Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-02-18
Capt. James Lawrence.

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country !; and their requiems have beer
sung by the most gifted bards of all na
%tions, and their memories have been EN-
balmed in the hearts of their country
men. But among them all, history pre-.
sents no worthier name than that of Capt
JAMES LAWRENCE.
He was born in the State of New Jer
sey, just after the close Of the Revolution
airy War, in 1881. From his early boy
hood, be evinced a strong prediction fol
a sea-faring life and the earnest entrea
ties Of his friends, and the anxious solic
itations Of his parents were Of no avai
to deter him from following his favorits
pursuit. The truth ia, Nature had formed
him for q naval hero /; and the Ocean wa,
the only field on which no burned to dis
tinguish himself. The characteristic fsa
ture of his youth, were very similar te
those of Commodore cambridge, a sketch
of whose life we have already given, a
the leading article in this work.
In 1897, at the early age of Is, he OBJ
tanned from the Naval department, q
midshipman's commission. Such was his
manly bearing and proficiency in the
nautical science, that he was promoted
to the office of first Lieutenant in Com.
Decatur's squadron and sailed with thai
brave officer against Tripoli. Here he
greatly distinguished himself FOR his per
sonal courage, and was among the first to
engage in the dangerous and daring feat
of burning the Philadelphia, in the very
face of savage enemies, to prevent her
from being used by them against the
squadron. In the bombardment of that
piratical city, he displayed such cool.
ness, activity and skill, that even the
indomitable, Decater himself, regarded
him with admiration and astonishment.
Not that he feared in him, a rival; for he
was too generous-h hearted to entertain
e%nvious feelings; but he justly looked upon
him as a young hero. who promised to
become the equal of the most daring and
successful.
In consequence of the important servi-
ces thus rendered his country in the war
against the Barbary Powers, Lieut.. Law
renee was soon after appointed to the com
mand of the Vixen Sloop of War, with or
ders to cruise in the Mediterranean, to
protect American merchantmen from
corsairs, who had formerly infested that
sea, and spread terror and destruction
over the waters, wherever they sailed
But with such fear, did the very name of
Lawrence strike them, that they were
soon compelled to abandon their nefarious
pursuit, or run the risk of being i~nevita-
bly, sunk in the ocean. From the Vixen.
he was transferred to the command of the
Wasp, and afterwards to that Of the Ar
gus. He remained in the Mediterranean
for several successive years, employing
all his vigilance and activity in the pro
lection of American commerce and his
service in this cause, were Of inestimable
value to his country.
But in 1912. war having been declared
between the United States and Great
Britain, he was recalled, as his services
were now greatly needed nearer home, for
the defence of our coasts against the ag-
gressions of the Mistress Of tie Ocean,
He was appointed to the command of the
Hornet Sloop of War, which was in good
condition, and manned by as ~resolute and
experienced a crew as ever sailed on the
/" briny deep" While cruising within
sight Of the shores Of Delaware, he espied
a British brig. under full sail, which ne
seen discovered to be the Peacock. Al
though he was well aware hat she was
his superior in the number Of her guns
and men, he Immediately gave chase to
her, and prepared for action. He soon.
overhauled her, and after a brisk and
terrible ~cannonade, which lasted only
fifteen minutes, he succeeded in Gripping,
disabling, and capturing the British
craft. Her loss was very severe, while
that Of the Hornet was comparatively
light. 1t must be admitted that the Brit.
ISL seamen fought with great obstinacy
and courage but nothing could stand
before the tremendous fire Of the Hornet,
who could fire two rounds, while her op.
ponents were discharging one. Capt.
Lawrence treated his prisoners with
marked humanity for his very nature
was as generous, as it was bold aud fear
less.
Immediately after this victory. the
whole country. from Maine to Florida.
rang with the fame Of Capt. Lawrence.
He was every where greeted with the
most enthusiastic cheers Of applause il.
Nominations, balls, and public dinners
were got up in his favor and his elated
iountrymen no longer regarded the Brit
sh Navy as inyincible at sea. He was
presented with the thanks of Congress,
and other valuable tokens Of regard, and
was raised to the rank of Post-captain,
and placed in full command of the Ches-
apeake frigate, then lying in Boston
Roads, and being in a state of forward
ness for the sea. She was staunch built,
a capital %sailer, carried Al guns, and was
deemed. one of the best frigates in our
little Navy. So far all looked we'll for
successful combat but unfortunately for
Capt. Lawrence, she was manned by a
new crew, who, although they lacked not
courage, were deficient in skill and expert
ence, without which, the most desperate
valor is frequently rendered abortive.
Capt. Broke, of the British frigate
Shannon, from Halifax, had watched
the Chesapeake for some time, as he lay
off Boston Harbor, in the latter part of
May, and gave various signals, which he
designed Capt. Lawrence to understand
as challenges to meet him in an engaged
mont. He was well aware Of the fate OF
the Peacock and burned to wipe GU
the disgrace which her Captain had fas
tened upon the British trident. Captain
Lawrence had too high a sense of honor
to be thus bantered in view of one of our
Greg fast a~amnerniaI cities of the Union.