The life and character of Stephen Decatur; late commodore and post-captain in the navy of the United States, and navy-commissioner: interspersed with brief notices of the origin, progress, and achievements of the American navy ..

Front matter

Columbia ZHnitier^itp

intljeCttpiOmjgork

LIBRARY

CHAPTER I. [introductory.]

Naval Heroes identified with Naval Glory — Commercial enterprise of Americans — British jealousy against American Colonies— First dawning of Naval Glory amongst Americans — Constellation of Ocean- Warriours — Stephen Decatur. P. 13

Chapter II

Decatur's birth — Birth-places — Difference between beginning and ending great names — Brief notice of Decatur's ancestors — His father, one of the original Post-Captains in the American Navy — Dedication of his sons to the Republic — The inestimable value of the Legacy. 19

Chapter III

Extinction of Naval Power and Naval Spirit at the close of the Revolution — A Seventy-four presented to Louis XVI. — Conjecture concerning her — Astonishing effects of Naval Power — Encroachments upon American Commerce and humiliation ef American Seamen — Act of Congress 1794 for building six Frigates — Enthusiasm excited by it — Frigate Constitution — Achievements'of Truxton, Little, Szc. — Anecdotes of the elder Decatur and Tryon — Midshipman Stephen Decatur. 28

Chapter IV

Stephen Decatur's early education — Peculiar advantages enjoyed by him — Enters the frigate United States as Midshipman 1798 — Promoted to Lieutenant — Cruises in the West Indies against the French — Enters the brig Norfolk as 1st Lieutenant 17,99 — Sails to the Spanish Main — Re-enters frigate United States — Barbarism of French and Spanish to American Seamen — Victories of Truxton, Little, &lc. — Humiliation of the French — Peace with France — R.e wards for heroism. 41

Chapter V

Progress of the American Navy — Reduction of it by Act of Con-

VIII. CONTENTS.

gress — Amount of it in 1801 — Lieut. Decatur's views and determination— Depredations of Barbary states upon American commerce — Measures of the American government — Decatur enters into the first Mediterranean squadron as 1st Lieut, of the frigate Essex — his unremitting vigilance as a disciplinarian— Address to his seamen. 50

Chapter VI

Lieut. Decatur sails in the frigate Essex to the Mediterranean. l'-JOl, in the first American Squadron — Hazard of this enterprize — Captain Sterrett's victory in the Schooner Enterprise — Impatience of Lieut. Decatur in a blockading ship — He returns to America in the Essex — National glory and National taxes — Lieut. Decatur joins the second Mediterranean Squadron as 1st Lieut, of the frigate New York — Sails to the Mediterranean— Incessant attention to duty — Returns in the New York to Ameiica. 61

Chapter VII

Lieut. Decatur ordered to take command of the brig Argus — Fortunate and unfortunate ships — Ideas of seamen concerning them — He sails in the Argus, and joins the third Mediterranean Squadron under Com. Preble — Com Preble and the Emperor of Morocco — Decatur leaves the brig Argus, and takes command of the schooner Enterprize — Disastrous loss of the frigate Philadelphia — Lieut. Decatur captures a Tripolitan corsair, and calls her "Ketch Intrepid" — Rendezvous at Syracuse— Brief Sketch of Jussuff, Bashaw of Tripoli— Sufferings of Copt. Bainbridgf and crew — Lieut Decatur volunteers to attempt the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia. 75

Chapter VIII

Improper estimate of battles— Lieutenant Decatur sails for Tripoli in the K< tch Intrepid — Baffled by adverse winds — diminution of provisions — Reaches the harbour of Tripoli lfSth Feb. J804 — Loses the assistance of the Syren and the hoats— Enters the harbour with the Ketch Intrepid — Boards the Philadelphia, followed by Morris, Lawrence, IVTacdohough and the crew — Cormv Is the Turks to surrender — Sets the Philadelphia fh* crate on fire, and secures his retreat — Gen. Ea on and Caramalli — Const n of Bashaw — Joy of American prisoners — Small

force of Comm. Preble. 100

Chapter IX

Lip?it°nnwt Decatur promoted to thp rank of Captain — Preparations for a general attack upon Tripoli— Capt. Decatur take*

CONTENTS. IX.

