Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-08-14
Frsm The Nds;onal lntelligencer, JAug. II
OUR NAVAL OFFICERS.

A. every thing connected with our Ma
w, and its character, are interesting tous,
and its operations IN the West Indies in the
suppression OF Piracy concern the whole
civilized world, We are gratiiied to have
il in our power 10 lay before the public
such official statements as are calculated
to make il acquainted with the peculiar IA
tsre of service, which, while il makes
dreadful havoc among the officers and sea.
men OF our Navy, offers reither honor nor
prof. TO them, and, Judging from the DIS
position which has lately been manifested,
as adverted to 10 our paper OF the otn
inst. secures 10 them neither the thanks or
gratitude OF those for whose safety they sa-
cri6ce themselves.
The interest we take in these matters
induces US sometimes TO ask Tor inforha>
ton to lay before our readers. and we nave
been prompted TO, do SO lately, by the
death oil Lieuienants Montgomery and
Cu,amins. as well as several others, who
have persisted ia the arduous duties which
the suppression Of piracy imposed on them.
We have felt curious 10 know ho" Lieut..
| Montgomery, who commanded one OF the
small scbooners OF about s. tons, and
mounting guns, with complement OF "
men, has been employed, and tor our an
swer the following copy OF a letter 10 hts
commanding officer, commenced BY him,
and finished by his successor, was banded
10 US. II will no doubt surprise many, that
reliance for protection should be placed "
all vessels on, and property 10 such an i'm
mense amount should be entrusted TO, a
vessel not larger than that of our smaller
bay craft, and 10 less surprise them, tina,
peitbsr sickness or death should tor an in
slant deter her officers and men from the
performance of their duty And yet CON-
plants are made that they do not suppress
piracy!
Lieut.. Montgomery, then Midshipman,
lost an arm during the late war, in lhe
chase of the Belvldere by the frigale Pre-.
sident, has since distinguished himself in
action on The Lakes, was highly esteemed
BY all bis brother officers, and il univer'
sally regretted.
The death Of Lisutenant Cummings has
also deprived the service of an enterpris
ing and skiiful officer. He entered the SER
vice in or about 1919, and bore an active
part in the battle of Lake Erie, where he
received an honorable wouad. He was
also in the affair under Captain Angus al
Black Rock, where also he was wounded
He was otherwise actively engaged IN the
war, until captrred in the schooner Gale
donia. He bore with him 10 the grave the
scars OF ten or eleven wounds received 10
bis country's service. He was as modest
as he was brave and skiltsl, and nothing
but particular inquiry of his comrades has
| made US acquainted with facts which Nc
one ever heard from bis lips whilst living
Let US here add the brightest leaf 10 the
wreath which decks his tomb. He hus-
banded his pay, constantly refused TO join
in the ordinary amusements and recrea-
tons on shore, aod applied every cent be
could save TO the support OF his mother
and sisters. SuCh are the meB whose
lives are sacrificed to protect those, whose
gratitude is sbewn by public imputations
u pom them We could enumerate twen-
~ such Young CLINTON, OF New York,
for example. though but Midshipman,
was great lose to his country-possess'
ing very fine talents, be promised to be
useful to his country, and al honoI and
solace to his friends, had hs not met al
untinely fate.
C q D