Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-04-12
From the Baltimore Ts1esrapAe.
THE EpERvIER.


s. i reeollected, was ordered to Arher'-
ca with the news Of the peace, and the
cant;yes whose letters had been broker
off The war was SO glorious, and tho
treaty so honorable, that many officers
were DESTROYS Of returning home in this
vessel, whose arrival they Justly expect
ed. would create general exultatiou
through the country. In the course OF
one day, the preparations were con-
pie ed, boats of the squadron ceased tc
ply from vessel to vessel. those Wit
were to return, had received the aztec
tionate messages and membranes Of
the fleet to their friends at home, and
the Epervier spreading all her canvas.
sailed from Algiers in triumph.
It requires no effort to enter into the
ioytul feelings, which doubtless swelled
breasts of the officers and crew OF tn,
vessel. They were not only returnins
home, but they were returning IN tr.
lumDh. The Moor had trembled betor.
| the hardy republicans OF the new world
the stars aud stripes had waved over tn
bloody flag; the gloomy battlements q
Algiers had ceased TO inspire their wan
ed confidence in presence Of Decatur
| squadron and treaty was made more
honorable than any which had ever be
| fore been obtained, and which had even
!, an air of chivalric generosity given to it.
by the release of foreign captises whose
Kindness to distressed Americans, was
thus faithfully remembered. In the course
of our naval history, there is perhaps nj
occasion, where high and noble emotion
would be more Justly allowed to nil the
bosom, and never were there more gal.
liant spirits collected, FOR vessel com
mitted to the treacherous ocean, under
circumstances, which would have inter
coded more forcibly, with the spirit OF
mercy, to change the seve.e destiny
which awaited it.
Capt. Lewis, commanding the Guer-
Iriere, was made the bearer of the trea-
ty, and 1t. Shubrick, her first lieuie-
,nant. transferred to the command OF
the Eperyier. Her other officers were
lieutenants Neal and Yarnal, and mid
shipman Chew and Hunter, with some
others. A draft was made among the
! men. whose times had expired, and a
choice and picked crew given to her,
The Americans who had been released
from slavery, were sent on board; and
they set sail with every circumstance
combining to excite the most joyful feel
ings, with the brightest visions OF hope
dancing before them, and indulging in
/ the fondest pictures of welcome, from
the bosoms which cherished them ip their
beloved homes. Alas their youthful
! ilpasinations, forbore to cast any sombre
shades over these delig htful VISIONS
Little did they think that a. stern des-
| tiny had tuned its wan glance upon
| them-that the bosoms they hoped, would
lbe beaten in rapture, were doomed to
Ilanguish in dreadful and protracted sus-
lpense, were destined to gather fresh
Hope, and fresh disappointment from e
VERY breeze. that waited sail to ouf
shores to experience the dreadful agita-
ltion OF vainly expecting at every open
ling of the door, that the lens lost hus-
lband, son, or brother, would rush In ;
| to feel the sickness of hope deferred, un-
| til the feeling of distress, I rtured by
doubt and suspense, had become deep
and wild as ocean itself.
have thrown together few particn-
liars which have c0Me TO my knowledge,
Respecting one or two of the officers.
lido IT with the view of endeavortng to
cad back the pubic attention to the fate
1T this vessel, which, from long uncer-
Isainty. has been suffered to subside.
/! 10 it too, because there is something in
1.-The character Of this herald Of peace, and
some circumstance attending her loss,
u.hieh seem to call for son public ties
imonial Of regret. 1t is not for ne to
| ,rescribe the mannor, but we should al
vays bear it in mind, that honor to he
memory of the brave who fall in their
|cogntry's service, is as a perennial
priag of future glorious achievement
| lf the worth Of those whom it was not
the writer's fortune to know, some idea
may probably be formed, from the sketch
| of those with whom circumstances made
him acquainted. Their friends can best
40 them justice.
With lieutenants Neal and Yarnall I
had no personal acquaintance. I know,
however, that they distinguished them
selves, the tormer at the attack on Cra-
lney-lsIand, and latter on Lake Erie.
| " l left the Lawrence isays Perry in
charge of my first lieutenant, Yarnall,
a4:sGad from the kraunru ho had die