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"HE 
 
 AMEHICAN MARINERS: 
 
 OB, 
 
 ®8e ^tlantit IrJo^aqe. 
 
 A MORAL POEM. (j ^ • 
 
 eifoivof xeci ^et^Jiaffx. 
 
 Homer. 
 
 PREFIXED IS 
 
 A VINDICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHARACTER, 
 
 From the Aspersions of the Quarterly R<>view«rs. 
 
 TO WHICH ARE ADDED '"T_ 
 
 JXtLVXli ANNAIiST 
 
 Or^ an Impartial Snmmarp of the Actions fought^ during the late 
 Wnr^ at Sea^ and on the Lakes^ 
 
 BETWEEN THE SHIPS OF GREAT BRITATN AND THOSE OF 
 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 Tros Tyriusve mihi nuUo discrimine agetur. — Virqil. 
 
 to me the sa\ne, 
 Your Troy and Tyre shall differ but in name— Pitt, 
 
 COPIOUS NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
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 A VINDICATION 
 
 •• >:<1 
 
 OF 
 
 I .V 
 
 THE AMERICAN CHARACTER, 
 
 From tlie Aspersions of the Quarterly Reviewcn. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 To Robert Southey, Esq, 
 
 ...vp.s;, ' . The complacency with which you make 
 mention of me in a worlc composed in the maturity of 
 your taste and judgment, excites in my feelings a good- 
 will towards you ; and I now shew my deep sense of your 
 distinguished favour by inscribing to you this volume. 
 It relates to the seamen* of a great and misrepresented 
 
 • The seamen of America have found an eulogist in Burke [See 
 page 238 of this Volume], and a detractor in James. Uiriim horum 
 mavis accipc 9 James, in his dull, unconnected Narrative, has as- 
 serted, in unqualified language, unsupported by any specific testi- 
 mony, that when the Essex, after her most gallant conflict with the 
 Phoebe and Cherub (See page 315 of this Volume], was boarded by 
 the British officers, *' buckets of spirits were found in all parts of the 
 ^^ main-deck ; and most of the prisoners were in a state of iiitoxica- 
 " tion." 
 
 O, horrible ! O, horrible ! most horrible ! 
 
 The prisoners ! of a complement of 2Cd Americans, opposed to 421 
 Enghsh, forming the combined crews of the hostile ships, only 111 
 escaped death or wounds ; and those ought not to ineur obloquy from 
 an unsubstantiated accusation. But the charge is necessarily re- 
 futed by the behaviour of the English Commodore, l^ho, touched 
 with Captain Porter's ''"fence of the Essex, returned him his sword, 
 with a letter appreciating his gallantry. To contend that every cir- 
 cumstance of the action must have been known to him, knd that he 
 would have been accessary to his own degradation in complimenting 
 Captain Porter, had he been guilty of countenancing such enormities, 
 and presided over a crew in a state of drunken deliiium, would be a 
 work of bupcrcroijatiou. 
 
ws9m 
 
 mmm 
 
 vm 
 
 iv VINDICATION or the AMERICAN CHARACTER. 
 
 f 
 
 nation. I am not the panegyrist of the inhabitants of the 
 new world, though I feel a catholic and conciliating spirit 
 towair^ll theqi j f^i^d I tfust ^h^t I am not singular in my 
 predilection for a i^ation identified with our own by a 
 common extraction, a common language, a common Ute-{ , 
 rature, and similar political institutions. The gradual 
 colonization of t|i? United States, and the incessant inteT< 
 course between the Atlantic coast and the mother country , 
 tye^iif a^it^e^ o|s.olittlf» variation of national character, 
 that the JEugliishiqax) q£ America is not to be distii^aished 
 ifj^ forija or feature, vn temper or intellect, horn the En* 
 glishn^tui of Europe. A native of the North American 
 Un^on is;^hpth in lus pJIpg^siical and moral attributes, more 
 ^ ^niElishmau ths^i either a Welehman, a» Irishman, or 
 a Scot. Were you, Sir, to travel from London to the 
 Lalf^es in the company of a maq of each country, your 
 discernment could be at no loss in assigning to the trium- 
 virate of Britons their respective soils beyond the Severn, 
 the 3aint George's Ghannel, and the Tweed ; but the 
 American would defy your subtlest unraveIJin;g of na* 
 tional c^ar^ct^r to give him for the land of his nativity 
 any other than that of England. . 
 
 If I can engage your belief, Sir, in the fidelity of this 
 picture, with what indignation will you not recur to tlmt 
 which the Quj^terly Reviewers have drawn of the coun- 
 terparts of your own countrymen. Viewing the Ameri- 
 can^ throd|h the fog and haste of rancorous party hatred, 
 they have depicted the nation as a collection of miserable 
 out* casts who have survived a general mutation of their 
 muscles, ligaments, and osteology ; without one moral 
 virtMt; to redeem the hidcousncss of their physi<;ul dcfor- 
 
VrNDICATJON OF the AMERICAN CHARACTEIL v 
 
 iiiity. With a total indifference to human feelings, they re- 
 present the Americans as a nation of " clothed savages ;" 
 who, on their part, have opposed to the calumny only an 
 unshaken silence. Not but that Americans have real 
 hearts of flesh and blood beating in their bosoms : not 
 that apathy has embowelled tbem of their natural en- 
 trails ; not that they have been drawn, and trussed like 
 birds in a museum. If you prick them, they bleed ; if 
 you tickle them, they laugh. They preserve the whole of 
 their feelings native and entire, but accompanied by an 
 understanding, which knows how to distinguish between 
 the clamours of an insolent and profligate faction, and 
 the voice of a great and magnanimous people. Tbey re- 
 gard the Quarterly Reviewers as a cabal of little, shri- 
 velled, meagre, hopping, though shrill and troublesome 
 insects of the hour : 
 
 rtrliytvffif ioixoTtif oni Ha6 vX>}» 
 
 as grasshoppers keeping up a cry from the foliage of the 
 British oak, while thousands of great cattle, reposed be-' 
 neath its spreading branches, chew the cud and are 
 silent. 
 
 In the 27th Volume of their periodical Calumnies, their 
 abuse against the American States has assumed every 
 shape which the ability of the writers could give it. The 
 
 * The iifriuitque lingnoe docti of my readers will preserve the in- 
 tegrity of the context by interpreting )^ifu>iffffa* not suavcm^ but 
 graclkm. 
 
f 
 
 mm 
 
 vi VINDICATION of the AMERICAN CHARACTER 
 
 h 
 
 article h entitled Views, Visits, and Tours in North 
 America. It may be considered as a sort of digest of the 
 dirt raked off from the filthy travelling-boots of Harris, 
 Welby, Flower, and the pseudo English Woman ; and its 
 mephltio exhalation has been severely felt ever since the 
 nccamulated load was thrnst through the kennel of the 
 Quarterly Review into the nose of the public. In mat- 
 ters so ridiculous, it is hard to be grave. The enormity 
 of the misrepresentation is adapted only to the palate of 
 the knight in Pantagruel, who could swallow a chimera 
 for his breakfast, provided it was cooked by a critic. 
 The Reviewer begins by drawing the most aggravated, 
 hideous, and deformed picture of the state of religion in 
 America, which his vilifying temper, aided by the arbi- 
 (ary dominion ho assumes over fact, is capable of exhi- 
 biting. " Religion, says the Reviewer, seems to be at a 
 " lower ebb in Philadelphia than at New York ; it is 
 " made a jest of in the United States, and the churches 
 ** are fdled with fanatics, hypocrites, and bufl'oons. The 
 *' religious duties of the Presbyterians and Episcopa- 
 " lians, who are very numerous in New York, seem to 
 " be performed without one single spark of devotion. 
 " They go to particular chirches because their great- 
 " grandmothers went there before them, or (which is the 
 " weightiest reason of all) because it is their interest." 
 This is sufficient for a specimen of the orthodox and pious 
 rage of the devout and zealous critic. If any one be wil- 
 ling to see to how much greater lengths he carries this 
 .supercilious wrath of summary condemnation, he will 
 recur to the Review ; where after begging the question, 
 through twenty pagci> with impunity, and a.s:icrtiug with- 
 
VINDICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHARACTRR. vi: 
 
 out thinking himself obliged to prove, he conclqdes kis 
 (jiierulous eloquence with this charitable sentence, ** WE 
 "■ Tear there is very little Religion of any kind in the 
 " greater portion of the United States!" An American 
 might justly retort on the fantastic arrogance of this spi* 
 ritual tyrant by admonishing him that there is A RE- 
 VIEWER OF REVIEWERS, before whose tribunal 
 lie will have to appear ; and hope, in the meeknees of 
 Christianity, that at the closing scene of death, if bis lungs 
 be not decayed with sourrility, he may dictate to some 
 Burnet at his bed-side, not only the recantation of his 
 errors, but his repentance for those dark deeds which 
 have acquired infinite aggravation, from the insidlousness 
 and baseness of a lurking-hole and a mask. 
 
 To these invectives of the Quarterly Reviewers I shall 
 oppose the testimony of a man who had emancipated his 
 mind from the fetters of systematic theology ; a testimony 
 composed not to gratify a rancorous party sp<>--t, but to 
 instruct the iMpartial. *' It is a glorious example that 
 this country is now settling to the christian world, shew- 
 ing not only the perfect safety, but many positive advan- 
 tages, not only of universal toleration, but of the exclu- 
 sion of any establishment of religion whatever ; the civil 
 government having no more to do with it than with phi- 
 Innnphy or medicine. Here are Catholics, Episcopalians, 
 Presbyterians, with seceders of various kinds, from 
 Scotland, Independents, Baptists general and particular, 
 Quakers, Univsrsalists, Lutherans, Galvinists, Menno- 
 nists, Dunkers, Moravians, Methodists, Sandemanians, 
 Swedenborgians, Unitarians, and Jews, which arc pro- 
 bably more than cun be found in any other christian 
 
 I' 
 
r 
 
 viii. VINDICATION of THK AMERICAN CIIARACTRH. 
 
 country. And yet they all live, and have intercourse 
 together, in perfect harmony ; give no disturbance to the 
 State, and are ready to render to each other every office 
 of good neighbourhood and humanity. At the same time 
 there is, I believe, as much real religion and Christianity 
 in the United States as in any part of Europe ; and 
 fewer professed unbelievers than in any other christian 
 country."* 
 
 At page 89 the Reviewers give an affecting detail of 
 the calamities which await the arrival of an Englishman 
 in America : " To replunge into that state of life from 
 which we happily escaped so many centuries sgo;—to 
 forego all the comforts and all the blessings of civiliza- 
 tion ; — to be set down for life in the midst of a lonely and 
 pestilential wilderness, surrounded with disease and 
 death ; — to be devoured hy fleas, and hugs, and mosquitoes 
 within doors, and to live in the constant dread of snakes, 
 scorpions, and scolopendras without ;t—<o meet the face of 
 
 1 
 
 * This picture of Religion in North America is drawn by Priestly; 
 Burke has employed his masterly pencil on the same subject, '^ Reli* 
 gion, always a principle of energy, in this new people, is no way worn 
 out 6r impaired ; and their mode of professing it is also one main 
 cause of theit free spirit. The people are Protestants ; and of that 
 kind, which is the most adverse to all implicit submission of mind and 
 opinion." I leave the reader to his own reflexions over the harshness 
 and the malignity of the Quarterly Reviewer. 
 
 \\ 
 
 f The f **s and b**s (to expunge the vowels from these indecorous 
 words Cynthius aurem velRt, ct admonuit) are not indigenous, but im- 
 ported with the emigrants frae the North. The mosquitoes have 
 vanished — stings and all ; and snakes are nearly as scarce in the 
 United States, from the cultivation of the soil, as they are said to be 
 in Ireland through the.interference of a Saint. North America is not a 
 J nd of terror; and tlie dread of being devoured in it could enter only 
 
VINDICATION OF the AMERICAN CHABACTER. ix 
 
 strangers only ;— <<> linger out days and years without 
 friends, witliout society, without the enjoyment of a 
 single comfort \^to liiiten in vain, every Sabbath morn- 
 ing, for " the sound of the church-going bell ;" and what 
 is not the least of evils, to be deprived of those consola- 
 ^ons in aflliction, and in the hour of death, which the due 
 attendance on divine worship, and the conversations of a 
 religious life, never fail to afford." 
 
 For the want of large and liberal ideas, this petty re- 
 viewer cannot contemplate, in one connected view, a 
 desolate wilderness converted into a flourishing empire, 
 but squats himself down in some rejected swamp, and in 
 an unphilosophic and absurd spirit, decides or the whole 
 from a contemptible part. With equal propriety might 
 an American j.udge of England from a fen in Lancashire. 
 If this be not stupidity, it is malice ; ^nd his object is not 
 the diffusion of truth, but the spreading of defamation. 
 Of this hngthy lamentation, most piteously doleful, and 
 nodding towards dulness, the reader augurs ill from' the 
 obvious nonsense of the initial sentence. He confounds 
 his identity with that of his ancestors. No rhetorical 
 figure can authorize his speaking in his own person of 
 what he experienced several centuries ago ; unless he 
 can persuade us that he has attained to the age of an an- 
 tediluvian ; but he would be no great gainer by our con- 
 ceding to him this point ; for we should only pity him 
 as being a very old man without the benefit of reflexion. 
 
 the chimerical brain of a closeted Reviewer. It is blest with peculiar 
 exemptions. It is notorious that the traveller goes anned in Aria and 
 Africa ta defend himself from the lion, the hyaena, and the paid ; but 
 *a America he roamg from Caiiadtt to Darien protected by a rush* 
 
i 
 
 X VINDICATION or the AMKRKAN CHARACTER. 
 
 His mention of the fleas and bugs is in a very bad taste ; 
 and his whining piety is so egregiously absurd, as to 
 melt our indignation into laughter, and make even de- 
 pravity ridiculous. 
 
 To make the reader amends lor the prose of the Re- 
 viewer, I shall cite the stanzas of the bard. )t is Mr. 
 Moore's description of America. 
 
 Thrice happy land ! where he who flies 
 From the dark ills of other skies, • > > - 
 
 From scorn, or want's unnerving woes, : , , , ,' 
 
 . May shelter him in proud repose ! , 
 
 Hope sings along the yellow sand . . v . 
 
 His welcome to a patriot land ; ■.'..:■ 
 
 At once, the mig' ty wood receives ; 
 
 The stranger in its world of leaves, * • 
 
 Which soon their barren glory yield * . ' . , 
 
 To the warm shed, and cultur'd field, ■'. 
 
 And he who came of all bereft, ,^ . . • 
 
 To whom malignant fate had left 
 
 Nor home, nor friends, nor country dear. 
 
 Finds home, and friends, and country here. ... 
 
 As my cause is that of human nature, and my party is 
 mankind, I will, before I conclude, disabuse the public 
 upon a representation which stands out in high relievo 
 beyond the rest. If Bruce excited the indignation of the 
 public for wantonly relating of the Abyssinians, that they 
 cut their beef- steaks from the backs of grazing cows, 
 with what abhorrence must we turn from the inhuman 
 accusation of the Quarterly Reviewers against the people 
 of the State of Kentucky, whom, on no other authority 
 than that of an anonymous scribbler, they reprosent to be 
 in the cool habit of cutting their razor strops out of the 
 backs of living Indians. They must be tainted with ^ 
 ferocity truly diabuHcal to believe Americans to be so 
 
VINDICATION OF the AMERICAN CHAKACTER. xi 
 
 wicked and corrupt ; and their implicit faith of the enor" 
 mity admits only of the explication, that it is the allegory 
 of their own system, and the type of their own po'icy 
 The unhallowed transports with which they thrice repeat 
 the charge, argues strongly that they are lost to shame ; 
 and while the Kentuckian is libelled, the reader is scan- 
 dalized. Those " Kentuckians (say the Reviewers) who 
 " have the least turn for economy, cut their razor-strops 
 " from the backs of Indians while alive ; and according 
 *' to their common practic, do it coolly and deliberately. 
 " We believe that this infernal fact is true to the letter."* 
 
 If it were practicable to treat such atrocious nonsense 
 seriously, I would not undertake the vindication of the 
 Kentuckians, on the plea of remorse and compunction of 
 heart, as the assumption might be thought gratuitous ; 
 but I should at once shew that the charge necessarily 
 meets its confutation on the very principle of economy. 
 The race of Indians is extinct in Kentucky, and a red man 
 is as scarce in the district as a horse in Venice. The 
 nearest tribe of Indians is that of the Catawbas in CarO' 
 lina, a distance of five hundred miles, and not even the 
 gratification of skinning an Indian alive would compen- 
 
 • The Federdist, from whose exploded pamphlet the Quarterly 
 Reviewers have collected their information, is a little tippling author 
 of Philadelphia, with only a single pair of galligaskins, who is glad to 
 make his dinner off a halfpenny porrenger of pease soup and potatoes; 
 a thoughtless buffoon of a satirist, who would himself be astonished 
 if he were held to the letter of his own description. The pamphlet is 
 a joint performance. Ra wle, the printer, finding his subscribers im- 
 portunate for its appearance, sought the author at his lodgings ; who 
 being disqualified by his potations for literary pursuits, the typo- 
 graphcr sat down very deliberately and finished the composition. 
 
p nmii'fmieijfmmit.im' M".fit' 
 
 xii VINDICATION or the AMERICAN CHARACTER. 
 
 'sate Jonathan for the expences of the journey, while there 
 was a sympathetic calf in the heigltbou.rhood to tellow 
 out in me converteferrum. But what I consider decisive of 
 the point in debate is, that having applied to my barber 
 for his opinion, who is a manufacturer of straps, the little 
 swarthy Packwood, on hearing through the diabolical 
 story, fell into a fit of immoderate laughter, and wiping 
 the tears from his eyes with his holland- apron, assured 
 itie that the absurdity of the charge coanteracted its viru- 
 lence; that it would baffle the ingenuity of Jonathan to 
 cut a strop adapted to a razor out of the baolc of an In- 
 dian, though inexorably deaf to his pressing entreaties to 
 desist ; that the skin of an Indian is too thin for the pur- 
 pose ; and that a Reviewer must possess a very Uiick 
 head to let such an idle rumour contmand his absolute 
 confidence. - . 
 
 It is impossible to conclude this Letter without expres- 
 sing a wish that the Critical Department could be re- 
 formed by filling it with enlightened and conscientious 
 characters. The recognized establishment of such an 
 authority would scatter the present insidious confederacy 
 from their lurkingoholes, like a ruined nest of ants. The 
 Quarterly Review would cease to be a practical satire on 
 the liberality of an English public ; a kindred Nation 
 would no longer be the sport of a blind and insolent 
 fkction ; and the opiniori necessarily entertained by Ame* 
 ticans woiitd undergo a modification, that the laudable 
 Jove of polite literature in the mother-country has been 
 superseded by an unhappy passion for coarse invective, 
 clumsy raillery, and vilifying abuse. 
 
 I am, Sir, years, &c. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 u 
 
CTER. 
 
 lite there 
 o tellow 
 jcisive of 
 y barber 
 the little 
 liabolical 
 1(1 wiping 
 I, assured 
 d its viru- 
 nathan to 
 of an In- 
 ;realies to 
 r the pur- 
 k-ery Uiick 
 s absolute 
 
 lot expres- 
 ild be re- 
 iscientiou>5 
 If such an 
 mfederacy 
 lants. The 
 j satire on 
 id Nation 
 Id insolent 
 |d by Ame- 
 laudable 
 has been 
 invective, 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 CANTO I. 
 
 THE EMBARKATION OF THE CREW, AND 
 THE DEPARTURE FROM PORT. 
 
 I. 
 
 OCEAN all hail ! ours tlie proud joy to roam 
 Thy world of waters glittering in their foam, 
 OVr thee to gaze — to rest the roving eye 
 On thy curl'd waves that plume the verging sky. 
 Our home a barque — the pageant of the scene — 
 (Pride in her port, defiance in her mien, 
 (Whose \vell-arra'd deck displays a gallant crew, 
 [Each man a hero, to his colours true, 
 kt to my tale •^— 
 
 B 
 
 5 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 11. 
 
 AVhere Pennsylvania's river opens wide 10 
 
 His arms and ample bosom to the tide, 
 
 A rugged cliff impends with beetling brow, ' ' 
 
 Whence giddy terror dreads to look below. 
 
 And on its tree-capt summit stands a fane. 
 
 Whose ancient tower surveys the rolling main, 15 
 
 III. 
 
 Primaeval is the spot, where overhead 
 Gigantic oaks their twilight shadows spread, 
 Cinctur'd with roses the magnolia towers, 
 The ancient cedars wave their sacred bowers, 
 And Nature only, in her sylvan tone, 
 Wakes with the breeze through green arcades to 
 moan. 
 
 •20 
 
 IV. 
 
 Thither the sailor oft is seen to stray, *j 
 
 As pensive Meditation points the way. 
 To note the scythe, the hand-glass and the bone, 
 That point a moral on the antique istone :— •, 25 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 a 
 
 His foot scarce raising midst the awful gloom. 
 Lest he disturb the silence of the tomb — 
 Vain thought! yet who, not curst with breast of sttel, 
 Would the fear spurn, and not the foible feel ? 
 
 V. 
 
 While our tall anchor'd bark at distance lay^ 30 
 With sail loose flagging in the breezy bay, 
 Soon as the holy light shoots o'er the fane. 
 And dazzling paints the ivy-mantled pane. 
 Then musing up the hill yet hoar with dew. 
 In solemn rites to join ascend our crew, ^5 
 
 There to incline, and ocean^s God implore 
 To speed their vessel to her destin'd shore. 
 Bare, reverential, o'er the turf they spread, 
 Where in their long long sleep reclin'd the dead, 
 Each in his narrow home — with sealed eye — 40 
 No more to view the splendours of the sky. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Beneath an oak, o'ershadowing a tomb 
 That eloquently preach'd man's certain doom, 
 
 b2 
 
4 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Tlie sea-chief stood : in glittering gold arrayM — 
 On Ins sword's hilt the morn's effulgence play'd — 
 (iuick was his eye — its attribute control 1 — 
 It aw'd, impress'd, subdued the gazer'f. soul — 
 And when his dark brow knitted o'er its glance, 
 Scarce single-handed >vould his foe advance. 
 
 45 
 
 VII. 
 
 h I 
 
 Now as he rais'd his hand, the naval train 50 
 
 Spontaneous knelt; such stillness held the plain, 
 
 That in his highest flight was heard the cry 
 
 Of the proud eagle soaring to the sky. 
 
 Then as the kindling ardour thrill'd each breast, 
 
 The bending crowd the warrior chief address'd : 55 
 
 When our forefathers, from Britannia's coast, 
 
 On the wide tempest-harrow'd ocean tost, 
 
 Left ihe stern realms of Persecution's reign, 
 
 To keep their covenant beyond the main, 
 
 The wave escap'd,, in gratitude to God, 60 
 
 They rais'd this fane, this sanctified abode. 
 
 Sunk are they now, they press the sainted ground, 
 
 Where the grav'd tablet scatters praise around. 
 
 And from the mariner approaching nigh, ,, 
 
 Exacts the tribute of a bosom sigh. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 5 
 
 Yet sleep they not in cold oblivion's gloom, 
 Tiieir pious memory lives beyond the tomb, 
 Lives in our breasts, and warms with sacred lires, 
 Another race to emulate their sires. 
 Yes ! ere our vessel tempt the billow's roll, 70 
 
 Ureathe we our vows, and lift the ardent soul. 
 He said, and bending to the holy ground. 
 With age, and youth, and childhood kneeling round. 
 Fervent of heart and voice, before the shrine, 
 Invok'd the succour of the pow'rs divine : 75 
 
 O thou who swayst the seas, thou Lord of all. 
 At whose command the billows prostrate fall. 
 O'er the great waters of th' Atlantic main, 
 Extend thy mercy, and our bark sustain. 
 
 vin. 
 
 Now to the sands the crew descending bend, «o 
 There in a last embrace to strain a friend, 
 Or sorrowing leave a mother, or a bride. 
 To weep the sailor's absence on the tide. 
 Murmuring they go, as when their kindred deep 
 Heaves the hoarse surges to some rocky steep ; 0.5 
 The boatswain shrilly pipes, the countless throng 
 Like the sea's waves successive pour along. 
 
w 
 
 6 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 IX. 
 
 THE FRIGATE'S CREW. 
 
 The tall New Englanders, a hardy band, 
 
 From Barnstaple, and Sajahadoc's strand, 
 
 Whose naval ardour rocks nor shoals can bar, IKi 
 
 Nor the dread rage of elemental war. 
 
 Sons of the iorm I with javelin wont to seek 
 
 Tn icy seas the Monster of the Deep, 
 
 His form approach, when, from his nostrils wide, 
 
 IJe breathes a tempest, and he spouts a tide. i)5 
 
 'I'hese our first Watch — to whom the rugged plank 
 Yields slumber sweeter than the mossy bank. 
 
 X. 
 
 The Pennsylvauians, eager to explore 
 Old ocean's wildest waves and farthest shore ; 
 Whose prows all-daring range from pole to pole, 100 
 Far as the breezes blow, the billows roll. 
 When the rock'd yard dips low its pointed arm. 
 They climb the shrouds — with breasts that scorn 
 alarm — 
 
/ 
 
 THE AMERICAN MAKINERS. 7 
 
 Cling to the cord, display the pendant form, 
 
 Ply their bold task, and sing beneath the stonii. lO't 
 
 These form a watch— and the same district hail 
 With their great chief who rules the helm and sail. 
 
 XI. 
 
 The gay Virginians — the main-deck train 
 To point our battle-thunder o*er tlie main ; 
 Who, ere they flash the cannon at the prow, 110 
 AValch well their own ship's roll — the surge's How.* 
 Wild sons of mirth — with eye as eaglet's bright — 
 Waking to joy, to laughter, and to light. 
 
 A watch these form — when on the nightly gale 
 Our tall ship hangs with broad and steady sail, ll.j 
 
 * The American crews are eminently skilled in handling the gteat 
 guns. It is notorious that their ships have disabled those of the 
 enemy, without sustaining any material damage themselves. I have 
 had occasion to notice that the men, in exercising their guns at a cask 
 on the water, are ever mindful of the heave of the sea, and never fire 
 till the ship is on an even keel. Hence their main-deck battery ac- 
 quires the precision of a ft)ru~8ut Uiis is a horrid subject to the 
 Philanthropist ! 
 
f 
 
 8 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 XII. 
 
 i 
 
 The Mississippians, iis'd to gallies* sails, 
 From silver streatus that flow through smiling vales. 
 Where the long loaded raft, and cumbrous barge, 
 Trust to the placid wave their weighty charge. 
 
 These, in our waist, the sinewy arm afford 120 
 
 To haul the sheets, and get the tacks aboard.*" 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Last — the Kentuckians, new to naval fame. 
 From woods and mountains, one wild scene of game. 
 From boyhood taught the spiral gun to wield, 
 And scalp their foe-men prostrate in the field* 125 
 
 These in the fight— from the top's airy round, 
 Direct the tube — inflict the deadly wound. 
 
 Inspir'd by freedom, one congenial soul 
 Pervades the bands, and animates the whole. 
 
 * The waist of a Frigate is the midship part of the main-deck. 
 The men stationed there are called Waisters, and their principal oc- 
 cupation is to pull and haul. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 9 
 
 Daring in mien, of their star'd banner proud, 130 
 Hreatliing defiance, mov'd the w arrior crowd ; 
 Down the descent th' embodied seamen pour, 
 Darken the vale, and secic the liaven's shore. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 The full throng'd harbour, and the peopled shore, 
 
 An awful, silent look of anguish wore. 135 
 
 There the soft maid the sailor's arm sustains — 
 
 She holds him weeping and his form detains. 
 
 And there the father clasps his love and pride, — 
 
 His drooping wife and infants by her side. 
 
 The hoisted topsail beats against the mast — 140 
 
 They lean in agony, and look their last — 
 
 'J'heir sorrows stream ; oh ! who with heart to love, 
 
 Or eye to weep, those sorrows would reprove. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Aloof Delancey stood — no spousal tears 
 
 Fall on liis breast — no shriekings pierce his ears. 145 
 
 In the proud lap of high adventure thrown. 
 
 No vows but those to Fame his pulses own. 
 
w 
 
 10 
 
 IHB AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 lie leaves no wretched wife to watcU — to mourn — 
 And pile tlie beacon-fire till his return. 
 Yet led by Friendship to the wave-wash'd strand, 150 
 Warriors and Statesmen of Columbia's land 
 Uang on his steps — and, sighing, see his sail, 
 With ample canvass, loosen'd to the gale. 
 Their sweet remembrance oft had cheer'd his mind 
 On deck, amidst conflicting waves and wind ; 155 
 For, e'en in scenes of peril and of death, 
 F'riendship like flowers can scatter fragrant breath. 
 With smiles he gave them now his last embrace, 
 But his heart cast no image on his face : 
 And when they breath'd their tender, last fare- 
 well, 160 
 In look, not sound, the parting blessing fell. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 With downcast eyes the silent bargemen stand. 
 As on the gimwale steps the Chief from land — 
 Shove off ! the coxswain cries— the falling oar 
 Resounds, and creaking cleaves the billow hoar. 165 
 Heading the anchor'd bark, they silent row, 
 And as the cleft wave brawls around their prow. 
 The crowd's full plaudits reach the Captain's ear, 
 The shout from shore, and oft repeated clieer. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINKRS. 
 
 11 
 
 onrn — 
 
 XVII. 
 
 ind, 150 
 
 s ntiiid 
 ; 15.J 
 
 breath, 
 ace. 
 
 ire- 
 
 160 
 
 ir 
 
 ir. 105 
 
 o\v, 
 ear. 
 
 % 
 
 •i 
 
 Sad on on the sea-l)eat strand a Miotlier prtst 170 
 Her soul's sweet solace to her tliroUhing breast — 
 Talbot — descended from a generous line, 
 Of fairest form, in look and air divine. 
 And wilt thou u;©, she sai<l, relentless bov, 
 >Vhere billows threaten, and w here storm.*? annoy, 175 
 To tempt the danirers of the restless deep. 
 And leave these m retched eyes to watch and weep. 
 Sure there's more pleasure in the tranqiul ch^vm 
 Of thy dear home, remote from rude alarm. 
 More in the lawn, the garden, and the wood, 180 
 Than in the billows of the boisterous flood. 
 M'hen round thy bark the foamy surges curl, 
 And bursting mountains wild destruction hurl, 
 AVhen thy heart sickeos into deep dismay, 
 Nor tears, nor pray'rs the tempest can allay — 185 
 Then, with wrung bosom, thou wilt cast thy eye 
 Towards thy home, and thither breathe a sigh. 
 And wish, though then the wish will come too late, 
 Thou ne'er hadst wander'd from thy mother's gate ! 
 Thus wept the dame — her unavailing woes 100 
 
 Melt not the boy whose breast with ardour glows : 
 Yes ! when at night, expos'd on deck, I keep 
 My lonely vigil listening to the deep, 
 
f;:i 
 
 12 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 ' I 
 
 \ 
 
 } 
 
 ll'l 
 
 ii 
 
 Oft shall I paint to mind the tiouie and grove, 
 
 The hallow':! haunt of thy maternal love. 195 
 
 Yet not from fear — that passion should not sway, 
 
 But courage hear the sailor on his way. 
 
 And I, the son of one whose dauntless form 
 
 Ne'er on the billow shrunk beneath the storm, 
 
 Will, when the blast embroils the surging main, 200 
 
 Invoke his shade my spirit to sustain. 
 
 Eager of action, enemy to rest, 
 
 'J'hy arms I leave for Ocean's troubled breast. 
 
 There lies my ship — her gallant trim behold — 
 
 Her proud flag bears a wreath embost with gold. 205 
 
 She looks the pageant of the circling sea, 
 
 Home of the brave, the fortress of the free, 
 
 Destin'd to ride the mountain-wave sublime, 
 
 And roll her thunders on a hostile clime. 
 
 For know, the tyrants of the turban'd host 210 
 
 Detain our craft dismantled on their coast, 
 
 While in the noisome dungeon's baleful aii* 
 
 The crews lie languishing in dumb despair. 
 
 First to Britannia's coast the rapid breeze 
 
 Shall bear our war-bark tilting o'er the seas, 215 
 
 Envoy of peace, to give the generous hand. 
 
 And closer draw tlie ties of friendship's band. 
 
 Then bending on, our battle-tier shall roar 
 
 With retribution o'er the Moorish sbore, 
 
 j 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 13 
 
 195 
 
 210 
 
 Till the long-peopled rampart shake, and all 220 
 Its rock-bas'd forts stand nodding to their fall. 
 The stripling ceas'd, and feeble to sustain 
 The bitter yearnings of the parting pain, 
 'J ore from the matron's arms, let fall a tear, 
 And sought the pinnace rocking at the pier. 225 
 Oh ! little dreamt he, as he hied to gain 
 The stately ship, and launch into the main. 
 That ship should hurl him from her mast's tall h^ad. 
 To mingle with the ocean's vagrant dead— • 
 Sever'd from her who weeps upon the shore, 
 Never, ah ! never, to behold her more— 230 
 
 Why kept he not at home his AvandViug feet. 
 And not thu: weave his own — his mother's winding 
 sheet. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 215 
 
 Now, with shrill p'pe, the boatswain warns the train 
 
 Not to delay their duty ori the main. 235 
 
 The topsail flutters, and the signal-gun 
 
 Thrice far resounding since the rishig sun, 
 
 Calls them on board — and streaming bright behold 
 
 The stars of silver, and tiie stripes of gold.* 
 
 * The flag of the United States— reserved for higher destinies than 
 Europe has the capacity to coMcei\ c— displays an assemblage of stars 
 and stripes. 
 

 in 
 
 TH5 AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Stormy and wrathful as the swelling surge, 
 
 The mates the seamen to the barges urge, 
 
 AVhose boatmen leaning on tlie rested oar, 
 
 In secret chide their comrades on tlie shore. 
 
 And thus, a young Lieutenant of the deep, 
 
 Hampden — rebukes the warriors as they weep. '245 
 
 For flippant talk more noted than for sense, 
 
 Invidnerable in his impudence, 
 
 His wit on others' woes he lov'd to w^het, 
 
 And ran an Indian muck at all he met. 
 
 Are these our brave Columbians? mournful sight! 
 
 Hanging their blubber'd cheeks in languid plight — 
 
 List'ning like dotards to the honev'd tongue 
 
 Of woman—with false vows of fealty hung. 
 
 Tlie sex reprisals love, and will retort 
 
 The joke that — " Tars find wives in ev'ry port." 255 
 
 To whom an aged matron, at whose side 
 
 A daughter hung, a sailor's weeping bride— 
 
 Shame on you, youth — jangling your hanger's chain, 
 
 To jest when woe and Avretcheduess complain. 
 
 Wed but some virtuous maid — you will remove 2(50 
 
 Your doubts, and think more nobly of our love. 
 
 K I 
 
 When Hampden thus — if memory do not fail. 
 You are the dame who once approv'd my hail, 
 When landing from a cruize on yonder pier, 
 I chink'd a purse of dollars in your ear, 265 
 
■^ 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 15 
 
 M 
 
 eep. 245 
 
 And ask'd you in a kind and coaxing May, 
 Where liv'd the likely lasses on the bay. 
 
 Shameless of front— the anger'd dame replies, 
 Whene'er thou speak'st — a reputation dies- 
 Repress that laugh — aye, hasten from my view, 
 Stain of the navy, stigma of thy crew. 
 
 [ sight ! 
 light— 
 
 rt." 255 
 
 's chain, 
 
 n. 
 
 )ve 2(50 
 
 ive. 
 
 il, 
 ,il, 
 
 265 
 
 Now the tall ship the sailor-train ascend, 
 And o'er the capstan-bars incumbent bend, 
 Heaving they shout, and from its oozy bed, 
 The ponderous anchor slowly lifts its head. 275 
 
 The haulers sing, and through the glowing hand . 
 The braces glide, the wlieeling sails expand. 
 Crowds from the town, the hamlet, cot, and grange, 
 Blacken the sea-shore to the billow's range— 
 Their cries ascend, their tender shrieks revive, 280 
 The rocks, the pier, the tall cliffs seem alive. 
 Our ship is cast,* and as she seaward steers. 
 Sinkings of heart, and sighs, and smiles, and tears 
 
 • Casting a ship is, when her anchor first loosens, she is placed in 
 a position for her sails to fill. 
 
1 
 
 Ij!: 
 
 :( 
 
 ■J 
 
 ■ii' 
 
 / f I 
 If 
 
 hfj 
 
 i 
 
 ■I 
 
 : 
 
 i i 
 
 <i 
 
 16 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 By turns hold sway — our flapping to^)sails swell. 
 And hands uplifted waft a long farewell. 285 
 
 Glorious our vessel glides — in deep array, 
 Her guns frown terror o'er the watery way. 
 Deep meshy outworks all her rear invest,* 
 And on her heak a Virgin stands confest. 
 Who to the eye reveal'd, by carver wrought, 200 
 A breast that swell'd with soul, a brow that thought. 
 Kesting her sandal'd feet, the Nymph displayed 
 Her graceful form, and the blue deep survey'd. 
 Some Avould have judg'd her from the sea to rise, 
 On our prow lighted to invoke the skies, 2J).j 
 
 But with the Cyprian Queen she claim'd no kin, 
 Her look could never light a face of sin. 
 No wanton Cupids round her arm entwine. 
 And fondly strive to kiss her hand divine. 
 Hence ye impure ! from Greece the Virgin stray 'd, 
 From Corinth's citadel — that royal maid 
 Whose succouring arm, as ancient bards relate, 
 Snatch'd young Orestes from disastrous fate. 
 His throne redeem'd, and gave to funeral flame 
 The base usurper, and the perjur'd danie.f 305 
 
 Deep meshy outworks— a periphrasis for boarding-nettings. 
 
 + See the Elcctra of Sophocles. 
 
 
 > 
 
 M 
 
 /im 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 It 
 
 well, 
 
 285 
 
 290 
 thought. 
 
 y'd. 
 rise, 
 
 29.> 
 kill, 
 
 XX. 
 
 High on the deck the gallant sailors stand. 
 And look a tender farewell to the land ; 
 They mark the spot where lingering they delay'd 
 Their last embrace, ere yet they anchor weigh'd. 
 White curl the waves, our ship with spreading sail 
 Smooth as a falcon hangs upon the gale. 
 The peopled shore, the beacon fainter shew, 
 And all is sky above, and ocean all below. 
 
 XXIe 
 
 tiay'd, 
 ite. 
 
 lie 
 
 305 
 
 O land receding, land belov'd, rever'd. 
 By evVy tie that binds the heart endear'd, 315 
 
 Columbia's shores fast fading on the eye. 
 To you I breathe my deep, my farewell sigh, 
 Fam'd for true freedom, but for pity more. 
 Exiles from ev'ry clime embrace your shore- 
 Warsaw's defender, and the gallant host 320 
 From Gaul— .where Virtue mourns her empire lost-— 
 To you the persecuted victims roam, 
 Redress their hearths, and find a sylvan home. 
 
■Hi 
 
 -.'I 
 
 ;■ 
 
 iji'l 
 
 Ill 
 
 .1 
 
 J 
 
 m 
 
 lii 
 
 I 
 
 l!i 
 
 ■» i r 
 
 \!' 
 
 ^1 
 
 ;^ 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS, 
 
 xxn. 
 
 And I who sought and found a wild retreat 
 Where thy Ontario's sea-like billows beat, 325 
 
 In all the turbulence of ocean's roar. 
 Whelming the bark unconscious of a shore- 
 Now leave my bower of peace — on wild waves tost. 
 And spread the sail for Albion's distant coast — 
 But not unblest — a bright'ning, sunny ray 330 
 
 Gilds the horizon of my wintry day — 
 A consort's care, an infant daughter's smile 
 Sustain my spirit, and my griefs beguile : — 
 These heart-twin'd objects o'er the deep I bear, 
 With pious hope, but not unmix'd witli fear, 335 
 To realms remote — O God, be thou their guide. 
 Vouchsafe to guard them through the storm and tide. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 19 
 
 li 
 
 325 
 
 e— 
 
 aves tost, 
 )ast — 
 
 330 
 
 CANTO ir. 
 
 e 
 
 bear, 
 
 r, 335 
 
 guide, 
 I and tide. 
 
 THE STORM, AND MIDNIGHT ENCOUNTER 
 OF A SHIP AT SEA. 
 
 Night now lias hush'd our crew in soft repose — 
 The moon, full-orb'd, her silver mantle throws 
 O'er the blue deep — her splendours quiv'ring play, 
 Gild our proud bark, and light her on her way : 
 In such an hour who would not slumber break, 
 To marvel o'er her meteor-streaming wake.* 
 In silent pomp the lofty warrior glides — 
 Her hull, masts, sails, reflected on the tides— 
 Her shadowy counterpart — to our sight, 
 Blended in stillness — noiseless as the night. 
 
 345 
 
 • The wake of a ship is the track which she leaves on the Kca. It 
 may l)e seen to a tonsiilerablc distance behind the stern, as smoother 
 •■lian the ies( ol' the water. 
 
 c. 2 
 
20 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS, 
 
 A thing intelligent before the gale 
 Seems the tall ship — plunging her straining sail — 
 Some spirit wandering on the billow hoar, 350 
 
 That starts and listens to the wat'ry roar. 
 
 II. 
 
 '? 
 
 
 With stilly tread now on the gangway's height 
 The centinel proclaims the watch of night, 
 And as the bidden seaman strikes the bell. 
 Then sounds on air the cry of" All is well!" 355 
 Now at the helm the steersman lifts his brow 
 To thee, fair planet, glittering o'er the prow, 
 And, as he guides his vessel through the main, 
 Dwells on those friends he sighs to meet again— 
 That thronging wake alternate hope and fear, 360 
 By distance now to memory^ doubly dear. 
 
 III. 
 
 Ocean slow heaving to the swelling breeze, 
 
 Recalls those nights in equinoctial seas, 
 
 What time a ship-boy,* o'er the gilded prow 
 
 I loU'd, and chid the talking waves below — 365 
 
 • The Author of this Narrative embraced a sea-faring life, and 
 made several voyages to India in his early youth : one in the Wor- 
 ccblcr, of which Mungo Pork was the Surgeon's Mate. 
 
 ( f. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 21 
 
 Or strove to count the sparkles of the title, 
 Their mimic fires scattering far and wide. 
 
 IV. 
 
 But years bring grief— now as the billows roll, 
 
 AVith voice articulate they melt the soul. 
 
 Like tones of friends remember'd o'er the ear 370 
 
 Mournful they fall, and wake the tender tear. 
 
 Whither are all my early comrades fled? 
 
 No more with jocund shout the sail they spread — 
 
 Mute evermore — and blotted from the day, 
 
 Like their swift ships they all have pass'd away. 
 
 V. 
 
 Unkncird they sunk — for them no mourners weep. 
 
 Their shroud the wave, their sepulchre the deep, 
 
 Or if inurn'd, and yet survive their fame, 
 
 What is it but the record of a name — 
 
 A senseless eiligy — a chisell'd bust, 380 
 
 The sculptor's elTort to defraud the dust. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Another day is pass'd — but now no more 
 Our (leej) sail whitens o'er the billow hoar- 
 
f 
 
 III 
 
 ■ 1 
 
 m 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINSRS. 
 
 Iiii-ii 
 
 
 1 
 
 ! 
 
 M 
 
 When night returns no more our crew is blest 
 With golden slumbers, and the dews of rest. 
 Intent wc all beheld the waning day 385 
 
 Depart in clouds that spread a deep dismay— 
 The voice of wrecking havoc shriek'd below, 
 And our dark fate aligMed on the prow. 
 The chief in horror gaz'd — and while around 
 The still air trembled with a muttering sound — 390 
 What demon, cried he, of the whirlwind's train. 
 Broods o'er the waters of the darken'd main? 
 Seamen, aloft! reduce the dangerous sail, 
 Bare pol'd* our bark must meet th' impending gale. 
 
 VII. 
 
 These portents of the troubled deep I saw 31)6 
 
 With secret wonder, and with sacred awe, 
 I'rojM our drear dock ; and at my elbow stood 
 Young Talbot, fram'd for scenes of gentler mood. 
 Who, as his arm round mine in friendship twin'd, 
 Kcveal'd the boding terrors of his mind : 400 
 
 * A ship is said to be under bare poles, when, in a tempest, all 
 )itr bails being furled, she ilies pitti pi lately before it — ])erluips, at 
 ihv: rate of twelve knots ;in hour, surrounded by waves whoso heads 
 or (up.-, are blown about with so j^reat violtnci; that you cannot discern 
 tht hori/on. Jlaud ignarus loquor ! 
 
THB AMERICAN MARINER9. 
 
 2a 
 
 est 
 t. 
 
 385 
 
 1(1— 390 
 train. 
 
 n 
 
 ng galo. 
 
 nooti, 
 wiii'd, 
 400 
 
 npest, iilJ 
 .'rluips, at 
 3feo liLiu(;> 
 
 I dreamt, as in my cahvais-cot I lay, 
 Ere yet the boatswain's pipe annouuc/d the day^ 
 That I was huri'd unfathom'd caves to seek, 
 Where no sound broke the sabbath of the deep. 
 Around me carcases, a coantless crowd, 405 
 
 Some in their hammocks, some without a shroud, 
 Floated in living tombs, the ocean's scorn^ 
 With unctuous locks, and hollow eyes forlorn. 
 While speeding down the azure realm were spread 
 Trunks without heads and limbs, that streaming bled; 
 Torn from their cearments, the rejected food 
 Of the voracious monsters of the flood. 
 Incumbent mermaids trail'd their glossy hair. 
 But one mermaiden sang a plaintive air. 
 Who gently o'er me gaz'd with aspect bland, 41& 
 And gazing wrong'd her bosom with ker hand. 
 Pitied my youth, and with her melting shriek, 
 Pierc'd the calm caverns of the hollow deep. 
 The Sisters rose, shook back the streaming tress. 
 And join'd the doleful wailing of distress. 420^ 
 
 Then with a voice subdu'd, the weeping throng 
 Around me wove their melancholy song : 
 In vain you lieaven-ward look with asking eye. 
 Fond boy ! no more will you behold the sky. 
 Far deeper limits have you yet to seek 425- 
 
 Of the exhaustless regions of the deep, 
 Pass shelving rocks, and distant eddies gain. 
 And uii\ with l*roteus and his formless train. 
 
ii 
 V 
 
 .) 
 
 ( 
 
 24 
 
 TH£ AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Where awkward whales the foamy waves assail. 
 And lash the marbles with their forky tail. 430 
 
 The sunless cave of keels, a countless store. 
 And rudders that obey the hand no more ; 
 Of many a founder'd sliip, within whose hold 
 The captain's gallant heart has long been cold. 
 These sapphire seas by right to us belong, 435 
 
 For whom the bard has rais'd the lofty song ; 
 Nicaea, and Cyraodoce the fair, 
 And Galatea with her golden hair. 
 They paus'd — I felt the warm gush of their tears. 
 And waken'd with my horror and my fears. 440 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Hoarse o*er the main the gathering surges rise 
 With heaving throws, and bellow to the skies, 
 In darkness shrouded — not a waking beam, 
 No star to twinkle, and no moon to gleam. 
 Dashing the deep, our barc-pol'd bark is borne, 445 
 Swift as a rein-deer from tie sounding horn-— 
 A thing appal'd, she flies before the wind. 
 Sweeps on, and leaves loiig foamy tracks behind. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Crowding the deck, while holds the ship her way, 
 The crew all view the isea in blank dismay— 450 
 
 . it 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 25 
 
 8 assai), 
 
 il- 430 
 
 re, 
 
 » 
 
 liold 
 cold. 
 
 ng; 
 
 None speak— none move— while through the troubled 
 
 air 
 The hoarse blast brings the wailing of despair, 
 And peal on peal o'er ocean's burning bed 
 Cuuiuiingling roll, and si«ake the cavern'd dead. 
 
 X. 
 
 r tears, 
 s. 440 
 
 rise 
 ies. 
 
 While round our hull the waves conflicting rise, 45.'> 
 
 The timoneer the wary chieftain eyes, 
 
 And as beneath his hand the axle glows. 
 
 Port ! he exclaims — or, Steady as she goes ! 
 
 And oft the binnacle attracts his sight, 
 
 (Whose pois'd lamp o'er the compass throws its 
 
 light,)* 4G0 
 
 There to consult the card whose mystic pow'r, 
 To arctic regions points in every hour. 
 
 rne, 445 
 
 hind. 
 
 way, 
 450 
 
 • The ship's compass is kept in a wooden case called the binnacle, 
 which at nittht is lighted by a vibrating lamp ; and being placed 
 before the helm, the helmsman in the darkest weatlier is enabled to 
 steer his course. A French poet of the twelfth century had seen it 
 used in the night : 
 
 Quand le nuit est obscure et brutie, 
 • Qu'on ne voit etoile, ne lune, 
 Lors font a. I'aiguille illumcr, 
 Puis ne peuvent ils s'egarer. 
 
*t 
 
 26 THE AMERICAN MARINERS* 
 
 XT. 
 
 Now sudden to the crew he calls alotid, 
 
 With warning voice, Grasp each r weather shroud ! 
 
 Oh ! may our plank repel yon whelraiag wave, 465 
 
 Whose yawning hollow seem« a coming grave * 
 
 He said — an Alpine mountain full in height, 
 
 For^niing in wrath, and terrible in might. 
 
 It strikes our deck— -which— from the ponderous bio w^ 
 
 Severs like polar ice when the thaw breezes blow. 
 
 til >WJ. 
 
 I m 
 
 XII. 
 
 As broke the sea o'erhead, I sought a shroud, 
 Amidst the scanicn mingling clamours loud, 
 While at our feet the flood with horrid roar, 
 Booms, hatches, cordage, in its torrent bore. 
 When Talbot thus : — (who o'er the rushing tide 495 
 A ratlin grasp'd, and held in gallant pride) 
 This wave cscap'd — the visionary loom 
 Dissolves — no n;ore prophetic of my doom. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 While o'er our deck the boiling billows glow, 
 (Jurl white above, and darkly roil below, 
 
 480 
 
 :^ 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 £7 
 
 er shroud ! 
 »^ave, 405 
 ave» 
 It, 
 
 cous blovv 
 Js blow. 
 
 Thr young Lieutenants, reckless cf the surge, 
 Sc( k the chain-pumps, and tlirough the torrent urge, 
 The deep well sound, the clanking puirp-brakes ply. 
 And look around them with a seaman's eye. 
 Hampden and Randolph in the waist appear, 485 
 And swell the shout the laggard heart to cheer — 
 So the bright stars that gild Orion's form, 
 Sliinc through the cloudy horrors. of the storm. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 ud. 
 
 But, lo ! from either hatch, a startled crowd 
 Of men and women, rush with outcries loud — 490 
 Pilgrims — who doom'd on foreign shores to roam, 
 Were now returning to their hearths ar.d home. 
 Wild with affright along the deck they pour. 
 Spread wide their palms, and kneeling, heav'n 
 
 implore. 
 Or raving call — they all their wealth would give 4U5 
 For one more day, one hour on shore to live ! 
 Then as the watery mountains whelm our deck, 
 A baseless station, and a floating wreck, 
 From the mix'd throng is heard young childhood*s 
 
 sliriek, 
 And the dread father's lamentation deep, 500 
 
 Piercing the gloom — while the poor female's fears 
 Arc mute — or only ishcwn in Silcnt tears. 
 
 I 
 

 m 
 
 I 
 
 
 28 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 XV. 
 
 While o'er our deck billows on billows roll, 
 A stronger tide of passion sways the soul— 
 The panicle throng more bitterly bewail — 605 
 
 When Hampden's mutter'd curse their ears assail : 
 A sailor long my lot has been to roam 
 In ship and schooner o'er the ocean's foam. 
 But ne'er till now these eyes beheld around. 
 Such waters deluge, and such billows bound : 510 
 Colu ibus well a farewell scroll might write. 
 Kept iie but watch with us on deck to night.* 
 Surely some Jonah in our ship sojourns, 
 Who now his unwhipt crimes in horror mourns, 
 Grows pale with ev'ry murmur of the skies, 515 
 And beats his breast at ev'ry flash that flies : 
 Only dotli this alternative remain 
 To bring the blessings of a calm again- 
 Let overboard the passenger be cast. 
 His sins atone, and pacify the blast. 520 
 
 At this some shook for fear — the more (K>vout 
 Arose and bless'd themselves from head to foot — 
 
 * When Columbus was in hourly expectation that his ship would 
 founder, he wrote an account of his discoveries on a skin of pardi- 
 mont, and having wrapped it in a piece of cecr-clotli, encloswl it in 
 a cask, and turned it a drift in the sea. 
 
^ 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 29 
 
 
 I 
 
 605 
 •s assail : 
 
 I, 
 
 d: 
 
 e, 
 
 urns, 
 
 510 
 
 515 
 
 520 
 
 Lll 
 
 mt — 
 
 'W: 
 
 When thus the Chief — Shipmate, these pranks give 
 
 o'er, 
 Who would not laugh, were you to pay the score — 
 Ev'n now, when ocean raves beneath the blast, 525 
 'Twere droll to see you to the surges cast, 
 Though there no friendly fish would rise to save 
 The falling jester as he dash'd the wave- 
 Come, help below these wretches from the shore, 
 Who hate salt water, and their lot deplore. 530 
 
 His shipmate hears, and in sarcastic vein. 
 With brow severe bespeaks the trembling train : 
 Down to your births, it ill suits you to brave 
 On open deck the rude, uncourtly wave- 
 Speed ye — if aught be left to you of sense, 535 
 JEre some o'erwhelming billow sweep you hence — 
 And hands attend the lifted hatch to close — 
 These suiiple hinds are formidable foes — 
 S? i' ^ vvhile they thread the ladder to the hold, 
 Ano ; ; :r orrent o'er the deck be roll'd, 640 
 Our dtLT't bark would shoot the deep below, 
 Fleet as an arrow from the twanging bow. 
 
 The train obey : their wailings they suspend, 
 'Hie sailors lift the hatch, and down they bend. 
 ^Yith pensive step the dungeon dark they seek, 545 
 'Pin hatches close — again is heard their shriek : 
 
30 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 So the poor ghosts, when the sky burns around. 
 Howl out their sorrows from the tomb profound. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 f ! 
 
 Firm at tu \ii, with circumspect survey, 
 
 The chief witu guiding hand directs our way, 550 
 
 While our heav'd bark scatters around her prow 
 
 The surges dazzling like loose flakes of snow. 
 
 Eyeing the swell, a sigh that ofttimes stole 
 
 Reluctant, spoke the anguish of his soul — 
 
 And as the wheel revolves beneath his hand, 555 
 
 Thus he accosts his weather-beaten band : 
 
 Columbians, shipmates, names for ever dear. 
 What heav'n inflicts 'tis mortal's part to bear — 
 But in the tempest's darkest, fellest hour. 
 There still presides an over-ruling power, 500 
 
 To whom the seaman looks his bark to guide. 
 And calm with mercy's voice the raging tide. 
 Then bear your fate — dismiss ignoble grief, 
 Rouse — clear the wreck to give the ship relief — 
 The massy spars strewn o'er the deck demand 565 
 A whole crew's labour, not u single hand. 
 
 n 
 
jy y 
 
 ^1 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 31 
 
 XVIL 
 
 Assembled at their toil the seamen ply 
 The axo and lever where the ruins lie- 
 While the hoarse boatswain urges on the train, 
 And bellows like the bursting hurricane. 570 
 
 Mix'd shouts resound — and o'er the steepy side 
 Thunder the spars, and strew the flashing tide. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Now round our craz'd barque such sea-billows spread, 
 As rival in their height the mast's tall head- 
 Loud and more loud they rage— and— as they roll 
 Their bursting deluge — harrow up the son! : 
 Scarce can our shuddering hull the shock sustain. 
 The fell assault, th' invasion of the main. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 St! I 
 
 Thus driving half-wreck'd on the midnight deep — 
 My fears — my terrors banish'd balmy sleep, 580 
 And on the deck, to yearning dread a proy, 
 A father's breast invok'd returning day. 
 When oh! as near the naval chief [ stood 
 Guiding his sliip iu siioiice o'er tlic Uootl, 
 
92 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINEI^S. 
 
 New horrors hover'd on the night's stern brow— 685 
 New horrors met the eye of moodj woe- 
 Sudden, terrific, labouring through the spraj, 
 A vast three-decker intercepts our way — 
 Some admiral's ship, whose sides in middle sky 
 Frown on the tempest, and its wrath defy, 690 
 
 Full horrible around the mist she throws 
 "With her huge prow — and kindling as she goes. 
 Bears on our wretched bark : our groans arise. 
 And mingled clamours echo to the skies. 
 
 ( I 
 
 111 
 
 J saw tlie chief survey her on the deep, 696 
 
 I saw the curdled blood desert his cheek- 
 Seamen, he cried, attend your leader's call ! 
 Haste to the booms — the tackles overhaul. 
 Should our frail bark the giant ship assail. 
 Our boats — our boats — they only can avail ; 600 
 Unless they float, one common fate we have. 
 Our hull our coiTm, the wide sea our grave. 
 Shield us, ye guaraidi host! to our dismay, 
 Silent the hulk advances on her way — 
 No hum is heard on deck — th' attentive ear 605 
 Finds only awful, death-like stillness there. 
 In such a night to sleep, the senses need 
 Mandragora, or drowsy poppy seed — 
 The pois'nous bowl, with deadly juices fill'd, 
 The fatal draught from Egypt's drugs distill'd ; 610 
 
 ■l^iife^ 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 33 
 
 In such a night with no composure blest. 
 Surely the crew have rav'd themselves to rest. 
 Lights ! seamen, lights ! — to fire the murky air — 
 A torch uprais'd ! — to shew her how we bear— 
 If lier vast hull, her decks, her ramparts own (J 15 
 Instincts to thinking, acting beings known. 
 Hard up the helm ! she comes but to annoy, 
 Fix'd in the horrid purpose to destroy. 
 Built in the eclipse, and rigg'd with curses dark," 
 She hurls destruction on our wretclied bark — ({20 
 Stem on she comes ! death spreads before our view — 
 The boats ! the boats ! save ye, my gallant crew ! 
 
 »i 
 
 He said — the Warrior full before our eyes — 
 Her keel on sea, her topmasts in the skies, 
 Athwart us shot — threat'ning to cleave in twain 02-"i 
 Our hull — and give the timbers to the main. 
 
 So silent was her deck, and she so near, 
 That her helm's motion we distinct could hear- 
 But not a whisper'd word — or being's tread — 
 Her's the deep mansion of the mute or dead. fl:j'> 
 'Twas then I saw the Mother wildly start. 
 And snatch her sleeping infant to her heart — 
 Kiss her babe's lips, those lips of coral hue. 
 And bathe Mith tears her eyes of azure blue. 
 
 mf 
 
 • Lycidas. 
 D 
 
 I 
 
 |i 
 
mmmimamm 
 
 M 
 
 
 I 
 
 (: 
 
 fl 
 
 
 « 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 (31asp'd in hev arniA tU' UQConscious chei^ub lay, 0'<M 
 Like some soft flower tkat closes with the day ; 
 Serene she smil'd to the fond bosom prest. 
 And midst the tumult innocence finds rest. 
 
 Soon as the Warrior pass'd us on the main, 
 Meekly devout, the plank our knees sui^tain^r- 640 
 The babe to loye maternal once yestop'd, 
 Oarest with rapture, is with tears ejqpter'd : — 
 Whate'er the transports this poor life can bring, 
 The heart's best bliss resembles sorrowing.* 
 
 * In the event of the collision of two ships at sea, and the destruc. 
 tion of the smaller one, there is no resource Ij^ft but in th^ boats. If 
 tliey be of the same bulk, both may founder. Two remarkable 
 British men of war, after leaving port, were never more heard of; 
 the Aurora frlgat^, having on. l)9oxA Falconer, the l^itimate ocean- 
 bard ; and the Blenheim, a seventy-four manned with the heroes of 
 the Nile. Their loss is commonly ascribed to a heavy gale, but I 
 have often thoug;ht they might respectiyeljr have gone down in a 
 midnip^ht encounter with some other ship, and their startled crews havr 
 resigned their spirits in one wailing burst of anguish. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS, 
 
 95 
 
 lay, U3r' 
 lay; 
 
 64U 
 
 CABTO IIL 
 
 ring, 
 
 the destruc* 
 [Q boats. If 
 remarkable 
 e heard of; 
 Date ocean- 
 ic heroes of 
 gale, but I 
 down in a 
 i crews have 
 
 THE CASTAWAY. 
 
 Of friends, of hope, of all bereft, 
 His floating home for ever left. 
 
 COWPER. 
 
 I. 
 
 i^ 
 
 Morn comes at. last, but, ohi no solaue bring*, 645 
 
 She bears no balm, no Healing on her wings, 
 
 Raj les» she; nises o^er our plunging^ prow; 
 
 Bow'd is each heart, dejected ev'ry brow. 
 
 Still rage the billow*, with temfic form, 
 
 And howling havoc, guides the vengeful storm. 6&0^ 
 
 d2 
 
7 
 
 mamm 
 
 mm 
 
 ■■I 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 II. 
 
 * I 
 
 ft' 
 
 
 High o'er the topsail yard, the shatter'd sail 
 Flutters in fragments to the hostile gale — 
 ** Seamen, aloft!" the young Lieutenants cry. 
 And pressing to the rolling-tackles fly — 
 *' Up men aloft, the canvass to unbend, (155 
 
 *' While some below the weather-brace attend." 
 Vainly they summon and rebuke the crew — 
 They all stand motionless before their view — 
 Hampden the shroud infolds with zealous hand, 
 To mount in air, and lead the naval band — 660 
 Vainly he calls them on with upward eye — 
 He kindles none — they pause in agony. 
 
 III. 
 
 \i\ 
 
 Ye sacred Nine, who o'er the harp preside, 
 Assist my song in melting strain to glide - 
 Prompt the deep murmurs of my lyre, and tell 665 
 How in his op'ning bloom young Talbot fell — 
 Dear to his shipmates — hurl'd before their eyes 
 From the tall mast — thought shrinks from where he 
 
 lies. 
 With courage nerv'd, the canvass to unbend, 
 Six seamen with the gallant boy ascend 670 
 

 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 :n 
 
 (?r>5 
 
 id; 
 
 
 nd, 
 
 660 
 
 11 Ger, 
 
 es 
 ere he 
 
 670 
 
 The rock'd yard dipping low ;— the shatter'd sail 
 Flaps to the impulse of the bursting gale — 
 Talbot the yard-arm seeks with generous cheer, 
 While we on deck look upward pale with fear. 
 One hand the lift embrac'd — his head was bare — 
 in ringlets o'er his shouldei's wav'd his hair — 
 Wild to the gale his azure mantle flows 
 Of glossy texture, edg'd with beryl rows, 
 That, rich in silken threads, his mother wove 
 Witli her own hands, the witness of her love. 
 The toss'd ship heaves him pendant to the skies, 
 
 What now remains to us but tears and sighs. 
 
 iiV.it 
 
 Our vows we pour — dread Spirit of the Storm, 
 Spare the poor sea-boy, spare his tender form ! 
 Pale to the helm the wary pilot came. 
 The ship's unbridled sallies to reclaim. 
 But came in vain — the storm in ireful mood (ia> 
 Bore the boy headlong downward to the flood, 
 Down to the deep — like a fleet meteor hurl'd 
 To quench its glories in the wat'ry world. 
 Struggling he mounts, and lifts his wretched hands» 
 And from his shipmates some kind aid demands, 65K) 
 And cries for help, but cries with voice supprest. 
 As the rude billow beats his quiv'ring breast. 
 The Captain heard, and rush'd towards the helm, 
 To check the ship ere seas his form o'erwhelm — 
 Hard, hard a-lee ! with thick'ning voice he cries, (>D5 
 Hard, hard a-lee ! the timoneer replies — 
 
 <; 
 
 li 
 
I 
 
 la 
 
 38 
 
 THB AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 The fore-sail shakes^ our vessel wildly bounds. 
 And with the beating surge the prow resounds. 
 
 a 
 
 Tiien Hampden to the life-buoy eager flew, 
 And lifted up, and overboard he threw ; 700 
 
 While others cast the gratings o'er the side, 
 And coops and hatches strew the flashing tide.* 
 The crew deplore and swarming seek the stern, 
 Whence, in the wake, their comrade they discern 
 Striving against the whelming wave to urge, 705 
 That bears him like a bubble on its surge. 
 
 \r^J > 
 
 'J'hrough the craz'd crowd tumultuous clamours ran 
 When thus the chief his stern rebuke began: 
 Degenerate crew ! what sink your souls with fear? 
 Will ye not spring to rescue one so dear? 710 
 
 Look ye thus on ! a deedless, craven train. 
 When duty prompts our boat upon the main ? 
 Fear ye she cannot live, and does the wave 
 Appal your breasts, when Mercy pleads to save? 
 
 * When a person falls overboard at sea the consternation of the 
 crew will be readily conceived. The general crj- through the ship is, 
 " A man overboard ! Hard down with the helm ! " The helm is 
 immediately put a-lee, the ship hove up in the wind, and her progress 
 through the water suspended. Meantime, whilst the sails are shaking, 
 the life buoy is launched from the quarter, and coops and gratings are 
 thrown to aid the object of general sympathy ; and, if the sea be not 
 so tremendous as to render his situation irretrievable, the boat is 
 lowered and dispatched to rescue him. 
 
700 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 :i!» 
 
 705 
 
 I ask no toils, no perils I demand, 7 1 '> 
 
 Hut what shall share this heart, this willing hand. 
 
 Recreants ! redeem the credit of your nanle. 
 
 Nor home return with foreheads veil'd in sliaiiie. 
 
 Delancey spoke — and as the deck he trod, 
 
 His form commanded, and his visage aw'<l : 7'2o 
 
 The kindling crew, as bees on sounding wing 
 
 At summons pour around their idol king, 
 
 Leap on the thwarts, their guardian chief sustaiti, 
 
 Grasp the broad oars, and dare the raging main. 
 
 
 ! 
 
 IV, 
 
 The boat's helm guiding, wrapt in foam apptar'<i 
 The master-seaman, and the rowers cheer'd : 
 Keep equal time, my still unconquer'd crew, 
 Stretch to your oars, and thtow around your vi( u — 
 Much has the frigate drifted, since from high 
 The boy was hurl'd, and out ears caught his cry. 
 Now from the wat'ry ridge the dizzy skift* 
 Shoots like a chough — blown from some airy clill 
 Down to the frothy vale — and midst the roar 
 Of the swoln sea again is seen to soar. 
 The chief exhorts, and ev'ry panting breast 7;i'i' 
 Is rais'd by turns witli hope, by turns with fear 
 deprest — 
 
 
40 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Intent around the confines of ths deep 
 Their searching eyes the luckless outcast seek— 
 They call on Talbot with a voice of pain, 
 And Talbot, Talbot, sounds along the main — 
 Tall)ot they shout — faint on his wat'ry bier. 
 Their deep cries pass unheeded by his ear — 
 Looking his last, he half beholds the skies, 
 Thinks on his home, and wishes as he dies. 
 
 740 
 
 S 1 i 
 
 hvl 
 
 V. 
 
 Now on our deck 'tis sadly silent all, 745 
 
 And rugged feat^'ics melt at sorrow's call. 
 
 And many a noble seaman mournful standi 
 
 With downcast eyes, wet cheeks, and folded hands; 
 
 And many a }'outh averted turns to weep 
 
 As the boat slowly measures back the deep "^50 
 
 Without the boy — dire is the row-lock's noise,* 
 
 Heard in the pause of ocean's raging voice. 
 
 Then as the rope-coil the mute boatswain th.rewf 
 
 To the pale oar-men, dreuch'd with briny de\ , 
 
 * Ruw-Iocks are notches in a boat^s gunwale to receive the oars : 
 they produce a repercussive sound in rowing. 
 
 + When a boat approache 3 a ship at sea, there is always some one 
 on board prepared to throw the boat's crew a coil of rope, in order to 
 enable them to haul up alongside. 
 
TH£ AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 41 
 
 h 740 
 
 745 
 
 iands ; 
 
 ; oars: 
 
 neone 
 :derto 
 
 A burst of anguish issued from our train, 
 Loud as the surges of the stormy main. 
 
 VI. 
 
 With more than vulgar grief Delancey stood 
 
 Amidst his wretched comrades of the flood. 
 
 Tears grace the eye of man — siipplied 
 
 To him alone — the lower world denied — 760 
 
 And he, who long unshaken and serene 
 
 Had death in storms and naval combat seen. 
 
 Now on the deck subdued by grief appears, 
 
 His body bent, his soul dissolv'd in tears. 
 
 Leaning his folded arms against the mast, 765 
 
 He mourns the lov'd boy bleaching to the blast : 
 
 O wretched end ! as thine no mortal's doom, 
 
 Not e'en the sand strew'd o'er thee for a tomb, 
 
 But in the vaulty deep thy reliques stray, 
 
 By night unshelter'd, and forlorn by day. 770 
 
 For thy departed som no passing bell 
 
 riung to Che hollow gale a solemn knell. 
 
 For thee no mourners through the church-yard way, 
 
 Held the black pall, and wept in long array. 
 
 For thee no organ peal'd, no choral train 775 
 
 With holy anthem clos'd the solemn strain. 
 
 No duty thee the surplic'd-pastor paid, 
 
 And the last words that dust to dv^* cunvey'd, 
 
■ 
 
 ■ I 
 
 m 
 
 TME AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Nor hand ofBcious heap'd thy rising bed 
 
 Of swelling earth, memorial of tlie dead. 780 
 
 O worthy better fate ! whose lov'd remains, 
 
 Unrescu'd from its rage, the deep contains, 
 
 No more, dear boy, the boatswain's shrilly call 
 
 Shall at the dawn thy waking ear enthral. 
 
 No more the backstay through thy palm shall glide. 
 
 Thy body poising o'er the azure tide, 
 
 Nor shall thy hand o'er the proud mast display 
 
 The trophied flag that marks Columbia's sway, 
 
 A patriot's ardour swell'd thy youthful breast. 
 
 For thy great country's weal too soon represt,, 71)0 
 
 Thy cherish'd wish on this terraqueous ball, 
 
 Like Hull* to triumph, or like Burrowsf fall. 
 
 * Hull commanded the United States frigate Constitution in her 
 action with the Guerriere. The engagement took place in latitude 
 41 deg. North, and longitude 55 deg. West. The Constitution carrie<! 
 guns of a twenty-four pound calibre ; the Guerriere eighteens. At 
 five p. M. they commenced close action — at twenty minutes past five 
 the Guerriere's mizen-mast tell, and at twenty minutes past six her 
 fore and main-masts went over the side, leaving the ship an un- 
 manageable wreck. There was great firmness shewn on board the 
 Guerriere in maintaining the fight an hour against a superior force, 
 after the loss of her mizen-mast. Hull's chief merit is, that his 
 crew were so skilfully trained to their great guns, that they fired them 
 more like rifle-men than artillerists ; and that he brought his ship out 
 of the action comparatively uninjured. As the Guerriere struck, a 
 sail hove in sight, when the Yankey frigate got all clear for another 
 engagement. 
 
 •f- Burrows commanded the United States brig Enterprize in her 
 memorable action with the British Brig Boxer, commanded by Cap<> 
 
 1 
 
TH£ AMERICA.N MARINERS. 
 
 43 
 
 780 
 
 To awe the tyrants of the turban'd host, 
 And foreign fleets expel from Freedom's coast — 
 But gone art thou, nor shall with grateful glow 795 
 Columbia wreathe a laurel round thy brow* 
 When homeward steering the inda%ent gales 
 Back to our port restore our spreading sails. 
 When with mix'd tumult, black'ning all the :3*rand, 
 Crowds swarm on crowds £o hail our ship to land, 
 When throbs thy mother, eager to explore 
 The bark her Talbot through the surges bore. 
 And throwing back her veil, witli fond alarms 
 Hopes, hopes to press thee in her longing arms, 
 How harrow up her veins, how fades her eye, 800 
 To see our drooping colours half-mast high ! 
 Her breast misgiving fears with boding pain 
 Thou ne'er wilt bless her blazing hearth ag-'u. 
 But not thee yet her darkest thoughts can lurui 
 A vagrant corse before th' infuriate storm. V>\0 
 
 Thy fate reveal'd, to me she makes her moans, 
 Mingles her talk with tears, her sighs with groans, 
 Me she rebukes, who her sweet solace led 
 O'er the dark deep to mingle with the dead 
 Where plummet never reach'd ; oh! wayward doom, 
 Denied a funeral and a lasting tomb. 
 
 I 
 
 tain Blythe. This gallant aflPair took place bntween Seguin and Cape 
 Elizabeth, near Portland, Massachusetts. Both commanders fell in 
 the conflict, and both were buried in the same grave. Burrows expired 
 in the arms of victory, as the Boxer was hauling down her colours. 
 
i 
 
 1; \ 
 
 'r 1 
 
 . 
 
 
 t 
 
 4A THE AMERICAN MARINERS: 
 
 VII. 
 
 The warrior ceas'd, and with a sigh represt 
 The mighty sorrow in his swelling breast. 
 And bade his young Lieutenants loose the sail, 
 And spread the canvass to the veering gale, 
 For westward now the orb of day again 
 Broke Iron; a cloud that hover'd o'er the main. 
 And unconcern'd its full reflection threw 
 O'er the bow'd bodies of our mourning crew. 
 
 820 
 
 T 
 V 
 
 A 
 
 r 
 
 J 
 1 
 1 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 m 
 
 CANTO IV 
 
 THE CALM. 
 
 i'^r. 
 
 MORNING AT SEA— CREW BATHING-NEPTUNE'S 
 VISIT— EPISODE OF YARROW— THE SHARK-BAIT. 
 
 The angry storm is laid, and Phoebus now 825 
 
 Peeps o'er the weary waves that rest below, 
 And, as the morning vapour lifts its veil, 
 Paints with his dawning blush our languid sail. 
 No billow curls, but the hush'd ocean keeps 
 An eq aal motion swelling as it sleeps — * 820 
 
 The helm, abandon'd by the pilot's hands. 
 Unheeded sways — our slumb'ring vessel stands 
 
 • An alternate rise and depression of the sea continue long after 
 the fury of the storm is exhausted. 
 
 4 
 
 M 
 
 i 
 
n 
 
 4« 
 
 T»E AMBRICAN MAKINBRS. 
 
 Fix'd as in ice— the vanes no longer stream, 
 And all is calm beneath the orient beam. 
 
 11. 
 
 Joy to the new-bom day ! — not only we, 835 
 
 But gladden'd myriads hail thee from the sea. 
 
 Drawn from their depths the scaly tenants sport, 
 
 And vast Leviathan maintains his court. 
 
