the President, Commodore Decatur had ex- four hundred and seventy-two men, her pressed an earnest desire to fall in with the antagonists two hundred and sixty-one, exEndymion, openly avowing his capability to clusive of boys. The particulars of the capture an English line of battle ship with action will be found in the appendix,* and his frigate. Let us compare the respective we need only remark further that the officers sizes of the line of battle ship and the frig- and crews were honourably acquitted by a Court Martial, and applauded for the gallant defence offered.

ate:

Endymion. President.

Weight of broadside, lbs. 676
Crew-Men

Boys

· 319

27

916

472

5

1277 - 1533

? onnage
We have heard it stated by an old inhabi-
tant of Bermuda, who saw the vessels a few
days after the action, that the President,
alongside of the Endymion, was "like a
quart alongside of a pint bottle," and this
difference in their size reflects the greater
credit on Captain Hope, to whom it is a pity
the opportunity was afforded of lowering,
single-handed, the American mania for
boasting.

The commander of the Constitution laid claim to great credit for having captured two vessels, contending that "a divided force is better for action," the vain-glorious commander forgot, however, that, on a previous occasion, he had declared "that three large frigates, placed in the most favorable position would be compelled to yield to a seventyfour gun ship, owing to the latter being stronger in scantling and thicker in sides.”

The Constitution was as strong in scantling and as thick in the sides as the Presi dent, and on the capture of that vessel it was found that she differed in no respect from the stoutest seventy-four in the British service, it is not wonderful then that her two pigmy opponents were compelled to yield to such decided superiority.

Taking Commodore Dicatur's whole mystification and false stating of this affair into consideration, and comparing his statements with extracts from logs of the British evidence, the conviction is forced upon us that the American commander resorted to subterfuges and misstatements to cover his defeat, unworthy both an officer and gentleman. The next affair that comes before us for consideration is the capture, by the Constitution, of the Cyane, mounting thirty, and the Levant eighteen guns-the one manned by one hundred and fifty-six men and twentysix boys; the other by one hundred and fifteen men and sixteen boys. The weight of metal thrown by the Constitution's broadside equalled that of her two antagonists put together, while the British vessels only mounted carronades, and the Constitution showed on her broadside seventeen long twenty-fours. Again, the Constitution had commanders.

The Constitution with her two prizes arrived at Porto Praya, in the island of St. Jago on the 7th March, but on the 8th were compelled to stand out to sea to avoid capture by a British squadron. In the chase that ensued the Levant was recaptured, but strange to say the other two escaped unpursued. And we agree with James that, as this circumstance afforded the Americans grounds for asserting that the British vessels were unwilling to come to close quarters, although two of them threw a much heavier broadside than the Constitution, the suffering the larger vessels to escape reflected much discredit on the judgment of the British

an board, in addition to her own crew, one lieu- enclose you my parole, by which you will pertenant, one master's mate, and fifty men belong-ceive the British admit the President was caping to the Saturn, and when the action ceased, tured by the squadron. I should have deemed was left motionless and unmanageable, until it unnecessary to have drawn your attention she bent new sails, rove new rigging, and fished to this document, had not the fact been stated her spars; nor did she rejoin the squadron for differently in the Bermuda Gazette, on our six hours after the action, and three hours arrival there; which statement, however, the after the surrender of the President. My sword editor was compelled to retract, through the was delivered to Captain Hayes, of the Majes- interference of the governor, and some of the tic, the senior officer of the squadron, on his British officers of the squadron." quarter-deck; which he, with great politeness, immediately returned. I have the honor to

* See Appendix A and B.

Another nautical romance connected with was fired, made we presume to show what this vessel was the assertion that every effort execution one American broadside could do, was made by Capt. Stewart to bring the Bri- so clearly disproved, that the only conclusion tish frigate La Pique to action, but that she to be arrived at is that the doughty Ameriescaped in the night after a long chase; the can Hero seeing how diminutive an opponent best answer to this boast will be found in was before him determined to acquire lauappendix*, and it will then be for the rels at an easy rate. readers to judge on which side the disincli-. nation to come to close quarters really existed.

Treaty of peace.

