The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-02-16

day morning, al Ills residence an Fofuco ho", meet
ing death as The natural and expected close Of ioos
aud useful life.
| The name Of Hull is identified with the honor and
glory Of this nation. His skill saved the Consttu
on early IN the last war, when chased BY British
feet and shortly aiterwa rds he commenced that Sc
rics VI naval victories which gave character to The
nation abroad. Those who iecollcct the gloom that
hung upon the public mind, from defeats and dsas-
tcrs the frontiers, will bear IN mind The resying
influence Of the victory Of the Constitution the
Guerrero, achieved by C.m. Hull, and comprehend
how much OF gratitude due TO him Tor has brilliant
success,
! Commodore Hull was the third on the list OF Post
Capiains,--Commodofe Barron and Commodore
Stewart were before him. His commission bears
date Odd April, 1906, one day after Commodore
Stewards.
4 Com. Hul was, we be ieye, native Of Connect
cut, where he married, and where lac spent much OF
h,s time when not on public duty. lie must have
been about siAty-eght years OF age, though his per
sona appearance would have led to the belief that
he was much younger.
/ After the above written friend handed US
the following;
! Com. Hull expired this morning at his residence,
Portico Square, within few days of completing the
6oh year of his age
! BE ore entering the Navy, he made two voyages to
England, one To Ireland one to X tterdam, Two TO
Lisbon, two TO Cadiz and ten voyages to the West
Indies. lie commenced lis nautical career " hen ~
years Of age, (iy-six years ago. and on board
a prize taken by his father from the British during
the Revolution when The enemy had possession Of N
York!
On the 9th of March, 1893, he entered the Navy as
a lieutenant.
While FIRST Lieutenant of the frigate Constitution
under Commodore Talbot, in May, 1900, in the quasi
French War, he cut out French letter Of mar, ue
from Porte Platte, (st Domingo) with small soo,.
This gallant act was achieved at day, and with
out loss of man.
I In 1894 he commanded the brig Argus, and render
ed service in the Trpolitan War, in The storming of
Tripo!i, and the reduction Of Derne.
! In 1912 he commandedt c Constitution, and by bis
energy and skill as seamen, he escaped from Bril-
tlsh squadron under Commodore Broke. That escape
has been faithfully described by Mr.. Cooper in his
Naval History
Not long after this affair." he met the British frigate
Guerrero and 10 the surprise of the whole world
conquered her. The fight was OF more importance
TO the people OF this country than all the subsequent
naval victories, because ii demonstrated that the no.
ton OF Britain being invincipe on the ucor
rect And as the Commodore once said to the writer
+" The people did not know that went to with
out orders" The Government afraid to trust
our ships of war out OF our ports, until Hull in
spite of the pan C, showed that an American frigae
was equal TO frigate OF any other nation.
The following Is MIR. CoOpers description Of that
most important aud esentiul action
I" The Constitution next stood to the southwark,
and Oh the 18Th, at +. NJ in lat. Al deg. Al min
long. 30 deg. 40 min, a sail made from the
mast-head bearing +. S. E. and to leeward
though the distance prevented her character from
being discovered. The Constit ton Immediately
made sail in chase, and at three, the stranger
was ascertained to be ship on the starboard
tack, under easy canvas, and close hauled.
Half an hour later, she was distinctly made to be
frigate, and no doubt entertained OF her being
an enemy. The American ship kept running free
until she was within a league of The frigae TO lee
ward, when she began TO shorten sail by this time
the enemy had laid his main opsail aback in waiting
Tor Ire Z Institution to come down, with every thing
ready TO engage
"Perceiying that the Englishman sought combat
Captain Hull made his own preparations with the
greater deberation. The Constitution consequent
y iuried her toPgallant SAIL, and slowed all her light
stay sails and fyiag jib. Soon after, she took
cond reef IN the top,as hauled up the courses sent
down royal yards, cleared for action and bea, to
quarters. Al 5, the chase hoisted three English en-
signs, and Immediately after she opened her fire. at
long gun shot, wearing several times TO rake and pre-
vent being raked. 4 he Constitution occasionally
waved as she approached, 10 avoid being raked and
she hired few guns they bore, but her object was
not TO commence the action seriously until quite close
| Al o'clock, the enemy bore up and ran on under
his three topsails and b with the wind on his quar-
ter. As tins was an indication Of read ness To re.
ceive his antago ist, in fair yard-arm and yard arm
Tight the Constitution Immediately set her main top
gallant SAIL and foresa TO get along side At a little
alter ., the bows OF the American lrigate began 10
double on the quarter of the English p, when she
4 opened with her forward guns, drawing slowly ahead
and heavy fire. their guns bore. 10 about ten MI
nutes or jus as the ships fairly side by side
the mzzen-msst Of the Engshmon was shot away,
when the American passed slowly ahead, kee ping 10
tremendous lire, and lutcd short round on her bows
to prevent being raked. In executing this n,anoeu.
vre, the ship shot into the wind got sternwsy and
fell foul OF her antagonist.
While IN this situation, the cabin OF the Cons,itl-
ton took hire from the close explosion of the forward
guns Of the enemy, who obtained a small but mo-
mentary advana c from his position. The good con-
duct OF Mr. Hoffman, who commanded in the cabin
soon repsred this accident, and gun OF the enemss
that had threatened further INJURY, disabled.
A. the vessels touched, both parties prepared TO
board The Engllsh turned all hands up from below
and mustered forward, with that object, while Mr.
Morris, the first lieutenant, with his own hands en-
deavored 10 lash the ships together. Mr. ALVIN the
master, and Mr. Bush, the lieutenant Of marines were
upon the tairsil OF the Constitution TO be ready TO
spring Both sides uttered the closeness of the
musketry; the Eng ish much the most, however
MIR. Morris was shot through the body the bullet
; fortunately missing his sitals Mr.. Awyn woun-
dcd In the shoulder, and Mr. Bush fell ead by a hull
let through the head IL being found impossible for
either party TO board, in the face Of such fire. and
with the heavy that on, the sails were filled
and Just the Constitution shot ahead the foremost
OF the enemy fell, carpi ing down with 1t his main
mast, and leaving him walowing in the tr ugh Of the
seu, helpless wreck.
4 The Constitution now hauled aboard her tacks ran
OF short distance, sec, red her mass, and new
rigging At seven she wore round, and taking ia
vorsbe position for rsking jack that had be u kept
flying the stump Of the mizzen-msst Of the enemy
was lowered Mr.. George Campbell Read the thid
lieutenant was sent board the prrze and the boat
soon returned ith the report that the captured ves
sci was the Guierriere 80, Captain Dacrcs one of
the shps that had so lately chased the Constitution
off New York
" The Constitution kept wearing 10 remain near
her prize and at a strange sail was seen clos
ing, when she cleared for action but at three the
stranger stood off at daylight the officer in charge
hailed to say that the Guerrero had four feet water
IN the hold, and that there danger Of her sinking
On receiving this information, Captain Hull sent all
his boats TO remove the prisoners, Fortunately the
weather was moderate, and by this duty was