Litchfield enquirer., 1868-12-31
A REMINIsCENCE OF TIFF LAST WAR
 WITH ENGLAND. ~ ah
ESCAPE OF THE CONSTITUTION FROM THE BRITISH FLEET, AND HER SUBSEQUENT CAPTURE OF THE FRIGATE GUER-
 RIERE IN THE WAR OF lS12 At

When, in June, 1872, the United States declared war against England, Commodore Hull was placed in command of the frigate Constitution and ordered to sea, for the purpose of placing himself alongside of the enemy, wherever they could be found. "
 June q, 1872, Hull found himself of Egg Harbor covered with thick fog, when, as soon as it broke, he discovered himself almost within reach of an Eneleh fleet, composed of one line of battle ship. two frigates, c brig and Q schoonsr, ali analzins chase for him. Hull was considered one of the best practical seamen in the service, and his wonderful escape proves it. From July IS to July 20, from morning to night breath of wind, and as he reported, his of ficers and men stood to their quarters with out murmur. During these eventful hours the British admiral put out all his boats for the purpose of towing up his two frigates, to the Constitution, and thus it appeared certain that Hull must be cap- tured. fe'
 Under this excitement, the two frigates being almost within gun shot of the Con- stitution, MT. Morris the first officer (late Commander Morris), suggested putting out sweeps in order to gain every moment in keeping out of gun shot, under the hope that some breeze might strike them, all sail being set and kept constantly wet, and thus enabled the ship to escape. As Hull said in his official report, ''the suggestion of that valuable officer, Lieutenant Morris, was accepted, all the boats were instantly put in requistion, and they moved the ship 8 mile an hour out of reach of the frigates. The British officers saw that they had a sailor to contend with; and for some time were puzzled to find what power Hull was using to take his ship out of their grasp l-there not being breath of wind upon either ship. At length with the aid of their glasses, they discovered Hull's secret upon which all the boats of the whole squadron were manned to sweep up the two frigates within gun shot of the Consti- tuition. Hull continued improving every moment, until 0 slight breeze struck his top-sails, when he instantly availed of and thus made his escape, and run into Marblehead on Sunday, under the chase of the squadron. @ ss.3 t8 h4tF49l 2o
 The Rev. Dr. Bently, the great oriental scholar, was in the midst of his sermon at the South Church, in Salem, when some one under his pulpit window called out,
 '"The British fleet is chasing the Constitu- ton into Marblehead." Instantly the doc. tor closed his book, and remarked to his hearers, "We eau serve God no way bet ter than by defending our country, and seizing his hat he ran down the pulpit stairs. and followed the cannon towards Marblehead. He being short, thick set man, with the thermometer at eighty five, soon gave signs of of fatigue, when two oi his congregation lifted him upon one oi the cannon, on which he rode to the beach where the defence was to be, made This illustrates the feeling of the people at that time. The fleet seeing the defence making hauled of, and the Constitution seized the moment to run into Boston, where the whole city turned out to do honor to Hull and his officers and crew. Amid all this excitement the merchants congregated at the exchange, and as Hull
 came up State Street, they gave him cheer upon cheer. At the rooms of the exchange book was kept, in which were recorded all marine news, arrivals and departures ol ships, i&c. Towards this book Hull gradu
 ally made his way through the crowd; took 2 pen. and in his own hand, wrote the fol- lowing words: Yaai@s Is.'Whateyer merit my be due for the es cape of the Consultation from the British fleet. belongs to my first officer. Charles Morrls, Esq. eali3 adI Is BEs.nt .ss.s,l1.s..s
 .MW io u .aJas ISAAC HULL"
 This noble iberality towards his officer. caused all who heard it to cheer him agair and again, and Hull, thus armed with the |confdence of his officers and crew, agair iput to sea: and on the 18th of August, 181s captured the Guerriere, under the follow. | ing circumstances to which was an eys witness, being then 2 prisoner on board the Guerriere, which had captured me when in command of merchant ship. about ten days before the battle.
 I It was about two p, m. when the Consti tuition was discovered. The Guerriere q once hove to, to enable her to come up In the meantime there Was great excite