New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-10-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

vice 10 our historicalhteratureoy tia p1o"''''''
.,;a ioos 49,, and well writtcn volume II was Pi0
,,orad II the first instance, as one OF the seiies y
ar,or;c,n Biography edited by President 0p.''hs
IT, ,t Jisco,,tinuance Of that work, MI 'ch-
advised bv the editors TO publish his /
-, se,orate volume, and he has certainly
-, ,,od Judgment in complying with the sa5
e,.otor II will occupy an honorable rank among
C. r,n,ero,ls memoirs which have swarmed from
The American press, and increase the reputation
oftbe author as a tasteful and agreeable writer
Commodore Talbot was the son Of Massacau
sets farmer Deprived of his parents at an early
age. he was thrown at once upon his own re
sources With an innate spirit Of adventure, he
sonqbti,is lortnne unon the sea, Entering as
cabin boy on board one Of the coasting craft OF
Rhode Island, he soon rose IN his profession, and
became the owner of a handsome property. This
was increased by successful mercantile specula-
tions until at the breaking ont OF the Revolution
he was in the enjoyment OF full share of worldly
prosperity and surrounded BY the charms OF con-
genial domestic relations He was notbowever to
he tempted to repose while his services could be
useful to bis country. Soon after the batte Of
Jnxincton he received commission from the
Rhode
with three volunteer regiments, to the American
camp i'll the vicinity OF Boston. After the city
was evacuated by the British, Talbot offered his
services to CONVOY the American fleet from New
London to Providence. Having performed this
duty with eminent promptness and ability, he ac-
COMMANDED the army to New York. One OF his
first exploits after his arrival was his attack on
british frieate in the North River, the circun-
stances OF which are thus related by MI Tucker
man
COMMODORE TALBOTs FiRE-SHlP
The lovely harbor OF this now great metropolis
,bon offered n scene of rare and exciting inter
~ piJ;n1 ot anchor in tbe vicinity of Staten
Tio,,d anneored tbe British fleet with the army
ST. arI Howo Every spar and line OF cor
oliucl 10 - s.o;,,, hottie sI,ins was defined
u'61 - Vl0S ~ tIa distant enoctotor against tbe
i ~ ~ tbe sly. and ON niet nights re.
t e ~ ~ f t boot,,,en that haunted
i he0te1 ~ Sne 51ro Thaiy darls massive bus
lho $500, p,oro a nortentous aspect
"n9 49, Ia 70 limo md nroDbctic shadows
ana seelnTu " US. l;cIt tleI had rnth
upon we NJ ;,i;Gnavt &c tbe S,aors ne hitter
iess,S nv NJ, w ;,,s bo,l,inoars
my Va l+ Of Rrool,lyn ot York Island
l n1 y,ie IT, roso tLn av,I,beane1 bate
anu "uius 80 NeTar smiled that lovelv
Iles VI 1,.' to dnr;n, those clear days
Day nioie tr1 S. Me- solitary thon at
OF lhat eVeh'!u sPiln5' sta3r,ers and
present WIN us cOstaAtiH ~ ID }ii;S,a,t
Iolest oI siiPpii5; 1ne 1 oorotiya silence
80 90 p .r tbo broad waters fine fast skim.
that nuns MS G'. IL ,i' f ro,cnt darlsenod thpr
in,, oi ond the occosional tnrroyys raised
-! ID broogos +hot syent across them slim
49, tba i,nogination of the lonely enthusiast
who from some isolated point, looked forth and
mused 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 successful
blow at the existent uncture; yet the actual
state of the colonial detenses was but partially
known to their opponents, and a premature ma
nenvering might occasion temporary discontinue,
oven in that wellappointed squadron. On the
other hand it was of the highest moment that the
Americans should be assured OF the readiness OF
our troops to cope with their formidable invaders
1t was ncedtul that the spell OF vague alarm
should be, in measure, broken. winch had been
inspired by the presence Of those destructive en-
gines, whose thundcrs seemed to gather new
potency from their long qulescence whose ShfoudS
and decks brstled with pixies and oay0nets' ana
whose black and heavy sides contrasted vNioly
with the red hues of the soldiers uniforms
grouped thiclly at the portfolios and on the tai,
trails rs impatent to pour forth upon the lana
so nvitinglv spread below and around, 10 one
gallant heart this inaction was especially lrk
some Captain Talbot had obtained the com
mand Of fire ship, and lay directly before the
city, awaiting orders To secure more efficient
position, and the better to disguise his purpose,
he took advantage OF light WIND, oscchde4 the
Hudson fifteen miles, and anchored gust above
Fort W ashington.
For three DAYS, III this romantic spot he QUERY
awaited All opportune moment Tor action On the
one side the banks of the noble river sloped graf
ually inward halfcovered with low cedarS, whose
dark umbragc already wore the trcshenmS tlnts
of Spring on the other. like natural ortihcatlons,
rose the gray and upright rocks OF the tutted pail
sades. Few dwellings were then visible; the
r;nnle of tbe water on tbe pebbly shore was audi