The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-02

relate in my own language.
Edward Williams was the son OF poor but
honest parents, who resided in pleasant
| village in the State Of Connecticut AT the
age OF fourteen he found himself alone in the
world, without parents, without fortune, and
consequently without friends. He had
tolerable good English education, such as is
afforded by our common schools-but what
was of greater value, he had been early
trained in the paths Of rectitude. His pa
rents had not neglected their most important
duty towards their child, but had inculca-
ted on his mind, in his earliest years, the les
SONS Of virtue. Friendless and forlorn, Ned
Williams one morning in the mon,h,of May,
with all his worldly goods tied up in pock-
ct handkerchief. left his native village on a
pilgrimage to the City OF. New York TO /" seek
his fortune" He was young, strong, and ac-
tive, and hope beat high in his bosom He
was determined TO GO TO sea,-and although
commencing at the lowest round, be was de-
termined TO climb TO the Top OF the ladder.
II has been well said that good face is a
letter of recommendation. Ned found it SO,
and was not long in procuring a situation as
cabin boy to a vessel bound to Southern
port and Europe. He did his duty faithfully
and on the next voyage shipped before the
! mast. He went number of voyages in this
capacity, aud acquired full knowledge of
the practical duties Of seaman. His con-
duct was always such as to cause him to be
respected by his shipmates and treated with
kindness aud confidence by the officers Nor
did he neglect to cultivate his mind while en-
gagged in the duties of his humble station.
He purchased useful books, and studied them
in his leisure hours And thus he had ac-
quired thorough knowledge Of Navigation,
with little occasional assistance from his
officers, which was never grudgingly bestow-
ed. He avoined bad company when on shore,
and Stunned the rocks of intemperance which
have caused the wreck of many gallant
bark, and in early years prepared himself to
act well his part, in whatever station of life
he might be called.
He was only nineteen years of age, when
being in Havana, Captain Smith, of the ship
Charemagne, lost his I'd mate by yellow fe-
ver--ind Ned Williams was recommended
| by his captain to the vacant BERTH He ac-
cepted the situation thus offered him, and al
though Captain Smith was an odd sort of
man. cross grained, and contrary as mule,
Ned got along with him remarkably well, and
sailed with him three voyages in that capacity,
at the end Of which time he was promoted to
the rank of chief officer, and began to think
himself of some consequence in the world
One step more and he should be at the top of
the ladder on which his eye was always fixed
for all his efforts were directed by noble
| ambition. ~.
Ned was the only mate who ever sailed
with Captain Smith more than one voyage
But without sacrificing his independence he
contrived to humor his whims and give him
satisfaction. He soon found the old man was
the victim of strong preiudices, and could ne
yer bear ontradiction-hardly ever asserting
to any proposition that was advanced by an
othnr-and when advice was voluntarily Offer
ed Invariably rejecting it with sheer, and
pursuing with wonderful pertinacity different
course. lie was the principal owner of the
Charlemagne, and consequently there was no
one to control his actions. But he knew how
to appreciate the good qualities of Edward
Williams, who was always faithful and dill
gent in the discharge of his duties---and upon
whose seamanship, activity and vigilance, he
could always depend in perilous times. And
Ned, on the other hand, respected the old
man for the many good qualities both of the
head and the heart, which he really pos
sessed. .
The Charlemagne sailed from Buenos Ay-
res-and Captain Smith secretly determined
that this should be his last voyage to sea-
and that if the ship returned in safety, he
would give her up to Ned Williams, who
had served him with so much zeal and good
will.
Nothing material happened on the passage
out. But about forteight after reaching
Buenos Ayres, and while lying at anchor in
the outer roads, about six or seven miles from
the city, furious gale commenced from the
southeast, which lasted thirtysix hours, in
course OF which the ship dragged her anchors
and was in great danger of drifting on shoal.
By the active exertions of Mr.. Williams, how
ever, she was saved-but the long boat which
was fastened to the ships stern by a painter
and stout hawser was lost-the ropes had
chafed off by the uneasy motion Of the boat
during the gae---and, much to the mortifca-
ton Of our friend Edward, away she went up
the river! ....
When Captain Smith heard Of this loss, he
was in great passion sent Tor Mr.. Will
liams to come on shore--- and after long con-
sultation, during which more than once, Ed
ward was on the point of saying or doing
something, which would have brought on an
open rupture between him and the Captain, it
was finally concluded that he should take a
guide on the following day, and proceed on
horseback up the river, for the purpose Of dis
covering the long boat---as it had doubtless
drifted ashore on that side Of the river on which
the city was situated.
Accordingly, after making suitable prepara-
tons, Edward started the next morning,
mounted on stout horse, and accompanied
bya Frenchman who had resided some years
in the country, and was acquainted with the
lay Of the land in that neighborhood, and the
| r..u,.ra oc ~, roonIo They som left the