Our task is ended, and all that remains for us is to record the signing of a treaty at Ghent,* on the 24th day of December, 1814. Every one who reads the ninth article of this treaty, and reflects on the conduct of successive American Governments to the Indians, will see how false to every promise then made the nation has been. Not contented, too, with acquiring the lands of the red men, Americans do not hesitate to assert the necessity of destroying every Indian on the

The only affairs which took place after this, were the capture of the St. Lawrence, mail schooner, proceeding with tidings of peace from the Admiral at Bermuda to the United States; of the Penguin, brig, by the U. S. ship Hornet; and that of the East India Company's armed vessel, Nautilus by the ship Peacock. A statement of the comparative force easily enables us to account for the capture of both the Penguin and Nauti-American continent. That by the sword lus. The Penguin mounted sixteen carronades, thirty-twos, and two six-pounders; and had a complement of one hundred and twenty two, of whom seventeen were boys; it may also be added that out of the entire ships' crew, only twelve had been ever in action.

and the introduction of ardent spirits they have also too well succeeded, is a subject of deep regret to those who still cherish an interest in the fate and fortunes of the aboriginal possessors of the soil.

In what a proud position, now, did the Canadians stand at the declaration of peace, and in what a ridiculous light the American The Hornet carried eighteen carronades, of Government! Ignorant of the undying love same weight as those of the Penguin, two of their country that animated every Canalong eighteens, swivels in her tops, throw-dian, and nerved their arms for the contest, ing fifty shot at a discharge, and upon her the United States Government had boastingly quarters two similar swivels. The comple- announced that Canada must be conquered,

ment of the Hornet was one hundred and

seventy-three men. The last affair between the Nautilus and Peacock was one that reflected the crowning disgrace on the American character for veracity and honour, and a glance at the annexed notes in the appendix† will prove how unworthy captain War rington was to be considered a man. excuses are so transparently false, and the impudent assertion that only one broadside

*See Appendix C. See Appendix D.

His

as it was a rod held over their heads, a fortress which frowned haughtily on their country. What was the result of all their expeditions and proclamations, that two of their fortresses were in our possession at the time of the peace, and that, seeing a seventy-four and large frigate had been launched at Kingston, it would have been utterly impossible for them, having lost the command of the Lake, to have prevented the fall of Sackett's harbour early in 1815.

*Treaty of Peace, Appendix, &c.

APPENDIX.

A.

From Captain Stewart to the American Secretary enemy's squadrons; and, from the little respect

of the Navy.

U. S. frigate Constitution, May, 1815. SIR,-On 20th February last, the island of Maderia bearing about W.S. W. distant 60 leagues, we fell in with H. B. M. two ships of war, the Cayne and Levant, and brought them to action about 6 o'clock in the evening; both of which, after a spirited engagement of 40 minutes, surrended to the ship under my com

mand.

eral appearance, supposed them to be one of the hitherto paid by them to neutral waters, I signal was made to the Cayne and Levant to deemed it most prudent to put to sen. The get under weigh. our top-sails set, we cut our cable, and got unAt 12, after meridian, with der way, (when the Portuguese opened a fire on us 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 our top-gallant yards and set foresail, mainsail, about gun-shot to windward of them: crossed spanker, flying-gib and top-gallant sails.

The

Considering the advantage derived by the enemy, from a divided and more active force, as also their superiority in the weight and num-enemy, seeing us under way, tacked ship, and ber of guns, I deem the speedy and decisive re-made all sail in chase of us, As far as we

I have the honour to be, &c.
CHARLES STEWART.

Hon. B. W. Crowninshield, Secretary
of the Navy, Washington.

sult of this action the strongest assurance which could judge of their rates, from the thickcan be given the government, that all under my ness of the weather, supposed them two command did their duty, and gallantly sup-ships of the line, and one frigate. ported the reputation of American seamen. At Inclosed you will receive the minutes of the ing a-stern, first cutter, and gig. half-past meridian cut away the boats towaction, and a list of the killed and wounded on P. M. found our sailing about equal with the At 1 board this ship. Also inclosed you will receive ships on our lee-quarter, but the frigate luffing for your inforination, a statement of the actual up, gaining our wake, and rather dropping aforce of the enemy, and the number killed and stern of us; finding the Cayne dropping a-stern, wounded on board their ships, as near as could and to-leeward, and the frigate gaining on her be ascertained. fast, I found it impossible to save her if she continued on the same course, without having the Constitution brought to action by their whole force. I made the signal, at 10 minutes past 1 P. M. to her to tack ship, which was complied with. This manoeuvre, I conceived I 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 come up with her; but if they did not tack after her, it would afford her an op Commences with fresh breezes and thick escape before the wind. They all continued in. portunity to double their rear, and make her foggy weather. At 5 minutes past 12, dis- full chase of the Levant and this ship, the covered a large ship through the fog, standing ship on our lee-quarter firing, by divisions, in Port Praya. At 8 minutes past 12, dis- broadsides, her shot falling short of us. covered two other large ships a-stern of her, P. M. by our having dropped the Levant consialso standing in for the port. From their gen-derably, her situation became (from the position 26

B.

