The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-11


The following siaDzas of our esteemed and talent
ed correspondent only do justice 10 the subject,
but reflects the highest honor upon their author
"Esry in the spring party Of refugees made lodg-
ment on The Thousand Islands, in the 5, lawrence
The leader OF this gang is William Johnson--weil
known in all that region as Bill Johnsonand also as
the leader in the recent destruction Of the Sir Robert
Peel He is Canadian by BIRTH is about SO years OF
age Of powerful Frame and Of great fearessness and
energy Of character He has four sons who paTsake 10
considerable degree of the character OF the isher-
He employed as spy IN the Amercsn service
during the last and in the course OF u performed
many bold and hazardous exploits He had 81 his com
mand six-oared barge in which no roamed Che lake
and the river, inercepting dispatches attacking me
small craft, seizng property, and harrassng the DIT
fish settlements On occasion he intercepted des-
patches twice in day Presque Isle. On smother,
his boat having been driven the British shore IN
gale, and his captured he euded his pursuers Tor
fortnight, and finally made his escape in bark canoe,
crossing the lake CSC miles in wdih) alone in that ffal
vessel and reached Sacketts Harbor in safety Since
the war he has resided at French Creek in the double
capacity Of trader and sinuggler"
THE PIRATE OF THE THOUSAND ISL Ess
Now filled the halter, trayersd the cart,
And often took leave, but seemed loath TO depart
Where wild Onarios shadowy wave
Rolls out In Lawrence restless stream,
BY many an Islands rocky cave
Where rings the startled Eagles scream,
Amid rude and desperate band
Meath winters frowns and summers smiles
The Pirate makes his desperate stand.
Lord Of ST. Lawrence thousand Isles
AT eve, when calm the waters sleep,
His war-barge swiftly gides along
Now pausing BY some rocky steep ..
To listen to the Syren's song,
Then swim as lightning DER the food
She leaps ahead with devsh wiles,
Bearing along the track of blood
The Pirate Of the Thousand Isles.
Years since, he fought in Freedoms name,
And gained his country's loud applause;
But now his laurels bright to shame
:, He joins vile unholy cause; "
Some SHINING star from glory sent, b..
Some Fanny WrigM, with bghtng smiles,
Allured and placed in Punishment
The Pirate Of the Thousand Isles.
Scorned by the good, the wise, the brave,
He watches from his rocky heights,
And proudly filings DER land and wave
His banner broad Of Equal RGHTs"
Like Ishmael on the desert way
Against the world he casts his wiles
While mighty powers unite TO Stay
The Pirate Of Lawrence Thousand Isles.
The towering fame and loud huzza
And rifles crack and cutlass' CLEAN
Show where the conquered +" Peer far
Sweeps wildly down the Hurled stream,
While mid the breakers sulen roar
The conqueror rides and grimiy smiles,
And bids his foes-forget no more
The Pirate of the Thousand Isles.
| Aye, thou shalt never be forgot
| Thou mock-apostle stained with blood
Thy limbs in clanking chains shall rot,
Ger Lawrence cold and silver flood:
And Voyageurs shall hear thy Hail"
AT evening mid thy lone defiles,
| While infants at thy name turn pale,
4 Thou Pirate Of Lawrence Thousand Isles!
| MuscATo DE Bosco.
| Washington June 1888.