Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-06-20

between Providence and New York, was captured
by British rigale; the crew were taken out,
cept Robert Pukiss, and four British seamen we're
put on board of her with orders TO take her TO Hall
fax. When the vessel was fairly out OF the way of
the frgaie and upon the open sea, the gallant pris-
oner oyercame the iour seamen, brought tlen into
Newport aud delivered them up prisoners of war.
The gallant man who achieved this act claimed at
the time no other reward than the praises of his
countrymen and the consciousness of having deserv-
ed them. He commanded vessel OUT Of this port
for many years, but nisloriunes coming upon him,
and losses by Obligations assumed for others, he APP
piled 10 Congress for the reward which is paid by
law for the capture Of prisoners. The following is
an extract from the report Of the Committee Of the
Senate 10 whom the petition OF Captain Purkiss
referred:
1.-The plain and unpreteRdiDg narrative of the Pc
titioner in this case presents well attesed account
of an act of gaIanry which cannot fail TO arouse
feelings Of pride and admiration in the breast of ev-
cry American. According to this statement the
claimant ON board the Little Sarah
coasting vessel belonging to the State Of Connec.
ticut, which captured by British tender OF our
coast, during the late war
After having taken possession Of the prize, the
British officer in command left on board crew Of
men, taking with him all Of the American sailors,
with the exception Of the claimant, with orders 10
proceed 10 Halifax. Soon afterwards the weather
became bosterous and 3 of the Englishmen went
ing this opportunity, il being night time the petit
TONER closed the slide Of the companion way, SO as
TO prevent those below from coming on deck On
seeing him do this, the fourth, who was at the helm
struck The claimant with a sweep but being unable 10
strike second blow, owing to the weight Of the in.
suument, threw II away, and seized him. A contest
ensued, IN which after d violent struggle, the two
fell together upon the deck, and it was mol until he
had received several severe injuries, that the Amer.
lcan succeeded in securing his antagonist. During
the hight the Engiishman called upon his comrades
Tor help, but they we're prevented from afordng him
assistance by the fastening Of the slide, and the de-
caratinns Of The claimant that if they nierered he
would blow oul their brains Having bound his ell
eny and put the sails in sort of trim, the petition
er seered loi the coast intending to run The vessel
on shore, but finding ships OF the enemy TO inter-
cept HIM, he stood for Fort Adams, where he was
boarded by guard boat, In standing Tor the shore
he saw several vessels coming out Of Newport, but
SO soon as they perceived the Little Sarah they
put back again, taking her for decoy vessel sent by
the enemy.
His arrival and appearance, covered with blood,
excited great establishment the par of HIS coun-
trymen, aud their wonder pas increased on learning
that an unarmed American had captured a vessel
and four British sailors, who provided with Sc
veral cutlasses and other Of defence. In an.
swer TO his prisoners, who said he must have been
well armed, the petitioner showed a hammer, the
handle of which he had pointed at them as a pistol
aad The claws Of which he had applied to the head
OF the man deck before he would surrender
The ha inner was in fact, as appears, his only YEA
poh, offensive defensive.
The capuye sailors were afterwards landed and
placed at the disposal of the commanding ohicera
we're subsequently regularly exchanged for an equal
number Of American citizens, who were thus resor-
ed TO their country and irends.'
The Committee recommended the payment of
800, the principal and interest Of the sum to which
he was entitled for capturing the prisoners. The
Journal appends to this narrative the statement
that Capt Purkiss was appointed Inspector of Gus.
toms at that port iis lS49 for which he was in eve-
ry way qualified.