 Musing the sailor murmurs as he eyes 
 
 Tiie cumbrous monster of enormous size, 840 
 
 Lift o'er the placid wave his nostrils bare. 
 
 And spout the liquid columS' in the air,. 
 
 With tail erect the blue recesses' seek. 
 
 And thundering plunge his carcass down the deep.*" 
 
 III. 
 
 Now sports the nimble dqlphin o'er the fides, 
 Floats in the sun,, like living sapphire glides.,t 
 
 845 
 
 * The Whale comas up to the surface of the seaJo blom the water 
 and fetch air. When floating he resembles a black hillock, and dis- 
 oovers only the crown of his head, and part of his back ; but, in going 
 down, he makes a display of his flns, and erects his huge tail. 
 
 •f- The cerulean brilliance of the Dolphin moved by golden fins, is 
 an object of delightful contemplation. We caught one of these fish 
 during the calm. In the agony of dying a succession of beautiful but 
 
TttE AMERICAN MARIN BBS. 
 
 4f» 
 
 
 835 
 
 840 
 
 The pennan'd fish hfi seeksrTT-in sf»arklmg flight 
 
 The victim rises and eludes his.sight^>— . 
 
 The deep dividing, from tJiie sur£su)e springs. 
 
 And cuts the huxom air wilh pearly/ wings-^^^ 850 
 
 But short his progress through the realms of day, 
 
 Languid he drops, an unvesistittg prey. i 
 
 But see, as though invoking^ the. soft gale, 
 
 The buoyant Nautilus exalt his s^ily 
 
 In spreading pomp his course around us keep, 855 
 
 And mock our stately frigate on the deep.f 
 
 IV. 
 
 f \ 
 
 Now while the sky unveils its living light, 
 And the broad sun burns out intensely bright, 
 
 845 
 
 
 evanescent tints passed over the surface o£. his body, exhibiting ch&nges 
 from blue to orange or gold, spotted with blue and lilac ; while its Rm 
 revealed the gorgeous colours of a peacock's neck. 
 
 * The Flying Fish are seen in shoals sparkling from the sea, endea* 
 vouring to elude the rapid pursuit of their cruel enemy the dolphin. 
 They can fly only while their finny wings ^re wet, and sometimes 
 drop on the ship's deck. On emerging from the ^.:ter, after their first 
 fluttering flight, they do little more than describe an extended curve. 
 
 t It is amusing to behold the Nautilus^ with a,, hull not bigger 
 than a walnut-shell, and a sail not lai^er than a butterfly's .ving, affect 
 the ]ot\v port— the incedo regina^ of a stately ship. 
 
 I 
 1 
 
 i 
 
48 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 [.,) 
 
 From the carv'd stern, tlie bowsprit, and the mast, 
 Their manly forms* the crew discuraber'd cast 860 
 In ocean's arms — like shapes aerial glide, 
 And dash their dancing shadows on the tide. ■ ' 
 Another follows whence the former stood. 
 Spreads wide his arms, and shoots the silver flood, 
 Plunging he falls, and ere he lifts his brow, 865 
 Again the surface parts, the waters glow.f 
 
 'inIf 
 
 V. 
 
 Now two Virginian youths their forms display, 
 
 In April beauty, naked as the day. 
 
 Standing prepar'd their snowy limbs to lave 
 
 In the clear crystal of the slumbering wave, 870 
 
 With breasts ambitious of a swimmer's fame, 
 
 Their height, complexion, and their age the same. 
 
 So bright their shapes, so exquisitely fine, 
 
 Both had seem'd statues by a hand divine. 
 
 But that Frank smiling, open'd to the \w.\\ 87'> 
 
 His ruddy lip, a berry moist with dew, 
 
 * The Americans, from their extetisive line of sea-coast, and the 
 intersection of their country by noble streams, are generally adepts in 
 the pleasant, healthy, and useful art of swimming. Franklin was su 
 consummate a swimmer, that he once had it in contemplation to esta- 
 blish a swimming-school on the Thames. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINEHS 
 
 40 
 
 mast, 
 it 860 
 
 flood, 
 865 
 
 870 
 
 Line. 
 
 875 
 
 and the 
 ;ciept8 in 
 
 a was su 
 to esta- 
 
 880 
 
 I 
 
 And threw his hair back with a jocund grace, 
 As in the deep he view'd his mimic face : 
 Before the crew no fear his irJen betray'd— 
 Bold was his attitude, and undismay'd. 
 Paul ey'd the ocean with a thoughtful look. 
 And bent like poor Narcissus o'er the brook, 
 One might have thought, as the boy musing stood, 
 He had let fall a jewel in the flood, . ,; 
 
 And wish'd to win it from its dark, abode. 
 Ilalf-turn'd his posture, shrinking from the blaze 
 Of the rude sailors' concentrated gaze, <;4^\t . 
 With face sUflus'd, his form concealment fftid 
 From hisr spread hands, till the wave; vejl'd him 
 
 round. . V 
 
 At once they spring from deck, a rival pair, 890 
 At once dart headlong with their feet in air. 
 And dash the deep — then rise with graceful pride. 
 And from their nostrils spout the briny tide. 
 Graceful their buoy'd career, as in the rape 
 Their naked bodies grate a lifjuid trace, 805 
 
 With nimble -stirring feet and outspread palm. 
 Along the soft blue of the level calm. 
 Now both the boys in frolic circles wheel. 
 And the smooth surface spurn with sprawling heel. 
 Float now Avith face iipturn'd— now plunging urge 
 Their shining forms beneath the wafting surge. 
 I'he welkin rings, as kindling tp,thq goal, • • 
 The long tress'd Frank lends to the strife his soul, 
 
 £ 
 
 'at(^^p*M»"''-^**='-'* ^'^^J****■*?**^' v.]tfUAiw«a*u*' 
 
 ^^.^^.., '*- 
 
50 
 
 THE A>r£RICAN MAK1NERS, 
 
 Nor less the din, when with aspiring mind 
 
 His rivail leaves him half his length behind. 90.> 
 
 Frarft follows fast, and now is seen to swim 
 
 As if a pinion lifted every limb, 
 
 8wift he ipursues, overtakes Paul on the brine^ 
 
 Their bodies toueh*, and c-en their arms entwine-^ 
 
 A vengeful conflict and drre< deeds of blood, t)lO 
 
 Between Ihe stripling tars' }tad now ensued, 
 
 !Htit that the herald, with his counsel sage, 
 
 As the chief ordered, check'd tlieir rising rage. 
 
 Again the waters to their fury yield, 
 
 Not Tnton» fester plough the liquid field, 1)15 
 
 lioth with one speed the bridle-port attain,* 
 
 And both are hail'd the victors of the msun. 
 
 l\ 
 
 Vt. 
 
 But see, rductant on the gangway island 
 
 >Vitli form recoiling, and averted band, 
 
 Tlie ocean eyeing, his last vesture thrown 020 
 
 liOose on the plank, his fear asham'd to own. 
 
 The boy who ne'er indulgM a bolder dream 
 
 Than the clear current of the valley stream. 
 
 • The bridle-port ir « spare emtrasure or opening in the fore* 
 most part (tf a frignte's side, used to run •out « hawser for warping. 
 
Ttl£ AMERICAN MAltlNEJtS. 
 
 61 
 
 005 
 
 1)10 
 
 D15 
 
 020 
 
 Oft would the in^chin, wlien, escaped from school. 
 He led the truants to the brook or pool, 025 
 
 Plunge, and with pliant arm undaunted brave 
 The shallow tide, and spurn the vassal wave. 
 And laugh and linger in the winding stream 
 From sultry noontide to the vesper beam. 
 But now the ocean damps the tntor'd wight. 
 His dark locks tremble o'er his neck of light : 
 A timid tear, impending in its fall. 
 He wip'd in secret, and concealed from all. 
 Shudd'ring he stands, cold fears arrest his speed, 
 Loth to retreat, not daring to proceed, 035 
 
 Sometimes resolves to fetch his leap, and then 
 His arms extends, but draws them in again. 
 Till nerv'd to boldness by the cheer and shout. 
 Headlong he darts, and joins the revel rout; 
 Dashes the deep, his snowy body laves, 040 
 
 Pants, and displays his tresses o'er the waves, 
 Now lifts, and now his glist'ning form inclines, 
 And a fair lily through mild crystal shines. 
 
 vn. 
 
 the fore* 
 
 I 
 
 And now the cares of empire laid aside, 
 
 The trident-bearer skims the level tide, 
 
 Directs 1h9 steeds, and gives his M'heels to glide. ) 
 
A^ 
 
 THE AMERICAN MAflfN^Rfi 
 
 ij! 
 
 Far ofTftt seai the monarcVd pearly car •, ' 
 
 On the horizon gleam'd a rising star, . 
 
 As fitful first it flash'd upon the view • , , 
 
 Of the strain'd vision of the gazing crew. 950 
 
 Pleas'd all around the huge, gigantic ^rhales ; . 
 
 Swarm from their «oral bowVa^ and weedy vales; . 
 
 Seals plough the azure tide with awkward leap, 
 
 And the swift porpoise gambols o'er the deep. 
 
 Full in the van, Glaucus, with blue-SMolu face, 255 
 
 Bestrides the monster of the scaly race, 
 
 And Tritons, as unbath'd they fly along. 
 
 Alternate swell the conch, and raise the song. 
 
 High in his chariot, hung with gleaming springs, 
 
 From side to side the sea's great ruler s>yings, 960 
 
 And as the clouds before his presence fly 
 
 In heaps, and scatter through the boundless sky, 
 
 The motley groupe he rallies, and provokes 
 
 The cheek to laughter with sarcastic joltes. ^ 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Our chief observant from tlie deck espies 905 
 
 With pointed telescope the chariot rise, 
 
 Sees the old azure god throw up the rein,. 
 
 And his proud steeds come flying o'er the main. . 
 
 Hampden, if tliis ^ood glass true si^ht supply, 
 
 And no illusive vision mock the eye, 970 
 
'tttR AMERICAN MARrNBR9. 
 
 U 
 
 950 
 
 Qs; 
 
 f 255 
 
 , 960 
 
 Far on the sea, the' pleasure-harnesk'd throng 
 
 Of the great trident- bearer moves along; 
 
 And Neptune, sitting in gay plight above, 
 
 Tilts like a bridegroom dancing to his love. 
 
 *Ti8 he, 'tis he ! I know him by his jib,* 975 
 
 Me comes, I trust, without his peerless rib ;t 
 
 While like the dolphins sport our sailor-clan, 
 
 She would her visage hide behind her fan. 
 
 Tis my good Neptune ! how he shakes the heel, -" • 
 
 He knocks twelve nieasur'd knots clean olF the reel> 
 
 His axles thunder, and the toiling whale • ' ' • 
 
 He. leaves hull down— 8& hard. he carries saiJl J ■ ' * 
 
 ')ut tompions fore and aft, and get all clear 
 
 'iim to salute who swaystUe triple spear. 
 
 Load well the main-deck guns, and far and wide 985 
 
 Greet his. great presence with a full brdad side. 
 
 Kouse him with yankey thunder, whose deep soun<J 
 
 Shall make his tritons start, his coursers bound. ; 
 
 And, hark you, let the canopy be spread, 
 
 Of antick work with gold and silver thread, 9i/0 
 
 905 
 
 m. 
 
 970 
 
 ■ • A' legitimate sailor always describes the recognition of an oW 
 acquaintance metaphorically. He knows him again by the cut of his 
 jib, or the peak of his mizen. 
 
 •f" Amphitrite. 
 
 $ As this sea-doric is intelligible to every one wiio has visited thfc 
 coast, or crossed* oVer to thel^leof Wight, it neectsita commentary.. V 
 
mmtm^mm 
 
 ;: j. t SM .r- 
 
 m 
 
 Ik: 
 
 H 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 0*er our broad deck"- and fill the copioQs bowl 
 
 With a whole deluge to exalt his soul :— 
 
 The bowl that holds three gallons and a h&If, 
 
 The bowl it suits an admiral to quaflf— 
 
 The bowl of «ilf er fretted round with gold, 995 
 
 Imbost y^hh sea-fights, and commanders bold. 
 
 Broach the old rum— a keg nf that fam*d tier 
 
 In the forehold— take not the light too near. 
 
 As in the cup the liquid amber* flows, 
 
 Pour a full tid.tf to smooth his wrinkled brows, lOOU 
 
 Nor spare the stream — our trident-bearing guest, 
 
 A main-brace splicer, loves the northward zest.t 
 
 IX. 
 
 As o*er the deep the mighty Neptune flew, 
 A shout he rais'd that shook the warrior crew- 
 Such his strong voice, as not in force to yield 1005 
 To routed armies when they leave the neld. 
 Dire was the din— appalling the full sound. 
 The hoary deeps divide— the caves rebound ; 
 Our tall ship trembled on the echoing tide. 
 The chief turn'd pale, in soul by none outvied. 1010 
 
 * Liquid amber-— a periphrasis for rum. 
 
 "^ Grog on board ship, when it tastes of the prime ingredient, is 
 «aid to b« made to the northward; implying, I presume, that it 19 
 miied iq m to suit ike meridian of a freezing clim^e. 
 
THE AMERJCAJli MARINERS. 
 
 6dk 
 
 095 
 
 1000 
 t 
 
 1005 
 
 1010 
 
 Now near the bark, he curb'd his coursers^ bound, 
 
 Keclin'd, and cast his azure eyes around— 
 
 Gaz'd on our yards—our spiry masts so tall, 
 
 «iur sides black frowning as a castie wall— 
 
 The coundess numbers of our frolic orew, 101 "» 
 
 Spurning his own sea'-waves- before his view :— 
 
 Then, with a spring,. his reeling chariot leaves, 
 
 And his firm btep our groaning deck receives. 
 
 All hail I he said — the captain forward sprung, 
 
 And on the monarch's neiok with fondnesss hung. 
 
 And cried, as with, his palm he press'd his hand, 
 
 Welcome on board the ship that I command! 
 
 When Neptune thus— how travel brings- decay 
 
 On mortal man, blanching the head with grey — 
 
 Ulysses stood at hiii own porch unknown, 1 02r> 
 
 Unrecogniz'd by fatlier,,wife, and son, 
 
 A sea-boy thee I knew, with. heart as stout 
 
 As ever haul'd a weather-earing out*— 
 
 But now so alter'd I'— while I grasp thy hand, 
 
 Scarce do I ken thee, as on deck we stand : 1030 
 
 But for the cruel beauty of thine eye. 
 
 My dear Delancey I should not descry ! 
 
 To whom tho naval chief with grace serene — 
 
 Not years, but toils, have thus transform'd my mien : 
 
 ! 
 
 lent, IS 
 U it is 
 
 • In lying out on a ship's yard to reef a sail when it blows fresh, 
 the place of distinction is the we»tber>eariQg. 
 
56 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 M 
 
 \, 
 
 Dire is thy ocean, dread in all its forms, 1035 
 
 lie must decay who combats thee in storms. 
 Whence com*st thou, chief? ' 
 
 - From Pennsylvania's ishores. "• 
 
 You shew your teeth*-^ . ' ?. ' •,' 
 
 Yes, when the Lion roars.t 1040' 
 What ship is this ? - 
 
 One that disdains repose. 
 Stripes 6n her flag— • * . ' . ", 
 
 Aye, to chastise her foesi - 
 Hut how is this your fore-top bowlines reeve ? ^ 
 
 1 see no blocks — . ;■ 
 
 The bees supply a she'ave4 1050 
 
 'J'lie monarch paus'd, and with terrific grace, 
 Tlis huge form rested on his ponderous mace, 
 I'ull twenty cubits long — and so large round, 
 'J'hat not ten tars could raise it from the ground. \ 
 And while he gflz'd — o'er the extended tier 1055. 
 Tiie i'lmners wav'd the match be-tUpp'd w ith, fire— 
 
 • A sliip is said to shew her teeth, when she displays her guns run 
 out tlie whole length of their tier. 
 
 •V -■ , •• . . .■ 1 - . ^ ■ -. . ^ ... .' ^ 
 •y A punning allusion to the British Lion. 
 
 \ 
 
 :}: Our fore-top bowline discovered a fantastic innovation, by 
 rcQvipK through a sheave cut in the bees, instead of leading through 
 8 block : so the gafT-haliards reeved through a slieave in the gaff'. 
 This was a fancy of the ydling officers. 
 
THB AM&HICAK MARIN£ltS. 
 
 67 
 
 1035 
 
 1040 
 
 The captain .gave the sign— our thunder broke, 
 And peal on peal a salutaUon spoke. 
 And as the mortars breathe out flame and night, 
 Full many a pulse recalls the ocean-fight— 1060 
 While Neptune smil'd with that benignant mien, 
 Which^to the deep restores the blue serene. 
 
 ';?¥ 
 
 » {" 
 
 1050 
 
 1055. 
 
 e— 
 
 
 ns run 
 
 X. 
 
 And noTT, beneath a canopy of state, - 
 
 Rais'd o'er the dedc, the mighty monarch sate, .. 
 
 Beside the chief — there three lieutenants brave, 1065 
 
 Young cavaliers, their kind attendance gave : 
 
 Each i'ram'd at masques to win a lady's ear, 
 
 Lie at her feet, and on her sandal swear. 
 
 Columbians all : in peace their chief's delight. 
 
 In war bis champions, foremost in the %lit. 1070 
 
 But while, alas ! they minister'd the bowl, . 
 
 A sigii reluctant, from Delanccy stole, 
 
 Who from his bosom wish'd, but wish'^J in vain. 
 
 That Tal.ot's form could grace the gallant train. 
 
 n, by 
 I rough 
 
 XI. 
 
 Now when the thirst of Neptune was represt, 107&. 
 The t-aptain Ijznt and eyed his gfantr guest. 
 
mmmimmm 
 
 \\\ 
 
 69 
 
 TU£ AMERICAN if ARINBSS. 
 
 l\ 
 
 f 1 
 
 The features of bis weather-beaten face. 
 With comely terror mix'd,^ and frowning grace. 
 His sable beard with spotted sea-shells drest, 
 Which like a forest mantled o'er his breast; 1080 
 The conch of purple o'er his brave head plac'd, 
 With wreathii^ salt-weed formidably grac'd. 
 And coral branch, of bright, unsullied hue, 
 From blemish free, as on the rock it grew. 
 The gallon-cup that to his neck was chain'd, 1085 
 With which the casks of foundered ships he drain'd; 
 But his huge hand now to the full bowl stray'd. 
 And to his longing lip the luscious draught convey'd. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Lost id deep thought, the trident bearer gaz'd 
 With uprais'd vision, and the frigate prais'd. 10J)0 
 Fair is your ship ! she fills my wondering eyes 
 A sixty-four-gun vessel in disguise.* 
 
 • It has b^cn a fashion to call the American frigates seventy-fours 
 in disguise; bu^the assumption is unwarranted. Were they virtually 
 line of battle ships, no vessel that fights her heavy guns on one deck 
 could have lain alongside of them ten minutes without foundering. 
 Bnt the Guerriere fought the Constitution, the Macedonian the United 
 States, and the Java the Constitution, till they scarcely had a stick 
 left standing. To settle the difipussion, we need only refer to the 
 
THE AMje»ICAN MA^^PRS. 
 
 09 
 
 1080 
 
 i, 
 
 1085 
 rain'd; 
 
 J, 
 
 ive)f'cl. 
 
 Such masts, sails, rigging, an4 ioipervious ^iclc, 
 She floats a winged rampart on the tide. 
 Her scantling suits a large ship of the line—* 1095 
 Before the breeze she looks a thing divine. 
 Who taught your Indian shipwrights* to excel, 
 And from the British builders bear th« bell ? 
 Yet not you' ships compose your n^val strength, 
 Though bruad their beam, and terrible their length. 
 Your crews confer the spell — by nature brave, 
 Rock'd on the cradle of the sky-mix'd wave ; 
 Boasting their lineage from the n^val train 
 Who proudly bear my sceptre o'er the main.f 
 
 1000 
 
 Battle of the Nile. In that splendid action, while an English seventy, 
 four was engaging a French .ship of tlie same rate, a large French 
 frigate placed herself in a position to annoy the English line of battle 
 ship ; but soon rued her temerity, by sinking under the fire of a single 
 broadside. 
 
 ity-fours 
 i^irtually 
 )ne deck 
 nderiiif,'. 
 B United 
 i a stick 
 tr to the 
 
 • Neptune seems to labour under the same prejudices with respect 
 to the United States thatm any of our Critics do— who, contemplating 
 the New World through the distorted medium of the spectacles of 
 books, imag^ to themselves h nation of Mohawks and a land cf 
 zattleoSHj^kes* 
 
 *)■ If Independent America be now a flourishing nation, in every 
 stage of her advancement the Genius of England has presided over, 
 and consecrated her efforts. 
 
60 
 
 THE AMfe9(l(tA^ MAltiKBRS: 
 
 You Uiiuk our^eameb staunch? 
 
 1105 
 
 '*' ' ' * * My realm they grace. 
 
 The genuine ofTspring of . Neptunian race, 
 "Who'hold oDf sea a younger brother's place. 
 
 Your praise is niggard — if our flag you scofT, 
 Sooti will we shake our base dependence off, 1110 
 Another arbiter on ocean se6k. 
 Nor lohger hail you monarch of the deep. 
 Wedded to fame, the dowV of conquest won, 
 What seamen equal burs beneath the siin? - 
 Not slaves, but free-men, for the fight we arm — * 
 There lies the talisman — the potent charm I 
 
 JMournful their fate, who Neptune's laws e'er broke, 
 Spurn*d his dread spear, and cast away his yoke — 
 JVIy true blues, captain, scorn your yankey boast ! 
 
 Let them approach again our frowning coast ! 1120 
 
 • in the United States Kavy seamen enter voluntarily for two 
 years, and subscribe articles, the same as in the merchant-service. 
 
 ^ * *r 
 
THE AMERICAN MARIMBRS. 
 
 ei 
 
 1105 
 
 Our lofty battle ships of two tiers each,* 
 Shall from their guns an awful lesson teach 
 To after times— 
 
 ; iiiQ 
 
 Captain, you make me laugh, 
 What time I lift the nectar'd bowl to quafi*. 1125 
 Say rather they will make you inly pine- 
 Saint George and conquest on their banners shine. 
 
 rni — * 
 
 r broke, 
 yoke — 
 boast ! 
 
 ! 1120 
 
 y for two 
 service. 
 
 • The late war between Great Britain and the United States acce- 
 lerated the growth of the American Navy, as will be seen by a com-^ 
 parative statement of its force at the beginning and the end of the 
 contest. 
 
 United States Navy. 
 
 In 1812. 
 
 Constitution «44 
 
 United States 44 
 
 President 44 
 
 Chesapeake .....36 
 
 Constellation............36 
 
 Congress M 
 
 Boston 32 
 
 Essex 32 
 
 In 1815. r 
 
 Independence. 74 
 
 Washington. 74 
 
 Franklin 74 
 
 Constitution 44 
 
 President, new, 44 
 
 Guerriere, new 44 
 
 Java, new ;....44 i 
 
 United States 44 
 
 ' Macedonian ^..44 
 
 Congress .....36 . 
 
 ... Boston ........32 
 
 Fulton : 32 . 
 
 With Corvettes. .' 
 
 ' United States Navy in 1^2. ' '- 
 
 Two one hundred gun ships — seven seventy -fours — twelve frigates-iii 
 together with corvettes — making altogether fifty vessels of war. 
 
 • See London Magazine (official document J for January 1U22, 
 
 ,i| 
 
 A 
 
w 
 
 m 
 
 mm 
 
 «2 
 
 trie AMfeiilCAN MAAINKR9. 
 
 On our proud flag Coluittbia indited, 
 
 »* Tree trade, and independent sailors' rights."* 
 
 1 
 
 This fraejrant bowl is exquisitely wrought, 1130 
 
 A nobler one my longing hand ne'er sought. 
 
 So deep to fathom, aftd so wide the brim. 
 
 An eight oar'd barge might in the nectar swim. 
 
 What quaint device i« this— grav'd on its side? 
 
 The Constitutionf in triumphant pride ! 1135 
 
 • The British Otdlersf in Council pVoMbited Neutmls, and conse. 
 quently AmeiicBns, from trading with France, which was declared to 
 he only tt retaliatory decree ; but the American Government con* 
 sidered it an infringement of their rights, on the principle that free 
 ships make free goods. But what g^ed Jonathan in the sorest point 
 was the search of his vessels on the high seas for British seamen, who 
 by acts of naturalisation and certificates of citizenship, were manufac. 
 tured into Americans. These were novel pretensi^ons, not to be ad. 
 mitted by Great Britain, as she recognizes n» expMriation in her 8ons> 
 and allows none to cancel the jurisdiction of their parent state. A 
 similarity of language and manners made the exercise of this right 
 liable to partial mistakes, ahd occasiofidi abuse; a Yankey was now 
 and theri transj^nted irtto an English man of war, who gave evidence 
 of his consanguinity to the British, and vindicated tlie genuineness of 
 his descent, either irt taking a trick at the helm, furling a sail in a 
 gale of wind, getting down yards and topmasts, or an anchor over the 
 bow. It was, therefore, ithe utiiform policy of the American Captains, 
 to keep alive the remembrance of the outrage— maMt;^ injuria vexillo 
 rfpoiM'-and the American frigates went always into action with flags 
 bearing the motto *' Free trade and suIotb' rights !" 
 
 -f The Constitution having taken in succession (he Guerricie, the 
 Java, and the Levant, and the Cyane, is the most popular ship in the 
 United States Navy ; and has exercised the skill and ingenuity of the 
 trans-atlantic graver. From her strength and compactness, the Ame* 
 ntiaa tarvhatS BeMbWM oti hie^ the name of *'^ Old IroH^ides." 
 
THE AMERICAN &CAItINBR9. 
 
 69 
 
 ts.' 
 
 nm, 
 Je? 
 
 and conse* 
 declared to 
 nment con« 
 le that free 
 sorest point 
 lamen, who 
 e manufac. 
 { to be ad. 
 in her sons> 
 t stiite. A 
 
 this riglit 
 y was now 
 ve evidence 
 uin^ness of 
 a sail in a 
 or over the 
 I Captains, 
 ria vexillo 
 
 with flags 
 
 rriere, the 
 ship in the 
 iiity of the 
 the Aroe- 
 15." 
 
 
 \ 
 
 The apangled-bannep waving o'er the CroM— 
 A thousand left — one ship is na great loss. 
 How soon these vatintej tropkies all were laid. 
 Won but to fall, and blooming but to fade. 
 Captain, be candid— can your lip deny— 1X40 
 
 (Though from your bosom steal the pensive sigh) 
 When Broke engag'd, and fought you gun to gun. 
 He made your yankeys from their quarters run ? 
 Beneath the fell glance of the warrior's eye. 
 How many minutes did your colours fly ? 1145 
 
 The captain'*8 cheek a blush of crimson dyed 
 And turning on his -chair his guest be eyed, " 
 Stamp'd with his foot, and frowning to him cried 
 The Chesapeake! had' I thy forceful mace. 
 From the great deep her huH I would efface. 1150 
 The Chesapeake ! oh ! ever lost to fame, 
 Barron* had scandal heap'd upon her name— 
 ^Vhat time his foot her luckless plank first prest. 
 Her stars were darkened — sunken was her crest. 
 
 • In the yearl807i as the Chesapeake, commanded by Commodore 
 Barron, was proceeding from Hampton Roads on her passage to the 
 Mediterranean, the Leopard, of 50 guns, was detached from a squa« 
 ^ron to Westward, witU orders to search the American Aigste for 
 British deserters, and tlie unfortunate Commodore disgraced himself 
 by suffering Captain Humphreys to take several men out of his ship, 
 after a- feeble resistance witli one or two of his guns. Barron pleaded 
 in extmuation that his main-deck Was lumbered by the cables, not yet 
 paid down into the cable4iier{ but the sentence of a Court Martial 
 «usppnded him from ^ny ^mmand in the United Sjtates Navy for ft 
 
 • 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 6% 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 When 4he proud Shannon here within her view, 
 
 A spell descended on her recreant crew. 
 
 A foreign wretch from Lusitania's strand,* 
 
 An upstart fiend led on the buzzing band. 
 
 Sordid of soul, on lucre only bent, 
 
 A bribe they called for, ere to fight they went. IICO 
 
 ..I r 
 
 certain terih of years. Being without fortune, and having a family 
 of three daughters to support, he offered his services to the Merchants 
 of Russia, and obtained the command of a ship out of Archangel. 
 For a long period he encountered the ' y gales and tremendous seas 
 ot the Baltic, sustained in the bleak v. ohies of the midnight dedc 
 with the reflection that he still was the succouring father of his chil< 
 dreri. Returning to the United States to seek a restoration of his 
 former dignities, his evil genius still pursued him ; for, learning, on 
 his arrival, that Comniodore Decatur had declared him unworthy of 
 reinstatement in the navy, he demanded satisfaction from that gallant 
 officer in singly combat. They met on the duelling ground at Bla- 
 densburg, where h-s antagonist falling, he became so obnoxious to 
 the nation, that the voice of the sovereign people inhibited him any 
 appointment. 
 
 • In answer to a Chronicler of " Naval Occurrences," in whose 
 book, if, after wading through live hundred pages, we find one un- 
 biassed assertions, • .,.•....■.•>•••;.»..••'♦• 
 
 We bless our stars, and call it luxury ! ' 
 
 It was n«t Adams the boatswain, but a Portuguese boatswain's mate, 
 one Joseph Antonio', that stirre' the Chesapeake's crew up to mutiny. 
 Geoftry Cra>'on, who has slily concealed from the Reviewers in his 
 preface to his |Sketch Book, (or otherwise, Off with his head! So 
 fnuch for Swkivfrham ) that he is the author of divers Philippics 
 against Great Britain and her navy, his undeniably established the 
 feet. ■ ■ • ^. • ■ ••.•■■ ■■ « 
 
 ft 
 * 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS, 
 
 When seamen's wages are not duly paid, 
 The captain's voice is slenderly obey'd. 
 
 ring a family 
 le Merchants 
 if Archangel, 
 mendous seas 
 udhiRht de<Jk 
 r of his chil- 
 (ration of his 
 I learning, on 
 
 unworthy of 
 n that gallant 
 :ound at Bla- 
 
 obQOxious to 
 lited him any 
 
 Hence to your guns ! the lofty Lawrence cried, 
 
 But in his crew a coward crowd descried, 
 
 He fell, and o'er her deck is heard to cry 1165 
 
 His ghost for vengeame on their treachery. 
 
 He fell betray'd, but left behind a name 
 
 Proud as e'er swell'd the trophied-roll of fame ; 
 
 The dying words that quiver'd on his lip 
 
 Our hearts still echo, "DO n't GIVE up the ship!'* 
 
 This plea is better than the sorry ground 
 That the ship's bugle-man could not be found ; 
 
 •s," in whose 
 find one un- 
 
 swain's mate, 
 up to mutiny, 
 iewers in his 
 is head! So 
 ers Philippics 
 tablished the 
 
 V 
 
 • Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded by the fire of the first 
 broadside from the Shannon, and carried down into the cockpit of the 
 Chesapeake before Captain Broke boarded. His dying words were, 
 " Don't give up the Ship ! " The captain of the Shannon has been 
 chiefly admired for his intrepidity in battle ; but the judicious his- 
 torian will record the humanity that adorned his conquest. Captain 
 Lawrence was interred at Halifax with the highest military honours. 
 Minute guns were tired until his body was brought on shore, when it 
 was received by the sixty-fourth regiment, with arms reversed. The 
 corse was then borne to the grave by the seamen of the Shannon ; 
 with six navy captains as pall-bearers, and the surviving ofiicers of 
 the Chesapeake as mourners ; while all the ofiicers of the staflT, gar- 
 rison, and navy, swelled the funeral procession. 
 
 F 
 
m 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS., 
 
 As if a crew were like a pack forlorn, 
 ITiiIess wound up to courage by a horn.* , • , 
 
 They paus*d_and while the youths o'er clouded stand, 
 
 The captain leant his head upoa' his hand, 
 
 iJis brimful eye his pensive bosom sought, 
 
 And all on Lawrence ran his tender thought ; 
 
 The noble image of the naval chief 
 
 Forc'd from his soul the overflow of urief. 1180 
 
 JHe saw him cover'd with a country's love, 
 
 To the great Capitol in triumph move,t . 
 
 What time the shouts of millions shook the ground, 
 
 Kold as the bursting of their cannon-sound ; 
 
 When vanquish'd standards, bright in figur'd gold. 
 
 Were to the gaze of multitudes unroH'd, 
 
 And in their robes the conscript fathers stood 
 
 To crown the youthful victor of the flood. 
 
 • The Americans, in the Court of Inquiry on the surrender of the 
 
 Chesapeake, ascribe it ptatly ( tisuvitencaiis amui' J to the fright of 
 
 W.Brown, the buglem'an ; who, when the two ships got foul,' deserted 
 
 'his quarters, and, when dragged out of his skulking liole, was unable, 
 
 from trepidation, (o blow hi6 horn ! 
 
 Obstupuit, steteruntqne comae, et vox fauclhus hcct'it t 
 
 
 •t* Captain Lawrence was conducted in triumphant procession in 
 the Capitol at Washington, for the capture oif the Peacock when he 
 Commanded the Hornet. The action took place off Demarara, and 
 Instet; only fifteen minutes, wlicn the Peacock struck in a sinking 
 condition, and he lot»t liis trophy by bcr foundering. 
 
 1 
 
TIIK AMRRITAN MARINF.RS. 
 
 07 
 
 Wliat timo tlio Tiber,* from liis oozy bed, 
 Heard the full shout, and rear'd liia reverend head ; 
 "IVell pleas'd to see tiie conquering hero bond, 
 j^nd the wreath'd chaplet on his brow dtscend. 
 
 Xlll. 
 
 he ground, 
 
 id; 
 
 u'd gold, 
 
 jtood 
 
 ,J t. 
 
 Now, with both arms, Neptune again sustaiiiM 
 
 The mantling bowl, and to the bottom draiu'd; 1195 
 
 And as he play'd an ardent sailor's part, 
 
 The liquor found a passage to his heart. 
 
 More! more, he cried : oh ! this unequall'd juice, 
 
 Not Jove's best vintage ever could produce ; 
 
 Ne'er Hebe pour'd such nectar in the bowl, 1200 
 
 It >vraps in vision'd trance the swiller's soul. 
 
 Then the chief whisper'd Hampden in the ear : 
 
 Heave out another puncheon from the tier — 
 
 iirrcndcr of the 
 
 o the tVight of 
 
 >t foul,' deserted 
 
 e, was unable, 
 
 hcci'tt ! 
 
 It procession lo 
 acock when he 
 Demarara, and 
 k in a sinking 
 
 
 • When the United States were colonies, the English governors, 
 geographers, and commissioners of the land ofHce, conspired to fill 
 their teriitory with the poorest and most sneaking names that ever 
 disgraced the earth. Since (to use a shop-phrase) the Americans have 
 set up for themselves, they have felt the necessity of recurring to more 
 sounding appellations ; — Uy words, which, partaking more of the oj 
 rotundum^ are better adapted to round the periods of the senator, 
 and swell the song of the bard. Hence the stream that glides through 
 the City of Washington, and mingles with the Potomac, has changed 
 its intractable name to the classical one of " Tiber." . 
 
 f2 
 
^IF 
 
 68 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 1'he Pacha's pipe — the one of regal mien 
 We fouad last cruize on board the Algerine. 
 As some revenge — to quit him for liis bore, 
 We'll try at least to make him half seas o'er. 
 
 1205 
 
 To whom the youth : He -lews with jealous eye 
 
 The stars and stripes o'er the old Union fly ; 
 
 Di<^ not the potent draught rejoice his soul, 1210 
 
 In atoms he would dash the flgur'd bowl. 
 
 Once wht;n he rais'd the cup his thirst to quench, 
 
 I saw hi!r» give i!)8 fretted side a wrench 
 
 With his huge hand ; his labouring breast 
 
 Our naval trophies sorely have opprest. 
 
 He calls us Yankeys* — Sir, do you intend 
 
 Still at his feet your offerings to extend ; 
 
 The bow, the quiver, and the bright display 
 
 Of Indian garments flaming as tlie day ? 
 
 Then thus the chief — imperial is his mace,t 
 
 From pole to pole it swa}'8 the liquid space ; 
 
 1215 
 
 1220 
 
 • The term YavJcry is derived from the Indian epithet Vuukuu, 
 whi'h implies in the Indian language the quality of invincible courage- 
 It was bestowed on the Americans by the Indians, who entertain s(> 
 lofty ideas of American enterpvize and Yalour,that they say the Ame- 
 ricans are neither Frenchmen nor Englishmea, but tphHe Judianx, 
 The word is now perverted from its original sense, and applied in 
 derision. 
 
 + There was such power in Neptune's trident, that, with one blow 
 of it. he shook Troy from its foundation. See Virgil, M. ii. v. tilO. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 6i) 
 
 r. 
 s eye 
 
 9 
 
 1210 
 uench, 
 
 1215 
 
 1220 
 
 Should he so will — with one infuriate blow^, 
 
 A navy rocks in agony of woe. 
 
 To whom the youth : could not our main-deck tier 
 
 Cope with the prowess of his triple spear ? 1225 
 
 Rash boy, forbear ! go broach the Pacha's cask, 
 
 And hither bear some liquor in a flask, 
 
 A i^roud tiara, glorious to behold, 
 
 Surmounts the bung, in many a curving fold. 12535 
 
 XIV. 
 
 ^ 
 
 How far'd friend Bainbridge* when you saw him la.<t, 
 Bore he a blue broad pendant on his mast ? 
 
 He did : I hail him as my Commodore — 
 By him detach'd t^^ Afric's sultry shore. 
 
 thet Yankuo, 
 ible courage- 
 entertain so 
 ay the Ame- 
 hrte Jiidxans, 
 d applied in 
 
 i^itli one blow 
 II. V. t»lO. 
 
 Arid hence these guns run out in long array. 
 
 O'er the wide ocean spreading dire dismay — 1235 
 
 " Bainbridge commanded the United States frigate Constitution, 
 in the Imrd fought action between her and the Java, oft* the coast nt 
 Brazil. Wlien the Knglish frigate surrendered, she lay an unnia- 
 nageable wreck— rolling htr main>deck guns under water — without . 
 spar standing — and her flag was lowered from the stump of the niizf n- 
 niast. It was Bainbridge who observed, when the Chesapeake '.as 
 taken, that it would be necessary for the British to give more than one 
 solitarj' instance to convince the American officers and seamen of their 
 superiority. 
 
 P 
 
ryf^T^mmmmmmm 
 
 mmm 
 
 V" 
 
 !i 
 
 i! 
 
 70 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Honcc these proud banners bright with stripe and 
 
 star; ' ; /, 
 
 The warrior's triumph, and the pomp of war. 
 The baleful spirit of revenge ne'er sleeps — 
 In vain the orphan mourns — the widow weeps— 
 Vain my attempt with circling arms to bind 1240 
 In one great social compact all mankind ; 
 Love to infuse, and wake the kindred soul 
 To mutual intercourse from pole to pole, 
 for this arose the oak, for this the pine, 
 On the tall cliH's that beetle o'er my brine; 1245 
 But man, infuriate man, def'poils the shade 
 That soothes the forest, snd a<lorns the glade. 
 To rib the floating fortress, and deform 
 The deep beyond the rancour of the storm. 
 What boot your race war's deeds ? or can they claim 
 xVught hut blood-spots upon the face of fame ? 
 O th«t a false renown should so much blind 
 The godlike part of man, th' immortal mind, 
 And headlong urge him to despise the laws 
 Of weepitig nature, for a crowd's applause; 1255 
 A fleeting vapo.ir, and a vagrant wind. 
 An echo, or a sound — to none confin'd. 
 
 Then thus the chief: Thrice happy he wliose nanu^ 
 Lives in the sweet, recording voice of fame. 
 Without this cheering impulse of the soul, 12(>0 
 Dreary the billows of thy deep would roll, 
 
 
 I* ' »i 
 
TttE AMERICAN MAEINERS. 
 
 71> 
 
 stripe and 
 
 I. 
 war. 
 
 iveeps— 
 ind 1240 
 
 e; 
 
 ide 
 
 dadc, 
 
 1245 
 
 m. 
 
 I they claim 
 
 anie ? 
 
 ind 
 
 nd, 
 
 ws 
 
 iG ; 1255 
 
 lose name 
 
 nc. 
 
 il, 12(i0 
 
 I, 
 
 No gallant ship would on its bosom stray, 
 Spread the white sail, the glittering flag display. 
 
 Who roams the sea, to his own bliss is blind, 
 Hope raoiintiir liis prow — Care follows fast behind. 
 Why not retire, anu seek some safe retreat 
 Where on the pebbly shore the billows beat ; 
 Some cottage on a knoll, or rising plain, 
 Whose sun-bright casements ove^rlook the main. 
 Where landward, from the airy mountains steep, 
 The grey-clad shepherd drives his nibbling sheep 
 Down to the vale — and where, on rocks fast by, 
 The goats frisk to and fro for jollity. 
 Such pleasant scenes by verdant nature set 
 licfore your eyes, would make you soon forget 1275 
 Your crazy vessel with her wave-drench'd side. 
 Toiling to windward on the stormy tide. 
 
 The hill, the valley, and the waving wood. 
 Charm not these eyes like thy rebounding flood. 
 Here on the heaving ocean let me prove I'iHO 
 
 Tlio din and dangrr of the life I love. 
 Id ljrot)k these cars the voice of sheplierd-lout— * 
 Gi\e lire the swelling of the sea-ward i^hout. 
 
I 
 
 { 
 i 
 
 72 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 -S- 
 
 Hi ! 
 
 :f|! 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 i(! 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 1m 
 
 < 
 
 
 pi 
 
 
 1 
 
 ■ i 
 
 1 
 
 ' ■ ■■•' XV. • •' ■' ' 
 
 While to great Neptune's hand the fresh howl grew. 
 
 On the chief *s face he bent his earnest view : 1285 
 
 Have you no music that with dear controul 
 
 In folds of joy can lap the yielding soul? 
 
 Such notes as my bold Argonauts* once cheer'd, 
 
 When by the steeps of Thessaly they steer'd ? 
 
 What time to Orpheus' harp they ply'd their oars, 
 
 And left behind Pelasgia's fertile shores. 
 
 The Captain heard, and beckoning to him near 
 
 His young Lieutenant, whisper'd in his ear : 
 
 Hid renegado Shelty hither haste. 
 
 And with his bag-pipe charm the wat'ry waste — 
 
 Congenial is his music to my soul — 
 
 W^hen the Scot pipes, my thoughts on Ossian roll 
 
 XVI. 
 
 He j:aid-^the minstrel with his pipe appears, 
 Bending alas! bepjath the yoke of years; 
 
 • Apollonius Rhodius, in his muster-roll of the crew ot the good 
 ship Argo, numbers several of Neptune's descendants. Pindar, in hi)? 
 fourth Pythian Ode, where he adverts to the Argonautic expedition, 
 makes mention of two. 
 
THE AMERICAN MATliNERS. 
 
 73 
 
 bowl grew, 
 lew: 1285 
 ml 
 
 clieer'd, 
 erd? 
 heir oars, 
 
 1 near 
 ;ar : 
 
 waste — 
 
 ssian roll 
 
 From their orbs wither'd were his balls of sight, 
 
 Long, long denied the cheering smile of light. 
 
 A little sea-boy held his tartan fold, 
 
 Kyes to the blind, and succour to the old ; 
 
 Who watch'd his feeble step with filial care, 
 
 And taught him aft in safety to repair, 1305 
 
 And helpless age's delegated stay 
 
 Would petulently bid the crew make way. 
 
 ■ ' ' * 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Hugging his pealing bagpipe to his side, 
 
 Shelty advances with a minstrel's pride. 
 
 While his small foot-page hums a border song, ]31(» 
 
 *' None here reside that would a piper wrong ;" 
 
 And as he hum'd, the child the guests survey'd 
 
 With form half hid behind the old man's plaid. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 !ars, 
 
 ew of the good 
 Pindar, in hi)? 
 tic expedition. 
 
 In iiinnble guise the floor the piper press'd, 
 And Jow'd his head low bending o'er his breast ; 
 Tben s;t* him down, and the full cup const'-ain'd. 
 That to his wither'd palm the boy sustain'd. 
 iJome, v>helty, drink — the chieftain mildly cried — 
 tWic* in thy hand, the wine-cup wants no guide — 
 
T 
 
 t 1. 
 
 I : 
 
 MHi 
 
 It i 
 
 w 
 
 THli AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 1325 
 
 Hut lirst thy toast,. niiil let it be sincere — I . 
 Thy Scotia's hills, it yet those hills are dear. 
 Hoot, hoot, gudp Skipper, Shelty scorns the soil 
 Where man awakes to unrequited toil. 
 Had I niy ecu, they ne'er would wish to look 
 i\gain on distant Scotia's barren nook, 
 Tiiat soil in this auld heart no pang awakes — 
 Gee me the land o' plenty — na o' cakes. 
 Should the Tweed's side my feeble footsteps press, 
 Wha would relieve blind Shelty in distress? 
 Words from the lip of scorn would fill his ear— 
 '• J3egone, we brook no sightless beggars here." 
 Then take this toast — breath'd from his inmost breast, 
 Freedom's great empire— thron'd in the proud West!* 
 
 ?vi 
 
 * The United States, at the present period, torm a more extensive 
 empire than that of Rome under the domination of Augustus; and, 
 within half a century more, as the tide of population pours into the 
 vast regions north of Mexico, and to the shores of the Paciric Ocean, 
 the American territory will comprehend a tract larger than the whole 
 Russian Empire ; while, from the superior advantages of climate, soil, 
 and ''ommerce, it will be capable of supjioning twice the population. 
 In aiK/her century and a half, the inhabitants of the American Stales 
 will exceed those of China, and the extent of their territory be quad, 
 rupled. All this immense poj-ulation will consist of freemen, governed 
 by laws of their own making; enlightened by tlie liberal atIs and 
 sciences, ppeakiiig the English language untorrupted by provincial 
 dialects, and profctbing the rrotestant religion. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARlNIiRs. 
 
 75 
 
 dear. 
 s the soil 
 
 D look > 
 
 1325 
 
 kes — 
 
 steps press, 
 ress? 
 Iiis ear— 
 s here." 
 nniost breast, 
 Toud \Vest!* 
 
 1 
 
 XIX. 
 
 With arms outstreteh'd, Neptune, indignant, cries — 
 
 1 marvel not the light has fled thine eyes, 
 
 The heart, that can its country cast away, 
 
 is not deserving of the solar ray. 
 
 For his own soil the brave man yields his breath. 
 
 And shares paternal honour in his deatii ; 
 
 Wretch, then, art thou, obnoxious to the sight. 
 
 To whom thy native land yields no delight. 
 
 Jiang up the traitor ! w hip the apostate knave — 
 
 Give him to feed the blue shark of the wave; — 
 
 Keeve the yard tackles, let the halter bind 
 
 The rebel's neck, and swing him in the wind. l;M5 
 
 a more extensive 
 Augustus; and, 
 n pours into the 
 le Pacific Ocean, 
 r than the whole 
 J of climate, soil, 
 e the population. 
 American Stales 
 erritory be quad, 
 •com en, governed 
 liberal arts and 
 td by provincial 
 
 'M: 
 
 XX, 
 
 The piper heard, and twice an efl'ort made 
 To swell a strain — but shook beneath his plait' — 
 And twice he roU'd his siglitless balls around, 
 Ere his check'd breathing could inspire a sound- 
 Then his poor pipe a plaintive descant stole, 
 And the boy's accents softcn'tl ev'rv soul. 
 
TW 
 
 I *' 
 
 76 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 SONG. 
 THE SCOTCH EMIGRANT. 
 
 Ettrick's banks a long adieu! 
 Friends of youth farewell to you ! 
 
 Think and kindly'' name a stranger 
 Distant far, but ever true — 
 Ettrick's banks a long adieu! ^ 
 Friends belov'd fa.^ewell to you ! 
 Tears may dry, and hearts recover, 
 
 When the parting pang is over; 
 But believe a friend and lover. 
 Absent long, and far from view, 
 He is aye in thought with you, 
 Weeping, sighing still adieu. 
 
 1355 
 
 13({U 
 
 -U 
 
 Softly stealing on my ear, 
 
 Sounds, imagin'd sounds, I hear, 1365 
 
 That the heart in grief or gladness 
 Can alternate damp or cheer. 
 Often in my waking dreams 
 I behold my native streams. 
 Gild their hills of pine and heather, 1370 
 
 Where my true love strays in sadness, 
 There a rosy wreathe to gather, 
 Water'd with a pearly tear- 
 Precious garland sweet and dear, 
 For my temples or my bier ! 1375 
 
m 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 77 
 
 i! 
 
 1355 
 
 ver. 
 
 13(>U 
 
 13CJ5 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Now Shelty paus'd, and bowing low and long, 
 (..'ompiain'd that time had done his pipe some wrong; 
 But Neptune cried, thy pipe's melodious breath 
 Has sav'd thee from an ignominious death ; 
 Without that strain — that soft redeeming note, 
 The noose had pass'd around thy wither'd throat. 
 A Caledonian still art thou in soul — 
 A Scot when rack'd — there, tender him the bowL 
 The piper drank, and with swoln visage gave, 
 The pibroch's* call, that makes the bonnet wave ; 
 His hanger's hilt the chief unconscious grasp'd. 
 The piper's arm the boy affrighted clasp'd; 
 While the sea-god, amidst the list'ning throng. 
 With his huge mace beat tuneful cadence strong. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 her, 1370 
 ness, 
 
 A silence now ensu'd on ev'ry side, 
 When sudden the great ruler of the tide. 
 
 1390 
 
 ir, 
 
 1375 
 
 * The Pibioch is a wild piece of tnartia music adapted to the 
 Highland bag-pipe. 
 
■ ; 
 
 •I 
 
 
 
 i I 
 
 78 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 On Hampden cast his mild, benignant eye,* 
 
 A joke preferr'd, then paus'd for a reply : 
 
 Suppose tlie land was lying on your lee, 
 
 'I'he wind in-shore, and a tremendous sea, 1305 
 
 With not sea-room to heave about, or wear, 
 
 What would you do ? — rave, pray, or tear your hair^ 
 
 Then thus the youthful tar, all frank and free — 
 
 My vessel I would lay before the sea, 
 
 With careful eye the softest rock explore, 1400 
 
 Up with the helm, and bump her right ashore. 
 
 Then the Sire thus : not at the lattic'd stern 
 
 Cam'st thou on board — the bowsprit serv'd thy turn;t 
 
 Approv'd art thou to trim the flowing sail. 
 
 To con the helmsman, and to dare the gale. 1405 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Now on the deck, appear before the view, 
 Twelve hardy mariners, in jerkin blue. 
 
 * The aspect of Neptune in the best statues is majestic but serene. 
 It is to be regretted that in the J^lgin Marbles only the breast and 
 shoulders of him are preserved; as that work, ' however mutilated, 
 conforms most to what artists term the beau idml^ or sublimated 
 nature. 
 
 •|- It is said of a kRitimate tar that he comes on board at the bow- 
 spril, or jib-boom end, and not through the cabin windows. It was in 
 this manner the great circuumavigator Cooke entered the sea^crvicc. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 71) 
 
 a, 1395 
 
 ear, 
 
 r your liair^ 
 free — 
 
 !, 1400 
 
 shore. 
 
 erii 
 
 J thy turn; t 
 
 I. 
 
 lie. 1405 
 
 1 
 
 Bearing in silence, o'er tlie seamy floor, 
 
 Gifts for the ocean god, a countless store. 
 
 These in fair order rang'd at Neptune's feet, 1410 
 
 The captain rose the monarch to entreat : 
 
 O thou, fam'd king, whose trident-bearing hand 
 
 O'er the vast deep is h'fted to command. 
 
 For tliee these offerings, a costly hoard. 
 
 By our great President were sent on board, 1415 
 
 Who, 'midst the anxious cares of public M-eal, 
 
 For thy great interest ne'er remits his zeal. „ 
 
 At thy feet only tributes does he lay — 
 
 Refus'd the Gaul* — the Pacha, and the Boyf ; 
 
 Thee wc revere, from where Penobscot laves 14*20 
 
 His yelloAv sands, to Darien's distant waves. J 
 
 3tic but serene, 
 he breast and 
 ^cr mutilated, 
 }r sublimated 
 
 rd at the bow- 
 ws. It was ill 
 e seu-scrvicc. 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 ■ During the profligate reign of the French Directory, a demand 
 was made by them, through the i 'lium of tJicir Embassador at 
 Washington, oi. the treasury of the ited States The answer re- 
 turned to the exaction was worthy of the old Romans in the time of 
 Camillus : " Wc will expend millions in defence, but not an obolum 
 in tribute." 
 
 + The Government of the Unitec^ States replied to the demand of 
 the Barbary States for tribute, with the thunder of their gallant na^-y ; 
 and Preble bombarded Tripoli and Algi< rs in succession. 
 
 :{: The representations of some of the British Journalists might 
 authorize the belief that the American Congress is an assembly of 
 blockheads ; for we are told by them that they debated three successive 
 days in the Capitol, •vih'ti/or they were not the greatest, the wisest, 
 and the most enlightened of mankind, it were well for England, if 
 her presiding writers wiulu invest the trans-atlantic Statesmen with 
 
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 THE AMERtCAN MARINERS. 
 
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 XXIV. 
 
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 1430 
 
 ( ( 
 
 Neptune the offerings view'd with glad surprize, 
 And on the heap incumbent fix'd his eyes : 
 A Low that scarce Ulysses' skill could bend, 
 Form'd a full league the feather'd fate to send. 1425 
 An Indian quiver, where now guiltless slept 
 Those winged darts that many a matron wept 
 Resplendent mocassins without a flaw, 
 Such as fair Venus on her foot might draw — 
 Such as the urchin god might stoop to clasp, 
 With instep that exceeded not his grasp. 
 Then Neptune thus : these sandals Mill beguile ' ' 
 My spouse's eye, and light her sweetest smile. 
 
 other attributes than those of weakness and imbecility ; for I BUSi.ect 
 there are some inveterate old Catos among them, who begin and con- 
 clude their speeches with ^^Delenda ett CartJiagol" That they are 
 not fools in what relates to the organization of their Navy, teke an 
 instance in point. At its first establishment, the debates for full three 
 days related (horrcico refcrens) to the defects of the British naval 
 system of equipment. It was stated by a Member, that when Lord 
 Nelson was off Cadiz with seventeen sail of the line, he had no less 
 than seven classes of seventy-four gun ships, each requiring masts, 
 sails, and yards, of different dimensions; so tliut if one ship became 
 disabled, the others could not obviate the disaster. It was, therefore, 
 determined by i-hese "n% Staicsmen" to build on another principle; 
 and hence the American frigates, and seventy-fours, are counterparts 
 of each other, or sister-ships : 
 
 i; lit Fades non omnibus una ■ ■ 
 
 .' ' 'r, Nee diversa tamen^ qualem decet esse sororum. 
 
 M ■ I 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 81 
 
 And much the Nereids, with their floating hair, 
 
 Will sue — beseech — to gain an envied pair ; 1435 
 
 They, whose soft look — whose least word can assuage 
 
 The surging seas, and calm their bellowing rage. 
 
 Proto, who o'er the wave unbath'd can fly, 
 
 Swift as the light that paints the streaky sky; 
 
 An ocean elf, who when the storm annoys 1440 
 
 The reeling ve^ssel, shouts with truant noise. 
 
 Phao, whose sapphire buskins, lac'd with light, 
 
 Pours mild efi'ulgence on the dolphin's sight. 
 
 TliaUa, laughing now in vernal hues. 
 
 And M'cepiug now in tears of balmy dews. 1445 
 
 That wanton wee thing, kind Eulimine, 
 
 Pronaea sage, and proud Diuamene. 
 
 Soft Spio, with her eye of ocean-blue. 
 
 And skin that mocks the down of the sea-mew ; 
 
 And Galatea, on her neck so fair 1450 
 
 Waving her luscious locks of orient hair. 
 
 How will the long-tress'd sisters of the deep 
 
 Pout and contend, and importune and weep. 
 
 These to put on, when the tempestuous seas 
 
 They gladsome leave, and tread the Cyclades ; 1455 
 
 What time by moon-light, on the ebbing sand 
 
 The mazy dance they weave, link'd hand in hand. 
 

 I; I 
 
 it 
 
 
 S% tHS AMEHICA^ MARINERS. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 A scarlet robe the sceptred-king now eyed, 
 
 l^edropt with gold, in brightest tincture dyed, 
 
 And clapping with his hands, his own he drew 1460 
 
 In scorn aside, torn and uncouth to view. 
 
 And with it on the roomy deck he laid 
 
 His mortal mace of knotty olive made. 
 
 Then rising with an air, the gift he cast *; 
 
 O'er his huge form, and stalk'd from mast to mast 
 
 With ample strides — oft turning to behold 
 
 His train in rich array of glittering gold. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 His seat resum'd, his face a glow express'd, 
 And in his own the captain's hand he press'd. 
 Then by the gifts to generous ardour mov'd, 147U 
 Thus spoke indulgent to his best belov'd : 
 If I have utter'd words to thee unkind, 
 Be they forgotten--given to the wind ; 
 Far be the thought to wound a soul like thine — 
 Henceforth thy navy's honour shall be mine ; I47r> 
 Wide as my sceptre waves, thy ships shall ride 
 With flag triumphant o'er the azure tide. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 83 
 
 The chiefs perceiving that he bit the bait, 
 
 Press'd on the line with covert joy elate : 
 
 Greatest of guests ! O thou, whose sceptred-hand 
 
 O'er the great deep is lifted to command, 
 
 This daring banner to thy sight unroird. 
 
 Streaming with stars and stripes of living gold, 
 
 To thy protection humbly we commend, 
 
 To all but thee refusing e'er to bend. 1485 
 
 For, lov'd by thee, its dreaded stripes shall sweep 
 
 Europe's proud navies from our home, the deep ; 
 
 Wave, proudly wave, from Zembla to the line. 
 
 Dominion's symbol, and bright glory's sign ; 
 
 Ere many years restrain the world in awe, 1490 
 
 And to the land and ocean give the law. 
 
 The Sire's cheek warm'd — a blush not over-nice — 
 
 Not only men — but gods too have their price — 
 
 The flag he took, and clasp'd it to his breast, 
 
 And swore its honours ne'er should be deprest. 1496 
 
 And midst the loud rejoicings of the crew. 
 
 Thrice bade the Tritons rear it to the view, 
 
 High o'er his car — and, as his grooms obey, 
 
 And the proud banner blazes to the day. 
 
 Then our long battle-tier* the gimners ply, 1600 
 
 And the wide ocean thunders to the sky. 
 
 • On board the United States ships the guns are named by the 
 seamen, and the xouhriquet of each gun, engraved on a small square 
 of copper-plate, is placed orer it. As these names refer to a charac- 
 
 G2 
 
«im«Hmii«i 
 
 84 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 XXVIL 
 
 i / 
 
 While round the ship the crew their bodies lave, 
 And laugh and plunge beneath the lucid wav e, 
 Til'.' naval youths, as near the chief they stood, 
 Descried the insatiate prowler of the flood, 1505 
 And loudly call, with horror in their cry. 
 Shipmates, a shark ! his jaws devouring fly ! 
 Scared at the sound, no more the swimmers roam, 
 But toil and pant to gain their floating home ; 
 Whom nimlly o'er the deep the fish pursues, 1510 
 As with a greedy eye their forms he views, 
 And oft his jaws distend with triple rows 
 Of pointed fangs, as on the wave he gloM s. 
 Paul scarce escapes with life — his stirring heel 
 Tiie monster's glancing tooth is made to feel; 1515 
 With shrieks the brine he cleaves the side to gain. 
 And the crcM', bending, raise him from the main. 
 Meantime a wily tar, on half- bent knee. 
 Throws out the bait, and watches mute the sea ; 
 The shark is snar'd, amidst tumultuous cries, 1520 
 And haul'd on deck, a promontory lies. 
 
 
 teriatic association in the minds of the crew, it may gratify curiosity 
 to cite some from a frigate's battery. Main-deck :— Repeal of Orders 
 itt Council, Brother Jonathan, Washington, Mad Tom, Revenge, 
 l.iberty, Liberty or Death, Yankey Protection, Defiance, Wilful 
 Murder, Rights of Man, independence, Bunker's HUl, Full-blooded 
 Yatikcy, Decatur, &,c 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 85 
 
 i»> 
 
 ':-y-"i .iii\ 
 
 ,':> 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 :».:- 
 
 n)U, 
 
 Ol.Jti''"^ '■' 
 
 In haste the ocean-monarch ca^^ght his spear, 
 And, gaily rising, to the spot drew near. 
 Where rushing on with shouts, the gallant crew 
 Crowd round the shark, their vengeful foe to view. 
 A horrid monster, of enormous length. 
 Of bulk prodigious, and resistless strength. 
 Who, like a maddening thresher with his flail, 
 Destruction threatens as he lifts his tail. 
 The master-seaman, leaning o'er the wheel,* l->:3() 
 In the gay scene an interest seem'd to feel. 
 While ruddy Frank stood laughing by his side. 
 With Paul more serious, both in youthful pride : 
 So shine two roses, fresh with early bloom, 
 That from their native stalk dispense perfume. 153-'> 
 Loud sounds the gather'd storm — o*er all the floor 
 The thundering cloud of war is seea to pour; 
 And ever and anon, to charm the crowd. 
 Blind Shelty pipes a descant sweetly loud ; 
 A hoary minstrel, oherisli'd and rever'd 1540 
 
 For his sweet pipe, and silver length of beard. 
 
 • Ships of burden are steered by a wheel, which stands on the 
 after part of the quarter-deck, and communicates by the tiller<r(:pc 
 to the helm below. 
 
mmmmm 
 
 m 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Propped on his mace, the ocean-monarch stood. 
 
 And calm bespoke the wanderers of the flood : 
 
 One combatant, not all the h^'stile crew. 
 
 Should meet the foe in battle to subdae. 1545 
 
 He said : the seamen their assent exprest, 
 
 And Neptune's counsel dwells in every breast. 
 
 l\ 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 j 
 
 Reuben, a cabin-boy, no whit dismay'd, 
 
 IJis fortune in the fray the first essay'd, 
 
 And a mess-bowl which in his hand he bore 1550 
 
 Hurl'd at the shark, but sh|ver'd on the floor. 
 
 Then as the fish displayed his teeth, he took 
 
 With trembling joints to flight, and flying shook, 
 
 And bellow'd loud, amidst the revel rout 
 
 Of those who bade him put his ship about. 1555 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Sam Splice was near, a tar six feet at least, 
 
 A glutton feeder, dreadful at a feast ; 
 
 Well fitted he to wrestle with the storm. 
 
 Of strength redoubtable, and giant form. 
 
 His scornful breast with indignation swell'd, 1560 
 
 Aloft a fearful battle-axe he held ; 
 
THE AMERICAlf MAItlNERS. 
 
 67 
 
 And as he swung it veilge^ul o>f tfae tee, 
 Ttom the shark's tail Met his own overthrow.* 
 Panting and sick, his body downward bends, 
 He shudders — staggers-^on ttie deck descends ; 
 And as he lay all mad and farious grew, 
 And execrations on the monster threw. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 While on the plank outstretch'd the sailor lay, 
 
 A simple son of Afric seeks the fray ; 
 
 Yarrow, a youth from Gambia's sultry shore, 1570 
 
 A sable, unsophisticated Moor. 
 
 His vest of purple left his dark arm bare. 
 
 His trowsers white were quilted with nice care, 
 
 * The redoubtable strength of the shark, when hauled on board, 
 was experienced by no less a personage than Napoleon in his passage 
 to the rock of his ostracism. One afternoon (says Las Casas) the 
 sailors mi board the Northumberland caught an enormous shark. 
 The Emperor enquired the cause of the great noise and confusion 
 which he suddenly heard overhead; being informed of what had 
 occurred, he expressed a wish to hare a sight of the sea-monster. 
 He accordingly went upon deck, and incautiously approached too near 
 the animal, which by a sudden movement knocked down four or five 
 of the sailors, and had well nifffi broken the Emperor's leps. IK 
 descended the larboard gangway covered with blood j we thought he 
 was severely hurt, but it proved to be only the blood of the shark. 
 
 Journal of Las Casas, vol. 1 . 
 
88 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERf, 
 
 His ear a ring adorn'd of golden sheen. 
 
 And gave a splendour to his graceful mien. 1575 
 
 Tied in a true-love knot his 'kerchief blue 
 
 Hung on his breast, broad, open to the view; 
 
 A wreath of coral, braided round his brow, 
 
 Kivall'd the ruby of his full lip's glow ; 
 
 A snowy turban on his head he wore, 1580 
 
 And his whole garb proclaim'd him still a Moor. 
 
 Bondage had not subdued his innate grace^* 
 
 His native majesty of form and face — 
 
 Beneath a milder planet at his birth, 
 
 He might have strode a sovereign of the earth. 
 
 Or, like Othello, at a senate's call, 
 
 A nation rescued from oppression's thrall. 
 
 He was belov'd by all the naval band. 
 
 For, kind of heart, he ofttimes gave the hand 
 
 To poor blind Shelty, when his truant boy 1590 
 
 Left him his hours in pastime to employ. 
 
 Propp'd on his spear, the child of nature stood 
 
 To contemplate the savage of the flood — 
 
 A wide mouth'd laugh his deep amaze express'd. 
 
 The lung's loud crow, the ripture of the breast. 
 
 And as the monster streich'd, and roll'd his eyes. 
 
 The gaping negro shew'd a new surprize. 
 
 u 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 80 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 THE STORY OF YARROW. 
 
 , • J Iliad, /. 6. r. 202. 
 
 Yarrow, whose birth seem'd blest.with smiles divlne> 
 
 The cradled offspring of a scepter'd line, 
 
 Witness'd chang'd fortune dash his cup of joy, 
 
 While yet a harmless, unsuspecting boy. 
 
 On Gambia's margin as he listless lay. 
 
 By cocoas shaded from the noontide ray. 
 
 There, from the spheres, heav'n's pitying angels saw 
 
 The deadly breach of Nature's holiest law — 160a 
 
 Sudden, emevging from the covert wood, 
 
 A band of white men rush'd, and dragg'd him to the 
 
 flood: 
 With streaming tears he pleads, but pleads in vain. 
 Ruthless they bear their captive o'er the main. 
 His kingly sire and friends, a frantic band, 1010 
 Ueheld the white wing*d vessel leave the strand ; 
 All night they linger on the sea-girt steep. 
 Embrace in woe, and look, and wail, and weep^ 
 And raving chide the kindling surge below 
 That speeds the ardour of the flying prow* 1615 
 
vo 
 
 THt AMEHlCAN MAlliNtAft. 
 
 ' 
 
 xxxiir. 
 
 Sold to a planter on Virginia^d shof e,* 
 
 Tile princely boy the badge of slavery wore, 
 
 And breatli'd beneath the scourge the voice of pain, 
 
 And clank 'd the fetter and the rankling chain. 
 
 On Rappahannock's hank, the towery height 1620 
 
 Of the stern tyrant's structure itiet the sight ; > 
 
 Whose wealth and grandeur, honours and repose, 
 
 Blush, feeling Muse, were wrung from others' woes. 
 
 Yet though no tender tear e*er Warbeck shed, 
 
 A maid, the blessing of his nuptial bed, 
 
 Caught to her young, her -v^arm, unpractis'd breast 
 
 Sweet syn?pathy, and welcom'd home the guest. 
 
 161^5 
 
 • The New England, or Eastern States of the American Republic, 
 namely, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode 
 Island, and Connecticut, contain no slaves. Ohio never had any. 
 Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan are without them. New York, New 
 Jersey, Delaware, and the Columbia District, have enacted laws for 
 emancipating the few they contain. The Quaker State, Pennsylvani<i. 
 is not wholly without the remnant of a barbarous vassalage, which 
 the inhabitants are using their best endeavours to eradicate and de- 
 stroy. Very different is the prospect when we turn to the South : 
 Virginia is disgraced with 392,518 slaves ; South Carolina with 
 196,365 ; and Georgia with 105,218 ; while North Carolina, Mary- 
 land, Mississippi, Tenessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Missouri, and 
 Ix>uisiana, exhibit multitudes of the most injured beings of the 
 hum&n race. 
 
 M^M... 
 
THK AMERICAN MARINERS. M 
 
 A dove pursued by hawk, with drooping wing 
 
 Once on her snowy arm was seen to cling, 
 
 And, half entangled in her floating hair, lCd<) 
 
 Smooth his white plumes, and claim protection there. 
 
 Not o'er fictitious woes had learn'd to wail 
 
 Tlie nymph — she found real life a tragic tale. 
 
 The wretched scene of persecuting fate, 
 
 Of wanton cruelty, and rancorous hate, lOiiO 
 
 Of dark revenge who scatters baleful breath, 
 
 Of stern despair that wildly laughs in death. 
 
 To the poor suppliant slave she lent her ear, 
 
 Wip'd from the faded cheek the falling tear. 
 
 And, when to soothe the tyrant ail had fail'd, 1640 
 
 His gentle daughter sued him, and rrevail'd. 
 
 But Yarrow's bosom scom'd the vassal band 
 
 That knelt her intercession to demand ; 
 
 The lash he bore — and haird the vesper beam 
 
 To seek his pine-built cabin on the stream, 1645 
 
 Where his poor dog rejoic'd his look to meet, 
 
 Ran to his master, and caress'd his feet. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Crown'd was his hut with foliage waving high 
 From oak and ash — a scene to charm the eye ; 
 But when he view'd the trees in green array 'd, Wbo 
 Man stood between, and threw on all a shade. 
 
 ^^ 
 
 iV^-; 
 
7,1 
 
 1! 1 
 
 I 
 
 * 
 
 ,} 
 
 92 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Full twice five years, beneath the scorpion-sway 
 Of tasking fiends, he linger'd out the day, 
 When Freedom came to cheer him in his shed, 
 And bade him raise from earth his drooping head ; 
 Caird him to flee, held out her generous hand, 
 And Hope, with smiling air and accent bland. 
 Soothes the wan wretch, and as she sees him weep. 
 Points to a refuge on the distant deep. 
 
 Vi Ji;f 
 
 \ 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Nerv'd by the call, he shakes in air his chain, 1660 
 
 As falls a dew drop from the lion's mane. 
 
 To seek unseen the shaggy wood untrod. 
 
 Where brakes conceal the panther's dark abode. 
 
 And bids his only friend a long farewell, ; *,, ; 
 
 His faithful dog, beneath his lonely cell : 1665 
 
 Him he bespeaks : O thou affiaiic'd guest. 
 
 Blest with a heart ne'er own'd by human breast, 
 
 Thee mournful I forsake, and leave alone, 
 
 To pour the shrill, the unprotected moan. 
 
 And haply whine for him who ever shar'd 1670 
 
 With thee his meal, though scantily he far'd. 
 
 Left to the white man's obloquy, thy cry 
 
 Will touch no bosom, and provoke no sigh. 
 
 But he will scorn thee supplicating mute, 
 
 And spurn thee from him as a worthless brute. 167«> 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 93 
 
 Me to have serv'd is thy untoward fate, 
 Me to have serv'd will bring down on thee hate—* 
 Yet prudence — safety — bid me leave thee here, 
 Then take my last caresses, and a tear I 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 With cheering Hope that triumphed over fear, 1680 
 The stripling sought the forest deep and drear. 
 And pluug'd amidst its wild sequester'd glades. 
 In gloom more awful than Hircinia's shades. 
 There, from an oak's high branch in leaves concealed. 
 His arm'd pursuers stand below reveal'd, 1685 
 
 Whose neighing horses paw beneath the ground. 
 While the shrill blaod-hounds snuff the root around. 
 Despair and rage his master's breast inflame — . . 
 He bitter curses heaps on Yarrow's name. 
 And priming his bright gun, obtests and cries, 1690 
 " If I descry him — by this tube he dies ! " 
 And had it, Yarrow, been by fate decreed 
 For thee beneath the tyrant's arm to bleed, 
 Though, led by sympathy, no mortal breast 
 Sigh'd o'er thy turf,, or bade t!jy ashes rest. 
 Yet where thy sad, neglected relicks slept, 
 Beside thy grave the faithful Muse had wept. 
 
 I r 
 
 _ , 4< 
 
 1695 
 
 »rute. 1675 
 
 li . 
 
 'hi' 
 
94 
 
 TUB AMERICAN MARIN BUS, 
 
 XXXVII, 
 
 , -i 
 
 
 I */ 
 
 More frantic grown, he urges on in wrath. 
 And gallops wild as chance directs the path- 
 Then to the oak returns with brow severe, 1700 
 And curbs his steed the yelling hounds to hear. 
 There as he listened — sudden from ihe wood 
 A tall stag darted through the solitude— ^ 
 His panting courser rears with fearful bound, 
 And backward bent, his rider bites the ground. 1705 
 Sunk on his knees, the rolling torrent gush'd 
 Wide from his teeth, and o'er his garments rush'd. 
 And the gnarl'd holm, beneath whose boughs he lay, 
 Incarnadined, absorb'd the purnle spray. 
 He falls — he fills the wild with heavy groans, 1710 
 Invokes his comrades, and his pain bemoans ; 
 They quit their steeds — but what can man avail-— 
 They look upon his lips, and they are pale— 
 They take him by the hand, and that is cold — 
 And his brief day is like a tale that's told. 1716 
 
 Convulsive sobbing in the pangs of death, 
 Within their arms the tyrant yields his bieath ; 
 Homeward they bear Iiis body on a bier — 
 His dark — his demon hue— demands no tear — 
 Or if they weep, the tide that drowns their eyes 
 Is that Vice showers when a miscreant dies. 
 
THP AMERICAN MAKJNBR3. Oh 
 
 Now as they fade on Yarrow's steady gaze. 
 He shakes the bough, and with the foliage plays, 
 And, as in silence slowly move the train, 
 Back to their teeth retqrQs their taunts again. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 The fair moon rising waves her tresses bright, < 
 
 And the spread oak irradiates with light, 
 
 Seen through the foliage of the dewy boughs. 
 
 The elk and deer along the forest browse. 
 
 The hunted slave descends from spray to spray, 
 
 And night and freedom summon him away. 
 
 A poor youth sinn'd against — yet he 
 
 With shaking joints forsook the sheltering tree, 
 
 And the bent grass so soft his foot-fall found, 
 
 That not the mole could hear him touch the ground. 
 
 Fear-fix'd he stands, against the bark reclin'd, 
 
 And starts at ev'ry rustling of the wind, ' 
 
 Dreading the lawless arm of vengeance dire. 
 
