The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-06

Every American is familiar with the
early career of Commodore David Porter !;
how as lad he entered the first navy OF
the.lnfant republic; how III 1898, at the
age of Is, he became midshipman; how
in the following year he distinguished
himself during the struggle of the Con-
g steAation with PInsurgente by cutting
away wounded spar on his own respon-
sibllity; how be shared the fate of the
o crew o. the Philadelphia and was impris-
oTed:at Tiyoli, and how his cruise in the
Essex was by far the most gallant and
ROMANTIC episode of the war of 1872.
.: Popular knowledge regarding Porter,
however, ceases with the return of peace,
says the New York Sun. The popular
belief doubtless is that he then retired
into'some Valhalla of comfort, sustained
by the. gratitude of his countrymen and
g cheered. by their universal plaudits. But
he.sequel in reality was vastly different,
ant, in its record of futile self-sacritice and
success and of patriotism confounded by
conservative officlalism it presents tale
Of melancholy interest.
.: In 1923 the Key West buccaneers were
dispersed by Commodore Porter, and
american merchantmen sailed unmo-
{ Tested under his vigilant conveying. All
. tFtis, however was accomplished at the
cost ofmuch sickness and many lives. In
1873 yellow jack drove the feet into north
,ern. waters. In 1924 Porter was compelled
Through the breaking out OF an old wound
TO take turIough.
4 Samuel L. Southland was Monroe's Sec
letary .of'the Navy, public functionary
&. .f0i the old school, whose particular apti-
fnde for the Naval Department had been
founded by excellent work as law re-
porter. He it was who on his appoint
ment had been unable to make ready an
swer to the quip of friend.
Now, Mr.. Southland, can you assert that
you know the bow from the stern of a
frieate?"
Between him and Porter there was an
tagonism. The Secretary felt that he was
ignored; the commodore fretted from lack
of appreciation. The one felt his official
and the other his natural superiority
There were squabbles about Porter's right
to return without permission. There were
.Eemonstrances over q suitable flagship
not being furnished. AT length, in the
autumn of 1924, Porter sailed away for his
station in the John Adams, as indignant
over sights as was Southland himself.
Meanwhile there had also been trouble
with the Mosquito feet On October 2t
complaint was made to Charles S. Platt
lieutenant commanding the Beagle, that
the stores of the American Consular
Agent at st. Thomas had been broken
into and goods to the amount of $4,000
stolen. Many circumstances indicated
that this property had been carried to
Foxardo, a small town of unsavory repu-
tation on the eastern end of Porto Rico
More than once had pirates taken refuge
there; more than once had it's inhab-
o. ltants been guilty of acts of lawlessness
Plat determined to proceed thither and
siivoke the aid of the authorities He
trusted largely to the efficacy of letter
which he bore addressed to one who was
universally deemed the first citizen of the
piece.
Platt anchored his boat in the harbor
!. and proceeded 10 the town in company
with three others, all being in private
dress He found this first citizen, who
WIS profuse in promises OF assistance.
with him he called on the Alcalde and
Wine captain of the port and demanded