Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-02-03
MISCELLANY.
A Quaker Congressman.

A correspondent Of the Ne,o York Tri-
bune gives the following biography Of Ed
ward P. Little, successor Of the Hon. Grin
Fowler, in the present Congress, from Marsh
field, the old 9th district:
Edward p. Little is the son of Commo-
dore Little, of the United States Navy. The
father cruised against the enemy in the war
of the Revolution with success. He was the
first Captain of the frigate Boston. Intend
ing 10 place his son in the Navy, he carried
him 10 sea in extT eme youth, so that The ear
llesI recollectlons OF the boy were the roar of
fathers cannon at sea.
In the year 1900 Commodore Little, with
the frgate Boston, engaged the French frig-
ale Berceau, superior in weight and metal,
and vastly superior in number of men. AZ
ter an engagement of more than two hours,
the Boston captured The Berceau, and brought
her and her crew safely into Boston har-
Dor. The subject OF This sketch was on
board the Boston, where his employment
was 10 carry cartridges to a twenty -four
pounder on the quarterback Of the frigate.
Although at this time but twelve years of age,
he was conspicuous during the whole en-.
gagement, in which the ships were so near
together that Commodore Little himself was
struck ard Frustrated on the deck by wad
from IA gun of the French ship.
Chief Justice Shaw held Court al Ply.
mouth, Mass, in May, 1849, when The Sec
ond Jury came in, having elected Edward
2. Little, foreman. AT the dinner table the
Chief Justice announced that the first time
he ever saw the foreman of the second Jury
was forty-six years before. when The multi
tude assembled around The wharf in Boston
to see Commodore Little, in The frigale Bos-
TOT, bring in the French ship-of- war Ber-
ceau as prize, when he saw Edward p,
boy, in uniform, with an epaulette on each
shoulder, 10 The discharge Of his duty on the
Boston. Edward p. continued in the Navy
until about the time of the death of his fa-
lher, the Commodore, in 1908.
Mr.. Little having cruised around the Med
iteranean to watch the Barbarian heels, and
during the whole French war OF 1890 500,
and having seen several vessels captured.
has probably experienced more of naval life
than any other member of Congress, Como
dore Stockton probably excepted. Quaker
though he is, he knows how 10 clear and
bring ship into action, to handle broad-
sword, pistol, boarding pike. and how to use
all the paraphernalia OF naval warfare.
Mr. Little now is aud for 40 years has been
thorough Quaker. according 10 the disci-
pline Of the New England yearly meeting.
He is of the ole Democratic school, but we
believe is pretty stiff anti slavery man. as
is the case with most New England qua
kers. He is very modest and unassuming,
and never would be supposed 10 have heen
bred TO arms. II will not be lille anus
ing 70 note his appearace in our National
House OF Representatives, wearing his broad
brmmed hat upon all occasions. Mr.. Little
has been eight years IN the Massachusetts
House Of Representatives, and in 1843, when
a member thereof, was elected TO the Senate
Of that Common wealth, but refused TO take
Senatorial seat, because il would prevent a
Democratic majority in the House, so nearly
were parties then balanced in that body
Mr.. Little is one Of the most distinguished
townsmen ofthe late Secretary Of Suite, and
will do credit 70 his constituency in the Halls
Of Congress. t