 Of tyrant men more savage in their ire 
 
 Than fell hysenas that through deserts prowl, 1740 
 
 Or lion-whelps that raise the hungry howl. 
 
 When beasts, he said, would pass me in their way, 
 
 Men seek the harmless negro boy to slay ; 
 
 Then oh ! to thee, my God, in thought I rove. 
 
 Kneel on the rock, and supplicate thy love, , 174$ 
 
 '.'! 
 
 |: 
 
06 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 i ! 
 
 1 ( 
 
 Now as he rose,* his wand*rings to pursue, 
 His faithful spaniel, obvious to his view, 
 Fawu'd on his master, and his love declared. 
 With humble service to his will prepar'd. 
 His dog he beckonM, and then swiftly held 
 His course through green-wood paths, and ways 
 
 conceal'd; ., . > *, -.' . !* . 1750 
 
 Like to a fading vision, on he pass'd ' ' 
 With motion swifter than the northern blast. 
 In wilds and savage haunts to hide and roam. 
 The world before him — without law or dome ! 
 
 ! ■.! 
 
 XL. 
 
 On swiftest pinions seems the black boy borne, 1755 
 (Llager to win his liberty forlorn) 
 Through paths so hid, that scarce a hound by scent 
 Could trace the way his eager steps he bent : 
 
 • Yarrow risinp from prayer is not a paintinfr of the fancy. Not- 
 withstanding ^ statute law of the State of Virginia which prohibits, 
 slaves, with penalties, from assembling lo practise religious duties- 
 still the poor negro turns his eyes heavenward for consolation, and \w 
 heart beats in secret with that aspiration which his lips are not per- 
 ntllted to utter. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 9T 
 
 le, 
 r'd, 
 
 • 
 
 Id 
 
 nd ways 
 
 1750 
 
 tlasty 
 oani, 
 ome ! 
 
 He flies, close foUow'd by his faithful Tray, 
 As fast as feet can carry him away. ' 17€0 
 
 While lasts the day, tluj cavern's hollow gloom, 
 With wildering fear, be makes his only home, 
 And, when again descends the dew of night, 
 Far through the moonlight wood renews his flight. 
 O'er tracts still lengthening, he the pole survey 'd. 
 And either hear that gilds night's solemn shade; 
 And as he view'd the stars with pensive breast. 
 Thought that the slave might in their orbs find rest 
 At length, far distant seen, the summits lowered, 
 On whose high brow still darker forests tower'd ; 
 Thy throne, O Alleghany, whose proud crest 
 O'erawes the spreading Empire of the West, 
 
 lorne, 1755 
 
 l)v scent 
 ent : 
 
 XLI. 
 
 The mountain's winding base a river* laves. 
 Which, widely swelling,, rolls its ample waves 
 
 e fancy. Not- 
 hich prohibits 
 igious duties — 
 ation, and \w 
 s are not per- 
 
 * There is a striking invaluable diflference between the navigable 
 waters of the United States and those of any country in the Old 
 World. The Elbe is the only river in Europe that is navigable for a 
 sea-vessel seventy miles. But the Hudson can be navigated Uf© 
 miles from the ocean; the Delaware, UJO ; the Potomac, 300; and 
 there arc not only several other rivers, but many bays and sounds, far 
 exceeding in length and depth the great river Elbe. The Quarterly 
 
 H 
 
WB^ 
 
 ^^■«i 
 
 m 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 i 1 
 
 1 ' 
 
 ^ !! 
 
 Ajid seeks the oceau with a sea-like sound, 1775 
 Its cavern'd clifTswith leafy honours crown'd. 
 The deep flood cross'd, slow pacing on hefore, 
 A negro woman on her shoulder bore ., ,. 
 
 A frothing pail: her he made understand 
 His lot— she pointed to her hut at hand. 1780 
 
 No ;ieed for Mercy with her seraph strain 
 To pjead his cause — she clank'd herself the chain- 
 Was oft compell'd beneath the lash to kneel, 
 And when affliction wept — her hear* could feel. 
 Now, sweet as from the cell the honey flows, 1786 
 With smiles she fed her guest, and sooth'd his Moes, 
 And bade him not despair, for God would lend 
 Aid to the slave — to all mankind a friend. 
 Old age loves saws, and, in iier cheering way, 
 She told him blackest night led on to day, 1790 
 
 While tlie hoy strain'd attention, till at last 
 Nature, whose power he had so long surpast, 
 
 t I 
 
 Reviewers insist (Vol. 21. p. IT),) that local circumstances will prevent 
 the formation of an American navy, as, from the Capes of Virginia 
 to the soi'^hernmost boundary of the United States, there is no port 
 capable ot admitting large ships. The assertion is worthy of those 
 who made it, for the reverse is the fact. Beaufort's bay is capable 
 of receiving the largest fleet in the world ; Cumberland haven affords 
 an excellent harbour for men of war ; and since the Floridas have 
 been virtually annexed to the United States, the Quarterly Reviewers, 
 if hereafter they shall look up out of their graves, may, in the event 
 of a future rupture, witness to their confusion, that the Americans, 
 through the instrumentality of their southern ports, will render the 
 West India colonies a burden to the Parent State. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 «9 
 
 Would yield no more ; but, sinlcfng on the ground, 
 A respite from his cares in sleep he found : 
 Close at his side his dog was seen to creep, 1795 
 And stretch liis form, but only feign'd to sleep. 
 
 K, ' 
 
 M 
 
 I * I > 
 
 "i 
 
 XLII. 
 
 When now wan'd drowsy night, and naught was 
 
 heard, 
 Save the hearth cricket, and ill-omen'd bird, ' 
 
 When the poor bondsman, ceasing now to weep, 
 Forgot his chains and vTCtchedness in sleep, 1800 
 With rude approach, beatings assail'd the door, 
 From clamorous men, who in their anger swore. 
 The negress, waking, silent sought the ground 
 Where lay the runaway in sleep profound ; ' ' 
 
 His head upon his arm, his form stretch'd wide, 
 Watch*d by his comrade, who the dame defied. 
 Soothing his growling warder with her hanu, 
 She shook the boy, and bade him flee the land : 
 Up, up, away! if freedom, life, be dear — 
 Whites at the door suspect that thou art here ! 1810 
 Half-rais'd he turn'd his drowsy head each way, 
 Uncertain whether it were night or day ; 
 While still rebuk'd, as o'er his form she hung, 
 The sable matron, voluble of tongue : 
 
 H 2 
 
100 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 t 
 
 Rise and begone ! a rash, pursuing band f 
 
 Storm at the door, to bind thee foot and hand — 
 Hark at the hue and cry I I draw no breath 
 If Flint be'nt there, who whipped okl Cuff to death. 
 Pass through the window, and the river gain, 
 WJiile I with plausive tale their ear detain. 1820 
 
 ■.' * » '■ 
 
 XUIL 
 
 Uprose the oy, for now more clamorous grew 
 The hands and voices of the out-door crew, 
 Andglancing through the opening in the wall, 
 Light on the ground his cautious footsteps fall. 
 Half flying, and half footing, in his haste, 1825 
 
 He seeks the succour of the watery waste. 
 And, heav'n invoking, gain'd the river-tide, , 
 His spotted comrade pressing by his side. 
 With short, thick breathing, for awhile he stood, 
 And view'd the starry splendours of tlie flood, 1830 
 But, ere his body in the stream he throws, 
 Thus pours his earnest, supplicating vows : 
 O friendly river, on thy wafting flood, 
 Bear me from those who burn to shed my blood ; 
 My scatter'd garments on thy bosom lie, 1835 
 
 And naked to thy arms for help I fly. 
 He said, and plung'd beneath the darkling tide, 
 liy Tray attended, swimming at his .side. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 101 
 
 > ■ '. 
 
 Hi*- n'\- 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 ' * ' 
 
 Desperate he cleaves the flood, for, now aronncT, 
 Near and yet nearer swells the thick'ning sound 
 Of his pursuers fell, who, as they run 
 Along the river's margin, flash the gun. 
 Fast haird the voUey'd shot, and falling gave 
 An eddying motion to the silver wave ; 
 Now like a duck he plunges, and overhead 1845 
 The murmuring surges rapid circles spread. 
 Mercy they offer would he come on shore — 
 Their mercy's marks his flesh already bore — 
 Nerv'd with disdain he triumphs over fear, 
 llesolv'd to make the flood his bridge or bier, 1850 
 While their rude war-whoop, and appalling cry. 
 Shake the wide river's banks, and echo to the sky. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Where with the river blends the streamlet bright^ 
 
 Its surface silver'd with the moon's soft light. 
 
 At its full rippling mouth a shallop lay, )855 
 
 Some fisher's dredge boat, dancing on the spray. 
 
 Prone on the tide one of the party flung, 
 
 Shot to the skifl*, Jind on the gunwale hung; 
 
102 
 
 TUB AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 U 
 
 The mooring cut, and plying fast an oar, 
 Receiv'd his comrades erov^ding from the shore. 
 Now rising on their seats, the shouting throng 
 Row at full stretch— the shallop flies along— 
 Behind a glorious moonshine track succeeds, 
 As pathways whiten through the verdant meads. 
 Buck held the helm, a wight of fifty years, 1066 
 llaw-Lon'd and sallow — melted ne'er by tears — 
 A hunter fam'd, to Daniel Boon* allied , 
 
 By inter-marriage, and in peril tried. \ 
 
 A pouch and horn were to his peag-belt slung, 
 His rifle o'er his shoulders careless hung, 1870 
 
 The barrel bright, the flint to murder true, ^ • 
 And his fell tomahawk was ground anew : 
 Swaying the tiller, as upright he stood. 
 He look'd Revenge in meditative mood. . 
 Whooping and laughing, ply'd the sternmost oar 
 Bird Hyacinth, from Rappahannock's shore; 
 A hair-brain'd spark, of quick and subtle glance. 
 Less frequent at a chapel, than a dance; 
 A wicked rake, whom every prudish lass 
 Inveigh'd against, but dress'd for at her glass ; 
 
 * Daniel Boon was llie first white man who traversed the tract 
 tailed the Wilderness, and from the summit of runiberland moun- 
 tain descried the beautiful landscape of Kentucky. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARfNER^^ 
 
 lod 
 
 A carding, dicing, cogging, foisting blade, ' - i tf 
 
 A boy-centaur — chirurgeon* by trade: " *■ 
 
 So iieedless, that in danger he was gay, ' ' -"■'■^ 
 
 As children unconcern'd on rivers play. 
 
 An unbeliever, profligate, profane, 181^5 
 
 The priest exhorted, but his toil was vain-- 
 
 Dwelt on regeneration and new birth, 
 
 But only rais'd the laughing devil's mirth. *' 
 
 On the nc\t thwart a sober man inclin'd. 
 
 Of abstract air, and eloquence refiu'd, 1890 
 
 And as he press'd tbe oar with gentle hand, 
 
 The handle ruflHed oft his lawyer's I and. ' - 
 
 Tugging in time, with open, shaggy breast. 
 
 Behind him sat a rogue in face confest. 
 
 With Llood-shot eye, and whiskers fierce and long, 
 
 Who from a lack of thought, indulg'd in song; 
 
 And, as with stubborn arm, he flash'd the flood, 
 
 " Fire in the mountains!" sang in roaring mood. • 
 
 The next seat held a wretch to Satan dear, . • • > ^ 
 
 A horrid monster, call'd an Overseer,! • 1900 
 
 * Candidates for medical fanie abound in the Southern States, 
 and the wildest creature imaginable is a young Virginian doctor. 
 There are generally a hundred, or more, attending the Lectures at 
 Philadelphia ; where the Quakers have named them the Centaurs ,• 
 and when a riot takes place at the theatre, the city wags are sure to 
 exclaim " Turnout the Virginia doctors!" 
 
 U' 
 
 f An Ovefteer is an inexorable wretch who stands over the 
 aefjroes at work on a plantation, witli a Iiuge whip in his hand. 
 
104 
 
 T»E AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 I, If 
 
 i: ii 
 
 Whose heart was steel'd against the negro's groan, 
 Because his skin was darker tiian his own» 
 His huge whip, for a moment laid aside, 
 Was fashion'd from a cow's tenacious hide,* 
 Whose thong invok'd the cleansing of the flood,. 
 Yet dropping fresh with gouts of sable blood. 
 Wielding this weapon, he could dextrous liack, 
 Or rather slice, a negro's naked back. 
 And, as the victim bray 'd at ev'ry stroke. 
 The lookers on but smil'd as at a joke. 101(]f 
 
 When a poor female threw out thrilling cries,. 
 The crowd was greater,, more intent their eyes ; 
 And, as tied up, she screaming bit her lip. 
 With the more gust he plied his smarting whip. 
 He flogg'd a culprit once, in duly bound , 1915. 
 
 Because a bible in his hut was found ; 
 The negro pleaded ,« that a pious man 
 Gave him the book the sacred text to scan — 
 The truth disclos'd, the whipper's rage increas'd,. 
 And in his fancy's glass he scourg'd the priest. 
 A feeble person own'd the headmost seat, 
 Whose hollow eye seeui'd fix'd upon his feet : 
 E'en as the naked woods,, whose green is lost, 
 Clad all in hoar, stoop to the winter's frosty 
 
 r i 
 
 * In the slave-holding States of America, the whips in common! 
 use arc majdc, both hatidlc aiid thong, out of cow hides ; and, by a^ 
 metonymy, arc called so^ 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 10& 
 
 So was his liead made white with age, and bent— > 
 
 But )'ears could not repress his dire intent. 
 
 Oft mutter'd the old man, and often turn'd, 
 
 Grasping his gun, as though he inly burn'd ' 
 
 To shoot a negro in his vengeful lust. 
 
 And cleanse the barrel of its mouldj rust — 1030* 
 
 For he had vassals of his own, whose feet, 
 
 If not o'craw'd, might for him prove too fleet.. 
 
 Perch'd on the prow, a hulk of dusky hue, 
 
 A lumbering negro darken'd on the view, 
 
 Lame of a leg, and of an eye half blind, 193& 
 
 The most degraded of all human kind, ' ' 
 
 Bondage with aggravated mischief stains ' ^ * 
 
 The moral part of him who wears her chains ; ' ^ 
 
 And facts establish, that whatever day •' ' '-'* 
 
 Makes man a slave takes half his worth away. 1940 
 
 The fetter they might bind, the scourge upraise, 
 
 So CufFey got his salted-fish and maize,. ' " * 
 
 And though his back beneath, the lash oft bled. 
 
 His laughing boast was that his mouth got fed ! 
 
 His hands the overseer's long gun explore, 1945^ 
 
 A piece of three yards tube, and two inch bore ; 
 
 The lock he cover'd with his woollen vest, 
 
 That had sent hundreds to their final rest. 
 
 His axe lay by his side, which had that day 
 
 Pell'd many an oak luxuriant in its spray, 1950 
 
 Thinn'd the tall forest, crashing in its fall, • 
 
 Tliat startled echo, auswerini;- to the calL 
 
 iJ 
 
I * 
 
 f' 
 
 
 100 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 In order raug'd, all ply their equal oars, 
 
 And rend with shouts, O Roanoke, thy shores — 
 
 Again, again, they dash the shining spray, 1955 
 
 In boisterous merriment, uncouthly gay : 
 
 One might have thought them Anthropophagites, 
 
 With gresdy jaws^ seeking poor wand'ring wights. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 ■■ t ■ ■ 
 Unbosomed from a cloud, with silver lights 
 The moon adorns tlie canopy of night, 1060 
 
 Gilds the banks' forests with her sacred beam, 
 And sheds a blaze of glory o'er the stream. 
 High mingling with the pine's unfading hue. 
 The blossom'd laurel stands display'd to view ; 
 Spreading around the lofty cedar throws 1965 
 
 Its branching arms — deep and yet deeper glows 
 "Jhe sylvan scene — while, through the leafy vale. 
 One endless chain of moss"* hangs dangling to the gale. 
 Meantime the baneful bird,t whose shrieking cry 
 Is sign of death, around is seen to fly ; 1970 
 
 * It is, perhaps, peculiar to the sylvan scenery in North America, 
 that an horizontal chain of moss extends from the branches of the 
 larger trees throagh the interminable forest. 
 
 f Tlie Whip-poor-will— a night bird that takes its name ftrom its 
 cry, which, by many, is considered ominous. Where he perches he 
 xepeals *■* Whip poor Will !" in a plaintive tone, with short intcrvalE, 
 triroiifihout the night. 
 
THK AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 107 
 
 Ample and dark, on awful wing he soars, 
 
 And the crew view him, pausing on their oars. 
 
 Shooting a feather, pointed as a dart. 
 
 The lawyer's arm it glauc'd, but smote his heart — 
 
 Gloom seiz'd his brow, the startled son of Coke 
 
 Trembled with terror, and the band bespoke : ^ 
 
 Three nights ago I had a boding dream 
 
 Of birds ill-omen'd, and a fatal stream — 
 
 This whip-poor-will a harbinger appears 
 
 Of brooding evil, and alarms my fears. 1980 
 
 Loud bursts of laughter from the doctor's breast 
 
 His scorn of superstitious dread exprest — / 
 
 And then he ask'd the pleader, in his glee, ' ■ > 
 
 Dreamt you of danger ever from a fee ? 
 
 Or would you, .-.drn'd by visions of the night, 1985 
 
 Refuse a client's chinking dollars bright. 
 
 A burning blush o'erspread the lawyer's cheeks. 
 
 When thus the band the helmsman rough bespeaks : 
 
 A truce with jesting, and your oars attend — 
 
 Look to your priming, and attention lend — 1900 
 
 Whose shot Hrst kills the outlaw on the flood 
 
 Tlie State rewards — a sanction'd deed of blood.* 
 
 I 
 
 hort intervals. 
 
 * Yarrow having been prockinied an outlaw by a judicial pro- 
 cedure, his pursuers are authorized to tihofit hinn ; who will, afterwards, 
 in the coramunity of their fellow-freemen, talk unblushinj^ly of <1 
 oaote from Shakespeare) " the deep damnation of his taking otT." 
 
 Ft \l 
 
108 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 I } 
 
 Now spoke the lawyer with that gentle grace, 
 When, in full court, he flourish'd on a case ; 
 What time upon the Judge he fix'd his eye, 1995 
 Profuse of robe, and prodigal of tye. 
 It may seem rigid, but 'tis good in law, ' ^ 
 To shoot a slave to keep the rest in awe. 
 And e'en if wantonly you ntake him bleed. 
 He being property — absolves the deed. 2000 
 
 A prosecuting counsel may demand 
 You at the bar should at your trial stand, ' ' 
 But I could find ejectments and non-suit. 
 And prove you bailable beyond dispute. ' ' 
 
 I arm'd with precedents the bench would cope, 200 
 Where men kill'd negroes ami escap'd the rope ; 
 Let me tlie jury challenge, and no doubt. 
 The tM'clve should not be gone ten minutes out, 
 But, soon returninp:, the defendant free "' 
 By the just verdict of the law's decree. 201 
 
 At this gratuitous confession star'd 
 The arch physician, nor the pleader spar'd : 
 Yes, Copyliold, there hveathes no slifr fox 
 Than you to pack with rogues a jury box. 
 You have your private list, your secret rolls 
 Of men prepar'd to swear away their souls — 
 Such now, for instance, as your friend Bob Flint- 
 Chink but the mopusses — he'll take the hint. 
 Flint grinn'd sardonic at the doctor's wit — 
 While the olil ucuili'inini oxclaiiu'd a hit! 20*2 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 109 
 
 fl 
 
 ace, 
 
 ise; 
 
 1995 
 
 ope, 200 
 rope; 
 
 3 out, 
 
 201 
 
 The rigid steersman, as abaft he stood, 
 
 Relax'd with smiles his gravity of mood ; . . • 
 
 And, as his hands the swaying helm controul, . - ' 
 
 Spoke loud the language of his narrow soul : 
 
 Some pity slaves — and bring up whip and chain-— 
 
 Slaves have less cause than white men to complain— 
 
 They feed, carouse, and, when 'tis time to sleep, ,. 
 
 Without a waking care to rest they creep : — 
 
 Cuff, art thou not full happy as a slave. 
 
 And would'st thou wish thy liberty to have ? 2030 
 
 Me, massa ! hie I if free I soon should steal. 
 And tougher whip than your's my back would feel — 
 If free, who feed me, clothe me, lodging give, 
 And make it worth his while for Cuff to live ? 
 
 I grant that where the system is abus'd, 
 
 The whip made gory, and the back misus'd — 
 
 Per instance at Jamaica, Martinique, 
 
 At Nevis, Guadaloupe, and Dominique,* 
 
 2035 
 
 [■ 
 
 lis 
 
 )b Flint- 
 It. 
 
 * It is computed that there is nearly a million of enslaved human 
 beings in the British West India Islands. Should the English reader 
 be desirous to know how they arc treated there, he has only to consult 
 tlie Parliamentary speeches of Sir Sanmel Uomilly, of Sir Janicg 
 Mackintosh, and of Mr. Wilbertorcc ; and it is probable tliat in the 
 course of the jjcrusal he will feel " each particular hair of hia head to 
 itand an end.." 
 
 202 « 
 
110 
 
 THE AMERICAN MAR4NERS. 
 
 Where neither judge, nor jury, can he found, 
 But every kw in negro blood is drown'd, 2040 
 
 Where such deep crimes pollute the planter's soul 
 That hell will not record them on its roll ; 
 I grant you tliere a slave has much to say ' ^ 
 In vindication when he runs away. 
 But here where tender sympathy beguiles 2045 
 
 The bondsman's lot, and lights his face with smiles. 
 Where, when he visits his snug hut of thatch, . 
 The hand of happiness lifts up the latch, s 
 
 With a fair plat before his door to raise 
 His cooling melons, and nutritious maize — 2050 
 His wife to pound his hominy, and fill 
 The gourd with water from the crystal rill — 
 Where he can pile his winter hearth with logs, 
 Eggs in the hen-house — in the stye fat hogs 
 Crying come eat me, Cufl'ey, and regale 2055 
 
 Your sweeping appetite — ne'er known to fail :— 
 When slaves fly us, where these things are enjoy 'd. 
 It is because the pamper'd rogues are cloy'd. 
 The steersman ceas'd — and now uncouthly spoke 
 The man who bent the negroes to the yoke : 2060 
 A true bill Buck — slaves have no bosom care 
 Who breathe with us the pure, Virginia air — 
 You cannot point a white man in the crowd 
 Who, like a straining negro, laughs aloud — 
 No, no excuse for Yarrow can be found — 2065 
 Mark ! was not that the ingrate's plashing sound? 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 If, above water, I bis head espy, > 
 
 I'll shoot him like a squirrel in the eye.* 
 
 The old man, wrapt in study, rais'd his brow, 
 
 And from his lips the testy accents flow : 2070 
 
 The boy's head, Flinty we grant shall be your right. 
 
 If your ball hit him first — but though my sight 
 
 From age decays — still it, I hope, can guide 
 
 A rifle true, o'er either land or tide. 
 
 Then thus the tasking wretch : true is your aim — 
 
 I know at barbacuesf you often claim 
 
 Tlie victor's prize — yet still it must go hard, 
 
 If I this night win not the State's reward. 
 
 Cuflt', clean 'd you well my gun, as you were told ? 
 
 Yes, Massa Flint, de inside slick as gold. 
 
 The charge a full one?— treble, counted o'er? 
 
 This hand good massa, fill gun to de bore. 
 
 Keep dry the priming — should it chance to flash — 
 
 Yon know my mind — when thwarted, somewhat 
 
 rash ! 
 Massa, don't fear — if Yarrow no fall dead — 2085 
 Then you kill CufF, and take de State his head. 
 
 •I 
 
 lii 
 
 n. 
 
 '1 ! 1 
 
 * I have heard the backwoodsmen, in tacit compliment to their 
 own skill, say, that a squirrel is not killed fairly, unless he be shot 
 through the eye. 
 
 -f- A Barbacue is a merry-meeting in the forest-shade, near a 
 •spring; wliere the company partake of a hog roasted whole sub diu^ 
 atiil carouse ,\m\ $>hoot at a mark for a wager. 
 
 
 . 
 
 ■I 
 
11^ 
 
 TH£ AMERICAN MARINEHS. 
 
 Greybeard now spoke (he held Flint's shooting cheaf, 
 And sat exhaling oaths not loud, but deep) 
 The gun's not wanted — cease your babbling din — 
 This arm the boy shall punish for his sin ; 2090 
 
 In the last voice the dying Warbeck breath'd, 
 To me his curse on Yarrow he bequeath'd : 
 Thus Gaffer Grey, who would have spoken more, 
 33ut his cough drown'd his words half mutter'd o'er. 
 
 XLVI, 
 
 'iti 
 
 In silence now they cleave the liquid way, ^095 
 
 And softly watchful track their river-prey, 
 
 Intently list'ning, as they rest the oar. 
 
 To catch the plashing of the boy before. 
 
 A sound ! they hear him now in fancy's dream — 
 
 'Twas the shad plunging sullen in the stream — 
 
 Another rippling murmur of the tide ! 
 
 The otter made it at the river side. 
 
 They hear him now ! it was, in act to spring. 
 
 The lonely heron pluming of his wing ; 
 
 But, fluttering, paus'd, as if deliglit it gave 210.5 
 
 Ling'ruig to bend above the moonlight wave. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Come, no"w, my Muse, and trumpet-tongtied proclaim 
 The wanton murderers' expiating s!iam«\ 
 
I . ui i|iiij»|i.n^igfpiyii 
 
 1 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 113 
 
 For not such fiends this rolHng orb can own, * 
 
 But Pity sues, and Justice heaves a groan. 2110 
 She has a scourge, which, though hung up awhile 
 And kept from sight — tlie hotter to beguile >4\ii . 
 Such deeds — yet none its lash withstood .<;i}!i..u' J 
 Who ever stain'd their hands in guiltless blood, i ./ 
 Von hill — the demon of the storm is there, 'Hlo 
 To bid these wretches stop their rash career — ••■' i 
 His arrow hurtles, barb'd with venom'd breath, / 
 And chills the spirit, as the voice of deatli, ,</- !> i 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 While they discourse, the sky is overcast 
 With frowning clouds, and raves the gathering blast ; 
 High heaven's dread bolts, with awful fury hurl'd. 
 In vengeance seem'd to rock an impious world, 
 And the fork'd-lightning's flash, that scorch'd the soil, 
 Flam'd as to startle guilt's insulting smile. 
 One sheet of foam enwraps the toiling boat, 2125 
 The lawyer dropp'd his oar, his breast he smote — 
 And, as inimers'd, inclines the le«ward side, 
 Deplores his evil fortune on the tide. 
 The old man's rifle trembles in his hands, 
 His striving tongue no utterance commands; 2VM 
 
 I 
 
 W ' 
 
114 
 
 TH£ AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Upward he turns his lustre -lacking eyes, 
 Where to liis claim the forked-flash replies. 
 Now troops of murders, hovering o'er his head, 
 Shake the task master's inmost soul with dread — 
 Confusion ! cries he, and his arm uprears, 2135 
 While coursing down his brow the drop appears. 
 Mute stood the helmsman, as the sullen gale 
 Shook with its hollow hlast the leafy vale ; 
 And with his savage howling, answering soon, 
 The wolf was heard to bay the fading moon. 2140 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 High on a crag, where parting rocks divide, 
 
 And yield a passage to the rushing tide, 
 
 A wreathing oak uprear'd its bulky form. 
 
 That .seem'd to offer shelter from the storm. 
 
 Thither the boat they ply, and refuge seek 2146 
 
 From the tall crevic'd-crag's impending steep. 
 
 When sudden all the elements conspire 
 
 The tree to whelm :— its crest the flashes fire — 
 
 The banks re-echo— night in horror burns, 
 
 Earth and the flood — the air to chaos turns — 2150 
 
 This way and that the lumbering branches bend, 
 
 The upheav'd roots the crag asunder rend, 
 
 The crew beneath in vain attempt to fly, 
 
 Wild is their awe, and mingled their last cry. 
 
w^ 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 115 
 
 L. 
 
 As rose the tempest Yarrow gain'd the shore, 2155 
 And dripping listened to the watery roar ; 
 Fix'd like an ebon statue there he stood, 
 And gaz'd with phrenzied air upon the flood — 
 Turning, he heard great Nature's pitying hand 
 Roll the dark mass of ruin o'er the band, 2160 
 
 And Freedom calling out his hopes to cheer. 
 And echo dallying with the voice so dear — 
 Then the boy felt his soul with warmth endow'd. 
 And to the skies his grateful bosom bow'd. 
 
 LI. 
 
 'Tis noon — and, from the Alleghany's brow, 2165 
 The slave secluded views the world below, 
 And hears the busy hum, the shout, the glee. 
 Of those whom instinct bids the wretched flee. 
 With folded arms and head supinely laid. 
 The negro wept beneath the locust's shade ; 2170 
 A crystal brook, with life and freshness fraught, 
 The mute partaker of his sorrows sought, 
 Who, liaving trac'd a weary length of way, 
 Was thirsty from the parching glare of day, 
 
 i2 
 
 h 
 
 i : 
 
110 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 And, as he lapp'd the rill witli eager tongxie, 2175 
 O'er the toil'd dog his master tearful hung. 
 For a brief hour the hostile world's wide space 
 Yields to the hunted slave a resting place; 
 To the wash'd-strand his ardent wishes fly, 
 And the great deep is spread to fancy's eye, 2180 
 Now here, now there, the swift ideas roll. 
 And travel with a bound from pole to pole. 
 Musing he lies, till, with her light of love. 
 Vesper invites through glimmering glades to rove, 
 But ere he goes, the boughs that o'er him bend 2185 
 Their wreathing leaves, a sylvan vesture lend ; 
 The verdant cincture round his loins he binds, 
 Descends the hill, and through the valley winds. 
 
 LII. 
 
 Another day, another night has roU'd, 
 
 And now a touching scene his eyes behold — 2190 
 
 His dog grown weary in his arms he bears, 
 
 With voice consoling o'er the tangled briars. 
 
 Till in decay he lifts his fading eyes. 
 
 And on his master's bosom fondly dies. 
 
 Then the boy's hands a tender tribute yield : 2195 
 
 A trench he open'd in the verdant field, 
 
 And, sorrowing o'er his last remains, survey'd, 
 
 As in the earth his faithful friend he laid. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 117 
 
 Droopiug of heart in solitude he roves, 
 Through silent Nature's unfrequented groves, 2200 
 Starts with new terror when tlie distant horn 
 The wild deer rouses o'er the dews of morn. 
 And eyes with bristling dread the sandy ground, 
 Where the fresh print of human step is found. 
 Yet still attending Freedom, firm in mien, 2205 
 His pace sustains, determin'd, though serene, 
 And Hope, fair goddess, soothing in her sway. 
 Points through the deep gloom to a sunny ray, 
 Her tresses w aves, and smiles his grief awiiy. 
 
 1 
 ) 
 
 LIII. 
 
 Thy summits, Alleghany, crost with pain, 2210 
 Grim phantoms vanish, joy adorns the plain. 
 And when again the glorious fount of day 
 Spreads o'er the laughing skies his golden ray, 
 He hails the State whose genius, from above. 
 Embraces all in one great league of love.* 2215 
 
 Still schemes of safetv in his mind arise. 
 And to the billow-beaten shore he flies ; 
 
 • The Quakers of Pennsylvania, who feel an abstract hatred of 
 slavery, have formed themselves into a brotherhood of mercy to 
 facilitate the escape of runaway negroes, and conferred on their soil 
 almost an inherent efficacy of redempticm. 
 
wr^ 
 
 fmc 
 
 118 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 There, as the young day broke, in mournful plight, 
 From the tall cliff he cast around his sight, 
 And every billow of the deep survey 'd 2220 
 
 To catch some speck that hope with sails array'd. 
 On his bare arm his drooping head reclined, 
 AViid wav'd his raven tresses to the wind; 
 The swallow dash'd beside him, and the deer 
 Brows'd the suit shrub,* and ey'd him without fear. 
 AVith transport soon, as on the rock he lay, • 
 He saw a white-wing'd vessti mount the spray, 
 AVhose brave crew watchful, from the briny deep 
 Decry the outcast on the wave-wash'd steep — 
 The wretched black boy, hungry, faint, forlorn, 2230 
 Now suppliant bending, with his hands upborne. 
 Then shake the sails, and from the sculptur'd stern 
 The boat descends — his Avants — his woes to learn— 
 Touch'd with his tale, they succour lend the slave, 
 And Yarrow finds a home upon the wave.f 
 
 • The inordinate love of Ar oerican quadrupeds for salted herbage 
 has been consulted by Nature in the interior of the Continent by the 
 " licks," or salt-springs, which she has abundantly supplied. 
 
 -j- The enormities exposed in this tale can have no application to 
 the American States north of the Potomac, and the Ohio ; whose in- 
 habitants view slavery with abhorrence, and concur unanimously in 
 the desire of wrenching the whip from the liaiidb of upi)rcsi>ion. 
 
'J'lrmwimmmm 
 
 il plight, 
 
 2220 
 irray'd. 
 1, 
 
 eer 
 lout fear. 
 
 ipray, 
 ny deep 
 ep— 
 
 lorn, 2230 
 pborne. 
 ur'd stern 
 to learn— 
 the slave, 
 
 salted herbage 
 )ntinent by the 
 pplied. 
 
 TH& AMUHICAN MAH1NER8. 119 
 
 LIV. 
 
 Soon as the Moor in ai-tkiss mien appeared, 
 The merry mariners his presence cheer'd ; 
 He contes, and as he stalk t: amidst the throng. 
 Waves his proud knighthood's badge, his triple 
 
 prong.* 
 Then brandishing his spear, with brow elate, 2240 
 The shark be threatens with approaching fate : 
 Wert thou a si.uple rover of the main. 
 This hostile arm its fury should restrain, 
 For I, long goaded oii by cruel care. 
 In persecution's school have learn'd to spare. 2245 
 But thou no charter for thy deeds canst show, 
 No privateer's-man, but a pirate thou : ^ 
 
 A bold corsair, who, cruizing hop'd to prey 
 On our good crew with unrelenting sway — 
 To make an arm, a leg, a head thy food, 2200 
 
 And the clear crystal purple with their blood. 
 Well may'st thou flinch, imd flirt, and rue the bait, 
 Stretch thy long gills, and deprecate thy fate. 
 For soon thy jaws my caboose-door )■ shall claim. 
 And proudly wave the trophy of my fame. 
 
 2255 
 
 apijlication to 
 liio ; whose in- 
 inaniniously ill 
 prciibion. 
 
 • Yarrow was the cook on board, and came on deck armed with 
 liis " tormentors," or beef prong, with which he look the meat out 
 of the ship's coppers. 
 
 t Tht caboose in il- ship is the culinary apartment. ' 
 
120 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 ! l' 
 
 Thy pepper'd flesh the epicure regale. 
 
 And now thou dy'st, unless this weapon fail. 
 
 Then, drawing nigh, ** Avast!" the sailors cried, 
 
 And bade him give the shark a birth fall wide, 
 
 AV^arn'd him to keep in mind the fish's strength, 2'2(Jt> 
 
 And not approach within a bout hook's length, 
 
 A formidable monster to assail, 
 
 Tiiat measur'd half a topsail in the tail. 
 
 Vain vas the counsel of the gallant crew, 
 
 The moor strides on the monster to subdue, 22(>j 
 
 Bold as Alcides, when he slew the snake 
 
 That cover'd with his form the flagged lake — 
 
 Hut less successful from the fight came out, 
 
 For the shark hurl'd his hideous tai? about, 
 
 And, as the knight to couch his javelin stood, 2270 
 
 Down on the deck he reel'd in gory mood, 
 
 Loud braying with a beastly yelling sound. 
 
 As his bent body struck the seamy ground. 
 
 Now wringing both his wretched hands in one. 
 
 Now beating his hard head with lamentable groan. 
 
 'J'hen from the circling, saturnalian croud, 
 
 Rise unextinguish'd bursts of laughter loud, 
 
 And all press on in wicked histe to trace 
 
 His rufiled turban, and his blubber'd face. 
 
 LV, 
 
 Waving his skirted robe, great Neptune flies, 2230 
 And soft the moor addresses as he lies : 
 
^p 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 121 
 
 
 Youth of the turban'd head, and dusky brow, 
 
 Speak, fall'n hero, of what land art ii\ou ? 
 
 His voice has ceas'd — he scarcely fetches breath, 
 
 But rolls convulsive in the pangs of death. 2285 
 
 When I incline and view the victim near, 
 
 I marvel what ill w^ind has blown him here — 
 
 He looks a slave, who flies the cruel shore 
 
 To seek a refuge on the billow hoar. 
 
 If so, we heard not in his deepest groan 221)0 
 
 The echo of the anguisli of his moan, 
 
 When (under an ill-fated planet born) 
 
 He bore in chains man's obloquy and scorn ! 
 
 llais'd on his feet, again poor Yarrow reels, 
 
 Again reverberate the bursting peals 
 
 Of the gay crew : when thus the captain spoke : 
 
 A dying mortal is a tragic joke ! 
 
 See the sad w retch, he bleeds at every pore. 
 
 And the plank purples with his clotted goie. 
 
 Hiilier, Tom Tug! his body bear below — 
 
 All other tasks, I charge you, now forego; 
 
 Down to the cockpit in your arms convey 
 
 Tlie vagabond, far from the noisome fray. 
 
 225)5 
 
 2aoo 
 
 U 
 
 ! J 
 
 :>. i 
 
mmm 
 
 ^m 
 
 122 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 LVl. 
 
 THE COCKPIT. 
 
 Iliad, /. 4. v. 204. 
 
 Come forth, Machaon ! 
 
 COWPER. 
 
 
 ■f* 
 
 In the ship's hold, with awful horror wide, 
 
 Yawn!- I deep cavern, underneath the tide, 2305 
 
 Where silent and submerg'd, with study grey, 
 
 Sat Caustic reading by nocturnal day. 
 
 Close by a candle, to assist his sight. 
 
 That in the socket counterfeited light. 
 
 A hat triangidar, with fierce cockade, 2310 
 
 Was on the table at his elbow laid. 
 
 Which, o'er his brow, was wont the boys to scare. 
 
 As on the deck he walk'd with martial air. 
 
 Bent on their seats, dispos'd to doze or sleep. 
 
 His mates recline, three hermits of the deep; 2315 
 
 AVrapt in that gravity the dull maintain. 
 
 The true criterion of a dearth of brain.* 
 
 In the (lark confines of their dungeon pent, 
 
 Seldom above great Kush's pupils \\ent, 
 
 * Every body rcmeinbcra Uachcfouciiult's clcfiiiitiou of gravity. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 123 
 
 04. 
 
 230i 
 
 S 
 
 2310 
 scare, 
 
 > 
 
 ; 2315 
 
 But daily ask'd some of the naval band 2320 
 
 Kow many leagues the ship was still from land ? 
 The wights not yet their firm sea-legs had liund,* 
 And on the deck could not make good their ground, 
 Where, haply should the frigate go ahout, 
 From the lee-scuppers they were all pick'd out. 
 Four unmade hammocks from the carlings hung, 
 Beneath was seen a keg without a bung, 
 Barlow's Columbiad, the Seaman's Guide, 
 jtii A half eat biscuit, CuUen and Macbride. 
 
 Strewn on the floor, hand-saws and tools to slay. 
 
 With lint and liniment promiscuous lay. 
 
 And phials and bottles labell'd at the throat — 
 
 (A mere apothecary's shop afloat !) 
 
 While a lank skeleton, with grisly face. 
 
 Made up the frightful horror of the place. 2335 
 
 Viewing the ghastly spectre with a stare. 
 
 The sailors ask'd what business he had there ? 
 
 WitI -t r.ging lip beheld a man transform'd 
 
 To « ' ^ e;»s bones, no inore by marrow warm'd ; 
 
 And ..I'y who rush'd undaunted to the fight, 
 
 Dreaded tuu haunted cockpit in the night. 
 
 I 
 
 ruviiv. 
 
 * When a sailor walks the deck at sea lie swings his body like a 
 pendulum, and by opposing;; the ship's roll with a vibratory motion ot' 
 his own, maintains himself on his feet. But the uninitiated, when 
 they venture up the hatchway, are, by the first lee-lurch thrown 
 (' ■ n on tlieir beam ends, and precipitated into Uie scuppers ; amidst 
 > c smiles of the captain and lieutenants, the biuad grins of the mid- 
 i>.'i.v: H-n, a.Ki the laughter of the crew. 
 
:)if}Hi( 
 
 II 
 
 124 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 All but loblolly Ben,* who living near. 
 And a lay-brother, chuckled at their fear, 
 .Toy'd when the trembling tars the form explor'd. 
 Held his rude sides, and vehemently roar'd. 2345 
 
 iN ^i 
 
 A'ow startled. Caustic laid his book ^side. 
 And to his f his quizzing-glass applied, 
 Then, as Toiu ms the sable load depose 
 Close at his feet, his indignation glows : 
 Your errand say ! what subject bring you here ? 
 'Tis mine to heal, and not lay out the bier. 
 Dare you come hither to inhume your bones ? 
 Hence, hence, and cast the corse to Davy Jones. 
 Then thus Tom Tug : no corpse we hither bear — 
 A wounded man demands your honour's care ; 2355 
 Fell'd by a shark, who with his whacking tail 
 'J'ook flat aback the negro's swelling sail. 
 First he sung out, but soon in speechless woe 
 Tell on the deck, and seeni'd fast broaching to : 
 And now we cofiie, ere his life's ensign fall, 'I'^GO 
 To beg his timbers you will overhaul. 
 
 • The loblolly-boy is generally some lazy land-lubber transferred 
 from the crew to the surgeon and his mates. It is his duty to pace 
 tlie birth-deck to and fro at noon, beating an old mortar with a pestle, 
 to summon together the sick ; exposed as he passes the mess-places to 
 the derision of the tars, who vociferate to each other, " Look out. 
 there, fore and aft, for your bread bags !" 
 
'i( 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 vir* 
 
 The fam'd physician tucks his robes around, 
 
 And his probe seizes to detect the wound, 
 
 O'er the mute moor, stretcli'd in the cockpit, hnug. 
 
 His temples chaf d, and ey'd his lolling tongue, 
 
 Mark'd ev'ry symptom, found the pulse was low, 
 
 And shook his head prophetic, and his brow 
 
 Severely knit ; while whispers circle round 
 
 Among the graduates with a look profound,. 
 
 [n vain the doctor plies his healing art, 2370 
 
 His efforts to the moor no life impart — 
 
 When honest Tom from his side-pocket drew 
 
 An elixir approv'd by all the crew. 
 
 And made the patient swill; his eye, though dim, 
 
 Resum'd its speculation ; each dull limb 2375 
 
 Seem'd strung anew, and on the seamy floor 
 
 He turn'd and faintly cried oh ! give me more ! 
 
 Then thus the leech with uprais'd hand and eyes : 
 No skill of mine this sudden cure supplies. 
 But, Tom, when life seem'd doubtful in the wound, 
 Beyond my drugs, a healing medicine found I 
 
 LVII. 
 
 Again the crew, vociferously loud. 
 
 Press round the hostile fish, a darkening croud. 
 
 ;i 
 
 ) 
 
 ' ' 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 f 
 
 iiii 
 
 
 IIH 
 
 
 1 1 ^'B 
 
 
 1 ii 
 
 fB 
 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 
 ,1 *. a 
 
 ; I 
 
.,!.-. 
 
 •26 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 ) ! 
 
 1/ 
 
 Jack Junk, a jolly tar of st\irdy form, 
 
 With laughing visage, blanch'd with many a storm, 
 
 The lists now enter'd, recent from the glass, 
 
 Which his loyal hand was ever loth to pass. 
 
 With all sail set, and a wide rolling gait, 
 
 He came on deck to meet a tragic fate. 
 
 Thus and no near !* a merry shipmate cries, 2390 
 
 Jack heard, and roU'd the pupils of his eyes, 
 
 A hiccup fetch'd, and, with his grotesque pace, 
 
 Relax'd the muscles of the captain's face. 
 
 Then, couching his long spear, all gleaming bright, 
 
 He bawl'd ** Free commerce and a sailor's right!" 
 
 But, urging with no I allast but all sail. 
 
 The weather-gage he lost, and the hurl'd tail 
 
 Of the enormous monster dealt a blow. 
 
 That, on his beam ends, laid the sailor low ; 
 
 The sot unwar_y smiting in the part 2400 
 
 Where the ribs rally round the beating heart. 
 
 Neptune, in serious, contemplative mood, 
 Propp'd on his niu-iv trident as he stood, 
 Serenely cried. Jack lies along the floor 
 Like a ship stranded on a leeward shore : 
 
 2405 
 
 It! li 
 
 • Thus and no near ! is an admonition given the helmsman, in 
 steeriag a ship, to keep his sails full ; and it is here a tacit reprehen- 
 sion passed on Jack, whose \. cnther leech was shaking in the wind. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 127 
 
 Stopp'd, stopp'd (lis grog — a lamentable wreck — 
 Hence witli him overboard, and swab llie deck. 
 
 The tar the mandate heard, and linning round 
 
 His half-rais'd brow, cried, panting with his wound, 
 
 Not yet is stopp'd my grog — I yet can drink 2410 
 
 A good skin full, whatever you may think ; 
 
 My sails were only taken flat aback. 
 
 Come, messmates, to his hammock help poor Jack. 
 
 LVIII. 
 
 Meantime on every side the monster turns, 
 
 His tongue protrudes, and with new fury burns, 
 
 Then writhing with a bound, his tail he rears, 
 
 That tail which every true bred seaman fears : 
 
 The broken cohorts mix, and none is found 
 
 Whose valour dares approach the fish to wound ; 
 
 Tiieir upheld spears, their handspikes he derides, 
 
 The l)road deck trembles as he shakes his sides. 
 
 Then thus cried brother Jonathan, (a tar 
 
 Who long with spouting whales had wag'd the war 
 
 In tumbling seas ; the object of his toil 
 
 To share the bones, and barrel off the oil :*) 2425 
 
 • The crews of the ships from Massachusetts, employed in the 
 whale fishery on the coast of Brazil, and in the Pacific Ocean, receive 
 no wages, but have a certain share of the whale-bone, and of the 
 blubber or whale-oil. 
 
12B 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 \ 
 
 Say, sliipraates, often dreadful in your might, 
 
 Mryinians, fearless in the main-deck fight, 
 
 Ye Pennsylvanians, a sea-born band, 
 
 To peril train'd by Ocean's plastic hand, 
 
 Ye brave Kentuckians who oft have stood 2430 
 
 O'er the scalp'd Indian, rioting in blood ;* 
 
 And you, my countrymen, though last, not least 
 
 Dear to this heart, sons of the smiling East, 
 
 Say, does a fish, unwieldy on the deck, 
 
 Repress your valour, and your prowess check ? 
 
 Then let this unassisted arm sustain 
 
 The fearful combat, and the honour gain — 
 
 On me the glory of the day depends. 
 
 With this one stroke behold the conflict ends. 
 
 He said, and plung'd his formidable spear 2440 
 
 In the shark's side, to stop his full career; ... 
 
 * That the Kentuckians scalp their Indian enemies, when lying 
 dead in the field of battle, may be presumed on the ground of the kx 
 talumis, as the victorious red-men never fail to scalp the Kentuckians. 
 But when the Quarterly Reviewers, on no other authority but that of 
 an anonymous writer, affirm, in unqualified language, (vol. 27, p. 74,) 
 that the Kentuckians cut their razor-straps from the hacks of livitiff 
 Indians,, an universal yell of execration must follow such a calumny, 
 deepening as it extends. But admitting the delinquency of the 
 Kentuckians, are they not surpassed by their accusers in the savage- 
 ness of tlieir ferocity ? for, from what livmg author's back have not 
 they cut out a full " pound of flesh," whose political tenets differed 
 from their own ?— See the New Monthly Magazine, Obituary for 
 1821, p. 256. Article Keats. 
 
I 
 
 i 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 120 
 
 1 
 
 But liis hold lost as tlic flsli nuna; a1>oiit, 
 
 Nor could I'.e draw liis iccreaiit, weapon out. 
 
 The shark's tail brother Jonathan confounds, 
 
 Ho now advances, and he now rebounds; 2445 
 
 Now w rings and wrests his lost lance to and fro, 
 
 But soon from terror docs his gripe forego, 
 
 Till, like a bee, that leaves his sting behind, 
 
 The tar m ith plaints alternate fum'd and pin'd : 
 
 I little dream'd my harpoon to have left 2150 
 
 In the shark's carcass — both the blade and heft! 
 
 Shipmales, repress unseasonable mirth. 
 
 And luind another spear up from my birth — 
 
 One hangs above my hammock with a coil,* 
 
 Which will, I guess, his yankey anticks foil ; 2455 
 
 The barb is somewhat blunted, for a score 
 
 Of Arctic whales have bath'd it with their gore, 
 
 But still retains suflicient of its point, 
 
 The cuitiir's strongest rib-bones to disjoint. 
 
 Tiien Neptune, as he lean'il against the mast, 2401) 
 A sceptic jrlance on the liostonian cast, 
 i\ud rallied uini with that peculiar grace 
 AVhich mirth provokes beneath a serious face : 
 
 i 
 
 * A whaler's harpoon lias the end of a coil appcndctl U) the handle, 
 ill order to jiluy the fish when stnit'lc. 
 
130 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 (> brother Jonathan ! thy lies would strand 
 Tlie best lull-tackle* ever liaul'd bv hand — 
 Not to the sailors should you tell that tale, 
 Tough as the garnet that clues up the sail, 
 Kut keep it for the credulous marines, 
 When next in harbour the good ship careens. 
 
 24G: 
 
 JSow midst the crew tlie gay Lieutenants stand. 
 And banter with their jokes the laggard band ; 
 Eager delight among the men prevail'd, 
 And M ith loud cheers their officers they hail'd. 
 Hampden was there, who, with his jocund port, 
 Look'd him the gods call Euphron, mortals Sport. 
 Where'er he came, the youth all hearts beguil'd. 
 Care, at his presence, smoothed his brow and smil'd; 
 In foundering seas, when lubbers felt deprest. 
 He, ev'ry inch a tar, still had his jest. 
 Now, with an arch and laughing air, he ey'd, 2480 
 And thus address'd the Yankey near his side : 
 Insatiate Jonathan, will not one spear 
 Glut thy revenge, but thou must bid ut bear 
 On deck the lance that o'er thy sack is ' ang, 
 Whilst thou stand'st there with self-applauding 
 
 tongue. 
 
 Seamen are we, not soldiers from the ranks, 
 
 I-. i 
 
 • Of any hyperbolical story the sailors say that it would carry 
 a^vay a luif«tackle to hoist it in. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 v,n 
 
 To swallow down like gulls thy monstrous pranks ; 
 
 The whales thy arm in arctic seas made bleed 
 
 Of bulk invented, are huge whales indeed. 
 
 Out of my north-west passage !* while I stand, 2400 
 
 And the shark's tortures end with this firm hand, 
 
 An axe my weapon, which T !:now to wield 
 
 With more success than thou the spear and sliield. 
 
 Then drawing off the vest his fair form grac'd, 
 
 Loos'd from the clasps, on the bare deck he plac'd '* 
 
 His curls redundant, o'er his brow display'd, 
 
 Half-veil'd liis forehead in a golden shade. 
 
 A smiling archness from his glances flow'd. 
 
 And on his cheeks two summer-roses glow'd ; 
 
 His side-long look, from eye of gleeful blue, 2500 
 
 Still on the tar a tacit censure threw — 
 
 Who blushing stood, represt with shame and fear. 
 
 While the crowd's laughter peal'd upon his ear :— 
 
 Then the youth rais'd his hatchet to assail 
 
 The gaping shark, and nick'd him in the tail — 2505 
 
 Again he flounders, but, with strength decay'd. 
 
 The crew press forward, and impart their aid, 
 
 Ply his tam'd body with repeated strokes, 
 
 And the fish dies amidst the sailors' jokes. 
 
 
 t would carry 
 
 * A phrase equivalent to clear the pcangway, or make room. 
 
 k2 
 
n 
 
 132 
 
 THE AMF.PICAN MARINFPS. 
 
 
 ; Lix. 
 
 Now to the spot the cabin-boys draw near, S.'ilO 
 
 In semblance boM, but fill'd with secret fear, 
 
 To measure him with log-line, ant! decide 
 
 How long his cumbrous carcass, and how wide. 
 
 As they approach wliere the huge monster lay, 
 
 His triple row of teeth imparts dismay, 2515 
 
 And, horrid to relate, from either jaw 
 
 Protruded trickling blood and gobbets raw 
 
 Of dolphin, skipjack, and of albicore, 
 
 Mix'd in one mass of undistinguished gore. 
 
 His fallen brows two pilot-fish retain, 2.'i20 
 
 His late purveying guides along the main ; 
 
 Who still instinctively appear to dread 
 
 His mouth, and cling adhesive to the head.* 
 
 The fry of children trembled as they view'd 
 
 The fish, whose tail so many tars had rued ; 2525 
 
 And as an urchin, a fool hardy child, 
 
 Footed the shark, his brother him revil'tl 
 
 For being rash, and, in no tone of jest, 
 
 Bade him recede, for in the monster's breast 
 
 • The pilot-fish ( ga^torosieua thiciw ) adheres to the shark wheii 
 hauled on board, but avoids his jaws to the last, keeping generally 
 «t tlu" hinder part of the head. 
 
Tllb AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 V.V6 
 
 liii'e iniglit ^ot lurk ; and then, with arcii siirpri/e, 
 Another tlioii^ht lie saw him move his eyes, 
 While a curl\l pated elf, with, uprais'd arm 
 And loot recoiling, ieignVI a coy alarm. 
 
 LX. 
 
 THE FIGHT. 
 
 f 
 
 
 rot y »iji.^u X*^f*f otvia^o*. 
 
 ODYssEy, /. 18, I'. 88. 
 
 Meuntimc, amidships, where the painted rail 
 Confines the running rigging of the sail, 2od5 
 
 Where round the cleat the cross-jack brace is pass'd, 
 And pins of iron hold the clue-lines fast; 
 Two boys, by wrangling on the deck, made foes. 
 Unpack their angry hearts, and menace blows: 
 Firm front to front each frowning champion stands, 
 And poises high in air his closc-clench'd handis. 
 These acts, O Liberty I all spring from thee. 
 Thy claims their birth-right, and thy cause their plea; 
 Their sacred rights infring'd, each bosom strong 
 Swells with thy spirit to resent the wrong. "iOl.* 
 One Shelty';j V^^^> Caleb of truant mind, 
 Who made no scruple to desert the blind ; 
 
 i 
 
 ■ 
 
 3 
 
134 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 The Other Jug, tbe boatswain's bullying boy. 
 Who oft was wont sarcastic to annoy ■ 
 The little minstrel, call him blind-man's dog, 2550 
 And sneering bint he filch'd the piper's grog. 
 When on his page the sightless Shelly hung, 
 Jug, in his wanton mood, would loll his tongue, 
 And uncontroulable, of humour rude. 
 His mirth, profane and infamous, intrude. 2555 
 Sometimes the graceless boy, to please the few. 
 Would the Scot mimic as his pipe he blew. 
 And with such gestures writhe his form about, 
 That not the grave could hold from laughing out. 
 Then Crleb, with Ins eye-balls flashing fire, 2500 
 Was seen to stamp the plank in martial ire ; 
 Frown in his ciioler, and infuriate turn. 
 The fight demand, and for the combat burn. 
 That as it may — in conflict now they press'd. 
 Fist rais'd to fist, and breast oppos'd to breast j 
 Abetting Caleb, Paul and Francis stand. 
 They whisper science, and direct his hand. 
 And with their counsel words sustaining ^(ave. 
 Proofs of their love, but needless to the bi ave. 
 Jug found a second in his friend Sam Splice, 2570 
 Whose savage air betray'd a soul of vice. 
 His head bound up attests his late disgrace, 
 And public scandal sat upon his face. 
 Both champions stand undaunted on the ground. 
 Move their clench'd hands, and meditate a wound; 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 135 
 
 With grinning teeth, Caleb his hot breath draws, 
 Nor is it fear, but rage that makes him pause. 
 On as he comes, the boatswain's wary boy 
 Shifts when hiF. hand he raises to annoy, 
 Shuns his stern menace with unerring sight, 2580 
 And weighs and speculates iha future fight. 
 Then presses in his turn : — the headlong shock. 
 With foot unshaken as the living rock, 
 Caleb resists— and, grappling M'ith his foe. 
 Full in his mouth impels the staggering blow. Hoii't 
 Then thus Sam Splice : I see your steerage I'ails, 
 The foe takes all the wind out of your sails. 
 Now shift your helm, and, rounding on your heel, 
 Lay him aboard, and make his timbers reel. 
 Thus counsell'd he— the boy complying heard. 
 And forward rush'd, in all his might prepar'd, 
 Foaming in ire, with wishes dire possess'd 
 To dash the vital stream from Caleb's breast : 
 Not more abrupt appears the billow dark 
 That breaks with fury on the lab'ring bark, *2ol)5 
 But mock'd with skill, an unexpected blow 
 From the keen minstrel met his knitted brow ; 
 Like a boat broaching-to his head he sway'd. 
 And soon on deck his lubbard carcass laid. 
 There, grovelling on the plank, he struggled lonj^, 
 Close grappled by the raging son of song. 
 Who, as on Jug he fell, by chance or skill. 
 Bore high his better arm, releas'd at -^iV,, 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 .M 
 
 k 1 
 
'Wit 
 
 
 130 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 And, giving to the gales all human ties, 
 Strives with his tliunib to gouge out both liis eyes. 
 Take thy reward, exclaims the piper's boy, 
 Nor with thy taunts again the blind annoy — 
 Soon, like old Shelty's, shall thy during way 
 Be shut for ever from the light of day ; 
 !No more to know the sun, nor star, nor moon, 
 Nor night distinguish from the blaze of noon. 
 With quivering feet the scoffer beats the floor, 
 And the crew's aid his urgent lips implore : 
 No pity in one laughing face appears. 
 The tars reply with jokes instead of tears ; 
 And while the victor's thumb assaults his eye, 
 Then wild uproar and shouts ascend the sky. 
 
 Joyous, carousing with his messmate Chip, 
 And the good gunner, o'er a bowl of flip, 
 At ease recliu'd beneath the clew'd-up sail,t 
 Pipes caught his minion's supplicating wail. 
 The brimming grog-cup from his bronze-hand fell. 
 As, starting on his feet, again the yell 
 
 ■* 
 
 2615 
 
 0-20 
 
 • American pui^ilisin is not altot^cthor in the taste anil style oi' a 
 ^fcndoza, as it tolerates f(oiiffhif(; or what, in the blang of the pre- 
 sent day, would be termed tlie thumb fancy. 
 
 + In a calm, at bca, the courscb arc clued up to keep tlic foot- 
 mpjj iVom chuHng. 
 
'^: 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 137 
 
 His car assail'd — so listening on the gale 
 The lion hears his whelp howl in the vale. 2G2.> 
 His comrades knew the voice, full well they knew. 
 And silent wonder seiz'd the drinking crew. 
 Thrice call'd the victim. Holding hy a shroud, 
 The brawny boatswain answer'd thrice aloud : 
 Hoarse and impetuous was his stormy breath, 2030 
 As blasts that menace mariners with death. 
 Behold I come to aid thee, Jug I he i ries, 
 And o'er the deck with generous ardour flies ; 
 Like lightning midst ths circling crew he flung, 
 Where o'er his quivering boy Jie minstrel hung, 
 Whose finger in Jug's ear a fulcrum made, 
 While his bent thumb to scoop his eye essay'd. 
 Disteniper'd vision mocks the victim's sight, 
 The cheerful day seems chang'd to dusky night, 
 Till, in a growing mist or cloud conceal'd, 'IdiO 
 The masts, yards, sails, are only half reveal <i 
 The breathless boatswain in amazement stood, 
 Chill liorror for a moment froze his blood, 
 His hardy bosom swell'd with labouring sighs, 
 Aud tears of iron trickled from his eyes.* '2(J4r> 
 
 Then in his wild, ungovernable rage, 
 With his rude hand he seiz'd the piper's page, 
 
 li 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 1! 
 
 5i 
 
 ill 
 
 \i 
 
 1 .:i 
 
 Drew iron tcars> ilown PliUo'sj check. MiLiox. 
 
 i ) 
 
.1 
 
 < 
 
 138 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 And bore him to the 'julwark, thence to throw 
 His caitiff-body in the deep below, 
 "When Hampden, interposing with his might, 265 > 
 The urchin rescued gasping with affright. 
 
 Now summon'd by the voices of the crew, 
 
 Threading the ladder, up the hatchway flew 
 
 The answering leech and mates : — they, touch'd 
 
 with wo. 
 Saw Pipes reclining o'er his boy stretch'd low. 
 So bends a gardener, who surveys with pain 
 His fallen plant, surcharg'd with storm and rain, 
 Bent from the root — his injur'd lily fair — 
 The prostrate offspring of his dearest care. 
 The bursting sweat that o'er his temples flow'd. 
 The mortal anguish of the boatswain show'd, 
 As, rueing yet the minstrel's rigid sway. 
 Prone on the deck the wretched sea-boy lay. 
 They raise the victim, and their healing art 
 The leech and ministers around impart ; 2GG5 
 
 With unguent soft his anguish they allay, 
 And to his sight restore the welcome day. 
 Morn seem'd to chase the shadows of the night, 
 He look'd, and look'd, to mark returning light ; 
 Sudden defin'd all objects to him show'd, 2G7(> 
 
 In streams more bright the solar radiance flow'd, 
 Yet still his friends t'leir tender care employ, 
 And to his hammock bear tlie languid ' oy. 
 
t 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 139 
 
 LXI. 
 
 Again the chief, with friendly smiles, invites 
 His guest to share his festive board's delights, 2(J75 
 The bowl presenting with fresh liquor crown'd, 
 Emboss'd with forms of burnish'd gold around. 
 Then Neptune, as he rais'd it in his hand, 
 Pronounc'd a blessing on the Captain's land, 
 His awful brow relax'd, and soft address'd 2680 
 The plaided Piper bowing low his breast : 
 Now swell a strain — and shed with nectar'd lays 
 O'er Freedom's land the perfume of thy praise ; 
 None so barbaric but has heard her name, 
 Columbia, daughter of immortal Fame. 2685 
 
 Shelty unclasp'd his bonnet from his brow, 
 
 And laid it on the deck with reverence low. 
 
 His hoary head, made bare, display 'd to sight 
 
 And set his features in an open light : — 
 
 Then, as the bag-pipe to his lip he prest, 2(*()(» 
 
 The strain awak'd the patriotic breast. 
 
 «''; 
 
 m 
 
 i 1 
 
 i. 
 
 '% 
 ■'I 
 
 \ ^ 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 i i 
 
 'I 
 
 } 
 
140 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 SONG. 
 
 COLUMBIA. 
 
 
 r . I 
 
 Columbia's sliorcs arc wild and wide, 
 
 Colunibia's hills arc high, 
 And rudely planted side by side 
 
 Her forests meet the eye. 269t^ 
 
 But narrow must those shores be made, 
 
 And low Columbia's hills, 
 And low her ancient forests laid, 
 
 Ere Freedom leaves her fields, 
 For 'tis the land, where, rude and wild. 
 She play'd her gambols when a child. 
 
 And deep and wide her streams that How 
 
 Impetuous to the tide : 
 And thick and green the laurels grow 
 
 On every river's side. '2705 
 
 13ut should a transatlantic host 
 
 Pollute her waters fair, 
 We'll meet them on the rocky coast. 
 
 And gather laurels there : 
 For oh ! Columbia's sous are brave, 2710 
 
 And free ass ocean's wildest wave. 
 
THE AMEPICAN MARINERS. 
 
 141 
 
 The gales that wave her mountain-pine 
 
 Are fragrant and serene : 
 Anil never clearer sun did sliine 
 
 Than lights her valleys green. 
 But putrid must those breezes hlow, 
 
 That sun must set in gore, 
 Ere footsteps of a foreign foe 
 
 Imprint Columbia's shore : 
 For oh ! her sons are brave and free ; 
 Their breasts beat high with liberty. 
 
 27 V 5 
 
 27-20 
 
 For arming boldest cuirassier 
 
 Wevc mines of sterling worth, 
 For sword and buckler, spur and spear, 
 
 Embowell'd in the earth. 2725 
 
 And ere Columbia's sons resign 
 
 The boon t!»cir fathers won, 
 Tlie polish'd ore from every mine 
 
 Shall glitter in the sun : 
 For bright's the blade, and sharp the spear 
 Our warriors to the battle bear. 
 
 Let Britain boast the deeds she's done. 
 
 Display her trophies bright ; 
 And count her laurels bravely won 
 
 In well-contested light. -^-J' 
 
 r. 
 
 
 -.Vt 
 
i\ 
 
 142 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Columbia can a band array 
 Will wrest the laurel wreath ; 
 
 With truer eye and steadier hand 
 Will strike the blow of death : 
 
 For, whether on the land or sea, 
 
 Columbia's fight is victory. 
 
 2740 
 
 i 
 
 ) 
 
 In purple streams let Gallia wade, 
 
 And frantic in her mood, 
 With civil discord draw the blade. 
 
 And spill her country's blood. 2745 
 
 Too dear the skill in arms is bought 
 
 Where kindred life-blood flows, 
 Columbia's sons are only taught 
 
 To triumph o'er their foes : 
 And then to comfort, soothe and save 2750 
 The feelings of the conquer'd brave. 
 
 Then let Columbia's eagle soar. 
 
 And bear her banner high ; 
 The thunder from her dexter pour, 
 
 And lightning from her eye. 2755 
 
 And when she sees from realms above. 
 
 The storm of war is spent ; 
 Descending, like the welcome dove, 
 
 The olive branch present : 
 And then will beauty's hand divine 2700 
 
 The never-fading wreath entwine. 
 
 if m 
 
1 — 
 
 2740 
 
 2745 
 
 2750 
 
 2755 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 14« 
 
 The sightless piper ceas*d, and lowly bow'd. 
 While rung the deck with the tars' plaudits loud ; 
 Full was the bursting of the naval roar, 
 As billows when they lash the rocky shore. 2705 
 A hectic flush'd the trident- bearer's cheek, 
 Then spoke he with the smile that calms the deep : 
 Come, minstrel, gang with me, thy pleasing strain 
 Would soothe my hours beneath the azure main. 
 Striding a dolphin, thou should'st blissful roam 
 My coral caves, and make the deep thy home. 
 There, where the snowy nereids love to dwell, 
 In sea-bright grots o'er-hung with speckled shell. 
 Restor'd to youth, the grasp of hateful age 
 Should lose its hold, nor bend thee with its rage. 
 Thus to the Scot the sea's sole sovereign cry'd ; 
 He heav'd a sigh, and calmly thus reply 'd : 
 Neptune, to change these hoary locks that spread 
 The snaws of age round sightless Shelty's head, 
 Is not his M'ish — he knows 'tis fate's decree 2780 
 That sanguine youth is not from sorrow free. 
 
 LXII. 
 
 ! 
 
 2700 
 
 The gaily conscious seamen feel their pow'r, 
 
 In the wild Saturnalia of the hour. 
 
 And, while fresh bowls the cabin-guests inspire. 
 
 Approach with rolling gait their ocean-sire, 2785 
 

 I 
 
 h 
 
 h r 
 
 ! 
 
 w 
 
 114 
 
 THK AMERKAX MARINERS. 
 
 I 
 
 To swell on deck his lov«?o, and implore 
 
 A good keg of ten gallons, less or more. 
 
 Onward tliey come, like an impetuous stream 
 
 Glistening beneath the summer's radiant beam; 
 
 And full the murmur of their rusliing course, 2700 
 
 As their own Niagara's torrent hoarse. 
 
 High Maves their flag, that gorgeously displays 
 
 The sapphire's azure, and the ruby's blaze : 
 
 And as around a flame the banner pours. 
 
 On nen-plum'd wings the Roman eagle soars,* 
 
 Who, crown'd with recent conquest, to the .sk_> 
 
 Directs his grateful, bright, rekindling eye. 
 
 The generous monarch rose — and, at the sight. 
 He look'd — he smil'd inellable delight — 
 Then spoke with traiK<port, as in order'd rows, 
 The tars fall back, and one deep file compose. 
 Gods ! M hat a noble crew ! the warlike throng 
 That plough'd the Euxine to the harp and song, 
 Must yield to these ! let any of them keep 
 The helm, and safe tlie sliip mounts o'er the deep. 
 Yard-arm to yard-arm, Mith their guns run out, 
 These lads would make the splinters fly about ; 
 Work for the cockpit! many a doleful yell 
 Would issue where th( ir grape and riiain-sbot fell. 
 
 * Tlic American stamlanl is surniouiitcd liy an fjifrlc. in emula- 
 tion of Roman fame. 
 
 li 
 
r 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS, 
 
 14'i 
 
 Full many a noble mariner is here ! 2810 
 
 Shipmates, all hail! what cheer, my sons, what cheer^ 
 How fare ye, boys? — is your grog-tackle right? 
 Your jib-stays, seamen! are they bows'd up tight? 
 Then thus Bill Breeze, the spokesman of the band, 
 Twirling his tar'd hat in his better hand : 2»1 "> 
 
 Bad cheer, your honour, leeward is our plight, 
 Our unbows'd stays all hanging in a bight, 
 And hence we hither come, a suffering train, 
 Redress to ask the sovereign of the main. 
 Then the king thus : O you old swab-fac'd dog, 
 I guess'd your mission was a tub of grog : 
 What countryman art thou? where truly bred? 
 At Portsmouth born, you hail from Marble head ! * 
 
 i 
 
 * So great is the similarity between the ships and crews of t?it 
 two nations, that during the late war, some ludicrous mistakes were 
 the consequence. In February, 1815, as Sir George Collier, with his 
 squadron, was cruizing for the Constitution, a brig hove in sigiit 
 which he suspected to be a captured British merchantman, and he 
 hoisted the American flag on board his own ship the Leander. Siie 
 proved to be the John of Liverpool, a prize to the Perry, privateer ; 
 and the prize-master, a full-blooded yankee, tossed out his boat, and 
 without any hesitation went on board the British man of war. The 
 moment Jonathan got upon deck, he congratulated the oflicers on the 
 sfiuadron being at sea, and in a condition to do a tarnation deal of 
 mischief to the d — d English sarpents^ and play the devil's game 
 vnth their rag of a flag* He then walked up to Sir George Collier, 
 and, to the extreme amusement of every one on board, making a 
 profound bow, addressed him as Commodore Decatur ; adding that 
 he knew his ship, the President, the moment he saw her, and that 
 Nick himself could not deceive him. Sir George smiled complacently, 
 
 L 
 
 t I 
 
140 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 The tar replied : truth is my sours delight— 
 At Stony Point* I first beheld the light. 
 
 2825 
 
 Humph ! Stony Point? its bearings, friend, impart— 
 The place was never mark'd upon the chart. 
 
 i 
 
 1; \ 
 
 ii 
 
 • H 
 
 !; 1 
 
 ii \ 
 
 Your pardon, Sir, — on father's map at home, 
 
 It makes a figure great as ancient Rome — 
 
 1 thought, an please you, oh my candid word, 2830 
 
 Tliat all the world of Stony Point had heard ! 
 
 'Tis on the Hudson, where our General Wayne 
 
 Surpriz'd the warrior Johnson and his train; 
 
 When neither nioon, nor star, adbrded light, 
 
 A yanker trick he play'd tliem in the night. 2835 
 
 and polrting to the Acasta, asked if he knew her ; his reply was that 
 t>lic was the Macedonian ; and when asked what the Newcastle was, 
 he said that he could not positively determine, but ((uessed she was 
 the Constitution, though not painted as when last at Boston. Jonathan 
 then entreated to be supplied with a keg of molasses, and, on being 
 told tliere was none to spare, made another low reverence, wished 
 (Tommodore Decatur a good voyage, and took his leave with great 
 apparent satisfaction ; wlien the first Lieutenant, to his unspeakable 
 horror and consternation, undeceived him as he halloed for his boat at 
 the gangway. 
 
 * Stony Point is a post on the east bank of the river Hudson, 
 opposite Verplank's Point. During the revolutionary war it was 
 t;iken by the British ; but surprized and recovered soon after in a 
 night-attack (July 15, 1770) by General Wayne, who made prisoners 
 of the whole garrison, consisting of five hundred men, with their 
 commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson. 
 
 n i 
 
imp 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS, 
 
 147 
 
 My father was a fishermaii, old Bill, 
 
 Who taught me young a sail to jibe and fill. 
 
 When but a nursling I was set afloat. 
 
 And knew no other dwelling than a boat, 
 
 Scarce higher than the thwart, I ply'd an oar, 2B40 
 
 And help'd to elredge along the rocky shore.* 
 
 I like thy look — all flattery apart— 
 
 "Who sees thy countenance may read thy heart. 
 
 Declare thy station, sailor, and thy name, 
 
 Hast thou in battle won a warrior's fame ? 2845 
 
 i 
 
 My name is Breeze — and, in a heavy gale, 
 hill is the first aloft to furl the sail, 
 for sailor's rights, on board old Iron-sides, 
 I work'd at single wages, double tides — 
 
 ■ The Quarterly Reviewers, after having very gravely assured 
 their readers that the Americans have no southern ports (Vol. 21, 
 p. 15), peremptorily assert that, in the event of a rupture with Bri- 
 tain, the largest fleet they could equip in the only ports which will ad-. 
 mit it, might be very leisurely destroyed before hands could be brought 
 together to man it. This is ominous infatuation : guos Dais vult 
 pcrdere prius demented. The domestic fisheries being suspended, 
 their countless fishermen would be transmuted by war, as quickly as 
 by a charm, into crews for the lar^^est fleets, without the rigour of a 
 conscription ; and an appeal lies to the evidence of facts, that there is 
 a delicacy in attacking American ships of war in their own ports. 
 Commodore Decatur's two frigates and a brig were blockaded in New 
 London harbour, month after month, by squadrons that relieved each 
 other as provisions became short, wi^out a single attempt being made 
 to destroy them, 
 
 L2 
 
148 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 When the black Guerriere found ottr tier too hot, 
 Bill was at quarters ramming home his shot ; 
 And when the Java lay a rolling m reck, 
 A raking gun he pointed o'er her deck. 
 
 Knew ypu Decatur, whose exalied name 
 Glory on golden pinions wafts to fame ! 
 
