The North-Carolina standard., 1843-05-10


length the gallant yankee sput OUT" the foe bore
down upon him, and after a most desperate strug-
gle against far superior force, his gallant frpate,
so long the terror and scourge ofthe British Lion,
was captured. His loss was tremendous No
where IN the whole history of naval warfare is
there any record of an action more sanguinarv,
gallant and obstinate The battle was seen
from the heights of Valparaiso and all the
sympathies of the spectators were enlisted in
the cause of the brave commander and crew of
the gallant little frigate defending hersefso brave
ly against greatly superior foe
No battle ever fought upon the land or ocean
more strongly and satisfactorily illustrated the
true courage which is innate to the American
character than this same contest of the essex"
with the "Phebe" and "Cherub" At its termina-
ton Porter was liberated on his parole, and re-
turned, with the remnant of his devoted crew, 10
the United States, in the ''EsseX Junior Before
he could come into the port at New York, anoth-
er British vessel overhaued him, and took him
prisoner, thus violating the terms of the parole.
Being then at liberty to act as he should find oc-
casion, the intrepid Porter found means to escape
landed on Long Island, and was received by his
fellow.citizens with enthusiastic and grateful
warmth. He was hero in their eyes, his ex-
ploits for the last year having filled all minds with
the highest admiration of his bravery and gallant
ry.
The subsequent career of Commodore Porter
is familiar to all our readers Peace being rati-
fied the life of the most gallant of our navy was
thenceforh to derive its lustre by reflection from
the past The hero of 'the Saucy Essex had
gathered harvest of laurels, upon which his
fame could safely repose for all time, and while
he ever stood ready to vindicate anew the high
name his country had acquired in arms. if need
should be, he yet needed no new occasion to sig
maize his claim to the remembrance of posterity,
as one Of her most gallant defenders
Being appointed by his Government to diplo-
matte station at Constantinople, he had resided
near that capital for several years. during which
time he had discharged all the duties of his posi-
ton acceptabIy, when on Friday, the Sd of last
month"; precisely at meridian, he breathed his last
in a land of strangers, but not without warm and
attached friends around him. to receive his last
quests and to perform for him the last sad Office
His disease was pleurisy, and for some days prior
to his decease he had felt sure that that event was
not distant Letters from Constantinople, dated
on the day of his death, inform that it his
last will that his body should be buried at the foot
of the America flag staff. How like the last re-
quest of his compeer, the gallant Lawrence, that
that that flag should be his shroud!
A deep grave was according lyprepared beneath
the waving of the banner of his country the di
plonatic corps resident at the Turkish capital;
with all the Americans in that port, followed the
remains thithcr, and the earth now covers them.
But will they be permitted to remain there? No!
The grateful country, for which the brave Cap
tain fought so long and so well, will never per-
nit his bones to lie in a foreign soil The re-
mains of the gallant dead belong TO the land that
had so much reason to be proud of the deeds of
the living hero; and the period, we feel assured,
is not far distant when that country will reclaim
them, and lay them to rest, until the last trumpet
shall sound, within the green and peaceful bosom
of that free home which his youth and manhood
so gaIlantly defended
His splendid achievements shall long string the
OF ali who the blessing Of Freedom inherit;
And his be the honors such merit deserves,
And dear to each bosom his deathdaring spirit
The poets high strain shall such memres maintain,
And affection embalm them to Times latest reign;
While reused by the story, our sons shall aspire,
To rival such deeds-and to glow with such fire