Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1850-10-31
From the New York Tribune.
THE LIFE OF SILAS TALBOT.
BY HENRY T. TUcKERMAN.
4 Commodore in the Navy Of the o. states

BY HENRY T. TUCKERMIN.
Mr.. Tuckerman has rendred ar
excellent service to our historical
literature by the publication OF thi:
pleasant and well-wIitten volume
} 1t was prepared, in the first instance
as one of the series of American Bi
ugraphy edited by President Sparks
Upon the discontinuance OF thaI
work, Mr.: Tuckerman was advised
by the editors to publish his sketch il
a separate volume, and he has GER
tainly shown good judgment in com.
plying with the suggestion. 1t viii
occupy an honorable rank among
the numerous memoirs which have
swarmed from the American press,
and increase the reputation Of the
author as a tasteful and agreeable
writer.
Commodore Talbot was the son OF
a Massachusetts, farmer. Deprived
oil his parents at an early age, he was
thrown at once upon his own re-
sources. With an innate spirit of
adventure, he sought his fortune upon
the sea. Entering as cabin boy on
board one of the coasting craft OF
Rhode Island, he soon rose in his
pro fession, and became the owner of
handsome property. This was
increased by successful mercantile
speculations, until at the breaking out
OF the Revolution, he was in the en-
joyment Of a full share of worldly
prosperity and surrounded by the
charms of congenial domestic rela-
tions. He was not however to be
tempted to repose while his services
could be useful to his country. Soon
afte: the battle of Lexington he re-
ceived a commission from the State
of Rhode-Island. and Immediately
marched, with three volunteer regi-
ments, to the American camp in the
vicinity of Boston. After the city
was evacuated by the British, Tai
bot offered his services 10 convoy the
American feet from New-London TO
Providence. Having performed this
duty with eminent promptness and
ability, he accompanied the army to
New York. One of his first exploits
after his arrival was his attack on a
British frigate in the North River, the
circumstances of which are thus re-
lated by Mr.. Tuckerman:
COMMODORE TALBoT's FIRE-sHIP.
The lovely harbor Of this now
great metropolis then offered scene
of rare and exciting interest. Riding
at anchor in the vicinity Of Staten
Island, appeared the British feet, with
the army under Lord Howe. Eve
ry spar and line Of cordage in those
swarming battle-ships, was defined
10 the eye OF the distant spectator,
against the lucid azure Of the sky;
and, on quiet nights, reflected to the
gaze Of the boatmen that haunted the
adjacent shore. Their dark, massive
hulls and scowling cannon wore a
aspect, and seemed TO
cast long and prophetic shadows up
on the free waters into which they |
had ruthlessly introduced-signifi- |
cant Of the years of bitter trial Of
which they were ominous harbin-
gers.
Upon the nights of Brooklyn, at
York Island, and Paulus Hook, rose
the newly-heaped batteries of the
Never smiled that love-
ly bay more cherfully than during
those clear days of that eveniful
Spring. More solitary than at pres
ent, with its constantly plying stea-
mers and forest of shipping, the posi-
ton Of the belligerants was plainly
obvious. The comparative silence
that hung over the broad waters,
the fast-skimming clouds that, for
,darkened their crystal sheen,
and the occasional burrows raised by
sudden breezes that swept across
them, stimulated the imagination oi
the lonely enthusiast who, from some
isolated point, looked forth and unused
upon the landscape.
1t was evident that neither party
had, as yet, determined upon its
course. The considerate, on both
sides, felt the importance of a SUCCESS
ful blow, at the existent juncture;
yet the actual state Of the colonial
defenses was but partially known TO
heir opponents, and a premature
naneuvering might occasion tempo
rary discontinue, even in that we'll
appointed squadron. On the other
hand, it was of the highest moment
that the Americans should be assured
Of the readiness CT our troops 10 cope
with their formidable invaders. 1t {
was needful that the spell of vague
alarm should be, in a measure, bro
ken, which had been inspired by the {
presence of those destructive engines,
whose tbunders seem to gather new
potency from their long quiescence;
whose shrouds and decks bristled
with pixies and bayonets, and whose
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