 2855 
 
 An please you, if you mean the commodore, 
 With him I battled on the Barbary shore,* 
 
 * It is a prevailing opinion th&*- the Navy of the United States was 
 called into existence by the late war; but the fact is, that hostilities 
 against the Barbary powers first conferred on it a character. The 
 shores of the Mediterranean resounded with the broadsides of the 
 American frigates long before the capture of the Gueniere, the Mace- 
 donian, and the Java ; and the successes of Hull, Decatur, and Bain, 
 bridge were not the effect of an untried energy. These men had served 
 as subalterns under Preble, the father of the American navy ; and 
 acts of lieroism were achieved by his officers and tars that are onl j not 
 generally knov/u, carent quia vate sacro, because they have never 
 been ably recordec'. The Philadelphia frigate commanded by Bain-, 
 bridge, having grounded, and been taken ppssession of by the Turks, 
 Lieutenant Decatur undertook, with the boats of the squadron, to cut 
 her out from under the batteries of Tripoli ; — boarded her with match- 
 '.ss valor, exposed to the red-hot shot of a formidable range of Torts ; 
 — ^slewthc turbanned chief, fighting hand to hand on the quarter- 
 deck, and succeeded in hoisting the stars over the crescent. In this 
 ever memorable enterprize, three yonng American Lieutenants, 
 Somers, Wadsworth, and Israel, emulated the patriotic spirit of a 
 Leooidas; for, the fire-ship which they conducted, becoming, by 
 some reverse of wind or tide, iiurrounded by an overwhelming Turkish 
 flotilla, these gallant youths, preferring death to surrender, blew 
 themselves up in the air. A monument, executed ill Italy, lias been 
 erected to their memory at Washington. 
 
 i 1 ,: 
 
/THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 149 
 
 2855 
 
 Help'd him the Philadelphia's deck to gain, 
 When she lay nioor'd with swivels and a chain, ' 
 Beneath a bloody battery, whose shot 2860 
 
 Before they told a furnace made red hot, . 
 Mounting her side, our chief conspicuous shone, .. 
 And soon the valour of his arm made known ; 
 For, at the gangway, as he sprung on board, 
 There, hand to hand, he met with clashing sword 
 The turban'd Rais-^ — who sunk beneath his frown. 
 While the boat's coxswain haul'd.the colours down. 
 Bill was not idle — with this sworded-hand 
 He slew a Turk, the second in command. 
 Alia ! il Alia ! was his wrathful cry, 2870 
 
 As his bright sabre glitter'd in the eye ; 
 But Bill luff'd up, and, as he gave a yaw, 
 With his half pike belay'd his uncouth jaw. 
 A golden cross that on his breast he bore, 
 I took a fancy to, and long time wore ; 2375 
 
 Till at New York for debt in dungeon pent. 
 In want of cash— Bill's bosom bauble went. 
 
 m 
 
 There is in royal state a secret charm 
 That can effrontery subdue — disarm— 
 While the tar spoke, his panic-blinking eye 
 Betray 'd his awe of Neptune's majesty. 
 And he, by nature impudently bold, 
 Could not the king with steady glance behold. 
 
 28l!0 
 
150 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 A silencb all the natal guests possess'd, 
 
 When the sea's sovereign thns the chief addressed : 
 
 As bold a fellow this as ever spoke, 
 
 To kill a Turk, and tell it as a joke. 
 
 Had fortune view'd his birth with kinder brow, 
 
 And in his cradle he been called Monro ,• 
 
 Instead of standing now with hat in hand, 2890) 
 
 This stately ship might be at his command ; 
 
 But born Bill Breeze, 'tis his from first to last. 
 
 To swab her deck, atid serve before the mailt. 
 
 Come, bid the boatswain, that hoarse growling dog,. 
 
 Touch his bright eall, and tune th« note to grog 
 
 Let him assume his music-breathing face. 
 
 And pipe all hands on deck to splice main brace. 
 
 Ill suits it, skipper^t mortal man to bear 
 
 The brow still bent, and give up life to care. 
 
 Enjoy the moment — see how steals the day, 2900 
 
 On pinions light, with secret lapse away; 
 
 How many more bestow'd no mortal knows. 
 
 Then snatch the joy the present hour allows. 
 
 The captain spoke — Pipes and his tarry train 
 Advance on deck,, three mastifis of the main ; 2D0u 
 
 * James Moftroe, Piresident of the United States. 
 
 -f A familiar name tor captain. 
 
TH£ AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 151 
 
 The leader portly, with his rough breast bare 
 
 The mates bold ruffians with a foremast air. 
 
 Now with each feature working from the throat, 
 
 They strain in unison a stunning note ; 
 
 Between each linked bout a pause they make, 2010 
 
 And the joy'd crew to extasy awake : 
 
 " All hands to splice main-brace ! up boys, repair 
 
 " With your huge cans, and the chiefs bounty share !" 
 
 Then to the steward's tub the seamen fly. 
 
 Thirst on the Up, and laughtjsr in the eye, 2915 
 
 Crowding they press the cup to take in hand. 
 
 And halting Yarrow mingles with the band. 
 
 ■' ti 
 
 
 *P 
 
 LXIII. 
 
 2900 
 
 290& 
 
 His noou-tide station now the sun had pass'd, 
 And our tall ship a deeper shadow cast, 
 As, doubly-pictur'd on the glassy deep, 2920 
 
 The vessel o'er its image seem'd to sleep, 
 When Neptune, with an air of high command, 
 (His huge, rough trident in his brandish'd hand) 
 With voice that shook the ship from stem to stern. 
 Bade his head-groom prepare for his return : 2925 
 Glaucus, my steeds ! the sun is sinking low. 
 And we ere night have many leagues to go. 
 
 Glancus, reclining on the gangway rail. 
 Stood 'midst the children of the helm and sail ; 
 
152 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 
 Fair to the waist he seem'd, but all below 
 
 His fishy scales a strange discordance show ; 
 
 With forky fins to plough the foamy brine, 
 
 A tail enormous lengthened out his spine. 
 
 in the sire's hand the massy grog-bowl flam'd. 
 
 And as a toast the chief's good ship he nam'd, 2935 
 
 JJut, ere he drank, vociferously spoke. 
 
 While his loud voice a louder hiccup broke : 
 
 What hoa there Glaucus ! sound your crooked shell, 
 
 And to their posts my sea-born train compel. 
 
 ( ■onstrain'd again my mandate to renew, 2940 
 
 1 '11 make you nm the gauntlet through the crew, 
 
 ►Switching your tail the gamesome tars among, 
 
 Like a mad bullock by a hornet stung. 
 
 Kein, rein my steeds J my Amphitrite afar. 
 
 In pensive mood, awaits her Neptune's car; 2945 
 
 ]\o doubt, she marvels at my long delay. 
 
 And asks what charm can keep her lord away. 
 
 Then, with a meaning glance thrown on the band^ . 
 The triton growl'd, The charm is in your hand ! 
 And in revenge for Neptune's pride and scorn, 2250 
 liut feebly swell'd in mockery his horn. 
 
 Monarchs love mirth — not always does the crowa 
 Look on the heads of vassals frowning down— 
 His testy groom the sea's great sovereign ey'd, 
 And smiling through his regal state reply'd : 2955 
 
 « 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 153 
 
 It ever was thy food to flout and jeer, 
 And play the buffoon with thy honour'd peer— 
 Your aid, good Glaucus, my melodious guide— 
 Your hand to help me down the frigate's side. 
 
 LXIV. 
 
 2940 
 
 Now holding by the red-rope* Neptune stood, 2PG0 
 
 In act to seek his chariot on the flood. 
 
 While his proud coursers toss'd their manes on high. 
 
 And flakes of splendour lightened to the sky. 
 
 With arms presented, martial in their mien, 
 
 A youthful troop of rifle-men were seen, 2966 
 
 Subtle of glance — while Tom Pipes pour'd around 
 
 A linked bout of shrill, fantastic sound. 
 
 Then with the look that stills the raging main. 
 
 The king repeats his kind adieu again : 
 
 Captain, farewell ! this moisture in my eyes— ^970 
 
 Tis womanish, and takes me by surprize — 
 
 It soon will pass — my brave Columbian heart, 
 
 I never sorrow'd so from man to part— - 
 
 It : 
 
 * When a distinguished personage leaves a ship of war, ropea 
 covered with red baize are shipped to conduct him down the side- 
 ladder, and, as he descends, the boatswain solemnly pipes, aiid the 
 marines present their arms. If the quality of the departing guest be 
 eminently great, the crew man the yards, and salute hkn with on? 
 vast shout. 
 
154 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 A spell is on me, as around I cast 
 
 My sight on thy ship's tackle, yards, and mast, 2075 
 
 And I could linger here, and not be gone 
 
 Till the day fade and stars wake one by one. 
 
 Youth ! on Decatur's glory* fix thine eye 
 
 With steadfast glance — as, rapid through the sky, 
 
 • Stephen Decatur first distinguished himself in the Barbary 
 War (from 1801 to 1805), under Commodore Preble, in the Mediter- 
 ranean, where he became the idol of the American nation, by his 
 intrepidity in cutting out the Philadelphia frigate, with the boats of 
 the squadron, from under the fire of the batteries of Tripoli. At the 
 declaration of war against Great Britain, he was appointed to the 
 command of the frigate United States ; and October the 25th, 1812, on 
 the American coast, fell in with and captured the British frigate Ma- 
 cedonian, Captain Carden, after a spirited enga^cement. It is affirmed 
 that Decatur's fire was never equalled by any single deck ; and in his 
 letter to the Secretary of the American Navy, he does not betray any 
 exultation at the capture of an English frigate, but rather finds an 
 excuse for the length of the action : he got his prize safe into New 
 York. During a considerable part of the war he was blockaded at 
 New London, by Sir Thomas Hardy, and January 15th, 1815, in 
 putting to sea, in the President, his ship grounded off Sandy Hook, 
 but got off again injured in her sailing, ind was chased by the British 
 squadron, composed of the Majestic, a razee, the Endymion, the 
 Fomone, and Tenedos. The Endymion, by her superior sailing, was 
 the first up with the President, when, at half-past five in the evening, 
 an action commenced with great gallantry on both sides, and Decatur, 
 unawed by the overwhelming force in sight, fought his ship with un- 
 broken courage. After an obstinate running fight of two hours, the 
 Endymion's sails being cut from the yards, she consequently dropped 
 astern ; but notwithstanding the President crowded all sail, the squa- 
 dron came up with her, and after receiving a broadside from the 
 Pomone, Decatur, at half past eleven at night, stf uck these colours 
 which he had so honourably defended. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 155 
 
 Orion, carried in his rival-car, 2980 
 
 Turn'd to the Pleiades, directs his star. 
 
 He said, when through the naval concourse flung 
 
 A haggard youth, and to the monarch clung. 
 
 And, murmuring moving tones amidst his woes. 
 
 With gestures strove his purpose to disclose. 2985 
 
 Ill-fated boy ! he spoke but with his eye. 
 
 And hand that pointed to the verging sky ; 
 
 With voiceless motion kneeling to implore 
 
 The king to take him in his car on shore. 
 
 Then press'd the sergeant through the glittering band 
 
 Of swords and epaulettes, and stretched his hand 
 
 The importuning maniac to restrain. 
 
 And bear him from the sea's sole sovereign. 
 
 But Neptune felt compassion as he gaz'd : — 
 
 The wretched mortal in his arms he rais'd, 2995 
 
 And gave him to the midshipmen who stood 
 
 Plucking his robe in fond, familiar mood, 
 
 (Youths who preferr'd the toil that billows bring 
 
 To soft repose beneath a mother's wing) 
 
 To Paul, who, look'd transfix'd by sorrow's dart. 
 
 As he receiv'd the sufferer to his heart, 
 
 And kind-caressing Frank, whose gayer grace 
 
 Play'd in his smile, and sparkled o'er his face. 
 
 yi 
 
150 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARiner,. 
 
 A«tarb„„d„a.Jb:?™^J"'''e'.oid 
 
 I^ stranded near the service w!" ^""'» »'''' 
 A knot or sdIiV. t ' "'' demands 
 
 ^d thus a .cho„lZ^.t Lr""'' "'"*^''''' 3010 
 The captain of .he ma^lo .?'" '^''■'' ^ 
 And bid him loose «,« I '^ *'""'' *'"'''' 
 
 f po.histacuri'r::;-^^''-"^. 
 
 «»<" the part stranded, andTr T' 
 
 ' and the fanlt repair. 3015 
 
 xxvr. 
 
 The jolly n.4nt^' ""P"''*"' "^ '^'=1='^- 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 m 
 
 "hains,* 
 
 is: 
 
 3005 
 
 '0 
 
 >wn old, 
 
 h 
 
 nds. 
 
 ss'd, 3010 
 ss'd ; 
 
 sitle of 
 s for tile 
 
 True to thy country, and thy country's fame, 3020 
 Pledge me in one more bowl Columbia's name; 
 As some return, sweet piping through your shrouds, * 
 Propitious gales shall chase the scattering clouds. 
 And soon from deck the gladden'd vision hail 
 The headland signal of your whitening sail. 3025 
 Then Glaucus (who his steeds could scarce restrain) 
 A mournfid cadence pour'd along the main 
 Through. his conch-shell. From all the salt pro- 
 found 
 
 t 
 
 The confluent waters echo'd back the sound. 
 
 Alien the notice fell on Neptune's ear, 3040 
 
 When thus the groom, who ill his freak could bear; 
 
 Look where he stands ! rolling his azure eyes. 
 
 As to his lapping tongue his hand applies 
 
 The fuU-crown'd bowl : — he's like a vessel moor'd . 
 
 When once he gets his drinking tacks on board. 
 
 Come, master, let this gallon be your last. 
 
 As they serve out the grog here to the mast. 
 
 Discretion urges, since the rum is strong, ^ 
 
 At the jib-lialliards not to pull too long. 
 
 Then the king thus : Triton, you misbehave. - > 
 
 Peace! or I'll give thee to this qhief a slave. 
 
 Ere others' failings thy sharp tongue assail, j 
 
 Take the kink oiit of thy own noisome tail. 
 
 Glaucus replies : It weaves your brow a wreath 
 
 Always to throw my tail into my teeth — 3045 
 
158 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS, 
 
 It has its use — when laughing from my lip 
 
 The brine, 'tis like a rudder to a ship. 
 
 Though in a porpoise-point I end below, 
 
 Neither ill favour'd is my cheek or brow. 
 
 And as I stand and view you face to face, 3060 
 
 Few are more seemly of the mortal race. 
 
 Not me could absent Proteus e'er excel 
 
 In the rare art to sound the crooked shell — 
 
 II ark ! to its mellow descant o'er the spray. 
 
 And how each blast articulates away ! 3055 
 
 Come, master, try the parting <\iock to bear — 
 
 Peace, Glaucus, peace ! I'm .'d and roo4ed here. 
 
 Master, I pray you, fly the treacherous bowl, 
 
 Tis not sUip'shape to grieve your spouse's soul. 
 
 Mark but the sun ! how wears the fleeting day, 30G0 
 
 'Tis time to pipe dowA hammocks* — come, away ! 
 
 • In ships of war the crew carry their hammocks upon deck every 
 morning, and at sun-set they are piped below ; the boatswain's mates 
 winding their shrill calls, and growling out at each hatchway '"'' Down 
 all hammocks, ahoy!" Then swarm up the ladders the seamen to 
 the nettings, seeking their sacks of war: exhibiting at each aperture 
 of the deck what Doctor Johnson would, perhaps, have called the 
 full-tide of human existence. On board the Northumberland, when 
 the hammocks were piped down, it was the practice of the young 
 midshipmen to form a ring, linked luind in hand, and rally round 
 Napoleon ; in order that he might not be annoyed by the crowd 
 rushing on deck. This was the very soul of youthful generosity, and 
 I never could read the glorious record in Las Casas without emotion. 
 H «. Sunt Uicrpma: rcrunij ct meittem moriaSa tangunU 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 16d 
 
 Your wife dejected sea-ward looks and sues, 
 
 And you relentless can her tears abuse. 
 
 Come, master, heave ahead ! or I will roam 
 
 The deep without you, and bear tidings home 8065 
 
 That you from out the ship can not be got. 
 
 While in ihe locker there remains a shot. 
 
 Then farewell, shipmates ! Thus the needle steers 
 
 To his lov'd star. My bosom has its fears 
 
 Lest Amphitrite with grief I overwhelm. 
 
 Master, hold on! mind, mind your weather-helm ! 
 
 I 
 
 LXVII. 
 
 Atlens;th the full-gorg'd monarch of the main, 
 
 Redd to his car, and dizzy seiz'd the rein ; 
 
 Tlie scourge he raises, but with swimming eyes. 
 
 His head hangs heavy as o'er sea he flies, 3375 
 
 Till from his seat he falls with shock profound. 
 
 And in his dire descent, the billo>vs dance around. * 
 
 Full swift the Nereids, by affection swayed. 
 
 Rise from the deep, and minister their aid ; 
 
 8ooth the affrighted steeds, and in a ring 3080 
 
 With hair dishevell'd mourn their prostrate king. 
 
 Cyniodoce, whose voice excelled the rest, 
 
 Above the waves advanced her snowy breast, ', 
 
 And as the ocean-monarch groaning lay. 
 
 Thus pour'd the boding accents of dismay : 3085 
 
 

 I I 
 
 IGO 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 What ails our sire ! whence, bending clown his head, 
 Wears he the semblance of a mortal dead ? 
 Speak ! has some rebel monster of the main 
 In combat souglit to wrest from thee thy reign, 
 To snatch from thee tliy trident, whose stern sway 
 From pole to pole the raging waves obey. 
 Her hand the prostrate monarch kindly press'd, 
 While tears reliev'd the anguish of his breast : 
 Nymph, to yon ship my fate alone I owe. 
 With liquor laden— source of all my woe^^ 3095 
 Her with the lofty sails, and warrior head, 
 ^V^ith tompions out, and boarding-nettings spread- 
 In her was Neptune play'd a yankey trick,* 
 Whose guilty chief shall rue it to the quick. 
 Glaucus, when Amphitrite unyokes my car 3100 
 That whirls her Neptune o'er the deeps afar. 
 Seek thou the god of storms, supreme o'er wind, 
 And bid him from their caves the blasts unbind. 
 Himself the wirlwind ride, on pinions dark. 
 And keel-up turn the treasonable bark. 3105 
 
 I 
 
 • The first Yankey trick on record is alluded to by Butler, in hi» 
 fecetious poem of Hudibras. Soon after the arrival of the first settlers 
 in New England, a white man having killed an Indian, the whole 
 tribe assembled and demanded the death of the criminal. But he 
 being in the heyday of youth and strength, and consequently valuable 
 to a rising state ; the Colonists hanged instead of him, an old, super. 
 annuated personage, whom years and infirmities had leduced to 
 crutches. The Indians, on detecting the ruse practised on them, 
 called it a " Vankcy Trick,'* 
 
TUh AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 10 L 
 
 Then thus the groom : (as to his mouth he gave 
 
 The fragrant roll, his solaco on the >v.ive) — 
 
 At your own door the sin and scandal li3 — 
 
 You coveted the drop that dims your eyt : — 
 
 The fault h your's — so M'ait till time and rest, 3110 
 
 And penance due to folly calm your breast. . 
 
 Is this the first time— by some fifty score — 
 
 That youVe been groggy — more than half sea's o'er ? 
 
 On board the tall three-decker could you stand. 
 
 When the old Admiral order'd aft his band 3115 
 
 To soothe you with the poor, exploded strain. 
 
 That Britons only conquer on the main« 
 
 Their ships, 'tis true, could clieerly sway away 
 
 On ev'ry top-rope, and inspire dismay 
 
 With the red-cross, when only for their foes 3120 
 
 The sea gave Dons and Monsieurs to oppose. 
 
 13ut now when Yankey frigates heave in sight, 
 
 They pipe to prayers, before they tempt the fight. 
 
 And when they strike their flag, attest the skies 
 
 They fouglit a stout two-decker in disguise !* 3125 
 
 '* The Quarterly Reviewers indulge only broad grins at the Ame- 
 rican Navy, but these grins, if persisted in by tlieir successors, may, 
 in the long run, become siinhnu'. A fleet composed of 12 American 
 748, each ship vieing in tonnage with an English hundred gun 
 ship, and manned with fully as numerous a crew, that is lOOU men, 
 would in a line of battle be an object of derision only to fools or 
 madmen. Twelve thousand prime yankey seamen fighting a propor- 
 tionate number of cannon, and firing thein more like riflemen than 
 
 ¥l 
 
1; n I, 
 
 
 ]\\ 
 
 Wi 
 
 I I 
 
 I J 
 
 I * 
 
 I ; 
 
 lf52 
 
 THE AMKRICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Theu the king thus : I sue how sits the wind ! 
 
 Bribes^ bribes have made you to their treason blind. 
 
 What's in that keg beneath yowr finny feet ? 
 
 A present from the crew — and passing sweet ! 
 
 'Twill suit the nice tooth of my nereid-wifc'— 3i;?0 
 
 She never tasted such iu all her life : 
 
 Long Sweetening is its just and proper name, " *' 
 
 B-it by Molasses better known to fame. 
 
 Then Neptune pensive : — aid me in the car — 
 
 My stomach and the liquor are at war — 3135 
 
 Oh ! for a gentle? air to fan the seas ! 
 
 Whistle, good Glaucus, and invoke the breeze. 
 
 .irtillerists, would peratlventure make such men as the Quarterly Re- 
 viewers stop their ears at every broadside. It must likewise be taken 
 into the account that British blood circulates in Jonathan's veins— that 
 the great grandfathers of tlie aforesaid crews drew tlieir first breath 
 either in England or Wales, in Scotland or Ireland—that they feed 
 on beef and drink porter— and that they talk and, unfortunately, 
 swear in Knglisli. Tiio Quarterly Reviewers, by their misrepresen. 
 tations relative to America, and deceptions practised on their readers, 
 have done mon- real injury to the common weal of 7,ngland, than all 
 the offenders, tliat, since the establisluiient of their Literary Inqui- 
 sition, have been frciglued off to Australasia. They may indulge 
 their laughter, hut tney cannot alter the fact, tliat in the event of a 
 future war with America, England would find the United States' 
 Navy a respectable force. It would not be policy to send hrr channel 
 fleet across the Atlantic, and she might require a fleet in the Medi- 
 terranean, or in the liuliii. She could attack the United States oel v 
 by detachment ; and a smaller armament than that she cf-'ild detach 
 would be rendered equal or superior on the part of the Anuricans by 
 the cplerity with which they could recover an> check, whilst the dis- 
 Rstew of their enemy might be irretrievable. 
 
T«F. AAfGIjUCAV MARINEHS. 
 
 103 
 
 '^4 
 
 I see a cat's paw* yojider in the wes*, , ;. 
 
 The risu^ gale will cool your fever'd l^^east. 
 Here, on my shoulder, rest your weight of woes, 
 And while I guide the chariot find repose. ., ,. . 
 Subdue your anger, master, and disdain , » r %v 
 To act the furious tyrant of the main , 
 The haughtiest hearts at length their rage resign, 
 And I believ'd that gifts had conquer'd thme. 3145 
 The Qi'ch groom ceas'd, and with his glittering thong 
 O'er the husli'd billow lash'd the steeds along ; 
 Beside him Neptune doz'd — behind the train • 
 Of Nereids clung, as the cap roll'd amain. 
 And their fair faces often turned aside, 3150 
 
 To stop the tilt'ring laugli, the blush to hide» 
 
 Meantime our full throng'd yards display a host 
 Of pendant tars— their country's prime and boast ; 
 And as refulgent to tlie vi' w ofT-roli'd 
 The car-borne god, on naming wheels of gold, 3155 
 Their ch^^ering sliouts resound, ^yith buxom breast, 
 (Eas'd of the load his festive soul deprest) 
 IT prose tlie monarch from his pearly rar 
 To take a la/tt look of the man of war, 
 
 * A cat's paw is a partial lieavin}( of the sea's sur'iicc in a calm— tiic 
 t,'erm of tlie breeze. How often on the ocean have I heard tlie master 
 of a sliip, lookiii^r anxioiixly over the counter, exclaim, after an en» 
 during calm, '' ^ Under is n cat's paw, at last !" 
 
 VJ 2 
 
r 
 
 mm». 
 
 1 I 
 
 164 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 And on her threw his eye's returning love, 3160 
 
 The glance he gives Onchestws' hallow'd grove, 
 
 Or Calaureia, his ador'd retreat, 
 
 When seaward rapt by his swift coursers' feet. 
 
 Ineffable to view his head he rears, 
 
 And at each naval cheering pricks his ears. 3165 
 
 Then as his huge form o'er the deep he bent. 
 
 Back to the ship his lofty voice he sent. 
 
 Thrice to its fullest pitch. Again, again^ agi^in. 
 
 His rending clamours shake the sky and main. 
 
 I* 
 
 i< 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 m 
 
 ■■: ;!' 
 
 . 'U!{,i .,' >■ 
 
 
 , *'.'■■■ ».r.r ■. i.ink > -■ , ..jr. ;,., ,,i .V,. , .,^, 
 
 CANTO V, 
 
 i'N ^ > / 
 
 .;■)/ 
 
 1.: 
 
 a: 
 
 ■.>iM 
 
 .; ? 
 
 THE MARINER ON THE ICE ISLANIX. 
 
 IloyToy fTT uTfvytTov ^ifKianttro, ^axpva ^ft^6U'. 
 
 Odyssey. E. v» 159. 
 
 I. 
 
 Now while the waters of the ocean lie 3170 
 
 One blue ethereal, like another sky, 
 When not a hreath disturbs the deep profound, 
 A glorious calm expanse without a bound; 
 The chief with uprais'd eye, and anxious mind, 
 Prefers a prayer, and importunes the wind ; 3176 
 With look averted views the lingering prow, 
 And chides the slumber of tlie sea below. 
 
-iO"^ 
 
 ■BW 
 
 •US" 
 
 16G 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Yet dear to me the hour Avitliout .Hoy, 
 When all is ocean, holiday and joy, 
 Ev'n infancy partakes the rapturous glowt 
 And my sweet prattler flies her nurse below 
 To revel on the sun'd deck, and rejoice 
 Her father with the accents of her voice. 
 
 3180 
 
 While round my neck thy little arms are spread. 
 And this fond breast conceals thy little head ; 3185 
 While thus thou holdst me in affection's chain, 
 1 grow myself in heart a child again. 
 
 \i 
 
 
 Soon, I may liopfe, yon glorious orb of light 
 Thy lips will hymn, seen o'er the headland height, 
 And that it soon shall dart on us its ray, 3100 
 
 As on the evening shore we mildly stray, 
 Where thou delighted, with thy busy hands, 
 Stooping for shells upon the ebbing sands, 
 Shalt treasures heap — while I, as round I cast, 
 Ply eye o'er sea, will tell of travel past ! 311)6 
 
 
 It 
 
 But see, once more the breezes curl the main, 
 And to the east direct the flutterina: vane : 
 Joyful the chief beholds the rising gale, 
 Joyful he hears the rustling of thi* sail. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Out reefs! ho cries, the weather now is kind, 3200 
 
 Columbians! spread the canvass to the Avind. t 
 
 The top-s{«iis swell, our ship with stately mien 
 
 Walks the wide surge, the ocean's vested queen. 
 
 Now the white billow hides her, now she keeps 
 
 Her course with airy lightness o'er the deeps. 
 
 Steady along- ! the quarter-master cries. 
 
 Steady along! the timoneer replies.* 
 
 Like Eol's harps that daintily entwine 
 
 Their wires with leafy porch of eglantine, 
 
 Sweet through oai shrouds the balmy breezes blow. 
 
 While with new life the ocean seems to glow. 
 
 Sporting ahead the porpoise shews his form, 
 
 No dire precursor of the raging storm, ' *' 
 
 • In iTien of war, a quarter-master is appointed to con, or direcf 
 the helmsman. During a hcad-wind> or when the ship is close- 
 hauled— standing by the dog-vane staff on the quarter-deck, he looks 
 aloft, to the mast-head, and growls out— Thus ! Thus !— or, Near, 
 boy, Near ! Sounds producing dyspepsia, and symptomatic head- 
 ache among the passengers ; which the ship, rolling lee gun whale in, 
 or pitching her bumpkins into the water, aggravates to vehement 
 nausea. But when the ship is going large, with a noble breeze 
 abaft the beam — her weather main-clue-garnet hauled up — single 
 reefed topsails— jib and spanker set— and knocking it oft' finely at 
 the ?.!!'• of nine, aye, eleven knots an hour, with oh ! such a following 
 sea— then, may it please your worships, you will hear the said old 
 yarn call cheerfully to the sea-dog at tlie wheel— Steady so ! Hieiidy ! 
 or. Port ! my soul, Port !— or. Starboard ! my boy. Starboard a 
 little ! While the Lieutenant of the watch, pacing the quarter deck, 
 will Slop lor a moment at tlie binnacle, and utter, — Don't come to 
 Hjuilward of your course !— soiuids that excite a general hilarity of 
 oou itaaiicc, ami involuntary rubbing of the I'.andii. 
 
Im 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 !But the companion cf our watery way, • ' ' 
 His brown back seen above the glittering spray. 
 
 <!ir 
 
 III. 
 
 Now as o'er sea to pleasure's voice we glide,. 
 
 A streak efTulgeiit marks the briny tide,* , 
 
 Where, at its verge, the saircy billows rise 
 
 In antic shapes, and mingle with the skies. 
 
 From all the deck intensely gaze the crew, 3220 
 
 And Jilps of ice burst dazzling on the view. 
 
 Their base an island, awful to explore 
 
 Broke from the frozen chains of Labrador, 
 
 And conscious flying southward from the reign 
 
 Of endless winter o'er a torpid main.f 3225 
 
 ii^ 
 
 * On approaching an island of ice, in clear weather, a luc d streak 
 is seen spreading along that part of the atmosphere which is next to 
 the horizon, to wliich mariners have given the name of ice-blink. It 
 not nnfrequently exJubits a counterpart or picture-shadow of the 
 island for a considerable distance before the actual mass becomes visi- 
 ble; resembling, in this respect, the curious atmospherical pheno- 
 menon ot' the Mirage. It is evidently produced by the refraction of 
 the rays of light on the water. 
 
 -)• These lofty ice-islands, floating in mid-occau, have their origin 
 in the northern seas, and arc the slow growth of centuries. They first 
 aiVliere to the main -land, where they accumulate to an enormous 
 height and extent, by the falling of snows and rain, which in- 
 stantly congtal, till their great weight overcoming the power oi' 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 109 
 
 In crowds the sailors issue from below, ■' 
 
 All ages, ranks, their several tasks forego, • 
 No tongue its bursting tribute can restrain, 
 ]hit shouts involuntary shake the main. ' 
 
 AVhere'cr they bend, or turn the marvelling sight, 
 The proud mass swells a glittering isle of light ; 
 Silver'd with frost peak rises over peak, 
 Nature's pantheon ! temple of the deep I* 
 
 /. 
 
 cohesion, the key-stone of the mass gives way, and tlie several bodies 
 are impelled into the Atlantic by the action of the wind and current, 
 where bathed in a warmer fluid, tlie lower part dissolves, while the 
 upper undergoes disruption. , 
 
 111 
 
 ft 
 
 * These stupendous masses, floating as lofty islands in mid-ocean, 
 consist of a clear, compact, and solid body of ice, cerulean of hue, 
 and transparent as crystal. Their most elevated parts are always co- 
 vered with snow. They are of prodigious height and extent, and their 
 bleak summits rising above each other in endless perspective, exhibit 
 to the eye a stupendous scene of desolation. 
 
 Darwin has iijade a remark relative to the ice islands so irresistibly 
 ludicrous, tliat I shall cite it for the reader's amusement. Jf the va- 
 thus xcho inhalyit this hemisphere^ instead of destroying their seamen 
 and exhauslinff their rvraltk in ituncvrssary rears, could he induced to 
 niiite their hibours to navigate these immense masses of ice 'nto the 
 more southern oceans^ two great advantages icouhl result to mankind ; 
 the tropic countries would be much cooled hy their solution, and our 
 winters in this latitude uould he rendered much milder for perhaps a 
 century or t-wo, till the masses of ice became again enormous. This 
 project could be only tolerated in the infancy of physical science. All 
 the ice-ishinds ever formed in 'he Arctic seas could not affect the 
 lower latitudes in so sensible ;i degree as to produce a positive alteration 
 of climate. Nor wouhl tlie impression of the ice chill the superficial 
 water of the ocean, for when it became cooled, it would, from its 
 
 \ i 
 
 ! 
 
 I 
 
170 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 ^Vliile thus they marvel at the bright display, 
 As fools behold the pageant of a day, 3235 
 
 The wary chief Iiis bark to windward steers, 
 And \vhispers counsel in unwilling ears : 
 Friends, you have found the things in life you prize 
 To distance owe enchantment in your eyes. 
 That when approach'd their splendours disappear, 
 And leave behind a moral and a tear. 
 So these fair isles, alluring to the view, 
 Have ruin spread o'er many a gallant crew, 
 Startled the helpless wretches from their sleep, 
 And hurl'd their midnight bark beneath the deep.* 
 
 IV. 
 
 Meantime our chief hauls closely to the gale, 
 And sighs as wisdom spreads the cautious sail; 
 
 increased density, sink into the deep abyss. But what would render 
 the whole plan abortive is the total impracticability of transporting 
 the ice into the tropical regions ; for it would begin to melt in the 
 latitude of forty-eight degrees, and in a short time afterwanls the 
 ships employed in this great undertaking would have nothing left bu* 
 their tow-lines ! 
 
 • In June, 1803, the British packet. Lady Hobart, when going at 
 the rate of eight knots, ran, in the dead of night, against an Ice Island 
 in the Atlantic, higher than tlic mast-head, and of great extent. 
 The ship, on striking, settled down to her fore-chains in the water, 
 and the crew and passengers had scuiccly time to take to the boats? 
 when she suddenly gave & Ice-lurch to port, and foundered hciid 
 foremost. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARiNERS. 
 
 ttl 
 
 Slowly we coast the Isle more dazzling white ^ 
 Than snows on Apper,ine's aspiring height. ** 
 
 Inhospitable rise the livid heaps, 3^50 
 
 No bird has dwelling there, no thing that creeps. 
 But the tides mournful, with alternate roar, 
 NoAV back return, now break upon the shore. 
 Wildly abrupt, inexorably hoar. = '>■>■■ 
 
 } 
 
 ! 'I 
 
 Rounding a point whose snow-incrusted steep 3255 
 
 O'erhangs in awful solitude tlie deep, 
 
 Sudden a cliif reflects a rolling blaze 
 
 That, in its double splendour, fills the gaze 
 
 Of wonder wrapt in sight. Anon a cry 
 
 From all the crowded deck ascends the sky. 3200 
 
 With bursting grief some clasp each other's hand. 
 
 Grief the indulgence of the naval band ; — 
 
 The first, the noblest of the warrior host. 
 
 Mourn on the deck in gushing sorrow lost ! 
 
 . 1 
 
 Then our great chief with sympathetic breast 3205 
 In faultering accents thus the crew address'd : 
 Columbians ! see how melt the flames away, 
 And, lost in undulating air, decay, 
 Kindled by some poor wretch who, o'er the deep. 
 Full many a shapeless day has sat to weep, 3270 
 And, on each changeful wave, his vision cast 
 To catch some spjsuk th;it hope proclaim'd a mast !; 
 
f^^rr 
 
 < 
 
 ;l 
 
 '?l 
 
 1'^ 
 
 172 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Who sighs lest, ere the sun withdraw his heam. 
 Our ship unconscious pass his beacon-gleam. 
 Now gallant comrades be it all our care 3275 
 
 Rescue to give this victim of despair. 
 Our signal* flag — quick let it wave on high 
 To indicate his watch-fire we descry, 
 And minute-guns peal cheerly o'er the main 
 Hope through his bosom to infuse again. 3280 
 
 Swift at the word aloft the streamers float, 
 
 The deep-mouth'd cannon strains its brazen throat, 
 
 By fits one flash succeeds as one expires, 
 
 The main flames quick with momentary fires. 
 
 While, echoing frequent from each frozen steep. 
 
 The clamours wake the spirit of the deep. 
 
 Now toil the crew — one soul inspiring all — 
 These, formed in lines, the weather-braces haul 
 With earnest voice; — these to the davits urge, 
 And grasp the oars to dare the ocean surge. 3290 
 At once the sails a fluttering motion keep, ' 
 
 At once the boat descends npon the deep, ' 
 
 And I, long practis'd in tlie seaman's art, 
 Now with emotion bear a seaman's part, 
 The helm I guide, the rowers briskly ply, 321).'> 
 
 We seek the point where curls tlie smoke on high, 
 And there in frozen solitude we find. 
 Beneath an icy cliff", a man reclin'd, 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 m:\ 
 
 A wasted wretch sitting in ocean's view, .,» u . 
 
 The lone survivor of a shipwreck'd crew, 3300 
 
 In dread, at every tempest of the sky, , . , , 
 
 His brittle lodge would into atoms fly. 
 
 Bare were his blue-swoln feet, his head was bare, 
 
 Half cU.d his shivering form, and loose his hair ; 
 
 Heaping the pyre he sat, and o'er the ground 3305 
 
 A fish's bones, scrap'd clean, were strewn around ; 
 
 No hut, no tent, gave shelter to his head, 
 
 The sky his canopy, the ice his bed. 
 
 Soon as our shallop shot beneath the steep, . 
 Uprose the forlorn hermit of the deep, 3310 
 
 And witli mute rapture's mingled tear and smile 
 Saw human forms approach the torpid isle. 
 No word he utter'd as he view'd our crew, 
 But up to heav'n his eyes fast streaming threw, 
 Till, in our kind embrace, h thus express'd 3315 
 With fault'ruag voice th« workings of his breast: 
 
 
 In dark despair when wretched mortals rove, 
 
 They learn reliance on their God above. 
 
 I in this solitude his love have found. 
 
 Where famine dwells, and horror stalks around ; 
 
 Hither he sent you, and his acts declare 
 
 That every bci'ig 1.;)^ his watchful care. 
 
 But is not this illusion ? calm my fear ; 
 
 vSpeak, strangers, !<p jak ! that I a voice may hear. 
 
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 174 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 My own dear countrymen— ^a kindred race— 3325 
 Oh ! not unblest, I sink in your embrace, .-ui .u 
 Your S7*<rnal-flag first made this bosom know .-y id 
 A pause of grief, an interval of woe-— >f i.\Ha<.iitH- 
 And when your cannon shook the isie around, t^ti 
 Widi my glad foot I smote the torpid ground. ». .ij 
 Hunger for now five daya had made my life .... , { 
 A lingering death, with nature still at strife — ; . v. 
 No sustenance but what the sea sup^ly'd, .).'.[ . .. 
 A silly fish that left its parent ti^C; — ■, ' • '\ 
 
 The panting food, unconscious of the flame, 8335 
 Eager I ate, my appetite to tame. ^ . 
 lie paused awhile—and, as we sorrowing vje-w'^. . > 
 His feeble form— ^his tale of woe pursued. ' ' * a 
 To Dantzic bound, our ship from Boston came, 
 Her captain I, and Coventry my name, 3340 
 
 Through our fair rigging pip'd the friendly gaJe, 
 Mirth held the helm, and pleasure spread the sail ; 
 But soon (ah ! shifting state of things below !) 
 The voice of joy was chang'd to shrieks of woe : 
 Night's starless vault dispensed no guiding ray 3346 
 O'er the expanse of central ocean's spray, ;, . , 
 But, the breeze fair, the crew wore wrapt in slee^p 
 Careless on deck, as fast we ran the deep — 
 When as our vessel meaeur'd with her length 
 The wave, and dar'd it in its darkest strength, 3350 
 Freely careering o'er the watery way. 
 The icy rocks her striking prow betray. 
 
 £1 , . ». 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 176 
 
 3300 
 
 3365 
 
 My waken'd comrades scarcely raisM the head ^' 
 
 Ere they all foand a tomb in ocean's bed — ' **''*■• 
 
 Wailing they sunk ! Oh, destiny severe, 3335 
 
 And I surviv'd far deeper woes to bear. •«!'•<♦ n\ 
 
 Cast on the beach supine that night I lay, '*^" ■ '*'»-'' 
 
 And when the deep was redden'd with the day, ' '' 
 
 I sigh*d not — wept not* — overwhelm'd with woe — 
 
 Horror refus'd my eyes an overflow ; 
 
 And, if I breath'd, I did not make a moan. 
 
 Despair and anguish froze my heart to stone. 
 
 Restored to consciousness, I look'd and found 
 
 A dreadful desolation reign around— 
 
 Where'€ir I turn*d my sight, above, below, 
 
 No trace appear'd of Nature's genial glow. 
 
 In dumb amaze I hop'd the glacier's gleam 
 
 Was but the vision of a waking dream. 
 
 And yet I stood, and yet I fear'd to move. 
 
 Dreading the actual misery to prove. 
 
 Till, with wild awe, I startled heard around 
 
 Clashing tremendous with appalling sound 
 
 The thawing isle ; — then turning w ith dismay 
 
 Beheld the bellowing chasms burst away 
 
 Huge piles of crumbling ice in open day. 
 
 * lo non pianReva, si dentro impietrai. 
 
 UKoIinn. Dante. Infemo 33. 
 
 3370 
 
 "•^^ 
 
176 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 V. , 
 
 Wild witli afright I fly the falling steep, ,y/ 
 
 And mournful raise my eye to heav'n, and weep, 
 And as my plaints are mock'd by every wave, , 
 In impotence of sorrow I would rave, .,«-.;, 5 j„,a. 
 And roam, unseen by mortal, tbe drear coast, ^, ^ ^ 
 Forlorn and famisb'd, desperate and lost, ,._.., >, ,^ 
 And, by the roots, in pbrenzy tear my hair, ., _ , 
 And wring my hands in madness of despair ; 
 Till faint I sink upon my frozen bed, ; , 
 
 With only ice to pillow my bare head. 33851 
 
 Oh ! as the glacier echoed to my tread, , 
 
 Hope at the sound my sickening bosom fled— 
 I felt a wretch, struck from the roll of men. 
 Without the privilege of beasts — a den — 
 Sad tenant of the waste — my shivering form 3390 
 By day and night unsheltered from the storm. 
 Planks, beams, and carlings, sever'd by the force 
 That check'd our vessel in her headlong course 
 The bleak beach strew'd : thither a chest was cast 
 Incumbent, by the fury of the blast, 33i)5 
 
 Whose till supply'd a gunner's flint and steel. 
 From which a spark, provok'd with eager zeal. 
 This pyre inflam'd. Five days beneath the steep 
 I watch'd each changeful billow of the deep, 
 And fancy oft would feign a vessel's form 
 Far in the ofiing — looming in the storm — 
 And then it seem'd that mercy deigri'd to dart 
 One beam of brightness to my longing heart, 
 
 :;i 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 L77 
 
 But, when the clouds dispers'd, my tearful eye 
 
 Saw only in its search the sea and sky. - •• ■ 3405 
 
 As one forsaken, faint with thirst, alone, 
 
 Sunk on the sandy waste with heart-wrung moan, 
 
 As mocking his hard fate, the burning haze 
 
 Pourtrays a streamlet to his languid gaze, ' 
 
 So falsely on the sea, with unreal hue, ' 3410 
 
 A sail the billow gave my pensive view. " ' 
 
 How my sad bosom envied him his lot 
 Who, blissful cast upon some earthly spot, 
 View'd, when the sun shone out, a verdant scene, 
 The hills, the vales, the mountains cloth'd in green. 
 Thrice happy he, who on some island thrown, 
 (Though doora'd to breathe in solitude alone) 
 Might, wreck'd on earth, not forfeit every right, 
 But in deserted caverns lodge by night, 
 Or raise a hut upon the sea-girt shore, 3420 
 
 And watch the toiling ocean from his door, 
 See nature's genuine form exulting round. 
 The ground with grass, the trees with foliage crown'd. 
 Partake the common soil, the common wood, 
 Whose roots and fruitage yield sustaining food, 3425 
 String his firm nerves with toil — the goat pursue 
 From crag to crag — still keeping him in view, 
 Snatch from the mountain-dam some kid to cheer 
 His hearth — or tame to hand some weanling deer ; 
 
 N 
 
^ .1 
 
 178 
 
 THF AKQIMCAN MARIIfERS. 
 
 Climb for the ?ea-bird'8 9^*1 the rooky gteep, 3430 
 And trail his net aloug Ih© briny deep, i , v .' 
 He might with brow serene behold the day ' • 
 Shed on his loaeiy lod|g;e a farewell ray ; 
 Mliat time th^ stiAa qW oceaa's placid stream 
 Darts its last 'oCt and horizontal! beam ; ' 3435 
 
 And, as the kindling sea's extended roll. 
 Holds a clear ovrror tj^ the sstanry pole ; 
 With contemplation, his divinest joy. 
 On heavenly things his, melting s^Oiijd employ » ^ 
 
 Nor heed that he is by majakind forgot^, ^ 3440 
 But from a »inful world s^bslraet his. thought. 
 
 But here where nothing thriyes. beneath the sky, 
 And notoing breathes but s«eh a wretch as I, 
 Without a roof-^^ qave— -uuiishelter'd, bare 
 1 o the keen searching of the inclement air*^ 3445 
 So worn by famine — so subdned^-w^o wan, 
 Til at scarce I niove the shadow of a man-^ 
 Where'er I turn, there shuddering I survey 
 A j,oylo§s coast, through all its length of way-^ 
 A sickly^ pale, unh^pitable wiUl,, 34.50 
 
 A dreary waste where flowret i^ver smiFd, 
 Wlwre no reviving gales, but bla&ts ari^e. 
 Hollow and mournful, as my forlorn sighs— 
 Where, when the sua his honest course has made. 
 No tree,, no dwellings cai^ts a longer shad^-^ 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 170 
 
 Where not a se»-bird roves— but wide is spread 
 The haunt of sorrow, and coasuniing dread. 
 Ohf sever'd from the world, the doom is mine, 
 Beneath these alps with chilling blasts to pine, 
 Where, o'er the frozen plain, the orb of day, ;J4eo 
 Faint as my hopes, emits a glimmerinj^ ray. 
 
 What time the gift* of sleep ray eyes should close, 
 Benumb'd I lie, a stranger to repose- 
 Beneath the driring blast, and beating rain, 
 I reap tay sad inheritance of pain:. 3405 
 
 If aught of dumber visits these moist eyes. 
 Soon from my naked bed I frantic rise 
 The thawing isle explodes — the c4iffa resound— 
 The pealing ice-cpiaiie rends the: solid gronnd*— 
 Before the gust^ — amidst the fightRKOg's Hash, 3470 
 Pile after pile descend* with hideous crash— 
 Awe-struck I gaze — the mighty heap is Red— 
 No trace reniaia» where late it reared its head. 
 
 What, if the sea its food again supply, 
 All here declares that my last hour is nigh. 
 This isle is unreal mockery — each steep 
 Nods to its dissolution in the deep— 
 
 347.> 
 
 $ I 
 
 • The enclosed air of the main body of an Ice Island, when ex- 
 panded by heat,, bums the extsrioe coot with a terhbie explosion, not 
 inappropriately denomnmteiiaii ice-quake. 
 
 n2 
 
180 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 These glittering heights decay beneath the beam 
 Of each day's sun, unstable as a dream — cu •., 
 The pillars of support in which they trust, 3480 
 
 (iroan to the wave, and tremble at the gust — f;, -^ 
 Ere yon moon disappear, now in its wane, ,^v..;V 
 The crumbling mass may sink beneath the main ; 
 And (such my fate) at life's untimely close, 
 My poor remains will not enjoy repose, ?={;'??'" 
 But I shall find, while o'er me bounds the surge. 
 The sea my tomb — its mournful swell my dirge. 
 Pacing with painful step the formless strand, "^ 
 A poor, forsaken wretch, with upheld hand, «<! 
 Bewailing thus his fate — your cannon's peal 3490 
 Made me, sweet heaven, once more existence feel — 
 Another and another* — hark ! the shock i ; ' 
 Shakes the impenetrable frozen rock. / 
 
 I rush to climb the promontory's brow, ; 
 Forgetting all is pathless ice and snow — 34i)-> 
 
 My pyre responds — a brighter flame I raise. 
 Till your sail whitens throrgh the mid-sea haze. 
 
 * The abrupt exclamations of another and another — and again, 
 again — are not of modern origin : 
 
 Another and another answer him. 
 
 Shakespeare's Venus and Adonis. 
 
 f Again, again, o'er each melodious string. 
 
 . Glover on Sir Isaac Newton. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 181 
 
 tier— and again, 
 
 us and Adonis. 
 
 Then, kneeling, I exclaim — ^Ye powers supreme, 
 
 Can it be real, or does an outcast dream ! 
 
 He ceas'd, and, leaning on us with a smile, 3500 
 
 Seem'd to repose in silent pray'r awhile ; 
 
 Nor did we unsubdu'd his sorrows hear. 
 
 We felt as men, and dropt a human tear. 
 
 Then to embark no more we make delay. 
 
 For the last circles of departing day 3505 
 
 Burnish the deep — and from our ship's high mast 
 
 A signal-banner flutters to the blast. 
 
 To warn us from the ice-isle, and recall 
 
 Our shallop e'er night's veiling shadows fall. 
 
 Isaac Newton. 
 
182 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 CANTO VI. 
 
 THE ARRIVAL IN PORT. 
 
 Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum, 
 Teudimus in Latium. 
 
 ViEGIL. 
 
 I. 
 
 The moon is up ! and with a kindling smile 
 From eye of gold illumes the glittering pile, 
 Tlirough every crevic'd rock delights to pour 
 Her liquid glance, and brighten o'er the shore. 
 As heaven with stars, with gems the mountains glow, 
 While magic revels in the vales below; 3515 
 
 Form'd by whose potent spell, fair cities rise 
 With burnish'd windows rich in various dyes; 
 Gay banners stream, and bastions arnfd for fight 
 Exalted bear a wreath of silver light; 
 
 ^** 
 
TUB AMERICAN MARINERS* 
 
 1U3 
 
 And marble-crowned tow'rs grace the coast, 3520 
 A realm cf rays (the beauteous work of frost.)* 
 
 IL 
 
 Faint heaves the wave— beneath the dazzling steep 
 Our ship becalm'd reposes on the deep 
 Her slumbering prow — the Isle, by Iris drest, 
 Inverted lies on ocean's conscious breast. 3525 
 
 Now as the tars the languid sails brace round, 
 And thread the deck — the crystal cliff's resound 
 With yo-haul-o — while sullen on the shore, 
 At every pause, is heard the billow hoar.f 
 Fast bears our passive frigate to the Btrand — 3530 
 The shallop — cutter — barge — are quickly mann'd. 
 And sent ahead. Randolph exhorts the train 
 With long resounding hurrahs o'er the main. 
 
 • Ice islands are froeen into an infinite variety of forms, exhibiting 
 by moonlight to the beholder ideal clties-^churches with their tops 
 adorned with spires, and their sides with piUars and arched windows-- 
 long rows of houses with their pointed gables in front — vistas opening 
 through woods terminating in esctensive plains ;— while the fro.it- 
 srnokc, enveloping the tiiountaiii-sumniits in a mist, supports the 
 illusion of inhabitants. The Dutch mariners compare these resem- 
 blances to their own towns, and confer on them the familiar names of 
 Haerlem and Auasiculam. 
 
 + That celebrated navigator John Davis, whose name is given to 
 the largest strait on the globe, fell in with an ice island of such eleva- 
 tion and extent, that during a week n'hich he was occupied in coasting 
 it, the shrouds, ropes^ and suils of his ship were frozetii 
 
 m 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 As, keeping e(|ual time at every oar, ' 
 riiey tow the drifting vessel from the shore. 3535 
 Meantime the common crew, a marshali'd band, 
 Mingling their clamours, on the gunwale stand, 
 xVll arm'd with poles ; — while, as we ride embay'd, 
 The captain views the tumult undismay'd, 
 Vnd us again our vessel seaward glides, 3540 
 
 With soul superior at the helm presides. 
 
 III. 
 
 THE SABBATH AT SEA. 
 
 Peril and toil disturb the seaman's breast, 
 
 Like the surrounding deep depriv'd of rest ; 
 
 And much it boots him that he raise the eye 
 
 On bended knee, and supplicate tiie sky. 3545 
 
 When the mild Sabbath smiles o'er ocean's face. 
 
 Our well-clad crew collect with decent grace. 
 
 And all unsummon'd rev'rently incline 
 
 To own the mercy of a power divine. 
 
 What though no dome displays its portals bright 3550 
 
 AVith deep-tou'd bell our matins to invite. 
 
 Pi'" us on deck, the day we sacred keep, ^ 
 
 And make our bark a temple on the deep. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINBKS. 
 
 18i 
 
 Prelates the stately edifice may h6'\8t, 
 
 Nature in awful form aff'ects us most : 3655 
 
 Not the proud swelling column massy proof, 
 
 The moulded pediment, the fretted roof, 
 
 The sculptur'd pile to just perfection brought, 
 
 With all Vitruvius, all Palladio thought, 
 
 ( lould e'er transport to heav'n the gazer's soul, 3560 
 
 Like the wide ocean boundless in its roll. 
 
 The holy book, with silver clasps embrac'd, 
 
 By the sea-chief is on the capstan plac'd, 
 
 With placid look — serene as summer sea, 
 
 Not whiten'd with the fnam of sanctity. 3565 
 
 Now hark, with solemn voice, he reads aloud 
 
 The sacred service to the naval crowd, 
 
 Who, as their teacher's words ascend in air. 
 
 Their bosoms bend in penitence and pray'r. 
 
 An unbought pastor, reverend to view, 3570 
 
 The bright example of a reclaim'd crew. 
 
 Like Noah in his ark, with special grace. 
 
 Withdrawn he seem'd from the shore's sinful race. 
 
 The ritual clos'd, all chaunt in solemn strain 
 
 That psalm which has its comment in the main : 3575 
 
 They who in ships their pathless L'ourses keep, 
 
 Behold the Lord's great wonders in the deep, 
 
 Prompt, at whose bidding, rise the waves profound, 
 
 That toss the bark, and spread destruction round. 
 
 
 ?+j 
 
 m 
 
THE HMfiRlCAN MARINERS. 
 
 Now the bold spirits of the sailors fail— 3680 
 
 Like drunken men they reel beneath the gale. 
 
 Ascending on the sauimit of the wave 
 
 With greedy whirls, the haggard wretches rave, 
 
 And in the peril of the trying hour 
 
 Cry for remission from a heav'nly pow'r : 3585 
 
 Nor cry in vain — ^for, at his sovereign will, 
 
 Hush'd is the wind, and every billow still. 
 
 ■A .? 
 
 What though no organ with its pealing swell 
 Through the long cloister'd-aisle is heard to dwell, 
 Not less accepted sounds sweet Sion's song 34U0 
 On the deck chaunted by the simple thrung. 
 
 r^ 
 
 ^ t 
 
 IV. 
 SPEAKING A SHIP. 
 
 While night o'er sea her silver veil displays, 
 And at the helm the mariner survevs 
 Oiion and the greater Bear — that guide 
 The trackless path of vessels through t!ie tide- 
 Now, sudden, from the main-top's airy round, 
 The watch vociferate with mingled sound, 
 A sail ahead of formidalle mien ! 
 And soon from deck old ocean's guest is seen. 
 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 187 
 
 Then thus the chief: our vessel keep away— 3600 
 Up with the helm ! — the timoneers obey.* 
 Then at each hatch the drumf the ear assails 
 With doubling din— and Pipe's voice prevails, 
 As o'er the birth-deck, follow'd by his mates, 
 Like a bell-wether, to the crew he bleats : 3605 
 What ho Colambians ! to your guns repair— 
 A prize in sight — up, and the dollars share ; 
 My buckskins, snapping-turtles, tuckahoes,^ 
 Exalt your standard, and subdue your foes. 
 Meantime our colours, from the staff unroll'd, 3610 
 Display the bird in martial prowess bold, 
 And, as his wings distend in proud array, 
 The flashing mortar thunders o'er the spray. 
 Then, as the fluttering stranger backs his sail 
 Broad on the bow, our chief is heard to hail : 3615 
 What hoa the ship ahoy ! impart your name — 
 Your country — destin'd port — and whence you 
 
 came— 
 In vain we look aloft your flag to seek — 
 You shew no bunting at your mizen-peak. 
 
 
 * There are two men stationed to a large ship's wheel, one at the 
 weather, the other at the lee-spokes. 
 
 + When an action impends at sea, the drummer beats to quarters. 
 
 J The natives of the lower part of tho State of Virginia are nick- 
 named Buckskins — those of the upper region Tuckahoes— and the 
 Kentuckians Snapping Turtles. 
 
 

 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 You see the Sachem — ] Baltimore our port— 6620 
 From Cowes our last — at Lloyd's our ship report. 
 VVlieu on our lee we heard your cannon roar 
 We giiess'd the union at the staff you wore. 
 Till as you bore away before the breeze, 
 We saw the stars, the glory of the seas. 3G25 
 
 What ship is that ? so fearfully she looms, 
 You might our bark hoist in upon your booms. 
 
 Our stately ship, alive to naval fame, 
 
 Bears on her sculptured stern Electra's name. 
 
 But why ray vessel with your shot detain ? 3030 
 The great highway of nations is the main. 
 
 When first hull-down by moonlight you were seen, 
 [ took you for some dirty Algerine. 
 
 And I, w hen first I saw }ou bear away, 
 
 And heard your shot athwart my fore-foot* play, 
 
 Furious in mood, all desperate for fight, 
 
 I took you, captain, for a scurvy knight.f 
 
 ; ( 
 
 * A shot crossing the line of a ship's course, but a-head of h«r, 
 is said to go athwart her fore-foot. 
 
 i* In an American there is a good deal of the plainness and rugged 
 fearlessness of an old true stampt Roman, before his country was 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 189 
 
 What news from jankey land? who, at this date, 
 Guides with commanding eye tlie helm of state ? 
 
 A worthy democrat, as times now go, 
 An honest politician — James Monroe. 
 
 3640 
 
 Shame on the weal ! the negro-holding rogues 
 Are sure to wear the Presidential brogues — * 
 I guess'd that Adams would have gain'd the day. 
 
 Before him come old Hickoryf and Clay. 3645 
 
 
 vere seen. 
 
 i-head of h«r. 
 
 enslaved ; he seems to carry in his pocket the Declaration of his In- 
 dependence, which has for its cxotdium, " Wc hold the truth to he 
 " self-evident that all men are created equal." Hence you will hear a 
 yankey on the deck of his coasting-sloop, laden with apples and 
 pumpkins, jews-harps and ginger-bread, accost the captain of an 
 English first-rate with all the boldness of unbought freedom. You 
 will hear him exclaim, " On board the three-decker ahoy ! I say, 
 " squire, I wish you would put your helm up a little, and not go to 
 " wnidward of my sloop ! Maple log roll over you ; you are taking 
 " every breath of wind out of my sail ! Don't run me down. Any 
 " news from the old country ? What is Bony driving at now ?" 
 Meantime the man of war advances in dignified silence, only inter- 
 rupted by a bite of the lip bordering on an execration.— Mark the 
 difference of deportment between freemen and slaves. Where a 
 Spaniard or a Portuguese would be seen lowering his sails in submis- 
 sion, an American is heard disputing his passage. 
 
 • Of five American Presidents four were Virginians. 
 
 + General Jackson, the hero of New Orleans and the Hannibal of 
 the West, once consoled a lieutenant, who complained to him that the 
 soldiers called him club-foot, by saying that he was named by them old 
 Hickory. 
 
 i'l 
 
190 
 
 THE AMBRICAK MARINERS. 
 
 How speed the Floridas ? will Onis* yield ? 
 Or mast onr himterat take again the field ? 
 If once we get possession of that range, 
 Caba, I guess, its government will change.t 
 Coffee will be so cheap (our statesmen say) 
 That captains* wives may sip it twice a day. 
 
 3650 
 
 Into our ports there speedily will flow 
 
 The freight of aU the Archipelago— 
 
 From countless bays the gulf § we can annoy, 
 
 And give our tars a lucrative employ. 3655 
 
 No foreign flag, without our leave, shall gleam 
 
 In the blue mirror of the wafting stream. 
 
 * Don Onis, the Spanish negociator. 
 
 •f Thfttroop»who subdued the Floridas, a&d repulsed the Britisli 
 army und£r Gentral Pakenham. at Now Osleans, were Tennessee and 
 Kentucky back-woods-men. 
 
 t The acquisition of the Floridas gives to the Atlantic States an 
 extensive line of coast along which the trade from South America 
 win have to run the gauntlet ; while tlte proximity of numerous com- 
 manding harbours to the Western Archipelago threatens the comiuest 
 of the islands. 
 
 § By the accession of the Floridas, and their multiplied southern 
 ports, the United States?' nary is enabletl to interdict Europe from any 
 intercourse with the 6ul;jil of Mexico, and" exclude lier Hng'from the 
 abundant marts for her manufactures in South America. 
 
THCi AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 191 
 
 Know you the coast ? 
 
 Yes, well, indeed, I may- 
 Last year I sounded every port and bay. 
 There's not a creek— an inlet hut I know, 
 From bleak Cape Sable to the Perdido,* 
 
 3660 
 
 
 What news abroad ? how fares it with old Spain ? 
 
 She's at her mass and mummery again ! 
 
 It 
 
 Where are the Cortez? 
 
 36G^ 
 
 Scattered o*er the earth — 
 Spain's Freedom was a poor, abortive birth ! 
 Who of the old world would not kneel a slave, 
 Must seek the new beyond th' Atlantic wave. 
 
 i! 
 
 • The Spaniards, in order to disarm the cupidity of the United 
 States' government, published erroneous surveys of the coasts and 
 harbours of Florida v they represented the nobl« bay of Tampo in- 
 iiccessible to large ships by '^'^ shallowness of the water on its bar, 
 and the intricacy of its channel. But the American Executive, with 
 the quick and inquiring eye of their eagle, despatched, in 1818, the 
 Enterprize brifr of war, with directions to examine the bays and har- 
 bours from Cape Sable to the river Perdido, and ascertain the actual 
 capacity of the coast. The result was highly favouiable to their anti- 
 cipatioas oi" naval pre-eminence. 
 
102 
 
 TH£ AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 it 
 
 Where are you bound with all your guns run out 
 
 To give the Algerines an Indian shout ! 
 The Dey wants tribute — he shall have it hot 
 From two .fam'd tiers of twenty-four-pound shot. 
 What weather have you had ? 
 
 '■■i\ 
 
 A hurricane 'Mil't 
 Since we left port has vex'd the toiling main. 
 So huge the billowy sea, so rude its roar, 
 'Tis marvel how our bark its surges bore. 
 Oft when the straining hull sent forth its moans, 
 I thought we all should visit Davy Jones. 3680 
 
 On. her beam-ends one hideous night she lay, 
 Hopeless the task to cut the shrouds away,* 
 And o'er the wreck a breach the billows made, 
 While ^ve to heav'n in jeopardy all pray'd. 
 Then as we heard the swelling surges rave, 3085 
 And death's loud summons mingle with the wave. 
 Amidst the horrors of the mountain-foam. 
 We thought, alas ! upon our hearths and home. 
 When day return'd, t ne of my venturous band 
 (A truer tar ne'er took a helm in hand), 3f}90 
 
 • When a ship, in a heavy gale at sea, is thr(Jwn on her beam-ends, 
 the only alternative left is to cut away the laniards of the weather 
 shrouds ; thereby she generally gets up, as the phrusc is, on her legs 
 again. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Id3 
 
 With uprais'd axe essay 'd the mast to wound, n niT 
 And in the deep a tomb untimely found. ^ f 
 
 We saw him rising o'er his watery grave, ^ '".' 
 We saw him struggle with the yawning wave— 
 We heard him shout — but no kind aid could give, 3085 
 No boat between the sea and sky could live ! 
 
 
 V. 
 
 THE OCEAN SPECTRE. 
 
 I 
 
 SI moTrot 
 
 Iliad, A 23. v. 103. 
 
 Angels and ministers of grace defend us! '" ' ^ 
 
 Shakespeare. 
 
 The stranger ceas'd — attentive hung our crew, 
 When to the side the master-seaman drew, 
 The trumpet raising in his hand, he plac'd 
 On the broad bulwark fair, with sculpture grac'd, 3690 
 And, as the canvass quiver'd to the gale, , 
 
 Thusi tearful, told his own distressful tale : 
 O kind sea-farer, not thy breast alone 
 From the fell blast the weight of woe has known. 
 For late we saw borne headlong down the tide, 3695 
 From the tall mast, a boy, our naval pride, 
 Leaving a mother to bewail his doom. 
 And sink by slow decay into the tomb. 
 
 o 
 
 
 ^ a 
 
\l 
 
 V 
 
 : \ 
 
 194 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 I'heir tender parting on the sea-beat strand 
 
 Dissolved the most obdurate of our band, 3700 
 
 When with soft action, and with plaintive tongue. 
 
 To her lov'd child the weeping parent clung, »;«, i ^^ 
 
 And fondly pray'd, with eyes and hands upborne, 
 
 The host of heav'n to grant his safe return — n» <• >•. 
 
 But fruitless her sad suit — she hopes in vain 3705 
 
 Soon on his breast to lean her head again ! 
 
 The warrior ceas'd, and, as he turn'd to weep, 
 
 A shriek was heard arising from the deep— 
 
 A tender, plaintive, lame ..able cry, 
 
 That seem'd in anguish to invoke the sky — 3710 
 
 Clouds veil'd the starry host — through darkness drear 
 
 The well known accents vibrate on the ear 
 
 Of all the crew. IJrg'd by the clamorous crowd 
 
 Their gallant leader answcr'd thrice aloud, 
 
 And thrice, while bristling locks his dread proclaim, 
 
 With eager voice he calls on Talbot's name. 
 
 No answer made he. Fill'd with awe profound, 
 
 In mute amaze the seamen stood around — 
 
 Our bark her sympathy could not restrain, ^ * "* 
 
 Her long keel trembled on the refluent main, 3720 
 
 And had she been with human speech endow'd, 
 
 Her sorrows then in mournful tones had flow'd. 
 
 Wild in amazement, but to doubt inclined, " \ 
 
 Hampden the chief accosts with anxious mind ; 
 
 "u 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 195 
 
 id }.. iii W 
 
 . ;. 3700 
 
 c tongue, 
 
 ing, ' ** 
 upborne, 
 
 •n — 
 
 jrain 3705 
 
 nl 
 
 I weep, 
 jp— 
 
 y— 3710 
 irkncss drear 
 
 ^ar 
 
 us crowd 
 
 id, 
 d proclaim, 
 
 inic. 
 rofound, 
 
 an, 
 ■main, 37-20 
 ndow'd, 
 I (low'd. 
 
 a, '■ V 
 
 mind: ' ; 
 
 Saw you not rising from his watery bed '•* *'* 3726 
 The mournful phantom of our Talbot dead ? ^htvf t-. 
 Giiastly his visage, but the same his mien, '"<" '^iYI 
 Erect, and conscious what he once had been 7 ' '>M 
 
 I saw the wretched blue swoln boy, and kne^,' '' ^ 
 Though clouds half-veil'd him from my piercing view- 
 Pale was his face — no more the enlivening red 
 Mantled his ch«ek — there grief its ravage spread— 
 And oh! his glazed look all words defy- 
 There was no speculation in his eye ! ^''' ' ''"^ 
 My blood ran back, depriv'd of vital heat— " " '' ' ' 
 My shaking knees against each other beat—"''' '*'' ' 
 Trembling I seiz'd an oar to give my aid 
 To a poor ghost, a disembodied shade. 
 And caird the crew to low'r the boat, and save 
 Their shrieking shipmate from the salt-sea wave— 
 The morning planet told the approach of light, 
 Flitting he sunk and vanish'd from my sight — 
 No form above the deep — no sign appears — 
 Ail help that I could lend was helpless tears ! 
 
 Oh ! no kind help, the melting chief replies, 3745 
 Is doom'd the vshado— -that blessing heav'n denies— 
 His corse unurn'd, the spirit scem'd to mourn , ^i , 
 Its wretched body vagrant and forlorn. 
 
 ^'U «. i 
 
 ti' '(■' ♦' 
 
 2 
 
im 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Whirl'd by the eddies of the raging wave, 
 A vault tumultuous, and a living grave; 3760 
 
 His sad remains no mortal's soothing care, , :«. . ,, 
 He caird on us to rescue and to spare! ■. ;.ttri ,i'.<tA 
 
 II 
 
 "J 
 
 The vessels part in silence — and our sails . ,|f ..^h, 5 
 Reflect the dawn, and catch the freshening gales. 
 Still fond aflection pours the tide of woe, 3755 
 
 Still for the boy the seamen's sorrows flow— ;,,, j^i 
 No joy to them convey'd the morning-ray, t j,, \,^f 
 But stretch'd unsocial on the deck they lay ; ,,„. , ; 
 There on the plank a couch of grief they found. 
 And mantles wrappil their drooping heads around. 
 
 / 
 
 ' it . 
 
 ;'» ■' rlj . \ 
 
 VI. 
 
 APPROACHING LAND. 
 
 CABIN CONVERSATION. 
 
 3i! 
 
 As now exulting to Britannia's shore, 
 
 Around our keel the billows part and roar. 
 
 The attentive chief, with compass taught to stray, 
 
 On the spread chart points out the vessel's way, 
 
 To the " fast anchor'd isle" directs his eyes, 37<»5 
 
 And spans the distance that between us lies. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 197 
 
 3770 
 
 I." 
 
 Beneath his cabin-roof he sat reclin'd, • ' ti'><' \ 
 
 While sped the rapid bark before the wind ; mM m5 h' 
 
 Dashing the quivering rudder in its sweep, 
 
 Was heard the billow of the darkening deep. 
 
 A brilliant lamp, above the table hung, 
 
 Sway'd by the roll, in long vibration swung; 
 
 On either side the floor three guns appear, 
 
 Tiie sternmost can^ion of tlie warlike tier,> 
 
 Between whose carriages, of dusky, red, 
 
 The pointed piles of iron balls are spread. 
 
 A moorish youth attends in vesture fair — 
 
 A swelling turban binds his jetty hair — 
 
 Behind the captain's chair he silent stand», 
 
 And half- familiar folds it with his hands. 
 
 »775 
 
 uJ: 1 
 
 3780 
 
 :ir 
 
 Now, to4he young lieutenant by his sidey. 
 Thus spoke the man in war and tempests try'd : 
 Hampden, if two more days this breeze prevail, 
 In port shall we be furling every sail. >- ■ i '' 
 
 At break of day, when dreams they say are true, " 
 I dream'd the sea had lost its azure hue, ' 
 
 And ere my eye-lids drow&y slumber lied, ■ 
 
 1 made the coast of Cornwall right ahead. ~- 
 1 dream'd we made it broad upon the bow. 
 And that the girls had got the ship in tow.* — 3790 
 
 '^;l 
 
 • When, on approaching land, a ship goes fast through the water, 
 the tara facetiously say that the girls have got her in tow. 
 
, 
 
 
 1 
 
 l<- 
 
 C' 
 
 198 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Their shapes o'ertake you wheresoever you rove, " 
 "Whether o'er sea, or through the rural grove. 
 Who in the scuppers has two skulks to-night ?*— 
 Beside you. Sir, behold that luckless wight ! — 
 Then, list lieutenant — when the morn appears, 3795 
 And from her tresses shakes old Ocean's tears, 
 Place at the airy mast-head some good hand, ' ' 
 Or rather eye, to look well out for land, ' 
 
 Some canvass-climbing boy with footsteps light, 
 Some youthful Lynceus of unrivall'd sight. 3800 
 Let him his glance employ, and soon the crew 
 Will find their navigator's dream prove true, 
 Lorenzo, on the deck my wishes bear, - I .i«' : 
 And bid the officer below repair. ' "i" . 
 Stand : give the word ! who at this hour goes thtTc ? 
 A friend to this good ship— a yaukey tar. — ■ -^ 
 Kandolph ! what cheer ? your hanging capes denote 
 A fresh breesse landward wafts our good sea-boat. 
 W^hat news aloft ? make you the sod to-night ? — 
 Naught but Cape Fly-away is yet in sight. 3810 
 Though leaning lately o'er the rough-tree rail, 
 I snuff"d the Cornish coal-fires in the gale, 
 
 • In ships of war the crew keep alternately four and eight houri 
 nightly watch ; they who weather out the eight hours come twice on 
 deck, and, in the good old sea-term, are said to have two skulks in tlic 
 lec-scuppers. 
 
THB AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 19Q 
 
 An{\ thrice T snoeyAl. — The smeUing furnace glows. 
 What says the reel ?* — Twelve knots at least she goes, 
 J never saw her match — no ship tliat glides 8815 
 O'er sea, e'er clcav'd with swifter prow the tides. 
 Slilfas a churchf — however rough the main, 
 She'll carry sail till all is blue again.— • 
 She knocks it off, indeed — 'tis time to sound, 
 Lest on our lee we shuddering view around 3820 
 Drea<l Scilly's rocks, on whose disastrous reef 
 A gallant navy perish'd with their chief4 
 
 ■ hi 
 
 • The rnte of a ship's velocity throuph the sea is nscertnincd by the 
 log-line, which is marked olFby knots, and wound on a red. 
 
 + The term stiff Is applied to a ship in contradistinction to cranlc. 
 Of one that carries sail well, it is always said that she is as stiff as a 
 church. 
 
 t On the morning of October 24, 1707, Sir Cloudcslcy Shovel, 
 returning from the Mediterranean to England in the Association of W 
 guns, (UO men, with the Uoyal Anne, 100 guns, 7ri4 men. Sir George 
 Uyng ; tlie Saint George, 90 guns, filUJ men. Lord Durslcy ; the Kaglc, 
 70 guns, 4-1(5 men, ('aptain Hancock ; and the Uomney, fA\ guns, 2i}0 
 men, (Captain Cony ; got soundings off the Scilly isles in 5<0 fathoms ; 
 the wind blowing strong from the S. S. W. with thick, fog«y weather. 
 The admiral lay to with bis fleet that day ; but, in the evening, be- 
 lieving that he saw the Scilly light, be made sail under his courses, 
 and steered by compass E. and by N. with the fatal persuasion that 
 lie had the Channel open ; for, soon after, the different ships made 
 signals for a lee-shore, and the Association, striking on a reef of rocks, 
 went instantly to pieces— her whole crew pesishing : the Eagle and the 
 Komney shared tlie same disastrous fate, both ships also going to 
 pieces, and not a man being saved : the Royal Anne escaped by the 
 presence of mind of her lieutenants, who sheeted home the top-sails 
 and wciithcrcd the breakers close under the main-chains: and the 
 
 'i : 
 
 it 
 
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 K 
 
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 I LI 
 
 11 
 
 .-_ I 
 
m 
 
 200 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 1 
 
 Mm ,' 
 
 .if 
 
 >\\ 
 
 Hie you on deck— look out for squalls ahead — 
 'Tis now in Vo'.v, and heave the deep sea lead — 
 Summon stern Pipes— we wait not for the day 3825 
 To fathom with the Hue our watery way — 
 Turn up the hands — cooks, doctors, idlers all, 
 At each wide hatchway give the rogues a call. 
 
