THE ROVER. COMMODORE PORTER. WITH A PORTRAIT. though at that time his health and constitution were so delicate as to excite the fears of his mother for his We have the pleasure of presenting to the readers of safety. While lying in one of the ports of St. Domingo, the ROVER, this week, a good likeness of one of our dis-of peril and blood he ever witnessed. A press-gang atPorter was unexpectedly involved in the 'first scene tinguished naval heroes, from a portrait painted pro- tempted to board his father's vessel in search of men, bably some twenty-five years ago, and an excellent but were gallantly resisted, and compelled to retire likeness of the gallant officer it was pronounced to be with the loss of several killed and wounded. This adat that time of life. It is particularly valuable and interesting at the present time, when the last sad rites of than discouraged the young hero in his predelections venture was highly applauded, and confirmed rather sepulture have just been performed over his remains. for the life of a sailor. Commodore Porter, as most of our readers probably recollect, died at Constantinople, in March, 1843, while "During subsequent voyages to St. Domingo, he was acting as Minister Resident of the United States at twice impressed into the British service, but effected that Court. His remains were recently brought by one escape on each occasion, and after enduring great of our national vessels to Philadelphia, where the high-privation and hardship, returned to his family, almost est funeral honors were paid them. A Philadelphia utterly destitute of money and clothes. The outrages of which he had been the victim, no doubt operated to tion in his mind, and stimulated him to that wide but form a deep and thorough hostility to the English najustifiable retaliation which, in his after life, proved so paper says: "The body of Commodore Porter was originally interred at Constantinople in a leaden coffin, filled with spirits, which was enclosed in one of English wal nut, covered with black cloth, and the letters 'D. P.' and an urn marked thereon with brass nails, the whole wrapped in the American ensign. In this state it was brought to this country. Here, under the superintendance of Mr. William Cragg, undertaker and sexton of St. Stephen's church, the liquor was drawn off, and the outside coffin re-covered with black cloth and silver mountings. The letters and urn were removed, and in their stead a silver plate was placed, bearing the following inscription: Commodore David Porter, of the U. S. Navy, died at Constantinople, March, 1843, when acting as Minister Resident of the United States near that Court. Jan. 1844.' The obsequies were imposing and solemn, and characteristic of the respect entertained by our citizens for the illustrious deceased, whose remains now rest in the land of his birth, and whose memory will ever be cherished by his country men." We find the following well prepared sketch of the life and brilliant achievements of Commodore Porter, in the Philadelphia Dollar Newspaper. It cannot fail his destructive to their commerce and so humilating to their pride. After a short stay at home, young Porter in obtaining a midshipman's warrant, and it is not a applied for a commission in the navy, and succeeded little singular that his first voyage should have been made in the Constellation, under Commodore Truxton. The vessel which brought home his mortal remains for burial bears the name of his first commander. Although without friends whose influence might be of service in his new career, the young midshipman was not long in tion between the Constellation and the French frigate winning his way to honor and distinction. In the acInsurgent, he exhibited unequivocal signs of those military virtues, courage, intrepidity and address, which subsequently shed lustre on his name, and placed him in the foremost rank of American naval heroes. Upon of Commodore Barron, Porter was promoted to a lieuthe transfer of the frigate Constellation to the command tenancy, and was some time afterward engaged on the West India station, in the schooner Experiment, under Captain Maley. In this service he distinguished himself in a severe and long engagement with a number of piratical barges, in the bite of Leogan, and was highly "A sketch of the life of this distinguished comman-successful in the difficult employment of cutting vesder seems called for by the ceremonies recently per- sels out of ports in open boats. While on this station formed at the interment of his remains, and will be he obtained command of a prize pilot boat, with a crew found the best tribute we can pay to his memory. The of fifteen men, and an armament of five small swivels, achievements of few of the ocean heroes of America taken from the tops of the Constellation. Falling in claim greater interest than his-the name of none de- with a French privateer, mounting a long twelve and serves a more honorable mention. Commodore Por- several swivels, and carrying forty men, with a prize ter was born in