The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-07-20
From the Boston Gazette, Ca Fedora! hcfer.)
TILE ESSEX

THE ESSEX.
When an article, copied from en- English
paper announcing an admiralty order, to his
maicsty's ships in the South Sea, (for such
an order could be issued from no other source
directing them 10 respect no neutral port, IL
which the Essex should be found, was seen
il was believed to be only the frothy folly oi
some deot editor or the unprinciped ebul'
liion Of some iacobin scoundrcl, who wished
ct a single blow, to PROSTATE main pillar III
the beautiful edilcc of international law
But the next mail brought Us the melancholy
intelligence, that the enemy is carrying into
effect hts neqD order, in contempt Of the i'm
memorial usage and established hap of civil.
zed nations.
The Phoebe and Cherub arrived of VaIpari-
so, and we,e permitted to approach the town
ss friends. 1t was SO understood by all par
ties. The noble and gallant PORTER, chal-
lenged the Phoebe. The Phoebe is a SO,
carrying long 1873, and the Essex 50, car
rying short 32's or carronades. The enemy 5
ship had the advantage Of 100 men. The
challenge was refused by an officer, unde:
the flag OF nation who challenges and beats
all other nations in equal combat. Capg,n
Porter reconnoitred thought the anemy
&c leeward, and proceede to sea. He was
deceived for the enemy had the weather
gage. His ship, during the day, was Grip
Piled in a squal, and he used all his efforts to
return to neutral ground, before the enemy,
more than double his force, both in metal and
men could assail him. Had he not vaipy
Imagined that the honor Of the officers would
not violate known and fundamental princi-
pie, he could have run his ship on shore, FIR
cd her, and saved his brave officers and men.
Destiny decrced otherwise, and PORTER
has told a story, which will convey his name
TO the end Of time. More than two hours and
half, the little Essex, at anchor, held at bay
more than double he. force, the enemy hav-
ing an election Of distances and positions Tor
both his ships
The Phoebe assumed her position on the
larboard quarter, and the Chcrub hers on the
staiboard bow of the Essex. From these ad-
vantageous positions, the tight little ship"
compelled them both 10 oetire to repair dam
age. The enemy then assumed nearly the
same positions, at long shot; and OF course
our carronades would not tell.
What will men of truth, honor, and princi-
Pile, In both hemispheres, say Of this victory
They will say what every intelligent and hon
est man said of the iniamy OF Napoleon in
violating neutral dominion 10 destroy his
Bourbon enemy. What would have been
said of the gallant PoRTER if he had destroy
cd the PhGbe aud Cherub in the harbor Of
Valparaiso, crippled and at anchor, by fire
ships or ,orpedoes Every tyro in tho princi-
pies Of public law would have answered,in the
languageof Shakespeare's spirited Emelia:s
''Let Justice put in every honest hand
GA whip to lash the rascal, naked, thro'
"The world" ---
The crew of the Essex have left thSir me-
mories another awful monument OF American
intrcpidity. They fell martyrs to confidence
in the honor Of their foes, and victims to their
violation of faith. +" There is shir,t IN man"
but none in the nation, If this outrage is to
pass unrcdrcsscd. I'VE talk of war bcggaring
the country but who is he that would not
rather take his portion with mendicants the
world over and remain an honorable man,
than live in afiluence the member OF COM
mu 0ity that could suffer and submit to such
an indigni,y? This subject admits Of but one
determination, worthy Vic American charac-
ter. Till amends are made for this glarIng
defiance of the clearcst principle, OF our ma
tional law, we look for no peace, which will
not be obtained by our valor in the field, and
our vigor on the ocean--i6id.
-:@:@
The Beast" se0agiag one of his sohelas.
We are sorry to perceive the Trenton Fed
eralist, paper so use(ul and generally cor.
rect, should persist in isse'nnatins SO ua.
syorlhv sentiment among the eItizens Of n