The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-01-06
From the New York sun.

From the New York sun.
Every American is familiar with the
early career of Commodore David Por-
ter; how as lad he entered the first
navy of the infant republic; how in
l79S, at the age of Is, he became a mid
shipman how in the following year
he distinguished himself during the
struggle of the Constellation with the
L'Insurgente by cutting awHv wound
ed spar on his own responsibility; bow
he shared the fate of the crew of the
Philadelphia, and was imprisoned at
Tivoli, and how his cruise in the Essex
was by far the most gallant aud roman
tic episode of the war of 1872.
Popular knowledge regarding Porter,
however, ceases with the return of
peace, the popular belief doubtless le-
ing that he then retired into some Val
halla Of comfort, sustained by the graf
itude of his countrymen aud cheered
by the universal plaudits- But the
sequel in reality was vastly different
and in its record of futile self-sacrifice
and success and OF patriotism con-
founded by conservative Oflicialism, it
presents tale of melancholy interest.
The war of 1872, being a practical
demonstration of the strength of popu-
lar government, stimulated the Span
ish possessions of the New World TO
rebellion. One after another the colo
nies of Central and South America as
serted and maintained their independ-
ence. OF course the United States
sympathized with these revolutions; get
out from them there arose a critical
condition which demanded the armed
attention of the government.
The new republics, Buenos Ayres
and Venezuela in particular commits
stoned privateersmen against the
merchant marine of Spain. These soon
swept the Spanish traffic from the gulf
and the main. This success increased
the predatory service, and with mum
bers came a reckless lack of discrimina-
ton. Any crew Of slaves, laborers,
fishermen, farmers, coatwise and world
wide rullians that could command a
schooner with couple of guns put TO
sea; and whenever they met an un-
armed and heavily laden craft, then
followed attack, bloodshed, rapine and
scuttling, without regard to what col
ors fioated from its peak or what reg
lister rest in its cabin locker. The West
Indian commerce of every nation, and
especially of the United States, was Sc
riously interrupted; and those who at
first had been praised as patriots were
denounced as pirates, brethren of the
coats, and enemies of all mankind.
The United States soon found that
tolerance was deemed sign of weak
ness. Some cruisers and frigates were
dispatched to the Gulf of Mexico with
instructions to convoy American ves-
sells, extirpate piracy and keep sharp
eye against the slave trade. The SER
vice proved exhausting and dangerous.
As most of the piratical craft were of
light draught, pursuit had to be made
in open boats under tropical beats by
day and with malarial chills by night.
1t was in such service that Oliver Haz-
ard Perry, the hero of Lake Erie, lost
his life. Whenever the pirates were
encountered they were vanquished; but
day by day the question of first catch
ing them became more perplexing and
Meanwhile Porter was holding the
office of Naval Commissioner, an easy
berth with good pay and moderate
home duties. But in 1923, when the
subject of West Indian depredations
had become problem as mortifying as
it was inexpIicable, he voluntarily re-
signed his commissionership and an
nounced his readiness TO settle the buc-
cancers at once and for all time. This
offer was gladly accepted by the Mon
roe administration with a prompt COM
pliance in the experienced commo-
dore's suggestions. Porter perceived
the vital need of small, fleet, light
draught craft. He himself selected at
Boston five barges of twenty oars each,
named the Mosquito, the Gnat, the
Nudge, the Sandfiy and the Gallinip.
per, and popularity termed "the Mos
quito fleet" He also procured eight
small schooners, carrying three guns
each, of which the most famous was
the Beag'e. the other being similarly
called after divers swift-footed animals
The flagship was the Peacock, and five
cruisers followed in its wake. There
was also a New York ferry-boat, per-
baps a. a test of Chinese warfare. But,
with this exception, the armament was
both serviceable and formidable.
Porter's good judgment soon reaped
he natural fruits of his daring. He
at Key West, and from