The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Burioa's Ge"tiemaa's Maya.iae.
r,rINf, Ollie A L E1,TEp OF M.nnItI,

From Burioa's Ge"Hemans Mgya.ine.
CUTTING OUT A LETTER OF MARQUE..
OF all services of danger which naval
officer has to perform during time of war.
and there are many, the task of cutting GU:
an armed vessel from under the guns Of an
ene,ny's fort, and bringing her out of the har-
Dor in safety, is considered the most dtspe-
rate. Goodness and courage must travel hanI
in hand there; and the successful commander
Of such an expedition, under the most favora-
BILE circumstances, must consider himself
we'll off if he earns his laures at the cost OF
blood. ~
The sun was slowly descending behind the
blue peaks of San Domingo, when an Anne
rlcan frigate came in sight of the village Of
Port Platte, situated at the head Of small
harbor on the south side Of the island. and,
inrling her courses, hove too, for the purpose
of recnnnoitering. After scanning narrowly
the little anchorage, the frigate put about, and
setting, her courses, was som lost amid the
shades Of night The inhabitants Of the vii
lage had felt great alarm at the near approach
OF the armed ship, and had reinforced their
FORT beside sending a number OF soldiers on
board the letter OF marque, Sandwich, former
~ a British packet, but now in The service Of
the French, which lay close nnder tho guns
OF The fort, where she was receiving a cargo
of coffee, previous to her making run for
France.
1t was in the year 1900. just after the &C.
ton between the Constellation and La Ven
geancc, and the name of the conoueror,
Truxton, passed from lip TO lip with ins,inc-
tive CONSERVATION. Night came on; the
moon had not appeared. and scudding clouds
obscured the stars. The reoeiVe had been
beaten at the garrison. and the inhabitants of
Port Platte had retired to dream Of the dar-
ing cruzers Of the American squadron. The
frigate, when she had lost sight Of the island.
came about, and under easy sail stood in for
the shore. She was the Constitution, Com
modore Talbot. and from the silence that
reigned throughout the ship and The total alb
senoe of light from the battle lanterns, the
most careless observer would have supposed
that she was about to do something for the
glory of the old thirteen. A..
As she drew nigh the port, two officers
might have been seen at the gangway. watch
ing narrowly the lights that twlniled ahead.
At This moment, the heavy roar of cannon
came cchoing along the waters, and then one
after another, the lights disappeared, until
none were seen but those which seemed TO
be designed TO burn throughout the night.
Now is your iime," said the elder of the
persons to the younger have the second
cutter manned, sir, and come to me for far
Their orders" Thus saying, the commodore,
for it was he, looked at the compass, and
entered the cabin. In few minutes, Il knock
at the cabin duor, announced the arrival Of
some officer to make report.
Enter" said the bluff old commodore,
and Immediately lieutenant Hull, the first Of
the Constitution, stood before him.
Are you ready" said the commodore.
"All ready, sir" replied the lieutenant.
"Then, sir" said The commodore, "you
will enter the harhor of Por, Platte wthou,
being discovered, ascertain whether the craft
that lies under The guns Of tn, fort is the
Sandwich, and when you shall have done so,
return and make a report to me-"
"How shall ! ascertain that fact wlthou,
boarding her I" said the lieutenant.
=" You will know her TO be the Sandwich"
replied The commodore, "by the black stripes
around her white masis, aud by the shoruess
Of her bowsprit. Make haste, sir, for I long
To give YOU job
The lieutenant smiled as he babe the COM
modore good night, and, Immediately ascend
ing, gave such orders to The officer the deck
a. he deemed necessary under the circum-
stances Of the case. The night was pretty
well advanced as MIR. Hull wrapped himselfin