The native American., 1838-10-27

We transfer to our columns the following para
graph of the history of Commodore Porter, from
the Focus. This brave officeris one of our coun-
trymen, whom we delight to honor for his heroism
in the Navy Of the United States. We deeply
regret that the occasion ever occurred which re-
suited in unjus,ly depriving our Navy Of the SER
vices of this able commander, and our country OF
the honor which such services are calculated to
impar. We believe, however, that he stands as
high in principle as Native American, as he did
rank in grade as Naval officer .
We had the pleasure and the honor of meeting
Commodore Porter, in Delaware county, on Sat
urday last, and wishing him welcome TO his ma
tive land, after sol ourn abroad as Charge de Af
faires, of the American Government, at the Court
of the Sublime Porte, for several years. The
Commodore will soon again return to Constanti-
nople, and resume his functions. 1t is impossible
to describe the emotions that thrilled within us,
as we gazed upon this extraordinary man, who,
perhaps, more than any other American sailor
carried further the terror of his name, and the
aown of his Flag, spreading alarm and dismay
among the enemy along the South American
coast, and inhicting severe and devastating ruin
IL
We will briefly recur to few of the prominent
incidents in his naval career. On the Sd of July,
1912, Captain Porter sailed from New York IN
command of the Essex, and after some minor cap
lures, fell i'll with the British soop of war Alert
on the 18th of August and after hot action of
eight minutes, the standard of St. George was
lowered to the stripes and stars. In October Of
the same year, Captain Porter again put to sea in
his favorite vessel the Essex, and repaired agree
ably to instruction from Commodore Bainbridge,
to the coast of Brazil.
On this coast, he captured His Britannia Ma
jesty's ship Nocton, but hearing of the victorious
action between the Constitution and the Java,
which would oblige the former to return to port,
and informed that the coast swarmed with British
cruisers, he abandoned SO dangerous vicinity,
and after running down as far as the Rio de la
Plata, stretched away for the shores of the South
ern Pacific.
| During his cruise in this sea, he inflicted the
most irreparable injury upon the commerce of
Great Britain, and was particularly destructive to
their shipping employed in the Sperm Whale
Fishery. His numerous prizes supplied him in
abundance with provisions, clothing, medicines,
and naval stores of every description, and he was
consequently enabled for time to keep the sea
without sickness or even inconvenience to his
crew; living entirely on the enemy, and enabled to
make considerable advances ofpay to officers and
men, without single draft on Government. His
name became terror along the whole coast, and
among the islands of the Pacific, and at length
reached the ears of the British Admiralty, who
despatched vessel after vessel in pursuit of the
daring American, who laughed to scorn the boast
ed supremacy of the British Navy. For long
time Porter eIectuay balled all pursuit-keep-
ing the open sea, or lurking among the numerous
barren and desolate islands that formed the CALI
pagoes group, he left no traces by which he could
be followed.
At length in, the harbor of Valparaiso, the Es-
sex became preyto superior force, and after one
OF the most sangulnary defences on naval record
surrendered to the Phoebe and Cherub. An idea
may be formed of the defence, when the British
officer who boarded after her surrender although
accustomed TO scenes of blood and carnage, faint
ed at the sight of the shocking spectacle present.
ed by the dead and dying, who strewed her decks!
On his return home, Commodore Porter was re-
ceived with that grateful enthusiasm by his admir-
ing countrymen, well accordant with the high
merits of his career since the war-the unfortu-
nate affair at Toxardo, which resulted in depriving
the American Navy of one Of its brightest orna-
ments it is painful to speak of;-since then the
gallant Commodore in the civil station to which
he was appointed by the late President has equal
y, as in his naval sphere, represented the dignity
and honor of his country; may gracious Provi-
dence ordain, that his declining years be cheered
by health and happiness.
A western paper states that the celebrated In
dian warrior Black Hawk, died at his camp on