Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-08-30

with MIdShIpmau ~. PORTER (ths
present commodore) aud III men, he
took possession Of the pIize, and COM
menced removing her crew to the Con.
siellat!on; but before this could be done.
the ships were separated in a h~avy
gale OF wind. and l73 prisoners were
left on board TO be guarded by Lieuten.
an; RoDGERs aud his handful of men.
whose situation was rendered peculiarly
perilous by the circumstance of there
being no handouts or shackles on board
TO secure the prisoners, who manifested
disposition TO retake the prize. The
energy OF Lieutenant RODGERS, assisted
by the gallant Midshipman PORTER,
conducted the prize safely into ST. Kits.
Returning 10 the United States, Lieut..
RODGERS was commissioned Captain
in the Navy, in consideration OF his
highly meritorious conduct aud known
qualifications. He was appointed to
command the Sloop Of War Maryland,
ip which vessel he cruised in the West
Indies for many months, rendering in-
portant services. In 1901. he sailed in
the Maryland for France, with Mr..
Dawson. sent as diplomatic messenger
10 that Court.
In 1902, he wa. appointed to the COM
mand of the John Adams-attached TO
the Mediterranean squadron-des,royed
the Meshouda o.! p guns, 1.-THE largest
cruiser belonging to TripoIi," aud per.
formed other valuable services.
In lSO1. he was appointed TO the
Frigate Congress. and proceeded to the
Me diterranean as part Of a squadron Of
vessels. under the command OF Commo-
dore SAMUEL BARRON, sent thi.her a.
gainst Triuoii.
From Comm. BARkoN's extreme il,
heaith he resigned the command Of the
squadron in May lS05, to Comm. Rop-
GERS. whose decisive conduct soon dis
posed the BAshaw of Tripo!i 10 make
peace with us, and in less than two
months after the command d-volved up.
OH him. treaty OF peace was concluded
with that Power, on terms dictated by
him anh Coiou.l LEAR.
In 1917, the command OF squadron
was given to him. He dashed into the.
European seas. made number OF cap
lures. most Of which he from necessity
destroyed. returning triumphant after an
absence OF more than three months. At
the time he sailed, a number OF the en-
emy's vessels we've OH Our coast, greatly
exceeding the COMMODORE squadron in
force. These he successfully evaded.
and by drawing them of in pusut oi
him enabled great number of our mer.
chant vessels, with valuable cargoes, to
return in safety to our ports. Ouc Of the
ELECTS OF this cruise was 10 save millions
to our merchants and 10 our Government.
When the British army marched up
on Baltimore, Commodore RopGERs &C.
ted distinguished part in the defence
Of that city. Many believe that Bal,i.
more would have been surrendered but
for the seasonablc aid of the force under
his command.
After The war be was appointed Com
missioner Of the Navy, and presided O.
YER that Board for several years. He
was mainly Instrumental in making reg
uiaiions which have cohduced to the e
economy of the naval service. He was
offered the appointment of Secretary OF
the Navy, but declined it. Having ac-
ted as President OF the Board Of Navy
Commissioners about ten years ago, the
President invited him to take command
OF the Mediterranean squadron, men
,ioning considerations inducing him to do
SO. highly honorable TO the Commodore.
He accepted. and his flag was hoisted
on board the y orth Carolina ship Of the
line. Of which d. T. PATTERSON, Esq
was appointed Captain. He cruised in
the Mediterranean seas nearly three
years. He hal much intercourse with
the commanders Of other naval Powers,
and was held by them In high estima-
ton. The ship was particularly distin.
guished for her fine condition at all times,
and the high state of discipline main
tanned on board. The Commodore, his
accomplished Captain, aud this noble
specimen Of American naval architec.
ture, were objects of universal! admira.
ton. Returning to the United States,
he was again appointed President of the
Board Of Navy Commissioners, and con-
tinued to discharge with great fidelity
and zeal the arduous duties of that sta
ton, till bis constitution was literally
worn ont and his mind exhausted. in
the service. He then re;ired-nade a
tip to England in the hope of recover
ing his health, and was there received
with those kind attentions which were
gratefully remembered till bis last mo,
ments.
Of his personal character, it may be-
added, that, though Of quick temper, he
was noble and generous in his DISPOSE
ton. He was Patriot 10 TeaLifu.,
Though stern in his apDesJance he ,rsa