command of a division of Gun-boats — Disparity of force between his and the enemy's — He grapples and captures a Tripolitan boat — Is bearing for the squadron with his prize — Hears of the treacherous murder cf his brother, Lieut. James Decatur — Returns to the engagement, and followed by Midshipman Macdonou^h and nine seamen, boards the enemy's boat — Slays the Turk who slew his brother,and bears his second prize to the squadron — Other achievements of the Squadron, Bombards, and Gun-boats — Effects of the attack upon the Bashaw, and Tripolitans. 114

Chapter X

Oapt. Decatur receives high commendations from Comm. Preble- -Grief at the death of Lieut. J. Decatur — Notice of him — Proposals of the Commodore to the Bashaw — Renewal of the attack upon Tripoli — Capt. Somers, Lieuts. Wadsworth and Israel enter into the squadron of the enemy's boats with the Ketch Intrepid as a fire ship — She explodes ! — Awful effects of the explosion — Reflection— Notice of Lieut. Wadsworth— Com. Preble superseded by Comm. Barron — Brief notice of Edward Preble. 130

Chapter XI

Capt. Decatur takes command of the frigate Constitution — ■ Perfection of discipline in the American Navy — He takes command of the frigate Congress — Peace with Tripoli — • Emancipation of Capt. Bainbridge, his officers and seamen — Meeting between them and Capt. Decatur, American officers and seamen of the Squadron — Captain Decatur returns to America in the frigate Congress — Visits his father, Commodore Decatur, at Philadelphia — He is appointed Superintendant of Gun-boats — Marries Miss Wheeler, of Norfolk, (Vir.) — Supersedes Comm. Barron, and takes command of the frigate Chesapeake — " Aflair of the Chesapeake" — Captain Decatur takes command of the Southern Squadron as Commodore. 145

Chapter XII

Commodore Decatur takes command of the Frigate United States — Interview with Capt. John Surnarn Carden, in time of peace — British Naval Officers on American station before the commencement of War— -Declaration of War against G. Britain — Immense disparity of naval force between America and Britain — Comm. Decatur puts to sea from New York, June 21st 1812 — Makes an extensive cruise and enters the port of Boston — Sails from thence 8th October — Upon the 25th captures the frigate Macedonian — His official account of the

X. CONTENTS.

action — Length of, and incidents in the action — Meeting of Comtn. Decatur and Capt. Carded — Dreadful slaughter in the Macedonian — Arrival of frigate United States and l'iat ship at New London — Reception of Flag at Washington — Arrival at New York — Reception there — Comm. Decatur's humanity. 163

Chapter XIII

Honours conferred upon Coram, Decatur — He takes command of a Squadron — Immense disparity between American and British Naval force on the American coast — List of both — Comm. Decatur sails from New York in Squadron — His ship struct by lightning — Sails for a British 74 — i'etreats to New London — Prepares for defence — Raz. is — British Squadron — Contrast between Hard:/ and Cockburn — Stratagems of War — Passport for the bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow — Coram. Decatur attempts to escape — Blue Lights — Steam Frigate — Challenge to the enemy — Impressed seamen — Dignified and humane officers-- Comm Decatur and Comm. Macdonough. 190

Chapter XIV

Comm. Deeatur dismantles the frigates United States and Macedonian — Achievements of the Essex, Capt. Porter — -Expedition to the East Indies resolved upon by the Navy Departm nt — The Squadron for that service — Comm. Decatur designated as commander of it — Sails in the frigate President, encounters and beats the frigate Endymion, and surrenders to the lohole British -'quadron -His official account of the action — Additional particulars — Falsehoods of an English editor, and the consequences of them — The remainder of Comm. Decatur's Squadron, Hornet and Peacock. 224

Chapter XV

Comm. Decatur returns from his fourth cruise — Reception — Peace ratified — Scenes of domestic felicity — Depredations of Barbary powers—By whom instigated — Squadron to chastise and humble them — Comm. Decatur appointed to command the first Mediterranean Squadron in 18 '5 — Victory over Algerine Admiral — Consternation of the Dey — Indemnifies Americans and concludes a Treaty of Peace — Comm. Decatur demands and receives indemnification from Tunis and Tripoli for British violations — Demands release of Christian captives .—Restores th<- m to Naples, and is honoured by the King — Surrenders squadron to Comm. Bainbrtdge, and returns to America— Comm. Bainbrid<re— Respect paid to him. 242

CONTENTS. XI,

Chapter XVI

Recapitulation of Comm. Decatur's achievements &:c. in the Mediterranean in 1815 — Rewards by promotion — Necessity of different grades of office— Arduous duties of Department of the Navy — Board of Navy Commissioners established — Comm. Decatur appointed Navy Commissioner — Duties of the Navy Commissioners — Responsibility of the office — Naval Architecture— Rates of Ships— Comparative power- Annual expense of ships of different rates— Improvement in Ship-building — Inventions*-- Assiduity of Comm. Decatur— Honours paid him— Difficulty of designating Officers— Comm. Macdonough— Conim. Barron. 259