Boston on the 1st of February, 1780. and a barge in convoy, carrying thirty men and several He was the eldest son of Captaia David Porter, a re-swivels, the hardy lieutenant commenced a desperate spectable merchant seaman of moderate means and action, under the most unfavorable circumstances, and ability. The early education of the commodore de-although his vessel became almost unmanageable by volved almost entirely upon an excellent mother. the loss of her rudder in the onset, yet, after a sharp From her he received his first impressions and pre-and obstinate conflict, he captured the privateer and cepts, while he imbibed from his father a passion for the sea. Upon the termination of the revolutionary war, Captain Porter removed to Baltimore, and was placed in the revenue service, in command of the cut. ter Active, but he subsequently embarked in the mer-commodore (Talbot) and the admiration of his counchant service again, and commanded a vessel engaged trymen. in the West India trade. At the age of sixteen, young to be read with interest. prize. The barge escaped. Several of his men were Of the enemy, seven were This was his first triumph him the applause of his "He returned to the United States, but remained only David accompanied his father in one of his voyags, al- a short time, when he again sailed for the West Indies VOL. II.-No. 24. COMMODORE PORTER. 370 as first lieutenant of the Experiment, then commanded by Captain Charles Stewart. The brave and lamented Trippe was second lieutenant. These gallant fellows soon broke up the hordes of French privateers with which those seas were infested, being successful in every engagement with them; and American commerce was restored to an almost perfect security from their attacks. "A wider field of battle was soon opened to the young hero and his no less distinguished commander. Both were ordered to join the first squadron sent to the Mediterranean, and were transferred to the schooner Enterprize for this purpose. Their first prize was a Tripolitan corsair of very superior force. They took her after a severe action, in which they made great havoc of the enemy's deck, with but little loss to themselves. In this and subsequent actions on board other vessels of the squadron, Lieutenant Porter won bright and honorable laurels. In the boat service he was still conspicuous and successful. He destroyed several vessels laden with wheat, which were lying at anchor in the harbor of old Tripoli; but this daring achievement cost him a severe wound in the thigh from a musket ball. After his recovery from this injury, he was transferred to the Philadelphia, as first lieutenant, under the command of Captain Bainbridge. His career of glory was cut short for a time by the unfortunate fate of this vessel. This frigate, it will be recollected, grounded on the Tripolitan coast, just as she was about to give up an unsuccessful chase of an enemy. Every effort was made to get her off or to defend her, but in vain, and she was at length surrendered to the barbarians. The crew were confined in dungeons during a long captivity, but the tedium of the imprisonment was greatly relieved in the apartments in which Porter and his fellow officers were placed. A few books furnished to his active and vigorous mind material for much profitable study and discourse, and it became one of his daily employments and pleasures to examine and explain the theory of his profession, and to exhibit, by means of blocks of wood, the various mancvres of naval engagements. He also became an excellent draughtsman, and a good French scholar, by his studies at this period, besides deriving a large fund of historical knowledge, highly useful in his after life. "Many interesting incidents served to checker the otherwise monotonous captivity of Porter and his companions, but their recital would be incompatible with the present sketch. Upon the conclusion of peace with the Barbary powers, Porter and his friends were set at liberty, and after being exonerated from all censure for the loss of the Philadelphia, he was appointed to the command of the schooner Enterprize, and ordered to cruise off Tripoli. Few occurrences of importance, although many of some interest, marked this cruise, and after an absence of five years Captain Porter returned to the United States and was married to Miss Anderson, a daughter of one of the members of Congress from this state. Upon the passage of the embargo and nonintercourse laws, he was appointed to the command of a flotilla stationed at the mouth of the Mississippi to insure their observance. Here his father who was an officer under his command, died. At his own request he was transferred from his station, on account of the effects of the climate upon his health, and was appointed to the command of the frigate Essex. What ever might have been his previous fame, the most bril liant part of his life was now only commenced. The deck of this vessel was the scene of his greatest achievements, and her name has been rendered immortal by them. He left