American naval biography, comprising lives of the commodores, and other commanders distinguished in the history of the American navy

Front matter

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Preface

While the Naval Biography of England and the other great maritime powers has been written by the ablest authors, and published with every aid of embellishment and typographical elegance, that of the United States has hitherto been permitted to remain unwritten; or has onl}^ presented itself to public notice in the fugitive form of magazine or newspaper articles. It is not to be denied, however, that some of the lives which have appeared in this form were furnished by the ablest writers in the country, and derive their authority from original documents, letters, and personal narratives. From the materials for an American Naval Biography thus furnished, in addition to other original materials politely furnished by surviving naval officers, or the families of those who are deceased, the following work is composed. Were the compiler at liberty to give the name of each writer to whom he is indebted for any portion of this work, the list would command attention and respect by the high literary reputation of the contributors. As it is, the work will speak for itself; and the reader will have no difficulty in perceiving that each biographical sketch has been exevi PREFACE,

cuted by one who is conversant with naval affairs and anxious to do justice to the subject.

The compiler embraces the present opportunity of expressing his gratitude to the gentlemen, connected with the naval service, who have kindly aided the work by furnishing documents and other means of information necessary to its completion. His thanks are also due to Mr. Asa Spencer, the inventor of the machine for medal ruling, for his admirable facsimiles of several of the gold medals, conferred on distinguished commanders by congress. All the engravings of medals in the work, except that of the Preble medal,* were engraved by Mr. Spencer himself. Nearly all the views of naval actions were designed by Mr. James Hamilton, the marine and landscape painter, a young artist whose talents are already known and appreciated by the public.

Should the present work meet with encouragement, it is the compiler's intention to furnish another series of lives of naval commanders, at some future period.

Philadelphia, October 17, 1843.

* This medal was ruled by Mr. Sexton, of the United States Mint, Philadelphia.