Chapter XVII

Comm. Barron solicits a command in the Navy — Comm. Decatur's opinion as to his re-admission into the Navy— The unfortunate misunderstanding between them— It eventuates in a challenge to single combat, from Barron to Decatur— Duelling—Result of the meeting— Immediate effects of it— -Honours to the remains of Comm. Decatur — Funeral ceremonies at his interment— -His Character^ £84

LIFE AND CHARACTER

OF

STEPHEN DECATUR, &c.

CHAPTER I. [introductory.]

j^aval Heroes identified with Nava] Glory — Commercial enterprise of Americans — British jealousy against American Colonies— First dawning of Naval Glory amongst Americans — Constellation of Ocean- Warriours — Steph en Decat ur.

STEPHEN DECATUR'S name and glory are so inseparably identified with that of the American Navy, that it is almost impossible to contemplate the high renown of the last, without associating with the exhilirating reflection, the splendid and unsurpassed achievements of the first. Decatur and the navy (if the figure is allowable) went on from infancy ,-hand in hand, supported and supporting — " growing with each others growth, and strengthening with each others strength," until they both acquired the dignified and noble attitude of manhood.

Until the auspicious era of seventeen hundred and ninety eight, Americans themselves scarcely knew that the Republic had a naval force, and in that memorable t r year, Stei^M 'Yttiq'tAttR cbmmer<eed his naval career. In the naval warfare wit'ii France, and it w;is nothing else but naval Svpr/are, the:g,!o''y of the infant American navy b listupoii t!ve vtdrld 'Iiks the sun-beam through a dark and lowering cloud. This constituted the first period of the navy and of Decatur's naval life.

The warfare with the Barbary powers, especially with Tripoli, again called into action the decreasing energy of the American navy, and the increasing ardour ef our naval officers and seamen. The glory ofournavy, and the achievements of our officers resounded through the three great continents bordering upon the Mediterranean, the greatest and most renowned of seas. This constituted the second period of the navy. It commenced with the nineteenth century, and was the brilliant commencement of Decatur's renown.

The second war between the American Republic and the British Empire, formed the third period of our navy, and the rapid and splendid progression of Decatur's fame.

The short naval warfare with Algiers which immediately followed the conclusion of the war with Britain, presented Decatur to the world in the two-fold capacity of Conquerour and Negociator. It augmented the renown of the American navy — it was the complete consummation of his glory. As Navy Commissioner, he displayed the knowledge he had acquired in active service.

This rapid glance from the commencement to the termination of these imperfect Sketches, is made, to elucidate the reasons for the manner in which the work will be attempted. If a biographical memoir may be compared to a perspective painting, it will be the de~ sign of the writer to keep Stephen Decatur upon the foreground, and in the relief, to present slight views of the " origin, progress aud achievements of the American navy" Whether the delineations will be correct, and the lights and shades judicious, must of course be left to the plain, unostentatious observer, and to «.he acu*e, fastidious, and acrimonious connoisseur. However grateful approbation might be to the writer, he is fully determined not to be carried to any high degree of elevation by commendation, nor sunk to the least degree of dejection by censure. As he is confident he cannot give entire satisfaction to himself, he has little hope of imparting it to the reader.

The thiM for naval glory, unconnected with the rapid accumulation of wealth, could hardly be said to constitute a prominent feature of the American character, until system and order was introduced into the American navy, during the administrations of the venerable John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. A spirit of commercial enterprise, without a parallel amongst ancient or modern nations, had indeed, for a long period before, rendered America the second nation in the world, in point of commercial importance. But this was the result of individual exertion and not of national patronage. The ocean, the great natural highway of nations, invited Americans to whiten its bosom with their canvass. Even before the British crown began to encroach upon the rights of its American colonies, the thousands of American merchant ships were navigating every sea. The productions of every clime, from China to California, were poured into the lap of the rising colonies. The hardy and intrepid seamen of America were seen in every ocean. They were seen amidst the terrifying waves of the North, encountering the tremendous whale, whose evolutions and spoutings would seem to appal the stoutest heart. Even a distinguished British admiral, who, for amusement, had joined an American whaling party, was lost in astonishment at the adventurous spirit of American seamen, and lost his fortitude in the threatening danger that surrounded him.

