MACEDONIAN.

Victory obtained by the U.S. ship United States of 44 guns over his Britanic Majesty's ship Macedonian of 38 guns. The action continued 90 minutes, in which the United States had 6men killed-7 wounded-the Macedonian had-36 killed 68 wounded.

in a few hours after the action-he was an officer of great gallantry and promise, and the service has sustained a severe loss in his death.

The Macedonian lost her Mizen-mast, fore and main top mast and main yard, and was much cut up in her hull. The damage sustained by this ship was not such as to render her return into port necessary, and had I not deemed it important that we should see our prize in, should have continued our cruise.

With the highest consideration and respect, I am, obedient humble servant.

sir, your
(Signed)

STEPHEN DECATUR.

List of killed and wounded on board the United States.

Thomas Brown, New-York, seaman; Henry Shepherd, Philadelphia, do.; Wm. Murray, Boston, a boy; Michael O'Donnel, New-York, private marine; John Roberts, do. do.-Killed.

John Mercer Funk, Philadelphia, Lieut.; John Archibald, New-York, carpenter's crew; Christian Clark, do. seaman; George Christopher, do. ordinary scaman; George Mahar, do. do.; Wm. James, do. do.; John Laton, do. private marineWounded.

On board the Macedonian there were thirty-six killed, and sixty-eight wounded. Among the for

mer were the boatswain, one master's mate, and the school-master, and of the latter were the first and third lieutenants, one master's mate, and two midshipmen.

For brevity, modesty and perspicuity, we may safely challenge the admirers of the official accounts of our naval victories to produce any one that surpasses this of Com. Decatur's. Admired they generally are, not only by the American reader, but even Englishmen, in the midst of the chagrin and mortification they feel while reading them, involuntarily express their admiration. In speaking of the capture of the Macedonian, and Decatur's official account of it, a distinguished British writer thus forcibly expresses himself:-" While we see British superiority upon the ocean thus disputed, and the victory of Americans thus described, we know not which most to admire, the heroism of Decatur in capturing the Macedonian, or his modesty in describing the battle."

One great cause of exultation at our naval victories, has been the very short time in which they have been achieved. Com. Decatur assigns the reason for the "unusual length of the action," (only 90 minutes) The enemy, being to windward, had the advantage of engaging us at his own distance, &c." -The language of the naval court-martial who tried Carden for losing his ship, is this-" The court is of opinion, that previous to the commencement of the

action, from an over-anxiety to keep the weathergage, an opportunity was lost of closing with the enemy. It was "an opportunity lost," to Com. Decatur, by the "over-anxiety" of Capt. Carden.. "Closing with the enemy," was a lesson which the commander of the frigate United States thoroughly learned, and effectually practised in the Mediterranean during the war with Tripoli; and had he been so fortunate as to have had the weathergage of the Macedonian, and Nelson had been a spectator of the contest he would have exclaimed of Decatur, as he did of his favourite Collingwood at the battle of Trafalgar-" See in what style the noble fellow carries his ship into action."

Com. Decatur had on board his frigate a little boy, whose father, a noble seaman, had died and left the little fellow and his mother in poverty. As the Macedonian hove in sight, and the seamen of the United States frigate were clearing ship for action, the noble lad ran up to the Commodore, saying-" Captain, I wish my name might be put down on the roll."

"Why so my lad ?" "So that I can draw a share of the prize-money, Sir," answered the young hero. His request was granted; after the Macedonian struck, the Commodore called the lad to him"Well, Bill, we have taken her, and your share of the prize, if we get her safe in, may be about $200 --what will you do with it?" I'll send half of it to my mother, Sir, and the other half shall send me to school." Delighted with a spirit so noble, and yet so affectionate, he took the fine little fellow into his