The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-07-08
fRox THE BOSTON DAILY ADvE1TisEs.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

CAPTAIN JAMES L.AW,RENcE I


C-dP7.fIN JAMES LAIR RENCE.
Capt. JAMES LAwREscE, whose un,imeIy,
but glorious death, has spread such deep.
and universal gloom over the communirywas
born in the city Of Burlington, N. J. At the
period Of his flte, he had reached his 32d
year. lie received liberal education in one
of the best scmin aries in his native State aud
afterwards commenced the study of law, an
der the guidance of his brother, WHO was at
thar time respectable u,cn,ber of the pro-
fcssson. 'The'ardent and cn,crprizing mind
OF our young hero could-not long brook the
sccusion and confinement incident TO musty
books and black-lettcr research. He had
from infancy fastened his affections upon the
pcriis and honors of the oceans Amidst The
studies to which he was reluctantly devoted,
ne secretly sighed to be engaged in bold and
hazardous adventures TO which the equiDa-
nimity Of has mind, and the visor Of his. con-
stitution naturally adapted and directed him.
II was not without many struggles thathe was
enabled to unbosom his fayoritc desires TO a
lew friends. Their opinions conceded with
his ardent wishes. In conformity to their
suggestions and to his own gccd sense nnd re-
lection, he determined, as preparatory TO his
contemplated pursuit, 10 devote h;tasclf to
the study OF the elements Of navigation. -
Ills native talent and application, stmnla-
ted by thirst Of fame, soon accomplished
more even than his fricnds had reason 10 ex-
pect. In the eighteenth year Of his age he
applied 10 the government Cor station in the
Navy and such were tie Recommendations
which accompanied bis appllca!jon9 ,hs, the
mail which carried ii returned with his war
rant ~ midshipmsn. ], may bc readily Goa
ceived thar ovr young hero felt emotions Of
delight and iadalged in snticipa,icns OF rap
turc in pressing this, to him, darling docu-
ment to his bosom. From the moment Of his
receiving 1t 70 his lamentcd.deash, he felt md
acknowledged. that his services and his lfc
belonged 10 his country. How strong aed
true this conviction was, lot HE unfcrsunate
and untiulciy fare bear witness
+ Shortly after his cn,ering the service His
zcal and ability attracted the notice Of the gov
'crnmcnt. At'this period the United States.
Were engaged In war with q. Barbsry power.
Lawrence, who had perhaps never inhaled
tho breath OF the briny ocean, was selected
tor the command of one of those pcrilops
gun-boats which our eldest sca-vcterans would
have hesitated 10 conduct across the Atlantic!
--tie checrfully accepted the appointment,
andby his skill! and prudence arrived safely h
the Mediterranean.
In conjunction with the present Commodon
Decatur, and his lamentcd brother, who fdl
on the shores Of Tripoli, and Captain Slsv.
ART, Lieut.. Lawrence shed lusirS ON the A.
merican name in this short and vigorous wal.
Atter that period he had command OF the viz
en-; and subsequently that os the Wasp, il
which he carried out messengers and des-
matches n Erao~e ausl Esx&~laol
In the year 1908, he was married 10 an Al
niabie and accomplished lady, the dAngh,e
OF q respectable merchant Of New-York Hill
death has hereaved her anl two sweet ipfants
OF an aeectionatc husband and father.
since the present war, he sailed in the Hor-l
net, ia company with Commodore Dainhridgc,I
IN the Constitution, TIE circumstances of
whose cruize are too recent and glorious ,oI
need rccapitulation in this brief ar,isle.. II
is, however, not improper TO observe, that in
the opinion of all naval characters, the cap
ture and destruction CT lhe Peacock, by Capt.
Lawrsnec, is sstsemcd ia instance OF snperi-
or skill In nautical msnoeuvcring and prac,i-
cal guunery. Il was an achievement which
will forevcr emblazon The naval ,ilisr Of a
mcrisa.
= tits manifest, even from the accounts Of
tho enemy, that in the last act OF his life, the
loss Of the Chesspcake was owing more to
misfortune than 20 any superiority Of skill or
bravery.
AZ comnsnders Capt. Lawrence was a
strict disciplinAsian, but his discipline was Of
that imposing character, which while il COM
msndcd obedience, cx,orted affection and.re-
specs. He was u course universally beloved
BY his oNSers and crew. ln bic c:spesiisn