American seamen were also seen, enduring the blasting rays of an equinoctial sun, and bearing home to their country all the varied productions of the tropical regions. Wherever a ship could navigate oceans, our energetic and dauntless navigators led the van in navigating enterprise. It is readily acknowledged that at this early period of the history of our country in its rapid progress to national glory, our merchants and seamen thought of little else than the rapid accumulation of wealth. But let it never be Forgotten, that our countrymen, by these pursuits, were adding practical knowledge, to the theory of navigation — fearless intrepidity, to scientific acquirements.

The British nation, for a long period before its deadly jea'ousy commenced a systematic oppression o its American children, was the almost undisputed mistress of the ocean. She claimed that she had wrested the trident of Neptune from his hands, and that the four continents ought to be tributary to her wealth and power. That government, ever watchful of national glory, and as its handmaid, ever insatiable in amassing national .vealth, look-d with a suspicious eye upon the American colonies, although they constituted the most brilliant gem in the British diadem. When the infatyated policy of Britain drove them into a contest with the mother-country, every thine; considered, the most powerful nation in the world, the confederated states had not a single armed vessel floating upon the ocean. But they had the most accomplished navigators, and the most intrepid seamen, it was however, no time to commence the establishment of a naval force. The country and its resources, were literally in possession of its implacable enemy, when that tremendous and awfully unequal contest commenced which terminated in the most glorious revolution of the eighteenth century.

But, during the sanguinary progress of the revolutionary struggle, the latent sparks of that blaze of glory which now envelopes the American Navy, elicited themselves with the most cheering brilliancy. It was not that systematic, regulated courage, which for the last quarter of a century has led our naval heroes to certain victory. It was not the mijestic course which now marks our ships and our fl ets, as the orbits point out the course of the planets — it was rather like the comet, whose eccentric course and flaming face defy calculation, excite wonder and raise far.

Would the limits and the design of this work permit, I might carry the reader, along through the whole gl omy period of the revolutionary struggle, and show, that with mr-ans apparently wholly inefficient, the naval sprit of Americans, evinced itself in a manner calculated to excite the unbounded admiration of their friends, and the fearful apprehensions of their enemies. But it mibt not here be omitted that the " Old Congrr?.«" took measures as early as 1776, to establish a naval force, when the resources of the country were

2* next to nothing. With a few little ships, which grew up, as if by magic, and which seemed like rude intruders upon the ocean, a Barry, a Manly, a Biddle, a Jones, and a Preble, spread consternation amongst the enemy, and for themselves acquired fame, lasting as immortality. Particulars must here be omitted ; but the inquisitive reader may readily find them in the publications of that period.

We approach now toward that auspicious epoch in the history of the American Republic, when the Grand Council of the nation literally began the navy of the Republic — for there was not, twenty-five years ago, a single vestige remaining of the naval force commenced in the war of the Revolution. It was in this navy, that the brilliant constellation of gallant ocean heroes arose with a splendour that illumines the modern history of the Republic.

In the midst of this constellation, STEPHEN DECA- TUR shines with respleudant glory, — a star of the first magnitude. To delineate his life and character, it is readily admitted req lires the hand of a master. The writer approaches the task with a trembling solicitude, most sensibly felt, but wholly indescribable. Relying, however, upon that indulgence and candour, which has given to his v' Memoirs" of one of the first ornaments of the Army of the Republic* a favourable reception, he will endeavour to present his countrymen a faithful and accurate portrait of one who was the first ornament of the American Navy.

* Gen. Andrew Jackson.

Chapter II

Decatur's birth — Birth-places — Difference between beginning and ending great names — Brief notice of Decatur's ancestors — His father, one of the original Post-Captains in the American Navy — Dedication of his sons to the Republic — The inestimable value of the Legacy.

STEPHEN DECATUR, who, from the humble birth of a Midshipman, rose to the highest gride of office yet established in the Navy of the American Republic, was born upon the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Worcester county, upon the 5th day of January, A. D. 1779.

Although to the general scholar, the precise time, and the certain place where a distinguished man was born, or educated, or where he first exemplified indications of his future greatness, seem to be of but little importance, yet these points have been contested with such an unyielding stubbornness by the ancient and modern literati, that they assume a factitious consequence, which, intrinsically seems not to belong to them.

