement, and all the " pomp and circumstance of war," always in com- plete preparation. Most immediate, because, at a " moment's warning," they move with the celerity of the wind, and, with the power and celerity of lightning, strike the approaching foe. Least expensive, because, 74s, 44s, 36s, 18s, &lc. can face a foreign enemy destined against any port from Ma- chias to New-Orleans ; and, when necessary, can concen- trate their dispersed power at any given point, (if the ex- pression is allowable) like so many portable fortifications. Therefore, as a guarda costa, naval power is almost incal- culably less expensive than the immense number of sta- tionary fortifications necessary to defend a sea board ex- tending from the 30th to the 45th degree of north latitude. For centuries, the " Wooden Walls of Old England" have been her impregnable defence. They have defended that " fast anchored isle" from the Armada of Philip of Spain, to the Flotilla of Napoleon of France. But while orators are exhausting their eloquence, and poets are drainfng their store-houses of imagination in ea- COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 319 logizing " Naval Heroes ;" and painters are delineating in vivid colours, naval achievements, it ought not to be for- gotten, that while expatiating upon the astonishing effect of naval povrer, the cause of it should come in for a share of consideration. That cause originates in Naval Archi- tecture, and Naval Armament at home. The following documentary evidence of the efficiency of naval defence, is from a Secretary of the navy who " knew what he said, and said what he knew." " The importance of a permanent naval establishment appears to be sanctioned by the voice of the nation ; and I have a satisfaction in stating, that the means of its gradu- al increase are completely within the reach of our national resources, independently ©f any foreign country. The materials for building and equipping ships of war are all at command. Steps have been taken to ascertain the best growth and quantities of timber for naval construction, preparatory to contracts and purchases. The want of a mould loft for the naval constructor to lay out the moulds by which the timber is to be cut and shaped previous to transportation, has delayed the completion of arrangements for an adequate supply. A building has been erected at the navy yard in this city for that purpose, and will soon be finished, when the business will progress. Cannon founderies, manufactories of sheet copper, cor- dage, canvas, and the mechanical branches, are in a state to furnish the several supplies mhich may be required,. The commerce of the United States increasing with the resources and population of the country, will require a commensurate protection, which a navy alone can afford ; and the experience derived from the active and vigorous employment of a limited navy, during the period of the late war, has demonstrated its efficient utility. 320 NAVAL HEROES. I do, therefore, with confidence recommend an annual increase of our navy, of one ship of the rate of seventy- four guns, two frigates of the first class, rates at forty-four guns, and two sloops of war, which can be built with the surplussage of smaller timber, and with a great saving in that material. The act to increase the navy, passed January 2d 1813, authorized the building of " four ships to rate not less than seventy-four guns, and six frigates to rate forty- four guns each." This act has partly been carried into effect, by building three ships of the rate of seventy-four guns, and three frigates of forty -four guns, in the Atlantic ports. — The residue of the appropriation under that act, was ap- plied to the building of large ships and frigates upon Lake Ontario. The concentration of our navy in one or two of the principal ports of the United States, where the depth of water is sufficient for the convenient ingress and egress of the larger vessels, will necessarily lead to the enlargement of the navy yards at such places, with docks for repairs, and the collection of all important materials for the arma- ment and equipments of the different classes of vessels, in order to bring them into active service, upon any emer- gency, with the advantage of combined force. A general system for the gradual and permanent increase of the navy, combining all the various objects connected with an enlarged naval establishment, such as building docks, and extending the accommodation of navy yards and arsenals of general deposit, will form the subjects of a more extensive report to be laid before congress during the present session." To such energetic, and scientific -minds as Alexander COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 321 Murray's ; and such theoretical and practical geniuses as Humphreys, and Ecford, are our unequalled captains in the navy indebted for much of the renown justly attached to their deathless names. But the aspiring sons of fame, when pressing forward, are too prone to forget the unostentatious aids who facili- tate their progress to its lofty temple. When Com. Murray assumed the command of the Navy- Yard at Philadelphia, he brought into operation the exten- sive and minute knowledge he had acquired from long and continued experience. In Mr. Humphreys, he found a coadjutor exactly cor- responding with his own views ; and they went forward, hand in hand, supporting and supported, in their highly im- portant pursuit. To shew the inquisitive reader the progress of Naval Ar- chitecture, I present him with a copy of the following doc- ument in the Navy Department, prepared nearly twenty- five years since, by one of the architects just mentioned. It is a precious document, as it goes to show, that, as the ship-builders, in the employ of government, have been ad- vancing with rapid strides towards perfection in the con- struction of ships from the highest to the lowest rates, they have, in about the same degree, diminished the expenses of building and fitting them. — " Estimate of the expense of building and equipping a 74 gun ship of 1620 tons, prepared some years since by Joshua Humphreys, Esq. of Philadelphia, a shipwright of great respectabihty and professional talents : Live oak timber, ^40,000 White oak and pine ditto, 30,000 Labour, 85,100 322 NAVAL HEROES. Cables, rigging, (Src. 32,400 Smith's work. 30,400 Anchors, marling, 8,700 Sailmaker's bills, two suits, including canvass, 16,200 Joiner's bill, including stuff. 7,800 Carver's bill, 1,620 Tanner's ditto. 700 Rigger's do. 2,240 Painter's do. 3,240 Cooper's do. 4,860 Blockmaker's do. 3,210 Boatbuilder's do. 1,620 Plumber's do. 2,430 Ship Chandlery, 9,720 Turner's bill, 1,215 Copper bolts, 10,960 Sheathing copper, nails, &c. 17,440 Woollens for sheathing, 1,215 311,100 Contingencies, 31,600 Total, $ 342,700 The frigate President, of 1444 tons cost the sum of ^220,910. The frigates Constitution, United States, and Philadelphia, probably the same sum each. These frigates and some others, were built twenty-five years since ; be- fore the naval warfare with France commenced. Americans have, by some piquant foreigners, been de- nominated a " cyphering race" — by others " shop-keepers, pedlars and jockies" — and by others " penny-wise and COM. ALEXANDER MURRAY. 323 pound-foolish." If, twenty-five years ago, ( 1 798) although in the midst of the "golden days of commercial prosperi- ty" our cyphering countrymen could calculate far enough to ascertain that twelve 74's and twenty-four frigates of 44 guns, at the above rate would amount to ^9,414,240 — and that the annual expense of a 74, in commission was ;g202,llO, and a frigate of 44 guns, about ^135,000, they might well have asked, when " counting the cost" what will this come to? The profound statesmen, and the profound leaders of statesmen in the American Republic, when they commen- ced the establishment of our present Navy, aimed at noth- ing but defence against foreign aggression. No mad or diabolical schemes of foreign conquest en- tered into their views. The safety of the Republic was committed to their care ; and they little thought of drain- ing its wealth to gratify the wicked projects of unhallowed ambition. This steady and magnanimous course has been pursued to near the close of the first quarter of the nine- teenth century ; and ten millions of happy and independ- ent freemen now reap the fruits of their wisdom. Our respectable navy has progressed gradually from in- fancy towards manhood. It haj: afforded protection to our commerce — it has chastised our foes abroad ; anJ even now can afford protection to our immense coast — and, Americans feel not the burden of it. Turn now to the vauntj<;g " Queen of the Ocean" and behold her, to be sure at the hei,•» , ■■ '— /r-,-W-.-|. » ,,t_v •, -r ^ ^> ■ ,U \.-,f. . /."l. i'l' '} s^ :^W