Washington telegraph., 1854-09-20
Comm OdOre DOWnes,

This distinguished naval commander, who
has just passed from the scenes of earth,
was born in Canton, in Norfolk county in
the year 1884, and was therefore, seventy
years of age at the time of his decease. he
was poor boy, and at the age Of twelve,
started tiom home with his pack on his back
to seek his fortune at sea. His biographcr.
in the Post--from whose interesting sketch
We condense-- says. when "out of sight of
his fathers house he sat on a fence, and
wept, He soon, however Sc zed bis bundle
and resolutely began his journey
On arriving in Boston, he made bis way
10 the place where the Constitution was fit.
ting out. lie fell in with her first leuten-
ant Isaac Hull TO whom be expressed de.
sire to be taken on board A few questions
were put and answered satisfactorily. ard
his desire was graiifed Such was the
commencement of long, nseful and bril-
liant career in the naval service
John conducted himself in such man
ner as to attract the attention Of the COM
maDder. 1t was the duty of the boys to
serve gun; but two Of them proved un-
faithful. and John managed not only to
serve his own gun but those of the two de-
linquent boys. This fidelity and his gen.
era conduct were So pleasing to the com.
mander that at the expiration of the cruise
of the Constitution. mid>hipman's warrant
was offered TO him If he would remain in
service. After returning proudly to his
home, and remaining some time with his pa
70 II. y
offer.
AT the age of nineteen. he distinguished
himself by the side of Lieut.. Porter, ut
Trlpoll. Nine wears after. in 1872, he was
lst Lieutenant of the frigate Essex, Com.
modore Porter, in her memorable cruise
and WAS despatched to capture the British
ships Geurgana and Policy. which he did.
The former was placed under command of
Lieut.. Downes, who subsequently captured
the Catherine and the Rose. Soon after fal-
ling in with the Hector" which refused TO
surrender, he gave her five b oadsideS, which
made her a wreck. ard she struck her
flag. All these prizes he was directed 20
fake into Valparaiso, which be did in July.
1913. and when few months after he re-.
jonrd his commander at the Gsllirago l.
lands he was received with three hearty
cheers by the crew OF the Essex.
The following year lie was placed in COM
mand Of the Eptrvier, which formed one
OF Decaturs 5 squadron in the Medtcrrauc-
an, where he captured The Aserne fiigaie
MashOuda, and which came so near escap-
ing.
Lieut. Downes was next transferred To
the Guerrierc, aud soon after WIS placed
III command Of the Ontario. returning home
in her in 1917. The next year be was in
command of Of the Macedonian on the Pa
cihc station, aud ri Calao had narrow es-
cape from assassination by the soldiery =
tie only escaped from Lima by Disgusting
himself as monk, begging his way down
until within running distance Of his boat,
then waiting for him at bay. Then throw
ing of his disguise, he ran tor bis lie, and
escaped.
In 1897 he was ordered TO The command
Of the delaware" line-of-battle shin, and
took jerome Bonaparie and family to Eu-
rope. Daring this cruise he was transfer
red to the Java" trigate. In Jnly. 1881.
he was ordered TO hoist his flag as Commo-
dore on board of the frigate Potomac. to
assume the command OF the Pacific station.
He proceeded by way of The Cape Of Good
Hupe, and III The cruise rrcumnavi.a,ed the
globe. lie returned home in May 1884,
thus finishing hiS sea service, which amount
ed to n years and 3 months
He was thirteen years and eight months
on shore duty He has been twice CON-
mandlnt at the navy yard at this station
been frequently called ON to serve on courts
martial, ana discharged the trusts Imposed
on him with patriotic fidelity. lie has been
6ify-two years i'll the navy and only one
other officer can show H. much sea service
opposite his name on the register. lie
died calmly, and his last words were, Il am
ready Boston Chronicle.