American Minutes of the Chase of the U. S. · frigate Constitution, by an English squadron of three ships, from out the harbour of Port Praya, Island of St. Jago.

At 3

of the enemy's frigate) similar to the Cayne. It and gave up the pursuit of this ship. This sacribecame necessary to separate also from the fice of the Levant became necessary, for the preLevant, or risk this ship being brought to ac-servation of the Constitution. Sailing-master tion to cover her. I made the signal, at 5 Hixon, Midshipman Varnum, a boatswain's min. past 3, for her to back which she complied mate, and 12 men, were absent on duty in the with. At 12 minutes past 3 the whole of the fifth cutter, to bring the cartel-brig under our enemy's squadron tacked in pursuit of the Levant stern.

67.22

24

121

N. W. } W.

2

ship's head from N.W

to N.

71

10

10

64

E. S. E.

N. W.

E. N. E.

4

N. E.
N.

42

N.E.

D.

Mona Islands N. 73 W. 19 m.

P.M. Light airs-braced the yards by, to allow the chase to come up.-At 4, light airs.-At 4.30, observed chase take in her main-stay-sail.-At 4.50 observed her take in royal, top-gallant, lower, and top-mast, studding-sails.-Hauled to the wind on larboard tack, and made all sail to close her; hoisted an ensign. Stranger shorted sail, in 1st reef top-sails, hoisted American colours, and hauled her wind on opposite tack: appeared to be a large frigate, having 16 ports of a-side. Cleared for action; stranger S. E. by S. 3 miles.At 5 Island of Zachee N. by E. 12 or 13 miles: -cloudy, lost sight of stranger:-10 in 1st reefs: -12 squally.

in sight, standing with a fair wind to the northFrom Lieutenant Boyce to the Secretary of the eastward; and, as the honorable company's

East India company's marine-board.

cruiser Nautilus, under my command, was working to the south-westward, the two vessels SIR, I beg leave to acquaint you, for the in- approached each other rapidly; and, when the formation of the board, that the wounds stranger was distant about three miles, I observed that she had British colors hoisted, received by me on the 30th June last, in a short but smart action with an American sloop and knowing that universal peace had been reof war, off Anjier, in the straits of Sunda, have stored to Great Britain, I dispatched a boat in hitherto prevented my transmitting an official charge of my master, Mr. Bartlett, to obtain report of the circumstances attending that intelligence, which reached the stranger nearly melancholy affair.

at the same time as the master-attendant's from the shore; and I observed, with my spyingI am happy to state, that my health is now glass, that the officers had no sooner got up to tolerably re-established; and I think myself the ship's side than the crews were forcibly particularly fortunate, considering the nature taken out, and both boats made fast a-stern. I of my wounds, that the honour of addressing prepared for action, and the stranger at once you on this subject has been reserved for my opened her tier of ports, and bore down towards pen, although, no doubt, public rumor has, ere us. this, put you in possession of most of the facts tacked, then shortened sail, hove to, and soon To prevent her crossing our hawse I which I now do myself the honor to state, and afterwards hailed the stranger, "What ship is request that you will do me the favor to submit

them to the honorable board.

On the 30th June last, being off Anjier, in the straits of Sunda, on my passage to Bengal, in charge of public despatches from the Java government, about 4 P.M. a strange sail hove

that?" To which I received no reply, until repeated four times, and then merely "Holloo!" About this period the English blue er sign was hauled down, and American colours hoisted. I then asked "Am I to consider you in the light of a friend or an enemy?" The reply was,

"An enemy." I then informed the American encing every mark of hospitality, and the most captain that peace had been ratified between unlimited attention, until the return of the Great Britain and the United States of Amer- Nautilus from Rembang; at which period findica; also, that I had the proclamation on board, ing my health tolerably restored, I rejoined her and hoped that a due consideration of this on the 23d instant.

