Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-06-05
NO. 40
A TRICK OF WAR.

a KICK OF WAX.
A correspondent OF the Knickerbocker,
in a well written article, mentions that dur.
ing the late war with Great Britain, he &C.
cidentally got possession OF some Of the sig.
nails OF The British Navy. which he put in.
to the hands Of Com. Rodgers. and thus con-
cludes his account;
"Soon after the peace. dining with Com.
Rodgers, at his house in Washington, he
related TO me the following circumstance.
which give nearly 10 bis own words.
Il acknowledged the receipt OF your let.
ter, he observed, and was determined to have
the signals made on board. and TO try the
experiment, none Of my officers undcrstan-
ding for what purpose they were intended.
cruised some time without meeting an enc.
my. until one afternoon we fell in with
schooner. some elk or eight miles to wind
waid Of us. We hoisted the British ensign,
which she answered by displaying another,
and at the same time signal at her main.
lop.gallant mast head, which Immediately
discovered was like one OF those you had
given me-From the list Of English frig.
ates, selected the number Of the Sea
Horse one OF their largest class. and known
TO be on our course, and hoisted IT, She
bore down at once and came under our
stern; | ordered her 10 heave TO, and [
would send boat on board Of her.
This order was obeyed, and despatched
a lieutenant 10 bring her signal-book, en-.
Joining on him. and The crew, the stiictest
secrecy respecting our character. He was
politely received by the captain whose
schooner proved to be the 'Highhyer.' Our
ieuienani's coat attracted his attention. not
being ofihe latest London fashion, although
the crown and-anchor was on the button;
but casting his eye on the frigate, seeing the
British ensign, and now and then the red
coat Of a marine appea ring above the ham.
mack-netting. his mind was apparently set
at rest.
The Lieutenant informed him that he
was requested to bring his signal book on
board the Sea Horse. in order to have
some alterations made, rs there was a ru.
NOR that the Yankees had possession Of some
thing like the signals. and it was therefore
necessary to change the numberi This
ruse had the desired effect. and our Lieuien.
ant returned with the book, which placed
me in command Of The phoic correspondence
of the British Nary then sent The gig for
the captain, requesting him TO come on
board, and bring any dispatches he might
have in charge.
On reaching our deck, he seemed sur.
prised at the size Of the vessel. praised her
cleanliness. and the order in which every
thing appeared; admired the new red coats
the marines. and on being invited into The
cabin. handed me bundle of dispatches for
Admiral Warren. who, be observed, must
be within forty miles TO leeward. | ordered
refreshments. and in company with several
Of my officers, we entered into general con-
versalon.
asked him what object Admiral Wbr-
rem had in cruising in that neighborhood2
He said. TO intercept the American priva-
,eers and merchantmen, but particularly 10
catch Commodore Rodgers. who he under
stood. had command Of one Of the largest
and fastest sailing frigaies in the Ameri-
can Navyi inquired Of him what kind Of
man this Rodgers was, aud u ever he had
seen himf He said no but he had under
stood that he was an odda character and
rather hard TO catch Alter convtrsing on
several other subjects. abruptly put this
question to him.
"Sir, do you know what vessel you are
on board Off
why yes. sir he replied; on board his
Majesty's ship Sea Horse
Then, sir, you labor under great mis-
take. You are on, board The United States
trigate President. and am Com. Rodgers,
al your ssrcice'
The dying dolphin never assumed grea-
ter variety of -colors than did this fellows
face. SIR said he. you are disposed to
be humorous, and must be joking" assur-
ed him il was no jokei and to satisfy him
on that head, handed him my commission.
AT the same moment the band struck up
Yankee Doodle on our quarter deck on
reaching which. he saw the American en-
Isign flying. the red coats Of the marines
turned blue, and the crown-and. but
ion metamorphosed into the eagle.
This affair." observed the commodore.
twas ofimmense importance TO our country.
We obtained in fullihe British signal; the
operations Of Admiral Warren, by the non
receip, of his dispatches were destroyed for
the season; and il probably saved The friga,e.
for the course was running at the time of
my falling in with the Higbhyer would
Ihave brought me into the midst Of his feet
during the night @. B.
Nelo York. March, iS40." a,
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