New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-09-22
He TRIBUN NE.

rur Book OF TIE Navy; Comprising general history of
the American Maline and particular accounts Of all the
InSspendence 10 the presen, time. Complied frnr the
best authorities by John Frost, A. NJ New-York: d.
Appleton * Co, la42-8ve. PIP. Si4
The Navy has always been the favorite OF
American defence The prejudices which have
sometimes affected the popularity of the Army,
have never touched the Navy. It's victories have
been received with the most unaloyed enthusiasm,
and even its defeats have been paated and par
doned We would attribute this feeling in great
degree to the mystery and romance which envelope
the doings of those ''who go down 10 the Sea in
great ships" Landsmen have only dim ideas of
nautical movements, and fancy always exaggerateS
the unknown. They hear of the results, and do
not see the petty details which produce them, and
imagine victory the effect Of single gigantic eff
FORT and not of succession of repeated exertions
But whatever the cause of the popularity of the
Navy, the fact is unquestionabe, and q portion of
that favor may be deservedy given to this elegant
volume which the loss of our copy deprived of an
earlier notice.
Professor Frost has here presented graphic
and clear narrative of the thrilling achievements of
the naval heroes of the Republic. He has record
ed them in a popular and attractive form, and
seems to have aimed at exciting that spirit of ems-
lation which shall prove that in Nations career,
glorious past is the best guaranty of glorious
future Less voluminous and controversial than
the Naval History Of Cooper, this volume is much
better adapted for general perusal.
Commencing with the War of Independence,
we have the details of the actions in that struggle
which, though singl of very trifling Importance,
vet taken together contributed much to the final
success and which display some striking traits of
courage and magnanmity. The exploits Of Paul
Jones in his Bon Homme Richard among
them. When the war ceased, the few ships which
had escaped the superior force of Great Britain,
were sold by Congress, and the navy was extinct
until the occurrence of the difficulties with the
Barbary Powers in 1894. The next great era in
the naval history of the country arose from the
depredations upon American commerce, commit
ted during the wars which grew out of the Fronch
Revolson in 1898. In that year the office of Sc
cre.ary of the Navy was created, and four squad
rons were soon at sea. The only actions of i'm
portance were however those fought by the Con-
stellation with L 'Msurgente, and La Vengeoace |
Itwas at this period that the name of Commodore
Stewart first became known. After the peace in
1901, most Of the vessels were sold, but in the
same year the war with Tripoli commenced In
this occurred the famous destruction of the cap
,ured frigate Philadelphia by Decatur. The war
ended in 1906. The painful affairs of the Presi-
dent and Little Belt next narrated. Mr.. JEFF .
fersons Gun-boat system then came into favor, and
soon two hundred encountered our harbors, while
the real navy was almost entirely neglected. The
year 1912 was the great era in the history Of the
navy, when its foundation was laid on a scale COM
mcnsurate with the power and resources of the
country. War was declared on the 18th of June,
and then ensued the most brilliant series Of naval
victories over the selfstyled "Qucen of the Sea"
which decorate the annals Of any nation. We have
room only to name tho victories of Capt Hull in
the Constitution the Guerrero; Of Com De-
catur in the United States over the Macedonian;
of Capt. Jones in the Wasp over the Froic of
Com. Bainbridge in the Constitution over the Ja-
va and of Capt. Lawrence in the Hornet over
the Peacock The loss of the squadron of Com.
Porter, was as honorable to him from his brave
struggle against superior force, as victorycould
have been. The contest of the Chesapeake and
the Shannon, and the death of Capt Lawrence,
whose las! words were Don't give up the ship
next took place. Perry's victory Lake Erie
brilliant enough to atone for all past mischan-
ces. Commodore Chauncey next made a sue
cessiu cruise Lake Enc. In 1914, the Eper
ver and Reindeer captured. McDonoush's
victory on Lake Champlain followed The next
year Com Decatur in the President defeated the
Endymiop, but was captured by squadron
Lieut. Bidde in the Hornet was more fortunate
in capturing the Penguin. Capt. Stewart in the
Constitution took the Cyene and the Levant. The
peace of 1915 was after concluded, and toand
in the heart and mind of the country but one in-
tense and absorbing feeling in favor Of the navy.
Nothing however has since called for its active
service except the humbling of Tripol
We have thus given brief outline of the Naval
History of the United States, which is more fully
developed, and its skeleton covered with healthy
flesh lin this volume. An Appendix contains a
selection of Naval anecdotes and songs. The book
is illustrated with cuts of the chief battles from
designs BY Croome, with portraits Of Commoderes
Perry, Decatur and Others and altogether is one !
the mos, elegan, volumes yet produced by its /
tasteful publishers.
USc.s AND MIAsroxoMoR historical discourse delivered
at Norwak &C enn) the fourth day OF July iSiZ on
The orca.o of lie erection of Monument 10 The mem.
ory Of UNcAs The White Mans Friend, and FIRST Chet
OF the Nohegans. By w. L. Stone New-Sork: Day
ton i Newman.
1ftlA vnlu q