The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-02

iecteu tnat Lieutenant Cnarles Cr. Hunter, OF the
United States Navy, was detailed by Commodore
Perry, to station himself IN the neighborhood of
Alvarado, tor the purpose of blockadlng that port,
until he, the Commodore, had concentrated large
fleet there, for the purpose of attacking and capt-
ring it, with directions to him on no account to
attack 1t. Instead, however, of "lying low" as
desired, Lieutenant Hunter, with one gun and
hundred men, captured 1t and for acting in dis
obedience OF orders, he was court-martlaled, con-
vlcted, expelled the fleet, and reprimanded by the
Commodore, and then sent to cruise In the Medi-
lerranean for pirates. This treatment of the gal
liant Lieutenant, all but that of being sent to the
Medlterranlan, was condemned pretty generally
by the public, and by the officers and men of the
navy. A boatswain of the fleet composed the fol-
lowing verses on the occasion, which are very
pointed, and display considerable genius
A Ratty Subject.
In ancient days we have been told,
Fish, fowl or beast could converse hold
New Wen revive u courtly chat,
Where stood for judge, a lusty rat
whose fair proportions sleek and round,
Bespoke Of plenty always found;
His air was pompous, and his grace
Been long acquainted with the feline race
He, like all warriors, showed his scars
Memorials of predatory wars.
lie was most vain, for ns'er before
Had he such weighty business bore.
In silence there, by his decree,
SAT rat OF nigh and low degree.
The criminal rat, of modest mien,
Seemed to enjoy the courtly scene;
And seemed content as any rat
When well secured from wanton cat
The judge arose, and silence broke
While thus he to the jury spoke
MY friends, long tried, Of judgement sound
" learning and Of sense Profound
10 you this business entrust-
Certain your verdict will be Just.
The prisoner that before you stands
Has held at naught my strict commando
Osurped my power, and took in hand
What your strength would feign command.
III be explicit, and make known
The ills and injury he's DONE
Some days ago, cheese we saw
Was guarded by feline claw;
knew, sagacious as are,
.Iwould not be gained without scar
Ininking this rat, would no doubt please
gave him power to watch the cheese;
Sut by no means attempt to take,
Or by his actsssuspicion make
Till ], with numbers Of our race
Should come and well besiege the place
SO that We might, with greater ease,
Alright the cat and take the cheese
But he, without reflection due,
NO sooner had the cheese in view
NO thought OF cat came in his head,
VI cat, that enemy so dread
Slap on the prize he clapped his paws
In spite Of me, or feline jaws.
Lucky for him, its guard had gone
And lett him and his prize alone.
But seniors, what surprised us most
When we, in numbers gained the coast
We found our rat In perfect ease,
Nibbling, with unconcern, the cheese
That cheese that l. by right, will claim
And caused me trouble to obtain
His speech thus made, with air profound T.
He viewed the lengthy circle round
The jury, with but small debate,
Their verdict they did briefly state
The foreman then the verdict read,
The judge, thus to the prisoner said
"You are expelled from place Of trust,
And think your sentence is but Just;
And, covered with undying shame,
Proceed from this to whence you came
noise most terrific shout,
Came from the populace without
For every rat had heard, at large,
The verdict, sentence, and the charge
They judge and jury do declaiu1,
And loudly praise the prisoners name
Such small infringements that result so grand
We hail with rapture, in our land
The cheese was taken, be 1t understood,
Not for single rat, but general good
Twice have you strove Il to obtain
And he alone the prize did gain.
Shame shame Let justice have its sway
And blot out envy from the face Of day
Bring valor forth let virtue shine
And call not acts like this crime
Come sir, although this judge condemns
You have the people for your friends
The judge, he heard this, with dismay,
Then lower'd his tail and skunk away