The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-11-09

HONOk TO The BRAVE.

JeEersop County, Tennessee .9rg. II, l8I4
DAVID PoarEa, Esq 1897
SRA considerable number Of the Inhabitants Of
this neighborood impressed with sentiments of high
respect and admir- alton tor YOURSELF your gallapt Of
accrs and crew, @semb ed this day for the purpose
of cornmcmoraiog the neSamped defence Of the
late Y frigate Essex.-The proceedings Of the day
were introduced and concluded with prayer by Mr.
Robert Hardin, President Of the Nodichucko Acad-
emy, Maj Alex $. Outlaw read yoar oficial letter
giving an account Of the action between the Essex
and the pbGbe and Cherub and Mr.. Alex Andcr-
son delivered Oratiar in honor Of the noble off,
GERS and tars who ou the action in yindcaton OF
the war. The company asse mbled ON this occ. sion
beg leave to express to you the deep they
terain of the courage and skill Of yourself officers
and crew, in the memorable fight of the oSlh of
March last, and of the signal services which you
and they have rendered TO your country, not only
that OCCASION but during the long, perlous and very
successful cruize, in which you were previously en-
gagged. We have been accustomed to be surprjzcd
at The manner in which the American naval officers
and seamen have fought the cnemy in this war; their
courage we have not indeed doubted, but their
perior skill has been unexpected to all the world
our surptise is not in any degree diminished by the
most glorious defence or the Essex Lconidas and
his companions did not defend the stregbts Of Their
mopl@ with more intrepid determination. The en-
enys assault on our maritime rights was as firmly
repellcd AS the attack of xerxes on the post that
guarded the soil Of Greece from royal touch and q
iyrant's invasion With the names of Huil, Deca.
tur, cambridge. Jones, Lawrence, Allen, Perry,
Warrington and Gregory and their expert associates,
must be enrolled that Of Porter and his comrades
The boasted pre-cmInence in fame of the naval
querors Of Europe is gone, not we trust soon to be
regaincd The Conduct of Com Hiilyar in attack.
Ing the crippled Essex within pistol shot of ue1tral
shore is In coin cdrnce with that OF his country
Nagrantly In violation Of the maritime laws Of
tions England may exult that she has taken ship
that swept her commerce from extensive
and gave immense projection TO that of the country
whose commercial prosperity ia the object of her
Iignant envy and rapacious aversion--but ii the
statesmen have heads TO discern and hearts to feel
the dishonor and disgrace Of her navy, they must
see and mourn its lsurels torn and mangled in the
coward prudence OF its officers, and in the two and
half hours contest of iye hundred men in ships
perfectly sound. and welding egh,y-one guns a.
gaimst two hundred and fifty men Of her enemy in
crippled ship, and from unavoidable circumstances
welding only Few Of the fogty-sx guns which &h.
sti,utcd her whole force. The navy of England has
heretofore bcenfreque'ty in contests with
the American navy the last battle it has fought with
il eonsummates its shame From this battle, sir, as
much asftotn the successful combats ,f the Aneri-
navy with the English, do we pressg. the down
fsl Of the naval ,nredow,nance and arrogant ascen
dsncy on the ocean OF the latter. if the pcoplc OF
this country are as united and firm in favor OF
tfree ~ de and Sailors Rights" as were your
gallant officers and and If hey as they ought,
MS 2eaously and as perseveriogly use the mesns
of building navy, Ms the courageous q en- who man
kher ships 10 nEhi 20 preserve them wnen commiStcu
TO lneir trust :--Ths, Divine Providence may guard
aud foster ,aavai power--hst your coun ry with
ardeat gratitude may acknowledge and reward your
instrpmen,aty. and that of ycurofficers and crew.
in defending with such ,ra ascendant skill and vaor,
the sacred mari,ime rights oil your country is our
ierveo prayer, Nay you soon again with the remains
of your meritorious associates, and with added COM
panions equally cn,erprizng aud vaorous 1--WE can
wish morel appear upon that elcheht, great part
of whicn blazes With your united glory may the
same preservation oe extended to yourself which
has been hithersp voucnsafed may fewer, much
fewer, OF your gallant comrades bleed, and sleep
the sleep OF death may you md The surviving he.
roes who fought under your command contribute.
much as you have already contributed. still more
10 s,abilitare the maritime rghts Of your country,
may you BRING ship after ship into port. not by at.
tscks made them in crippled state and wlhin
pistol snot OF neutral shore, but by that honorable
vaor, that unstained courage. and that firm and
gacous spri, OF cnterprixe which you have hitherto
so conspicuoasly displayed,
N WILLIAM ANDERSON.
Captain Dapid Porter ssss4 81
p q Ui
Geographical Ncmoraada, relative 10 he ".
w Lakes, and their vicinity.