The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-07-05


al took single captive, and having lrs, shut hisA
up in his dungeon. l.en looked through the twilight
o. his grated door 10 take his picture"
d Shore Sketch,
OF rHx uisroRy OF -
AN IMPRESSED AMERICAN SEAMAN,
Written by one who knew his worth. who loved hi,
virtues and has often wept over his sutierihgs and
his sorrows. tth
1t was in the year 1906 that Jar,es Bfosls;
then in the 2sth year of his age, who tad
been married one year, and was the only siay
of u widowed mother, feeble, old and poor IL
was, as we'll remember, In tho spring of
1906 that he embarked, nj TINS port, on board
an American ship, on u voyage 10 the East.
ladies. The voyage was prosperous. He
had been permitted TO embark his little all In
a venture, and as the ship nearcd the shore
he would gaily walk the deck, and on h.s
watch at night calculate oil his gains, and Of
ten, in the fondness Of a feryid imagination,
would he pour his hostd Of wealth into the
lap of his beloved wife aud affcc,!ona,c mother:
In such reveries did he ofen indulge uki.l
his full heart would overflow, and the Blk
tears of joyful expectation roll down his fishls
cheek.
From ono Of these indblgings OF the hceis
he was aroused by cry from the mast heal
Of" n sail LA san!" The sail proscd 10 h,
o British figstc. She sent gang oi rUhisas
on board, and, in spite Of rctnons,rance, IT. 'r :
fancc Of right, they dragged poor Jcr, Btowr
moro dead than alive into their bout. The,
with many bloody Lash, compelled hisb ~
work aud fight their baulcs. He tollea snd
fought, aud trusted iha, dsy would tomc
when he might escape from his task. rNes e =
and regain his native land. Once be Jumped
overheard, in the hope of finding protection
in neutral country he reached tho the ci
but before he could even dry his clothes Ls
was again 10 the power Of MS ehslavsts.
His labor was redoubled, SCOTS, sGor6a AID
scourges were multiplied; and bis thsa'y
spirit was sinking under It's burden wheti the
news reached him that the United States hid
declared war against Great Britain 60" Thsp
so help mo Heaven" said the captive, {" if
ever I raise my arm against my county nr
"my couhtr5mcn. am 10 your power"
said ho to the British Captsin 81 have been
"your slave for years, and you may dispose
of me as you will, but neither punishoeue
/" nor priya,ion shalt ever induce me sssin 10
"work or fight under the Gag Of the declared
enemy of my country" This deelnr attic a
was femly adhered to in defiance Of threats
and blows.
He was at length landed, as g prisoner OF
war, in England, that country !oI which ho
had for six years been compelled to work and
Hght he was landed without q shilling in his
pocket, and manacled like a felon he was
marched 10 Darmoor prison, and there con-
Eucd. For months he lived in Jail aud the
scnsibilitics Of his nature often wounded his
hear, whom he pictured the distress Of his
wifc and the sorrows Of his poor old mothers
whose sge almost pfecludcd the hope Of his
ever again folding her to his bosom. Some
times the seams Of hope would irradiate his
path when he would hear Of the victories of
his bravo country men, and he would long 10
contribute, moro than his prayers, 10 their
success.
He hoped TO be exehanged: one cartel
came and then another, bot as those that wero
taken in eight were frat exchanged, our poor
sailor was still left TO sigh in captivity. At
length rumor Of peace fognd its way into
the prison the rumor was confirmed, tho
peace vas ratified, and many heart in Dart
moor prison beat high with Joy but none, no
not one beat more unanimously than did tho
hcatt Of Brown.---fIis imagination ieteJled in
delight. lie shook hands with oil his mess
mates. lie was 10 DC restored again to free
dom, TO his country again TO feel the fond,
the hear,-wsrm pressure Of wife's embrace,
and on his Bonded knee again to receive ire
blessing of h,s pooS and aged, but once-sgain.
happy mother.
How inseru,able ars tie ways Of Provi4
dence Brown was destined never again TO
taste shs sweets Of freedom, never again to
see bis native land, nor those who were neara
est and dearest TO his heart. The bar5srians
who had enIsvsd and made hint q prisoner,
murdered him in cold Liooa, and his corpse
with those Of seven o,hefs Of his murdered
counlrymen were cast into ono common