 VII. 
 SOUNDING IN THE CHOPS OF THE CHANNEL. 
 
 Haul down the jib ! and man the spanker brails ! 
 Let go the bowlines — back the after-sails — 3830 
 There, you are well — the top-sail brace belay— 
 Sam shift the helm, the ship has got stern-way. 
 Is not that lead yet arm'd ? come, bear a hand, 
 We want to see the print of shells or sand. — 
 All ready with the lead ! look out behind ! — 3835 
 Down with the helm, and shake her in the wind. 
 Heave, heave away ! beware there, in the chains ! — 
 Watch, shipmates, watch! here's soundings for your 
 pains ! — 
 
 Saint George was actually dashed on the same rock with the Admiral, 
 but miraculously set atloat again by the bunic wave that beat out Sir 
 Cloudcsley's lights. 
 
 J ! 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 •201 
 
 i— ■ 
 
 d— 
 
 ay 3825 
 
 ai. 
 
 ANNEL. 
 
 )rails ! 
 3830 
 
 lay- 
 way. 
 Land, 
 
 — 3835 
 wind, 
 chains ! — 
 ;s for your 
 
 the Admiral, 
 beut out Sir 
 
 How many futhoms ? — Ninety, less or niore.^ — 
 What says the lead? a smooth, or rocky shore ? — 
 Sand ! intermix'd with shells of red and white I — 
 Soilly's ahead — look out well for the light I ] 
 Now haul we up, an offing to attain — 
 Rig in the booms — Pipes, urge the laggard train. — 
 Top-men aloft I and bear abaft the brim 3845 
 
 I'he backstays ere the shaking sails we trim. 
 Aboard main-tack ! hang on the clue, my souls. 
 Now, sailors, now ! as she to windward rolls ! 
 A tackle on the leech — there, tliere, belay ! 
 Thus bawls the boatswain, and tlie tars obey.* 3850 
 
 VIIl. 
 
 SCILLY LIGHT-HOUSE. 
 
 Sublime in darkness o'er the niidni-^ht tides. 
 Making an oiling, swift our vessel glides. 
 In seeming terror, courting ocean's roar 
 To shun the perils of a leeward shore. 
 
 * The illustrious Johnson, in his famous ccUct. interdicts writers 
 the use of nautical language even ;';hen disi-us:f.in(7 nautical atlkirs. 
 This reminds one of the polite lieutenant in Shadwell's Comedy, who 
 says, '* I wish my crew to reforn), and liiseurd your larboard and 
 '* starboard, hawsers and swabs : I will have no such thing as hawl 
 " cat hawl, nor belay : uncouth words, only lit lor dutchnicn to pro- 
 *' nouncc, uml enough to unbhi)) uii cnglibhiuan'» undcr-jaw." 
 
20*2 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Pacing in gloom the deck with anxious tread, 3855 
 The chief first hails o'er ocean's kindling bed 
 The watch tow'rs glare : A hopeful sight ! 
 There, in the west, Randolph, is Scilly's light !* 
 Speak not, but mark well where 1 point my hand — 
 It gleams again — we hug the English land. 3860 
 Tis no ship's lanthorn— brighter is the glare- 
 See how it rotatory streaks the air If 
 Welcome fair hmp ! held from the topmost towV 
 By piiy in the dark, tempestuous hour, 
 When the pale moon and all the starry host 38G5 
 Arc hid — and havoc howls along the coast. 
 Sliine on, O beacon, o'er the billows shine, 
 DiiTuse thy friendly ray, thy beam divine. 
 Safely to light, as to their common home. 
 The prows of every port that cut the salt sea foam. 
 
 • The Scilly isles arc a cluster of dangerous rocks to the number 
 of 140, lying ten leagues west of Cornwall. Six only are inhabited. 
 St. Mary's, the largest isle, is about two miles and a half long, one 
 and a half broatl, and between nine ..iid ten miles in circumference. 
 Its inhabitants amount to 700. Trcscaw is about half the size, and 
 has 40 families. St. Martin is little inferior to Trescaw, and has 17 
 families. St. Agnes is remarkable for its Light House, and has AO 
 families. Bryer lias 13 Ifamilics, and Samson only one. The isle 
 of Scilly, which confers its name on the groupe, is a mislinpen, inac- 
 cessible rock, the northwesternmost of the whole. Sir ('loudesK-y 
 Sliovel's fleet got upon tlie reef called the Bishop and his Clerks, in 
 the south-west corner of the cluster. 
 
 + The Light House on St. Agnes (the southernmost of the inha- 
 bited Scilly Isles) has a lanthorn on an improved principle, exhibiting 
 a number of Argand's lamps ; which, moving round, produce a 
 bright ar.d conhpicuous lif^i)!, in every direction, once in a minute. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 203 
 
 T am like one who, with a wakeful eye, 
 Beholds a meteor flame along the sky, 
 And rouses by his side some drowsy wight ' 
 
 To bend his gaze, and share the glorious sight. 
 We hauFd ofF in good time — but one league more. 
 Our ship had thump'd her bottom out on shore. 
 Bnt note those lubbers who return our shout. 
 And pledge their faith to keep a good look-out. 
 Hoax them, lieutenant :— through the watch of night 
 Slumber preys heavy on their drooping sight.— ^ 3880 
 Forecastle, there ! a good look-out maintain !* — 
 Aye, aye ! no danger broods upon the main. 
 A light here hoa ! the light-house on our beam !— 
 See you a light ? — a light ? you surely dream ! 
 Liirt*! keep your lull'! — What ! stands it in our way ? 
 With you for guides we had been cast away ! 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 IX. 
 
 MAKING THE LAND. 
 
 The lingering night is past — o'er ocean's stream 
 The beacon pales its inefl'ectual gleam, 
 
 • When a ship approaches tlie coast in the night, a quarter-master 
 calls at short intervals to the watch on the fore-castlc, Keep a good 
 look-out before there ! to which injunction they rebellow, in the 
 sitint tone, Aye, aye ! 
 
 \ 
 
 
204 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 \n 
 
 Each waning star from lieav'n's blue vault retires, 
 And Venus fading last of all expires. 3890 
 
 The wildernes.3 of waves has chang'd its hue 
 To paly green from dye of deepest blue, 
 The twittering swallow hovers o'er tiie mast, 
 The wreathing rock-weed on the sea is pass'd. 
 And as our rapid prow the billows lave 3895 
 
 We meet the curlew floating on the wave, 
 Who, being peer'd at, dips his plumage white 
 Full in the foam, and vanishes from sight. 
 Now toil the tars — their hardy bosoms glow, 
 They heave the ponderous anchor o'er the bow, 3900 
 While up the hatch the cable's stubborn coil 
 From the deep tier is urg'd with shouting toil. 
 While now on ocean's bosom faintly die 
 The last pale glimpses of the twilight sky. 
 Watching from deck intent the coming morn, 39Ua 
 We look her blush the headland to adorn. 
 And many a naval groupe already hail 
 Thy pastures, Albion, breathing in the gale. 
 Now, hark ! aloft the canvass-climbing boy, 
 Nestling aniid.st the shrouds, with brawling joy. 
 Calls to the sailors, as he points his hand. 
 Good tidings shipmates — land, the blessed land ! 
 Then thus the chief with rapture's glist'ning tear, 
 O ! word to charm an angel from his sphere ! 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 •etires, 
 3890 
 
 e 
 
 t, 
 b'd, 
 
 lite 
 
 38U5 
 
 w, 
 
 ow, 3900 
 
 nl 
 
 oil. 
 
 rn, 39U5 
 
 land ! 
 5 tear, 
 
 •e! 
 
 205 
 
 3915 
 
 What looks it like ? ■ 
 
 I dinna ken its name, 
 But spy it, captain, in the salt sea faein — 
 And, in gude faith, sin' heav'n will have it sae, 
 A kirk ! a bonny kirk o'ertops the bay. , / 
 
 One with a chimney ? 
 
 Hoot, you do it wrang— 
 Sic as where Slielty dearly loves to gang 
 Wi' his auld beard new-trimm'd. Hoot, hoot awa, 
 I see twa kirks, and twa kirk-yards with a.* — 
 Speak English — with your border-brogue have done. 
 To us 'tis German coil'd against the sun — 
 Look sharp about — is any bark in sight ? — 
 Yonder is one with sail as siller bright.— 
 What looks she, boy, to thy discerning view ? 
 One that defrauds the weal of revenue ? 3030 
 
 A smuggler, eh ! — She looks, Sir, vary shy — 
 They've got their sweeps out, and inshore they ply. 
 They take us for a king's ship, Sir, nae doubt. 
 They're all on deck putting their sloop about. 
 Save some who, o'er the wave-repelling prow 3935 
 Their kegs are sinking in the deep below, f 
 
 * In coming from sea, and making the Land's End at E. or E N E. 
 two round hills are seen, on the higher one of which a church may be 
 discerned, and on a nearer approach another church becomes visible 
 upon the outermost end of the low land. 
 
 f Smugglers, on the British coast, when m danger of being cap- 
 tared, often iiink their kegs com^itenatcd by a splice into a kind 
 
 * ri 
 
 ) il 
 
 'if 
 
 it 
 
 11 
 
 I \^- 
 
 I 
 
 \; 1 
 
■nw 
 
 206 
 
 THE AMTRICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Now they both ply the sweep, and hoist the sail — 
 They're busy as the de'el, Sir, in a gale. 
 
 ■H 
 
 i ?*j 
 
 Our flag display ! we roam not to deprive 
 A smuggler of his freight — all trades must thrive—' 
 They seek again their flaggons — venturous grown— 
 They see our stars, and joyous bless their own. 
 Boatswain ! what boy is he who spies the land ? — 
 The veriest rogue, Sir, under your command. 
 How name you hir\? — Caleb, the piper's page, 3945 
 His voice my bosom fills with deadly rage. 
 My poor boy Jug, who stood him once in fight, 
 Goug'd by the wretch, is half deprived of sight; 
 His larboard top-light, Sir, can scarce discern 
 The plank he treads on, or the stem from stern. 
 Does Scotland's leafless region claim his birth ? 
 "Wherefore his Erse ? — He talks it, Sir, in mirth. 
 His uncouth dialect from Shelty caught. 
 His mimic tongue has to diversion wrought : 
 A true North Carolinian, from Cape Fear, 3955 
 The young imp from no mischief can forbear : . 
 Without remorse he leaves his hoary sire. 
 To join the skulkers at the galley-fire;* 
 
 of chain ; and, after the lapse of weeks, will return to the idenfiral 
 place, and dra.: successfully for their immersed Ireiglit, guided back 
 by the rcniciubrancc of the bearing of t.onic cape, or particular object 
 on the hhore. 
 
 * Small vcvidj have a caboor.e for tmjkiii;' tho victual ; large 
 oiuiti d ^'alley-iirc. A tihiii io a UiictocuuUi ; and at the ^ali;:y tUe 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 207 
 
 His quipst his pranks, his pastime to pursue 
 
 i\ midst the most abandon'd of the crew. 3960 
 
 And, when sung out for, up the hatch will dart, 
 
 And at Tom Cox's traverse play his part. 
 
 When all the hands are pip'd, in vain I shout — 
 
 He stands two calls before he e'er turns out — 
 
 And though not longer rests a ground-tier butt,* 
 
 The recreant slumbers till his clues are cut.f 
 
 As for salvation, Sir, I humbly hope. 
 
 If overboard, I would not throw a rope t 
 
 To save his soul I — Pipes, if there truth be found 
 
 In adages — the boy will ne'er be drown'd. 31)70 
 
 Main-top-mast cross trees ! whence with roving feet 
 
 Went you aloft the chalky coast to greet ?-»- 
 
 'Twas Shelty's will, Sir ! only yesternight 
 
 The blind man saw it, Sir, by second sight— 
 
 1 «, 
 
 
 i: 
 
 > 1 
 
 quid-nuncs assemble to discuss the news of the day. The falsehoods 
 fabricated around the ship's hiffk are callud " Galley Packets;''^ a 
 proverbial phrase for spurious news. 
 
 " They who keep no watch at sea are likened to a ground-tier 
 butt for tlie length of tljcir slumber. 
 
 t Those who do not turn out, after bcinc: repeatedly summoned, 
 have tlie clues of their hammocks cut— which is called miuiug Ihcir 
 bcd-ponti'. 
 
 :J: Of a worthless fellow th;. bailors i,dy, If he were to tall overboard 
 I would not throw huu a roitu 
 
 J 
 
 II 
 
 iWUm 
 
 im 
 
 1 
 
 >^ ■ i^ 
 
 1' 
 
 ill 
 
208 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 And charged me to endeavour to discern 3975 
 
 The Land's End first, and a full bottle earn.'*' 
 
 
 THE PROMONTORY OF BOLERlUM.f 
 
 OR THE LAND'S ENd. ' ' 
 
 Now for Britannia's isle we closer haul, 
 The sea her trench, proud fleets her floating wall, 
 Far in our wake the Longshipst leave behind. 
 And round Bolerium with indulgent wind 3980 
 
 1 I 
 
 * He who descries the land first is entitled, by prescription, to a 
 bottle of rum. 
 
 + The Land's End, or the western extremity of Cornwall, is 
 called in the old authors the Promontory of Bellerium, or Bolerium, 
 from Bellcrus, a Cornish giant, who made it the place of his abode. 
 Milton, in apostrophizing Lycidas, alludes to this tradition : 
 
 Or whether thou to our moist vows deny'd, 
 
 Sleep'st by the fable of Bellerus old. 
 
 t The Longships are rocks off the Land's End, on the boldest of 
 which a Light House is erected. To form some notion of this perilous 
 reef of granite it needs only be told that, in a tempest the structure 
 rocks violently, and that its lanthom, though 110 feet in height, is 
 covered with Uie bellowing surf. Had Zanga been placed here to trim 
 the lamps, it may, I think, be q'lestioncd whether he would have ex- 
 claimed : 
 
 *^ I like t/nn rocking of the bultlemcniii !" 
 
3975 
 
 n." 
 
 JM.t 
 
 ' * 
 
 ng wall, 
 ind, 
 
 39tt0 
 
 tcription, to a 
 
 Cornwall, is 
 or Boleriuni, 
 of his abode, 
 on: 
 
 the boldest of 
 f this perilous 
 the structure 
 t in height, is 
 d here to trim 
 ould have cx- 
 
 THE AMERirAN MARIN EHS. 
 
 209 
 
 V\) Channel st^er. The cape with awfnl hrow 
 
 Looks down vindictive on the sea helow. 
 
 Shrouded in clouds — while at his feet, 
 
 With granite bound, the waves unwearied l)eat. 
 
 And oft in darkness his deep groan resounds 3985 
 
 When the hoarse surges lash the rocky mounds, 
 
 And the pale ghosts of mariners deplore 
 
 Their shatter'd wrecks that blacken all the sliore, 
 
 Mingling their waiiings with the cormorant's, sliriek 
 
 That o'er the floating corse directs his ravenous beak. 
 
 Hounding the point, our ship the headland nears. 
 
 And every object more defined appears. 
 
 Jligh over head the straying herds that graze, 
 
 Cropping the shrubby herbage, stop to gaze, 
 
 Or, looking down the promontory's steep, 399.'> 
 
 In startled posture listen to the deep. 
 
 Close by the main, we mark with glad surprize 
 
 The azure smoke in spiral columns rise 
 
 From the sea-cottage (fram'd of drifted wood, 
 
 Or stranded planks, the refuse of the flood) 4000 
 
 Bleak and expos'd upon the rotky shore, 
 
 AVhere the surge flings the salt-weed to the door, 
 
 From whose quaint casement, full of ruddy healtli, 
 
 The peeping children view our ship by stealth. 
 
 Now obvious to the crew on deck, and then 4005 
 
 IJiding their heads witli laughing eye again. 
 
 More bold the coast, we come so near the beach, 
 
 That fancy w ith her arnj can almost iciich 
 
 If 
 
■P^^^B-SPT 
 
 rtm 
 
 210 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 The heron standing listless and alone, 
 With laggard pinions on the moss-wreath'd stono> 
 By the sea's verge : anon, as strains our sail, 
 It flutters, screams, and floats upon the galo. 
 
 XI. 
 
 SAINT MICHAEL'S MOUNT* 
 
 Saint Michael's Mount who does not know. 
 That wards the western coast ? 
 
 Spencer's Shepherd's Calendar. 
 
 Far on our left, Penzance,* thy turrets rise, 
 
 Beneath a climate mild as Lisboa's skies, 
 
 And IVTarazionf beetles o'er the steep, 401.> 
 
 Where in the cliff the choughs J their eyrie keep, 
 
 Oft winging in mid-air their circling flight. 
 
 To mock below the boatman's aching sight. 
 
 \f 
 
 • Penzance, a name signifying the Headof Sands, is situated in the 
 N.W. angle of the arm of the sea called Mount's Bay, commanding 
 a view of the mount rising in castled-pride from the waves. 
 
 -|- Marazion, called likewise Market Jew, from an annual fair once 
 held there by the Jews, was, before the Reformation, the great tl o- 
 roughfare of pilgrims in their way to the sacred e<lificc on the Mount. 
 
 J The chough is very common on tlie coast of Cornwall. It differs 
 from tlie crow in its violet hue, and red legs and bill. 
 
Calexdar. 
 
 THE AMtf.llirA?i MARINERS. 
 
 211 
 
 Xow as (la^f's orb ascending giMs the main, 
 
 An argent scene — the Chersonese* we gain; 40*20 
 
 Smooth flow the waves, and, as our vessel glides, 
 
 A silver-pinion'd swan, the Mount f presidfcs. 
 
 Incumbent frowns the tier along the steep. 
 
 Whose brandish'd cannon interdict the deep, 
 
 No stranger may the winding bay explore, 4025 
 
 Nor moor his bark along the guarded shore. 
 
 Broad on the surge the dark isle's base extends, 
 
 And, shooting to the sky, the summit ends 
 
 A pointed pyramid, whose waving wood. 
 
 In cloud-capt heigiit, surveys the rolling flood. 4030 
 
 Once o'er its brow Earl, Baron, Vavasor, 
 
 Display'd the banner, and defy'd to war 
 
 The feudal tyrant, who, with ruthless hand, 
 
 IJorc high the sovereign ensign of command. 
 
 And see the fane aerial once ador'd 4035 
 
 Ry thronging pilgrims, and with awe explor'd, 
 
 Now, mouldering in decay, on memory calls 
 
 To breathe a soul into its silent walls. 
 
 i 
 
 ■ i ! 
 
 iK' 
 
 m 
 
 * Cornwall forms a Chersonese, or Peninsula. 
 
 !ill. It differs 
 
 + Called Saint Michael's Mount from the suprosed appearance of 
 the angel Saint Michael on it. Hence Milton : 
 
 Where the ffirat Vision ofthcf^mrdcd viount 
 Looks toward Naniancos and Bayona's hold. 
 
 Look homeward Augii now 
 
 Lycidas. 
 
 P'2 
 
If 
 
 I 
 
 /i 
 
 .' '■ 
 
 212 
 
 THE AMEHICAN MARINERS. 
 
 ITail to the chapel, hail the fane forlorn, 
 
 -And moss-grown stones by tears of vot'ries worn, 
 
 Where once, as mid the shrines the soft dew fell, 
 
 To solemn pray'r sIoh^ toli'd the vesper bell. 
 
 And hail the turret from whose rocky height 
 
 The monk compassionate held out the light, 
 
 .Hlest if his aid in midnight storms could save 4045 
 
 The lab'ring bark, and guide her o'er the wave. 
 
 Now all that meets the eye some symbol shows 
 
 How man decays, whilst time unceasing Hows, 
 
 How wave on wave impels the human tide, 
 
 How ages sink forgotton as they glide. 4050 
 
 Beneath the cloister's consecrated gloom 
 
 The monk and mariner have found a tomb. 
 
 They who the aisles were chaunting Mont to tread, 
 
 And they who to the gale their canvass spread. 
 
 And now no more upon his staff reclin'd, 4054 
 
 The pilgrim, who no length of way declin'd, 
 
 Finds a reward for all his wandering toil 
 
 To view the mount, and tread its sacred soil. 
 
 Oh ! call this superstition, and revile 
 
 The cross, and at the bead and relick sniih*, 40({(> 
 
 But when these o'er the bosom lost their sway, 
 
 .Devotion shriek'd, and fanes fell in decay. 
 
1 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINEllS. 
 
 •JI3 
 
 XII. 
 
 SUNRISE IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL. 
 
 CAPTAIN AND OFFICERS ON DKCK.. 
 
 Salve, magna parens ! 
 
 (j 00(1 morrow, Randolph, long on. billbws tost^ 
 Yon sun beholds our tail bark on tlic coast 
 Where our forefathers dwelt — a glorious gale — 
 A nobler breeze ne'er fiU'd a frigate's sail. 
 Where boldly swelling, as our course we shape, 
 The Lizard throws its full, projecting cape. 
 Abreast the point, methinks, a ship I see — 
 She looks a strait's man — some rich argosy — 4070 
 Stretching, with easy sail, her lingering way 
 Heyond the forkings of the far-off bay. 
 Make her the private signal — 
 
 Red, or white ? 
 Avast ! a gun will better bring to light 4075 
 
 Her country's flag. — All ready ! — Fire away ! 
 Sprats on a gridiron !* they bear all the sway. 
 
 1 ; VI 
 
 I i 
 
 * Alliuling to the banter of the English sailors, who liken the btara 
 and strii)es — the prouil symbol of the American flag— to bi)rats on a 
 giidirou. 
 
 I 
 
214 
 
 THE AMeRTCA'N MARINERS. 
 
 A yankey outward bound ! do but behold 
 How the new world supplies with freight the old. 
 13ritannia wasted, and a pauper grown, 4080 
 
 To young Columbia makes her bitter moan. 
 Pleads s'he*s her aged mother, and demands 
 Food from her harvests,* succour from her hands. 
 Old father Thames exalts Iris hoary head. 
 With look of wonder, from his oozy bed, 4085 
 
 And, as our cargoes make his billows groan. 
 Scarce knows the hulls that bear them from his own. 
 Helmsman ! the canvass flutters — look well out — 
 Learn to steer small — don't yaw the ship about. 
 How head you now? — She lies, Sir, east south east- 
 She's not her course by two points, then, at least,t 
 The flood has made — yon schooner in the bay 
 Is on the swing — our sweet breeze dies away. 
 Another sail 1 lot Caustic heaves in sigbt, 
 Iimtrgingfrom his vault to realris of light, 4095 
 See where he comes, with telescope in hand. 
 To feast upon the joy diHusiug land. 
 
 * At one time, when America was the carrier of the world, tliere 
 was a constant cxportatii>a of her flour to iMigluniU averaKing lialf a 
 million of barrels annually ; and iu the years lUUl, 1UU2, and liill, 
 exceeding respectively a million. ^ 
 
 •f A ship's course by compass (allowing for tlie variation of the 
 magnetic needle) fjom the Luud*i) End to the Lizard point is auuih 
 cdbt a quurtci bouth. 
 
TH£ AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 215 
 
 His costume lie has studied — for his side 
 His dainty dirk adorns in glittering pride- 
 Unconscious he the wearer gives the sword 410C* 
 Its eflicacy when in act to board. 
 His fore and aft hat, bound with tarnish'd lace, 
 Imparts grotesqueness to his boding face, 
 Az, at each footstep, his prophetic soul 
 Bids him beware, and mind the frigate's roll. 4105 
 A landsman yet ! for though the sea is rough, 
 He looks to M'iudwarfd as he takes his snuff, 
 And, such Jiis incapacity to learn. 
 He does not know the ship's head from the stern. 
 If I remember right, 'tis full a week 4110 
 
 Since he was seen the upper deck to seek, 
 And leave the fetid cockpit to inhale 
 The wholesome breeze, and view the swelling sail: 
 As a memorial that he comes at last, 
 Let a deep notch be cut in every mast. 4115 
 
 The tars affirm with oaths his evil cards 
 llaiise gales of wind,* and send them on the yards, 
 Declare his gambling brought around the ship 
 The Mother Carey's chickensf fieen the trip — 
 
 * It is a superstition among seamen that cards pkyeJ at sea pro< 
 ducc iieavy galet . .; 
 
 + The small sea-bird the petrel, the. precursor of bad weatlitT, is 
 called by setUiitfU iMuthur (lurey's diickon ; and supj-rniitural powers 
 are uaciibeU the wiuli AMoilier (.'arcy, wiiu is bupi*u)ied lu kcnd it. 
 
 r 
 
 irii 
 
 
 1 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 
 210 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 That adverse to our canvass turns the vane, 4120 
 AW by the doctor's tricks — the helmsman's bane. ' 
 He keeps no watch, and crown'd with endless ease, 
 (^an m his cot convert to halcyon seas • 
 
 A J3iscay swell : — he has no cares 
 To break his rest, and interrupt his pray'rs. 4125 
 What ho, there, leech ! the clover-scented air 
 Calls you on deck*— 
 
 I I 
 
 Was ever sight so fair f 
 The crag, the cliff, the proro^tory steep. 
 Trees, groves — all E en springing from the deep. 
 
 These, leech, are shadows of a shaping brain, 
 Engender'd by a ship and irksome main. 
 
 See yon fair mansion where the poplars wave 
 Their boughs, whose roots the billows strive to lave : 
 See how the swallows round the turrets fly, 4135 
 It is a spot where one might live and die. 
 
 Unus'd, your eye, leech, loves again to rove 
 O'er pasture pure, rich vale, and nodding grove ; 
 Aqd conquer'd reason to the fancy yields 
 Peace in the cot, elysium iu the fields. 4140 
 
 * The civilians of a ship (the doctor, purser, &c.) seldom come on 
 deck without encountering a sort of amicable und pleabunt hostility 
 from the captain, or the lieutenant. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 217 
 
 What made them build their dwelling on the shore ? 
 
 33ut, soft, 1 sec the mistress at the door, 
 
 Sitting beneath the trellis overgrown 
 
 With vines — and at her side an antique crone, 
 
 Who in the ocean's view has fix'd her seat, 4145 
 
 With puss and ponipey basking at her feet. 
 
 Think you they heed the land from whence we cahic ? 
 
 The toncit r maid — but not the ancient dame. 
 8he, good old lady, pants from year to year 
 'J'o grace a pew, and chronicle small beer. 
 And would not, captain, in her life's decay. 
 On Philadelphia throw a thought away. 
 
 4130 
 
 I « 
 
 You ply yonr telescope — what see you now ? 
 
 A telegraph on yonder mountain's brow, 
 From whose decll ny, whose weeping side, 415i> 
 A stream with d«^ ' iv> r'-ystal loves to glide. 
 Here pastures, hills : v i dales the prospect crown, 
 A castle here shoots up, and there a town. 
 Here sits an angler o'er a silver stream — 
 There roves a ploughman with his toiling team- 
 Here lies a goatherd on a craggy rock — 
 There in the shade a shepherd feeds his flock. 
 Captain, you r.\A, where now I point my hand, 
 llescmbks miuJc Hir PLnusvlvauian land — 
 
 'fi 
 
2m 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 It looks romantic — with a little scrip 4105 
 
 FiU'cl with choice drugs, and science on my lip, 
 Methinks 'twere pleasant o'er the hills to roam, 
 A travelling leech, and knock at every dome. 
 
 A thriftless trade ! more money thou wouldst tell, 
 A merry Andrew, M'ith thy cap and bell, 4170 
 
 More sure thy entrance li '' V^rdly hall, 
 A vagrant juggler with tliy c md ball. 
 
 See you yon villa ! how the turrets rise, 
 In gothic grandeur pointing to the skies ? 
 Araa/i'd the eje its amplitude explores — 
 A crowd might enter at its folding doors ! 
 
 4175 
 
 .} 
 
 To me far dearer, leech, a sung-thatch'd home 
 Than the vast lumber of that gothic dome. 
 Within whose walls one does not rest, but roam. 
 Hovr would Democrilus the pile deride 4180 
 
 Which folly thus has sacrific'd to pride — 
 And yet, no doubt, its painted glass — its gules, 
 Have England fill'd with imitating fools. 
 Would Washington have made his villa's gate 
 An entrance to the pageantry of state ! 41H5 
 
 \ou muse, good leech, some tender thought employs 
 Your memory, and ovcrcusts your jo^s. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 n& 
 
 Tliis IB the land where love and pit)' mourn 
 
 O'er the soft Indian'^ monumental urn ; 
 
 Virginia's jewel, and her sex's pride, 4100 
 
 AVho on a foreign 4$hore untimely died. 
 
 Not to one Bpot is symps^thy confin'd, 
 
 Throughout the world in woman's hreast enshriu'd. 
 
 Whether her gentle foot&teps press the sand 
 
 Of Chesapeak, or Scythia's frozen land, 4U'/5 
 
 Thy heart was its sweet temple, tawny maid. 
 
 Blest Pocahontas, whose wild shrieks delay 'd 
 
 The axe rais'd o'er the white man, pinion'd, hound. 
 
 The gallant Smith, bow'd trembling to the ground* 
 
 I' 
 
 • Captain John Smith, a pallant Englishman, was the founder of 
 the Colony of Virginia, on the great Bay of Chesapeak ; and Poca- 
 hontas, the daugliter of the Indian Monarch Powhatan, was it:; inte- 
 resting protectress. Smith, in an excursion, being surprized by a 
 numerous body of red-men, under Opecl:ancanough, was conducted 
 to Powhatan, who doomed him to death : he was led to the place of 
 execution, and his head bowed down to receive the blow of the war- 
 dub, when Pocahontas rushed with mournful distraction through the 
 crowd, and throwing her little arms about him, (she was by Smith *« 
 account only nine years old,) saved his life by her interposition. 
 After this event she fre(iuently visited Smith at James Town, wiiom 
 she always addressed by the name of 'father, and at the age of seven- 
 teen married Mr. John Rolf, a young gentleman of rank in tlie co- 
 lony, who had long been her respectful lover. She accompanied her 
 husband to England with Sir Thomas Dale, where Smith, wiio had 
 preceded them, presented Pocahontas to James and h.Is v^uecn, who 
 received her with the respect due to a princess. This interesting 
 Indian, whose whole lite exenipliiied that 
 
 Fiiir Sp'nit.i 
 Air iouciCd tojinc Issues^ 
 
 died in early youth ul Gravcscnd, when preparing to embark with 
 
220 
 
 tHE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Slic flies on seraph's wing, and through the crowd,. 
 With piercing cry, 'mid acclamations loud, 
 Seeks the pale victim, by compassion led, 
 And in her arms sustains his languid head. . 
 Meantime her female train in cadence mourn, 
 Sigh as she sighs, and tears for tears return, 4205 
 They raise her tranc'd in grief — a glossy shade 
 Of hair half veils the melancholy maid- 
 Streams from her eves — sobs from her bosom flow — 
 And pale that cheek where the rose loves to glow. 
 The monarch, rising, cries, Restrain thy fears! 4210 
 Thou weep'st too much, and yet I love those tears. 
 Thou flow'ry sweet, not vainly dost thou plead— « 
 What means my child ? here rest thy fainting head. 
 Hold, chiefst the club : 'tis this dear maiden's call- 
 She sw ays her father, and presides o'er all, 6215 
 
 With solemn aAve, I view the spreading shore, 
 Jiy venerable Druids trod of yore. 
 
 Those bloody priests, an execrable band, 
 AVould scandal heap upon a Mohawk land. 
 Their tragic pomp, their heav'n's vicegerent seer,. 
 Their potent adder-stone, their milk white steer. 
 
 her husband for her native country ; leaving a son who left only 
 daughters, from whom are descended llie Bowltnp;s and iMiirrays, tlic 
 .lefleraonsand Ilaudolphs, the AlidiUetons and Piei'iiointa, the patri- 
 cians of Virginia. 
 
1. 
 
 lie crowtf^ 
 
 Id, 
 
 > 
 
 d. . 
 
 urn, 
 
 irn, 420i> 
 
 shade 
 
 som flow — 
 to glow, 
 ears! 4*210 
 osc tears. 
 )Iea(l— 
 Uiiig head, 
 en's call— 
 1. 5215 
 
 lore, 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINER^. (2^1 
 
 Their ravstic misletoe, their hallow'd oak< 
 Once reverend held, is now a standing joke. 
 
 See you yon living rock of spheric shape 
 
 Rough and unhewn, exalted o'er the cape ? 4225 
 
 Pois'd as by magic, to a patriot hand 
 
 The huge mass vibrates — to a hostile band 
 
 Immoveable, it scorns their touch profane, * 
 
 Decreed by fate unshaken to remain. 
 
 Captain, you ne'er the loggen-stone* could move, 
 
 Though nerv'd your arm — the land has not your love 
 
 On whicJi it rests — 
 
 None there from me is due — 
 It looks misplac'd — preposterous in you. 
 Hut, see, our sweet breeze leaves us from the west — 
 At no one point the dog-vanef seems to rest. 
 Doctor, your aid ! your spy-glass lay aside- 
 Let the ship's cordage through your fingers glide. 
 
 ^1 
 
 'i. 
 
 , 1 
 
 i i 
 
 ^ If 
 
 } 
 
 u| 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 it seer, 
 steer. 
 
 10 loft only 
 lurray.s, the 
 i, the patii- 
 
 • The Loggens, or rocking stones, in Cornwall, are immense 
 masses of granite set on others of a smaller size, antl so equally 
 counterpoised that they can be stirred with a finger, but not moved 
 out of tlieir station. The Druids in their trials, by artfully convert- 
 ing the i.oggcn into an engine of superstition, maile it answer the 
 purpose of an ordeal. Mason has introduced it in his declamatory 
 tragedy. 
 
 + The dog-vane is a small light vane witli feathers and cork, whose 
 staff is placed on the ?hip'^; quarter to shew the direction of the wind. 
 
 '.,3 
 
222 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 *1 
 
 <( 
 
 bI 
 
 1 
 ! .1 
 
 iWjmt: 
 
 ' 
 
 
 ( 
 
 m ^ 
 
 
 m ^ 
 
 
 IT ' 
 
 1 
 
 IfM} 
 
 :■ 
 
 For once turn sailor — help ns with this brail — 
 The spanker* is become an idle sail. 4210 
 
 Jnmp to the cleat — let the gafF-haliards fly — 
 Randolph clap on — a bowse here at the gny.f 
 Cheerly the brails — I see a coming sqnall^ — 
 When I cry pull, mind, doctor, that you haul. 
 
 A sail there hoa ! nothing but ships around — 4245 
 
 A Lisbon packet into Falmouth bound — 
 
 A bark for passengers you may discern 
 
 By the rich gilding of her sculptured stem. 
 
 With two reefs in, and a top-gallant breeze, 
 
 Her captain turns to windward at his ease. 4250 
 
 An Englishman — brac'd sharp up to the gale, 
 
 No other from the main-stay shows n sail.f 
 
 She hoists her flag — the waters of the deep 
 
 lie fleet the union at her mizen'peak. 
 
 Greatly they marvel at our stars— -our prow— 4255 
 
 Our pointed guns — a savage looking row. 
 
 • The spanker is a larpe sail set upon the mizen yard ; it is re- 
 duced by ropes called brails. 
 
 •|- The guy is a rope usetl to keep steady the spanker-boom. 
 
 J In Britsh ships the main-top-mast stay -sail is used upon a bow- 
 line : in American vessels it is never set unless k<»"K large. The 
 Yankey ships are so Sf)uare-ri>rged, tliat, when close-hauled, a niain- 
 top-niast stay-sail would defeat its purpose, by taking the wind out of 
 tile main-topsail. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 223 
 
 Our crew they put down Indians — from tlie wood-^ 
 Guiding a ship the first time o'er the flood — 
 A feather'd tribe of most uncouth attire, 
 More skiird in ambush than the main-deck fire. 
 With bow and quiver at each warrior's side, 
 And scalping knife the skull's skin to divide ; 
 Our cargo coral, humming-birds, and sitells. 
 To barter witli the whites for toys and bells ! 
 
 XIII. 
 
 :- , 
 
 ! 
 
 ! I : 
 
 Oh ! all that in this life the hrcast employs, 4265 
 
 Is real grief, or visionary joys. 
 
 Now thread the hatchway those whom hoary age 
 
 Has capt with snow in foreisin pilgrimage, 
 
 Returning exiles to their native land. 
 
 Victims to hope deferr'd, a weary hand. 4270 
 
 From his own shore — the soil that gave him birth. 
 
 An old man comes to beg a little earth — 
 
 Who, as the tars direct his feeble gaze, 
 
 And point the hand, thus drivels out his praise : 
 
 That is the land where every peasant's shed, 427« 
 
 Wliose smoke at early morn is seen to spread 
 
 Along the dappled sky, stands more secure 
 
 Than eastern palaces that forts immure. 
 
 Oh ! it is sweet to breathe again the air 
 
 That britons breathe — to \vake from dark despair — 
 
wm 
 
 mm 
 
 M 
 
 224 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Those clilTs rcstor'd once more to these moist eyes, 
 Hid the pulse flutter, and the wishes rise. 
 Then thus the chief, who carelessly reuliii'd, 
 Felt indignation rising in his mind : 
 Infatuated pilgrim ! thus to toil 4285 
 
 O'er sea again to die on England's soil, 
 And leave Equality's West shore to find 
 And feel thyself a helpless, ahject hind. 
 What ! drcamst thou vet of some remain of ease 
 Beneath thy own hereditary trees ? 4200 
 
 Like shadows come, so all thy friends are fled, 
 Thy hearth will echo only to thy tread — 
 And poor and needy, none thy worth will ^can- 
 None will respect thee for thyself — a man — 
 But, leaning on thy stall', I see thee stand, 4205 
 By all forsaken in thy native land. 
 Great souls by instinct to Columbia turn, 
 Coiirt her embrace, and for her friendship burn, 
 Our blest strand seek at inborn Freedom's call, 
 The true Castilian, and the genuine Gaul, 4300 
 And flee a realm of tyranny the sport. 
 Curst with an inquisition, and a court — 
 But thou still pantest on in thraldom's train, 
 Taught to be wise by rolling suns in vain ! 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 225 
 
 XIV. 
 
 THE EDDYSTONE. 
 
 Tracing a line of foam from Cape to Cape, 4305 
 Eastward, with flying sails, our course we shape. 
 And, as we spread our white wings to the wind, 
 Leave the projecting Lizard far behind. 
 So swift our speed, Fiction might feign around 
 The Tritons lulling ocean with their sound, 4310 
 With all the Sea-Gods rising from the spray 
 To smooth the surge, and level make our way, 
 Now comes mild eve — the sinking orb of day 
 Beams a farewell — and from the distant bav, 
 Flash'd from some admiral's ship, the signal gun 
 Tells that the radiant god his course has run. 
 Bright'ning the east, the crescent of the niglit 
 Looks from the sky, and sheds her silver light 
 O'er the mix'd scene — and, as she mildly roves, 
 Claims her palt empire o'er the tide and groves. 
 Silent the deck, while the waves slowly roll, 
 A pensive pleasure steals upon the soul. 
 Devout, not frantic, looking to its fate 
 Beyond the stars, releas'd from mortal state. 
 Now rove we Albion's channel, where the bight 
 Displays the rudd;' watch tov.'r on the height 
 
 Q 
 
 m 
 
 iM 
 
226 
 
 tHB AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Of Eddj'stone* — and, as the fair lamp jjleanis, 
 Our fancy paints the man that trims its beams, 
 Who, when the warring elements deny 
 Peace to the breast, and slumber to the eye, 4330 
 Full many a night endures the tempest nide, 
 Rock'd by the winds in sea-girt solitude. 
 
 XV. 
 
 t V . 
 
 PURBfSCK CLIFFS. 
 
 SHIPWRECK OF THE HALSEWELL 
 
 FuDKar inani 
 
 Munere. 
 
 While on the deep the moonlight sweetly sleeps, 
 Our bark secure the midway channel keeps. 
 
 • The Eddystone light-house stands on a rock in the sea, about 14 
 miles S. S. W. of Plymouth, and is exposed in tempests to such tre- 
 mendous waves, that they fly up, at short iiitervals,in white columns, 
 above the beacon, and totally intercept it from the siglit. The first 
 edifice erected on the rock was the achievement of Mr. Winstanley, 
 who had such a conviction of its power to resist tlie fury of the ih- 
 ments, that he expressed his •teish to he there in ihe greatest storm thai 
 could blow under the face of the Ileaveus. This was fatal presumption ; 
 for in the almost unprecedentetl hurricane of the nijfht of November 
 26th, 169f», the confident architect being in the light-house, was de- 
 plorably swept with it into the deep, together with all his ill-fated 
 associates. The present structure is a monument of the genius of 
 Smeaton. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 227 
 
 ll 
 
 With wind direct our course we eastward trace, 
 And pass the Start's low point, and Portland race, 
 By Adhelm's promontory plough our way, 
 And now, conspicuous with the dawning day, 
 The fatal cliffs of Purbeck frown around, 
 Where, on the rocky steep's sepulchral mound, 
 Pale Memory sits, and points the shore once spread 
 With the wreck'd bark, and corses of the dead. 
 Weeping she tells how, on the sea-drench'd wreck. 
 Two daughters hung around Iheii father's neck, 
 Who sought from every eye to veil his woe, 4345 
 While yr -'-n'd his children's briny tomhs below. 
 The ma >pears, a mournful glance he threw 
 Around, and urg'd the leader of the crew : 
 " The vex'd hull parts — oh ! here no lonjjer dwell, 
 ** But give each child your blessing and farewell* — 
 
 < 
 
 • The loss of the Halsewell was attended with such peculiar scenes 
 of affliction, Uiat poetr.r performs a hallowed office in recording them. 
 She sailed from the Downs on the 1st of January, 178f»i and Captain 
 Pierce was taking out his two daughters with him, Miss Kliza Pierce, 
 aged sixteen, and Miss Mary Anne Pierce, a year younger, on a visit 
 to a brother opulently settled at Bengal. Besides these, there were 
 on board five other young ladies : namely, Miss Anne and Miss Mary 
 Paul, nieces of Captain Pierce, Miss Mary Haggard, Miss Elizabeth 
 Blackburn, and Miss Anne Mansell. Every thing augured an agree- 
 able voyage ; the breeze was fair, and the water smooth ; all were in 
 high spirits, and the harp and song resounded in the cabin. But this 
 flattering prospect soon changed to one of terror and dismay. On the 
 3d a fatal storm lighted upon the ship, and, in bearing up for Ports- 
 mouth, she was driven on shore and wrecked, at two in the morning 
 of the 6th, near St. Adhelm's Head, on the Purbeck coast, under 
 
 Q2 
 
*228 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 ** Hence, captain — fly the soul subduing strife 
 
 ** Of truitless love — bethink thee of thy life — 
 
 ^* H-^nce -with me, Pierce — behold the bowsprit 
 
 bends — 
 ** No more delay — or, hope in ocean ends/*— 
 ** Hie thee aloft, my Meriton,'' he cries, 
 " To-morrow's sun may pleasure yield thine eyes, 
 " But mine would all a gloomy blank heboid, 
 ** Without the innocents these arms infold — 
 " The mora their peril, frenzy and distress, 
 ** Their forms the closer to my heart I press." 
 More loud the tempest, and more fierce the thrall 
 Of the huge waves that rise, and burst, and fall. 
 Each <naid in agony, with upb^i-ne eye, 
 Silent implores the succour of the sky, 
 But Pity long has fled in dire dismay, 43(>5 
 
 And may not rome where Havoc holds his sway. 
 
 ['tr ' 
 
 perpendicular rocks 400 feet in height. The ship came with her 
 broadside on the reef, when the horrors of the hurricane were a^'gr.i. 
 vated by intense darkness; and on Mr, Meriton, the chief mate, goin^' 
 below to exhort Captain Pierce to make no delay in endeavouring to 
 get on sliore, as the vfeck could not hold many minutes together, he 
 found his daughiers clinging to him for protection under every accu- 
 mulation of suffering from the outrageous fury of tho blast, the breacli 
 of the waves, and the i\npervious „loom of the morning, (.'aptaiti 
 Pierce rep'^ed to the exhortations of his officei, by asking him whether 
 he thought his daughters could be saved ; and, on Mr. Meriton 
 answering that it was impossible f )r the ladies to escape, lie addrcsse\l 
 himself to his daugliters, and folding them in his arms, said, " Then, 
 *' my dear children, we will perish togc tlier." The wreck di->HppeareU 
 in a few minutes o^'terwards. 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 221> 
 
 lrif« 
 
 bowsprit 
 
 le eyes, 
 •Id. 
 
 e thrall 
 a fall. 
 
 43G.> 
 sway. 
 
 ne with her 
 were a^gra. 
 mate, Koin>^ 
 ;avourinp to 
 tofjether, he 
 every accii- 
 , the breach 
 s?. Oaptain 
 im whether 
 r. Meritou 
 e addressetl 
 d, " Then, 
 Ji'^appeareiJ 
 
 Mare close they cling distracted round tbe form 
 Of their lov'd sire — more frantic raves the storm — 
 Heard you that cry ? it reach'd the sea-beat shore — 
 Father and child — their a^ony is o'er — 4370 
 
 Its murmurs cease — the}^^ meet their awful doom — 
 The wreck their coUin — the wild sea their tomb. 
 
 XVI. 
 SOLENT SEA.— ROYAL REGATTA. 
 
 AVitli flowing sail our vessel cleaves the tide, 
 And from the deck, in prospect opening wide, 
 }?road on the bow, increasing to the view, 4375 
 Veda, thy cliffs are seen of paly blue. 
 Now issuing from the Solent sea,* behold 
 A gorgeous fleet diffusing rays of gold 
 O'er the proud waves — crowds line the windingshore^ 
 And echoing thunders from the ba. tions roar. 
 High in the midst, with banner'd prow, appears 
 'I'he royal yacht that England's monarch bears ; 
 Imperial Brunswick, on his genuine throne, 
 A war-ship's deck, with all t'le sea his own. 
 
 • Th« Solent sea is the channel between the lole of Wight and 
 Haiuiibhue. 
 
 i 
 
 r'l| 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 ii: 
 
 I 
 

 •230 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 Ikitannia ! rise ; awake, O fairest Isle, 4385 
 
 Rehold thy wooden walls, a floating pile, 
 
 In steady phalanx round their Sovereign keep, 
 
 AVhose star adorns the billows of the deep. 
 
 Now as we thread the throntj;, a thousand eyes 
 
 Pursue our warlike vessel as she flies. 
 
 And of one origin, rejoice again 
 
 Strength to confer on Amity's bright chain. 
 
 Then, as we pass amidst the royal fleet. 
 
 Our guns great Albion's princely standard greet. 
 
 From whose bright-blazon'd realm we proudly draw 
 
 Our arms, our sacred liberty, and law. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 SPITHEAD.—COMING TO AN ANCHOR. 
 
 Thy point, O Dunnose, weather'd, to the gale 
 
 AVe closely haul, and trim full oft the sail, 
 
 Tiie port to gain unfolding to the sight 
 
 Its lordly hulls, and masts of towering height, 4400 
 
 >Vhere England's proud armada on the tide, 
 
 Her floating fortresses, serenely ride. 
 
 
THE AMERICAN MARINERS. 
 
 231 
 
 43B& 
 
 With topsails on the cap, our way we keep 
 Where the lone mast emerges from the deep.* ' 
 
 A sad memorial of the sudden doom 4405 
 
 That gave to Kempenfelt a watery tomb, 
 Blest had he, nobly prodigal of breath. 
 On the proud deck of battle met his death. 
 Now, as we pass the beacons of the bay, 
 Our prow the pinnace crosses in her way 441Q 
 
 With long resounding oar— whose clieerfu! rrew 
 In garb and face present a kindred hue. . . » 
 
 Now peal our guns, and as the clouds aspire. 
 Loud from the bastion bursts the answering 'ire. 
 While the proud banner from the stall' unroll'd, 
 Flag of the Union, opening many a fold. 
 Resplendent gleams — the lofty sails decline, 
 And the huge ancliors dash tlie foaming brine. 
 
 
 My voyiige ends : — freed from the sea's alarms. 
 Around her child the mother tlirovvs her arms, 
 
 * On die 29th of Auj^ust, 17^2, the Royal George of 100 guns, 
 beiiiK on the heel at Spithead, in order to repair some of her copper, 
 a sudden squall threw her on her beam-ends, and her lower dock guns 
 being run out, the water rushed with s\ich rapidity in at the ports, 
 that she filled and sunk. Of 700 persons on board 400 perished, 
 among whom was Admiral licmpenfelt ; the rest were picked up by 
 the boats of the fleet. Her masts remained standing for a consider,- Me 
 time, but were at length removed, and a buoy is placed over the hull. 
 
 ■i 
 
 in 
 
232 
 
 THE AMERICAN MARINERS 
 
 And, as the treasure to the heart I prest. 
 To heav'n directs her eye with grateful breast. 
 Then, as the pinnace rocks upon the tides, 
 On the ship's ladder many a hoverer glides. 
 And many a pious vow my shipmates pour 4425 
 In the sad trial of the parting hour. 
 Still lingering at the side, I liold the hand 
 Of the great leader of the naval band, 
 And Hampden — Randolph — bid a last adieu — 
 The gay lieutenants of a gallant crew. 4430 
 
 High on the yards, beneath the noon-tide gale, 
 The toiling tars reduce the flapping sail 
 "With eager hand ; — the mother to me bears 
 Her hope, the solace of my drooping years, 
 To hold her forward, as the fleet boat flies, 4435 
 With one last look to glad the s^ailors' eyes ! 
 The ringlets from the fondling's face I throw*, 
 And bare the cheek of smiles, which laughs below- 
 Modest and mild she waves her little hai\d — 
 It sounds — the farewell of the free-born band- 
 Again, again, again, the sliouts they urge 
 .Shake the wide shore, and raise the iuavinu surge. 
 
 THE END. 
 
THE 
 
 NATURAL BRIDGE. 
 
 AN ODE. 
 
 Come on, sir ; here's the place ! 
 
 ^i 
 
 ! 
 
 I 
 
 if m 
 
 ii 
 
 r 
 
 ll 
 
 m 
 
 
 ti 
 
■-I 
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARK. 
 
 b; I 
 
 The Rock Bridge in Virginia is a structure of such 
 symmetry, that it seems rather to have been formed by 
 the harmonizing hand of Nature, than produced by one 
 of her awful convulsions. It is on the ascent of a hill, 
 and affords a road to the waggons of the emigrants into 
 the country west of the Alleghany. No man ever yet 
 played the hero on the top of this Bridge ; for no one 
 ever had the courage to walk to the parapet and look 
 over from the precipice into the abyss ; but all involun- 
 tarily fall on their hands and knees to gaze. You descend 
 into the valley, by a narrow, serpentine path, through a 
 thicket of treca which terminates at the very instant when 
 the whole fabric with its broad abutments and lofty arch, 
 spanning a rivulet murmuring over its rocky bed, bursts 
 on the astonished sight. A negro boy once following liis 
 master to this point, no sooner caught a glance of the 
 pile than he fell upon his knees, and remained fixed for 
 some time in wonder and admiration. 
 
 DIMENSIONS: 
 
 Feel 
 
 Depth of the Arch 270 
 
 Width at the top 90 
 
 Width between the abutments at the base . 50 
 

 THE NATURAL BRIDGE. 
 
 ANODE. 
 
 When Fancy left her native skies 
 To visit earth, before unseen, 
 
 She bade the swelling fabric rise 
 In this sequestered, sylvan scene. 
 
 Eacli comely Grace, with spritely air, 
 Appear'd beneath the hanging wood, 
 
 Forming the arch with nicest care. 
 To span the laughing valley flood. 
 
 Then Fancy, from the pile above, 
 
 Would muse transported, bending o'er. 
 
 And rapt behold the current rove. 
 While jocund Echo mock'd its roar. 
 
 And, here, perhaps, the Indian stood. 
 With hands upheld, and e}e amaz'd. 
 
 As, sudden, from the devious wood. 
 He first upon the fabric gaz'd ! 
 
 See Tadmor's domes, and halls of state. 
 
 In undistinguish'd ruin lie ; 
 See Rome's proud columns yield to fate 
 
 And claim the pensive pilgrim'.'^ sigh. 
 
 I 
 
 
 I 
 
 I i! 
 
 li 
 
 •U 
 
236 
 
 NEGRO SONG. 
 
 But while consnming Time impairs 
 
 The monuments of human art, 
 This pile unfading grandeur wearsy 
 Jtiternal in its every part. 
 
 GREEK VERSION OF A NEGRO SONG, 
 
 From Mr. Purk't Travels^ 
 
 *' The winds roared, and the rains fell. 
 ** The poor white man, faint and weary, 
 ** came and sat under our tree, Ac. 
 
 Kai KATE^ti ^ Bfox/lt Kixi i'lrfsvaat ol a»E/xoi, 
 
 K») th^UII y^tVK*^ U\lY)^ IX»vS^ETO VfTO TO ^it^fOV 
 
 rtfjLUv' Ai a,i ih*iu^i^x tod o^oiTro^-oy' tavra jMi» 
 
 Written at Sea. 
 Latitude 4.').. 30 N. 
 Longitiuk 26..3U W. 
 
 
II'' 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS 
 
 OB, 
 
 AN IMPARTIAL SUMMARY 
 
 OF THK 
 
 ACTIONS FOUGHT, DURING THE LATE WAR, 
 
 AT SEA, AND ON THE LAKES, 
 BETWEEN 
 
 THE SHIPS OF GREAT BRITAIN 
 
 AND 
 
 THOSE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 Tro» TyrJusve mihi nullo disrrimine agctur. 
 
 to me the same, 
 Your Troy and Tyre shall aiifer but in name. 
 
 FXTT. 
 
 if 
 
 i.l 
 
 A 
 
 I 1 
 

 MR. BURKE'S EULOGY 
 
 AUt 
 
 THE SPJAMEN OF AMERICA. 
 
 Pass by the other ■parts of the Continent, and look at the 
 manner in which the mariners of New England have of laic 
 carried on the Whale Fishery. Whilst we follow them among 
 the tumbling mountains of ice, and behold them penetratiiiy 
 into the deepest frozen recesses of Hudson's Bay and Daviss 
 Streights, whilst we are looking for them beneath the Arctic 
 Circle, uv hear that they have pierced into the opposite regions 
 of polar cold, that they are at the Antipodes, and engaged 
 under the Frozen Serpent of the South. Falkland Islands, 
 which seems too remote and romantic an object for the grasp 
 of national ambition, is but a stage and vesting-pUtee in 
 the progress of their victoriovs industry. Nor is the equi- 
 noctial heat more discouraging to them than the accuvnilated 
 winter of both the poles. We know that nhilst some of them 
 draw the line and strike the harpoon on the CoaH of Africa, 
 others run the longitude and pursue their gigantic game chnuj 
 the Coast of Brazil. No sea but is vexed by their fisheries. 
 No climate that is not witness to their toils. Neither the 
 perseverance of Holland, nor the activity of France, nor the 
 dexterous and firm sagacity of English enterprize, ever car- 
 ried this most perilous mode of hardy industry to the extent 
 to which it has been pushed by this recent people ; a people 
 who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened 
 into the bone of manhood. 
 
 Address to the Electors of Bristol. 
 
CA. 
 
 id look at the 
 I haveoflnu 
 > them umovg 
 » penetratiiiy 
 t and Dnvii's 
 h the Antic 
 iosite rcffionx 
 and enyaycil 
 '»nd Islands, 
 or the ffraup 
 ing-pUtcp. in 
 is the ci/tii- 
 xcnntiuldted 
 (nneoft/ieiii 
 t of Africa, 
 f/nme r/ovy 
 ir Jishcries. 
 Neither the 
 ice, nor the 
 ?, ever car- 
 • the extent 
 ' ; a people 
 t hardened 
 
 >f Brisiol. 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 June 18, The Orders in Council, though ostensibly a 
 1812. belligerent retaliation on the Berlin and Milan 
 Decrees, operate so severely on the neutral and maritime 
 rights of America, that to vindicate her lawful claim to a 
 participation of the common ocean, she has recourse to 
 arms ;* and, with comparatively a nominal navy, of 8 
 frigates and 6 sloops, declares war against Great Britain, 
 whose disposable naval force consists of 200 ships of iJie 
 line, 20 fifty-gun ships, 220 frigates, and 250 sloops, ex- 
 clusively of other vessels. It is the general expectation 
 that the infant navy of the Republic will be swept from 
 the sea. 
 
 July 16. The American sloop of war Nautilus, is cap- 
 tured by a British squadron. 
 
 • On this subject the President of the United States thus addresses 
 his fellow citizens : " We forebore to declare war until to other aj?- 
 " gressions had been added the capture of nearly 1000 American 
 " vessels, and until a final declaration had been made by the Govern- 
 " ment of Great Britain, that her hostile orders against our commerce 
 " would not be revoked, but on conditions as impossible as unjust, 
 '' whilst it was known that these Orders would not otherwise cease 
 " but with war, tchich had lasted nearly twenty years, and which ac- 
 " cording to appearance at that time, might last as many more. Our 
 " resolution, therefore, to oppose the enemy's persevering outrages, 
 " must carry with it the good wishes of the impartial world, and the 
 " best hopes of support from an omnipotent and just Providence." 
 
 ! ' 1 
 
 * I//! 
 
y^ 
 
 240 
 
 NAVAL ANNAI.S. 
 
 > ' 
 
 17. Tlie American frigate Constitution, Captain Isaac 
 Hull, in going from Lynnhaven Bay to Boston, is be- 
 calmed olT the Capes of Virginia, in sight of the Africa 
 of 64 guns, the Guerriere, the Shannon, the Belvidera, 
 and the Eolus, British frigates. The boats of the squadron 
 take in tow two of the frigates, which get for a short time 
 within gnn shot of the Constitution ; but, by the nautical 
 skill and promptitude of Mr. Aylwin, the master, she, by 
 kedging and other admirable manoeuvres, eflccts her 
 escape, after having been chased sixty-four hours. 
 
 August Id. The British sloop of war Alert, Captain 
 Laugharne, is captured by the American frigate Essex, 
 Captain David Porter. 
 
 il • 
 
 
 15, The whole coast of Nova Scotia, from Canso to 
 Cane Sable, swarms with American privateers, who give 
 the British cruizers incessant employment, and, in spite 
 of their utmost vigilance, pick up valuable trading ships. 
 
 17. Arrived at Annapolis, the American privateer 
 schooner Rolla, Captain Dewly, from a cruize. In a 
 heavy gale at sea ail her guns were thrown overboard, 
 except the Long Tom, but the ardour of her officers and 
 crew (in all sixty) remained unabated ; for they captured 
 from the Cork fleet, without the loss of a man, the ship 
 Mary, of Bristol, of 14 guns, with hardware and crates ; 
 ship Eliza, of the same port, 10 guns, viith 20,000 bushels 
 of wheat ; ship Rio Nova, of Loudon, 13 guns, with dry 
 goods ; ship Apollo, of the same port, deeply laden with 
 king's stores ; brig Barossa, of Cork, 6 guns, with beef; 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 241 
 
 fchooner Svvift, of Plymouth, and another belonging to 
 Aberdeen. 
 
 ACTION 
 
 UETWEEN THE GUERRIERE AND CONSTITUTION. 
 
 19. The British frigate Guerriere, Captain Dacres, 
 returning from a cruize in the Atlantic to Halifax, is 
 taken by the American frigate Constitution, Captain 
 Hull, after a severe conflict, in which the English ship 
 was totally dismay i a. With a fresh breeze from the 
 N. W. and cloudy weather, at 2 in the afternoon, the 
 sailor on the look-out from the mast-head of the Consti- 
 tution, descried a vessel in the S. W. when all sail was 
 made towards her ; and, between 3 and 4, she was dis- 
 tinguished to be a frigate close-hauled upon the star- 
 board-tack, under an easy sail. When Captain Hull 
 came within about three miles of her, he took in his light 
 sails, and hauled up bis courses. He then cleared ship 
 for action, and, on beating to quarters, the American 
 crew gave three cheers, and called out to be laid close 
 alongside the enemy ; unawed by the attitude of the 
 Guerriere, Mho had now laid her main-top-sail to tho' 
 mast, and displayed that flag which had annihilated the 
 proud armadas of France and Spain. The fact is that 
 tlie men and the ships of both naUous arc made of tha 
 
 R 
 
 ii 
 
 i 
 
 111 
 
!■ J 
 
 7^ 
 
 *2\'2 
 
 VAVAL ANNALS, 
 
 ■1 1. 
 
 ' '» 
 
 ijame sterling carpentry — the heart of oak ;— and that 
 yankey tars possess capabilities for rivalling the most 
 celebrated achievements ever performed on sea by their 
 <listinguished progenitors. There were eight American 
 seamen on board Ihe GucW^re, who had been several 
 years in her. As the Constitution was bearinj; down 
 under American colours, Captain Dacres with exemplary 
 liberality ordered the word to be passed fore and aft to 
 the crew assembled at their guns, that the services of the 
 Americans would be dispensed with ; and they all went 
 joyfully below, except one poor fellow, who, stationed on 
 the forecastle, did not hear the tidings, but remained at 
 liis quarters during the action an involuntary foe to the 
 flag that he rallied round in heart. The Guerriere was 
 the first fhat fired ; at 4 as the Constitution was closing 
 fast, she wore to avoid being raked, and at 10 minutes 
 past 4 began to open the fire of her main-deck guns. The 
 Constitution did not return her opponent's fire for ten 
 minutes, when the two ships exchanged broadsides, and 
 manoeuvred to obtain advantageous positions. At 5 the 
 Constitution closed on the starboard beam of the Guer- 
 riere, with the evident design of crossing her bow; when 
 the Guerriere bearing up, the two ships entered warmly 
 into the contest, broadside and broadside, within half- 
 pistol-shot, steering free, with the wind on the quarter, 
 under top- sails and jib. The American now poured in 
 so heavy afire upon her adversary, that, in twenty mi- 
 nutes from the time of engaging alongside, the mizen- 
 m?\st of the English ship went by the board, falling over 
 on the starboard quarter, tind bringing the ship up in the 
 
 
w? 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 242r 
 
 ! t, 
 
 -and that 
 ; the most 
 ea by iheir 
 t American 
 en several 
 irinj; down 
 exemplary 
 and aft to 
 vices of the 
 ey all went 
 tationed on 
 emained at 
 ' foe to the 
 erriere wai* 
 vBS closing 
 10 minutes 
 guns. The 
 fire for ten 
 dsides, and 
 }. At 5 the 
 if the Guer- 
 bow; when 
 red warmly 
 within half- 
 he quarter, 
 V poured in 
 I twenty mi- 
 the mizen- 
 falling over 
 lip up in the 
 
 the wind. Upon this accident, Captain Hull luffed the 
 Constitution short round, and placing her on the Guer- 
 riere's larboad bow, opered a dreadful raking fire with 
 his great guns, while the rifle-men from the tops took de- 
 liberate and effectual aim at the English officers and 
 ciew. It is, I believe, a practice peculiar to the Ame- 
 rican navy, that eight men are stationed in each top with 
 rifles ; of whom six are constantly employed in loading 
 for the other two who are reputed the most dexterous 
 marksmen. It was at this juncture that Mr. Ready, the 
 lieutenant who commanded the main-deck-guns onboard 
 the Guerriere, was killed, and Mr. Grant, who directed 
 those on the forecastle, was carried below badly wounded ; 
 while Mr. Scott, the master, was shot through the knee, 
 and Mr. Kent, the first lieutenant, together with Captain 
 Dacres received rifle-shot wounds. While the Guerriere 
 lay exposed to the heavy raking fire of the American, she 
 could bring only a few of her bow guns to bear in return ; 
 and at length fell on board of the enemy, her bowsprit 
 getting foul of the Constitution's larboard mizen-rigging. 
 The American now shewed a disposition to board the 
 Guerriere, when Captain Dacres ordered his crew up 
 from the main- deck gims to anticipate them in the act ; 
 but perceiving the Constitution's deck crowded with men 
 prepared to resist, he judged his force too dispropor- 
 tionate, and that the assault would probably not suc- 
 ceed ; ■■ and the ship coming to, he brought some of his 
 
 * Throu8;hout my relation I have not tlepaitecl ftom the letter of 
 the British official documents; and I now cite tha words of ray autho- 
 
 r2 
 
 H 
 
 M V.i 
 
 ly 
 
 I 
 

 244 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 bow guns to bear again upon tbe Constitution. Scarcely 
 bad the Guerriere shot a-head clear of her opponent, 
 when her foro and main-masts went over the side taking 
 along with them every spar but the bowsprit. Notwith- 
 standing the crippled state of his ship, Captain Dacres 
 with inflexible resolution, persisted in defending her ; he 
 did not relinquish the hope of getting the ship under 
 command to renew the action ; but just as the crew had 
 disengaged the guns on the spar-deck from the wreck of 
 the fallen masts, the sprit-sail yard went, leaving her an 
 unmanageable log on the water. Meantime Captain 
 Hi'U, having rove new braces, put his helm a-weather, 
 filled his sails, and laid the Constitution athwart hawse of 
 the Guerriere, who, now dismasted and defenceless, lay 
 in the trough of the sea, rolling the muzzles of her main- 
 deck guns under water. Incapacitated for further re- 
 sistance, there was no alternative but to strike the 
 colours ; and, at 45 minutes after 6, Captain Dacres, 
 with the concurrence of liis few remaining oflicers, fired a 
 gun to leeward, and gave orders for the jack to be lowered 
 from the stump of the mizen-mast. The Guerriere had 
 15 men killed and 63 wounded ; the Constutition 7 killed, 
 and the same number wounded. Such was the result of 
 
 ft 
 
 ,:*' 
 
 rity for this particular part.: " It was my intention, after having 
 *' driven back the enemy, to have boarded in return ; and, in consc- 
 *' quence, I ordered down the Urst lieutenant on the main-deck, to 
 " send every body up from tlic jj^uns ; but finding his deck fiMod with 
 " men, and every preparation made to receive us, it would have 
 *' been almost impossible to succeed." 
 
 English Commander's Address to tlic Court. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 245 
 
 the first encounter between the naval flags '»f the two 
 nations. England, accustomed to victory only on her 
 own element, received the intelligence with surprize 
 and disappointment; while America, with the vanity 
 natural to a rising maritime state, boasted that she 
 had broken the spell of her invincibility on the ocean. 
 Those who, to conceal their chagrin, afl'ected to despise 
 the success of the Americans in this combat as petty and 
 unimportant in its consequences, were not just to the 
 interests of Great Britain. It gave an impulse to the 
 navy of the only nation that can ever hope to dispute with 
 her the sovereignty of the waters. The keels of twelve 
 line of battle ships, and of twenty-four frigates, were or- 
 dered to be laid down in the navy yards at New York, 
 Portsmouth, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, and 
 Norfolk. It established an implement of defence suited 
 to the prejudices of the people, and the character of their 
 country ; and the hostile attitude taken at sea by this new 
 power was not to answer a temporary purpose, but one 
 that would find, in the resources of the commonwealth, 
 support and renovation. This victory rankled deeply in 
 the bosoms of the English, and they were content to charge 
 themselves with laxity of naval discipline and neglect of 
 gubnery, rather than the slightest glory should be ex- 
 torted by the countrymen of Washington. As hitherto 
 single British ships had always beaten the single ships of 
 France and Holland, of Portugal and Spain; critical 
 judgment was exercised io discover what could produce 
 this anomaly. Some writers pretended to detect the 
 secret in the thicker sides of the American ; some in the 
 
 I, 
 
 It 
 
 Mi 
 
 t 
 
 /, 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
24G 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ■ 
 
 li 
 
 desperate co-operation of English seamen on board, who 
 fought with halters round their necks ; some, with revolt- 
 ing absurdity, asserted the Constitution was a seventy- 
 four in disguise, notwithstanding a frigate had held a tug 
 with her two hours and forty-five minutes ; and others 
 eager, quocunque modo,to blast Hull's laurels, insidiously 
 pronounced him « player at long howls, when his close 
 iighting bore a strong analogy to slugs in a sawpit. Tii 
 the heat of passion, or the absence of candour, all over- 
 looked that the crews of both ships proceeded from the 
 same stock, and were of one common origin. 
 
 The firing on both sides having ceased, Captain Hull 
 set his courses, and hauled to the eastward, to repair the 
 damages which his ship had sustained in the action : 
 some of his spars had been shot away, and much of his 
 standing and running rigging cut to pieces. At 7, having 
 sufficiently refitted, he wore, and standing under the lee 
 of the prize, sent his boats for the captain, the officers, 
 and seamen. And now as the crews of the two ships 
 mingled, the cflect must have been touchingly impressive. 
 A tender sentiment of sorrow could not but steal on the 
 breasts of the sailor crowd, that men demonstrably de- 
 signed by Nature to be brothers, in the unequivocal 
 identity of language, look, air, and mien, should so far 
 forget the relations that subsisted between thera, as to 
 meet in hostile array. The moon encircled by the spark- 
 ling constellations illuminated a serene sky, and the 
 repose of night spread over the ocean formed an affecting 
 contrast with the anguish of the wounded and the bustle 
 of the boatmen conveying them from one ship to the 
 
i; 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS, 
 
 247 
 
 other. The important operation of removing the wounded 
 occupied several hours ; the Constitution vrearing occa- 
 sionally to obtain an eligible position, and facilitate tho. 
 coming alongside of the cutters, the barge, and the yawl. 
 The last boat had scarcely delivered her freight, when, 
 about midnight, a sail was discovered on the larboard 
 beam, standing in a direction towards the Constitution ; 
 and the officers and crew, without having reposed after 
 their toils, went with great alacrity to their quarters, and 
 prepared again for battle and for conquest. In less than 
 an hour the strange sail hauled her wind, and stood off. 
 The Guerriere had received many shot in her hull ; tliirty 
 had taken efl'ect at about three sheets of copper from her 
 water-line. The mizen-mast in falling had perforated her 
 starboard counter,' and Mr. Adams, the carpenter of the 
 Constitution, in reporting the damages sustained by the 
 prize, declared it to be his opinion that she could not be 
 made sea-worthy to take into port. Of this there was 
 soon full confirmation; for, at daylight. Lieutenant 
 ►Saunders, who had charge of the Guerriere, hailed the 
 (Constitution, to inform Captain Hull that she had four 
 feet water in the hold, and was in a sinking condition. 
 All hands were now actively employed in removing the 
 remainder of the crew from the prize ; and at a signal 
 from the Constitution, Mr. Saunders set fire to the 
 Guerriere, and she soon after blew up. 
 
 ¥ 
 
 // 
 
 I 
 
 I- 
 
 ■ I 
 
 fc'i 
 
 1^ 
 
 '27. The Constitution arrives at Boston, and, in going 
 up the harbour, is saluted from the forts amidst the 
 hearty, unanimous; and repeated cheers of a hundred 
 
MBB 
 
 245 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 thousand citizens on the wharves, the shipping and the 
 house-tops. 
 
 28. Thomas King, an American youth, makes bis 
 escape, in an open boat, from Bermuda to the Capes of 
 Virginia.* Being confined on board a prison-ship in 
 Harrington Sound, he watched the coming alongside of 
 the cutter, and, as the crew left the boat, slipped into her 
 from the gangway-port, and, setting the sail, committed 
 himself to the mercy of the ocean. He had provided him- 
 self with a small pocket compass, and concealed in his 
 dress some biscuit ; — the boat being ballasted with kegs 
 of sweet water, he was in no want of drink. In this boat, 
 so inconsiderable in size, as not to exceed twelve feet in 
 length, he was 8 days and 8 nights a pilgrim of the 
 great deep, with no other society but sometimes a petrel, 
 or the leviathan rising from his unfathomable home. 
 
 '•' 
 
 
 
 H 
 
 29. The American squadron, composed of the Presi- 
 dent, Commodore Rodgers, the United States, Captain 
 Decatur, the Congress, Captain Smith, the Hornet sloop, 
 Capt. Lawrence, and the Argus, Capt. Sinclair, arrive at 
 Boston from a cruize. They had been 70 days at sea, 
 during which time they had run to the chops of the English 
 Channel, along the coast of France, Spain, and Portugal, 
 to within 10 leagues of the Rock of Lisbon, to the vicinity 
 of the Azores, and back by the banks and coast of Nova 
 
 * The Bermuda Isles are situated in the middle of the Atlantic 
 Ocean, 720 miles S. E. from Uie Capes of Virginia, 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 241> 
 
 Scotia to Boston, without meeting a single British na- 
 tional vessel, except the Belvldera, with which the Pre- 
 sident had a running fight of some hours. 
 
 October 8. The American frigate Essex, 32 guu9. 
 Captain David Porter, sails from the Capes of Delaware^ 
 on a cruize round Cape Horn, in the Pacific Ocean. 
 
 : 
 
 rf\i 
 
 ACTION 
 BETWEEN THE FROLIC AND WASP. 
 
