Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-09-14


fore our arrival at Leth. Such proved to be the
fact. We continued our course, falling in with no
vessels, until we reached Leith Roads, where we
were announced as large fleet of merchantmen,
under convoy of United States gun brig.
But the reader will naturally inquire, "What
has al this TO do with the late war with Great
Brtain?' To which answer, that il is merely
given by way of introduction, to show how l
came IN possession of her signals, and the use
subsequently made Of them.
| In the summer OF 1913, the irigate President,
Commodore Rogers, arrived in Boston lIarbor, al
ter an unsuccessful cruise. The war was extreme
ly unpopular among the people, md the unchari
table portion charged his not capturing any OF the
enemy's ships, more to cowardice than to The tlIt'
fcniy he had encountered in finding any thing
worm capturing that was not conveyed ny a force
superior 10 his single frigne.
For the first lime it occurred to me that tho sig
nns, obtained two years previously, might be OF
service to the commodore, in decoying some of
the enemy's vessels within reach Of his guns; ind
the thought no sooner entered my mind, than
sought them from among my papers, and put my
plan into immediate execution. l drew COM
pass, in the centre of which was represented the
President, lying at anchor in the harbor, and on
the points, the thirty-two signals 10y which the
tnen of war designated to the fleet the course TO
be steered during the night, to evade pursuing
enemy; below, PAINTED the ten numbers, repre-
scented by ns many flags with two others, forming
the affirmative and negative.
was not personally acquainted with Commo-
dore Rodgers, at the time, although intimate with
most of his wardroom officers, by one OF whom
sent the picture, with letter addressed to him,
showing how the signals were TO be used, and OBJ
serving, that he should obtain the number of one
of the largest class Of British iiigates, and by
hoislng il when enemy was in sight, it would,
without doub', dccoy her within his reach.
Meeting the officer iDtrusted with these de-
spaiches few days atierward, he informed me
that the commodore, soon after he had taken them
into his cabin appeared on deck apparently high
ly pleased, and ordered one of his warrant officers
10 have some blue bunting painted black very
much to the surprise Of the officers, who could
not conceive for what purpose he intended il; but
| was satisfied thnt the signals to be made,
one of them being black and yellow.
The "President' sailed, and Thought no more
of the affair, until some weeks after, taking up n
newspaper therein saw it stated that he had ta-
ken the British government schooner Highhyer
by stralagem.
Soon after the peace, dining with Commodore
Rodgers, at his house in Washington, Inc related
to me the following circumstances which give
nearly in his own words.
a, I" acknowledged the receipt of your Letter" le
observed, /" and was determined to have the signals
IN made on hoard, and to try tine experiment, none
S. of my officers understanding for wha, purpose
"a they were intended. cruised sometime without
80 meeting an enemy, until one afternoon we fell in
. ward of us. We hoisted the British ensign, which
she answered by displaying another and at the
a. same time n signal at her main top gallant inas
4 herslS,-.,iet Immediately Discovered was like
;Npne of those you had given me. From the list Of
'chEnglsh frigates | selected the number of the
ct Sea Horse" one of their largest class and known
y to he coast, and hoised it. She bore dowr
. MT once, and coming under our stern, ordered
. her to heave to, aud would send a boat on boart
D OF her.
Ie This order was obeyed, and despatched a lieu
tenant TO bring her signal book enjoiniug on bin
and the crew, the strlctest secresy respecting on
vi character. lie politely received hy the cap
" tain, Whose schooner proved TO be the llightlyer
ne Our eulenGnts coat attracted his attention., no
=. being of the latest London fashion, although thu
y crown and anchor was on the button but castin!
s his eyes on the lrgate seeing the British ensign
w aud now and then the red coat of marine up
at pearing above the hammock netting, his mind wa
'' apparently set at rest.
Tue lieutenant informed him that he re
Il quesed TO bring his signal book board the Sea
no Horse, in order 10 have some alterations made
IL as there was rumor that the Yankees had posses
e sion OF something like the signalsand was there
IL fore necessary 10 change the numbers. This rus
u had the desired effect, and lieutenant returne
rs, with the book, which placed me in command {
ui the tOhole correspondence OF the British nary.
then sent the zig for the captain, requesting hiI
to come on board aud bring any dispatches h
mig hi have in charge.
ct, On reaching our deck, he seemed surprised
au the size of the vessel praised her cleanliness an
w. the order in which every thing appeared; admire
I'LL the new red coats o.! the marines, md on bein
SIC invited INFO the cabin, handed bundle of dc
y spatches for Admiral Warren, who. he observed
"o must be Within forty miles 10 leeward. | ordere
re, refreshments, aud in company with several OF III
u, officers, we entered INFO general conversation.
sen asked him what object Admiral Warren Ina
'eu in cruising in that neighborhood. lie said 10 IN
prIpap iva
me but particularly to catch Commodore Rodger
who he understood had command of one Of Il
on largest and fastest sailing lrgates in the America
ing navy. | inquired of him what kind Of a man III
Rodgers was, and if he had ever seen him.
ap- said no. but that he had understood that he "
his an odd charucterand devi sh hard to catch. Aft
anu conyersing on several other other subjects, | a
ia, rup.y put this question 10 him.
and "Sir do you know what vessel you are boa
Sc ofT'
oas, WHY yes, SIR" he replied; "on board n
ne Maiesly's ship, Sea- Horse"
oh "Then, sir, you labor under great mistake.
that Yo, a on board The United States Frigate Pre-
nee, dent, and am Commodore Rodgers, a! your 81
rice !"
mil The dying dolphin never assumed n greater '
our reTy of colors Than did this poor fellows face.
up Sir said he, you are disposed 10 be humero
on- and must be jokiDg!' ] assured him was I
ap- joking; and to satisfy him on that head, hand
nal hun my commission. AT the same moment
e OF band struck up Yankee Doodle on our quar-
ards deck: on reaching which lie snw the AInerc
ensign fly;ny Tie red coats Of the marines turn
ara blue, and the crown and anchor buttons metan
ON phosed in The engle.
in This nffnr, observed the commodore, was
yed' immense importance 10 our country. We ohta
10 ed in full the British signals; the operations
dis Admiral Warren, 10y the non receipt of his d
'lay- patches. were destroyed for the scnson; and
| as probably saved the rig gate, for the course
by running. at the time OF my falling in with
'hen Highhycr, would have brought me INTO the mi
our of his fleet during the night"
was
lad. Bo,si do uou hear that? A letter recei,
are Yesterday by gentleman in this ciiyfrom pro