Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-09-13
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CoMMoDoRE roRrrn

COMMODORE PORTER.
We had the pleasure and the honor Of
mschng Commodore Porter IN Delaware
county on SATURDAY. last, and wishin, him
welcome 10 his native land. after so
Journ abroad az Charge dos Ahaire, of
tue American Government, at the Cour,
% 'hc sublime Porte, for several wears.
me commodore will soon again return To-
Sohstantnople, and resume his functions
Hhirapossiblc 10 describe the emotion
'na' 'hr'iIed within us rs We gaZed upon
'n'' extraordinary man-who perhaps
more Than any other American sailor.
earned further the terror of his name
ana the renown Of his Elag-sprcaiins
a'arm ana dismay among the enemy along
the South American coast. and inGic,inS
severe and devastating ruin on thci, inn.
poriant commerce &c the Southern Seas.
we Will briefly recur to few nrominen,
inoidents in his naval career On the IA
OF July. Isle. Captain Porter sailed from
New York. in command of the ESQ.,
ana a'ter some m'norssptures fell in with
the British sloop Of war Alert on the l3,b
oil August, and after a hot action Of eigbt
inmates, the standard Of ST George was
lowered to the stripes aud stars. In DC.
'ooer OF the same year, Captain Porter
aSa'n put 10 sea in his favori,e vessel
The Essex, and repaired agreeably 10 in.
.Huction from Commodore Blinbridye 10
the coast OF Brazil. On this coast. he
captured his Britanic Maiesty's shin Noe.
ton, but hearing Of the victorious action
between the Constitution and the Java
Which would oblge the former to return
10 port, and informed that the coas,
svarmes with British cruisers. he aban.
doned so dangerous a vicinity. and after
running down as FAR as the Rio de Ia pla-
IA, stretched away for the shores Of ia.
Southern Pacif&
during his cruise in the sea. he inflict.
ed THO most irrcparablc injury upon the
commerce OF Great Britain, and vas par.
hcu'srly destructive 10 their shippirr EN- .
ployed IN the Sperm Whale Fishery
rus numerous prizes supplied him in
abundance with provisions clothing medi .
c'nes and naval stores oievery description.
ana ne was consequently ensbled tor a
long une 10 keep the sea without s,ckaess
or eFeninconVcnicnce 10 his crew living
ennrely on the enemy. and enabled 10
make considerable advances Of pay 10 Of
hceri and men, without single drat on
government. His name bec.nr a terror
along the whole coast and among the
islands OF the Pacific, and At lrno,b
reaches the ears OF the British Admiral.
~, who despatched vessel after vessel IN
pursuit Of the daring American vb,
laughed 10 scorn the boosted SUPREMACY
Of The British Navy. For long time
foHer eHeeiually bsillcd all pursuit
keeping The open sea, or lurking among
tie numerous barren aud desola,c islands
that form III. Galapagos group. he Left no
traces by which he could be followed.
AZ length, IN the harbor Of Valpatai.o
the Essex became prey 10 superior force
ana alter ono OF the most san culinary de-.
fences on naval record surrendered In
'ae PhTba and Chcrub. An idea may
be formed II the defence when The Br, .
u'h officer who boarded after her surrcn
der, although sccutoncu 10 scene. of
blood aud carnage. f,iricd IT The SIGHT Of
TOO shocking spectacle, presented hv the
dead and dying. who sircucd her decks
ia his return home. Commodore Porter
Wn received with that grateful cnthusi.
h'm ~ his admifing Counifyrncn. so well
heeordsnt With the high mcn,s Of his ca.
Ieer since The war. The unfortunate AT.
Jar at Ioxardo. which resulted IN dc3tiv.
'og the American Navy of one 81 its
onghtest ornaments. u Is painful 10 speak
o. Since then the gallant Commodore
20 The civil station 10 which he was ap.
pointed by The late President has equally
SIN his naval sphere. represented the
dignity and honor Of big country Msy .
gracious Providence Oidain hat his De.
Ginning years be chcefed by health and
happiness FocDt