New York on the 3d of July, 1812, and captured the first armed vessel taken by us in the war with Great Britain. This was the sloop Alert, whose flag was the first trophy sent by our cruisers to the seat of Government. He took several other prizes and returned to Philadelphia to refit. He next proceeded to join Com. Bainbridge on the Brazilian station, and subsequently passed round Cape Horn into the Pacific Ocean. While cruising off the coasts of Chili and Peru, he fell in with a Corsair, belonging to the latter state, on board of which he found the crews of two American whaling vessels, which had been captured by the Corsair. The captain of this vessel excused himself for his outrage upon the American flag, by alleging that he was an ally of Great Britain, but Porter took the liberty of throwing his guns overboard, and after taking out the prisoners, sent him home with a cautionary epistle to the chief of the Peruvian province. He afterward re-captured one of the Corsair's prizes as she was entering the port of Lima. Having taken a number of prizes, he fitted one as a store-ship with twenty guns, and placed her under the command of Lieutenant Downes. She was called the Essex Junior, and afforded important aid to the Commodore in his attack upon the British Whalers and Merchantmen of that region. He soon spread consternation throughout the Pacific by the number of his captures, and was laden with their spoils, although he had given some prizes to his prisoners, and had sent others to the United States. Learning that Captain Hillyer, of the British frigate Phoebe, was in search of him, with two British sloops of war, he prepared to meet them, hoping to crown his brilliant career against the commerce of the enemy, by a signal triumph over their arms. With this view he proceeded to the coast of Chili, hoping to fall in with the Englishmen singly, but after cruising sometime without success, he went into Valparaiso. While here, Captain Hillyer arrived also, in the Phoebe, having been in pursuit of Porter for sometime. He was superior in force to Porter, and was besides accompanied by the sloop of war Cherub. The armament and force of the British amounted to 81 guns and 500 men, while the Essex, mounted by 46 guns, 40 of which were carronades, and serviceable only in a close action, while his crew, by frequent detachments to man prizes, had been reduced to only 225 men. The Essex Junior carried but 20 small guns and 60 inen. "On account of the neutrality of the port, Commodore Porter declined hostilities, although he had the Phoebe in his power on her entrance. The British commander acknowledged this evidence of the American sense of justice, and pledged himself to similar conduct. He kept his word as the English usually do, until his interest dictated another course. Porter remained blockaded in this port for six weeks, as he was not disposed to risk an action with so superior a force, and could not provoke a challenge from Hillyer, nor force him to strategy to a single combat. He then resolved to make his way to sea, if possible, and by inducing the British, who were cruising off the port, to give him chase, hoped to give the Essex Junior an opportunity to escape. On the 28th of March, 1814, he attempted this manoeuvre, but on rounding a point of land at the entrance of the bay, a squall struck his vessel, carrying away is main-topmast, and drowning. the men stationed in the top. The enemy immediately vice, as commander-in-chief of the navy, with a salagave chase, and finding he could not outsail and sepa-ry of $25,000 a year. He quitted this employment in rate them in his crippled condition, he attempted to 1829, and returned to the United States. He was soon regain the port. Not succeeding in this, he put into a afterward appointed Consul General to the Barbary small bay, about three quarters of a mile from the bat-powers, and upon the conquest of Algiers by the tery, and anchored within pistol shot of the shore. French, was sent as U. S. Charge d'Affaires to ConFinding, to his surprize, that the enemy were coming stantinople. He again returned to this country, and up to the attack, in despite of the neutrality of the port was again sent back to Constantinople as Minister to and in violation of their pledge, he prepared to make the Porte. He continued in this honorable employthe best defence of which he was capable. Both ves- ment, rendering important services to his country in the sels of the enemy were soon upon him, and opened a making of treaties with the Turks, until his decease, destructive fire. which occurred on the 28th day of March, 1843. "In the hope of coming up with one of his enemies, Porter now cut his cables, and, although he was so shattered as to be able to raise only a flying jib, he bore down upon the Phoebe. He succeeded, and a desperate and sanguinary conflict ensued. The Essex was almost a total wreck; her decks were covered with the dead, and her cockpit full of the wounded. But still her gallant commander and crew struggled for the victory, and