Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-10-29

wss as uneS.ec'ed as il was unrm,c,,
Captain Murray prudently made all SAD
the purpose Cigalning suiTiclen, time to NJ,
his ship in situation for aciicn. kcs,
preparations were completed, he pu,
vessel in stays, passed on an opposite la,t
close under the lee of the Offending i,,,.,
and gave her tremendous and well djrs,.
ed broadside. The American FIRE was .nF
GENTLY destructive to convince tue Enyr,,
commander that he had made some miaok,
and he therefore asked an explanation.
As our difficulties with France was No.,
adjusted, Congress passed an scl for the r.. |
duction of the navy, Captain Murray ~,
one Of thirteen Captains retained in sery,.
He received orders to take Command Of
small squadron, destined to protec, our CON
merce IN the Mediterranean, which va, :,
that time greatly annoyed and in,errup.,
by the Barbary powers. Whilst becaln.i
and lone. near the bay of Tripoli, be NJ,
attacked ny squadron OF Tripone Gun
boats, with which spirited action " as MAN.
t2irsd, that lasted iull hour.
A sea re, " ,springing up, be was en-.
bled 10 dash in among the enemies boa,
and to deal Out his broaGsdes with such d,
fect, as to compel them to seek protection
their own harbor.
About this junc:ure he was relieved "
Commodore Morris, and returned in II.
Const Iiaion 10 his native country.
This. believe, is tn last &c i've con-.
mand OF importance with which Com Mu,.
ray was bonored.
II is due to his reputation 10 state, howe.
Yer that from the period OF The outrage O,
the Chesapeake. to toe close OF The lat, wa,|
h. repeatedly and warmly solicited such al
command, as was suitable &c hi elevated
rank 10 the service. am not prepared 10
give the re asons vi ich prevented the govern.
! meat from ytel.!lng TO his wishes. 1t has
been suggested indeed, that il arose fruu
his advanced age, from his difficulty OF hear.
ing, and from an unwIlingDess to remm,
him from command, 10 which by hi, prg
dent management, he was rendering lht|
most important services.
Many efficial letters are now in possession
of Com. Murray's friends, which afford Al
bundanl evidence ct high estimation m whit.|
his service, as commander OF the Phii,d,.
phia navy yard, were held by the govern
m.nt. Thousands OF dollars were annually
,aved by his vel! arranged economy ami Ina
nasemenl. Through his honest eAeTiIOR.,
united TO the skill and unwsaried ntutp
Of our distinguished naval archilec ML
Humphreys, ships have been built on tbs
station not only better but much cbespe',
than at other navy yards, that letter o.
thanks from the naval commissioners. wa'
received by him but short time previous u
his death. In every situation therefore II
which he has been placed he has proved
himself discreet, vigiant, and Determined
officer.
Such have been the public services, aDt
such the tame Of Commodore Murray. Ills
virtues demand the tribute Iof our prais.
for he was good as well as eminent. 10 ,h,
familiar character of gentleman, he sr
amiable and instructive, and in the mon
endeariay ore of husband and father, be W.
obiging and affectionate.
The source OF both his public and privas
virtues may be- justly traced TO his morsIob
!igstion,. founded on well grounded bella
in the principles of o,x holy religion. Eve
ry morning before his worldly laboar COM
meneed. on Bonded knee he devou,Iy solicit.
ed support and instruction from his Heaven
ly Father.
His extreme m,ldness and squauimi'y Of
temper, while it secured the attachment Of
those under bis command, afforded an e.
couraging evidence that ne was governed By
the protecting spirit which be bad so plcu'i
invoked.
He diedcn Tie 9Th instant, at bis reside1ts
near Germantown, with The prevailing, t.
yer, and though his sutlerinss were aeu'sI
painful; be Dor. them with his characterize
patience and 6rmness. Then his death wa
announced IN the navy yard. all labor Hs
instantly arrested, and silent gloom cloud
ed the counienance OF all, from The highest
TO the lowest. They tell that they had los!
a kind protector-a just aud generous eo'0'
mander.
His funeral wps solemn and imposing, and