The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-10-25
Vol. IL.

der, a few days afterwards, declared, with know
ing look, as he gszed with an admiring eye on the
fair proportions Of the beautiful brig, that although
.Jonathan" had fairly weathered them by enter
ing the port yet he Mould find it difficult matter
to get out '3f"@ Hia' ~7-is~
| Captain Wilcox anchored his brig apart from
the other vessels III the hsrbOr, aud took pains to
conceal the actual condition of his armament and
crew. On shore, especially inpressence Of But
ish officers. he talked large, aud impressed them
with the idea that the Wanderer was crack priva-
teer of eighteen guns. and at least one hundred
men. In the meautime, he was secretly purehas-
ing his cargo of teas and silks, and by way ofre-
creation, caused a dozen "quakers," or wooden
guns, to be manufactured on board, and regularly
mounted on carriages or slides. He was thug en-
abled on gala days to show what appeared to bea
formidable sci of teeth, although the greater part
Of them were false ones IA 40 l1I3H
One day Commodore Treena, in conversation
with Captain Wilcox, expressed desire to 60 on
board the Wanderer The Yankee was aware
that the Commodore merely wished to satisfy him
self of the efficiency OF his vessel, and to form
opinion ofthe result of any contest that might
take place between the American brig and one Of
the English gun brigs then in those seas. Never
theless, without indicating by his manner, any re-
uctance, Wilcox cordially invited the British Off
Ger to honor the Wanderer with his presence the
next afternoon.
| Capt Wilcox went Immediately on board the
| br;, had b;e Gouak ersD put IN oood trim and
sooth to say, they made ar imposing appearance in
their warike garb, and provided with tompkrns,
aprons, breechings, gun-tackers, and other trim
mngs--cannon shot were arranged conspicuousy
in racks about the bul narks--and sabres, pistols
and boarding pixies in reat profusion, were exhb-
tied in gallant array. Wilcox, who was seldom
at a loss for expedients, next considered how he
should make up for the occasion the deficiency
in his crew, and finally applied to the captains Of
the few American vessels in port for the loan Of
their crews, for day! This favor was readily
| granted. The Wanderer was soon manned by
some eighty or ninety fine fellows as ever knot
| ted reeEpoint or puddened an anchor--(we had
no chain cables in those days)--and when Com
modore Treena came on board in his barge, agree
ably to appointment, aud passed up the accommo-
dation ladder, and over the gangway; and saw
| such crew, all neatly dressed, at quarters, he
promptly decided in his own mind that The Wan
derer was calculated TO do great deal of mischief
and would make shot work with any thing ofless
force than asloop of war. He determined TO take
i his measures accordingly. .+sl'. ..aH
| rI,o lab tha of in
Wilcox, who stood in as much fear of a small gun
brig as OF friyate, but who was determined to
avoid contract with either, and trust TO the MIN
beness FIJI, heels, if he could once get ail ly out
to sea- An opportunity atlength arrived. fu-
rious squall set in during the night The wind
blew III ferc. and fitu gusts, and the rain fell in
great abundance, and increased the obscurty Of
the atmosphere Wilcox ordered the cable to be
cut. and under re :fer foretopsail and jIb, shot
like struck dolphin out oil the harbor of Wham-
poa. sJ -.a. lj4 .,l. .l LA.
The Wanderer had fine run to the Cape of
Good Hope, aud met with nothiug to furnish
cause for alarm. One day when few degrees to
the westward ofthe Cape, as day broke in the
east large ship was seen steering to the eastward
under press Of sail Capt Wilcox altered the
course Of the brig, and steered directly for the ship,
which he soon made out TO be heavy East Indi-
aman, doubtless well armed, and manned with
numerous and effective crew. a..- ',.sd
All hands were piped to quarters. "Come, my
lads, said the Captain, "suppose we try the met
tie of that fellow! We have taken nothing yet,
and there is good picking on board some of these
outward bound 'lndiaman. The thing must be
carefully done, however, for II John Bull only ss-
poets our inferior force, he will blow us out of the
water, and laugh at US afterwards!' t.,s lalm43E
Every rag of canvass was packed on the brig,
aud IT was evident that the Captain Of the India
man did not like her appearance. for he tackled
ship and stood off to the southwest The WAN
derer rapidly gained upon the chase; and was fas
closing on the weather quarter, when Capt VIII
cox fred gun to windward and hoisted Ameri-
can colors! The ship replied by showing the E,,-
glisb ensign, and taking in her courses and top
gallant sails-and was evidently preparing for .
brush. Not shot, however, was fired until the
WaDderer was within hail, when Capt. Wilcox
sprang upon man near the gangway, with a
speaking trumpet in his hand. He was fine look
ing fellow, possessing dgniied exterior. end had
a voice like the famous Stentor ofold. .,a,4
"First division, there" shouted he. "see. oil
ready to fire." and then directing his trumpet TO-
wards the huge ship. with heavy cannon protrud-
ing from her.massy sides, he had the cool impu-
dence to sdd ina loud and imperative tone--"Sbip
ahoy haul down your colors, andIay your main
topsail to the mast. or ri give you whole broad
sde" Then turning to his crew--"Stand By my
boys! Take good aim" Then in his loudest
tone to the Englishman--"H Haul down your flag,
say, tins minute, or I'll blowy you sky high!"
This threat produced the desired effect The
British ensign came fluttering upon the deck. and
the heavy main yard ofthe East Indisman was re-
uctantiy braced round ths hahn, xx in,,t hard