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

/ the recent accident already referred TO WAS
Hected by the constant oannonading for so man
hours' that at its clcse, he fouzd himself in sta;
| OF deafness, from which with = consequent, train
ailments and disorders, he was to experience. dul
ring his ilie' temporary mitigatious. indeed bu
no recovery.
! Ihe Court oi Enquiry subsequently held. Dor
testimony to the gallantry of officers and rneu-t
| the resolute constancy Of defence. which Wa
protracted TIL further Resistance became imposs
ble' and treated leniently the imprudence yhic
| led to the disaster.
Inc prisoners were sent TO Montreal, expecting
o. course, that their baggage would follow them
1t was appropriated by the viotors; and not
trunk or an article was restored 10 them. Mr.
Sawyer WAS indebted to that generous gentleman
Horatio Gates for a reft Of clothing and an advsnc
OF the funds which his situation required. The,
we're sent to Halifax. where they were held a
hostages. The British Government and officer
had proclaimed that they would treat and nuuisl
az traitors all natig s-borp subjects taken fghtin,
on the american side Our Government sppointe,
Gen. Qhen Col. Scott to negotiate an arrangement
the subject with the British authorities: bu-
without success. They were informed az tn,
American ultims,um, that for every one so deaIt
with, two Englishnen should receive similar
treatment; and by this process of duplication. all
the prisoners Of war on both Sides came to be held
as hostages for each other.
Deprived, therefore, Of the privilege Of parole
and all the ordinary indulgences of prisoners Of
war, the officers were confined il one Of II. N.
ships Of war, commanded by Hon. Capt. Douglas
He was young man OF q, younger son of Lord
Dougla. Of the heroic race eommemorsted by
Shakespeare and Scott-s frank sailor, Of nature
the most kindly and generous. For his prisoners
(many Of them raw youths from the frontiers or
the sea- he opened his library, replenished from
time to time 10 time from the town, and provided
teachers Of French, mathematics, fencing AMI even
Of dancing cheerful and useful
occupation as the best remedy and relief for the
emu: and dependency incident TO their situation
For the young sailor, SO heavily afflicted by the
performance OF duty in battle. he evinced much
sympathy and iuterest-conTersing with him ia
miliarly and making such suggestions ss to books
and study as he thought useful. Thus, undisturb-
el ty the noise. and undivered by the amusements,
Of hi- crowded quarters. he availed himself Of all
the means wijhin hi- reach, and converted year
cf captivity into a yea1 Of Improvement.
Not a few Of his prisoners had cause to remem
bcr in after days the oonsiderats kindness of Capt
Douglas. The Captain said one day to the young
man. We'll, I mean to be under sail; and you.
suppose, will get on board one Of your y,nkee
ships, when you get quit of u"
Certainly, sir, said tho midshipman.
Well then, shall N meet you and take you, no
doubt and you will have to resume your studies"
'' Not 20, sir. 1 en- quite sure we shall take you
as We are getting into that way Of late; and I
must think how I can requits your fsvors-'
Both remembered this playful conversation some
months afterwards.
An exchange ef prisoners was at length effected,
aud cartel carried them to Boston, where he was
ordered to the Constitution, about to proceed to
sea. under the command Of Com. Stewart. He was
all owed 70 make short visit to his family-and
the change that wac made by the teaching. Of re-
verse and captivity Wss striking indeed Theraw
lad. improved in mind, manners and person, was
Transformed into the sef-relant ana reflective man.
with formed purpose and character.
The Constitution proceeded on her cruise, like
one Of Ariosto's heroes-roaming the at
pleasure, battling the pursuit Of banded foes and
victorious in every encounter. On the afternoon
Of Fell 90, ISIS, two sail were deserted in the dis
tance. If the two British ships "a frigate Of the
smaller class of 3? guns, and sloop of % guns),
were together superior in number of guns and men
to their antagonist, It was an advantage counter
balanced by the concentration oi force in a single
ship, and that ship the Constitution, commanded
by Stewart The engagement commenced at
clock in the afternoon. Even lnndsman, with
the official account before him. can comprehend
tue skill with which the advantages Of posi-
tion and wind were used and maintained
throughoc, by the oustituton-keepiHg her two
enemies within re,ch, striking them successfully
the heaviest blows. and rakine them without
suffering herself to be rskei. The complex man
eGyres required il sighting two enemies instead
Of one, necessarily protractei the conflict Tor
hours, mostly under the clear light Of bright
moon. At half past nine, rakIng broadside
from the Constitution compelled the larger vessel
to strFe, and the frst Lieut., Hoffman, was sent
on board 10 take possession Of tie ship, which
proved to be the Cyane, Capt. Falconer. The
delay required by this operation, it was feared
nj zht enable her consort to escape. The latter
meantime, much cat up, had dTifted or ran to
leewari TO repair damages, with no intention
however TO abandon her comrsde; for her gallant
commander had resolved to share his fortunes
vhsteyer they might be. She met the Constitution
which had turned in pursuit ct her, and bravely
the combat till 10 2. ., when she
too, was compelled to strike. 1t. chubrick was
the officer sent to take possession,to whose division
Mr.. Sawyer belonged, and who directed to ac
the Lieut.. on board the prize Some
men mad boen hurt al the guns; and during much
Of toe engagement Mr.. Sawyer had assisted in
serving gun himself. Dressed in sailor jacket
and tarpaulin, and with hands and face begrimed
with powder, ne was not readily distiuguishable.
A. tho commander Of the Levant--for that
the .hip' namo-stood on his deck to receive his
unwel come visitors, Mr.. Sawyer recognized Capt.
Douglas After the necessary business
been made by hi uperior,
be stepped forward and expressed his great
pleasure at again meeting Captain Douglas.
II can't make you cut sir" few wor ds brought
about immediate recognition, and the Captain
remarked: This IS freak of fortune, but
IL is the fortune Of war" And, in the intervals
Of duty at that busy time till Capt. Douglas vas
paroled and departed, the friendly enemies had
many pleasant conferences.
Tho Constitution and her two prizes put
into Port Praya for repairs. On llth of
March, accident disclosed that large chip
wss approaching. Commodore Stewart directed
the cables of his vessels to be instantly cut
second look revealed in the distance the canvass
of two more heavy ships composing strong Brit
ish squadron, known TO be cruising in those seas.
In 10 minutes the Constitution and her prizes