Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-06-29

y OF Ndt anu JusJlQe1 tne strlEtns
o language of Com. Stewart in his letter 10 Capt
y Sawyer, thai ''the Constitution terminated tn.
war as she had commenced it. in blaze of glory
4 by battle and retreat -
: OF ths conduct of Mr.. Sawyer, in this melnora-
bic cruise-of his galantry. zeal and untring de-
voticn to duty, the testimonials exist aud
G they evince--what i5 credit enough-thet he was
0 worthy to be ons Of that noble crew
Relieved from tn. ship, he was ordered to Boz
ton; and now in the fourth year OF continuous SER
vice, he wa, comparatively at liberty in the new
scenes of large city. He then and there resolved
, to guard himself against the temptations and
vicss to which tho desultory life of naval is
1 exposed. Indulgence in tobacco. wine, play,
and dissipation did not comport with his
, ideal of what officer and gentleman
} should be - his resolution became prin-
: ciple Of action; and consistent but un-
o5tentatious freedom from the habits referred TO-
; marked his whole after life Such self-control
was perhaps more uncommon then than now But
1t attracted degree Of respect and social favor
seldom yielded to one of his youth and grade All
this made his station at Boston very
IAooeaHb bul ne udu determined 10 learn lrACtl-
cal seamanship before the mast. From the COM
mencement Of the navy, such had been the practice
of its better spirits, and he followed the example
An India ship Of Col. Tho's. II. Perkins was about
to sail, and himself and son of Col. Perkins of
his own age, shipped on board OF her. But
privately the Col. strictly enjoned the Captain--1
fsvorite and trusted one--to give the young men
no favor nor indulgence, out rigidly exact from
them the hardest service-which was probably
somewhat more than they had bargained for.
The crew, toe, taking the matter into cage consii-
GRAFTON, came to the conclusion that the young men
we're interIopers, not properly belonging to their
| fraternity; snd they we're left literally to fight
| their way through the difficulty without the
Captains interference, who ignored the whole
matter, though passing before his own eyes AMI
ears. When they had manfuly taken their own
parts, showed that they could manage the ropes
and sails as handily sny Of them, and cheeriulv
| performed their whole duty aloft and below, down
! to swabbing the decks, Jack agreed they were
no shirks, took them int, favor. aud peace was
established The mid -hipmau found his train
ing thorough enough.
He returned he had timed it, to see to hi, promo
ton which he had expected tho sesion Of lsI7ls
and learned 70 his dismay that his name had been
omitted 10 the Secretary's list for promotion. The
objection was simply his youth. 4 young man
Of Il could afford to give way to his seniors in
age but his Juniors in date and service But If too
young for promotion at 2l, at what age would
the objection cease? If postponed to hi. iuuiors
(and to how many , promotion would be retarded
through all the grades and 20 affect his status
during his whole naval life. The principle as
sumed broke over the usage Of the navy, regarded
as settled which prescribed seniority in date as
the rule Of promotion; and the occasional devi--
tions from it tas il the case Of Lawrence and
Morris and some others) had produced discomfort
in the navy and public dissatisfaction.
With letter from his father, he called upon Gov
Tichenor, then in the L. s Senate from Vermont,
and exceedingly beloved and respected in that
body, who read his testimonials and inquired into
the particulars Of his service. The Governor
said: "The rule Of seniority in date Except in
special cases of ncomPet-ncy or miscon-
duct) Is the only one that can prevent favoritism
intrigue snd heart burnings in the service.
dul Win you uu puOlC RIOuuuS -dnQ ue was so
we'll satisfied with the young man that he char
acteristically added, my young friend am glad
10 do for you on your account, what should
be compelled TO do for your fathers son at any
rate" The nominations we're sent in, and the
subject earnestly debated and long suspended
in the Senate. II transpired-ss such things
do-that in the conclusion Of his speech in secret
Ticbopor ", tho.
be would not consent 10 any naval
promotions whatever till this injustice Wa cor
rccted ; and his principal opponent rose and
blandly said 'When the venerable Senator
makes that declaration, yieli-let the nomina
tions lie the table till he plesses to call them
up" President Monroe after an interview invi-
ted BY himself with the 'iovernor. directed the
midshipmsn'- name to be inserted-and the
rule for promotion by seniority IN date ha, re-
maine3 subs;antialy undisturbed till now.
Mr.. Sawyer had heard Of Gov. Tichenor as yusof /
the founders O. his native State-ss patriot and |
statesmsu, 'sho had served her in almost every
trust in her power to confer--and be had heard 1
too, of those charming manners. which fascinated /
all who ever approaehed him. But brought with
il their influence during that Win;er-not even
his grateful sense Of his friendly interest and
nest exertions at an important crisis Of his life
could heig ghten the admiration and yeneration he
cherished ior that accomplished gentleman. OF
any man, it enough for him 70 ssy--"Hs
minds me Of Gov. Tichenor."
Soon after his promotion, he Na- appointed vns
Of the Leuteusnta os the Brig Dolphin, Captain
Conner, belonging to a strong squadron. destined
to a three years cruise to South America. COM
msnled by Com. Stewart, who hoisted his broad
penant on board the Franklin seventy-fOur. II
a busy aud interesting cruise. The war of
emancipation was blazing On both sides Of the An
des FROM Mexico to Buenos Ayres. TN shore,
American lives and property were to be protected
from the violence of parties contending ascend
snt-and Ut sea- from priyateers or pirates, ,a-um'
ing either character opportunity served. -
Every port on both sides of the continent
visited and the neighboripg frequent
ly traverscd. The humanity of Com. Stewart ex-
tended, impartial protection to the victims Of civil
commotion; and when the eKigency arose, his
squadron asylum for their persons and
property. Mrs. Sterart accompanied her husband.
Visits were inter char ged between the squadron
and the shore, when the intervals of active duty
permitted the officers to enjoy them; and free
acquaintance and intercourse established with the
society Of regions 30 long secluded from the ob-
servaticn Of foreigners By The jealous policy of
spain Lieut.. savyer's frequent letters to his rea
tiveE, at this period showed that these scenes in
their military, political and ,ocial aspects. 80 rap
id in their transitions and novel in their char
scter, and the results then in the distance, were
closely uatched aud thoughtfullr studied. He. at
east, was little disappointed at what has since hap
rened. Being detached from his ship not long be-
fore the termination of the cruise, he and his
friend Doct. Smith of Philadelphia travelled over
considerable ~ e Arnarics |