A place that derives all its consequence from the birth of one great man, who fiist inhaled air in it, may well contend for that frail claim to local honour — frail it well nay be called ; for surely it cannot be perceived how the. birth of a great man, who has secured a title to lasting fame by his own science, genius, or heroism, can impart fame to the place of his nativity, any more than the glory of a man's ancestors can immortalize his descendants. But every traveller must visit the place of a great man's birth, however obscure it may be.

No country upon earth, within the period of the two last centuries, which limits the age of civilized America, can b^ast of a more extended catalogue of great men in the State, the Church, the Army, the N;ivy, and in the walks of Literature and Science, than ours. But when we come to trace their pi tees of birth ; the seminaries where they obtained the rudiment- of knowledge, or completed their education, and the ancestors to whom they trace their origin, it will be found that a very great proportion of the mostdisting ashed men of ouf Republic, came into existence in some of (he most obscure villages of out nen} country — were educated in the most humble schools, and can tr ice their genealogy to some of the most obscure citizens of our Republic.

It is usual with the writers of Biography to <rive, sometimes a brief, and oftentimes a prolix -ketch of the ancestors of the subject of his memoirs. This may serve to eke out a volume ; and, for want of interesting incidents in the life of the subject of it, he may interlard it with matter wholly extraneous. It may serve arother purpose — it may gr atify t Sip pri 'e of family aristocracy, vvho exhibit the archives of their ancestors as evidence of their out. merit, and by the aid of heraldry, display splendid coats of arms in (lie family hall. It is almost enough to excite the admiration of an English reader to be told that some of the blood of the Tudors or Stuarts* is coursing sluggishly through the veins of the modern hero of a memoir ; and although the present legitimate princes of the British empire have but little legitimate blood amongst their subjects, it would undoubtedly be highly gratifying to learn that he can claim consanguinity, or even some affinity with the house of Brunswick.}

The American reader, however much he may desire it, can seldom be gratified, in tracing a lengthened genealogy of his distinguished countrymen. It may well be doubted whether any of the original European inhabitants of Maryland, the native, and Pennsylvania, the adopted state of Decatur, or indeed of any other of the ancient colonies, even thought of bringing across*the Atlantic, any family archives, or any evidence of family ancestry. Ardent in the pursuit of civil and religious liberty, they little cared about proving their descent from an arbitrary royal family, or a degenerated nobility who had deprived them of both. Indeed, it may be doubted whether our ancestors had any noble blond, excepting that noble blood which rouses all true Americans, and Englishmen too, to revolt at civil and ecclesiastical tyranny. Our ancestors were not amongst the favourite of the courts of the Charleses, the Jameses or the Georges ; — they generally consisted of the highest and best informed class ofthestnrdy yeomanry, who chose rather to encounter the dangers of the ocean, and all the appalling borrours oi Indian warfare, than to submit to the abated prerogative of a crown, or the arrogance

^Ancient feigning families in England.

t The present reigning family in the British Empire^ of an insolent high church priesthood. They came here to begin a Republic, and to begin their own names : and surely it is far more gratifying to see a new-born republic, rising in strong inaj^ty, than to behold ancient empires and kingdoms tottering to their fall. It is also infinitely more gratifying to behold the present generation of Americans beginning names for themselves, than to see them ending those that were rendered illustrious by their ancestors.

These hasty remarks are not made with a view of extirpating from the breast that noble sentiment which induces the descendants of great Statesmen, Heroes, and Scholars, to cherish, venerate and defend the fame of their ancestors ; but to impress the idea thus forcibly expressed by one of the master painters of human nature ; —

" The deeds of long descended ancestors. Are but by grace of imputation ours."

The reader may be led to suppose from the preceding remarks, that Decatur was of the humblest origin, and that the obscurity of his family is about to be mentioned in order to increase the lu-treofhis own achievements. Not so, — the object was to impress upin the miad of the youthful reader, a sentiment which ought to be unceasingly reiterated through the Republic, that the principle of family aristocracy, prostrates the very genius of our constitution. The rising youth of America should scorn to repose in listless inactivity, — riof in the wealth, or bask in the fame of their ancestors. Nothing but personal merit, and deeds of actual renown, entitles a man to be enrolled with worthies, or hold a niche in the temple ©f fame.

How ignoble would Stephen and James Decatur have appeared, if, instead of devoting themselves to their country, and achieving deeds of glory as the foundation of (heir own fame, they had ?upinely reposed upon the high rank and reputation of their gallant father ?

