The native American., 1839-09-28
THE NAVY.

Cooper's History Of the Nary, and have never
before thought that our enthusiastic attachment to
that arm Of the public defence could be increased
We are not going to criiicise the work. we nave
neither time nor disposition to seek out us de-
fleets, If il have any. This thankless employment
we leave 10 others, not doubling that they Will
find small success in that field of their labor. Our
eve looks only on the bright star of our counry's
Naval destiny, as it rose two centuries ago. Those
who have supposed that the American Navy had
its existence only with the Revolution, may well
be proud to learn that lis earliest achievements
extend beyond the conflicts of the parent country,
with the DeWits, the Van Tromps, and DeRuy-
tiers, to within only quarter of century OF The
time when the "Invincibe Armada yielded TO
the proves Of Drake, and the meteor Nag over
Swallowed its scattered and scared fragments.
II appears, then, the first engagement that pro-
baby ever occurred between Tie inhabitants Of
the Colonies and their enemies, aloat, occurred
in Long Island Sound, at the remote period Of
1886, between a small sloop engaged in trading
with the Narraganset Indians for furs commanded
by one John Gallup, containing, beside himself,
one other man and two boys, and pnnacc, with
4 crew OF no less than fourteen Indians. Gallup
having reason to believe that the Indians had pos
sessed themselves of the pinnace by unfair means,
hailed her; and, receiving no answer, made sail
in chase, and in ranging alongside, poured into
her volley Of duck-shot! The Indians being
well provided with swords, spears, and some few
arms, attempted resistance, but were shortly
driven below. TO board the enemy i'll the face
Of such odds was hazardous, and in the emergency
Gallup resorted to novel expedient to dislodge
his enemies. As the pinnacc was drifting, with
no one to manage her, she soon fell to leeward,
while the sloop hauled by the wind. AS soon as
the two vessels were far enough asunder, Gallup
nut his helm up, and ran directly down on his
enemy's weather quarter, SO as nearly to force
her over on one side. On an element to which
they were almost strangers, and in craft they
did no. understand, the contest was to the Indians
as though they had fought with fends in upper
air. Such Of them as were not killed or taken,
jumped overheard and were drowned. While the
vessels were side by side, two Of them surren-
dered and were received on board the sloop; but
fearful that if two Of his wiley foes were permit
ted to commune together they might concert mis-
chief, one Of them was thrown into the sea. The
pinnace being taken possession Of and proper
disposition made Of the body of her murdered
owner, she was cut adrift. Thus" says the
author terminated this extraordinary conflict,
which, as in a certain sense it might be deemed
r 80 &l,o, ho doc
worthy to be related"
We are aware that in the humble doings Of
honest John Gallup, there is nothing to stir the
imagination; that those who anticipated a tale of
smoke and carnage--of riven masts and spars-
Of the startling cry, rising high above the din of
hattie. "boarelers a,vay"-of desperate assaults
and repulses-and Of death stalking in hideous
majesty before the mpenetrable phalanx of pixies
and sabres, will be disappointed. But no one
v;,, DENY that this little affair is characterized by
courage, good conduct, and above all, by that
hearty good will for the business in hand, that
nerfect indifference to engaging VITA the ODDS
.r,;ns, him. that has come down uninterrupted,
nnalloyed through the heart of every American
.,;,or to the firing Of the last cannon IN the war
of 1919. II was said by gallant field officer Of
,h,, war. that his confidence in the GOODNESS of
his men was such. that he would undertake to
beat them off or on 'oith The tap Of the drum!
And IS much may be said Of the American sailor;
he takes his trick at the helm, he reels his top
sails, he rams and sponges his gun, he boards the
enemy, and needless Of life or limb obeys every
order, with his cheerful and almost involuntary
SIC, aye, SIR
who does not remember the words of faithful,
fearless, old Boltrope, while counsefng with his
commander and brother officers, in the cabin Of
the frigate, relative to some projected enterprise
IN the British coast. After expressing his aatu-
-, aversion to remaining longer OIL soundings than
was necessary, agreeing with his shpmate, Long
Tom. who considered every foot Of land more
than would "'sarve to raise few vegetables and
dry your fish, as superabundanee' he proceeds
- cav. fqreally msdoubting the practicability OF