with even some hope, as the Cherub had been compelled to haul off in consequence of her injuries, and the Phoebe also gave evident signs of distress, and began to edge off likewise. But being unable, from want of sail to keep at close quarters, all advantage soon changed from the Essex to her enemy, and she again became the prey of their long guns, without being able to return an effective fire. Capt. Porter, as a last resort, now attempted to run his ship ashore, land the crew, and destroy her; but in this he was disappointed by a change of wind. After maintaining the unequal fight for a long time, he summoned a council of officers, and was astonished to find that but one, Lieutenant McKnight, obeyed the order. All the rest were killed or wounded. The enemy still kept up a destructive cannonade; his vessel had been on fire several times, and was now a total wreck, and, as there was no possibility of either victory or retreat, after a gallant and honorable action of nearly two hours and a half, he struck his colors. The enemy continued to fire upon him for ten minutes afterward, killing several men on board the Essex, when, supposing there was a determination to show no quarter, Captain Porter was in the act of re-hoisting his flag, when the firing ceased. The British officer who came on board to take charge of the prize, fainted at the spectacle of dead and dying her decks exhibited. Of her crew of 255 men, 157 were killed, wounded or missing. She was completely cut to pieces, and drenched in the blood of her noble and fearless defenders. Throughout his varied and eventful life, Commodore Porter was ever distinguished for high and noble qualities, both of mind and heart; and his name will remain a bright and priceless treasure in the memory of his countrymen. MY GRANDFATHER'S FIRESIDE. BY ARTHUR MORRELL. WHEN fancy is wayward, and fondly seems straying In light too enchanting to last, In joy or in sorrow, I love to remember That spot to my heart still so dear, For 'twas there we beguiled the long eves in December And 'twas there my old grandfather sat in his glory, Those fond recollections, so faithfully cherished, GEMS AND REPTILES. AN OLD STORY IN A NEW DRESS. "Upon the conclusion of the war, Commodore Porter was appointed a member of the Board of Navy Commissioners, and continued to serve in that capaci- "O DEAR! what a naughty girl I am-I must be ty until 1821, when he obtained the command of the naughty, for nobody loves me, and nobody speaks West India squadron. In a short time he completely kindly to me. My aunt and cousin tell me every day rid the station of the numerous pirates which infested I live, I am the worst girl in the world. It must be so it, although the service was a difficult one, and could and yet I don't know what it is that I do, so very in most instances be performed only in open boats. In bad." Little Blanch looked round, for she thought resentment of what he conceived to be a gross national somebody was close to her ear, and whispered "Noinsult, he landed a force at Foxardor Porto Rico, and thing-nothing." But she must have been mistaken, compelled the authorities of the place to make a public There was no one in sight, and now she could only hear apology. His act was disclaimed by the Government, the wind kissing the little daisies, and laughing in the and, in conformity with the decision of a Court Mar-willows, and teazing the long slender branches, that tial, he was suspended from office for six months. His error was, however, that of blood and judgment only, and his name received no stain from the sentence; but conceiving that injustice had been done him, he resigned his commission and entered the Mexican ser stooped down to play in the fountain. Blanch set the pitcher upon the green bank, and bent over to look down, down, into the clear waters, as they bubbled up in the shadow of the hill, and then trickled away over the pebbles, eddying round the roots of the old trees, and then sparkling away off in the sunshine, flashing and dimpling in the light, like some living thing sporting in the meadow grass and the overshadowing trees. the shoulder with a large emerald, and her girdle was of amethysts and diamonds. Her sandals were of pearly shells, streaked with pink, the tellina I think, and were fastened with a fillet of the sea-weed. | Blanch began to feel quite happy, though she couldn't tell why-and then she looked down into the fountain, and saw her own eyes peeping up, and she laughed and the girl in the water laughed-and both laughed together, till the old woods took up the chorus, and the hills and rocks sent it back again. "O dear, what a noise I am making-and my aunt monds, Blanch ?" will be angry with me for staying so long." Blanch looked once more into the water, but the little girl from beneath did not laugh this time; on the contrary, her face was quite pale and sad, and Blanch looked into her melancholy eyes 'till the tears gushed to her own, and fell into the water. The drops circled away in dimpling lines, growing