 18. The British sloop of war Frolic, Captain Whyniatesr, 
 in convoying to England some vessels from the Bay of 
 Honduras, is taken by the American sloop of war Wasp, 
 Captain Jones, after a close and bloody action. The 
 Frolic left the Bay on the 12th with 14 sail of merchant- 
 men, and, when oft" the north coast of Cuba, spoke a shij> 
 that imparted the intelligence of the war with Americn, 
 and the capture of the Guerriere. On the night of the 
 16th, when far advanced in the Atlantic, a heavy gale 
 dispersed the convoy, and carried away the Frolic's 
 main-yard in the slings: nor was the Wasp without her 
 disasters ; she lost her jib -boom and two men overboard. 
 On the morning of the 18th, as the crew of the Frolic 
 were at work on the main-yard, which was lowered down 
 on deck, a suspicious sail hove in sight. Six sail of the 
 acattered convoy had rejoined, who, on the stranger not 
 
 rl 
 
 
 
 k>?' ! 
 
 ii 
 
^ 
 
 f 
 
 h ■ 
 
 n 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 :■ "■ 
 
 • 
 
 u - < 
 
 1 1 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 250 
 
 yAVAL ANNALS, 
 
 answering the private signal made her by the Frolic, 
 crowded all sail ; while Captain Whyniates dropped 
 astern, and hoisted Spanish colours, partly to draw tho 
 enemy under his guns, and partly to divert his attention 
 from the convoy. As soon as Captain Jon«s discovered 
 the true character of the vessels in sight, he no longer 
 kept on a wind, but bore down on the sloop of war with 
 the American jack, ensign, and pendant flying ; and, at 
 10 in the forenoon, both vessels being within hail. Captain 
 Whyniates hauled down Spanish colours, hoisted the 
 British ensign, [and opened so well directed a fire, that 
 the raain-top-mast of the Wasp was shot away, and, 
 falling with the main-top-sail yard across the larboard 
 fore and fore-top-sail braces, rendered her head yards of 
 no avail during the remainder of the action. A constant 
 iire was now kept up on both sides, and the sea was so 
 rough, that the muzzles of the guns were rolled under 
 water. The Frolic lay exposed to the raking broadsides 
 of the Wasp, unable to bring a gun to bear in return ; 
 and, at length, fell with her bowsprit between the Ame- 
 rican's main and mizen rigging, the jib-boom entering 
 directly over the heads of Captain Jones, and his first 
 lieutenant Biddle, who were then standing together, 
 near the capstan. The two vessels were now so near 
 one another, that, in loading, the crew of the Wasp 
 pushed their rammers against the Frolic's side, and 
 pointed two of their main-deck guns through her bow- 
 ports. Of 110 men on board the Frolic at the begiuning 
 of the action, only 20 now remained unhurt. Mr. M'Kay, 
 the first lieutenant, and Mr. Stephens, the master, were 
 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 251 
 
 ow so near 
 
 mortally wounded. Mr. Wintle, the second lieutenant, 
 had two balls in him, besides being wounded by three 
 others, and Captain Whyniates had not escaped the 
 ritle-shot of the enemy. The dead lay buried under 
 the wreck of the masts and spars that had fallen ou 
 their lifeless bodies : the cock-pit and birth deck were^ 
 crowded with those who had resigned their breath since 
 they had been carried below, with the dying, and with 
 others languishing under the severity of their sufferings. 
 The fire of the Frolic was now nearly silenced, and as 
 the swell of the sea brought the two vessels in contact, 
 the lieutenants Biddle and Rodgers mounted on the 
 hammock-cloth to board. Having got on the Frolic's 
 bowsprit, they passed over the bodies of the slain on the 
 forecastle, along the waist, to the quarter-deck ; where 
 they were much surprized at not seeing a single person 
 alive, except the Captain and the man at the wheel. As 
 Lieutenant Biddle advanced. Captain Whyniates made a 
 slight inclination of his body as a sign of surrender. His 
 colours, lashed with determined bravery to the main- 
 rigging, were still flying over their intrepid defender ; 
 and, on Lieutenant Biddle ordering the surviving sailor 
 to strike them, the British tar replied, with an unsub- 
 dued spirit, " As you have possession of the brig, you 
 '' may do it yourself." The vessels had scarcely sepa- 
 rated, when both masts of the Frolic fell upon deck ; and, 
 two hours afterwards, the Poictiers of 74 guns, Captain 
 Beresford, heaving in sight, took. one wreck, and re-cap- 
 tured the other. 
 
 It is remarkable that in this action the Americans had 
 only 5 men killed, and 5 wounded. 
 
 K 
 
 / 
 
 
 i 
 
ifm 
 
 mm 
 
 232 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 V 
 
 ACTION 
 
 Between the Macedonian and the United Statef, 
 
 October 25. The British frigate, Macedonian, Captain 
 Carden, having convoyed an India ship to a certain 
 latitude, in proceeding to her station on the American 
 coast, falls in with the American frigate United States, 
 Captain Decatur, and is taken after an obstinate en<;age- 
 ment. The Macedonian being about half way t. ween 
 the Cape de Verd Islands and the Azores, steering N.W. 
 by W. with the wind from the southward, and a heavy 
 sea running ; about day-light a sail was seen on the Ice- 
 beam, which she immediately stood fur, and in a short 
 time the stranger was made out to be a large frigate, 
 under American colours. About 9, as the Macedonian 
 was bearing down to bring the enemy to action, Decatur 
 opened the fire of his main-deck, and such was the pre- 
 cision of his broadside, that it disabled all the guns on 
 the quarter-deck and forecastle of the Macedonian on 
 the engaging side. The action now commenced between 
 the two ships, and, the nearer they approached, tlie more 
 furious it grew; till, on lying alongside of one another, 
 the superior force of the United States became manifest 
 in the havoc which she made on board the Macedonian ; 
 shooting away her mizen-mast by the board, her fore 
 and main-top-masts by the caps, her main-yard in the 
 slings, and wounding badly her lower-musts; besides 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 2aa 
 
 Ioclgin<i^ several shot in her hull between wind and water, 
 cutting her lower-rigging in pieces, and the fore-sail 
 from the yard ; and, at the same time, disabling all the 
 cannonades on the upper battery but two, tO}?cther with 
 two eighteen pounders on the main-deck. The destruc- 
 tion among the crew was proportionably great : humanity 
 shudders at the recital. Thirty-three men lay dead on 
 the decks of the Macedonian, and sixty-eight were 
 wounded, of whom thirtv-six were carried down into the 
 cockpit. Meantime the United States was compara- 
 tively uninjured. She had sustained little or no damap;e 
 in her masts and spars ; no accident had occurred on her 
 decks; not a rope-yarn of her gun-tackle had been 
 strained ; and, though engaged for more than two hours, 
 the only diminution snfl'ered in her crew was 5 killed, 
 and 7 wounded. While the Macedonian, reduced to a 
 wreck, was lying unmanageable on the water, the United 
 States shot ahead, and Decatur was about to place his 
 ship in a raking position, when Captain Garden, incapa' 
 cltated for further resistance, had no alternative but to 
 surrender. It is the opinion of Americans, that the sus- 
 tained fire of the United States for two hours was never 
 equalled by a single deck ; and, that in all the actions 
 which have been fought at sea. no frigate ever exhibited 
 such consummate gunnery. Though in the presence of 
 an enemy, whose ilag for centuries had carried terror 
 with it over the ocean, it is said that Decatur's crew 
 >ye!it into battle with a confidence in their own superi- 
 ority; thatthey jested in the act of firing their guns ; and 
 that the sailor who pointed the cannon which shot away 
 
 i ) 
 
I 1 
 
 I' '- 
 
 ' : 
 
 
 254 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 the Macedonian's mizen-mast, called out to liis com- 
 rades, as it fell over her side, *' Look, messmates, I have 
 usade a brig of her!" 
 
 There was a musical band on board the Macedonian, 
 fioraposed of eight Germans. It was a maxim of their 
 policy to play for the strongest party ; and, on the sur- 
 render of the ship, they deserted to the enemy and cele- 
 brated his triumph. 
 
 The Macedonian being almost a new frigate, Captain 
 Decatur felt very solicitous to get his prize into port ; 
 and his first lieutenant, Mr. Allen, used such diligence 
 to render her sea-worthy, that, in forty-eight hours, he 
 succeeded with his seamen in raising a jury mizen mast, 
 swaying up a fore and main-top-mast, crossing lower 
 and top-sail yards, and bending new sails ; so that she 
 soon again had the appearance rather of a ship thatinvited 
 an action, than of one just come out of it. The good 
 fortune of Decatur attended him into port, where he 
 arrived with his prize, in spite of the British squadrons 
 that hovered on the coast. 
 
 ACTION 
 
 BETWEEN THE JAVA AND CONSTITUTION. 
 
 December 29. The British frigate Java, Captain Lam- 
 bert, is taken, off Saint Salvador, on the Coast of Brazil, 
 by the American frigate Constitution, Captain Bain- 
 
KAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 255 
 
 bridge, after a protracted and deadly conflict. Tlie 
 Java was on her passage to the East Indies, having on 
 board Lieutenant-general liyslop, appointed governor of 
 Bombay, Major Walker and Captain Wood of his staff, 
 and Captain Marshall of the navy, going out to take the 
 command of a sloop of war. She sailed from Spithead 
 on the 12th of November, with two outward-bound In- 
 dianien that availed themselves of her com oy ; and, 
 about the middle of December, captured an American 
 ^hip called the William. On the 24th, the Java, parting 
 company with her friends, stood in for St. Salvador to 
 obtain a supply of water, and, on the 2Qth, when close in 
 with the coast, having her prize in tow, at 9 in the morn- 
 ing the Constitution hove in sight in a S. S. W. direction, 
 and the Hornet sloop. Captain Lawrence, appeared at 
 the same time off the bay of All Saints, who was coming 
 out to seek his consort in the offing. Captain Lambert 
 immediately cast off the priee, (which, standing in for St. 
 Salvador, was re-taken by the Hornet,) while he made 
 all sail in chase of the Constitution to leeward. It blew 
 a moderate breeze from the N. E. the sky was clear, and 
 the water smooth* At 1 1 the stranger was made out on 
 board the Java to be a large frigate, standing towards her 
 under an easy sail ; and not having answered the private 
 signal, Captain Lambert took in his studding sails and 
 prepared for action. At noon, when the two ships were 
 distant from one another about 4 miles, Captain Bain- 
 bridge hove about, and made all sail from the Java on 
 the other tack, keeping good full under his royals ; his ob- 
 ject in this feint being to draw the Java ofi'from tb« neutral 
 
 (•5 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 I'll 
 i J 
 
1} 
 
 ( ''i 
 
 2o0 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 coast, and separate licr entirely from her conipanion, of 
 whose real character he could form no precise estimate. 
 Captain Lambert hauled up in pursuit, but, the breeze 
 freshening, was obliged to furl his royals; the Java was 
 now going at least ten knots through the water, and fore* 
 reaching sensibly upon the chase. In about another hour, 
 having closed with her to about two miles, she took in her 
 spanker and royals, hoisted an American ensign and 
 pendant, and, heaving in stays, stood towards the Java ; 
 the two ships bad now gained a good offing, being full 
 thirty-six raiies from the cnast. The Java, taking in her 
 light sails, and hoisting her colcurs, bore down on the 
 Constitution, who was keeping her luiF about three points 
 on the lee bow ; and, at 2 in the afternoon, when half a 
 mile apart, received the fire of the enemy, which the Java 
 returned, on his weather-bow, within pistol-shot. The 
 first broadside from the Java killed four seamen, and 
 difiablf ' the Constitution's wheel ; and, as the smoke 
 cleared away, she was perceived yawing broad round, 
 in evident confusion. The Java made sail after her, and 
 a brisk cannonading ensued between them, during which 
 both ships were manoeuvred witli consummate nautical 
 zWW. There was, however, a disparity in the execution 
 of their broadsides ; lor while the C »nstitulion sustained 
 no damage in her spars, the Java had her jib-boom shot 
 away, together with the head of her bowsprit ; and her 
 running rigging was likewise so ninch cut, that it was not 
 practicable lor her to preserve any longer the weatlicr- 
 gage. It was now that Bainhridge signalized his sea- 
 manship, and by skiltully improving so favourable a 
 
I 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 257 
 
 conjuncture for acquiring an ascendency over his enemy. 
 He dexterously wore the Constitution in the smoke, and» 
 unperceived, had nearly got her about on the other tack, 
 before the helm of the Java could be clapt a-lee ; and 
 though it was immediately put hard down in the hope of 
 getting th« ship round quick enough to avoid her anta- 
 gonist's impending fire, she, in consequence of her defec- 
 tive braces, missed stays, and, during the interval that 
 she hung in the wind, received through her stern a heavy 
 raking broadside from the whole range of the Constitu- 
 tion's starboard tier ; the Java was now obliged to wear, 
 and, in falling off, fired her larboard guns. At this 
 period of the action, some bar-shot having fallen out of 
 the Java's foremast, by her rolling, the captain of the 
 forecastle, one Wm. Speedy, picked them up, put them 
 into his gun, and sent them back again to the American. 
 Bainbridge had hitherto fired high, with the view of ren- 
 dering the Java unmanageable by disabling her in her 
 spars and rigging ; and having sufficiently accomplish'^d 
 his object, he set his fore and main-sail, and luffed up to 
 her, so as to get her deck within reach of the rifle-men who 
 crowded his tops ; and, now, having assumed a raking 
 position, the attack of the Constitution became doubly 
 destructive to the Java, whos« lower masts began to 
 toiter under the fire of her great guns, while her officers 
 and seamen sufiVre 1 severely from the play of her mus- 
 ketry. At 3 the Constitution had gained so great an 
 a.Hccndancy by the execution of her guns, that Captain 
 Lambert determined on boarding, as the only hope he 
 h;Mj It't't of successfully (erminailng the conflict. Pot 
 
 > ni 
 
!2o8 
 
 NAVAl. ANNALS. 
 
 h 4 
 I'' 
 
 
 
 this purpose tlic 9ear>^ cu and marines were collected on 
 the gangway and forecastle of the Java, and her helm 
 was put a-weather to lay the American abreast of the 
 main> chains ; but an unlucky broadside from her dis- 
 concerted the design by shooting away the Java's fore- 
 mast by the board, which, nodding aft in its descent, 
 stove in the boats stowed midships on the booms, and, 
 falling through on the main-deck, disabled several of the 
 starboard guns wkh the wreck; while, in aggravation of 
 the disaster, the sWmp of her bowsprit passed over the 
 Constitution's taflFarel, and got foul of her mizen-rigging, 
 when the Americans running out their stern chasers, 
 raked her fore and aft with round and grape, mtu) shot 
 away in succession her main-top-mast somewhat above 
 the cap, and her gaff and spanker-boom. As soon as the 
 two ships became disentangled, Bainbridge wore under 
 the stern of the Java, and laying the Constitution on her 
 starboard quarter, poured in a tremendous fire from his 
 whole broadside, while the English frigate, rendered 
 nearly ungovernable, could never get more than two or 
 iliree guns to bear in return. It was in this exposed 
 condition that a rille-bullet, fired from the main-top of 
 the Constitution, entered the left breast of Captain Lam 
 bert, and lodged in his spine ; he fell on the quarter- 
 deck, mortally wounded, and was borne down the lad- 
 der by some sailors to the cockpit, which was already 
 crowded with wounded and dying men. The anxiety ot 
 these poor fellows for the event of the engagement is 
 truly memorable. While laid on their pallets, they were 
 attentive, even under the anguish of bodily suUerint^, to 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 259 
 
 the fire of the maiu-deek guns ; and, whenever it sensibly 
 slackened, they raised a feeble cheer, and incited their 
 shipmates to perseverance with their dying breath. 
 Upon the fall of Captain Lambert, the command devolved 
 on Mr. Chads, the first lieutenant, an officer of great 
 experience, activity, and resolution, who inflexibly per- 
 sisted in fighting the ship even after she was reduced to 
 a wreck on the water ; and were not his extraordinary 
 defence of the Java authenticated by unquestionable 
 testimony, the recital would carry with it a marvellous 
 air. In sustaining the heavy fire of the Constitution's 
 concentrated broadside, the raizen-mast of the Java went 
 nearly by the board ; she then fell oil" a little, and the 
 American shooting ahead, the two frigates were brought 
 again opposed to one another, broadside and broadside. 
 Enabled, by this position, to bring his guns once more to 
 bear. Lieutenant Chads, with only one mast standing, 
 renewed the action with an intrepidity of spirit, which, if 
 it did not ensure success, at least deserved it ; and it 
 will scarcely be any hyperbole to assert, that he fought in 
 a blaze of heroism ; for, during the renovated combat, 
 which lasted half an hour, his ship was frequently in 
 llames from the crew being obliged to fire their guns 
 through the wreck of the masts. In this new struggle the 
 Constitution, having sustained considerable injury in her 
 rigging, made sail ahead ovtt of gun-shot, and hove to, in 
 order to reeve new braces, and repair other damages 
 aloft ; leaving the Java a wreck on the water, with her 
 nifiin-inast tottering, and her main-yard gone in the 
 slinks. During; this pause, Lieutciiaut Cnads, his oili- 
 
 s2 
 
 ^b 
 
260 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ;l 
 
 cers, and ^rew, exerted themselves to clear the wreck, 
 and get the ship before the wind. Though the main-yard 
 was shot in the slings, the weather yard-arm still re- 
 mained aloft, und they were enabled to bring the main- 
 tack forward. This gave the ship steerage-way ; and 
 having unstowed the booms, they got out a spare top- 
 gallant mast, and began to rig it as a jury fore-mast; 
 substituting a lower-studding sail for a fore course. But 
 in the height of their toil, their attention was diverted to 
 the main-mast, which, from the heavy rolling of the ship, 
 was becoming every moment more unstable; and it was 
 found expedient to anticipate the fall of the mast in- 
 board, by cutting it away. The Java was now reduced 
 to a hull, bare and unmanageable. There was not left 
 on her standing a mast or spar of any kind. Six of the 
 quarter-deck guns^ and four of those on the fore- castle, 
 were dismounted : several on the maiu-deck lay buried 
 and useless under the accumulated wreck of the spars, 
 blocks, and cordage, that lumbered the planks fore and 
 aft : and the hull, greatly shattered, was making water, 
 with one pump shot away. Still, in this mutilated state, 
 Lieutenant Chads k-ept his fl-ag flying, and re-loaded his 
 guns, awaiting the attack of the enemy, who had now 
 wore, and was standing again towards him: meantime 
 he mustered his men at their quarters, and, on calling 
 over their names, found 1 10 missing. It was at this af- 
 fecting period that James Humble, the boatswain, whose 
 left hand had been carried away by a grape-shot, re- 
 turned on deck from the cockpit, with a tourniquet on the 
 stump of the boue, which lie supported in the bosom of 
 
 s 
 
 '^ 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 2S!1 
 
 his shirt. There arc few able to enter into the feelings of 
 an officer whose ship is dismasted in a combat, while 
 that of his opponent is entire in her spars. If the wreck 
 of the disabled masts hangs over the side from whence 
 the fire of the guns is maintained, resistance is necessa- 
 rily controuled and hazardous ; some of the canron are 
 rendered nugatory, and the flash from the few that can 
 be served often produces a conflagration. Every at- 
 tempt to point the guns with precision is counteracted by 
 the heavy rolling of the naked hull ; for the ship, being 
 without canvas to steady her, dips iheir muzzles into 
 the water at every reeling motion. While the Java was 
 in this perplexity, Bainbridge, in the Constitution, tri- 
 umphant and unhurt, was about to resume a raking po- 
 sition athwart her bow : arty further resistance in Lieu- 
 tenant Ch'^ds would have been to bury his crew in an 
 unfathomable and inevitable grave ; and humanity inter- 
 posed to tear down the flag which valour had nailed to 
 the remains of the mast. 
 
 In this place it may not be improper to state the com- 
 parative dimensions and armament of the two frigates ; 
 and as, by a singular coincidence, the Constitution and 
 the United States are sister ships, and the Guerriere, 
 the Macedonian, and thr Java, all of one class, the esti- 
 mate will serve for gent ial reference : 
 
 i 
 
 1^ 
 
26-2 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 DIMENSIONS 
 
 OF THE FRIGATES IN HULL. 
 
 English. 
 Ft. In. 
 
 154 
 
 I 
 
 Length of main-deck from rabbit to 
 rabbit 
 
 Breadth, extreme 
 
 Thickness of top-sides, at mid-ship > 
 main-deck port cell y 
 
 Actual keel, from fore-foot to stern- ) 
 post 5 
 
 Height of birth-deck 
 
 ileight of main-deck 
 
 Width of main-deck ports 
 
 Distance between them 
 
 Load-draught of water before 
 
 Load-draught abaft 
 
 Tonnage 
 
 39 
 1 
 
 6 
 6 
 3 
 
 ]40 4 
 
 1081 
 
 A tneriean. 
 Ft. In. 
 
 173 
 
 44 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 8 
 
 156 6 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 5| 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 4 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 6 
 
 1533 
 
 MASTS, SPARS, AND RIGGING. 
 
 English. 
 
 Ft. In. 
 
 92 
 2 3| 
 
 81 G 
 1 71 
 
 Main-yard { dieter 
 
 Main-iihi'ouds 
 Brit. 7 pr. Am 
 
 .9. I 
 
 circumference 
 
 8 
 
 A merican. 
 
 Ft. 111. 
 
 101 
 3 
 
 92 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 5* 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 • This measurement includes four quarter-fishes, each 3^ inches 
 thick ; hooped on nertrly from the level of the deck to the cheeks of 
 the mast; otherwise the intrinsic diameter at the partners is only 2 
 feet 10 inches. 'I'he lower masts of i-lnglish «hips have only a small 
 fish in front, for the yard in loweiinij to go clcur of the tiiast-hoops. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 2^ 
 
 A merican. 
 
 Ft. 
 
 In. 
 
 173 
 
 3 
 
 44 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 156 6 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 5| 
 
 19 
 
 4 
 
 20 
 
 6 
 
 1533 
 
 A merican 
 
 Ft. 
 
 111. 
 
 101 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 5* 
 
 92 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8f 
 
 11 
 
 I 3^ inches 
 e clieeks of 
 s is only 2 
 nly a small 
 
 ,St-ll001)S. 
 
 Main-deck 
 
 Quarter-deok 
 and forecastle 
 
 tie 1 
 
 ARMAMENT. 
 
 28 long 18 pndrs. 
 
 16carr. 32 
 
 1 18 . 
 
 2 long 9 
 
 30 long 24 pndr5i. 
 
 22carr. 32 
 
 1 18 
 
 2 long 18* — 
 
 COMPLEMENT OF HANDS. 
 
 Guerriere . , 302 
 Macedonian . 300 
 Java 377 
 
 Constitution . 475 
 United States 475 
 Constitution . 475 
 
 The American frigates are built on an improved prin- 
 ciple, in not having so wide a waist, or open space in the 
 spar-deck amidships, as those of Europe. Of some 
 writers it is a favourite and insidious theme to magnify 
 the force of the American frigates, and liken them to 
 English 74s ; but if they exhibit the scantling, they want 
 the lower-deck battery of the line of battle-sliip ; and 
 to make the resemblance just, the lower-deck ports of 
 the 74 ought to be hermetically sealed. A 131ake, a 
 Benbow, a Rodney, or a Nelson, in the Constitution or 
 United States, would keep out of the range of the guns 
 of a 74, and never hazard a contest with one, unless a 
 very heavy sea, by preventing the opening of her lower- 
 deck ports, should place her lower tier of cannon hors de 
 comhat. But while the 74, with her immense ballast, 
 reposited to counteract the weight of her upper-works, 
 is taking deep and heavy rolls ; the American frigate, 
 with her iron, pvovision.s, and stores, drawing within 
 three feel ns much wr.ter in njidsliips ns her two-decked 
 
261 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 adversary,* though more buoyant upon the whole, would 
 not be riding the gale out like a duck in a pond. It will 
 not be hypothetical to deplore the frigate straining her 
 timbers, and shipping seas ; and it would be enough for 
 her to contend with the war of elements, without seeking 
 to vanquish a superior in battle. It may not be uninter- 
 esting to exhibit the armament of a modern seventy four- 
 gun ship. ' 
 
 Lower deck battery ... 28 long 32 prs. 
 
 Upper deck battery ... 30 24 
 
 -V* . . , > . /• g 12 
 
 Qr. deck and forecastle < 2 carr. 68 — — 
 
 • . ' il2 32 
 
 Poop 7 18 
 
 ; 
 1 1 
 
 - Formidable as an American frigate may be thought, 
 she could scarcely withstand the force of the blows which 
 a ship of the foregoing armament could inflict ; and pro- 
 vided the seventy-four, by obtaining the weather-gage, 
 could choose her distance, in that event, the United 
 States or the Constitution would have only one ellectivc 
 line of defence ;t for although a carronade with its huge 
 mouth will project a shot to a great distance at a great 
 elevation, it bears no proportion to the range of long guns 
 
 • The load.dr<ntght of a 74 is 23 feet ; that of an American frigate 
 20 feet 6 inches. 
 
 ■f- Slie would have'only 16 'J4-i)0undcrs to oppose to 14 32-poiindcrs;, 
 aiid 11} twenty-foury. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 205 
 
 when pointed horizontally. But facts render unnecessary 
 every speculation of this kind. Decatur's courage was 
 never doubted; yet when he commanded the United 
 States, in company with the Macedonian avid Hornet, 
 he had not the confidence in his force to defy the power 
 of the Valiant and of the Acasta, but sought safety in the 
 nearest port that offered him shelter and protection. 
 They who support the doctrine of 74s in disguise arc 
 Reviewers and Parliamentary country gentlemen ; men 
 who will never be seriously consulted as oracles in tho 
 rig, the build, or the trim of a ship ; for it will be no 
 cynical asperity tu suppose that not one of either profes- 
 sion was ever in blue water, or out of sight of land. On 
 this subject it would be becoming in them to acquiesce 
 in the implied decision of a British naval commander, 
 who has expressed his ardent wish " to be once more 
 *' opposed to the Constitution in a frigate of similar forco 
 *« to the Guerriere." 
 
 The next care of Captain Bainbridge was to remove 
 the wounded and prisoners from the prize to his own 
 ship ; an operation of no easy performance. Of eight 
 boats originally on board the Conslitulion, only one had 
 escaped destruction in the engagement ; and every one 
 belonging to the Java was shot in pieces. Night came 
 on misty ; the two frigates were distinguishable only by 
 lanthorns suspended onboard of them, and the dissonant 
 cries of the mariners, awakened to the sense of their 
 danger, close and crowded in a small boat, produced a 
 scene of tumult, confusion, and horror. But, as it i* 
 common in the tropical rc^iunS; the haze on a sudden 
 
 h j 
 
20(5 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 I I 
 
 cleared away ; the constellations of Magellan and of the 
 Ship sparkled in the sky, and shed their lij^ht over the 
 solitude of the sea ; and as the luminous Cross of the 
 South began to bend, it told the boatman, consulting it 
 with uplifted brow, that the hour of midnight was como."*^ 
 The Java being reduced to a perfect wreck, Captain 
 Balnbridge decided on burning her ; while she was on 
 fire, her guns, still loaded, dispensed successively, their 
 martial thunder, as the spreading flames enveloped their 
 chambers. At length her magazine exploded, and she 
 vanished in a pillar of smoke. The Constitution stood in 
 for St. Salvador, and at he entrance of the bay captured 
 the Eleanor, schooner, from London, with a valuable 
 cargo. She anchored under the stern of the William, 
 whose prize-crew, put on board from the Hornet, were 
 on the yards rolling up their sails. Captain Lambert 
 languished of the wounds which he received in the action 
 till the night of the 4th of January, and was interred, the 
 next day, with military honours in Fort Saint Pedro, the 
 Portuguese governor, Cunde dos Areas, and his staif, 
 attending the funeral. 
 
 The triumph of the American flag in the three actions 
 which I have described allbrds a sufticient evidence that 
 when the navy of the Republic is augmented, it will be 
 found the most formidable one hitherto opposed to Cireat 
 Biitain. In spite of the infatuated indiH'erence which 
 
 * The two great stars which mark the summit and foot of the 
 (!ross of tlie South having nearly the same right ascension, the Con- 
 stellation is almost vertical wlieil it attaints its meridan. 
 
 lIuMnniDT. ■ 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 2(17 
 
 marks her policy to the United States ; in spite of the 
 apathy with which she views the growing maritime puis- 
 sance of that new power ; the contest for the empire of 
 the sea will be between England and the North American 
 Union ; and should the republican fleets be combined, in 
 a maritime war, with those of the ancient enemies of 
 Great Britain, it will task all her energies to assert the 
 inviolability of her naval dominion. 
 
 February 24. The British sloop of war Peacock, Cap- 
 1813. tain Peake, is taken, at the entrance of 
 
 Demarara river, by the American sloop of war Hornet, 
 Captain Lawrence, after a close action of 20 minutes, 
 when the British vessel, bein< cut to pieces in her hull, 
 with 6 feet water in her hold, hoisted an ensign, union 
 down, from the fore-rigging, as a signal of distress ; her 
 main-mast going at the same time, by the board. Cap- 
 tain Law ence immediately dispatched his boat. *o her 
 assistance, and every exertion was practised to ket , her 
 afloat till the wounded and prisoners could be removed. 
 The pumps were set to work, the guns hove overboard, 
 and several shot-holes plugged. But the unite eflbrts 
 of both crews could not keep her above water ; and she 
 foundered in five fathoms, carrying down with her nine 
 of her own sailors, and three Americans. Captain 
 Peake was killed early in the action. 
 
 April 10. Arrived at Boston (N. j] ) the United States 
 frigate Chesapeake, Captain Evans, from x cruize of 11/3 
 clays. From Boston she ran down by the Madeiras, 
 
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 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
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 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTEP, 4.Y. 14580 
 
 , -6) 872-4503 
 
 4? 
 
 ,\ 
 
 :\ 
 
 ;v 
 
 \ 
 
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 6^ 
 
2G8 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 Canaries, and Cape de Vcrds ; thence to the equator, 
 where she cruized six weeks ; thence along the coast of 
 South America, down by Barbadoes, Antigua, and most 
 of the windward islands ; thence on the coast of the 
 United States, between Bermuda and the Capes of Vir- 
 ginia, by the capes of Delaware, by New York, and 
 thence through Hell Gate* back to the port she sailed 
 from. She captured during her roving cruize the British 
 ship Volunteer, from Liverpool to the Brazils, with a 
 cargo valued at 150,000/. sterling (arrived at Ports- 
 mouth, N. H.): brig Liverpool Hero, from Liverpool to 
 the Brazils, cargo dry goods, hardware, and jewellery, 
 (cargo taken out and vessel burnt) ; and brig Earl Percy 
 from Cape de Verds to Brazils. Soon after the arrival 
 of the Chesapeake, Captain Lawrence was made post into 
 b6r from the Hornet; her former commander having 
 been appointed to superintend the building of a 74. 
 
 ACTION 
 
 BETWEEN THE SHANNON AND CHESAPEAKE. 
 
 June 1. The American frigate Chesapeake, Captain 
 Lawrence, is taken by the British frigate Shannon, Cap- 
 tain Broke, who, with unexampled celerity, carries the 
 
 * A cclcbrutcil blruit near the wciit end uf Long hlund Suund. 
 
Hi 
 
 T 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 209 
 
 enemy by boarding, in sight of his own port, and van- 
 quishes him on his own decks. The page of naval annals 
 does not record a bolder enterprize than that which was 
 achieved by the British arms on this occasion : our curi< 
 osity is naturally prompted to inquire to what cause we 
 are to attribute the rapidity of their victorious career; 
 and to this no satisfactory answt^r can be returned, unless 
 the narrator is interested only for the truth and candour 
 of history. At a very early hour of the morning. Cap- 
 tain Broke, cruizing off Boston bay, confided a letter to 
 a discharged prisoner, addressed to Captain Lawrence, 
 inviting him to come out, and, ship to ship, try with him 
 the fortune of their respective flags. This letter, con- 
 ceived in a spirit of generous sentiment, and bearing 
 strong internal evidence of a total freedom from private 
 revenge, disposes philanthropy to sigh over the infatua- 
 tion of mankind in their passion for war ; which counter- 
 acts the best principles of human nature, and has made 
 its history in all ages little else than a chronicle of blood. 
 The Shannon having stood close in with the land, hove 
 to off Boston Light House, to reconnoitre the harbour ; 
 and, as the day broke in tints of gold over the ocean, the 
 Chesapeake presented herself to the eager view of the 
 English commander, lying at anchor in President Roads, 
 with royal yards rigged across, and her sails bent ready 
 for sea : the colours were now hoisted on board the 
 Shannon as a sort of defiance to the American frigate. 
 Captain Lawrence, who was not an inattentive observer 
 of the motions of the Shmnon, prepared immediately to 
 go on board his ship, and get her undcrweigh, regard- 
 
1^ 
 
 270 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ,1 
 
 i 
 
 W \ 
 
 « 
 
 <( 
 
 less of the expostulations of his friend Commodore Bain* 
 bridge, th? naval-commanding officer at Boston, who 
 accompanied him to the pier. That officer, as circum- 
 spect as Lawrence was impetuous, emphatically urged, 
 as dissuasives to his going out, that " never having sail^^d 
 with his crew, he was throwing himself on their sup- 
 port and bravery with a blind, precipitate trust ; that 
 *' the want of the presence and authority of his first 
 ** Lieutenant, Page, who, from sickness, could not join 
 ** him, would be a privation of great moment ; and that 
 " it was to be apprehended the sailors, from the super- 
 ** stition of their character, would not combat hopefully 
 ** on the deck of the Chesapeake, which, ever since Bar* 
 ** ron had hauled down her flag without fighting,^ had 
 " incurred reproach and ignominy as an unlucky crart." 
 The enterprizing ardour of Lawrence was not to be 
 restrained by the arguments of his friend, and his visions 
 and prophecies were interpreted by him as idle dreams. 
 He gave his hand to a troop of friends who pressed on 
 his steps, and sighing saw his topsails flapping in the 
 wind; and, having embraced with visible emotion his 
 two sons,t one a fine boy of eleven, and the other of 
 thirteen, he stepped into his boat, whose crew were 
 standing at the thwarts with uplifted oars, waved his 
 hand as a signal for the coxswain to shove ofl; and sought 
 
 * See page 63 of this volume. * 
 
 •\ The Congress of the United States settled a pension on the widow 
 of Captain Lawrence, and enacted that his sons should be educated at 
 the public expencc. 
 
w 
 
 NAVA' ANNALS. 
 
 271 
 
 bis ship without delay. The wharves and shippinji^ were 
 covered with the inhabitants of Boston. From the vast 
 multitude no sound was heard ; but all remained silent 
 and immoveable, till the ship^ under full sail, evanished 
 from their sight. ' • 
 
 As there was a leading breeze from the S. W. out of har- 
 bour, and the Chesapeake did not for some time leave her 
 anchorage, the English officers and sailors* who had viewed 
 her attentively from the Shannon's deck since the first pale 
 flush of light, began to entertain an apprehension that 
 siic declined giving them battle ; but their suspense was 
 relieved when they discerned her crew heaving at the 
 capstan>bars, and hoisting in her boats. The Shannon 
 now filled, and stood out to gain an offing under an easy 
 sail ; she was followed with great promptitude by the 
 Chesapeake under a cr«wd of canvas. About 4 in the 
 afternoon, when the Shannon had got between the two 
 Capes that form the entrance of Massachusetts B;)y, and 
 the ships were within five or six miles of one another, the 
 Chesapeake fired a gun and hauled up, as if in defiance; 
 upon which the Shannon hauled up likewise, with her 
 fore-sail in the brails, and her main-top-sail braced flat 
 aback, for her antagonist to overhaul her. The Chesa- 
 peake again squared away, and bore down on the Shan- 
 non's starboard quarter with three ensigns flying; one 
 at the mizen-royal-mast head, one at the raizen-peak, and 
 une in the starboard main-rigging: the Shannon displayed 
 only an old rusty blue ensign at her gaff", nor was her 
 exterior calculated to inspire a belief of the subordina- 
 tion, the discipliiie, and the prowess that reigned nithin. 
 
I 
 
 n 
 
 ! 
 
 ^n 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 As the Chesapeake approached her adversary, Captain 
 Lawrence sent down his royal yards ; but, as the breeze 
 was apparently dying away. Captain Broke judged it 
 expedient to keep his aloft. . i *• ....:, 
 
 It was at this time that Captain Lawrence desired 
 Mr Ludlow, his lieutenant, to assemble the crew on the 
 quarter-deck, and, in a speech wor^by of himself and the 
 occasion, he exhorted them to assert their country's flag, 
 to avenge her insults, and protect the freedom of their 
 navigation. His harangue, instead of being received by 
 the seamen with a burst of patriotism, was answered 
 with sullen murmurs ; they recapitulated their former 
 services, for which they were unrewarded. The author 
 of the tumult, and the leader of the sedition, was a boat- 
 swain's mate, one Joseph Antonio, a Portuguese. Artful 
 and insinuating, he had practised on the facility, and in- 
 flamed the discontent of the crew, and he now came for- 
 ward as their interlocutor. The appearance of this 
 foreigner was singularly fantastic ; he wore a checked 
 «hirt with a laced jacket, rings in his ears, and a bandana 
 handkerchief round his head. The extreme diminutive- 
 ness of his person was rendered the more remarkable by 
 the extravagance of his gesticulation, and he never grew 
 warm in discourse without throwing his body into shrugs 
 and contortions. Laying his hand on his breast, making 
 a profound inclination of his head, and stealing a signi- 
 ficant side-glance at the by-standers, he replied to Cap- 
 tain Lawrence, in his broken jargon, with " Pardon me, 
 " Sir, but fair play be one jewel all over the world, and 
 " we no touchce the specie for our last cruize with 
 
 I 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 273 
 
 ** Capitaine Evans. The Cont^ress is very mnnifioent ; they 
 ** keep our prize piasters in the treasury, and pay us with 
 ** ^rape and canister . We only receive ten dollars a man 
 *^ for the Volontaire, who groan with the kegs of piasters 
 ** in her fore and after hold, till she get hogged* with their 
 " weight. Good fashion in Portuguese ship, when take 
 ** rich pri'^e, is not to pay pocoapocoy but break bulk and 
 " share out dollar on drum-head of capstan." At any 
 other time the importunate clamours of a venal crew 
 would have disconcerted the equanimity of such a man 
 as Captain Lawrence ; but his ambition now imposed 
 restraint on his indignation ; he directed the purser to 
 distribute prize^checks among the men, and, in dismiss- 
 ing them to their guns, bade them remember and emulate 
 the naval trophies of the crews of the Constitution and 
 United States. The Chesapeake was now approaching 
 the Shannon, who, hove to all standing for her to come 
 up, had scarcely steerage-way through the water ; and 
 Captain Lawrence reducing his courses, and taking in 
 his top-galiant>sails, luffed gallantly up within half pistol 
 shot on the Shannon's starboard quarter; contrary to 
 the expectation of Captain Broke, who thought that the 
 Chesapeake would pass under his stern, %nd engage him 
 on the larboard side ; and who had ordered his men to 
 avoid, in some degree, her raking Hre, to lie down fiat 
 
 • Hogged, or broke -backed, is the state of a ship, when, from 
 some great strain, she droops at each end. 
 
1 
 
 i: 
 
 274 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 as site passed.* But Lawrence cithetr overlooked, or 
 waved the advantage. 
 
 There, perhaps r never came alongside an enemy a 
 crew more seditiously trained for battle than the seamen 
 of the Shannon* It is highly creditable to the arms of 
 America, that the reformation of the great'gun .exercise 
 in the British navy must be referred to the hostile ener- 
 gies of her, half a dozen frigates. The English, long 
 accustomed to beat the Spaniards and French at sea, 
 never calculated a chance of discomfiture with American 
 uusiriners, whom, . with asuporciliousness engendered by 
 a conquest oTer all other.naval flags, they held in con- 
 tempt ; liittle dreaming tbut the guns pointed by their 
 bands seldom failed in the end to make their adversary's 
 low^r .masts, gP: by the boavd, his topmasts by the cap, 
 and hi^ yards in the slitigs. What«ver may be said in 
 sport or raaliQe of yankey ships, or yankey.tars, the 
 sipectacle. of a new maritime power, with not a single line 
 of battle ship in commission, disputing not unsuccessfully 
 with Great Britain the sovereignty of the sea, must 
 excite the flame of admiration in . every unprejudiced 
 breast. It was in consequence of the reverses sustained 
 by the British ip their reucounters with such a foe, that 
 the place of gunner in their frigates remained no longer 
 a. sinecure; but that he, was called out of bed before 
 broad day to supply ammunition for the seamen assem- 
 
 • James's Naval Occurrences, p. 215.— The author of this page 
 was once on board a frigate in cliaso of another whose stern-Kuii^ 
 being annoying, the crew were ordered to lie down on the deck : at 
 such a time the officers walk to and, fro. 
 
r&m^, 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 'i7& 
 
 )>led to prnclise firing at their cmartirs.* Tlic advan-i 
 tuges resulting from this systematic training was evinced 
 by the crew of the Shannon in the manner with which 
 they now< handled their cannon for the annoyance of their 
 enemy. Not a gun was discharged prematurely ; but, 
 as the Chesapeake in rounding to on the Shannon's 
 starboard quarter, brought her fore-mast in a line with 
 the mizen-mast of the English ship, two shot were dis- 
 tinctly heard from her aftermost main-deck-guns, which, 
 aimed at the American's ports> killed and wounded 
 several of the crew : the Chesapeake fired her whole 
 broadside in return, wl^ich elicited that of the Shannon 
 «a fast a» the sailors could bring their guns to bear 
 eifectually. An awful feature of this action is the great 
 number of men that fell in it. Though from the firiu'g.of 
 the first gun till the hauling down of the^: Chesapeake's 
 
 •'It ii doubtful whetlier the British marines, however rigid and 
 systamatio their drilling, will ever beeome suchi dexterous marksmen 
 us, those of the United States Navy. The American Executive, ia 
 the late war, spared no pains to form an effective corps ; they dis- 
 patched agents into the back-woods to enliift them, and established a 
 marino*baiirack close by their Congreais Hall,' from whidi deadiful 
 dep6t they supplied their frigates. The American marines are rifle- 
 men, remarkable for their cool^ deliberate Jir'iiiff. A scarcity of 
 ammunition first introduced the practice into thb country at Bunker's 
 Hill, and the carnage that ensued among the British regulars was a 
 fatal proof of its efficacy. While the military of Europe are^mployed 
 iti powdering, pipe-claying, blacking, and polislung, these yankey 
 sharp-shooters are casting and cuttitig their own balls, oiling the 
 insides of their rifles, or examining their flints ; aud it is no uncom- 
 mon thing for one of them to hold a board only nine inches square 
 between liis knees, while a comrade fires a bull through from a distance 
 of oue hundred paces. 
 
 T 2 
 
— "T 
 
 27fl 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 F W 
 
 colours only fifteen minutes elapsed, yet such was the 
 destructive rage of the two ships' cannonade, that the 
 agi^regate loss on both sides was 126 killed, and 141 
 wounded ; making a sanguinary total of 267. It is with 
 pain that History records such an effusion of human 
 blood ; and it might justly provoke her pity and indigna- 
 tion that so copious a stream should flow from the hostile 
 encounter of men endeared to each other by one common 
 origin. In this engagement the attention has been 
 generally directed to the numbers killed on board the 
 Chesapeake, but the fact has been established by the 
 confession of the English officers, that the Shannon had 
 upwards of 20 men slain, and more than 50 wounded ; 
 a number sufficient to fill up the measure of casualties 
 from shot fired by European enemies in three successive 
 combats. Uutil her shot-holes were stopped the Sham^on 
 made considerable water upon the larboard tack. Skill 
 in gunnery appears to be innate among Americans ; they 
 have little need to fire many shot in play to make one 
 hit in earnest. The execution however of the Chesa- 
 sapeake's fire being more partial, bears no proportion to 
 that of the Shannon, which finds an explication in the 
 advantageous position that \he English ship acquired as 
 the American accidentally fell onboard of her. It is spe- 
 cified that nearly a hundred men were killed by the Shan- 
 non's two or three broadsides, the full fire of whose 
 main-deck guns (as just hinted), swept unanswered the 
 Chesapeake's deck through her cabin-windows. The 
 havoc is ascertained to have been prodigiously great ; for 
 stating, as it is authenticated, that there wer 431 men on- 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 277 
 
 board at the beginning of the action ; it' wo deduct from 
 this number 234, who were received as unhurt by the 
 agent for prisoners at Halifax, it follows that there were 
 107 men killed and wounded ; from which if we again 
 deduct 91, the number brought into port wounded, there 
 remain 106 for the Americans killed in this short but 
 bloody encounter. Actions between fleets have been 
 fought with leus loss. The two frigates entered into 
 action steering good full under their top-sails and jib, 
 within half-pistol-shot ; but, at the first broadside from 
 the Shannon, the Chesapeake having her fore-top-sail- 
 tie shot away, her fore-top-sail-yard, of course, came 
 down by the run, and her jib-sheet being at the same 
 moment cut in two, the ship, from want of head-sail, 
 came up in the wind, and her quarter-gallery-window got 
 hooked by the fluke of a waist-anchor, which was stowed 
 in the Shannon's starboard main chains ; it had been 
 placed there to assist in trimming her, as she discovered 
 rather a list to port. As soon as the Chesapeake fell on- 
 board of the Shannon, Captain Lawrence, either to put 
 bis ship on the defensive, or assault that of the enemy, 
 called out for the bugle-man to summon the boarders 
 with his horn ; but the herald appointed to rouse the 
 main-deck-seamon, now for the first time in battle,-was so 
 astounded with the din and clamour of voices, the roar 
 of the cannon, the whizzing- of the shot, and the smell and 
 smoke of the powder, that he had deserted his gun, and 
 crawled for shelter behind the capstan, where he was de* 
 tected by a midshipman, who declared, after the action, 
 that ho never witnessed any thing in human shape so cx- 
 <iuisitcly droll in one sense, and so pitiable in another ; 
 
278 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 for, though in an n^^ny bordering on tiie hidorneKS ol' 
 death, he was not umiiindful of his strong; and iuiperio«m 
 duty; but raiated the horn to his mouth, wiiich, from tiic 
 chattering of his teeth, he could not inspire with an audi- 
 ble sound.* No man can answer for his courage who has 
 never been in danger : it is not every one that can main- 
 tain his composure amidst a shower of round, grape, and 
 canister shot, calculated to unrig a ship, or take off a 
 head ; and there are thousands disposed to laugh over 
 the calamity of the Chesapeake's bugle-man, who, bad 
 they been placed in his situation, would have been over- 
 taken by the same infirmities. The votaries to renown 
 may dniw a salutary moral from his story. It may serve 
 to teach them that the perpetuity of a name is not con- 
 ferred by valour alone ; that it is the prerogative of the 
 panic-struck bugle-man, as well a^ the bravest in the 
 battle, to bf; recorded and remembered ; and that though 
 honours are bestowed on courage, yet cowardice has its 
 fame. The American Court of Inquiry, on the loss of the 
 Chesapeake, recur to the fright of William Brown as one 
 great cause of her surrender :t the disgrace of the day is 
 
 • The Chesapeake's bugleman is worthy of the talents of a LEO- 
 NARDO DA VINCI : of a painter made up of all the elements 
 without tlie preponderance of any one : of a piiinter e<iually attracted 
 by character and caricature : of a painter wlio can look terror full iii 
 the face, and deck it with drollery. 
 
 •y " The Court are unanimously of opinion, that one of the causos 
 *^ of the capture of the late United States frigate, ("hcsapetikc, was 
 " the bugleman's desertion of his quarters, and his inabillly to sound 
 
 Repoit of the Court. 
 
 Ill 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 '271) 
 
 laid, in a groat ineaHiirc, at his door : tiiey will not ^'nt 
 up (be horn: and by selecting the bugle-mdn for their 
 scape-goat, they hate exalted an abjeet wretch on a lofty 
 pedestal, who, pointed to as the author of the disconiti- 
 ture, aggravates, by his scandalous charaoter, the rnitional 
 indignity. However formidable may be an American 
 Court of Inquiry composed of Commodores, Justice pre- 
 sumes to arraign their decision, and to declare Ihnt 
 Brown's horriis made a pretext to cover a defeat, which, 
 superior to all vain and frivolous subterfuge, they oti<.;ht, 
 with a noble unity of sentiment, to have attributed to (he 
 early fall of Captain Lawrence: for when he was no more, 
 confusion and terror had already prepared tlm'^kubuiis- 
 sion of the crew, and not the martial music of bugles, 
 drums, and trumpets, would have quickened tHecirculu- 
 tion of their blood and spirits .nto 'suilicient bravery 
 to resist the tide of boarding directed and- impelled 
 by the voice and eiye of the British commander. The 
 bugleman being unable, from trepidation, to sound hi:^ 
 horn. Captain Lawrence presented himself at the break 
 of the- quarter-deck, and called with earnest importunity 
 down the hatclnvay fur the boarders. The shot from the 
 Shannon's aftermost guns had now a fair range along the 
 Chesapeake's decks, beating in her stern-ports, and sweep- 
 ing the crew from their quarters, while the fire from the 
 foremost gans entering the ports of the main and quartef 
 decks from the gangway aft, prodnced a dreadful car- 
 iiajre among the officers. A grape-shot fired from a ninin- 
 deck ^un of the English ship'sstarboard tier, struck the 
 medal whic h Ctiptain Ldwrcncc wore suspended on his 
 
 f 
 
 f 
 
 U 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 it 
 
 f 
 
280 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 breast in commemoration of his former naval victory, and 
 he fell on the quarter'deck, fainting with the profusion of 
 blood that flowed from the wound. The cry soon spread 
 fore and aft that the Captain was killed, and Lieutenant 
 Cox, who commanded the foremost division of guns on 
 the main-deck, swayed probably by aflfection, ran imme- 
 diately up the ladder that communicated with the quar- 
 ter-deek, and lifted bis bleeding commander in his arms. 
 Captain Lawrence had now recovered his spirit, and 
 raising his eyes towards the colours flying at the peak, 
 with a steady look, though a faultering voice, he uttered, 
 as his attendants were bearing him down to the cockpit, 
 his last broken, though articulate words : DON'T GIVE 
 UP THE SHIP: and heroically expired in the arms of 
 bis men. Thus fell, at the age of 34, Capt. Jas. Lawrence* 
 He had been formed under that great naval commander 
 Preble, in the war between the Ameriean Republic and 
 the Barbary States, and accompanied Decatur in the 
 celebrated enterprize of cutting out the Philadelphia fri< 
 gate from under the batteries of Algiers. No one ever 
 disputed the ardour and brilliancy of his courage : bold 
 and .decisive in action, Le could not conflne himself to 
 hold a middle course, but sought to bring it to a speedy 
 issue.* His gentle and unassuming manners displayed 
 that simplicity which so often accompanies greatness of 
 character ; and he possessed a native dignity of senti- 
 ment which kept him free from every taint of falsehood : 
 
 ■■>\ 
 
 * The iinpctuofiity with which he attacked both the Chesapeake 
 and Peacock, bears ample testimony to this part of his character. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 281 
 
 nor could he endure it in others. When Paul Hamilton, 
 the Secretary of the Nary, partially promoted young 
 Allen, Decatur's first Lieutenant, over his head, Law- 
 rence, with the proud consciousness of his own merit, 
 and eminent services to the Republic, would have thrown 
 up his commission without deigning to remonstrate, had 
 not the Legislature, appreciating his worth, and tacitly 
 applauding his manly spirit of independence, cancelled the 
 appointment, and redressed the indignity. His bold and 
 intrepid public spirit tempered with the utmost aifability, 
 gave his character the milder glory of the house of Ya- 
 lerii ; he was a noble Roman born two thousand years 
 after his time. In person he was somewhat above the 
 middle height, and his fine figure indicated extraordinary 
 strength and agility : in exercises that require activity 
 and address he had no competitor in a numerous crew of 
 picked seamen ; for, standing in the main-chains, he has 
 been known to heave the hand-lead over the fore-yard 
 arm. An American might be tempted to regret that he 
 had not survived to augment the animation of the scene 
 that followed : and, from the expectations formed of him, 
 his countrymen are sanguine enough to believe that a 
 crew of Americans acquiring unity and consistence from 
 the presence of such a leader, would either havesunk in 
 heaps of slain on the deck, or compelled the assailants to 
 retrace their steps back to their own ship. Had he not 
 fallen so eurly in the action, he might have exclaimed 
 without the imputatiou of arrugance : 
 
 V 
 
 I- ' 
 
 I I IE 
 
 I 
 
 i V 
 
2«2 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 afji/pl ^s r^ /An *yi( fAiTiotitn 
 
 at my own ship 
 
 And on my own ship^s gunwale, it may chance 
 The noblest of my foes shall make a pause. 
 
 By the same broadside that deprived the Chesapeake of 
 her commander, fell likewise Mr. White, the master, Mr. 
 Broom, the odicer of marines, and Mr. Ballard, the 
 fourth lieutenant; they were all killed. The seamen on 
 the quarter 'deck became dispirited at the fall of their 
 captain and oflicers. Confusion and dismay spread from 
 gun to gun, till at length the captains of the guns, for- 
 getful of their duty, threw down the handspikes with 
 which they pointed the cannon, and, followed by their 
 comrades, fled ignominiously towards the hatchway. 
 Lieutenant Ludlow, the only officer left alive on the quar- 
 ter-deck, employed authority, threats and entreaties to 
 stop them in the pusillanimous and criminal desertion of 
 their quarters. " Whither," seamen, he cried aloud, 
 " whither do ye fly ? what is there in your enemy to in- 
 " spire this terror? we Iiave beaten him before, and we 
 '* can beat him again ; let us not sully our naval glory, 
 " but add another trophy to the flags of the Guerriere, 
 '* the Macedonian and Java." It was to no purpose that 
 he strove, by his example and exhortation, to rally the 
 discomfited sailors ; the English crew was now in tlio act 
 of boarding, and they abandoned without a struggle tlu; 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 2»3 
 
 dcok at their approach. Ludlow, perceiving with ainazc- 
 meut the guns deserted abaft, advaoced to the wnisl, 
 where he hoped to fiod the men not forgetful of tiicir 
 fame ; but the mutual confidence on whicli the union and 
 strength of a ship's company depend, was now under- 
 mined ; the terror luid become general on the spar-deck, 
 and the panic was rapidly spreading among a disorderly 
 crowd of seamen, who, in their promiscuous eagerness to 
 escape from the glittering cu tlasses of the British boa rders, 
 prevented each other from getting down the hatchway ; a 
 few, with more presence of mind, fled over the bows and 
 reached the main-deck through the bridle-ports. The 
 two ships had now so altered their position that the Eng- 
 lish had free access to the Chesapeake's quarter-deck ; 
 she had fallen oil' and lay close alongside of the Shannon 
 with her main-mast nearly in a line with her adversary's 
 tatl'arel. At this juncture Captain Broke determined to 
 make a bold effort for victory, by assaulting the enemy 
 on his own deck. He immediately called out '• Board !" 
 and, heading the assailants, rushed from his own ship on 
 board the American, followed by his first lieutenant, 
 Mr. Watts, an olficer of great gallantry, and the choicest 
 of his sailors, raising a Biilish cheer. The moment was 
 decisive ; they found the guns on Ihc quarter-deck,* 
 together with the wheel, abandoned, and their passage 
 abaft intercepted only by the dead bodies of oiliccrs and 
 seamen: at the gangway they were encountered by Lieu- 
 
 It 
 
 iil 
 
 
 " On the quiirtcr-deck not an officer or man was to be seen." 
 
 James, p. 217' 
 
284 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ), 
 
 tenant Ludlow and a few faithful hearts, whom the anxiety 
 of that young oflicer had rallied, and who now stood with 
 a contempt of death to resent the insult offered their flaji^, 
 and die combatting on the deck of their own ship, rather 
 than survive the dishonour of her surrender: this handful 
 of intrepid warriors fell overwhelmed by numbers, with 
 their youthful and gallant leader at their head ; who, in 
 his end, has made the glory of his name immortal. On 
 the forecastle there appeared only Lieutenant Ludd and 
 a few seamen, who were in the act of getting on board 
 the fore tack to shoot the ship clear of her adversary ; 
 this group was quickly dispersed, and their officer thrown 
 down wounded on the main-deck. The Chesapeake was 
 now irretrievably gone, for the only remaining lieutenant 
 had suffered himself to be influenced by sentiments unlike 
 those of a gallant spirit in a pressing emergency. With 
 a sympathy preposterous at such a juncture, he had with- 
 drawn his example and presence from the division of 
 men that he commanded on the main-deck, to assist his 
 wounded commander down into the cockpit ; his inglo- 
 rious disappearance and long absence, at a time when he 
 had other points to carry, were much resented by the 
 sailors. The Court of Inquiry glance severely at the 
 behaviour of Lieutenant Cox ; but his counsel, if versed 
 in the history of ancient wars, might plead the usage of 
 antiquity. We are told with great naiveti by Homer, 
 that Hector took himself off in the heat of the battle be- 
 tween the Greeks and Trojans on the Xanthus ; not, pro- 
 bably, relishing the idea of coming athwart the hawse of 
 Ajax. But the resemblance holds ^ood between Lieute- 
 
 . -» rw I ii»t I " *' 1 - f I k, 
 
 ,.-.r.*,>-^,^. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 285 
 
 nant Cox and Hector in other features of their conduct. 
 When Hector was diverging from the field, he exclaimed 
 to his troops : 
 
 my friends, be men ; 
 
 Rouse all your fire and force, while, ent'ring Troy, 
 I offer vows and hecatombs to heav'n. . 
 
 And Lieutenant Cox, as he shoved his boat off, very seri- 
 ously urged the seamen to a vigorous prosecution of the 
 
 war. 
 
 * See the Report of the Court* 
 
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NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 2ri7 
 
 The assailants led on to the charge of the enemy by 
 Cai)tain 15roke were followed by Lieutenant Falkiiier at 
 the head of the main-deck-boardcrs, and by the lieuten- 
 ants Johns and Laws, animating by their spirit and 
 conduet their respective divisions of marines. Tliere 
 were at this time upwards of three hundred American 
 sailors on the next deck below, in the vigour of youtlt, 
 health and strength, who, without an officer to ^ive 
 union and efficacy to their resources, made no effort to 
 assert their colours, or defend their ship; but heard 
 with little or no emotion the trampling of the boarders 
 above their heads, more ready to accuse, than to remedy, 
 the evil, which they imputed to the privation of all au- 
 thority at snclra crisis to kindle and direct their courage. 
 When the Americans on the forecastle had submittedy 
 Captain Broke placed a sailor to stand centinel over 
 them, and sent most of the rest of his party aft. A daring 
 discharge of musketry was still kept up from the Chesa- 
 ])eake's main-top, and he was in the act of directing his 
 marines to answer it, when the centinel called out for 
 him to beware ; and, on turning round, he found himself 
 assailed by three of the Americans whom he had left in 
 the custody of the sailor, and who had armed themselves 
 afresh with some disregarded weapons. ** Captain 
 " Broke parried the middle fellow's pike, and wounded 
 " him in the face with his sword ; but instantly received 
 *' from the man on the pikeman's right a blow with the 
 '' butt -end of a musket, which bared his skull, and 
 " nearly stunned hi^i^ Bent on finishing the British 
 '* commander, the third man cut him down with his 
 
 i' 
 
mm 
 
 288 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ri: 
 
 t 
 
 *' broad-sword ; and, at that very instant, was himself 
 
 *' cut down by an English sailor who had run to his 
 
 */ captain's assistance. Captain Broke and his treache- 
 
 ** rous foe now lay side by side ; each, although nearly 
 
 '' powerless, striving to regain his sword, when a marine 
 
 " who had advanced to the spot, dispatched the American 
 
 *^ with his bayonet."* In the mean while Midshipman 
 
 Smith, who commanded in the fore-top of the Shannon, 
 
 stormed with his top-men, about five in number, the 
 
 Chesapeake's fore-top from the fore-yard-arm, and with 
 
 irresistibU '^ury put all the Americans stationed there to 
 
 the sword, except a boy named John White, who glided 
 
 down a backstay with all the precipitation that terror 
 
 could inspire, and lighting on the deck close by Captain 
 
 Broke, who sat bleeding from his wound supported by 
 
 the Shannon's seamen, embraced with tears the feet of 
 
 his foe, and implored his protection. There was every 
 
 thing in the boy's appearance to make him an object of 
 
 interest. His fine, flexible figure acquired new grace 
 
 from his attitude of supplication. His little naval hat, 
 
 tarred but glossy, and encircled at the crown with a 
 
 blue broad ribbon inscribed in gilt letters with FREE 
 
 TRADE AND SAILORS' RIGHTS, gallantly set off 
 
 the flaxen ringlets of his luxuriant hair, and heightened 
 
 the anxiety of his light blue eye. As he finished his 
 
 prayer of entreaty, he pressed with one hand to his eyes, 
 
 as he held the captain with the other, the curving ends 
 
 -^ 
 
 * James's Naval Occurrences, page 218. 
 
 ■i< 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 280 
 
 or a red bandana handkerchief that was loosely tied 
 round his neck, as though he had not fortitude to loolc 
 in the face that death which lus fears sugj^ested to 
 him impended from the blow of a sabre, a musket, or 
 half pike. Not only his speech, his voice, his look, but 
 his close blue jacket accurately expressing his shape, 
 and the fashion of his duck trowsers, flowing and re- 
 dundant at the feet — his very apparel — in short, his tovt 
 ensemble denoted an English origin : but the resentment 
 of the boarders was inflamed by the conduct of the Ame- 
 ricans on the forecastle ; and though Captain Broke 
 calmed the alarm and apprehensions of the boy with all 
 the tenderness excited by pity, he found it diflicultto re- 
 strain his men from including him among the victims of 
 their exasperated rage.* When the stripling waa suf- 
 ficiently assured to rise from his suppliant posture, he 
 threw his blue eyes round on the crowd with a mingled 
 expression of shyness and dislike. To the glances of 
 some midshipmen of his own age and stature, whom cu- 
 riosity had brought to the spot, he returned a counte- 
 nance of daring, which told them in intelligible language, 
 that in clinging to their captain for protection he was not 
 
 * " The British commander was not the only sufferer on this oc- 
 " casion ; one of his men was killed, and two or three were wounded. 
 " Can it be wondered at, if all the Americans who were concerned in 
 "■ in this breach of faith, fell victims to the indignation of the Shan- 
 " non's men ? It was as much as their captain could do, to save 
 " from their fury a young midshipman, whr, having slid down a rope 
 " from the Chesapeake's fore-top, begged his protection." 
 
 Jamet's Naval Occurn nces^ page 218. 
 
 U 
 
 r 
 
290 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 li 
 
 I 
 
 instigated by any dread of them, but of some rough sons 
 
 of Erin, who, with naked cutlasses'in their hands, were 
 
 conversing with a malicious gaiety in the dialect of their 
 
 native soil.* Midshipman Smith, who had now come 
 
 down out of the fore-top, perceiving the wounded state of 
 
 Captain Broke, advanced to give him his attendance, 
 
 and a seaman, while tying a handkerchief round his 
 
 commander's head, called out, directing his look aft, 
 
 •' There, Sir, there goes up the old ensign over the 
 
 " Yankee colours/' Lieutenant Watts, who, throughout 
 
 Ihe assault, had kindled the spirit of the boarders by his 
 
 presence, his voice, and his example, had hauled down 
 
 himself the American flag, and bending the British 
 
 colours to the ensign halyards above them, caused the 
 
 symbol of victory to wave at the peak. No sooner w&s 
 
 the triumphant banner displayed, than the English 
 
 sailors, from both ships, hailed it with three successive 
 
 shouts, waving, at the same time their hats in the air. 
 
 Lieutenant Watts joined in the acclamations of the 
 
 naval multitude, standing near the tafl'arel, and pointing 
 
 with exultation to the proud flag of his country, when 
 
 he was struck in the pride of conquest, by a cannon shot 
 
 May, one day prior to the action, the Shannon 
 rooke, British privateer, having on board 52 Irish 
 
 * On the 30th of 
 fell in with the Sherbrooke, «....o.. ,,...e....v.., ..^w.^ .... „^...^ «- ...... 
 
 labourers, taken out of an American privateer, which had made pri- 
 «oners of them, in capturing the Duck, from Waterford to Newfound- 
 land, on board which ship they were steerage passentjers. Of these 
 TOen 21 were pressed into the Shannon, recommended by their bodily 
 strength, for it, was the firtit time tliey were ever on sea " rockin;; 
 *" about." Three of these fell in the liglit. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS, 
 
 axu 
 
 lugb suns 
 ids, were 
 ;t of their 
 ow come 
 id state of 
 tendance, 
 round his 
 look aft, 
 over the 
 iroughout 
 ers by his 
 led down 
 e British 
 aused the 
 ooner was 
 e English 
 iuccessivo 
 in the air. 
 ns of the 
 id pointing 
 itry, when 
 mnon shot 
 
 the Shannon 
 loard 62 Irish 
 ad made pri- 
 Newfound- 
 rs. Of these 
 f their bodily 
 ;ea " rockin;,' 
 
 fired from his own ship,* which killed him on the spot, 
 And changed the general tumult of joy into an universal 
 groan of dejection. Captain Broke was now supported 
 aft by Mr. Smith and some seamen to the quarter-deck, 
 where he seated himself upon one of thecarronade slides. 
 The British colours were flying on board the Chesapeake ; 
 but notwithstanding their display, some of her crew on 
 ih?i main deck, who had not the courage to risk the event 
 of a sally among the besiegers, made an impotent at- 
 tempt at deliverance by firing up the hatchway, and killed 
 a marine. Lieutenant Falkener, who was sitting on the 
 booms, provoked at this outrage, ordered some muskets 
 to be fired down the grating in return, and Captain 
 Broke, from his seat upon the carronade slide, called to 
 that officer to summon the Americans to surrender, if 
 they sincerely desired quarter. They answered up the 
 hatchway that they had laid down their arms, and hos- 
 tilities ceased. About this time the Chesapeake's quar- 
 ter-gallery gave way with the strain made on it by the 
 Shannon's waist anchor, and the two ships went clear of 
 one another. The jolly-boat from the Shannon came 
 alongside soon after with a reinforcement of men, and 
 Captain Broke, assured that the victory was complete, 
 left Mr. Falkener in charge of the prize, and returned, 
 almost exhausted with blood, to his own ship. 
 And now, as the Chesapeake's crew were conducted up 
 
 • After the Enplish had boarded the American frigate, an occa- 
 sional fire was kept up from the Shannon's bow-Runs; a co-operatioa 
 hazardous to the lives of her own crew, as it is seen in the context. 
 
 u 2 
 
 I 
 
 L ll 
 
 I 
 
 V 
 
092 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 i > 
 
 Mr 
 
 i; 
 
 1 
 
 h 
 
 the main-hatchway, in ganps to be hand-cuffed, they pre- 
 sented an assemblage of tull, stout, active, young fellows, 
 who, though prisoners, looked supreme on the deck when 
 compared with the seamen of the Shannon, who wanted, 
 not only their youth and stature, but that freedom of car- 
 riage and those disengaged manners, which are the in- 
 heritance of the children of Columbia. * As they submit- 
 ted their wrists to the master at arms, they looked round 
 on the English sailors with a mingled glance of surprize 
 and self reproach, as much as to say, our bondage must 
 be voluntary. One young fellow, a gay Virginian, whis- 
 pered in the ear of the master at arms, as he held out his 
 hand to be manacled, '' If there was a sack placed on 
 " the deck between you and me, and it was agreed that 
 " he who was first put into it of the two should wear the 
 "handcuffs, I guess, shipmate, that my wrists would go 
 " free. Or, if you and I were ashore on yonder beach, 
 " where there is nothing but clams to take the part of 
 " either, and you presumed to conie athwart my hawse 
 " in this manner, there are no snakes in Virginia, if I did 
 " not cut your cable." 
 
 I 
 
 • • James, who will never be suspected of pronouncing a panegyric 
 
 on Americans, thus speaks of the sailors of the respective ships : "The 
 
 " Chesapeake's crew were remarkably stout, healthy young men ; 
 
 " especially when contrasted with the Shannon's ; most of whom 
 
 *' were rather below the middle stature, and a great proportion old or 
 
 *' elderly men. As one proof of stoutness in the Chesapeake's men, 
 
 *' the hand-cuiTs that had been placed upon her deck, ready to secure 
 
 " the British crew, as soon as the Shannon was captured, caused, 
 
 ■*' when applied to the wrists of the Americans, many of them to wince 
 ■» 
 
 *' with pain.'* 
 
■^v 
 
 ..!<: 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 203 
 
 fn this nc(iun there was a ri^id equality subsisting 
 lictwccn the two fri^^alca in dimensions and armament ; 
 they were counterparts in length of keel, breadth of beam, 
 and draught of water; their guns were of the same cali- 
 bre, and their broadsides threw the same weight in 
 metal.* Of the two ships the American had the more 
 numerous crew ; the Chesapeake went into action with 
 431 men ; the Shannon mustered 330. 
 
 It is an honourable circumstance for the navy of the 
 United States, that the capture of the Chesapeake was 
 hailed in England with a joy that bordered on extrava- 
 gance. Her Conscript Fathers caught the enthusiasm. 
 When Mr. Croker read the statement of the action before 
 the House of Commons, the members from aM parts in- 
 terrupted him with loud and protracted cheering. f But 
 in this vociferous burst of the British Legislature an 
 implied respect was paid the six-frigate navy of America, 
 witheld, in former victories, from the colossal armadas 
 of Holland, France, and Spain. 
 
 The prisoners being distributed, the Shannon stood 
 with her prize towards Halifax, where they arrived on 
 the fifth day after the action. There was nothing to delay 
 them ; no mast or spar of either frigate had been shot 
 away ; and the words of Captain Broke exhibit alively 
 
 *!1 
 
 '4 
 
 * The Chesapeake is of inferior dimensions to the Constitution and 
 United States : her length is 151 feet, and her breadth 40 feet : she 
 has 11 ports of a side on lier main-deck, where she carries long eigh- 
 teen pounders. 
 
 t London Chronicle for July 9, lUlS. 
 
294 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 \t. 
 
 
 image of the unimpaired ^condition of the tWO ships, where 
 he sayi, that " they came out of action in the most beauli- 
 " ful order, their rij^ging appearing as perfect as if they 
 '* had been only exchanging a salute." This suggests a 
 recollection not very flattering to Americans ; and when 
 they recur to the Guerriere, the Macedonian, and the 
 Java, a sigh and confession must escape from them, that 
 those ships did not strike their flags till they had not a 
 niast left standing. Captain Lawrence was buried at 
 Halifax with the honours of war: the public square, the 
 streets were filled with a vast multitude of spectators : 
 ]iis coflin was borne to the church*yard by the seamen of 
 the Shannon: six navy captains were the pall bearers: 
 the Governor and officers of the garrison swelled the 
 solemn procession ; and his enemies not only gave him a 
 sepulchre, but watered it with their tears. 
 
 To ya,f yifetf tann ^atovTur. 
 
 lieport of the Court of Inquiry on the Surrender of the 
 
 Chesapeake. 
 
 The Court are unanimously of opinion that the Chesa- 
 peake was gallantly carried into action by her late brave 
 commander ; and no doubt rests with the Court, from 
 comparison of the injury respectively sustained by the 
 frigates, that the fire of the Chesapeake was much superior 
 to that of the Shannon. - 
 
 The Shannon being mach cut in her spars and rigging, 
 and receiving many shot in and below the water-line, was 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 295 
 
 reduced almost to a sinking condition, after only a few> 
 minutes cannonading from the Chesapeake, while the 
 Chesapeake was comparatively uninjured. And the court 
 have no doubt, if the Chesapeake had not accidentally 
 fallen on board the Shannon, and the Shannon's anchor 
 got foul in the after-quarter-port of the Chesapeake, the 
 Shannon must have very soon surrendered or sunk. 
 
 It appears to the court, that as the ships were getting 
 foul, Captain Lawrence ordered the boarders to be called ; 
 lut the huylemarii W. Brown, stationed to call the hoarders 
 ly sounding a bugle, had deserted his quarters, and when 
 discovered and ordered to call, was unable, from fright, to 
 sound his horn;* that a midshipman went below imme« 
 diately to pass the word for the boarders : but not being 
 railed in the way they had been usually exercised, few 
 came upon the upper deck ; confusion prevailed ; a 
 greater part of the men deserted their quarters and ran 
 below. It appears also to the court, that when the Shan- 
 non got foul of the Chesapeake, Captain Lawrence, his 
 first lieutenant, the sailing-master, and lieutenant of ma- 
 rines, were all killed or mortally wounded, and thereby 
 llie upper deck of the Chesapeake was left without any 
 commanding oflicer, and with only one or two young 
 midshipmen. It also appears to the court, that previously 
 to the ships getting foul, many of the Chesapeake's spar» 
 deck division had been killed and wounded, and the nam- 
 
 ' 
 
 • It is by proving from witnesses tlie special fact of Brown's in- 
 ability, from trepidation, to sound iiis born, that the court have con- 
 ferred on him a fame CDiiiical but cverbistinj? ; he will arnuse to the 
 end of the world successive generations of risible beings. 
 
206 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ber stationed on that deck thereby considerably reduced j 
 that these being left without a commissioned ofTicer, or 
 even a warrant officer, except one or two inexperienced 
 midshipmen, and not being supported by the boarders 
 from the gun-deck, almo&t universally deserted their 
 quarters. And the enemy availing himself of this de- 
 fenceless state of the Chesapeake's upper deck, boarded 
 and obtained possession of the ship with very little oppo- 
 sition. 
 
 From this view of the engagement, and careful exami- 
 nation of the evidence, the court are unanimously of opi- 
 nion, that the capture of ihe late United States frigate 
 Chesapeake was occasioned by the following causes: — 
 the almost unexampled early fall of Captain Lawrence, 
 and all the principal officers : the huglemarCs desertion of 
 his quarters, and inability to sound his horn ; for the court 
 are of opinion, if the horn had been sounded when first 
 ordered, the men being then at their quarters, the boarders 
 would have promptly repaired to the spar-deck, probably 
 have pre. onted the enemy from boarding — certainly have 
 repelled them, and might have returned the boarding 
 with success, and the failure of the boarders on both 
 decks, to rally on the spar-deck, after the enemy had 
 boarded, which might have been done successfully, it is 
 believed, from the cautious manner in which the enemy came 
 on hoard. 
 
 The court cannot, however, perceive, in this almost 
 unexampled concurrence of disastrous circumstances, 
 that the national flag has sufl'ercd any dishonour from the 
 capture of the United States frigate Chcsapeak«, by the 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 297 
 
 superior force of the frigate Shannon, of 62 carriage- 
 guns, and 396 men. Nor do this court apprehend that 
 the result of this engagement, will in the least discourage 
 our brave seamen from meeting the enemy hereafter on 
 equal terms. 
 
 The court being also charged to enquire into the con- 
 duct of the offioers and men during and after the engage- 
 ment, and thereupon having strictly examined and ma- 
 turely considered the evidence as recorded, do find the 
 following causes of complaint. 
 
 First. Against Lieutenant Cox ; that being stationed 
 in command of the second division on the main-deck, he 
 left his division during the action, while his men were at 
 their quarters, and went upon the upper deck ; and when 
 Jiere, and the enemy boarding, or on the point of board- 
 ing, he left the deck to assist Captain Lawrence below, 
 went down with him from the spar-deck to the birth-deck ; 
 did not return to his division, but went forward to the 
 gun-deck ; that while there, and the men were retreating *• 
 below, he commanded them to go to their duty, without 
 enforcing his commands. But as a court of inquiry allows 
 an accused person no opportunity of vindicating his con- 
 duct, the members of this court trust that their opinion 
 on the conduct of Lieutenant Cox may not be deemed 
 conclusive against him, without trial by court-martial. 
 
 Second. Against Midshipman Forrest; that he left 
 his quarters during the action, and did not leturn to 
 them, and now assigns no reason for his conduct satis- 
 factory to this court. 
 
 Third. Against Midsiiipnian Freshman ; that he be- 
 haved in an uu-ollicer like manner at llalifux, assufu- 
 
 I 
 
m^ 
 
 20B 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ! ''. 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 iny a false name at the office of the commissary of pri- 
 soners when obtaining his parole, and was paroled by the 
 name of William Brown.* 
 
 Fourth. Against the crew generally ; that they deserted 
 their quarters, and ran below after the ships were foul, 
 and the enemy boarded. But it appearing that they be- 
 haved well at their quarters before, and fired on the 
 enemy with great rapidity and precision ; the court as- 
 cribe their misconduct to the confusion naturally inci- 
 dent to the early fall of their oflicers, and the omission of 
 the call of boarders in the accustomed manner. 
 
