Hornet. At the commencement of the war in 1812, he sailed in the Hornet Sloop of war, under Commodore Rodgers. His second cruise in the Hornet, was in company with Com. Bainbridge, who commanded the Constitution. While coasting off the Brazils, he fell in with the Bonne Citoyenne, a British ship of war, and chased her into St. Salvador. Notwithstanding she was of superior force, Lawrence sent her a challenge, which was refused, although he pledged his honour, that no other American vessel should interfere.

Leaving St. Salvador, on the morning of Feb. 24th, off Demarara, he fell in with the British Brig Peacock, Capt. Peake, of equal force. The contest commenced within half pistol shot, and in fifteen minutes the Peacock hoisted signals of distress, being in a sinking condition from the fire of the Hornet. Every exertion was made to keep her afloat until the prisoners could be removed, but notwithstanding, she went down with thirteen of her crew, and three American tars, who nobly perished in relieving a conquered foe. Among the slain, was Capt. Peake. He received two wounds: the last proving mortal. He was laid in the cabin, and with his flag for a shroud, and ship for a sepulchre, this brave sailor sunk to rest; an interment worthy of so brave a man.

The treatment of Lawrence towards his prisoners was such as to draw from the officers the expression, that they ceased to consider themselves prisoners." Finding that the crew had lost all their cloth

ing, to the honour of our tars, a subscription was made, and each man supplied from his own wardrobe two shirts, a blue jacket and trowsers.

Capt. Lawrence was received with great applause on his return to this country, having in the interim been promoted to the rank of Post Captain. Soon after his return he was appointed to the command of the Frigate Constitution; but the next day to his great chagrin, the order was countermanded, with directions to take the Chesapeake then lying at Boston. This ship was considered the worst in the Navy, and the circumstance of her having been disgraced in the affair of the Leopard, acquired for her, among sailors, the reputation of being an unlucky ship; so much so, that it was with difficulty crews could be recruited for her.

Four successive letters were written by Lawrence to the Secretary of the Navy, requesting to be con. tinued in the command of the Hornet, but receiv ing no answer, he was under the necessity of complying with the order.

Being nearly ready for sea at Boston, the British Frigate Shannon, Capt. Broke Commander, appeared off the harbour, hoisting signals expressive of a challenge. The Shannon was one of the best ships in the British Navy, equipped in the best manner, and manned with a picked crew for the express purpose of fighting our largest Frigates. The Chesapeake was not only an indifferent ship, but manned mostly by new recruits.

Lawrence however determined to accept the chal

lenge, although sensible of the disparity under which he laboured. He had formerly challenged the Bonne Citoyenne, and should he now decline, it might occasion public remarks to his discredit. To his crew, he was a stranger, and even in the midst of the customary harangue previous to the engagement, murmurs of dissatisfaction were heard from them. A Portuguese replied to Capt. Lawrence, complaining that they had not received their prize money.

It was a critical moment, and the Captain therefore thought it advisable to order the purser to give them checks. Under these embarrassing circumstances the action was fought, June 1, 1813.

The vessels manoeuvered until within pistol shot, when both, at about the same instant opened their broadsides. The Chesapeake had the advantage, until unfortunately by the death of three men, shot from the helm, successively, the vessel lost her way and caught by the anchor, in one of the Shannon's after ports. In this situation the enemy's guns were brought into a raking position, killing or wounding the greater part of the crew. Capt. Lawrence had at this time received a mortal wound, and although destruction appeared inevitable, exclaimed," don't give up the ship." The enemy soon after boarded, and the strife was at an end. Lawrence languished in great bodily pain for four days, and expired. He was wrapped in the flag of the Chesapeake, and conveyed to Halifax on board the Shannon. At his interment, the British officers crowded to yield

the last sad honours to him who so bravely fought, and who now no longer was their foe. By order of government, a vessel was soon after dispatched to Halifax, in which his remains were conveyed to his native State, and deposited with his fathers.

Deeply as may be regretted the fate of the engagement, we have no cause to lament, as nothing of honour was lost in the conflict. The name of Lawrence, with his worthy associates who fell on that eventful day, is immortalized in the records of fame.

COM. THOMAS MACDONOUGH.

THE father of Capt. Thomas Macdonough, resided in the County of New-Castle, Delaware, on a farm called the Trapp. He was conspicuously eminent in the practice of Physic, and in the year 1775, was appointed Major in Col. John Haslett's Regiment, raised by the State of Delaware, but did not long continue in the service. After the close of the revolutionary struggle, he received the appointment of Judge, which office he held until 1796, at which time he died. His eldest son, James, was with Com. Truxton in the engagement between the Constellation and Insurgente; at which time he lost his leg and which rendered it necessary for him to retire from service.

Thomas Macdonough, the subject of the present sketch, entered the United States' service, under a Midshipman's warrant, not long after the death of his father. After serving some time in our Navy, he sailed with the little fleet up the Mediterranean, where he (with other young officers,) rendered himself conspicuous in the wars with Tripoli.

He was remarkable for his gravity and circumspection, and at the same time evinced a dauntless invincibility of spirit, which was not to be counteracted, even by Mahometan prowess.