The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-09-27
AMERICAN NAVAL ANECDOTES
THE AMERICAN CAPTAIN AND THE BRITISH
ADMIRAL.

When, during the late wal, Admiral War
rem was lying in the Chesapeake, Captain
Smith was sent by Commodore Stewart, then
at Norfolk. 10 negotiate an exchange of pris-
oners. The news had just arrived of the
capture of the Java and the Admiral speak
ing of that event, asked Captain Smith how
1t happened that our frigaies were so sue
cessful IN taking theirs. Captain Smith an
swered that he knew no reason for il, unless
that we fought better. NO. said the Adj
/ miral, that cannot be but the reason is, that
J two thirds of your crews are British sea-
men, Them replied Captain Smith, the
other third being nericans, makes the
whvle difference The Admiral attempted
no further explanations or argument on the
knouy subject.
! We doubt if the records of wit cat pro-
duce more happy repartee. 1t was prompt,
and at the same time goes to the very mar
row and heart of the question. Ii is one of
those pushes that can neither be parted nor
returned. IL closed the game; the Admiral
had not another move.
EARLY AMERICAN HERoIsM.
During one of the former wars between
France and England, in which the then Col
onIes bore an active part. n respectable indI-
vidual, a member of the society of Friends,
OF the name OF commanded me
snip, which sailed from all eastern port 10
port in England. This vessel had strong
and effective crew, but was totally unarmcd.
" hen near her destined port, she was cha
sed, and ultimately overhauled, by French
vessel of war; Her commander used every
endeavor to escape, but seeing, from the SUI
perior sailing of the Frenchman, that his
capture was inevitable, he quietly retired
below. He was followed into his cabin by
MS cabin hoy, a youth oil actiViiy ana enter-
prise, named ohdries wager ne askeu HIS
COMMANDER u notnins more couiu pe uohe
10 save the snip; ms COMMANDER repiieu that
1t was Impossible, that every thing mao Deeh
done That was practicabie' there Was no es-
CAPE Tor mem, ana ,hey must supu'it 10 pe
captured CharIeS theh returned upon uech
ana Sunllhoheh tie crew arouiln nl''l' ne s'a-
ted III tew words what was 'heir cap'aHI
conciuSionS-then,wlt an eieV"''o" VI ''''"u
dictated ny soui io'iieo ~! enterprise an"
noble daring, he observed, eli you VIII place
yourselves under my command, land stand ny
! me, have conceived plan by whlch Inc
ship may be rescued, and we IN turn Income
the conquerois." The sailors, no doupt
feeling the ardor, and inspired by the cour-
age OF their youthful ana Saiiant ieauer' d.
greed TO place themselves under ms coih-
mand- Ills plan was communicated 10 theih
and they awaited with hrnness the moment
to carry TIER enterprise into effect. Inc
suspense was OF snort DURATION ior Inc
Frenchinan was quickly alongside, anu as
the weather was me. Immediately grapPie"
last TO the unoiiendlng merchant SNIP As
Charles had anticipated, the exhilrrated
conquerors, eiated beyond measure WIN the
acqu sition of so fine prize poured into his
vessel IN crowds, cheering and huzzains; ana
not forseelng any danger, they let but very
few men on board their snip.
Now wds the moment Tor Charles, VINO
giving the men the signal, sprans AT tneir
head on board the opposing vessel; whle
some seized the arms which had been leit
in profusion on her deck, and with when
they soon overpowered the lew men lett on
board the others, by simultaneous move
ment,reiIeved her from the grappiinss winch
united the two vessels. Our hero now nav
ing the command oil the rench vessel ser
~ ,I;s,ance ba;,ed v;tb the voice of n con-
queror. the discontinued crowd of French
men, who were left on board the peaceful
bark h. had Just quilted and summoned
them to follow close in his wake or he would
blow them out of the water, Il threat they
well knew he Was very capable OF executing
as their guns were loaded during the Chase.
They sorrowfuly acquiesced in his con-
mauds, while gallant Charles steered into
po,t, followed by his prize. The exploit ex-
cited universal applause The former mas
ter of the merchant vessel was examined by
the Admiralty, when he stated the whole of
The enterprise as it occurred, and declared
thai Charlie, Wager had planned and effect
ed the gallant exploit, and that TO him alone
belonged the honor and credit of the achlev-
ment. Charles was Immediately transfer