Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-12-11

But vastly more touching TO the patriotic I
heart, must hive been the view Of the harbor |
md beautiful bay Of Pittsburgh, when, on the |
18th of September, 1914, the British fleet were |
seen rounding Cumberland Head, to commence
their attack upon the American squa ron then
lying at anchor in the Cumberland Bay, almost
two miles from shore. Brave as they might have
been, their hearts must have palphated for the
fate of their wives, their daughters, and possess
sions, dependant upon the issue of contest
with stronger force, whose wa'ch-word, like
that Of New Orleans, was "beauty and booty"
Ii there be moment Of supreme agony, it is
when your all that is dear is at stake You see
it all--your soul is in it ; but your own right
arm cannot reach it. The action, which COM
menccd in prayer to the God of battles, by the
devout and brave Nc Donough, in presence Of
his assembled crews, though long and bloody
terminated in shouts of victory TO the brave and
generous commander and their country, from the
devoted sailors, who had themselves borne SO
conspicuous part in the dangers of the contest.
Thus terminated, Eve trust in lIcaven) forever,
the maritime power Of England in the waters of
our beloved country. What might, or rather
what must have been the patriotic exultaton OF
the people of Burlington, who had watched with
such intense anxiety, every movement and posi-
ton of the contending fleets, when they beheld
the far-iamed flag of England strike to an infe-
rior force. To describe such emotions were
impossible. Americans, yc feel it iuyour hearts!
a battle so important in its consequences and
so CALAMITY fought is often attended or COM
memoraed by some striking incident which, to
the sailor, often superstitious, Tools dest ny,
and cheers him in the fight. TO the christian,
it is protecting providence, and e'evates him
in the darkest hour. The story of Il Z cock fly
ing to the rigging during the battle, and Growing
during the whole action, with its effect upon
the sailors, seems to be as well ayouched as
any other fact of that day.
1t does not come within the design or scope
OF this communication, to describe the battle on
land, in and around Pittsburgh. Il is sufficient
to remind the reader that Sir George Provost,
who had been for several days skirmish:ng on
the north side of the Saranac whou, success,
with his fourteen thousand troops, (reguars)
against the small regular force of fifteen hundred
men, aided by such of the militia of Vermont
and New York as could arrive in season com
menced regular bombardment Of the mud fort
which our troops had suddenly thrown up on the
heights below the river, rather as a breast work
than fortress. Upon seeing the result. of the
battle on the lake, he ordered precipitate re-
treat 10 Montreal. Such was the closeness OF
the pursuit by the Americans, that lie was COM
PEELED to leave many Of his gallant officers, (Col.
Wellington among the rest,) unburied upon the
field, within mile or two of the village.
Surely the fate of Burguoyne and Provost
ought to be sutfc to expel that maggot from
the brains Of the British Cabinet, which makes
! them believe that to divide is to conquer. An
: American minister might assent to less contro-
verted, but to them more notifying proposition,
that, an unsuccessful effort to divide, is Of itself
a defeat TO divide our united country through
lake Champaign and the Hudson river, has long
been an object of legislative diplomacy, or war
, on the part Of England but can there be now
: in England, men so blinded and so infatuated as
n even TO hope that, when with only three million.
i of Inhabitants, we conquered our liberties from
b the mother country, fifteen millions OF Ameri
can citizens can sit supncly by. and, with COW
ardce or ,reachety, or both, suffer these ines
tlnabie Liberties TO lie reconqnered BY the eant
G power from which we won them!
e But lest should wander too far from the sub
ect and fatigue your readers, let lis consider, il
contemplating TIE view SO magnificent from thu
dome, if the demon tempter should offer all tn,
r. confederated states within his view to any mere
: man, upon the condition that he should fall dowl
: and worship the glver, alas he might accept
for he to whom this offer would be made is Blu
G mere man: yet an accusing conscience woul'
: whisper to him, how UNNECESSARILY, with all hi
It new powers, he fell below that glorious Being
who refused all the kingdoms Of the earth, an,
e went about doing good to others.