would induce him to spare bloodshed. I was I beg leave to subjoin a list of the killed and then commanded, in a very loud and peremptory wounded on board the honorable company's manner, to "haul down my colours," which cruiser Nautilus, on the 30th of last June; and, was immediately repeated still louder, and in having to lament the loss of so many, I rewith the addition of "instantly;" to which I gret that a fairer opportunity for their exerreplied, "I shall do no such thing." The tions was not afforded them, and myself, with a American then opened his fire on us, by which vessel of more equal force. two men were killed at the gun near me, and

I received a grape-shot, in a slanting direction, I am not able to say. If report is to be relied What loss the American may have sustained through the right cheek of my posteriors. A short but brisk action ensued, and observing their bow-gun dismounted. on, they had four or five men wounded, and some casualties, my first lieutenant, Mr. Robert Mayston, and several others, wounded, and The damage the Nautilus received in the acbeing myself disabled by a 32-pound shot tion was considerable both to her hull and which shattered my right knee-joint, and splin- rigging. The bends on the starboard-side,

tered my thighbone; also considering the great (the side engaged,) were shivered from aft to disparity of force, I deemed it my duty, al- the fore-chains, and the bulwark, from the though I must confess that it was with no small chess-tree aft, much torn. The launch and cutdegree of reluctance, to strike the British ter were both perforated with shot, the lower colours to the American. Her first lieutenant, mast and tiller slightly wounded with grape, about dusk, took possession of us. She proved and the boom-main-sail shot through in many to be the U. S. sloop of war Peacock, Captain places. Two guns were disabled by the Warrington, carrying twenty 32-pound carro-enemy's shot, and the sheet-anchor completely nades, and two long 18-pounders. Her crew is said to consist of 220 men.

Both vessels anchored for the night about six miles off Anjier, and in the morning I was permitted to be taken on shore, as well as the rest of the wounded in compliance with my request

to that effect.

so, by the loss of its iron stock, ring, and fluke. Four 32-pound shot, that were found lodged, have been picked out of her: one was under the great number of small-arms and gunner's stores counter, very nearly level with the water. A their taking possession, to clear the deck. The were thrown overboard by the Americans on packets, I am happy to say, remained on board without being touched, but almost every thing below was ransacked.

About 2 P. M. on the day following the action, the honorable company's cruiser Nautilus was restored, and Captain Warrington addressed a letter to Mr. Macgregor, master-at-to the conduct of the officers and crew of the It now only remains for me to do that justice tendant at Anjier, stating, that in consequence Nautilus, on the 30th of last June, which they of the information received from him, and the several different sources from which he had so well deserve, by declaring my admiration of heard that a peace had been concluded between satisfaction with their conduct throughout. their firmness, and thus publicly expressing my the United States and Great Britain, he felt himself bound to desist from hostilities, and regretted that his reasonable demand had not been complied with by the commander of Nautilus brig the preceding afternoon.

The two scapoys and native servant, with amputated limbs, have, I understand, recovered, and been sent by Captain William Eatwell, of the honorable company's cruiser Benares, to Calcutta, in the honorable company's cruiser Antelope. Lieutenant Maystone's wound was however now, I am happy to say, again on the once healed, but has broken out afresh; he is recovery. My own cure has been greatly imwhich have caused me to suffer much. The peded by two unfortunate fistulas, in my stump, rest of the wounded are all well.

On the 4th of July the Nautilus sailed for Batavia, where she arrived the day following, and was sent from thence to Rembang, on the coast of Java, in the temporary charge of acting lieutenant Barnes, (who was ordered on board from the honorable company's cruiser Malabar, by Captain Hepburn,) to receive such repairs as the damages she had sustained required. In the mean time I remained, on account of my wounds, on shore at Anjier, where I was most Question. Did you communicate to the offihandsomely received and accommodated by the by the kindness of Colonel Yule, resident, and between her and the honorable company's cruicers of the enemy's ship, before the action attended by Mr. Hervy Thompson, surgeon of the district. On the 14th of July it was deemed concluded between Great Britain and the United ser Nautilus took place, that peace had been necessary to amputate my right leg. I submitted to the operation, and it was accordingly I did: I communicated to the first lieutenant, States, and ratified by both parties?

taken off above the knee. On the 20th follow

Evidence of Mr. Macgregor.

Answer.

ing I was removed to the residence of Colonel The wound subsequently mortified, and he died DeoYule, at Ceram, and there I remained, experi-cember 3rd, 1815.