Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-08-14
A RuSE DE GUERRE.

A RtSE DE GUERRE.
Strategic as well as force il among all nations
considered unsuitable in war; but ~hcther the eon
duet Which - embraced ia the ancedote which ~ c
are about To relate should be osi,ier,-l strictly
INA accordance With the moral principle ~hieh,
ought TO regulate the aOtions Of p,cu We leave 20
essuists to decide.
During the early part Of the last war
with Great Britain, a small brig noun
ting about ten skies, with n crew OF
fifty men. sailed from New England
asa Letter OF. Marque, with permission
TO cruise n q prIyateer for a certain
length of time, and capture prizes
from the enemy. While cruising in
the latitude Of the homeward bound
West indiamen, the brig one morning
fell in with large ship, 20 which she
gave chase. but the Captain. an old
sea dog" on reconnoitering her
through his spy-glass, was satisfied
that she mounted too many guns 10
contend with, with any prospect Of
success. and hauled oil, much to the
dissatisfaction Of the crew, who attribu
ted his conduct TO want Of spirit and
courage. In fact. they were not back
ward in exhibiting their feelings. aud
The word coUdrd was more than once
banded about the ship in the hearing
Of the Captain.
A few days afterwards the brig fell
IN with another vessel. Every stitch of
canvass was spread, and just at night
the chase was made out TO be large
West lndiaman, apparently well
armed and manned, and looking like az
ugly customer" "Nuw," said The
Yankee Captain to his crew, IL wish
you TO listen, men, to what | am going
to say. | heard some Of you mutterin.
something, not long since, about co,o
ard',-and TO oblise you, will Civ,
you an opportunity Of testing the cour
age Of every man on board. You sec
that ship ahead. She is pierced fol
twenty four guns, and probably car
rles sixteen at least, Of heavy metal
That ship shall be my prize before twt
hours. So look out for squalls. I
some Of you don't lose the number O
your mess. I'm mistaken. But min,
We, no backing out-CowARD, har'
/ The crew looked rather blank At ,hi
plthy harangue, but dared not remon
strate. They were caught in thei
own tolls and resolved to fight it on
like men.
Night came on, but they still KEEP
sight Of the Englishman. Ii was abou
half past eight in the evening, wher
they ranged up within hail, on th,
weather quarter Of their more bulk,
antagonist, who had every man a
quarters, evidently prepared for
brush. and with his high bulwarks. an,
numerous deck lanthorns, presentc,
rather formidable appearance. Til,
Captain Of the brig seized his speakin,
trumpet, and in a peremptory manner
hailed the stranger.
"Ship ahoy!"
IIallol"
"Heave to-and I'll send my boa
On board"
" What brig is that, pray Z"
" The United States Brig ARGus.'
Aye aye. sir"
John Bull thought il would be mad
! ness TO contend with the L.. y. bri,
Argus. which was well known 10 be
crack Sloop of War Of twenty gun,
and accordingly backed his main ton
sail, without further parley. III,
Yankees were thunderstruck at thei
Captains impudence. But the quar-
ter boat was lowered, and oniccre,
and manned immediately, in true man
OF war Style.
The American officer ascended tn,
'ganS-way Of the EOglish ship. with
"Swab" on his shoulder. :" What shi,
Is this :" said he in. an authoritative tom
as soon as he reached the deck.
" The English ship CAernayen Gas
tie, sir, from Barbidoes, bound 10 Bros
toll" returned the EugIishman, submls
siveiy.
Z" Then sir. YOU will please to ster
into the boat, with your papers. and re
turn with me on board the Argus. Mr.
simpson," SAID he 70 the Captain
clerk, who filled the post Of a MILDLY OF
this occasion, - 1 leave you with IN,
men IN charge Of the ship. you will pro
eeed To put the prisoners 10 irons.read,
20 bs transferred to tho Argus"
+ When the British Captain arrived a
long side the Argus, he was astonishec
at her diminuiive size when he 20
on board. he saw AZ once that be hsc
been duped; bat Il was then too late
10 remedy the evil.
Sir" said he to the Yankee Can
tain, more IN niger than IN sorruw
'' you told me this vessel was the Unl
ted States b,ig Argus"
." told you the truth, SIR. lie
name . the Argu',-and shs belong
10 tie United Siaies."
% g.
q Frsnsh PsisrIa.--At the funeral soleu
mites ~ honor u lafayette, al Pfedsrrks
LLlrr the rLlel manner VI. Mr 1 n H.