The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-02-20
!, LOUISIANA, WEDNESDAY,, FEBRUARY 20 1856

| Naval REM1s1scENcEs.-We recollect an an
ecdote Illustrative of the character of commo-
dore Isaac Hull, the brave commander Of the
Constitution, in her famous action with the
Gurriere, and whose memory will be dearly
cherished by every American, so long as the
stars and stripes are seen on the broad Atlantic.
The anecdote, besides that it may be new to
some of our readers, is not altogether inapp:op-
rate to the times.
| During the cruise in the Pacific Of the frigate
United States, commander by commodore Hull,
in 1926, we believe, this vessel lay at anchor
in the outer harbor of Callao. The castle
which commanded the port was in possession of
the royalists, under general Rodi. and was be-
siegvd and blockaded by the patriot forces
One night the British ship Of the line Cam
bridge entered the port Of Callao, and was
fired upon BY the castle. A boat was immedi-
ately dispatched by the captain, toinquire into
the cause of the outrage. General Rody apol-
ogized by declaring that he mistook the British
seventy -four for the American frigate United
States, and had fred upon her because he did
not consider it proper for neutral ship-of-
war to anchor within gun shot of the castle!
This answer was the next day communica-
!
and it greatly reused his Indignation. He i'm
mediately cleared ship for action, double-shot-
ted the guns, and got underway with more
emphasis than JUNCTION, "I'll see if the rascals
dare FIRE into me!'. And then with his broad
pennant at the mast head, and an immense
American ensign flying at the peak, that there
might be no mistake this time, with the tompins
out, and matches lighted, he proceeded to-
wards the castle, sailed past it under easy sail,
and lesurely came to anchor without receiving
from the castle single shot! .....e..-
A boat was soon after sent by general Rod
to commodore Hull, with an explanation and
apology which was accepted and the frgate
returned to her former anchoring ground. No
doubt existed in the mind Of any man on board
the frigate, that if shot had been fred from
the castle, the commodore would have return
ed it with broadside, and would have used all
the means in his power to batter the castle down
about the ears of general Rodi!
The above anecdote reminds us of an incl
dent in point which occurred to another Of our
most distinguished officers on the same coast
some eight or ten years before. Capt Downes,
who is still hearty young man, although
this event occurred between thirty and forty
years ago-in the second class frigate Mace
donian, was lying at anchor in one of the ports
of the Pacific, when he received intelligence
from sure source that lord Cochrane, who
at the time commanded the patriot fleet, had
declared, in defiance of the law of nations, the
port Callao to be in state of blockade, and
had also stated publicly and repeatedly that nc
American vessel, whether merchantmen OF
man of-war, should enter that port! Indeed,
exclaimed the youthful commodore, with fire
flashing in his eyes, when he heard the intelIi-
gence-'1 must try the experiment and see II
he will keep his wordP
The Macedonian was Immediately got un.
der way, and in the course of a few days ap'
peared off the harbor of Callao. 1t was in the
afternoon; and as she drew in towards the shore
she fell in with all lord Cochrane's squadron
consisting of his flagship, the O'Higgins, 0
; sixty guns, some of greater, some of less force
than the Macedonian. When the vessels nearet
each other, lord Cochrane, from the deck o
: his ship requested captain Downes mott ente
the harbor, for that blockade had been declar
man replied that the blockade was irregular
and could not be legally enforced-and furth
ermore that he intended to enter the harbor o
Callao if possible This spirited reply put ar
end to all discussion, and the Macedonian pro
ceeded onward with light wind, without mo
lestation; but all her men were at quarters, O
course. and ready to discharge couple of pep
pering broadsides, the instant circumstances
might render it necessary. The O'Hggins &C
companied the Yankee ship on one quarter
within musket shot, and another large ChlllaI
man -of-war kept about the same distance or
the other. In the course OF the evening, how
ever, the wind died away, and all the vessels
were obliged to anchor.
Soon after this lord Cochrane dispatched ar
officer on board the Macedonian with a com
muncation, in which, having changed his
threats into remonstrances, he attempted to ar
que the matter and by persuasion and logic
turn captain Downes from his purpose. The
lieutenant when he reached the deck of the
Macedonian. was greatly astonished to find that
although the ports were closed, the men were
still at quarters, the deck lanterns lighted, and
everything in readiness to repel an attack OIL
revenge an insult. The arguments of Coch
rane were, however, no more successful thar
the display Of his naval force. He ascertain
ed, to his modification, that there was only
one way by which he could prevent the Ma
cedonan from entering the harbor and break
ing up the sham blockade-and that was BY
sinking the frigate as she lay at her anchors
an undertaking desperate and dangerous, not
withstanding the superiority of his naval force
and he shrunk from the attempt
The next day the Macedonian got under
way, and with her decks cleared for action
and her brave crew eagerly longing for brush
with the O'Higgins, left the Chilian squad
ron, entered the harbor of Callao. and re-
lieved the blockadel ...~
The gallant spirit manifested by Hull and
Downes on the above occasion has character
lied the officers of the American navy; and
many instances of noble daring, of GOODNESS
and intrepidty in danger, and devotion to thei'
country, which would contribute largely to the
glory of our flag, have never been recorded.
EuREkA!-The circle is squared, vide: 'It
YOU take silver wire twelve and quarter
inches long, the quarter being allowed to unite
the ends, you have a circular wire exactly
twelve inches; and if this wire is made to form
the true square, each of its sides will be equal