Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-04-17
The 22d Of February mt Malta.
BY J. E. DOW, JR.


J.. E. DOW, JR.
twas morning at Calypso's Isle, and heavy fog
hung over the yellow bastiors of the stronghold Of
the once invncibe knights of Saint John. Etnas dis
tant peak was occasionally seen flashing like de-
mond In the clear heavens above, and the faint whs-
per OF coming evanter fingered upon the silent
As the hour OF sunrise approached, the slight tap Of
drum was heard from the port, and when the orb OF
day, like red shield, peeped over the eastern waves,
twentyslx heavy cannon spoke the feelings cherished
by freemen for the memory of the father of his
try The fog now slowly lifted and passed of in mis-
ty volumes towards Tunis; while the Constitution,
hung with flags and streamers, flashed into sight,
beautiful in her battle array. The Autograph
companying this sketch represents the Constitution
decked with flngs and streamers extending from bow
spirit to tatfrall, forming beautiful arch well worthy
the taste Of "the Old Commodore The shores Of
Malta now thronged by thousands and the Turk
the Arab, the Jew and the Maltese looked on in silent
wonder. "What is it for Z" now rung from an hum
dred voices in the forts but returned,
until the American almanac had been ransacked by
hundred busy bodies
! The American Consul's flag now foated cayly in
the distance and theory cit Is the anniversary Of the
birth of Washington !" passed from lip to lip. and &
hum OF appreciation along that mighty multitude.
At this moment, the Admiral up the Flag of the
West at lis royal mast head and fired signal gun.
InstantaneouSy, as if by magic, every ship in the
harbor followed their leaders example, and then up
wards of hundred cannon echoed along the shores
of the castclated Isle and died away upon the
This was as noble as it was unexpected, and called
forth the unanimous appreciation of the American sea-
men. What q glorious hour of freedom when the
ships of the King who once oppressed them and from
whose power they had been snatched by the hand of
Washington, saluted the star-gemmed banner, and
Numbered in honor Of the birth of Americas chosen
leader.
The children Of tyrants looked on with astonish-
ment, and whispered of the gories Of freedom. The
fettered slave reoced In his maacles at the souln-
spring sound and hope whispered to his burihened
spirit that he might yet be free. At nine, A M, the
boats were manned, and hundreds of liberty men left
old Irorsides for the Shore Every man had received
from the purser FIVE sinners and now richer in feel
ing than Cresus the Jolly tars mingled in with the
crowds Of dark-eyed damsels, and were sooh out of
sight. sailor is a strange being-he eats, drinks,
walks, rides and sleeps differently from every one
else. He spends his money ike prince, and SIN
times out of seven gets as drunk lord.
When the hour Of twelve arrived, the same salute
was fired from the shipping, and at evening-every
British vessel displaying at the same time the stars
and stripes from her main and mizen in honor Of the
birthday Of the American Fabus. After all the
sells in the harbor had sent down their royal yards,
the Constitution up the standard OF Great Britain,
and fred royal salute. a complimentary message
then sent TO the British Admiral by the American
Commodore, ]. d. Elliott and the honors Of the day
|
They had hired all the jackasses they could find,
and some with their faces to TIE stern, and
sideways secured through the rocky streets like
set of mischievous children Just let loose from school,
One sailor caught old lady, who was riding quietly
along upon donkey, with two large beakers Of milk
at each bride ren and seating her quietly in gut
ter mounted her beast and galoped off like the wind
while the agitated milk covered him from clue to
caring, and left in his path milky way indeed At
ter botherng the old crone sufficiently for his salts
faction he rode back to her, mounted her upon her
donkey BEFORE slipped dollar into her hand, and
quietly lodged into posada, while the guard that
had collected to punish him went sobery about their
own business, well pleased that Jack had taken him.
self off in to avoid bobwigged Judge and the
calaboose.
/ The American navy stands deservedly high in eve-
nv quarter of the world. With many little faults, but
with many sterling good qualities, its officers
mngle with the sea-dogs of the old world, and bear
away the palm from their neighbors. The English
officers, during the Constitutions stay, treated the
Americans with marked attention, and no one who
was ignorant of the history of tie two nations could
have conceived that these officers were the dead
lest enemies ard that their hands had been dyed in
each others blood. Truly, it was glorious hour
and II seemed though the morning af the milleni
um had dropped upon the earth, and that the lion and
the eagle were lying down peacefully together. Al
ten, P. NJ. the liberty were of to their vessel
and the song Of happy inebriate from the dread
precincts of the brig, and the laugh of jolly REFER
as he cut the schoolmastet's hammock ashings ant
spilled him in a most undignifed manner upon the
cockpit floor, all silent board the Constitu
ton.