vigation, to that actual practice which enabled him, after many years had rolled over his head, and after passing through many scenes of desperate carnage, and appalling horror, in the same ship to conquer, and, for the first time, to add a British frigate to the American navy.

But we must not here anticipate the numerous achievements of Decatur, nor the progress of the navy as connected with them. It is the design to detail them in succession, and in as succinct and perspicuous a manner as the writer is able to perform the task. He must again express his deep solicitude, when reflecting upon the difficulty, delicacy, and interesting nature of the subject. He dares not hope for applause, and scarcely hopes to avoid censure. But as he would not be very highly elated by the one, nor very deeply depressed by the other, he will continue his delineations, however imperfectly they may be designed, or however unskilfully they may be coloured. This volume shall at least be a sincere, however humble tribute of the respect the writer wishes to offer to the memory of Decatur, and to the fathers and protectors, and augmentators of the naval power of America.

The United States frigate, for a considerable time after Midshipman Decatur entered her, was engaged in the arduous duty of protecting, and convoying American merchantmen, and chastising or destroying the contemptible swarms of French and Spanish picaroons that then infested the ocean. Had Barry, like Truxton and Little had the good fortune to

have fallen in with a French national ship of su perior force, during the naval warfare with France, it would not have been left for his favourite Midshipman, Decatur, to have led the frigate he then commanded to gain the first frigate she ever conquered —nor would the glory of Decatur, although then just entering the years of manhood, have been postponed to the contest with the Barbary powers.

While in this frigate, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant; an evidence of his progress in his darling profession-of the attachment of his commander-and of the confidence of the administration. The frigate, from long cruises, needed repairs, and was ordered into port to be refitted.

It would seem that a young officer, having been long subjected to the severe duty to be unceasingly performed on board a frigate in the early stages of naval life, would pant for temporary repose, at least. Not so, the ardent Lieutenant; he panted for nothing but naval renown. The conquest of the Insurgente, La Vengeance and Berceau, aroused him to a pitch of enthusiasm, which perhaps needed the restraint of prudent caution. He solicited an order to join the U. States' brig Norfolk. His request was granted; and he sailed in her as first Lieutenant to the Spanish Main; hoping that this portion of the ocean would afford him some opportunity for the display of valour beyond that which is to be found in the more humble duty of conquering privateers, or convoying merchantmen. But he returned back with the Norfolk without having accomplished the predominant

wishes of his heart. But while he was thus progressing in his profession-disappointed himself, and perhaps disappointing the high expectations of his too sanguine friends, he was acquiring that practical skill in naval tactics-that mysterious art of commanding freemen, and, at the same time, securing their attachment and respect, so indispensably necessary in a naval commander. It was in these early schools, that Decatur acquired this master-art in his profession.

The U. States frigate having been fitted for sea, Lieut. Decatur entered her in the same capacity in which he left her. The naval warfare with France still continued, and continued by Frenchmen and Spaniards with a rapacity, barbarity, and diabolical cruelty, which assimilated the first mentioned, gallant and humane people, to the well known sullen and execrable character of the last. They preyed upon American ships and American commerce, like ravenous wolves upon innocent and unprotected flocks. In their treatment of our noble American sailors, they seemed to forget that they belonged to the human race. They were flogged, lacerated, almost starved, and what was the "unkindest cut of all," insulted as belonging to a cowardly, imbecile, and mean nation, which had neither the power nor disposition to protect their commerce, or avenge injuries of her citizens. The name of an American, which was a glorious passport through the world, after the war of the revolution, was thus sunk, traduced, degraded, and sneered at by every petty na

the

val power in Europe. England, though not then the decided mistress of the sea, behaved with more respect, and although she was then able, as she has since proved, to annihilate every fleet in Europe, was guilty of comparatively no insult or injury to Americans; Englishmen knew that Americans were too much like themselves to "Kiss the hand just rais'd to shed their blood."

But retribution soon trod with vindictive terror upon the heels of transgression; and taught transgressors that their ways were hard. The thunder directed by Truxton, Little, Stewart, Tryon, Barry, &c. and their rising officers and seamen, astonished these insolent foes, as much as the volcanoes of Etna and Vesuvius alarm the natives of Sicily and Naples. After the victory over the Insurgente, La Vengeance, La Berceau, Diana, Flambeau, &c. the haughty tone of these boasting Hotspurs was lowered down even to mean supplication. Yes, a commander of a French armed ship having captured an American merchant vessel, addressed the master of her in terms like these,-" Capitaine, you see dat I NOW use you ver well! Le Diable!! I ver much fear dat I be take myself, by some dem Americaine ship— and pray, Capitaine, do tell de Americaine officers dat I treat a you ver well, so dat dey may treat me ver well, ven I be prisoner too*."

Lest this singular humiliation of an imperious officer may be thought too highly coloured, I would state that it was communicated by Capt. David Churchill, of Connecticut, who was himself prisoner to this officer. His word will never be doubted.

Decatur continued on board this favourite United States Frigate, advancing towards that perfection in his profession to which he afterwards arrived, until peace was negotiated with France.

The peace with France, suspended, for a time, the operations of the gallant little navy of the Republic. Some of the senior officers of the navy retired to the bosoms of their families, admired by the commercial portion of the community, and conscious themselves that they had served a country well, which they loved better than they did themselves. Although in a government like ours, every man may fearlessly express his opinion, as to the degree of munificence that government ought to bestow upon those whose lives have been devoted to its protection, in the field and upon the ocean, yet the government only can settle the question. To pour out the treasures of the nation upon fortunate and victorious officers in the army and navy, at the expense of the people who supply the treasury by their humble and unnoticed industry, might alarm an intelligent and free people, who vigilantly scrutinize every measure of the government; especially those which relate to money concerns. Monarchies, whether despotic or limited, always lavish favours upon those who support or augment the glory of their crowns. This gives splendour to the few, and reduces the many to poverty. The recent dukedom granted to Arthur Wellesly, Duke of Wellington, would have afforded, if properly distributed, domestic comfort