The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-10-03


the Alert had to be taken Oh board, in
addition to the $50 soldiers and the pre-.
vicus captures) and chatting in their
bondage, and ready to oinbface the OPP
portunity of the first action to rise, Cap
tain Porter agreed with the Commander
IF the Alert to convert her into a cartol,
and sent her into port at st johns. with
the prisoners, to await their exchange.
Continuing her cruise, the Essex twice
fell in with tue cucmy's frigatos having
other vessels Of war in company, so that
a fair engagement was impossible. The
Essex then returned to the Delaware to
rcperish her stores and sailing thence
in October. 1872, she f,itly commenced
her great cruise.
Captain Porter WAS urdor orders to
proceed to the coast of Brazil and iJin
Commodore Bainbridge at given rem
devious. cruising as he went. 1t was
not until after lie had ran the greater
part of the distance crossing the Equa-
tor, that he got sight of the first Brit sh
vessel. a small man.ofwar brig, discover
ed III the afternoon chased and come up
with in the night, having previously
boldly shown her national colors. The
two vessels we're then within musket
short. Not willing to burt foe too
weak to fight him Captain Porter hailed
and required the brig to surrender Iu-
stead of complying. the arrogant little
man.of-war turned upon its pursuer. at
tempting to cross the stern Of the Essex.
with the probable design to give her
rakine fire and escape in the dark Still
the Captain would not open his guns up
on so diminutive n foe. until lie had
tried the OBJECT Of musketry upon her.
y volcy was fired into her, killing one
man, when She struck. 1t was the Brit
ish Government packc, Noeton, ten
guns thrty.oue men, and having 55 coo
silver dollars on board.
Pursuing his cruise south to the point
Of rendezvous, an English merchant yes
sci was captured. one Of Il convoy Of six
which had left Rio the evening before in
charge ola man.of.war schooner The
rest Of the convey was out of sight. bat,
taking its track, long and frutless
chase was given and the Essex repaired
to the point of rendezvous without meet
ing with further incident. Com Balm
bridge had been there, and had left and
being now under discretionary orders,
Captain Porter, determined to use the
discretion with which he was invested.
and took the bold resolution to double
Cape Horn enter the Pacific ocean, put
1900 miles between his vessel aud an
American port, and try his fortune a
mong British whalers, merchantmcn.
and ships of war, in that vas. aud re.
mote sea.
1t was a bold enterprise. such as few
Governments would have ordered. which
many would have forbid, and which the
uudauntcd resolution Of bold comman-
der alone could take. He had every.
thing against him no dcpots, no means
of repairing or rcftting only one chart;
the SpauishAmericqn States subservi-
cnt to the British, and unreliable for
the impariiality Of ncurrals. much less
for the sympathy Of neighbors. He was
deficient both in provisions and naval
stores, but expected to furnish himself
from the enemy, whose vessels in that
capacious and distant sea were always
we'll supplied end the silver taken from
the British Government packet, would
be a means towards paying wages.
In the middle of January. after
most tempestuous passage. he had don.
bled the Cape, entered the Pacific, his
characteristic motto, FnEE TRADE AND
SAILORS RIGHTS. at the mast head, aud
ran for Va parniso-thc great point Of
maritime resort in the South Pacific.
lie had expected to find it Spanish
town, as it was when he left the United
States: he found it Chiian, for Chill, in
the mean lime, had declared her indie
rcndrnce; aud this change be had a
right to deem favorable, as, in addition
to the advantages Of conventional neu-
trallty, it was fair to count upon the
good feeling Of a young and ncighboring
republic In this it was not disappoint,
ed. being well received, meeting good
treatment, obtaining supplies, aud ac.
quiriug valuable Information. lie learnt
that the American w.aluis were in great
danger, most Of them ignorant of the
war. cruisers IN pursuit Of them, aud one
had been taken He learnt also that the
Niccroy Of Peru had seut out corsairs a.
eainst 'he American shippiug-a piece
Of Information Of the highest moment as
It showed him an enemy where he ex-
pccted IA neutral and enabled him to
know how TO deal with Peruvian ships
when he should meet them. This Grim