 Yet this court is very far from exculpating those who 
 are thus criminal. It is unable to designate by name 
 all the individuals who thus abandoned their duty, be- 
 cause most of the officers had recently joined the ship, 
 some only a few days preceding the engagement, and of 
 course could not distinguish the men. The court, there- 
 fore, respectfully submit to higher authority, the expe- 
 4^diency of withholding the wages of the crew. The per- 
 sons whom the court are able to designate by name, as 
 deserters from their stations, are William Brown, hugle- 
 »jjff/t,f Joseph Russell, Captain of second gun, Peter 
 Frost, and John Joyce, seamen, and Joseph Antonio, 
 boatswain's mate. 
 
 The court further find and report, that William Wain- 
 wright, William Worthington, and James Parker, the 
 
 • This is irresistiblj' farcical, for an officer of tlie Cliesapeake to 
 envy the buglemuii his honours, and get paroled under his name. 
 
 ■f- The imagination of the Members wlio compose the Court, is 
 perpetually haunted by the buglcman. 
 
 .♦.' 
 
1 
 
 NAVAl, ANNALS. 
 
 2f)9 
 
 last of whom was born at Salem, Massachusscts, were 
 claimed by tbe enemy as British subjects, and sent on 
 board of the enemy's ships of war. 
 
 This court respectfully beg leave to superadd, that un- 
 biassed by any illiberal feelings toward the enemy, they 
 feel it their duty to state, that the conduct of the enemy 
 after boarding and carrying the Chesapeake, was a most 
 unwarrantable abuse of power and success. 
 
 The court is aware that, in carrying a ship by board- 
 ing, the full extent of the command of an oHicer cannot 
 be readily exercised ; and that improper \iolence may 
 unavoidably ensue. When this happens in the moment 
 of contention, a magnanimous conquered foe will not 
 complain. But the fact has been clearly established be- 
 fore this court, that the enemy met with little opposition 
 on the upper deck, and none on the gun-deck. Yet after 
 they had carried the ship, they fired from the gun-deck 
 down the hatchway upon the birth-deck, and killed and 
 wounded several of the Chesapeake's crew, who had re- 
 treated there, were unarmed and incapable of making 
 any opposition : that some balls were fired even into tiie 
 cockpit; and what excites the utmost abhorrence, this 
 outrage was committed in the presence of a British 
 officer standing on the hatchway.* 
 
 W. BAINBRIDGE, President. 
 
 *^ 
 
 * This hortid cliarg:e is not less devoid of probability than desti- 
 tute of authentic evidence. Captain Broke owes his distinction not . 
 more to his sword than to his clemency ; and he was not a man to 
 stain his laurels with tlic blood of the conquered. The firinj? com- 
 plained of was provoked, and the preceding narrative details faithfully 
 tlie affair. 
 
«■ 
 
 :300 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 June 2. The American frigate United States, Coiu- 
 modoie Decatur, the Macedonian, Captain Jones, and 
 the Hornet sloop. Captain Biddle, equipped for a cruize 
 in the Indian ocean, leave New York through Long 
 Island Sound, the usual passage by Sandy Hook being 
 blockaded ; but, before they can clear the Sound, the Va- 
 liant of 74 guns, Captain Oliver, and the Acasla frigate, 
 Captain Kerr, heave in sight, and chase them into the 
 port of New London, a small town on the river Thames, 
 pbout three miles from its estuary. The British ships 
 come to an anchor off Gardner's Island, and commence 
 a blockade of the American squadron. 
 
 ' August 13. The Argus American sloop of war. Cap- 
 tain Allen, having landed Mr. Crawford, minister pleni- 
 potentiary from the United States to France, and his 
 suite, at Havre, proceeded to cruize off the English and 
 Irish coast, and burnt so many vessels, that the Irish 
 declared their channel was set in ablaze. The following 
 is an authentic record of the devastation committed by 
 the brig, from the 20th of July to this day ; partly off the 
 Land's End, and partly on the coast of Ireland, between 
 the Shannon river and the Liffey, and near Lundy : Ma- 
 riner, Gilbert, from St. Croix to Bristol, burnt ; Betsey, 
 Merryweathcr, from St. Vincent's to Bristol, since re- 
 taken ; Cordelia, Avery, from St. Martin's to Bristol, 
 given up to the prisoners, after destroying the cargo ; Bal- 
 tic, Ilardcastle, from Barbadoes to Dublin, burnt ; Su- 
 sannah, Porrctt, from Madiirato London, givciuip, after 
 destroying part of the cargo; Matilda, from Pcrnani- 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 r;oi 
 
 buc© to London, since retaken ; Salamanca, from Oporf o 
 to Newfoundland, burnt; Defiance, from Glasgow to 
 Newfoundland, burnt; Fowey, M'Donnell, from Lime- 
 rick to Plymouth, burnt ; Lady Frances, Blair, from 
 Limerick to Liverpool, burnt ; Belford, Donaldson, from 
 Dublin to London (with 16,500 pieces of linen on board),* 
 burnt; Ann, Richards, from Barmouth to London, burnt ; 
 John and Sally, and Dinas and Betty, from Cork to Ilfra- 
 combe, both burnt ; John and Thomas, from Poole to 
 Liverpool, burnt; Elenora, from Poole to Liverpool, 
 given up ; Whitby, Biggs, from Gibraltar to Portsmouth, 
 burnt ; Barbadoes, transport, from Cork to St. Andero, 
 burnt ; Alliance, transport, from Cork to St. Andero, 
 burnt; sloop Fame, given up. 
 
 14. The American sloop of war, Argus, Captain Allen, 
 is taken, in St. George's Channel, by the British sloop of 
 war Pelican, Captain Maples, after an action of 40 mi- 
 nutes. Captain Allen was mortally wounded early in the 
 conflict : he was Decatur's first lieutenant when he took 
 the Macedonian. 
 
 September 5. The British sloop of war Boxer, Cap- 
 tain Blyth, is taken, oIT Portland, Massachusetts, by the 
 American sloop of war Enterprize, Captain Burrows, 
 after a spirited action, in which both commanders were 
 mortally wounded. 
 
 27. Commodore Rodgers, in the President frigate, 
 arrives at Newport, Rhode Island, from a cruize of five 
 
 ; 
 
 • Valued at lOO.OOfl/. 
 
 ..•■ 
 
302 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 months in the North Seas. He brougbl in with him the 
 schooner Highflyer, mounting 4 guns and 1 long torn, 
 ivith a complement of 39 men, tender to Admiral Warren. 
 He captured her on the 9th instant by almost a miracle. 
 On making the schooner to the southward of Nantucket 
 Shoals, she hoisted the private British signal, which '.vas 
 answered by Commodore Rodgers with a red flag, and it 
 proved the British signal of that day. Upon seeing this, 
 the Highflyer came immediately to him. Commodore 
 Rodgers ordered one of his oflicers to dress in British 
 uniform, and manned out a boat and boarded the schooner 
 immediately. The Lieutenant of the schooner did not 
 wait to be boarded, but manned out his own boat and 
 boarded the President, supposing the President was a 
 British frigate. The British Lieutenant was on board 
 some time before he discovered his mistake. The officer 
 that boarded the schooner from the President, asked the 
 officer left in charge of the schooner for the private sig- 
 nals and instructions, which were immediately handed to 
 him. By this stratagem Commodore Rodgers obtained 
 possession of the British private signals, and Admiral 
 Warren's instructions. On examining Admiral Warren's 
 instructions, Commodore Rodgers discovered the num- 
 ber of British squadrons stationed on the American coast, 
 their force and relative positions, with pointed instruc- 
 tions to all of them, if possible, to capture the President. 
 
 ! 
 
NATAL ANNALS. 
 
 303 
 
 A YANKEY TRICK. 
 
 30. Commodore Lewis, who command:} a flotilla of 
 j^un-boats, stationed at Sandy Hook, a promontory near 
 the city of New York, sends out a fishing-smack from 
 Musquito Cove, for the purpose of taking, by stratagem, 
 the sloop Eagle, tender to the British 74, Poictiers, Cap- 
 tain Beresford, cruizing off Sandy Hook light-house. 
 The smack, named the Yankee, was borrowed of some 
 fishermen at Fly Market, and a calf, a sheep, and a 
 goose, purchased and secured on deck. Between 30 and 
 40 men, well armed with muskets, were secreted in the 
 cabin and fore-peak of the smack. Thus prepared, she 
 stood out to sea, as if going on a fishing trip to the Banks, 
 three men only being on deck, dressed in fishermen's 
 apparel, with buff caps on. — The Eagle, on perceiving the 
 smack, immediately gave chace, and after coming up with 
 her, and finding she had live stock on deck, ordered her 
 to go down to the Commodore, then about five miles dis- 
 tant. The helmsman of the smack answered, '' aye, aye, 
 Sir," and apparently put up the helm for that purpose, 
 which brought him alongside the Eagle, not more than 
 three yards distant. The watch-word, Lawrence, was 
 then given, when tlie armed men rushed on deck from 
 their hiding places, and poured info her a volley of mus- 
 ketry, Mhich struck her crew with dismay, and drove 
 tliem all down so precipitately into the hold of the vessel, 
 that they had not time to strike theii' colours. 
 
 The cvcw of the Eagle consisted of H. Morris, master's 
 mate of the Poiuliors J W. Tiice, uiiilsliipiiian ; and 11 
 
'•^T* 
 
 304 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 marines. Mr. Morris was killed, and Mr. Price mor- 
 tally wounded ; one marine killed, and one severely 
 wounded. The Smack brought the prisoners up to town 
 this afternoon, who landed at Whitehall, amidst the 
 shouts and plaudits of thousands of spectators, as* 
 sembled on the battery.* 
 
 f 1 
 
 i 
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY ON I<\KE ERIE. 
 
 The Lakes of North America are virtually inland seas, 
 that form no contemptible nursery for sailors ; for on 
 their stormy bosom the mariner acquires habits of hardi- 
 hood, and improves in nautical skill, scarcely less than 
 on the open ocean. In a war between Great Britain and 
 the United States, a struggle for the naval supremacy on 
 the Lakes Erie and Ontario, is a measure of peremptory 
 obligation. Bounded on one side, in their whole length, 
 by Upper Canada, and on the other by the States of the 
 American Union, they form an impenetrable barrier for 
 nearly five hundred miles to the power that obtains an 
 ascendancy on their waters. 
 
 On the 10th of September the British flotilla on Lake 
 Erie, commanded by Commodare Barclay, sailed out of 
 Amherstburgbay in search of the American flotilla, under 
 the command of Commodore Perry, which, as the sun 
 
 * The battery at New York is a promenade of health and pleasure!, 
 commanding the view of a bay not inferior to that of Naples or of 
 Constantinople. 
 
^^ 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 305 
 
 rose clear and unclouded over tlie waters of the Lake, 
 was seen in motion among the islands, advancing to give 
 the British battle. The two squadrons, having respec- 
 tively formed the line, began to engage about noon, with 
 a light breeze from the S. W. ; the American Commo- 
 dore, in the Lawrence, coming to close action with the 
 British Commander, in the Detroit, while the Niagara, 
 lying well to windward, contended with the Queen Char- 
 lotte. The conflict was sustained for two hours between 
 the Lawrence bearing Perry's flag, and the Detroit dis- 
 playing that of Barclay, when the Lawrence was so 
 worsted as to become almost incapable of further resist- 
 ance. In this situation, so trying to the firmness and ca- 
 pacity of a commander. Perry was sensible that no re- 
 source remained but in some desperate effort of courage, 
 and, with a decisive intrepidity suited to the juncture, 
 took his flag under his arm, and abandoning his defence- 
 less vessel, in a small open boat, shifted it to the Niagara.* 
 He had scarcely caused it to be displayed from the top- 
 gallant-mast-bead, when, as he looked round, he saw the 
 Lawrence strike her colours to Commodore Barclay, but 
 that gallant officer, when he had other points of more im- 
 portance to carry, was superior to the idle parade of 
 
 * This act of undaunted courage acquires additional fame from 
 the pruse it has extorted from the distinguished Barclay : '^ The 
 " action had continued with great fury for two hours, when I per- 
 " ceived the Lawrence drop a-stern, and a boat passing from her to 
 '•'' the Niagara ; the American Commodore seeing that as yet the day ! 
 '■'' was against him, made a noble, and, alas I too successful an effort 
 " to regam it." 
 
IV 
 
 30G 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 I 
 
 taking posgession of her. Perry, in the Niagara, now 
 bore up, and supported by his small vessels, broke the 
 line of the English squadron, and took a raking position 
 on the bow of th^ Detroit, within half pistol-shot; while 
 the Lawrence, which had drifted out of the reach of the 
 enemy's guns, hoisted again her flag. At this juncture 
 the Queen Charlotte was running up to leeward of the 
 Detroit, in order to support her, and the Eikglish Commo- 
 dore, in wearing his own ship to avoid being raked, fell 
 immediately on board his consort. Tt was now that Bar- 
 clay, who had lost an arm under Nelson, had his remain- 
 ing one dreadfully shattered, and was carried into the 
 cockpit to undergo a second amputation. Perry, assist- 
 ed by the smaller vessels of his squadron, succeeded in 
 gaining the complete ascendancy ; the Queen Charlotte 
 first struck her colours; the surviving lieutenant of the 
 flag-ship hailed to say that he had surrendered; the 
 Hunter submitted together with the Lady Prevost, and 
 the Little Belt and Chippeway made a vain efl'ort to 
 escape. Thus ended the battle on Lake Erie, in which 
 the day was not lost by the English till the first and second 
 in command on board every one of their vessels had been 
 killed or dangerously bounded. The aggregate loss of 
 men in the British flotillr. was 41 killed, and 94 wounded ; 
 that of the American flotilla 27 killed and 96 wounded. 
 Jany 1, The British blockading squadron composed 
 1814. of the Valiant and Acasta, olF New London, 
 becoming short of provisions and water, are relieved by 
 the Ramilies 74, Sir Thomas Hardy, the Endyniion 50, 
 Captain Hope, and the Statira 4(>, Captain Stackpoole. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 307 
 
 CHALLENGES BETWEEN THE TWO NAVIES. 
 
 Commodore Decatur, finding his confinement irksome 
 at New London, and wishing: for some relaxation on the 
 lii^h seas, invites the Endymion and the Slatira to a tete' 
 A'lete meeting with the United States and the Mace- 
 donian. In the projection of this Naval Duel, the eye and 
 hand seem to be busied in counting ports and gHaging guns. 
 
 From Commodore Decatur to Sir Thomas M. Hardy. 
 
 U. S. ship United States, New London, 
 Siu, 17th January, 1814. 
 
 Having been informed by Nicholas Moran, the master 
 of a sloop recently captured by his Britannic Majesty's 
 ship Endymion, now lying before this port, that, whilst he 
 was on board the Ramilies, and in your hearing, Captain 
 Hope, of the Endymion, did ask him whether the frigate 
 United States would not avoid an action. He further 
 states, that he heard you declare it to be your wish, that 
 the U. S. ship Macedonian should have a meeting with 
 H.M. S. Statira; that you would furnish men, and give 
 room for such meeting ; but that you would not permit the 
 challenge to come from your side. • . ; 
 
 The Endymion, I am informed, carries 24-pounders, 
 and mounts 50 guns in all. This ship also carries 24- 
 pounders, and mounts 48 guns, besides a 12-pound car- 
 ronade, a boat-gun. 
 
 The Statira mounts 50; the Macedonian, 47: metal 
 the same. So that the force on both sides is as nearly 
 equal as we could expect to find. 
 
 X 2 
 
 I 
 
^Km 
 
 308 
 
 NAVAL 4NNALS. 
 
 If Mr. Moran's statement be eorrcot, it is evident Cap- 
 tains Hope and Stackpoole Iiave the laudable desire of 
 en^a^inj^ with their ships, the United States a^d Mace- 
 donian ; we, sir, are ready, and equally desirou , for such 
 meetins^ forthwith. 
 
 The only difficulty that appears to be in the way, is 
 from whom the forn^al invitation is to come. If, sir, 
 you admit Moran's statement to be correct, the difficulty 
 wil' be removed, and you will be pleased to consider this 
 as an invitation. At the same time we beg you will as- 
 sure Captains Hope and Stackpoole, that no personal 
 feeling towards them, induces me to make this commu- 
 nication. They are solicitous to add to the renown of 
 their country : we honor their motives. 
 
 ■Captain Biddle, who will have the honor to deliver 
 you this, is authorised on our part, to make any ar- 
 rangement? which may be thou;;ht necessary. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. S. DECATUR. 
 
 from Captain Stackpoole to Commodore Decatur, 
 
 : ^^ 2 • H. M. S. Statira, oflF N. London, 
 Sir, January 17, 1814. 
 
 Captain Sir Thomas M. Hardy, Bart, and commodore 
 off New London, has this afternoon handed me a letter 
 from you, expressing a desire that the U. S. ship Mace- 
 donian, commanded by Captain Jones, should meet H. 
 M. S. Statira, under my command ; and that the U. S. 
 ship United States, bearing your broad pendant,* would 
 
 • The ship of a Commodore is distinguished from the inferior ships 
 of hie squadron by a broad red pendant at the mast-head. 
 
 
mmm 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 K09 
 
 embrace the same opportunity of meeting the Endyutiion, 
 commanded by Captain Hope. In ihe event of Sir Thos. 
 Hardy's permitting our joint iicceptation of this rendez- 
 vous, I, of course, must be the sen! >r officer ; but, in the 
 interim, I shall confine my reply to your obliging letler, 
 as to the future acts of H. M. ship I have the honor to 
 command. J 
 
 It will aflbrd her captain, officers, and crew the greatest 
 pleasure, to meet Captain Jones in the Macedonian to- 
 niorror% next day, or whenever such a meeting may suit 
 his purpose : let him only be pleased to appoint the day 
 and place. Say, six or ten leagues south of Montauk 
 point, or further if he pleases ; my only object for select- 
 ing this distance from the shore is to avoid any interrup- 
 tion. Little, I think, can be apprehended^ as ail the cap* 
 tains commanding frigate.}, excepting one^ in these seas, 
 are junior to me : and, in the event cf chance, or by acci- 
 dent, meeting him, I will hoist a flag of truce, pledging 
 the word and honor of a British officer, (further I cannot 
 oifer,) to keep the truce flying till the Macedonian isoutof 
 sight ; and, in the event af a junior oflicer appearing', the 
 same guarantee shall be kept flying until I can detach him. 
 
 In accepting this invitation, sit , it is not to vau'it, or, 
 in the most trifling degree, to enhance my own profes- 
 sional character, or take from what is so justly due to 
 Captain Jones ;* although I have been twice mortified, 
 in being obliged to retreat, on the 2Gth and 28th of August, 
 
 M 
 
 i -■ 
 
 I 
 
 * Tlio rc;uU'r will recollect tliat Captain Jones coniinanded the Wasp 
 in her .iclion with the Frolic. S.-u inigc 24'J- 
 
310 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS* 
 
 1812, by six American men of war; and, for 12 weeks 
 together, cruizing alone, it has never fallen to the Statira's 
 lot to meet one singly. 
 
 The honor of my king, defence of my country, engaged 
 in a just and unprovoked war, added to the glory of the 
 British flag, is all I have in view. 
 
 I perceive a statement in your letter of the comparative 
 force of the two ships ; and, as I fear you have been led 
 into error, shall take this opportunity to say, the Statir?» 
 carries only 46 guns, instead of 50, with two little boa - 
 guns, of more utility in exercising the men, than any 
 effe . they might have in the hour of battle ; and, without 
 any external finery to recommend her, is simply a British 
 man of war of her class : nevertheless, a more fair and 
 equal match, in ship and guns, may not soon occur. In 
 number of men, I am aware of having a superiority to 
 oppose : all I request is, that both ships may quickly 
 meet. 
 
 Having received your communication by the hand of 
 Sir T. M. Hardy, Bart. I shall convey my reply through 
 the same channel, requesting you will be so good as to 
 hand it to the captain of the Macedonian. 
 
 I am, sir, with every consideration, 
 
 Your obedient humble servant, 
 
 HASSARD STACKPOOLE.* 
 
 
 
 • Captain Stackpoole was afterwards killed in a duel with Lieute- 
 nant Cecil of the British Navy, near i'ort Henderson, on the Island 
 of Jamaica, April 28tli, 1814. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 311 
 
 Sir T. M. Hardy to Commodore Decatur, 
 
 Ramillies, off New London, 
 Sir, January 18, 1812. 
 
 I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 letter of yesterday's date, by Captain Biddle, signifying 
 a desire on your part, and that of Captain Jones, as com- 
 manders of the ships United States and Macedonian, to 
 meet H. B. M. ships Endymion and Statira, in conse- 
 quence of a conversation reported to you by Mr. Moran, 
 master of a sloop recently captured ; and, in reply, I beg 
 to inform you, I have no hesitation whatever to permit 
 Captain Stackpoole. in the Statira, to meet the Macedo- 
 nian, as they are sister-ships, carrying the same number 
 of guns, and weight of metal , but, as it is my opinion, 
 the Endymion is not equal to the United States,^ being 
 200 tons less, and carrying 26 guns on her main-deck, 
 and only 32-pound carronades on her quarter-deck and 
 forecastle, when, I am informed, the United States has 
 GO guns on her main-deck, and 42-pound carronades on 
 b T quarter-deck and forecastle, I must consider it my 
 ;k ty, (though very contrary to the wishes of Captain 
 ) lOpc,) to decline the invitation on bis part. 
 
 \- 
 
 ■\\ 
 
 • COxMPARATIVE FORCE OF THE SHIPS. 
 
 ENDYMION. 
 
 Main-deck 26 long 24 prs. 
 
 Quarterdeck and f gj J^"^^ J§ JJ^. 
 
 ioTG<^tle ( Icarr. 12jr. 
 
 Ft. In, 
 
 Length of lower deck 159 3| 
 
 Breadth, extreme 12 7j 
 
 UNITED STATES. 
 
 30 long 24 prs. 
 
 2 long 24 prs. 
 22 carr. 42 prs. 
 
 Ft, In, 
 
 173 3 
 
 44 4 
 
 } 
 
 ; i'l 
 
312 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 The captains of H. B. M. frigates under my order?, as 
 well as myself, cannot too highly appreciate the rr.ilant 
 iipirit that has led to the communication from you, sir ; 
 and are equally couvinced, that no personal feeling to- 
 wards each other can ever influence a laudable ambition 
 to add tu the naval renown of our respective countries. 
 
 I he the honor to enclose a letter from Captain 
 StackpiL' I' earing your address; and I pledge my 
 honor to la litate, by every means in my power, the 
 meeting on the rendezvous pointed out by him, and that 
 none of the captains of H. M. ships, junior to me, shall 
 interfere. Captain Slackpoole's proposal amply provides 
 against that of a senior oflP.cer. 
 
 Should success attend the Macedonian, I guarantee 
 her proceeding unmolested to any port to the eastward 
 of this anchorage ; and I propose the same from you, sir, 
 for the Statira to proceed to Bermuda. 
 
 Captain Coote will have the honor to deliver this letter, 
 and to make any arrangements that may be necessary. 
 I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
 T. M. HARDY. 
 
 From Commodore Decatur to Sir T. M* Hardy, 
 
 U. S. ship United States, New London, 
 
 Sir, January 19, 1814. 
 
 I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 
 favor of yesterday, with the enclosure from Capt. Stack- 
 
 poole by the hands of Captain Coote. 
 
 The proposition for a contest between H. B. M. fri- 
 
 Endymion and Statira, and this ship and the Ma- 
 

 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 313 
 
 ccdonian, was made by me in the full belief that their 
 force was equal ; but it has been declined in conseciuencc 
 of your entertaining a diil'erent opinion on this subject 
 from my own. 
 
 I do not think myself authorised to comply with the 
 wishes of Captains Jones and Stackpoole, for a meeting 
 in their ships. • - 1 
 
 This squadron is now under sailing-orders from the 
 government ; and I feel myself bound to put to sea the 
 first favourable opportunity that may occur. 
 
 In my proposal for a meeting of the four ships, I con- 
 sented, and I fear incautiously, that you should make 
 up the complements of the Endymion and Statira from 
 the crews of the Kamillies and Borer. 
 
 I was induced to accord this indulgence, from a sup- 
 position that their crews might have been reduced by 
 manning prizes ; and a hope that, as the selected men 
 would be divided between the two ships, the advantage 
 would not be overwhelming. 
 
 But, Sir, if the Statira is to avail herself alone of this 
 concession, it must be obvious to you, and every one, 
 that I should be yielding to you an advantage T could not 
 excuse to my government ; and in making the crew of ihc 
 Macedonian any degree equal to such a conflict, i should 
 be compelled to break up the crews of this ship and the 
 Hornet, and thus render a compliance with ray orders 
 to proceed to sea utterly impracticable. I beg leave also 
 to state, that the guarantee against recapture, in case 
 Macedonian should i)rovc successful, is very far from 
 
 I' 
 
 ■I 
 
 ■|| 
 
 ',f ' 
 t 
 
 y'i 
 
 satisfactory. 
 
 m 
 
 I if-' 
 
3U 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 You will have the goodness, Sir, to inform Captain 
 Stackpoole, that his letter was shewn to Captain Jones, 
 according to his request ; that Captain Jones is ex< 
 tremely desirous that a meeting should take place be- 
 tween the Statira and Macedonian, but is controuled by 
 me for the reasons I have stated.*^ 
 
 Whether the war we are engaged in be just and un- 
 provoked on the part of Great Britain, as Captain 
 Stackpoole has been pleased to suggest, is considered by 
 us as a question exclusively with the civilians ; and I am 
 perfectly ready to admit, both my incompetence and 
 unwillingness, to confront Captain Stackpoole in its dis- 
 cussion. 
 
 I am. Sir, &c. 
 
 S. DECATUR.t 
 
 From Sir T. M. Hardy to Cvmmodore Decatur. 
 
 Ramillies, off New London, Jan. 20, 1811. 
 Sir, 
 I have the honor to acquaint you, that I will com- 
 municate to Captain Stackpoole your letter of the 19th 
 
 • The crew of the A merican frigate are represented to have been 
 80 depressed in spirits at not encountering the Statira, that many of 
 them refused their grog for the full space of twenty -four hours. 
 
 + Decatur fell in a duel with Commodore Barron of the United 
 States Navy, on the duelling-ground at Bladensburg, near the city of 
 Washington, in the spring of 1819. It is a justice due to the memory 
 of this great officer to record, that he abhorred duellmg on the princi- 
 ple that it betrayed a vindictive spirit ; and that he was never known 
 to send a challenge, though his courasje would not allow him to re- 
 fuse one. 
 
I ( 
 
 NAVAL ANNALSi 
 
 315 
 
 instant, which I this evening had the honor of receiving 
 by Captain Biddle ; and I have nothing further to offer, 
 in addition to my former letter, on the subject of the 
 meeting between the ships of the United States, and those 
 of his Britannic Majesty, but that I will give every gua- 
 rantee in my power, in case of the Macedonian's success, 
 should the meeting ever take place. 
 
 I beg to assure you, Sir, I shall hail with pleasure the 
 return of an amicable adjustment of the differences be- 
 tween the two nations. 
 
 I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
 T. M. HARDY. 
 
 ' ! 
 
 r 
 
 
 I 
 
 ACTION, OFF VALPARAISO, 
 BETWEEN the ESSEX and the PH(EBE and CHERUB. 
 
 1 
 
 Who does not know that Valparaiso is a port or bay 
 on the coast of Chili, 130 leagues east of Selkirk's island ? 
 for who has not by heart Anson's Voyage round the 
 World, a book read with more interest by the moderns, 
 than Xenophon's Retreat of the Ten Thousand by the 
 ancients. It was on his return to this port that Captain 
 Porter in the Essex,* a frigate of the common class, sus- 
 
 • Porter, in the Essex, annihilated the spermaceti whale fishery, 
 and captured the Nocton packet with 1100/. sterling on board, without 
 finding a British mar. of war in the Pacific to oppose him. This 
 cruize was a bold plan of the American Kxcciitive ; yet these are the 
 men whom the Reviewers represent as the greatest simpletons lliut are 
 iuiy where to be found between Ihc arctic and antarctic circlet ! 
 
 7. 
 
 i 
 
;n6 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 I 
 
 taincd a combat with the Phoebe and Cherub of two hours 
 and a half; exaltin>; the naval flag of Columbia by the 
 defence of his ship, though he was ultimately compelled 
 to strike it to his opponents. The slaughter on board the 
 Essex must have reduced many mothers, wives, and 
 daughters, to statues of breathing affliction ; and her 
 deck exposes war to the eye in itj naked and mangled 
 deformity. 
 
 Captain Porter's Letter, 
 
 " While lying at Valparaiso, the Phoebe frigate, Cap- 
 tain Hillyar, in company with the Cherub sloop of war, 
 Captain Tucker, commenced a blockade of my ship 
 and an armed prize, under the command of my first 
 lieutenant, Mr. Downes, sedulously watching me from 
 the entrance of the bay. Their appearance, however, did 
 not prevent me from taking measures to put to sea ; and, 
 having appointed a rendezvous at the Marqueses for my 
 consort, the Essex junior, I got ready for my departure, 
 purposing to let the enemy chruiC me olF the coast, in order 
 to facilitate her escape. On the 28th of March, 1814, 
 the day after this determination was formed, the wind 
 came on to blow fresh from the southward, when I parted 
 my larboard cable, and dragged my starboard anchor 
 directly out to sea. Not a moment wns to be lost in get- 
 ting sail on the ship. The enemy were close in with the 
 point forming the west-side of the bay : but, on opening 
 them, T saw a prospect of passing to-windward, \\hen I 
 took in my top-galhinl-sails, which were set over isinglc- 
 iceicd lop-sails, and braced up for lliis purport ; but, 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 317 
 
 hours 
 y the 
 JclJed 
 (1 the 
 and 
 her 
 
 on rounding the point, a heavy squall struck the ship, nnd 
 carried away her main-top-mast, precipitating the men 
 who were aloft into the sea, who were drowned. Both 
 ships now gave chase to me, and I endeavoured, in my 
 disabled state, to regain the port ; but finding I could not 
 recover the common anchorage, I ra-n close into a small 
 bay, about three-quarters of a mile to leeward of the bat- 
 tery on the east side of the harbour, and let go my anchor. 
 The enemy continued to advance with the evident inten- 
 tion of engaging me ; and the caution observed in their 
 approach to the attack of the crippled Essex, was truly 
 ridiculous, as was their display of their motto-flags, and 
 the number of jacks at all their mast-heads, I, with as 
 much expedition as circumstances would admit of, got my 
 ship ready for action, and endeavoured to get a spring on 
 my cable, but had not succeeded when the enemy, at 54 
 minutes past 3 P. M. made his attack ; the Phoebe placing 
 herself under my stern, and the Cherub on my starboard^ 
 bow ; but the Cherub, soon finding her situation a hot 
 one, bore up and ran under my stern also, where both 
 ships kept up a hot raking fire. I had got three long 
 12-pounders out of the stern-ports, which were worked 
 with so much bravery and skill, that in half an hour we 
 so disabled both as to compel them to haul off to repair 
 damages. The enemy soon returned to renew the -action ; 
 he now placed himself, with both his ships, on my star- 
 board-quarter, out of the reach of my carronades, and 
 where my stern-guns could not be brought to bear. He 
 tliere kept up a most galling fire, which it was out of my 
 power to return ; when I saw no prospect of injuring him 
 
 •il 
 
 
318 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 without getting under way, and becoming tlie assailant. 
 My top-sail sheets and haliards were all shot away, as 
 well as the jib, and fore-top-mast stay-sail haliards. 
 The only rope not cut was the flying-jib haliards ; and 
 that being the only sail I could set, I caused it to be 
 hoisted, my cable to be cut, and ran down on both ships, 
 with an intention of laying the Phoebe on board. The 
 firing on both sides was now tremendous. I had let fall 
 ray fore-top-sail, and fore-sail, but the want of tacks and 
 sHieets rendered them almost useless to us ; yet we were 
 enabled, for a short time, to close with the enemy ; and, 
 although our decks were now strewed with dead, and our 
 cockpit filled with wounded ; although our ship had been 
 several times on fire, and was rendered a perfect wreck, 
 we were still encouraged to hope to save her, from the 
 circumstance of the Cherub, from her crippled state, 
 being compelled to haul ofl*. She did not return to close 
 action again, although she apparently had it in her power 
 to do so, but kept up n distant firing with her long guns. 
 The Phoebe, from our disabled state, was enabled, how- 
 ever, by edging off, to choose the distance which best 
 suited her long^guns, and kept up a tremendous fire on 
 us, which mowed down lYiy brave ccmpanions by the 
 dozen. Many of ndy guns had been vend^ red useless by the 
 enemy's shot; and many of them had hau whole crews de- 
 stroyed'. We manned them again from those which were 
 disabled; and one gun, in partieufar, was three times 
 manned; fifteen men were slain at it in the course of the 
 action ; but, strange as it may appear, the captain of it 
 escaped with only a slight wound. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 319 
 
 Finding that the enemy had it in his power to choose 
 his distance, I now gave up all hopes ar closing with him ; 
 and as the wind, for the moment, seemed to favour the 
 design, I determined to endeavour to run her on shore, 
 land my men, and destroy her. Every thing seemed to 
 favour my wishes. We had approached the shore within 
 musket-shot, and I had no doubt of succeeding, when, 
 in an instant, the win<' shifted from the land, (as is very 
 common in this port in the latter part of the day,) and 
 payed our head down on the Phoebe; where we were 
 again exposed to a dreadful raking fire. My ship was 
 now totally unmanageable ; yet, as her head was toward 
 the enemy, and he to-leeward of me, I still hoped to be 
 able to board him. At this moment. Lieutenant-com- 
 mandant Downes came on board to receive my orders, 
 under the impression that I should soon be a prisoner. 
 He could be of no use to me in the then wretched state 
 of the Essex ; and finding (from the enemy's putting his 
 helm up) that my last attempt at boarding would not 
 succeed, I directed him, after he had been about ten 
 minutes on board, to return to his own ship, to be pre- 
 pared for defending and destroying her in case of an 
 attack. He took with him several of my wounded,^ 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 • Thereby hangs a tale. The wounded men that Lieut Downes 
 took away in his boat were British suloects. This watchful care of 
 Captain Porter, in the heat of action, over the English seamen fight- 
 ing under his flag, will confront the story told of him by the Quarterly 
 Reviewers, till they can support it by evidence less suspicious than 
 their own. This story will be found in the 27th Volume of their 
 venomous work, where, with a malignant and profligate industry, they 
 have ransacked " Views, Visits, and Tours," for libels on a country 
 that is the asylum of mankind. In their dissertation of twenty 
 
320 
 
 NAVAL ANN ALS. 
 
 
 u > 
 
 leaving three of his hoat's crew on board to make room 
 for them. The Clierub had now an opportunity of dis- 
 tinjicuishins^ herself, by keepii)<? op a hot tire on him dur- 
 ing his return. The slaughter on board my ship had 
 now become horrible ; the enemy continuing to rake us, 
 and we unable to bring a gun to bear. I therefore di- 
 rected a hawser to be bent to tlie sheet-anchor, and the 
 anchor to be cut from the bows, to bring her head round ; 
 this succeeded. We again got our broadside to bear ; 
 and as the enemy was much crippled, and unable to hold 
 his own, I have no doubc he would soon have drifted out 
 of gun-shot before he discovered we had anchored, had 
 not the hawser unfortunately parted. My ship had taken 
 fire several times during the action, but alarmingly so, 
 forward and aft, at this moment. The flames were burst- 
 ing up each hatchway, and no hopes were entertained of 
 saving her. Our distance from the shore did not exceed 
 three-quarters of a mile ; and I hoped many of my 
 brave crew would be able to save themselves, should the 
 ship blow up, as I was informed the tire was near the 
 magazine; and the explosion of a large quantity of 
 powder below served to increase the horrors of our situ- 
 ation. Our boats were destroyed by the enemy's shot, 
 I therefore directed those who could swim to jump over- 
 board, and endeavour to gain the shore. Some reached 
 it, some were taken by the enemy, and some perished in 
 the attempt; but most preferred sharing with me the fate 
 of the ship. We who remained, now turned our atten- 
 
 pages, as many lies is a charitable allowance : for the observance of 
 truth towards America lias never been the virtue of a Quarterly Re- 
 viewer. Hk niger est., himc^ tu Itotnane, cavcio ! 
 
NAVAI. ANN A IS, 
 
 :)il 
 
 tioD wholly (o cxtlnguidhing the names; nnd when we 
 bad succeeded, went a^aiii to our guns, where tlie firing 
 was kept up for some minutes, but the crew had by tiiis 
 time become so weaicened, that they all declared to me 
 the impossibility ut making further resistance ; and en- 
 treated me to surrender my ship to save the wounded, us 
 ajl further attempts at opposition must prove inellectuaU 
 almost every gun being disabled by the destruction of 
 their crews. I was further informed that the cockpit, the 
 steerage, the ward-room, and the birth-deck could con- 
 tain no more wounded ; aud that the wounded were 
 killed while the surgeons were dressing them. With a 
 crew redued to men, 76 including oihcers, out of 2C0 at the 
 beginning of the action ; with 23 lying dead o the deck, 
 who had not yet been consigned to the deep, and my 
 few remaining shipmates falling fast, some at my side, 
 and others in different parts of the ship ; under these 
 distressful circumstances, I, at twenty minutes past G, 
 P. M. gave the painful orders to strike the colours." 
 
 The gallant defence of the Essex against so superior 
 a force, is recorded by Captain Hillyar. I insert an 
 abstract of his letter to the Admiralty : 
 
 ** After an anxious search, and still more anxious 
 lookout for the Essex and her companion to quit the port 
 of Valparaiso, we saw tlie former under weigh, and 
 immediately, accompanied by the Cherub, made sail to 
 close with her. On rounding the outer point of the bay, 
 and hauling her wind for the purpose of endeavouring to 
 weallier us, and escape, she lost her niain-top-mast, and 
 afterwards, not succeeding in an effort to regain the 
 limits of the port, bore up, and anchored so near the 
 
 Y 
 
 ii 
 
 I 
 
I .,.ai*iJii'^^^^pMpiH 
 
 iH 
 
 322 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 i.i^ 
 
 
 store (a feir miles to tlie leeward of it,) as to precliide 
 
 tbe possibility of passing a-head of her, without risk to> 
 
 his Majesty's ships. As we drew near, my intention' 
 
 oFgotn«; elose ander her stern was frustrated, by the ship 
 
 breaking off; and, from the wind blowing extremely 
 
 fi^sfa, our first fire, eommencing a little past 4, aad con- 
 
 tiouing about 10 minutes, produced no visible effect. 
 
 Our second, a few random shot only, from having in* 
 
 clwased. our distance by wearing, was not, appafentiy, 
 
 mor€< successful ; and having lost the use of our main- 
 
 siiil, jib, and main-fltay-sail, appearances were a little m- 
 
 aespieious. On standing again towards her, I signified 
 
 nty intention of anchoring, for which we were not ready 
 
 before, with springs, to Captain Tucker, directing Um tw 
 
 kdep under weigh, and take a convenient station for 
 
 annoying our opponent. On closing with the Essex, at 36 
 
 rojnutespast 5, the firing re>commenced ; and, before I 
 
 gained my intended position, her cable was cut, and a 
 
 serious conflict ensued; the guns of his Majesty's ship 
 
 gradually becoming more destructive, and her crew, if 
 
 possible, more animated, which lasted until 20 minutes 
 
 past 6 ; when it pleased the Almighty Disposer of events 
 
 to^ bless the efforts of my gallant companions, and my 
 
 personal, very humble ones, with victory. 
 
 The defence of tne Essex, taking into consideration 
 oiir superiority of force,* the very discouraging circum- 
 stance of her having lost her main-top-mast, and being 
 
 • The Quarterly Reviewers, after having branded Captain Porter 
 as a buccanneer, affirm (proh pudor !) that '■'• he was taken by a ship 
 of inferioi* force." . Whenever these men open their lips, the clieck, 
 geek, and forehead of Truth arc suffused with crimson. 
 
NAVAL ANNAIS. • 
 
 d2S 
 
 tlviee on fire, did Honor to her brave defenders, and most 
 folly evinced the courage of Captain Porter, and those- 
 undf.r bis commend. Her colours were not strnck,^ until' 
 tho 'iosit in killed and wounded was so awfuUy greats and 
 her shattered condition so seriously bad, as to render 
 farther resistance unavailing.'' ■ '■,■.■ : „ 
 
 30. It was stated by Mr. Marryatt, two months ago, 
 in his |>lace in Parliament, from the record of Lloyd's 
 Books, that the number of British captures made at sea 
 by the frigates and privateers of the United States since 
 the commencement of the war, was 1175, of which num- 
 ber 373 were retaken, or given up, leaving 802 in the 
 Imnds of the enemy. From a view of these facts, one is 
 tempted to enter into a discussion of the formidable ac- 
 tivity, the vigilance, and efficiency of American mariners ; 
 and if we reflect that the United States Navy did not 
 exceed twelve or fourteen ships, and that her privateers, 
 composed principally of schooners, amounted scarcely 
 to a third of the number of British men of war in com- 
 mission, the confession is extorted from every unpre- 
 judiced bosom, that Americans will do more with a given 
 mimber of vessels, than any other people. A nation of 
 this young, enterprizing spirit, with an incipient navy, 
 whose home is on the ocean, is a more har> assing enemy, 
 fitted out at the distance of three thousand miles, to the 
 commerce of Great Britain, than the fleets of France, or 
 the armadas of Spain, in her immediate vicinity. Allen, 
 in the brig Argus, committed more devastation in the - 
 Irish and St. George's Channc. ^an any hostile squadron 
 
t 
 
 I 
 
 924 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 that ev«r sailed out of a French port;* and Mr. Baring; 
 ooraplained, in the House of Commons, that American 
 privateers came into the Chops of the Channel and car- 
 ried Off Britisu vessels, without the ability of the Admi- 
 ralty Board to stop them ; that they infeste(* the waters 
 of the greatest naval nation in the world, and that the 
 equinoctial gales alone cleared the coast of the enemy. 
 The extraordinary activity of an American cruizer was 
 displayed by Porter in the Essex, who captured every 
 British whaler in the great South Seas ; and though it 
 may be alleged that all the prizes which he made were 
 retaken but one, yet how great must have been the ex- 
 pense incurred of the salvage paid to the re-captors. 
 But the most conclusive proof of the successful operations 
 of American vessels against the commerce of Great Bri- 
 tain is to be drawn from the rates of insurance on her 
 merchantmen, which are greater iu a war with the United 
 States, than with any other maritime nation. 
 
 April 1. The price of Cotton, which had fallen at 
 Charleston and Savanna, in contemplation of the British 
 blockade of the American coast, has risen 20 per cent. 
 iu consequence of the manifest ineflicacy of that measure. 
 
 2. The Americans now trade to France in sharp-built 
 fast- sailing schooners, insured at the rate of from dO to 
 60 per cent, on which they calculate an adequate profit 
 by the arrival of one out of three ; and, in this way, trade 
 is tolerably brisk in all their towns. 
 
 * See an enumeration of the captures b^ the Argus in a precedinf 
 page. 
 
mm 
 
 wmmmmmm 
 
 mmmmm 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 325 
 
 3. The activity of tlie American Government in its 
 naval equipments is altogether unprecedented. The 
 Independence, of 74 guns, is nearly ready for sea at 
 Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The Washington, of 74 
 guns, is in a very forward state of equipment at Boston. 
 The Franklin, of 74 guns, is receiving her cannon on 
 board at Philadelphia ; and the new frigates Guerriere 
 tind Java, mounting 32 pounders orj the main-deck, have 
 got their lower coasts in. The infant Hercules is ac- 
 quiring strength in his cradle ; for the State Navy Yard, 
 at New York, exhibits oak and pine plank, beams and 
 ledges, long combing and ranging timber, knees and 
 transoms, mast-stuff keels and keelson pieces, sufficient 
 for seven ships of the line, and four frigates of the largest 
 dimensions. 
 
 4. The following notification has been issued by the 
 President of the United States : 
 
 " It is enacted by the Senate and 1 use of Represen- 
 tatives in Congress assembled, that during the present 
 war with Great Britain it shall be lawful for any person 
 or persons to burn, sink, and destroy any British urmed 
 vessels of war, except vessels coming as cartels or flags 
 of truce, and for that purpose to use torpedoes, sub- 
 marine instruments, or any other destructive machines 
 Mhatever ; and a bounty of one-half the value of the 
 atined vessels so burnt, sunk, or destroyed; and also 
 on( -half the value of the guns, cargo, tackle, and apparel» 
 shall be paid out of the Treasury of the United States to 
 s»ieh person wlio shall elTect the same otherwise than by 
 the armed or commissioned vessels of the United States. 
 
 " H. CLAY, 
 •'J AS. MADISON. '^ 
 
 ■:'i 
 
msB^smssmmmmmm 
 
 d26 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 i { 
 
 .- 
 
 THE EXPLODING OF A TORPEDO. 
 
 Whence, and what art thou execrable fiend ? 
 
 MiLTOK. 
 
 25. A Yirginian, of the n^nie of Mix, has lately mad^ 
 several daring attempts to^ destroy with a Torpedo a 
 British 74, lying in Lynnhaven Bay, abreast of Cape 
 Henry light-house. In a large open boat this devilish 
 visitor got, during the darkness of the night, within a 
 few yards of the ship's bow, and directly. under her jib- 
 boom ; but in the act of dropping his torpedo was hailed 
 by the centinel on the. fore-castle with '* bqat ahoy,'' and 
 saluted with the discharge of his musket. Blue lights 
 were then burnt, and rockets thrown in diflferent direc- 
 tions, which brilliantly coruscating, betrayed the position 
 of the son of Satan, making off with great despatch ; 
 when the seventy-four opened, though unsuccessfully, a 
 heavy fire from her guns with the hope of blowing out of 
 the water a miscreant who sought her overthrow not by 
 the magnanimity of conflict, but the insidiousness of ex- 
 plosion. Mr. Mix repealed his visits for three nights in 
 succession; the encouragement held out by Congress 
 probably " spurring the sides of his intent ;" but the 
 ship, having taken the alarm, changed as often her an- 
 chorage, and baffled his attempts. On the fourth night, 
 however, he succeeded in finding her out, and dropped 
 his infernal mac^ ine just as the centinel at the gangway 
 was crying " All's well \" It explo'ied happily for the 
 seventy-four a few minutes too soon to cause her annihi- 
 
mmm 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 'df7 
 
 lation. It Is iinpiossible to describe the effect of its ^oiog; 
 off, of the sombre light that preceded it, of the subma- 
 Tine thunder that followed it, of the long and powerful 
 shakes commnnicated to the Chesapeake, and of the 
 pyramid of water thrown up. enveloped in a blast more 
 dark and pestilential than that of Avernus. 
 
 April 20. The American sloop of war, Frolic, is taken^ 
 off Cuba, by the Sbelburne and Orpheus. 
 
 ACTION 
 
 BETWEEN THE EPERVIER AND PEACOCK, 
 OFF EAST FLORIDA. 
 
 The cession of the Floridas of Spain by the United States 
 constitutes an sera in the history of the American Repub- 
 lic: it was obtained by purchase; audit would have been 
 cheaply bought at the price of all the money in the Trea- 
 sury at Washington, The transfer of this vast territory 
 consolidates and strengthens the North American Union, 
 by uniting the destinies of the Western and Atlantic 
 States ; and while they become identified in interest, and 
 inseparable in policy, the nation rises in maritime dig- 
 nity by the accession of a long line of coast indented with 
 bays for the reception of fleets, and covered with inex- 
 haustible forests of live oak for their construction. The 
 memorable assertion of the Quarterly Reviewers, that 
 *• local eircumstances will prevent the formation of an Amer 
 " rican A«i'j/, as the whole southern coast of America is desti- 
 
jrammummmmmmmmimmmm 
 
 uas 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS, 
 
 i 
 
 •* tute of harbours"* when quoted ironically in Congress bjr 
 Mr. Clay, provoked an obstreperous peal of laughter from 
 a full house ;, and that the more especially, as in the same 
 Number of their periodical Journal they accuse the Ame- 
 rican Executive of dullness, and triumph in the superi- 
 ority of their own discernment. TheFIoridas abound with 
 the noblest harbours on the globe, and supply positions to 
 secure and render efficient the largest naval establish' 
 ment. TV'est Florida, presenting a line of coast that ex- 
 tends along the Mexican Gulph, comprehends the en- 
 trance of the navigable river Perdido, the noble harbour 
 of Pensacola, the capacious bay of Appalachie, and the 
 magnificent one of Spiiitu Santo, which includes that of 
 Tampo, aflbrding a spacious harbour, completely sheltered 
 from the influence of the north-west wind, and capable of 
 receiving at anchor the whole of the British Navy. Be- 
 low Spiritu Santo, distant about 70 mileii, is Charlotte 
 Harbour, of inferior importance, yet highly desirable to 
 the trade and influence of East Florida. Chatham Bay, 
 extending to Cape Sublc, is too near the vortex of the 
 gulph stream for the safe resort of larger vessels, but for 
 small craft is advantageously situated. But passing 
 
 • See the Quarterly Review, Vol. 21, p. 15. Where it is also ad- 
 vanced, that If Anierka had a fleet in the only ports that 'u<Ul admit 
 ene^ the rvhole mi^ht be (dii, dereque) vrrt/ leisureli/ drstroi/cd ! ! ! 
 Credat Judaeus Apella, non ego. Before the descendants cf English- 
 men on the American shores would be the tame spectators of the de- 
 struction of tlieir ships, protected by forts and bastions, there must be 
 first extinffuished their spirit of independence, tlieir nobL* pride, their 
 generous sense of giory. liut the fact is, that INCIIKDULUS ODI 
 is the charm against the page of the Quarterly Reviewers, whether 
 thi'v make it a veliide of abuse against America, or of panegyric on 
 their owii vii'tuiai. 
 
mm 
 
 i 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 3*2r> 
 
 round Cape Sable, tlie coast of East Florida prevsents a 
 shore washed by the Atlantic, offering the port of Saint 
 Augustine ; not to mention the harbour of Amelia Island, 
 on the northern frontier of the province, one of the best in 
 the American sea. It is generally thought that the Go> 
 vcrnmcnt of the United States confine their ambitious 
 \iews to the Canadas, Hudson's Bay, and the Floridas ; 
 but I suspect that they consider the whole of the Western 
 Hemisphere, as far as the Isthmus of Darien, to be com- 
 prehended in the limits of their natural jurisdiction. By 
 the occupation of Galvestown they have advanced their fron- 
 tier within six hundred miles of the city of Mexico; and as 
 the whole of Upper Canada must necessarily fall when 
 that part of the State of New York extending to the Saint 
 Lawrence, between Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain, 
 shall be fully settled ; so the prorince of Mexico will be- 
 come incorporated with the States of the Union, directly 
 the tide of population in Louisiana acquires suflicient 
 condensity to sustain the operation. 
 
 It was in a bay on the coast of East Florida that the 
 American sloop of war Peacock, Captain Warrington, 
 lyin;? at anchor, discovered in the morning of the 24th of 
 April, three saH to windward in the offing ; and, on getting 
 iinderweigh, one of them, a man of war brig, bore down 
 with British colours flying : the other two vessels, under 
 her convoy, kept on their course. The brig that bore 
 down to engage the Peacock was the British sloop of 
 war Epervier, Captain Wales, from Jamaica, bound to 
 England with specie on board to the amount of 120,000 
 dollars, and an action ensued, which terminated in the 
 liddling of the hull of the English vessel, disuhling her 
 
 11 
 
 % i 
 
 r 
 
 « 
 
Wgtmf^^ 
 
 ■ 
 
 \ 
 
 380 
 
 NAVAL ANN A'LS. 
 
 masts «nd ipars; and killing and wounding 2S of her 
 crew ; while the AmericaQ soffered little or no iojiiry io 
 her hull or spars, had Bot a single man killed, and only 
 two slightly wounded* Captain Warrington's recital of 
 this action merits notice, as it exhibits a speeimen of 
 :f;unnery to which nothing parallel was seen in former 
 wars ; and evinces that, want of skill in that important 
 l)ranoh of naval science readers the utmost efforts of 
 
 courage inoffensive. 
 
 I 
 
 ■ .■"■. . ii. .;.:.' '' •■ < •'• '■'.■' ■ ' . i 
 
 ■ Captain WarringtmCs Letter. 
 
 ;•-.■■•. ■ . .,\A*.. ■.' • ■■! 
 
 U. S. sloop Peacock^ at sea, lat. 27o 47', 
 SiH, ^ , long. 80O 9', April 29, 1814. 
 
 I have the honor to inform you, that we have this morn- 
 ing captured, after an action of 45 minutes, H.M. brig 
 Epervier, rating and mounting eighteen 32>ponnd car- 
 ronades, with 128 men, of whom eleven were killed, and 
 15 wounded ; (according to the best information we could 
 obtain ;) among the latter is her first lieutenant, who has 
 lost an arm, and received a severe splinter-wound on th& 
 hip. Not a man in the Peacock was killed, and ooiy 
 two wounded, neitlier dangerously. The fate of the 
 Epervier would have been determined in much less time, 
 but for the circumstance of our fore-yard being totally 
 disabled by two round-shot in the starboard quarter, 
 from her first broadside, which entirely deprived us of 
 the use of our fore and fore-top*sails, and compelled 
 us to keep the ship large throughout the remainder of 
 the action. . • 
 
WKH^rm^ 
 
 ■ 
 
 NATAL ANNAI.1^. 
 
 ddi 
 
 S of her 
 iBJury io 
 and only 
 recital of 
 cimen Off 
 B former 
 nportant 
 efforts of 
 
 . 270 47', 
 9, 1814. 
 
 lis morn- 
 .M. bri|^ 
 »und car- 
 Ued, and 
 we could 
 who has 
 nd on the 
 and ooiy 
 e of the 
 less time, 
 tg totally 
 •quarter, 
 ed us of 
 ompelled 
 under of 
 
 This, with a few lo|>-m«8t and top>gaflant back-stays, 
 cut away, and a few shot through ow sails, is the only 
 injury the Peacock has sustained. Not a round^hot 
 touched her hnli; our ma&is and spars are as sound as 
 ever. When the enemy struck* he had five feet water In 
 his hold, his main-top-mast was orer the side, his main- 
 boom shot away, his fore-mast cut nearly in two, and 
 tottering, his fore-rigging and stays shot away, his bow- 
 sprit badly wounded, and 45 shot-holes in his hull, 90 
 of whieh were within a foot of his water-line. By great 
 exertion, we got her in sailing order just as dark eame oA, 
 
 In 15 minutes after the enemy struck, the Peacock was 
 ready for another action, in every respect, but her fore- 
 yard ; which was sent down, fished, and had the fore-sail 
 set again, in 45 minutes : such were the spirit and acti- 
 -vity of our gallant crew. The Epervier had under con- 
 voy an English hermaphrodite brig, a Russian and a 
 Spanish ship, which all hauled their wind, and stood to 
 the E.N.E. I had determined upon pursuing the former, 
 but found that it would not answer to leave our prize in 
 her then crippled state, and the more particularly so, as 
 we found she had 120,000 dollars in specie on board, 
 which we soon transferred to this sloop. 
 
 ACTION 
 BETWEEN THE REINDEER AND WASP. 
 
 June 28. The British sloop of war Kcindeer, Captain 
 Manners, is taken by the American sloop of war Wasp, 
 
 i\^ 
 
 I 
 
rT 
 
 
 ! H 
 
 i' 1 
 
 I 
 
 3S2 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 Captain Blakeley, in the Chops of the ChanAel, after a 
 sanguinary engagement of 19 minutes, in which the two 
 vessels fought yard arm to yard arm. The Reindeer 
 was manned with the " pride of Plymouth ;" the Wasp 
 with oilicers arid sailors who had served on board the 
 Constitution in her successful actions with the Guerriere 
 and Java. The Wasp was hovering about the English 
 Channel, and as the Reindeer tacked and stood towards 
 Lcr, the ardour of the Captain and crew was kindled to 
 behold the American flag insulting their shores. Captain 
 Manners with intrepid valour, laid the Reindeer's bow 
 abreast of the weather-main-chains of the Wasp, justified 
 in the bold act by his illustrious name, and daring spirit ; 
 and in contact with the enemy, opened the fire of his 
 guns. His fire was answered by the Americans with a 
 precision and effect, perhaps, unexampled ; making a 
 wreck of the Reindeer in a line with her ports, and in- 
 volving in promiscuous destruction her upper- works, her 
 spare-spars, and the boats that were stowed on them. 
 The firmancnt was without a cloud, and the sea smooth 
 as glass ; reflecting, before the smoke from the cannon 
 deformed the scene, the sloops and their white canvas 
 on its unruflled mirror. While the naval gunners on the 
 W^asp's main deck were taking aim at the Reindeer's 
 hull as at a target, the riflemen from her tops delibe- 
 rately picked off" the British oflicers and men, so that the 
 quarter-deck soon became covered with killed and 
 w ounded. The lieutenant, the master, the master's mate, 
 the purser, the boatswain, the gunner, and every petty 
 officer, were carried down totlie cockpit. At this crisis 
 Captain Manneis called to his crew, " I'ollow me, my 
 
 ' 
 
 
' 
 
 mmmm 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 3aa 
 
 hel, after a 
 ich the two 
 i Reindeer 
 the Wasp 
 board the 
 5 Guerriere 
 he English 
 od towards 
 kindled to 
 I. Captain 
 tdeer's bow 
 sp, justified 
 ring spirit ; 
 fire of his 
 cans with a 
 ; making a 
 ts, and in- 
 -works, her 
 d on them, 
 sea smooth 
 the cannon 
 hite canvas 
 iners on the 
 Reindeer's 
 tops delibe- 
 , so that the 
 killed and 
 ister's mate, 
 svery petty 
 t this crisis 
 ow me, my 
 
 I 
 
 " boys, we must board them ;" and, animatinfc their 
 spirit of enterprise by his example, he mounted on a 
 fore-castle gun and seized the rigging of the American to 
 board his deck, but two rifie balls from the enemy's tops 
 penef^ated his head, and came out beneath his chin, 
 when placing one hand on his forehead, and convulsively 
 brandishing his sword with the other, he exclaimed, 
 " God \" and fell back lifeless on his own deck. Though 
 deprived of their chief support, the British still rushed 
 on to board ; but Blakeley and his crew stood fsrm, and 
 compelled them to retrace their steps ; he then pursued 
 them at the head of his sailors, with their drawn weapons 
 in their hands, and carried the brig in one minute, going 
 aft him self, and hauling down the English colours with 
 his own hand. 
 
 In this spirited conflict, which lasted only 19 minutes, 
 the Reindeer had 25 killed, and 42 wounded ; total 67 : 
 the Wasp 1 1 killed, and 15 wounded ; total 26. A breeze 
 springing up the next day, the Reindeer's foremast went 
 by the board ; and she was so much shattered in her hull, 
 that no sooner were the prisoners and wounded removed, 
 than Captain Blakeley caused her to be set on fire, and 
 in a short time her magazine exploded. 
 
 Captain Blakeley' s Letter. » 
 
 U. S. sloop Wasp, L'Orient, July 8, 1814. 
 
 On Tuesday, the 28th ultimo, being then in lat. 48" 36' 
 N. and long. 11" 15' W. we fell in with, engaged, and in 
 19 minutes captured the British sloop of war Keintleer, 
 William Manners, Ksq. commander, ; > . ■ 
 
 ■1 '< 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 ' n 
 
il, 
 
 : 
 
 f 
 
 ;ll 
 
 SS4 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 - Findhi;^ the'enen^ di(f not f M i^vffioiently on tbe li««ita,' 
 to enable ns to bring oor guns to bear, put the betm 
 a>lee ; and, at 26 minutes after 3, commenced tbe action 
 whb tbe after-earronade on tbe f tarboard-iide, and fired 
 in aaeceMi(m ; 34 minntei after 3, baoled np tbe main- 
 sail ; 40 minutes after 3, tbe enemy baving bis bow in 
 contact with our larboard quarter, endeavoured to board 
 us, but was repulsed in every attempt ; at 44 minotes 
 after 3, orders were given to board in turn, which were 
 promptly executed, when all resistance immediately 
 ceased ; and, at 46 mimites after 3, tbe enemy's flag was- 
 bauleddown. ' 
 
 Tbe Reindeer mounted sixteen 24 -pound carronades, 
 two lOiig 6 or 9-pounders, and a drifting 12-pound car- 
 ronade, witb a complement on board of lid men, Her 
 crew were said to be tbe pride of Plymouth. 
 
 . Our loss in men has been severe, owing, in part, to 
 the proximity of the two vessels, and tbe extreme smootb- 
 ness of tbe sea, but chiefly in repelling boarders. That 
 of tbe enemy, bowever, was infinitely more so, as will be 
 seen by tbe list of killed and woanded on both sides. 
 
 Six round-shot struck our hull, and many grape, which 
 did not penetrate far. Tbe fore-mast received a 24-pound 
 shot, which passed through its centre, and our rigging 
 and sails were a good deal injured. ' 
 
 Tbe Reindeer was literally cut to pieces in a line with 
 her ports : her upper works, boats, and spare spars, were 
 one complete wreck. A breeze springing up the next 
 afternoon, her fore-mast went by the board. 
 
 • Having received all the prisoners on board, which, 
 from the number of wounded occupied much time, toge- 
 
rtlielieaib, 
 t the hetm 
 I the action 
 e, and fired 
 I the main- 
 liis bow in 
 Bd to board 
 14 nimites 
 vrhioh were 
 nmediately 
 ^'s flag was 
 
 jarronades, 
 poand car- 
 men, Her I 
 
 in part, to 
 me smootl^ 
 lers. That 
 > as will be 
 1 sides, 
 rape, which 
 a24-pouiid 
 3ur rigging 
 
 a line with 
 spars, were 
 ip the next 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS.: 934 
 
 ther with their baggage, the Reindcur was, on the evening 
 of the 29th, set on fire, and in a few hours blew up. 
 
 Liit of hilled mud woundtd on ho»rd the U. S, tloop «/* war 
 Wtujty m the action with the Reindeer. 
 
 Killed, and since dead (including two midshipmen) 1 1 
 Wounded severely ------- 6 
 
 slighUy 10—— 16 
 
 ■ ' Total .-•-----20 
 
 List q/* the hilled and wounded on board H. B» M. sloop 
 
 Reindeevm 
 
 Killed-— Wm. Manners,. Esq. commander ; John Thos. 
 'barton, purser ; and 23 petty offieers and seamen. 
 . Wounded— ThomsiS Chambers, first lieutenant; Richard 
 Jones, master ; and 40 petty ofiicers and seamen. 
 
 Recapitulation, 
 
 Killed - - - - - - 25 
 
 Wounded dangerously - - - - 10 
 
 ■ severely ------ 17 
 
 • slightly - 16— 42 
 
 Total 67 
 
 ti 
 
 i 
 
 h\ 
 
 ard, which, 
 time, toge- 
 
•'*^ 
 
 1 
 
 ma 
 
 NAVAL ANNAl.S. 
 
 . ■*#., -•* ■' 
 
 U*^ f >.■.*■ ",- * .iL»rit> > ^A. 
 
 * 1 , 
 
 THE ATTACK 
 
 ■>*M P-l r, T 
 
 . -v. li.V.vi* ■•?(',; 
 
 ! I 
 
 PF THE ARMSTRONG PRIVAT£ER, IN FAYAL ROADS, £Y THE 
 BOATS OF A BRITISH SQUADRON. i 
 
 ;4<!tnvu I- M, 
 
 ••.it' ! .'1 ^--f'l *, ■' i-ifx «• 
 
 iS,.-.'^*,' 
 
 The Azores, oi Western Islands, are situated in tlie 
 AMantic Ocean, at nearlj' an equal distance from Europe 
 and America ; they are nine in number, and inhabited 
 by Portuguese. At one of them, called Fayal, the Ame- 
 rican schooner privateer Armstrong, of 18 guns, Captain 
 Gfty R. Champlin, with a complement of 100 seamen, 
 touched in the m.>nth of July 1614, for wood and water ; 
 and while lying at anchor in the roads, was descried from 
 tike ofling by the Plantagenet of 74 guns, and the Rota and 
 Carnation. The ships having hove to at the south-west 
 promontory of the bay, despatched a boat to recor.ioitre 
 the force of the Armstrong, which, on its approach, was 
 hailed by the privateersmen, and told to keep olT: but 
 the strength of the tide brought the boat under the 
 schooner's counter, and she sustained the fire of the Ame- 
 ricans, with the loss of seven men killed. The English, 
 incensed at this conduct, sent the Carnation in to destroy 
 the piivatecr ; but the schooner, which drew compara- 
 tively little water, lying at anchor only a pistol shot from 
 the shore, was found to be out of the range of her guns. 
 Upon this nine boats were hoisted out from the ships of 
 the squadron, which, manned with two hundred seamen, 
 were sent, under the command of three lieutenants, on 
 the desperate enterprize of carrying the privateer by 
 boarding. In the mean while Captain Champlin, who 
 
1 
 
 ujffmni" •"<^«i'>i»«wi,f^ "",■-'*«•, n^vi ifi,^ 
 
 !|t 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 •^37 
 
 S, BY THE 
 
 ted in tbe 
 m Europe 
 ialmbitcd 
 the Ame- 
 s, Captain 
 [) seaiueii* 
 ind water ; 
 cried from 
 B Rota and 
 soutb-west 
 ecor.ioitre 
 roach, was 
 ;p off : but 
 under the 
 f the Arae- 
 \e Englisli, 
 to destroy 
 compara- 
 1 shot from 
 f her guns, 
 he ships of 
 ed seamen, 
 tenants, on 
 rivaleer by 
 mplin, who 
 
 was an old man of war's man bred under Truxton,* with 
 admirable presence of mind, put his schooner in a pos- 
 ture of defence. He hoye in about fifteen fathoms of his 
 cable, and made fast to it two warps, then veered away, 
 and brought them to the windlass ; forming thereby 
 springs which enabled him to bring his broadside to bear 
 on the boats. Ho then ran up his boarding-netting, and 
 traced it to tbe yards ; after which he loaded his cannon 
 with double ^bot, iron bolts, marling-spikes, strop hooks, 
 and whatever destructive missives he could mus^ter. On 
 the approach of the boats the privateer.smen cheered with 
 a voice of defiance ; and as the lieutenants called to their 
 crews " hurrah boys ! pull up alongside !" they were re- 
 ceived with a profuse and levelling fire that killed and 
 wounded great numbers of their men. But the impetu- 
 bsity of the assailants was not to be repressed ; by v. bold, 
 though dangerous eflbtt of valour, they carried the pri- 
 vateer, whose crew, unable to stop the career of their 
 enemy, fled in their boats to the shore, from whence they 
 kept up a renewed and brisk fire of musketry on the 
 English as they were destroying their vessel ; she was, 
 however, destroyed, but (will it be credited) at the ex- 
 pence of one hundred and thirty-five of the assailants 
 killed and wounded, among whom were the three lieu- 
 tenantslf . . • .... 
 
 • In the war between the United States and the French Republic, 
 Truxton commanded the Constellation frigate at the capture of tho 
 Insurgent. 
 
 . + This account is confirmed in the eighth volume (p. 343) of the 
 liiveu of the Admirals. 
 
 
 
T 
 
 338 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 .s .. < 
 
 TEMPORARY OCCUPATION, BY THE BRITISH, 
 
 ■ '■ J-: or THE ' "■' ' 
 
 CITY OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 
 1 
 
 •i 
 
 An army under General Ross, of 4000 veteran soldiers, 
 -who had served with distinction in the Peninsular war, 
 having efi'ccted a landing on the Patuxent, advance upon 
 Washington, and encounter at Bladensburg an American 
 army of 5000 militia, including 350 regulars, commanded 
 by General Winder, of whom the greatest |part arrived 
 on the ground, from different points of the country, 
 when the enemy were in sight. They had barely fallen 
 into their ranks when, about one in the afternoon of 
 August 24th, an action commenced, which was sustained 
 by parts of the American troops with great spirit and 
 ell'ect. The contest lasted an hour, when the right and 
 centre of General Stansbury's brigade gave way, and the 
 5th Baltimore regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Ster- 
 rett, was ordered to retreat, to avoid being out-flanked ; 
 the reserve, commanded by Brigadier General Smith, 
 with the Maryland militia, and Commodore Barney's 
 sailors, were the last that held out to the right on the 
 hill. In this conflict the British army lost, in killed 
 and wounded, 248.* The troops of General Ross, on 
 being left masters of the field, halted for a short time, 
 
 H 
 
 • At the termination of a battle we calculate the lives that have 
 been lost, but do not compute the hearts that have been hardened. 
 The steel wiped from its slaughterous stain, retains its slaughterous 
 shape. It is not returned to the anvil, but to the scabburd. 
 
 '; I 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 839 
 
 nsH, 
 
 I soldiers, 
 iular war, 
 ince upon 
 A.merican 
 mmanded 
 rt arrived 
 
 country, 
 e)y fallen 
 ernoon of 
 sustained 
 spirit and 
 
 right and 
 ly, and the 
 onel Ster- 
 t-flanked ; 
 ral Smith, 
 
 Barney's 
 ;ht on the 
 
 in killed 
 
 Ross, on 
 ihort time, 
 
 es that have 
 en hardened, 
 slaughteroua 
 
 rd. 
 
 and then marched upon Washington, 4 miies distant, 
 which they reached at eight o'clock that night, and re- 
 ferring to London as a standard of comparison, were 
 surprized to find the metropolis of the Western World, 
 a city with streets laid out but not built on, or with only 
 a few detached houses at such wide intervals from each 
 other, that the columns of the invading army might march 
 in squares through every hiatus. It presented, however, 
 to the eye, a number of public buildings, devoted to the 
 great purposes of legislation and government, on elevated 
 scites, overlooking the Potomac; and of these proud 
 edifices, in a few hours, scarce a stone was left standing. 
 The Capitol, the President's " Palace," the War Office, 
 the Treasury, and the Arsenal, were blown up by the 
 British troops, and buried in one common mass of ruin 
 and desolation. Scarcely was the work of ruin conir 
 pleted, when the wrath of Heaven seemed provoked ; for 
 there came on a whirlwind so awful and tremendous^ 
 that the columns of the besieging army were as com- 
 pletely dispersed as if they had undergone a total defeat; 
 some flying for succour behind the dilapidated buildings, 
 and others falling flat on the ground : the very cannon 
 were lifted in their carriages, and borne to a distance on 
 the wings of the tempest. In the miserable account of 
 war, the triumph is not unfrequently dashed with humi- 
 liation, and the conquerors, in the precipitance of their 
 retreat* from the land which they had invaded, left be- 
 hind them at Bladensburg, a great part of their wounded j 
 among them were the rollowin^' uilicers : Colonel Thorn- 
 
 * The British armj occupied Washington exacdy 24 hours. 
 
 z2 
 
 
 I 
 
 'I 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
340 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ton, Lieut. -Colonel Wood, Major Brown, Lieut. Stavely, 
 and £nflign Buchanan. 
 
 And now while patriotism and her dejected train of 
 citizens bent over the ashes of the Capitol, Religion, with 
 exalted voice exhorted them, not ineffectually, to the 
 performance of a sacred and solemn duty. The senate, 
 the clergy, and the people went forth to bury the dead of 
 the enemy. The procession moved slowly from the highest 
 flat area of the hill of the Capitol (whose marble ruins, 
 reduced to one undistinguished mass, were yet smoking 
 from the effects of their explosion,) and proceeded 
 through the Pennsylvania avenue, along the east branch 
 of the Potomac, to the battle ground at Bladensburg. 
 Men, bearing the implements for the interment of the 
 dead, preceded the members of both houses of Congress. 
 In the centre of the procession walked the officiating 
 priest, distinguishable by his band and surplice. On ar- 
 riving ct the field of battle, strewn with the bodies of the 
 slain, there was a deep and solemn pause : the graves 
 were dug in silence : and no voice was heard but that of 
 the minister, as the earth of a foreign land closed over 
 the victims of unnatural war. <> - > > > ■ 
 
 II, 
 
 i ,..{ 
 
 t .i 
 
 .\ 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 341 
 
 Stavely, 
 
 train of 
 
 on, with 
 
 , to the 
 
 senate, 
 
 dead of 
 
 ; highest 
 
 le ruins, 
 
 smoking 
 
 oceeded 
 
 t branch 
 
 snsburg. 
 
 it of llie 
 
 ongress. 
 
 fficiating 
 
 Onar- 
 
 ies of the 
 
 e graves 
 
 it that of 
 
 sed over 
 
 r..{ ■ ■ r 
 
 ■ I 
 
 «■■,'. 
 
 KIGHT ATTACK 
 
 •i ,1 '4 
 
 .":1 I 
 
 OF A CAMP OF RANGERS, 
 
 •„ ■. ,^ On the Shore of Chesapeake Bap, 
 
 THE CAPTAIN AND CREW OF A FRIGATE. 
 
 . • ■ ■,,:'i. ' • ■' ■ ' ..'--' » 
 
 noctisque per umbram 
 
 ; . Castra inimica petunt. 
 
 ViRoiL. /. 9. V. 314. 
 
 The bay of Chesapeake is one of the largest in the 
 world. It is twelve miles wide at its entrance between 
 Cape Henry and Cape Charles, and extends two hundred 
 and eighty miles northward to the mouth of the Susque- 
 hannah river, through which vast extent of water the 
 tide ebbs and flows. It is from 7 to 18 miles wide from 
 shore to shore, averaging a depth of 9 fathoms, afibrding 
 a safe and easy navigation,* and abounding with com- 
 modious harbours. Of its tributary rivers the principal 
 are the Susquehannah, the Patapsco, the Patuxent, the 
 
 r*i, 
 
 . 
 
 i 
 
 * In this lespect there is an invaluable ditTerence, between the 
 Chesapeake Bay, or River, and the Plata, in South America. The 
 depth of the Plata is by no means proportionable to its breadth, and 
 its navigation is perpetually obstructed by enormous sand banks, not 
 covered with more than two or three fathoms of water. The English 
 and Ortiz banks, in partica.'ar, detract from the utility of the river, and 
 inspire such terror, that th<! Plata has been emphatically termed the 
 hell Pf Pilots. 
 
Mi 
 
 NAVAt ANN-AtS. 
 
