The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-12-25

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zoned folds the bauuer Of stars aud stripes Was
flung alec. M slrl ru .saIf .I
War had been declared between Great Brit
ain and America. A bilcw Of that tremendous
storm that had lashsd Europe into foam. Ind
strayed across the Atlantic. aud drowned the
lights Of peace along the coast. The spirit Ut
a brave people had risen from vain fury at un-
provoked sggression to q noble consciousness
OF equality. A chivalric eagcrness for the Coo
test a, once pervaded all classes &c the people
FOR already the iron thunder Of the Constitution
had rolled across the deep TO tell the proud
court Of ST. James tha, q rival star was shining
on the sea.
Business WIS at a stand, yet every body WIS
busy; thousands Of citizens were ,hronging the
streets. Behind the ample flags that Haunted
over them. the distant observer might note the
solid ranks and even tramp Of the military
The Port WAS alive with boats passing and hail
ing. A few bay craft were standing up. which
were loarded BY the curious ard idle. who for
once were determined to be astir for the good
Of the county. Every arrival seemed freighted
with the destiny Of the nation. aud large
crowd, hungry for news, stood upon the wharvss.
Now and then burst of artillery xas heard.
which called forth vast shouting and vociiero,s
patriotism. The splendid and unexpected vic.
tory of the Constitution had elated n people
I" unused to conquest aud uncertain Of their
powers" Every soul WAS ready 10 faht-no
matter what--ihe devil. or any thing in general
yet all had m especial hankcring TO cuH tie
stout corporation of old John Bull on his vaunt-
ed ocean home. Nor was this "all talk aud
no CIDER" Tor they Of the monumental ciiy
have gathered laurcls on hsrd-woa fields, ard
their fleet cruisers, IN distant seas. have ove.-
hauled and downhauled many flag Of the enc
my. The brave will ever honor aud reward
valor else whence that proud title +" Monumeu-
tall"
short distance from the wharf. at the 'owsr
part ofihe city. lay small half brig, ,halfschoo-
ner.looking craft, which at a glance fastened
attention by the surprising beauty Of her model.
She WAS ol that peculiar and singularIy elegant
class well known in American ports ss an her.
inaphrodite brig. Her masis were tall anh
wand like. with narrow shrouds. and . beautiful
rake; her white tapering spars were bright and
clean, and her rigging ihrongh hout was in taste
iul and elegant style. She sat long and low In
the water. and swung with the breeze ~ gay
and light as a floating plume. A single white
streak OF paint, clear and even Hs il cut out VI
pearl. swept, with q scarcely percertible curve.
along the dark leadsn hull. and small snowy
ea.gull, with trouehed meek and half extended
wings. seemed ready to fly from the oruanen,ed
bow There was flourish Of golden seaera.s
on her handsome stern, which was almost brush
I'd by the long stripes Of the United States flag
as il Aaun,cd over The taflrai Four por holes
on each side revealed the black mouths Of as
many cannon a long eighteen FOUNDER was
poised upon pivot abail the foremost. and two
ports for stern ehasers opened on each side OF
the wheel. A pilot signal WAS flying q, the fore.
! The appearance Of the vessel was that Of
privaiser, and the hustle and hurrah Of recruit
ing discipline which a seamans eye qnickly de-
tecis. attached her at once to that daring and
somewhat equivocal class. Her Officers were
brave and skilful, and she was manned by
choice crew Of nearly one hundred men. whom
patriotism, OF the moro seductive spirit oi gam.
had drawn together.
! Privatcering has been quantity called "a
school Of piracy" and probably with SONS
truth but IL is no prejudice to say that Amer
Jean privaiees in the late American war are a
noble exception. The navy was small as it was
gallant. aud private armed vessels might rather
have been regarded sharers Of the national de-
fence than Specializing pIundercrs. II 10 we'll
known that they paid their respects to all vessels
of the enemy. making no invidious Distinction
between armed and unarmed. Many gallant
men have played at that brilliant game from
tho purest national feeling and what Amrri-
ran when reading the history Of their daring
victories in the last war, would Withhold the
need Of applause and gratitude!
But now there was sudden STIR on board the
Sca-GulI. The boatswain's whistle split the
air. and the loud +" all hands up anchor" start
ed gallant array Of blue jackets 10 their duty.
The numerous boats that had crowded around
the brig put of. and cloud after cloud Of clean
new canvass doomed gladly in the gale. With
graceful careen to Ieeward. she glided like
magic away. The drum and fife struck upa
stirring march. aud a long and thrilling shout
burst from the admiring crowd on the wharves.
She clipped it beautifully past the fort. her
happy Gag waving recognition 10 the large en-.
sign that presided frowninely over the batter
les. Another shout--a Whit Of smoke from
the deck-a sipsls gun-and the Sca-Guil was
sway on the wave.
10 be continued