The family of Decatur was of French extraction in the paternal line — upon the maternal side, it was of Irish extraction. Could it be indulged in a biographr ical memoir, what a capacious field is here opened to "expatiate free" upon the prominent characteristics of Frenchmen and Irishmen? We might paint the chivalrous gallantry of the one, and the ardent and romantic courage of the other — we can only say, they both were most happily and gloriously united in Stephen Decatur — under the name of an American.

His grandfather was a native of La Rochelle, in France, celebrated for the refinement and taste which prevails in the large cities of that captivating and charming country. Although amongst the early emigrants from European nations, Frenchmen included but a small proportion, many of the most distinguished men of the middle and southern states can trace their origin to that people. The same cause that drove Englishmen, Scotsmen, Irishmen, Germans, &c. to the New World — civil and ecclesiastical oppression, also compelled some of the persecuted *Hugonots in France, to seek an' asylum in America, which has most emphatically been denominated ** The asylum of oppressed humanity." What were the motives of Decatur's an-

* Vide, the pathetic accounts of the sanguinary persecution *f the Hugonots by the Papal power.

cestors to emigrate, is lost in the oblivious shade that is spread over that interesting period of our history. He landed in Rhode I-land, a state which owes its existence to an high sense of religious liberty.

Having soon discovered the excellence of a government where freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of the press had dissipated the monkish gloom and sullen terror which enveloped and chained the human mind in the regions where a subtil, aspiring, corrupt, and detestable priesthood held dominion, he relinquished all idea of returning to his native land — married a lady of Rhode Island, and settled at Newport, situated upon the most charming island bordering upon the American continent.

It was here that Stephen Decatur, the father of our hero was born. What were the pecuniary circumstances of this family, at this period is unknown to the writer, and is of but little consequence to the reader. That adventurous spirit, which characterises the name of Decatur, induced him, in early life, to remove to the city of Philadelphia, the metropolis of the then American colonies. Having previously become acquainted, and enamoured ;vith the ocean, he resorted to that element as the theatre of his exertions, his fortune and his fame.

From what has previously been said, the reader will not here expect a biographical notice of the distinguished father of the subject of these Sketches. His life deserves the record of a much abler hand than that which is now attempting to portray that of his gallant and illustrious son. A mere miniature will only be attempted. He entered into the matrimonial state early in life before the fine feeling of an affectionate heart had been cooled by intercourse with a deceitful, friendless, and cruel world. His bosom companion was the daughter of an Irish gentleman by the name of Pine. Having been previously instructed in the theory of navigation, he commenced his nautical life in the merchants' service at that auspicious period when commercial enterprize was the sure passport to sudden wealth. But its fascinating charms had no attractions for the elder Stephen Decatur, when put in competition with naval glory. No sooner had our infant navy embraced the ocean, than his ardent spirit led him, amongst the very first of the naval heroes of 1798, to tender his services to his country. Let it be remembered that at that period, the Republic had no commanders who had distinguished themselves — America was not even ranked with naval powers. It therefore required a devotion to country which must border upon the romantic, to engage in a service apparently so pregnant with difficulty and hazard.

Notwithstanding the blaze of glory which now encircles our naval officers, it is no more than justice to theirs* class of naval commanders to say that they share equally in the glory acquired for the Republic by our naval achievements. They were the first teachers of that admirable system — that inimitable discipline,— that unequalled police which has ever distinguished the American navy. Ask the gallant ocean warriours of the second war between the Republic and the British Empire, where they acquired that unparalleled nautical skill which is as necessary as dauntless courage — and they will refer you to the school of Trttx ton, the senior Decatur, and his cotemporaries ; and afterwards to Preble and his coadjutors.

The elder Decatur was first appointed to the command of the Delaware sloop of war, and continued in the same command, until the patriotic merchants of Philadelphia presented to their country a noble frigate named after that noble city. It may almost be said that she was built for the Decaturs, for she was first commanded by the father in the naval warfare with France, who lived to see her destroyed by the son, when in the hands of a Tripolitan Bashaw. He continued in the command of the Philadelphia, teaching his gallant crew the path to certain victory, and protecting American commerce from French depredations. At the conclusion of peace with France he resigned his command, and retired to the bosom of his beloved family near the city of Philadelphia. Here this veteran son of Neptune beheld from year to year the rising glory of the navy — and, what consummated his temporal felicity, the fame of his beloved sons, Stephen and James. Sitting between them at a public naval dinner, a few years before his death, he wa* congratulated by some of the guests upon the happiness he enjoyed in his family. Turning his animated eye?, alternately toward his two sons, and uttering forth the sentiments of his noble and