 Potomac, the Rappahannock, James, and York ; navi- 
 gable for ships of burden into the heart of a cultivated 
 country.* 
 
 When the army of General Ross advancfed upon the 
 city of Washington, Sir Peter Parker, in the Menelaus 
 frigate, ascended the Chesapeake to make a diversion of 
 the enemy in that quarter. The breeze blowing from the 
 northward, the ship had to beat the whole way, but the 
 crew forgot the toil of their ascent in the magnificence of 
 the scene before them. Northward they beheld the waves 
 running out to the sky like those of the main sea, or 
 partially terminated by isles of various shapes forming 
 an interrupted horizon ; whilst the moving level land- 
 scapes on either shore were relieved by the rich amphi- 
 theatre of woody hills in the more distant prospect, 
 surmounted by a waving outline of azure mountains that 
 bounded the whole. The mind of the enlightened na- 
 vigator associated with the shores before him all that was 
 enterprizing and romantic in an age of discovery and 
 adventure. To tho fancy Smith appeared sustaining with 
 
 (;'.'!, 
 
 * An Oxford or Cambridge education disqualifies a man for travel- 
 ling — he never pets fairly out of the leading-strings of Ahna Mater — 
 he travels with his satchel hanging to his back, and thinks there is no 
 appeal from the judgment of Virgil, who, perhaps, never had an ori- 
 ginal thought of his own. Hence Eustace, in his Classical Tour, is 
 lost in wonder at the magnificence of the Tiber and the Po, " whose 
 *' currents are unexhausted in tlie scorching heat of summer." From 
 this the inference is inevitable, that they would be seen to most ad- 
 vantage after a shower of rain. What is the Po compared with the 
 Potomac ? The one a hundred and fifty yartls wide at its mouth, 
 the other seven miles and a half! The Shepherd in Virgil was filled 
 with admiration of the magnitude of his village till he visited Rome, 
 and then rebuked himself with the exclamation of Stultus ego I . 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 343 
 
 From 
 
 1 
 
 
 persevering energy the courage of a handful of colonists in 
 the wilds of a barbarous nation ; and Pochahontas ap- 
 proaching the forlorn outcasts with a heart to pity, and 
 a hand to bless. ^ 
 
 The frigate anchored before Pool's island, towards the 
 head of the bay, above the estuary of the Patapsco, and 
 the same day an African born negro swam oft' to the ship, 
 and made report that in a deep ravine on the Eastern 
 shore of the Bay, a detachment of Rangers had en- 
 camped, who were collected to assist in the defence of 
 Baltimore, and were only prevented from crossing to the 
 opposite side by the appearance of the Menelaus. On 
 receiving this information Sir Peter Parker resolved to 
 fall on them in the night, with the hope of cutting off 
 and securing the greatest part as prisoners, and, at ten 
 o'clock, the boats were hauled up alongside the frigate 
 to disembark one hundred and twenty four seamen and 
 marines, with their respective odicers : the expedition 
 was commanded by Sir Peter Parker. The crew crowded 
 the gangways to witness the departure of their comrades, 
 and as they descended the ship's side there was many a 
 silent pressure of the hand exchanged between them. It 
 was not long after the full of the moon, and scarcely had 
 the boatmen begun to ply theii- oars, when every eye was 
 directed to a glow in the east, and the luminary of night 
 
 • Recorded honours have gathered round the name of this Indian 
 maid in the account (printed in Purchas' Pilf^rims) ^iven by Captain 
 Smith of her kind protection of the colonists ; and had King James, 
 when he received her at court, conferred on licr a title, the appro- 
 priate motto to her armorial bearings would have been MISERIS 
 SUCCURRERE DISCO. 
 
 k 
 
 i! i 
 
^44 
 
 NAVAL ANNALSt 
 
 rose with serene splendor over the blue expanse of waler». 
 All was tranquil : , ,, 
 
 (,,.«. the little wave ' ''' ''"'... 
 
 Which rippled to the shore, and left no foam, < ' . ,, 
 
 Sent its low murmurs far. 
 H" •' • •• ' ' Madoc. Book23. 
 
 The flood tide was making—the ship was on the swing — 
 and the deep watch-word of the centinel on the gangway 
 caused the stillness of the scene to be felt. The heart 
 turned involuntarily from meditating deeds of death to 
 contemplate the peaceful planet of the night; and there 
 were those who beheld it with the apprehension of soon 
 losing for ever its solacing beams. The party landed at 
 the head of a creek, winding ronnd broken crags, and 
 shagged with pines ; and were conducted by their guide 
 to the vicinity of Bellair, through a country wildly pic- 
 turesque. They had scarcely proceeded a mile when the 
 African made a sudden halt, and exclaimed in his patois^ 
 " What buckra among the leabs there stand peepie 
 '* peepie ? *♦ You think neger no hab eyes. Cudjo spy 
 " you !" and before an answer could be made to his qui 
 vive ! some of the English sprang forward, and seized the 
 look-out picquet of the American camp. They now pushed 
 on to tlie attack of the main-body, and came to a path 
 that climbed a rocky ascent, whose ridge brought them 
 in full view of the camp in a deep ravine encompassed 
 uith bold hills, richly wooded, of a great variety of forms. 
 The English couched among the trees on the projecting 
 cliff that crested the defile, whence a path descended t» 
 the encampment ; and pushing gently by the foliage that 
 intercepted their view, and peeping with all the attention- 
 
^ 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 043 
 
 f waters. 
 
 ok 23. 
 
 5 swing — 
 gangway 
 'he heart 
 ' death to 
 and there 
 >n of soon 
 landed at 
 rag3, and 
 ^eir guide 
 iidly pic- 
 when the 
 his patoiir 
 id peepie 
 Cudjo spy 
 to his qui 
 seized the 
 )w pushed 
 to a path 
 light them 
 ompassed 
 |r of forms, 
 projecting 
 icended to 
 >Iiage that 
 } attentiorv 
 
 that the thing seemed to deserve, they witnessed a tiight- 
 scene that might l:ave exercised the pencil of a Salvator 
 Rosa. Numerous camp fires illuminated the faces of 
 groupes of white and black men, bivouacing round the' 
 kindled piles with an American indifference to luxury, 
 grace, and accommodation. Some were sitting before 
 the flames baking hoe-cakes of Indian meal ; some were 
 earnestly engaged at cards, and others dancing in antic 
 guise to the music of a fiddle played by a ragged negro 
 boy, with his black wooly head bare, his elbow in rapid 
 motion, and his visible muscles distorted : but by far the 
 most numerous assemblage had collected ronnd a dead 
 bear, of extraordinary bulk, which they were tricing up 
 with a rope by the hind-legs to the lower limb of a stately 
 sycamore, in order to skin and carve his carcass : the 
 man who had shot Bruin was sitting in a weary posture 
 on the ground, with his gun by his side, recounting to a 
 mute circle the stratagems he had practised io circum- 
 vent the curious animal ; and how he had allured him, as 
 he lay concealed in some rank grass, by waving his hand- 
 kerchief tied to the end of his ramrod : he dwelt on the 
 difficulty of pacifying his dog, and often pointed to him 
 during the recital, as he lay overcome with fatigue at his 
 feet. At the first flash of the firelocks from the seamen 
 and marines overlooking the encampment, the whole 
 crowd started on their feet, and were in motion scramb- 
 ling up the opposite side of the defile with the agility of 
 scared squirrels. The echoes of the rocks of the ravine 
 rung to the cry of " the British !" and each fugitive, on 
 gaining the ridge, sought the recesses of the forest 
 through by-ways, hedges, bushes, and bulTalo-paths. Id 
 
 I 
 
 >■". 
 
 ' '! 
 
 K 
 
II 
 
 s- 
 
 34^ 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 the mean while a man of good mien, and in his full parade 
 dress, called to this formidable body in a load voico» 
 ** WherOf soldiers, are you all running to, as if Buona- 
 ** parte was come 1 Look to the park of artillery in the 
 " rear. Where is the Captain of the engineers ?" So 
 saying, he started wildly down the valley, followed by 
 three fleet youths in trim uniforms, with ostrich plumes 
 waving to their caps ; each placing his hands hollow to 
 his mouth, and raising in barbarous emulation the war- 
 whoop practised by the aborigines of the country. Their 
 savage clamours had the effect of rallying round the ar- 
 tillery about a hundred riors dressed in deer-skin 
 coats ; but the great bulk ot the army sought the preci- 
 pices, which they climbed with incredible agility, and 
 when called on to form, only looked back in mortal agony 
 at those who spoke to them without the power of making 
 a reply. The Colonel and his adherents assembled round 
 their field-pieces, and putting on a resolute air, made a 
 shew of defending them to the last extremity. But 
 the English commander, disregarding tin's vain bra- 
 vade, rushed forward at the head of his men, and at the 
 first charge of the bayonet, dispersed ignominiously the 
 band. In possession of the artillery, and, to all appear- 
 auce, masters of the field of battle, the British sailors 
 and marines raised a triumphant shout ; but they soon 
 found themselves hat massed by a mode of warfare under 
 which troops laurelled in ten campaigns of Europe would 
 have succumbed. The rangers, who had fled in the first 
 moments of consternation and disorder, no sooner re- 
 sumed their courage, and collected their powers, than 
 every man availing himself of local circumstances, fought 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 347 
 
 I parade 
 1 voice, 
 Buona* 
 r in the 
 s?" So 
 wed by 
 plumes 
 ollow to 
 the war- 
 r. Their 
 I the ar- 
 leer-skin 
 le preci- 
 lity, and 
 :al agony 
 f making 
 ed round 
 made a 
 y. But 
 ain bra- 
 nd at the 
 jusly the 
 appear- 
 'h sailors 
 hey soon 
 re under 
 36 would 
 1 the first 
 oner re- 
 jrs, than 
 s, fought 
 
 
 after his own humour, and turned his rifle to the best 
 account. Some glided like snakes in thickets, from 
 whence presenting their pieces they never missed their 
 mark ; some took their stations on the limbs of the lofty 
 trees that, in natural groves, overlooked the ravine, and 
 fired unseen through the foliage ; and others, creeping 
 with subtle glance, and dexterous arm, along the ridge 
 of the precipice, let fly, and loaded again without remit- 
 ting their mobility : every hedge was an ambush, every 
 tree a shelter, and every rock a fortified post. It was in 
 this exposed sitiution, while animating his men with his 
 voice and gestures, that Sir Peter Parker* was pierced, 
 by a rifle ball, and breathed his last in the arms of his 
 officers. The field pieces were for a short time in pos- 
 session of the English ; but, baffled in their attempts to 
 close with the enemy, they abandoned them, and sought 
 again the beach. They left behind them twelve of their 
 party slain, and supported back to the ship twenty-five 
 of their wounded, the whole they could find. Though 
 returning conquerors from the field, their slow and 
 mournful march presented the appearance of a funereal 
 convoy; and when they had re-embarked in their boats, 
 and reached once more their ship, her deck exhibited a 
 scene of clamorous sorrow, or silent despair. 
 
 • See a tribute to the memory of this officer, by a noble poet, bc- 
 giuiiiii)? " There is a tear for all who die." 
 
 V 
 
 f1» 
 
 !i 
 
 / ; 
 
 . l 
 
34ft 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 
 1 ♦ 
 
 ! >: 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 '' ^ "'» - NIGHT ACTION 
 
 BETWEEN THE AVON AND WASP* , 
 
 In 'which t/te Avon teat lunk. 
 
 "t 
 
 •rt- 
 
 I i 
 
 An action at sea is at any time an awful scone, but in 
 the night it acquires from darkness an aggravation of 
 horror. The tumult is then peculiarly impressive of the 
 drummer beating to quarters— of the crew crowding up 
 the hatchways with their hammocks — of the master at 
 arms suspending lanthorns over the port-cells — of the 
 quarter-gunners examining the rammers, the spnnges, 
 the powder-horns and locks — of the captains of the gun» 
 casting loose their cannon, and levelling them with their 
 handspikes to the point*blank range for firing; While, if 
 a torch were to be passed along the deck from visage ta 
 visage, distinct ideas might be formed of the several cha- 
 racters of the crowd — for then one man would be seen 
 going into action with enterprizing valour — another with 
 mechanical courage — and a third, perhaps, with the 
 quivering lip of pale affection at the tender remembrance 
 of some endearrd object he may never again behold. 
 The Wasp, after her capture of the Reindeer, proceeded 
 to L'Orient, a harbour on the west coast of France, situ- 
 ated at the bottom of the bay of Saint Louis, and having 
 taken on board provisions, directed her course for the 
 Irish coast, where, between Cape Clear and Kinsale, 
 about 9 at night of September 1, she fell in with the 
 British sloop of war Avon, Captain Arbuthnot. A spirited 
 action ensued between the two vessels, which terminated 
 
y 
 
 ^ 
 ff 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 U» 
 
 
 f »■' 
 
 le, but in 
 ivation oi 
 live of tlie 
 wding up 
 naster at 
 s— of the 
 sponges^ 
 r the gun» 
 with their 
 ; while, if 
 visage ta 
 veral cha- 
 Id be seen 
 )ther with 
 with the 
 embrance 
 n behold, 
 iroceeded 
 ince, situ- 
 Dd having 
 le for tlie 
 , Kinsale, 
 with the 
 A spirited 
 ;rminated 
 
 in the surrender of the Avon, who lost her main-mast, 
 and was actually in a sinking state at the time she struck, 
 from the damages sustained in her huU by the Wasp's 
 destructive fire. At this crisis the Br(ti:ih sloop of war 
 Castilian, Captain Bremer, hove in sight, who stood to- 
 wards the American, but was diverted from a decisive 
 contest by the guns of distress fired on board the Avon, 
 and he had scarcely time to save her surviving crew with 
 his boats, when she went down head foremost: Lieute- 
 nant Harvey was the last who left the Avon. The English 
 lost in this action Mr. Pendergrast, the first lieutenant, 
 and 9 seamen killed, with 33 wounded ; total 43. The 
 Americans had 2 killed, and 1 wounded; totals. To sink 
 their opponent in a heavy gale with a high sea running, 
 presupposes admirable gunnery on the part of the crew 
 »f the Wasp. 
 
 . ; Captain Blaheleif's Letter. 
 
 September 1, 1814. 
 *' At 7 in the evening the enemy commenced making 
 signals with flags, which in the dark could not be dis- 
 tinguished; she afterwards burnt blue lights, and sent 
 up rockets. Set the flying jib. At 20 minutes after we 
 got up with him, on his weather-quarter, when he hailed 
 and inquired * What ship is that?' Not answered, but 
 asked * What brig is that?' He replied, * His Majesty's 
 
 brig .' Blowing fresh, the name was not distinctly 
 
 understood. He again hailed, and asked, ' What ship is 
 tiiat ?' when he was told to heave to, and he would be in- 
 formed. He repeated his question, and was answered 
 to the sanieelk'ct. Mr. Carr was then sent forward lo 
 
 > 
 
 / 
 
 / 
 
I 'I 
 
 350 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 order him to heave to, which he declined doing ; at 9. 25. 
 the enemy set his fore-tup-mast studding-sail ; at 9. 26. 
 fired the J 2- pound carronade, to make him heave-to^ 
 when the enemy commenced action by firing his larboard 
 guns. We then kept away, ran under his lee, and at 9. 
 29. commenced the aCilDn. At 10 o'clock, believing the 
 enemy to be silenced, orders were given to cease firing, 
 when I hailed, and asked if he had surrendered. No 
 answer being given to this, and his fire having recom- 
 menced, it was again returned. At 12 minutes after 10, 
 the enemy i:aving suflered greatly, and having made no 
 return to our last two broadsides, I hailed him the second 
 time, to know if he had surrendered, when he ansv/ered 
 in the aflirmative. We were on the eve of taking pos- 
 session, when a sail was descried close on board of us : 
 orders were then given to clear the ship again for action, 
 which were promptly executed. We were then on the 
 point of wearing, to engage the second, which we per- 
 ceived to be a brig of war, when, at 10. 2C. discovered two 
 more sails, one a-stern, the other one point on our lee- 
 quarter, standing for us ; orders were then given to stand 
 from the strange sails. The first ct.ntinued to approach 
 us, until she came close to our stern, when she hauled by 
 the wind, fired her broadside, and retraced her steps to 
 join her consorts, when we were necessitated to abandon 
 the prize. He appeared, in every respect, a total wreck. 
 He continued for some time tiring guns of distress, until, 
 probably, delivered by the two last vessels who madt> 
 their appearance. The menacing brig could have ♦en- 
 gaged us, if he had thought proper, but contented himselt 
 with firing a broadside, and immediately returned to his 
 

 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 asi 
 
 at 9. 25. 
 
 at 9.2C. 
 lieaye-tOj 
 larboard 
 and at 9. 
 eviug the 
 ise firing, 
 red. No 
 ig recom- 
 j after 10, 
 ; made no 
 he second 
 answered 
 iking pos- 
 ,rd of us : 
 for action, 
 en on the 
 ch we per- 
 jvererttwo 
 n our lee- 
 en to stand 
 > approach 
 i hauled by 
 er steps to 
 to abandon 
 Dtal wreck. 
 ress, until, 
 who ma do 
 d have un- 
 ited himselt 
 irued to his 
 
 companions. Our loss is two killed, and one slightly 
 wounded with a wad." 
 
 P. S. — I am told the enemy, after his surrender, asked 
 for assistance, and said he was sinking. The probabi- 
 lity of this is confirmed by his firing single guns for some 
 time. 
 
 M 
 
 MACDONOUGH'S VICTORY 
 
 ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN, 
 
 AND THE 
 
 Rareat of a Brithh Army from be/are Plattsbiirff. 
 
 Champlain is a lake the next in magnitude to Ontario, 
 and forms the boundary between the states of New York 
 and Vermont. On the west shore, at the mouth of the 
 Saranac, stands the town of Plattsburg. In the bay be- 
 fore this tow. the American commodore M'Donough 
 obtained a victory over the British fleet; while an army 
 of 12,000 men, commanded by Sir George Prcvost, (the 
 flower of thut army which under the greatest Captain of 
 the age had exalted the reputation of their country in 
 France and Spain,) without coming to a dccij^lve action 
 with General Macomb's army posted in the defenc of 
 the place, made a precipitate retreat back into Canada, 
 abandoning immense quantities of stores and numuni- 
 tion, and losing upwaids of a thousand soldiers by de- 
 sertion.* 
 
 * It was stated to be 2090 in the British parliament. 
 
 I 
 
^2 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 I 
 
 GENERAL MACOMB'S ACCOUNT. 
 ^ r " General Orders. . *■ 
 
 ** Head-quarters, Plattsburg, Sept 14, 1814. 
 
 " The Governor General of the Canadas, and Com- 
 mander in Chief of the British forces in North America, 
 having invaded the territories of the United States, with 
 the avowed purpose of conquering the country as far as 
 Crown Point and Tinconderoga, there to winter his 
 forces with a view to farther conquest, brought with him 
 a powerful army and flotilla. An army amounting to 
 14,000 men, completely equipped, and accompanied by 
 a numemu8 train of artillery md all the engines of war — 
 men who had conquered in France, Spain, Portugal, the 
 Indies, and in other parts of the globe, and led by the 
 most distinguished Generals in the British army. A 
 flotilla also superior to ours in vessels, men, and guns, 
 had determined at once to crush us, both by land and 
 water. 
 
 '* The Governor General, after boasting of what he 
 would do, and endeavouring to dissuade the loyal inha- 
 bitants of the United States from their allegiance, by 
 threats and promises, as set forth in his proclamation and 
 order, fixed his head-quarters at the village of Cham- 
 plain to organise his army, and to settle the government 
 of his intended conquest. On the 2d day of the month 
 he marched from Champlain, and on the 5th appeared 
 before the village of Plattsburg with his whole army, and 
 on the 11th, the day fixed for the general attack, the 
 flotilla arrived. 
 
ffl" 
 
 U! 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 dsu 
 
 1,1814. 
 id Com- 
 ^merica, 
 tes, with 
 as far as 
 titer his 
 with him 
 inting to 
 anied by 
 of war — 
 uga], the 
 d by the 
 imy. A 
 nd guns, 
 land and 
 
 what he 
 ^al inha- 
 ance, by 
 ition and 
 )f Chani- 
 'ernment 
 le month 
 ippeared 
 rniy, and 
 ack, the 
 
 ••* The enemy's flotilla at eight in the morning passed 
 Cumberland Head, and at nine engaged our flotilla at 
 anchor in the bay of the town, fully confident of crushing 
 in an instant the whole of our naval force ; but the gal- 
 lant Commodore M'JJonough, in the short space of two 
 hours, obliged the large vessels to strike their colours, 
 whilst the gallies saved themselves by flight. Tliis 
 glorious achievement was in full view of the several 
 forts, and the American forces Iiad the satisfaction of 
 witnessing tJ)e victory. The Brifisli army was also posted 
 on the surrounding heights, that it could not but behold 
 Ihe interesting struggle for dominion on the Lake. At the 
 same hour the fleets engaged, the enemy opened his bat- 
 teries on our forts, throwing hundreds of shells, balls, and 
 rockets, and attempted at the same time to cross the Sara- 
 nac atthree difl'erent points to assault the works. Attl^ 
 upper fort he was met by the militia and volunteers, and 
 after repeated attempts, was driven back with considera- 
 ble loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. x\t the bridge 
 near the villaa/C he was repulsed by the pickets and brave 
 riflemen under Captain Grosvenor, and Lieutenants Ha- 
 milton and Riley, and at the bridge in town was foiled 
 by the guards, block-houses, and the artillery of the 
 forts, served by Captain Brooks, Captains Richards and 
 Smith, and Lieutenants Monntford, Smith, and Crom- 
 well. The enemy's fire was returned with ellect from our 
 batteries, and by sun-set we had the satisfaction to silence 
 seven batteries which he had erected, and to see Iris co- 
 lumn retiring to their camp beyond the reach of our guns. 
 Thus beaten by land and water, the Governor CeneraJ 
 withdrew liis artillery and raised the siege. At nine at, 
 
 A a 
 
 Hi 
 
 ' ii 
 
 V 
 
 'J 
 
354 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 I 
 
 night, sent off his lieavy baggage, and under cover of the 
 darkness retreated with his whole army, towards Canada, 
 leaving his wounded on the field and a vast quantity of 
 bread, flour, and beef, which he had not time to destroy, 
 besides a quantity of bomb-shells, shot, flints, and ammu- 
 nition of all kinds, which remained at the batteries and 
 lay concealed in the pands and rivers. As soon as his re- 
 treat was discovered, the light troops, volunteers, and 
 militia, were ordered in pursuit, and followed as far as 
 Chazy, capturing several dragoons and soldiers, besides 
 covering the escape of hundreds of deserters, who still 
 continue to be coming in. A violent storm, and con- 
 tinued fall of rain, prevented the brave volunteers and 
 militia from farther pursuit. 
 
 Thus have the attempts of the invader been frustrated 
 by a regular force of only fifteen hundred men ; a brave 
 and active body of militia of the State of New York, un- 
 der General Mooers, and volunteers of the respectable 
 and patriotic citizens of Vermont, led by General Strong, 
 and other gentlemen of distinction ; the whole not exceed- 
 ing 2500 men. 
 
 The British fovoes being now either expelled or cap- 
 tured, the services of the volunteers and militia may be 
 dispensed with. 
 
 (Sigrcd) "Allxandeu Macomb." 
 
 Sir (jleorge. Prevost's Account. 
 Extract of a dispatch from Lieut. General Sir George 
 
 Prevost, Bart, dated Head-quarters, Plattsburg, State 
 
 of New York, Sept. 11, 1814. 
 
 Upon the arrival of the reinforcements from the Ga- 
 ronne, 1 lost no time in assembling three brigades ontiie 
 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 li 
 
 !T of the 
 anada, 
 intity of 
 destroy, 
 ammu- 
 ies and 
 s his re- 
 ers, and 
 as far as 
 besides 
 who still 
 and con- 
 eers and 
 
 "ustrated 
 a brave 
 fork, un- 
 spectable 
 il Strong, 
 )t exceed- 
 
 i or cap- 
 a may be 
 
 /Iacomr." 
 
 ir George 
 urg, State 
 
 n the Ca- 
 des on the 
 
 frontier of Lower Canada, extending from the river 
 Kicbelin to the St. Lawrence ; and in forming them into 
 a division. As the troops approached the line of separa* 
 lion between this province and the United States, the 
 American army abandoned its intrenched camp on the 
 river Chazy, at Champlain ; a position I immediately 
 seized, and occupied in force on the 3d inst. The fol- 
 lowing day the whole of the left division advanced to the 
 village of Chazy, without meeting the least opposition 
 from the en<emy. On the dth, it halted within eight miles 
 of this place. The next day the division moved upon 
 Plattsburg. Here I found the enemy in the occupation 
 of an elevated ridge of land on the south branch of the 
 Saranac, crowned with three strong redoubts and other 
 field-works, and block houses armed with heavy ordnance, 
 with their flotilla, consisting of the Saratoga, of 26 guns ; 
 Surprize, of 20 guns ; Thunderer, of 16 guns ; Preble, of 
 7 guns; ten gun-boats, of 14 guns, at anchor out of gun- 
 shot from the shore. I immediately communicated 
 the circumstance to Captain Downie, who had been 
 recently appointed to command the vessels on Lake 
 Champlain, consisting of a ship, a brig, two sloops, and 
 twelve gun- boats (the Confiance, of 36 guns ; Linnet, of 
 18 guns ; Broke, of 10 guns ; Shannon, of U) guns ; twelve 
 ;Mn-bGats, of 16 guns) ; and requested his cooperation, 
 and in the meantime batteries were construcled for guns 
 Lf ought from the rear. 
 
 On the morning of the 11th, our flotilla was seen over 
 the Isthmus which joins Cumberiand Head with the maia 
 i: nd, slocrin^ lor Plalt.sl)urg IJay. I immcdiatt t; ordered 
 ♦hat pail of the brigade uiKlcr Major Geneva' Kobinsoii, 
 
 A a J 
 
 I I 
 
t?50 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ( 
 
 to force the ford of the Sarnnac, and to escalade th(i 
 enemy's works upon the heights. The batteries opened 
 their fire the instant the ships engaged. 
 
 Scarcely had his Majesty's troops forced a passage 
 across the Saranac, and ascended the height on which 
 stand the enemy's works, when I had the extreme mor- 
 tification to hear tlie shouts of victory from the enemy's 
 works, in consequence of the British flag being lowered 
 on board the Confiance and Linnet, and to see our gun- 
 boats seeking their safety in flight. This unlooked for 
 event deprived me of the co-operation of the fleet, with- 
 out which the farther prosecution of the service was 
 liecome impracticable, I did not hesitate to arrest the 
 course of the trooj)s advancing to the attack, because the 
 most complete success would have been unavailing, and 
 the possession of the enemy's works ofl'ercd no advantage 
 to compensate for the loss we must have sustained in 
 acfjuiring possession of them. ■ . 
 
 I have ordered tlie batteries to be dismantled, the guns 
 withdrawn, and the b-ajigage, with the wounded men who 
 can be removed, to be sent to the rear, in order that the 
 troops may be sent to Chazy to-morrow, and on the fol- 
 lowing day to Champlain, where I purpose to halt until I 
 h»ve ascertained the use the enemy purpose making of 
 the naval ascendancy they have accpiired on Lake 
 Champlain. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 (Signed) Georor Prevost, 
 
 This expedition served no other purpose than that of 
 
 par ad 
 
 serv 
 ing a nurii#'rou 
 
 army to demonstrate the folly of 
 
 invading the territory of the American Union. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 a67 
 
 ,.< ' r, 
 
 THE CHASE AND CAPTURE 
 
 OfUu: Frigate PRESIDENT, by a BHITISII SQUADRON. 
 
 Neither Naples, nor Constantinople, unites the various- 
 ad vanta<?es of sea and river communication for which' 
 New York is distinguished. It is situated on an island 
 in a capacious bay, formed by the conllux of two large 
 I'ivers, the Hudson and the East River j and no view can 
 be more picturesque than that of the adjacent islands, 
 the shore of the Hudson, and the more extended one of 
 Long Island, as it stretches towards the Sound.— Com- 
 modore Rodgers having been appointed to the Indepen- 
 dence, a new 74 fitting for sea at Portsmouth, New 
 Hampshire, the command of the President frigate was 
 given to Captain Decatur, with orders to proceed upon 
 a cruize in the bay of Bengal ; the Hornet and Peacock 
 \vcre to join him at Tristran d'Acunha, an island in the 
 South Atlantic ocean, the place of rendezvous. As the 
 President lay ready for sea, at Slaten Island, off New 
 York, she was watched by the Majestic, Captain Hayes ; 
 the Tenedos, Capt. Hyde Parker ; the Endymion, Capt. 
 Hope ; and the Pomone, Captain Lumley ; their nsaal 
 station was close in with Sandy Hook. On Ihe I4th of 
 January they were blown off from the coast in a severe 
 snow storm, when Decatur, availing hinuself of a dark 
 night and heavy gale, put to sea under close reefed top- 
 sails, with a nieichuiit brig in company. Unfortunately, 
 in going over the bar, the ship, by the unskilfulness of 
 itie pilot, slrurk and injured her sailing ; and it blew too 
 liuid from the wcstwiuU to think of beating back again 
 
 I 
 
 ( 
 
 n 
 
 I- 1 
 i 'I 
 
368 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS, 
 
 into port. In the mean time, Comnfodore Hayes, sus- 
 pecting Decatur would make a dash out to sea in the 
 night, disposed his squadron with so great judgment, 
 that at day break, Sandy Hook bearing W. N. W. 16 
 leagues, the President was discovered standing to the 
 southward and eastward, not more than two miles dis- 
 tant on the weather-bow of the Majestic. A signal was 
 immediately hove out for a general chase, and the Eng- 
 lish squadron crowded all sail after the President, steer- 
 ing free with the wind abaft v-^e beam. The Endymion, 
 by her superior sailing, shot ahead of her consorts, and 
 engaged the President in a running fight for two hours 
 and a half, when, having her courses, her main-top- sail, 
 her jib, fore-top-mast-stay-sail, and spanker cut from 
 the yards by the President's shot, the President got 
 a-head ; but, at eleven at night, was approached by the 
 Pomone and Tenedos, and having received two broad- 
 sides from the Pomone, she shewed a light in her mizen- 
 rigsing as a signal of surrender. The Tenedos had a 
 raking position a- stern of the President ; but Captain 
 Parker withheld his fire, conscious that Decatur was at 
 his mercy : he sent his boat to take possession of the 
 chase. 
 
 Captain Decatur's Letter. 
 
 H. B. M. ship Endymion, at Sea, 
 January 18, 1815. 
 
 The painful duty of detailing the particular causes 
 which preceded and led to the capture of the late U. S. 
 frigate President, by a squadron of H. B. M. ships, fas 
 per margin,) has devolved upon me. In my coramunica- 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 350 
 
 of the 14th, I made Ttnown to you my intention of pro- 
 ceeding to sea on that evening. Owing to some mistake 
 of the pilots, the ship^ in going out, grounded on the bar, 
 where she continued to strike heavily for an hour and a 
 half. Although she had broken several of her rudder 
 braces, and received such other material injury as to 
 render her return into port desirable, I was unable to do 
 so from the strong westerly wind which was then blowing. 
 It being now high water, it became necessary to force 
 her over the bar before the tide fell. In this we sue* 
 ceeded by ten o'clock, when we shaped our course along 
 the shore of Long Island for 50 miles, and then steered 
 S, E. by S, At 5 o'clock three ships were discovered 
 a-head ; we immediately hauled up the ship, and passed 
 two miles to the northward of them. At day-light we 
 discovered four ships in chase ; one on each quarter, and 
 two a-stern, the leading ship of the enemy a razee ; she 
 commenced a fire upon us, but without eflect. At meri- 
 dian, the wind became light and baiHing; we had in- 
 creased our distance from the razee, hut the next ship 
 a-stern, which was also a large ship, had gained, and 
 continued to gain upon us considerably. Wg immediately 
 occupied all hands to lighten ship, by starting water, 
 cuttini^ away the anchors, throwing overboard provisions, 
 cables, spare spars, boats, and every article that could 
 be got at, keeping the sails wet, from the royals down. 
 At 3, we had the wind <iuite light ; the enemy, who had 
 now been joined by a brig, had a strong breeze, and 
 were coming up with us rapidly. 
 
 The Endymion (mounting 50 guns, 24 pounders on the 
 main-deck) had now approached us within gnn-shot, and 
 
300 
 
 NAVAL annals/ 
 
 had commenced a fire with her how-guns, which we Ve^ 
 turned from our stern. At 5 o'clock she had obtained a 
 position on our starboard-quarter, within halt* point-blank 
 tfhot, on which neither onr stern nor quarter-guns would 
 bear ; we were now steering E. by N. the wind N.W. 
 I remained with her in this position for half an hour, in 
 the hope that she would close with us on our broadluidic,. 
 in which case I had prepared my crew to board ; but 
 from his continuing to yaw his ship to maintain his posi- 
 tion, it became evident, that to clbse was not his inten- 
 tion. Every fire now cut some of our sails or rigging. 
 To have continued our course under these circumstances, 
 would have been placing it in his power to cripple us, 
 without being subject to injury himself; and to have 
 hauled up more to- the northward to bring our stern 
 guns to bear, would have exposed us to his raking fire. 
 rt was now dusk, when I determined to alter my course 
 south, for the purpose of bringing the enemy a-beam ; 
 and, although their ships a-stern were drawfng up fa S 
 I felt satisfied I should be enabled to throw him out of 
 the combat before they could come up, and was not 
 without hopes, if the night proved dark, (of which there 
 was every appearance,) that I might still be enabled to 
 efl'ect ray escape. Our opponent kept off at the same 
 instant we did, and our fire commenced at the same time. 
 We continued engaged, steering south, and steering-sails 
 set, 2 hours and a half, when we completely succeeded in 
 dismantling her. Previously to her dropping entirely out 
 uf the action, there were iutervuls of minutes, when the 
 ships were broadiiJdc to bruiidsidc, in which she did not fire 
 a gun. At this period (hall-;)ast 8 a'c.'ock), although dark,. 
 
NAVAL ANPiAts. 
 
 Ml 
 
 the other ships of the squadron were in sight, and almost 
 wilhin gun<shot. We wer'^of cours0 compelled to abandon 
 her. In re-assumin^i; our former course for the purpose 
 of avoiding the squadron, we were compelled to present 
 our stern to our antagonist ; but such was his state, 
 though we were thus exposed and within range of his 
 guns for half an hour, that he did not avail himself of 
 this favourable opportunity of raking us. We continued 
 this course until eleven o'clock, when two fresh ships of 
 the enemy (the Pomone and Tenedos) bad come up. The 
 Pomone bad opened her fire on. the larboard bow, within 
 musket-shot ; the other,, about two cables' length a-stern, 
 taking a raking position on our quarter; and the rest 
 (with the exception of the Endymion) within gun-shot. 
 Thus situated, with about one fifth of my crew killed and 
 wounued, my ship crippled, and a more than four-fold 
 force opposed to me, without a chance of escape left, I 
 deemed it my duty to surrender. . . . ,u 
 
 . It is with emotions of uride I bear testimony to the 
 gallantry and steadiness o every oUt»er and man I had 
 the honour to command on this occasion ; and I feel 
 satisfied that the fact of their having beaten a force equal 
 to themselves, in the presence, and almost under the 
 guns, of so vastly a superior force, when, to<», it was 
 almost self-evident that, \> liatever their exertions might 
 be, they must ultimately be captured, will be taken as 
 evidence of what they would have performed, had the 
 force opposed to them been in any degree equaK 
 
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 NAVAL ANNALS, 
 
 
 ,7 'I >• (■ t <•. 
 
 ACTION 
 
 K) 
 
 Between the Constitution and the Cyane and Levant, 
 
 The British ships of war the Levant and Cjrane, pro- 
 ceeding in company from Gibraltar to the Azores, fall in, 
 between the Strait's mouth and Madeira, with the Con- 
 stitution, and seek an action with her ^ whicb terminates 
 in the surrender of both. Old Ironsides, (as the Consti- 
 tution is called by the American tars,) was this time 
 commanded by Captain Stewart ; a man whose ances- 
 tors breathed the keen air of Benlomond, and emigrated 
 to America from the muirs and the mountains. 
 
 I. 
 
 : 
 
 Captain StewarCs Minutes of tlie Action* 
 
 February 20, 1815. As the Constitution was standing 
 for Cape St. Vincent, to get in the track of the Gibraltar 
 convoy, at 1 in the afternoon, we discovered a sail two 
 points on the larboard bow ; hauled up in chase. At a 
 quarter past 1 made out the sail to be a ship. At three* 
 quarters past 1, discovered another sail a-head -, made 
 them out, at 2 p.m. to be both ships, standing close- 
 hauled, with their starboard- tacks on-board. At 4 p. m. 
 the weathermost ship made signals, and bore up for hei 
 consort, then about 10 miles to leeward ; we bore up after 
 her, and set lower, top-mast, top-gallant, and royal stud- 
 ding-sails in chase. At half-past 4, carried away our 
 main-royal-mast, took in the sail, and got another pre- 
 pared. At 5 p. M. commenced firing on the chase from 
 
* r 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 363 
 
 our two larboard bow-guns ; onr shot falling short, 
 ceased firing. At half-past 6, finding it impossible to 
 prevent their junction, cleared ship for action, then about 
 4 miles from the two ships. At 40 minutes past 5, they 
 passed within hail of each other, braced by the wind on 
 the starboard-tack, hauled up their courses, and pre- 
 pared to receive us. At 45 minutes past 6, they made 
 all sail, close hauled by the wind, in hopes of getting to 
 windward of us. At 55 minutes past 5, finding them- 
 selves disappointed in their object, and that we were 
 closing with them fast, they shortened sail, and formed 
 on a line of wind, about half a cable's length from each 
 other. At 6 p. m. having them under command of onr 
 battery, hoisted our colours, which was answered by 
 both ships hoisting English ensigns. At 5 minutes past 
 6, ranged up, on the starboard side of the sternmost ship, 
 about 300 yards distant, and commenced the action by 
 broadsides, both ships returning our fire with great spirit 
 for about 15 minutes; then the fire of the enemy began 
 to slacken, and the great column of smoke collected un- 
 der our lee, induced us to suspend our fire, to ascertain 
 their positions and conditions. In about three minutes 
 the smoke Iiaving cleared away, we found ourselves 
 a-breast of the headmost ship, the sternmost ship lufl"- 
 ing up for our larboard-quarter; we poured a broad- 
 side into the headmost ship, and then braced a-back our 
 main and mizen-top-sails, and backed a-stern, under 
 cover of the smoke a-breast the sternmost ship, ^vhen the 
 action was continued with spirit, and considerable effect, 
 until 35 minutes past 6, when the enemy's fire again 
 slackened, and we discovered the headmost ship bearing 
 up ; filled our top-sails, shot a-hcad, and gave her two 
 
 !)' 
 
 :ii 
 
mA 
 
 JJAVA?. ANNAI4S. 
 
 I't' 
 
 Stern rakes. We then discovered the stcrnniost ship 
 wearing also ; wore ship immediately after, and gave her 
 a stern rake, she lulhng-to on our starboard bow, and 
 giving us her larboard broadside; we ranged up on her 
 larboard-quarter, within hail, and was about to give her 
 our starboard broadside, when she struck her colours, 
 fired a gun, and yielded. At 50 minutes past 6, took 
 possession of H. M. S. Cyane, Captain Gordon Falcon, 
 mounting 34 guns. At eight p. m. filled away after her 
 consort, which was still in sight to leeward. At half- 
 past 8, found her standing towards us on the starboard 
 tack close hauled, with top-gallant sails set and colours 
 flying. At 50 minutes past 8, ranged close alongside to 
 windward of her, on opposite tacks, and exchanged 
 broadsides ; wore immediately under her stern, and 
 raked her with a broadside ; she then crowded all sail, 
 and endeavoured to eseape by running ; hauled on board 
 our tacks, set spanker and flying-jib in chase. At half* 
 past 9, commenced firing on her from our starboard bow 
 chaser ; gave her several shot, which cut her spars and 
 rigging considerably. At 10 P. m. finding it impracti- 
 cable to escape, she fired a gun, struck her colours^ 
 and yielded. We immediately took possession of H. M. 
 ■ship Levant, the Hon. Capt. George Douglas, mounting 
 SI guns. At 1 A. M. the damages of our rigging were 
 repaired, sails shifted, aiul the ship in fighting cunditiou. 
 
 Cyane - - - - G killed - 
 Levant - - - (J killed - 
 Cuustilutiuu- Gkilltd - 
 
 13 wounded. 
 
 lt> wounded. 
 
 (J wounded. 
 
mij^^ m iiiiw^p 
 
 )St ship 
 ;ave her 
 )W, and 
 on her 
 g;i\e her 
 
 colours, 
 
 6, took 
 
 Falcon, 
 
 ifter her 
 
 At hair- 
 
 larboard 
 
 colours 
 
 igside to 
 
 chan{:^ed 
 
 ;rn, and 
 
 all sail. 
 
 on board 
 
 At half- 
 
 )ard bow 
 
 pars and 
 
 impracli- 
 
 colours^ 
 
 ofH.M. 
 
 iiounting 
 
 ing were 
 
 unditiou. 
 
 1. 
 1. 
 
 < • 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 ir ; 
 
 - ». , . ^»■. . . t r : ' 
 
 t«K» 
 
 ■^ I'-'l . 
 
 ESCAPE OF THE CONSTITUTION 
 
 • OUT or PORT PRAYA, I •:;'5 ?,'?"'/' 
 
 . FROM A BRITISH SQUADRON. .^ ., . ^ ,, 
 
 ■r--i^ ;; 
 
 ■^1 ;■•■:•:? ': ■^■\>fu''^ '.<] t" ,.:"i 
 
 Qualis spelunca siibito commota columba, ' : H'.'^. '"' ; 
 ('ui domus et diijces latebroso in pumice nidi, _ ' r ••■ ( 
 
 Fertur in arva volans, plausiimque exterrita pennis • , ^ ,» 
 Dat tecto ingcntcm : mox acre lapsa quicto, 
 Radit iter liquidum, celercs neque commovet alas. 
 <.•=-;• .;'■ . -..'■/-.*- '■:.■■ : Lib. V. V. 213. "^ 
 
 As when the dove her rocky hold fersakes, 
 
 Rous'd in a fright, her sounding wings she shakes ; J ■ "^ 
 
 The cavern rings with clattering; out she flies, ^ - [ ; - <■ 
 
 And leaves her callow care, and cleaves the skies. : . . • ...» 
 
 At first she flutters ; but at length she springs 
 
 To smoother flight, and shoots upon her wings. 
 
 Drydev. - 
 
 TheliarbouT of Port Praya, in the island of Saint Jago, 
 the chief of the Cape de Verds, possesses good an* 
 "cborage, and is of easy access. It is somewhat more 
 than a mile and a quarter wide at the entrance, and runs 
 back a mile ; gradually narrowing at its head to half a 
 mile. The entrance to the harbour is commanded bj' a 
 fort placed on the summit of a hill — of which more here- 
 after. The town is situated on a table plain at the top 
 of a rock, whose side is perpendicular to the beach ; the 
 houses are built of stone, one story high, and thatched 
 with the leaves of the cocoa-nut tree, which clothes the 
 
 t ' 
 
360 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 valley, and skirts the precipice. Porto Praya is the 
 residence of the governor-general of the Portuguese 
 settlements, both in the Cape de Verd islands, and at 
 Cape Verde on the opposite coast of Africa 
 
 While the Constitution was lying at an anchor in the 
 bay with her prizes, the Cyane and Levant, about uoon on 
 the f th of March, 1815, three large ships were descried 
 standing in through a thick fog, ur 2er a crowd of sail: 
 the headmost was the Leander of 50 guns, bearing the 
 broad pendant of Sir George Collier ; the next to her was 
 the Newcastle, of 50 guns. Lord G. Stewart, and the 
 sternmost was the Acasta, of 38 guns. Captain Kerr. 
 Captain Stewart, on beholding them, felt an involuntary 
 emotion to guard himself {gainst mischief; he snuffed an 
 enemy in the offing, and smelt a rat on the shore. It is 
 not in nature for a Portuguese to get to windward of an 
 American ; but particularly of a Scotch American, who, 
 in nicety of tact surpasses the keenest ef his progenitors. 
 With a quick sense of the hollowness of neutrality, and 
 the knavery of his Excellency, Don Raphael, the Gover- 
 nor, Captain Stewart lost not a moment to cut and run ; 
 and such was his promptitude, that the Constitution was 
 under weigh, close hauled upon a wind, in four minutes 
 from the time the English squadron hove in sight. The 
 perfidy of the governor now became actual and palpable. 
 He not only gave orders for the batteries to be opened on 
 the Constitution, but was seen on the ramparts gesticu- 
 lating to the gunners, and pointing to the frigate's masts. 
 The crew leaning over the bulwark, or on the port-cells, 
 looked on with indifference ; when a shot passed over old 
 Ironsides it produced a smile, and when it fell short a 
 
■■■il 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 367 
 
 laagb. At length a young gentleman, who was a passen- 
 ger on board, and a candidate for a commission in the 
 artillery corps, obtained Captain Stewart's, consent to 
 give them a gun as an amateur: it was a shot of retribu- 
 tion: it dismounted a long eigbteen-pounder on the bat- 
 tery, and made the whole gang of Portuguese gunners 
 dance ti fandango over the breast-work : his Excellency 
 Don Raphael did not indulge that day in bis customary 
 fiesta : he was borne languid to his. palace, where, though 
 crowds of slaves and sycophants testified their sympathy, 
 be had not the inward consolation of one single virtue. 
 
 American minutes vf the Escape «fthe U, S. frigate Consti- 
 tution from an English squadron of three thipsj out of 
 Port Pray a. ' ■■■' ■ : '^r .-.^ :■■■■■■! .^.■o:■■rf ite^iu'^ 
 
 The day commences with fresh breezes and thick foggy 
 weather. At 6 past 12, while we were lying at anchor, 
 discovered a large ship through the fog, standing in for 
 Port Praya, At 8 minutes past 12, saw two other large 
 ships astern of her, also standing in for the port From 
 their general appearance, supposed them to be one of the 
 enemy's squadrons ; and, from the Utile respect hitherto 
 paid by them to neutral waters, I deemed it most prudent 
 to put to sea. The signal was made to the Cyaue and 
 Levant to get under weigh. At 12, after meridian, with 
 our top-sails set, we cut our cable, and got under way 
 (when the Portuguese opened afire onus from several of 
 their batteries on shore), the prize -ships following our 
 motions, and stood out of the harbour of Port Praya, 
 close under East Point, passing the enemy's squadron 
 about gun-shot to windward of them : crossed our top- 
 gallaut-yaids, and set foic-sail, muiu-suil, spanker, flying 
 
 > y. 
 
Ties 
 
 NAVAL AKNALS. 
 
 ji I 
 
 ' jib, and top-gallant sails. The enemy, seeini^ us Under 
 ' way, tacked ship, and made all sail in chase of us. As 
 ' far as we conid judge of their rates, from the thiciiness «f 
 the weather, supposed them two ships of the line, and 
 one frigate. At half-past meridan cut away the boats 
 'towing a-stern, first cu.^ter, and gig. At 1 p.m. found 
 our sailing about equal with the ships on our lee-quak'ter, 
 ■birt the frigate luffing np, gaining our wake, and rather 
 'dropping astern of us ; finding the Cyane dropping^stern, 
 ' and to-leeward, and the frigate gaining on her fast, 
 !• found it impossible to save her if site continued on the 
 same course, without having the Constitution brought to 
 action by their whole force. I made the signal at JO 
 minutes past 1 p. m. to her to tack ship, which was com- 
 plied with. This manoeuvre, I conceived, would detach 
 one of the enemy's ships in pursuit of her; while, at the 
 same time, from her position, she would be enabled to 
 reach the anchorage at Port Praya, before the detached 
 ships could /^omc up with her ; but if they.did not tack 
 after Irer, it would afford her an opportunity to double 
 their rear, and make her escape before the wind. They 
 all continued m full chase of the Levant and this ship, 
 the ship on onr lee^quarter firing, by divisions, broad- 
 sides, her shot falling short of us. At 3 p.m. by our 
 having dropped tire Levant considerably, her situation 
 became (from the position of the enemy's frigate) similar 
 to the Cyane. It became necessary to separate also fVom 
 the Levant, or risk this ship being brought to action to 
 cover her. I melde the signal, at 5 minutes past 3, for her 
 to tack, which' was complied with. At 12 minutes past 3, 
 the whole of the enemy's squadron tacked in pursuit of 
 the Levant, and gave up the pursuit of this ship. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 369 
 
 \g US tinder 
 of us. As 
 thickness «f 
 e line, and 
 f the boats 
 p.m. found 
 lee-quav'ter, 
 , and rather 
 ping cistern, 
 n her fast, 
 lued on the 
 brought to 
 lignal at JO 
 h was com' 
 Duld detach 
 hil^e, at ' the 
 enabled to 
 le detached 
 id not tack 
 y to double 
 ind. They 
 d this ship, 
 >n8, broad- 
 . m. by our 
 T situation 
 \te) similar 
 e also fVom 
 
 action to 
 St 3, for her 
 utes past .3, 
 
 1 pursuit of 
 lip. 
 
 i- 
 
 .■•• S it'., I.' ' 
 
 I !.'• 
 
 ,;>..'t 
 
 • ' " ■ '■;• ACTION * •"•■•■ 
 
 • > '1 ■ •" ' tor '. • I t < ■ .« • I ■ , •. i , 
 
 BETWEEN THE PENGUIN AND HORNET, 
 
 "■'■■■ ' ' ' 0£ Trittran d'Acunha. ' ■• v.. i. ... , ' 
 
 Tristran d'Acunha is the largest of three islands in the 
 South Atlantic Ocean, very lofty, and about 15 miles in 
 circumference. Though 1500 miles from any inhabited 
 land, man in his boundless passion for 'nrar has made its 
 shores resound with the strife and contention of battle. 
 Captain Biddle, of the Hornet, in seeking the President 
 at this Island, fell in with the Penguin, Captain Dickin- 
 son ; a spirited conflict ensued, which terminated in the 
 surrender of the English vessel : her Captain was mor- 
 tally wounded. 
 
 From Captain Biddk to Commodore Decatur^ 
 
 U. S. sloop Hornet, off Tristan d'Acunha» 
 Sir, March 25, 1815. 
 
 I have the honor to inform you, that on the morning of 
 the 23d instant, at half-past 10, when about to anchor off 
 the north-end of the island of Tristan d'Acunha, a sail 
 was seen to the southward and eastward, steering to the 
 eastward, the wind fresh from the S.S.W. In a few mi- 
 nutes she had passed on to the westward, so that we could 
 not see her for the land. I immediately made sail to the 
 westward, and shortly after getting sight of her again, 
 perceived her to bear up before the wind. I hove-to for 
 him to come down to us. When she had approached 
 
 Bb 
 
 i 
 
■««IIP"IF 
 
 870 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 near, I filled the main-top* sail, and continued to yaw tbc 
 ship while she continued to come down, wearing occa- 
 sionally, to prevent her passing under our stern. At 1. 
 40. P.M. being nearly within musket-shot distance, she 
 hauled her wind on the starboard tack, hoisted English 
 colours, and fired a gun. We immediately lufled-to, 
 hoisted our ensign, and gave the enemy a broadside. The 
 action being thu.s commenced, a quick and well-directed 
 fire was kept ap from this ship, the enemy gradually 
 drifting nearer to us; when, at 1.65. he bore up, apparently 
 to run us on board. As soon as I perceived he would 
 certainly fall on board, I called the boarders, so as to be 
 ready to repel any attempt to board us. At the instant, 
 every officer and man repaired to the quarter-deck, where 
 the two vessels were coming in contact, and eagerly 
 pressed me to permit them to board the enenay ; but this 
 I would not permit, as it was evident, from the com- 
 mencement of the action, that our fire was greatly supe- 
 rior, both in quickness and effect. The enemy's bowsprit 
 came in between our main and mizen-rigging, on our 
 starboard-side, aflbrding him an opportunity to board us, 
 if such was bis design, but no attempt was made. There 
 was a considerable swell on, and, as the sea lifted us 
 a-head, the enemy's bowsprit carried away our mizen- 
 shrouds, stern-davits, and spniker-booni, and he hung 
 upon our larboard-quarter, At this moment an ofliccr 
 called out that they had surrendered. I directed the 
 marines and musketry-men to cease firing ; and, while 
 on the taffrail, asking if they had surrendered, I received 
 a wound in the neck. The enemy just then got clear of 
 us. and his foremast and 1 
 
 •spij 
 
 gone. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 371 
 
 perceiving us wearing to give him a fresh broasdsidc, he 
 again called out that he had surrendered. It was with 
 difficulty I could restrain my crew from firing into him 
 again, as he had certainly fired into us after having sur- 
 rendered. From the firing of the first gun, to the last 
 time the enemy cried out he had surrendered, was 
 exactly 22 minutes by the watch. She proved to be 
 H. B. M. brig Penguin, mounting sixteen 32-pound car- 
 ronades, two long 12s, a 12'pound carronade upon the 
 top-gaIIant<fore- castle, with swi\els on the capstan, and 
 in the tops. They acknowledge a loss of 14 killed, and 
 28 wounded : among the killed is Captain Dickenson, 
 who fell at the close of the action. We received on board, 
 An all, 118 prisoners, four of whom have since died of 
 their wounds. Having removed the prisoners, and taken 
 on board such provisions and stores as would be useful 
 to us, I scuttled the Penguin this morning, before day- 
 light, and she went down : she was completely riddled 
 by our shot, her fore-mast and bowsprit both gone, and 
 her main-mast so crippled as to be incapable of being 
 secured. This ship did not receive a single round shot 
 in her hull, nor any material wound in her spars. 
 
 * The Hornet's force was IR 32-pound carronadcs, two long Im- 
 pounders, and u complement of lUO men. 
 
 Bb^ 
 
m 
 
 372 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 THE REPULSE OF A BRITISH ARMY, 
 FROM BEFORE NEW ORLEANS. 
 
 New Orleans, the capital of the State of Louisiana, i» 
 situated on thelcft bank of the Mississippi, 105 miles from 
 its estuary, and is the great mart for the produce of the 
 western States of the Union, to which that river* affords 
 the only outlet to the sea : Lake Pontchartrain communi- 
 cates with the city by the bayou St. John. It is within 
 two weeks sail of the coast of Mexico, and still nearer 
 
 • Tlic nrea'of territory in the United States which contributes to the 
 waters of the Mississippi, or is dependent on it for a communication 
 with the ocean, is 1,344,77!) square miles, or 860,C58,5(!0 acres; 
 nearly 28 times the extent of England and Wales, and 11 times that 
 of the whole of Great Britain and Ireland. 
 
 Sqr. Miles. 
 
 Missouri State 905,250 
 
 North West Territory ^ 63,416 
 
 Illinois State (the whole) 62,000 
 
 Indiana State IH 37,050 
 
 Ohio State f 35,08n 
 
 Pennsylvania i 16,493 
 
 New York ^hn 621 
 
 Maryland t^o I'lO 
 
 Virginia! 28,200 
 
 Kentucky (the whole) 40,110 
 
 Tennessee (ditto) 43,200 
 
 Mississippi State ^ 29,500 
 
 Louisiana .J 20,500 
 
 Georgia ^ 2,000 
 
 North Carolina j^ 1,100 
 
 South Carolina j^^ 152 
 
 ' Square miles 3,444,779 
 
NAVAL ANIfALS. 
 
 373 
 
 the islands of the western Archipelago. The army which 
 had occupied Washington made afterwards an unsuc- 
 cessful attempt on Baltimore, in which General Ross 
 was killed; after a short repose at Jamaica, the force, aug- 
 mented to full 6000 men, made an attack on New Orleans, 
 under General Pakenham ; but were repulsed by the 
 Americans under General Jackson, with the loss of 2454 
 men killed, wounded, and prisoners ; the American 
 army had only 10 men killed, and the same number 
 wounded* 
 
 General Jackson's Account of the Operations at Nem 
 
 Orleans, 
 
 Campi 4 miles hdcw New Orleanst Jan. 9, 1815. 
 During the days of the 6tb and 7th, the enemy had been 
 actively employed in making preparations for an attack 
 on my lines. With infinite labour tiiey had succeeded 
 on the night of the 7th, in getting their boats across from 
 the lake to the river by widening and deepening the canal 
 on which they had effected their disembarkation. In my 
 encampment every thing was ready for action, when, early 
 on the morning of the 8th, the enemy, after throwing a 
 heavy shower of bombs and Congreve rockets, advanced 
 their columns on my right and left, to storm my entrench- 
 ments. I cannot speak sufliciently in praise of the firm- 
 ness and deliberation with which my whole line received 
 their approach — more could not be expected from vete- 
 rans inured to war For an hour, the fire of the small 
 arms was as incessant and severe as can be ima2;ined. 
 The artillery too, diiccted bv oflicers who displayed equal 
 
r 
 
 ■Pi 
 
 374 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 1!^ ! 
 
 til 
 
 skill and courage, did g:reat execation. Tet the colamns 
 of the enemy rontinaed to advance with a firmness which 
 reflects upon them the greatest credit. T#ice the column 
 which approached me on my left was repulsed, by the 
 troops of General Carroll, those of General Coffee, and 
 a division of Kentucky militia, and twice they formed 
 again and renewed the assault. 
 
 A.t length, however, cut to pieces, they fled in confusion 
 from the field, leaving it covered with their dead and 
 wounded. The loss which the enemy sustained on this 
 occasion cannot be estimated at less than 1500 in killed, 
 wounded, and prisoners. Upwards of 300 have already 
 been delivered over for bu~ial ; and ray men are still 
 engaged in picking them up within my lines and carrying 
 them to the point where the enemy are to receive them. 
 This is in addition to the dead and wounded whom the 
 enemy have been enabled to carry from the field during 
 and since the action, and to those who have since died 
 of the wounds they received. We have taken about 600 
 prisoners, upwards of 300 of whom are wounded, and a 
 great part of them mortally. My loss has not evceeded, 
 and I believe has not amounted to, 10 killed and as many 
 wounded. 
 
 Camp, 4 miles helotv New Orleans, Jan. 19, 1815. 
 
 Last night, at twelve o'clock, the enemy precipitately 
 decamped and returned to his boats, leaving behind, 
 under medical attendance, eighty of his wounded, includ- 
 ing two officers, fourteen pieces of his heavy artillery, 
 and a quantity of shot, having destroyed much of his 
 powder. Such was the situation of the ground which he 
 
mn^mimmim 
 
 •V 
 
 r^ 
 
 VAVAh AM-NALS. 
 
 a75 
 
 abandoned, and of that through which he retired, protect- 
 ed by canah, redoubts, entrenchments, and swamps on his 
 right, and the river on his left, that I could not, without 
 encountering risk, which true policy did not seem to 
 require, or to authorise, attempt to annoy him much in 
 his retreat*' • -'— ■' -• '■ «•.••—■ — ■,- ■ ..>• -i-- ^ .■..«■ ^ 
 
 His loss on this grounci, since the debarkation of his 
 troops, as stated by all the last prisoners and deserters,^ 
 and as confirmed by many additional circumstances, 
 must have exceeded 4000 ; and was greater in the action 
 of the 8th than was estimated, from the most correct data 
 then in his possession, by the Inspector General, whose 
 report has been forwarded to you. We succeeded, on 
 ihe 8th, in getting from the enemy about 1000 stand of 
 arms, of various descriptions. 
 
 Since the action of the 8th, the enemy have been al- 
 lowed very little respite— my artillery from both sides of 
 the river being constantly employed till the night, and 
 indeed, until the hour of their retreat, in annoying them. 
 No doubt they thought it quite time to quit a position 
 in which so little rest could be found* 
 
«v.' a- ».... 
 
 ■^ 
 
 UPPIPIIiiPi 
 
 37« 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 DISASTROUS RENCOUNTER 
 BETWEEN THE PEACOCK AND NAUTULUS. 
 
 
 1 , » Iliad iv. v. 167. 
 
 thus have the Trojans stamp'd 
 Their covenant under foot, and wounded thee ! 
 
 COWP£S. ' 
 
 ■ ■ ■■ ' • "<- ; ■ ;■;...■-•.;■ »y ;■ ;i;,'t ■>. ' . . > 
 
 Anjier is an English military establishment, under the 
 superintendance of a master-attendant, situated on a bay 
 of the island of Java, 78 miles west of Batavia, at the 
 entrance of the Straits of Sunda. The houses and fort 
 have a picturesque appearance from the sea, while every 
 part of the surrounding country is bounded by ghauts, 
 where, among other trees, grows thr Bohun Upas, and 
 where tlie lion and tiger lie basking under a vertical sun. 
 On the beach is seen a motley assemblage of Europeans, 
 Chinese, Hindoos, and Malays, transporting their barrels 
 and bales to the water-side, to ship oif to the ketches, the 
 grabs, the junks, and endless variety of country craft 
 lying at anchor in the roads.^ 
 
 • The author of this page was in early life a maritime rover in the 
 oriental ocean. He embarked for India with the brother-in-law of 
 Sir Walter Scott, a 3'outh qui neque fecit^ nee sensit^ quod non erat 
 laudandum (I quote Paterculits from memory) whom he studied with 
 at school, and accompanied home every vacation. There is a pleasure 
 in having the remotest claim to the notice of a man whose writings 
 are beautiful as nature, lovely as virtue, and valuable as truth. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 377 
 
 On the afternoon of the 30th of June, 1815, as the Pea- 
 cock, commanded by Captain Warrington, was pursoing 
 her track like a sea-bird through the Straits of Sunda,* 
 on coming abreast of Anjier she hoisted English colours. 
 It happened that the East India Company's crnizer Nau- 
 tilus, Lieutenant Boyce, was standing towards the Strait's 
 mouth, in charge of public dispatches from Batavia to 
 Bengal, and, believing the Peacock to be an English ship 
 of war, the lieutenant lowered down his gig, and sent her 
 under charge of Mr. Bartlett, the master, to learn the 
 news from Europe ; Comet White, a passenger on board 
 the Nautilus, accompanied him: Mr. Macgregor, the 
 master-attendant at Anjier, yielding to the same delusion^ 
 pushed off eagerly in the fort-boat on the same errand. 
 The gig reached the man of war first ; and scarcely had 
 Mr. Bartlett got up the side, mounted the gangway, and 
 raii^cd his hat, when Captain Warrington, who stood on 
 the weather-side of the quarter-deck, dressed in his em- 
 
 •f- Captain Warrington had been sent into the Indian sea to co-ope- 
 rate with Decatur, from whose bold efforts of maritime skill high ex- 
 pectations were formed. There can be no doubt but that in the Pre- 
 sident frigate, with the Peacock and Hornet as auxiliaries, he would 
 have been a more redoubtable enemy to the China fleet than Linois 
 with three line of battle ships ; and that Dance would have looked 
 like the man who drew Priam's curtain in the dead of night. 
 Decatur would have dogged the fleet from Java Head to the Chops of 
 the Channel; and, in every gale of wind which broke the bond of 
 their union, have cut ofl'and sunk, destroyed, or sent into the United 
 States, some of the straggling ducks. This is only reasoning from 
 analogy. It is notorious that Blakeley, no less prompt than intrepid, 
 cut out a merchantman from a fleet under convoy of the Armuda, 74, 
 tlie nitrht before he engaged the Reindeer ; and that the Armada wasi 
 kept perpetually busy either in collecting her convoy under her wings, 
 or tiring at the yankcy. 
 
378 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 I^i 
 
 broklered Qnirorin, conversing: with his ofiioers, called to 
 the Serjeant of Marines, " Pass the boat's crew below!" 
 an injanction which was instantly obeyed ; for the lascars 
 wiio composed her rowers were hauled in by the Ameri- 
 cans through the ports, and their officers conducted down 
 the hatchway. The reception which Mr. Macgregor ex- 
 perienced, as he entered the ship from his boat, was not 
 more courteous : he was informed by Captain Warring- 
 ton's lieutenant that he was a prisoner of war. He began 
 immediately to remonstrate with the lieutenant, saying 
 that peace had been ratified between Great B: itain and 
 the United States ; that he had a copy of Mr. Madison's 
 proclamation in his pocket, and that he hoped the end and 
 benefit of it would not be disappointed by any act of vio- 
 lence or bloodshed. He was interrupted in his communi- 
 cation by Captain Warrington, who sternly cried, conduct 
 him below ! On being hurried down the hatchway into 
 the gun-room, he encountered the purser, who was super- 
 intending the cartridges which the gunner had now begun 
 to send up from the magazine. The purser was a jocose 
 Bostonian, somewhat advanced in years, of lofty stature, 
 and extraordinary corpulence, who enjoyed such vigour 
 of body, and buoyancy of spirits, that his cheek exhibited 
 the ruddy suffusion of a second youth. As a relief from 
 his sufferings in a broiling climate, he had thrown off his 
 coat, and put on a light white jacket, and, as he paced the 
 gun-room floor, endeavoured to produce an artificial cir- 
 culation of the air by waving his hand before his face — 
 yet the big drops coursed down his cheeks like tears, and 
 his uncovered head supported the illusion of his teing 
 under the influence of a shower-bath. It was a common 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 37» 
 
 saying on board Ihc Peacock, when ti sailor felt hfmself 
 overheated, that he sweated like the purser. This Sile- 
 nus of JEgle, this Bitias of Dido, however struttinf^ his 
 exterior, was a shy cock in heart, and made his own per- 
 sonal safety the rule of all his actions. He chuckled at 
 the love of glory, ^nd the care of posterity, as the ridic«- 
 lous reveries of idle speculation. When an engagement 
 impended he sought refuge below, and a story had got 
 wind on board, that in the action between the Peacock 
 and the Epervier, he covered himself over with a profu- 
 sion of his own bread bags, from under which, after the 
 battle, he was dragged out by the laughing lieutenants 
 more dead than alive. Yet, however degraded his con- 
 duct, it was not without attractions in the microcosm of 
 a ship ; and his sprightly humour diffused itself from the 
 captain to the cook. There was not a man on board who 
 would not rather have dispensed with the chaplain than 
 his ridiculous victualler. His first words to Mr. Mac* 
 gregor were, A hot day. Sir, aggravated to such an 
 intenseness by their closing the hatchways to keep the 
 chicken-hearted from deserting their quarters and escap- 
 ing into the lower apartments, that respiration has be- 
 come difficult. What news from Anjier ? Are you the 
 cutwal of the place — the goree — the pundit — or have I the 
 honour (assuming an air of grandeur) to address the 
 rajah! I am. Sir, replied Mr. Macgregor, the master- 
 attendant at Anjier, and the news is that peace has been 
 concluded between Great Britain and the United States. 
 I have informed your lieutenant of the event, and a shot 
 fired from yonr ship will be an unprovoked instance of 
 wanton and aggravated barbarity. I do not see, re- 
 
38a 
 
 NAVAl ANNAIS. 
 
 I .• 
 
 U • 
 
 I! < 
 
 \ I 
 
 i: i 
 
 joined the purser, how ire can avoid a little brash ; and 
 if we knock some of the gingerbread-work off yoar stern, 
 you may impute to yourselves the consequence of a just 
 retribution for pillaging Havre de 6rac<$> bombarding 
 Stonington, and lighting a torch from the firebrand of the 
 furies to consume the city of Washington. What is be- 
 come of the Capitol, the President's Palace, the Arsenal, 
 and the Rope Walk ? We can now only trace the streets 
 by the colour of the grass, and its sole manufacture is in 
 Members of Congress. 
 
 In the mean while. Lieutenant Boyce having perceived 
 through his glass, that his officers, on getting on board 
 the Peacock, were forcibly detainer, and the lascars 
 dragged out of the boat, prepared his brig for action ; 
 and Captain Warrington, opening his tier of ports, bore 
 down upon the Nautilus. The two vessels were now 
 lying abreast of one another, with their courses hauled 
 up, jogging on under their topsails. A profound silence 
 prevailed on board the Peacock, whose sailors were 
 diverting themselves with the novelty of the crowded 
 deck of the Nautilus— the Asiatic costume of the crew— • 
 and the high tone of command assumed by the Serang,* 
 who, by his frequent trips to Canton, and rambles through 
 Hog'lane, had acquired a Chinese cast of countenance. 
 His cheek was shrivelled, and his whiskers meagre, but 
 his eye keen and piercing. He wore on his head a huge 
 cotton turban, which the renegade English tars on board 
 the Peacock compared io a " Welch wig with sleeves to 
 ^' it ;" and he had on a long loose gown, with slippers 
 
 I, 
 
 * Boatswain. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 981 
 
 ih ; and 
 ir stern, 
 >f a just 
 barding 
 idofthe 
 at is be- 
 Arsenal, 
 e streets 
 ure is in 
 
 erceived 
 on board 
 lascars 
 action ; 
 rts, bore 
 irere now 
 ;s hauled 
 id silence 
 3rs were 
 crowded 
 e crew— 
 Serang,* 
 9 through 
 itenance. 
 igre, but 
 id a huge 
 on board 
 ileeves to 
 I slippers 
 
 turned up at the toes : the old tawny sea-farer often blew 
 his whistle, and called to the lascars Ka bobbery ! To 
 the idle it was ludicrous, but to the thoughtful affecting, 
 to behold the turbanned sailors standing at the cannon 
 of the Nautilus with lighted matches in their hands, 
 awaiting the command to fire; for nothing but a high 
 sense of duty could have assembled them to oppose a 
 desperate defence to an assault which they could have 
 no rational hope of repelling. But the breast of Captain 
 Warrington, so far from being awakened to pity, was 
 provoked to indignation— and, darting on the Nautilus a 
 look of anger mingled with scorn, he said to his lieute- 
 nant, Should you be prompted, Mr. Mayo, to board that 
 catamaran, you will lay aside your sword, and arm your- 
 self with a whip, as a more suitable instrument to repress 
 the insolence of palankeen-bearers and slaves. Nay, sir, 
 replied the lieutenant, this is, apparently, the Hononrablo 
 Company's man of war fitted out for the express purpose 
 of cruizing for the Peacock. — While Captain Warringtoqi 
 was overcome with indignation at the hostile attitude 
 assumed by men of colour, from whom, as a Virginian, 
 he thought that he had a right to salams, he was hailed by 
 Lieutenant Boyce, and a dialogue ensued, from which I 
 shall discard the said he. 
 
 . ..f ,...•) 
 
 Lieutenant B. Hoa the ship ahoy ! 
 
 Captain W. Halloo! 
 
 Lieutenant B. What ship is that ? 
 
 Captain W. Halloo! 
 
 Lieutenant B. I say, what ship is that ? 
 
 Captain W. Halloo! 
 
382 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 Lieutenant B. Am I to oonsidcr yon as a friend, or 
 a foe? 
 
 Captain W. A foe ! (Here the English blae ensign 
 was hauled down on board the Peacooic, and the American 
 colours hoisted*) 
 
 . Ueutenant B. Do you know there is a peace ? '^^^ 
 ; Captain W, No. 
 
 Lieutenant B. I have, then, the satisfaction to inform 
 you that peace has been concluded between Great Britain 
 and the United States, and ratified by both parties.* I 
 have the proclamation on board. I hope this intelligence 
 will restrain you from any act of hostility. ••'••' ' ' "■ 
 
 Captain W This information, to obtain credit, must 
 c(Hne in a more formal shape. I am here to act, and not 
 deliberate. I command you to haul down your colours. 
 ,- Lieutenant B. I shall not. ^ <. 
 - Captain W. Haul down your colours instantly, or I 
 will sink you as sure as you carry tops above your lower 
 inast^heads. 
 
 ' Lieutenant B. I shall do no such thing. 
 . Humanity would willingly draw a veil over the scene 
 that followed— •Captain Warrington enforced his demand 
 with his guns, and a brisk action of a few moments ter- 
 minated in the hauling down the-flagof the Nautilus, the 
 death of six Lascars, and the lamentable mutilation of 
 
 iv 
 
 * The peace was made early in December 1814, after a war of two 
 years and eight months. By the general pacification of liurope, the 
 causes which had produced the unhappy impulse no longer subsisted ; 
 and in the Treaty concluded between the Mother Country and Ame- 
 rica, both parties silently relinquished their claims, as though unwil- 
 ling to recapitulate the principles of the content. 
 
NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 383 
 
 ■ VI' .i 
 
 -iria 
 
 Lieutenant Boyce, and bis only officer, Mr. May stow, by 
 gun-shot wounds. The heart is more sensibly touched 
 by a picture of individual suffering than of general ca- 
 lamity ; and the relation which poor Boyce gives of his 
 wounds affects us the more powerfully, from the forti- 
 tude which he displays in venting no reproach against 
 the want of moderation in Captain Warrington. " I re- 
 *' ceived a grape-shot (two inches and a third in diamc- 
 ** ter) in a slanting direction through my right buttock ; 
 ** (it passed out near my back-bone ;) and a few minutes 
 ** after a 32-pound shot shattered my right knee joint, 
 *' and splintered my thigh-bone. It was deemed neces- 
 ** sary to amputate my leg, and it was accordingly taken off 
 '* above the knee. My cure has been greatly impeded 
 ** by two unfortunate fistulas in my stump, which have 
 " caused me to suffer much.'^ This is the statement of a 
 man whose silence on every thing but his wounds, im- 
 plies that forgiveness is a virtue most native to his heart ; 
 and while the reader deplores the severity of his fate, he 
 may learn from his forbearance the charity of a Chris- 
 tian. 
 
 Such were the events of a war between England and a 
 nation whose forlorn founders left her shores not two 
 centuries before, without possessing consequence enouglt 
 to have their transmigration recorded in her chronicles. 
 It instructed the councils of America to adopt the policy 
 of those of Athens, when, under the direction of Themis- 
 toclcs, they looked to their wooden walls as the bulwark 
 of the Republic. It gave scope to the abilities of a Hull, 
 
384 
 
 NAVAL ANNALS. 
 
 a Deoatar, a Bainbridgft, a Lawrence, a Stewart, a 
 Perry, a Porter, a Macdonough, a Jones, and a ISIake- 
 ley ; and established a navy, which, in its progressive 
 augmentation, may not only decide the fate of the trans- 
 atlantic colonies of Europe, but produce important mo- 
 difications in her own political condition* 
 
 THE END. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Tage 63— for westward, read windward. 
 
 133— for the plural, read the dual number. 
 ^bd—dele, in the last line, the preposition by. 
 315— for 1100/. read 11,000;. 
 
 327— read The cession of the Floridas by Spain to &c. 
 34&— for visible, read risible. 
 
 *g,* Qui plura velit^ adeat contextum. 
 
 PRINTED BY 
 
 BUODIE AND DOWDINO, 
 
 9A7.ISDURY. 
 
art, a 
 lilakc- 
 essivc 
 trans- 
 nt mo- 
 
 il c.