Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-09-27

predatory and irresponsible cruises of PRE-
waite armed vessels.
To such adventures Bainbridge and
Stewart resolved to have recourse ii their
prayer for permission TO take public ships
Of war should be unheeded. Stewart hal
built privateer called the Snapper event
ually commanded by Captain Peregrine
Green, and captured as soon as she clear
ed the Delaware capes. In that privateer,
If denied authority to go forth in frigates,
these gentlemen proposedto seek their for
tunes on the ocean, serving each in rota-
ton as captain or first officer. 1t was not
with them therefore, matter of mere ma
tional character: nor were they mere you'll
TO be moved by puerile or unselfish con-
siderations. They wanted fortune us well
as fame, livelihood besides distinction. If
the navy was laid up they saw their occa-
sion gone for all advancement and all acqusi-
ton. Impelled by these strong motives
to sturdy remonstrance, persevering after
the Secretary Of the Navy had announced
to them the confirmed resolve Of the exec
utive to order all the ships of war to be
laid up, Captains cambridge and Stewart
occupied most of that night in composing a
joint letter to the President, strongly set.
ting forth reasons why that resolve should
be recinded That letter has been lost,
perhaps burnt in the conAagration of the
pnbic buildings at Washington, possibly
not deemed proper for the public eye, as it
stated advantages Of the American ma
w, which, though now known to and par
ticipated by tie English, were then exclu-
sively American. Among these were not
only the superior discipline, seamanship,
and ardour Of. our seainen, burning with
passion to take vengence for oppression,
but several material improvements, one of
which alone proved decisive in the naval
engagements of that war.
Their joint composition Of that anxious
night was couched in such plain language,
that, when presented to the Secretary ef
the Navy next morning, he objected to it
as too strong for communication to the
chief magistrate, and advised them to soft
en- lis terms. But as it was with them an affair
OF subsistence, involving livelihood as well
as reputation, they insisted on its being
submitted without alteration. ~Dtiident as
Madison was Of his own judgement at all
times, especially where he was not famil-
lar with the subject, and having long felt
Mr.. Gallaiin's aptitude ior, almost any sub
ject, the President was the man of his
own administration, nevertheless, most re-
solved, as III duty bound, to carry into full
effect the act Of Congress declaring war;
Alter, therefore, candidly, wisely, and in
genuously weighing the manly relnon-
STRANGE againit his own deliberate and
twice considered determination, lie Weld
ed to the wishes Of the two captains, who
were told in another interview the same
day, by the Secretary of the Navy, like
wise gratitied with the result, that the
President would assume the responsibility
Of overriding tile judgement Of his cabi-
net-and ordering The ships TO sea.
1t cannot be shown that any order to
lay up the frigates in harbor was given by
the executive: but it is certain that such a
determination was formed, and instructions
impaired by the order, which was prevent
ed merely by the timely remonstrance Of
Bainbridee and Stewart. To risk the
SLIPS at sea was more than government
thought wise. And the first capture ofan
English by an American irigate, an event
the effect Of which was prodigious through
out Europe and America--and may have
consequences Of still greater magnitude
than yet experimentation capture was
made, il not in breach of orders, at least
contrary to the timorous calculations Of the
navy department. If Mr.. Hull had not
fastened to sea and taken the Guerrero
before his countermand reached him at
Boston, he would not have made that cap
tnre, if indeed any such would ever have
been made at all.
The glorious victories which followed
are familiar to the whole country;--they
will never be forgotten. When the GuER-
RIERE went down under the guns Of the
CONSTITUTION, all Europe, al first incred-
ulous, then exulting, hailed with Joy this
new champion Of the West, as the bold
asserter of the freedom of the seas. From
the force Of that blow England has not vet
recovered. 1t was an ominous stroke,
portending the future downfall Of that SUI
premaoy with which she had so long
scoarged the ocean. The charm of her
naval invincibilhy was broken forever
A new star beamed forth, its rays point.
ing 70 glorious elimination, before whose
radiance her own must "pale its ineffect-
ual fire. - Baltimore fine, lean.