larger and larger, and completely hiding the face of the little girl in the water. Blanch rubbed her eyes, and looked again, for she saw something exceedingly beautiful, stirring the pebbles at the bottom of the fountain. She held back her hair with both hands, and looked down close and still, for there, right beside her own face, she saw a most lovely being, smiling, and holding up its small pale hands. Blanch let her hair fall, till it almost blinded her eyes, and even dipped into the fountain, while she held out both hands to the little lady of the water. "Thank you," said the beautiful creature, springing lightly on the bank, and smoothing her long curls, and smiling in the eyes of the little girl. "You are a good girl, Blanch, and I mean to be your friend; that is if you are always good-for should you become sinful you couldn't look upon me, or I speak to you." She said this in a low, sad voice, and the little, girl thought she was then even prettier than when she smiled. The lady sat still a while, plaiting the pretty flowers that grew around into a coronal; for it is likely she knew the child was so curious to mark her strange dress, that she would hardly hear a word that might be said. Blanch had heard of water nymphs, but she had been told they had sea-green skin and eyes, and hair hanging like the sea-grass all about their shoulders. She thought they must be very ugly, and was quite certain the beautiful creature beside her could not be one of these. "You may call me Fontana, Blanch," said the lady, placing the chaplet of flowers upon the brow of the child. Blanch smiled, and pulled the little daisies, for she couldn't just think what to say. "Would you like some of these pearls, and dia "Oh, they are very beautiful," said the child, "but I should have no time to play with them. Dear, dear, how long I have staid! Oh, my aunt will scold." She took up the pitcher and was hurrying away in great trouble, but Fontona detained her. "You must not go yet, Blanch. I will see that your aunt doesn't scold you; so sit down and let us talk awhile. Blanch was very loath to stay, but Fontana was so gentle, and promised so earnestly that all should be well, that at last she sat down again by the fountain. "If you don't want pearls and diamonds, Blanch, what do you wish for? What shall I do for you? Shall I punish your aunt and cousin for treating you so ill?" "Oh no, no," said the little girl very earnestly, "they treat me so because I am so very naughty. How could you think of such a thing? I'm sure I never did." Fontana smiled, and kissed the cheeks, and eyes, and lips of the child. "I love you dearly, Blanch, and do wish you could think of something I could do for you." Blanch dropped her eyes, as if thinking earnestly; and then her face dimpled all over with smiles as she said, "I wish you could help me to be good, so that my aunt and cousin, and every body, will love me-I should be quite happy then." "What, don't you want to be rich, and ride in a coach, and have servants, and dress grandly-and then let your aunt and cousin be poor, and go with bare feet, just as you do!" "Oh dear, no," said Blanch, turning quite pale, "how could you think of such a thing?" "Well, let your aunt and cousin be rich, too, then wouldn't you like to dress grandly, Blanch?". "Oh dear, I only want to be good, and be loved," said the poor girl, turning her head away quite sOTrowfully. Fontana took her in her arms, and kissed her many The lady's cheek and neck were of the pure color of the inner lip of the ocean shell, growing of a bright-times, and Blanch felt the tears upon her cheek; she er, and brighter hue, till just below the eye, it became heard sweet far-off melody; the sky seemed brighter of that rich beautiful tint, we find upon the shell as than ever, and she thought she must be dreaming, she we look in, in, to its very heart. Then her hair was felt so happy. Then the lady placed her upon the soft and bright like long threads of amber, waving and green bank, and when the child looked round, there glittering in the light. Her eyes were of the deep, was nothing to be seen or heard, but the birds singing deep blue, seen upon the surface of muscle-shell, but in the trees, and the water leaping over the white pebso soft, so liquid in their lovingness and beauty, that bles. Blanch thought she could never tire in looking at them. "Oh dear, dear, my aunt will scold me," and she Her voice was like breathed melody; soft and múr-filled the pitcher and ran home just as fast as she muring, like the sound of the shell when held to a hu could go. man ear. She had a coronal of pearls about her head, and bracelets of the same upon her arms. Her robe was curiously wrought of exceedingly small shells, like gold and silver all strung together. It was fastened at Her aunt met her at the door, and had opened her mouth to utter hard words, and raised her hand to give her a blow on the ear, when the sight of the coronal upon the girl's head arrested her. "Blanch, where did you get this? Was there ever |
