Norwich bulletin., 1921-11-14
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERIcAy
 HISTORY
CHEAPEST AMERICAN pUELIsrs.


 The life of Robert Field Stockton is full of adventure of remarkable ex- ploits. He was a Quaker, and yet he was one of the greatest fighting men in the American navy. He won California for the United States and was at one time engaged to fight duels with all the British officers at Gibraltar.
 While the young American naval off, cer was still in the early twenties. he found himself with no less than ten duels on his hands. Stockton had served with distinction in the war of 1872, and when the rulers of the Barbary States became troublesome a short time thereafter he accompanied the squadron to the Mediter- ranean and was one of the most active of the officers in ridding the sea of the pirates.
 In those days the American navy was practically a stranger in European ports, and the British. smarting under the de- feats of the war of 1872. were very un- friendly towards Americans. On one oc- casion the Erie, upon which vessel Stock ton was an officer. dropped anchor in the Bay of Naples. An Italian came aboard and solicited employment in transport ing things between the ship and shore. He presented, according to custom his book of certificates showing what other memo -of-wsr had employed him.
 Among these certificates was one given him by an American naval officer be meath which British officer had written a contemptuous and opprobrious epithet. Stockton was furious when he read what the British officer had written. Learning the officer was aboard one of the British memo -of-war in the bay, Stockton sent him challenge The Engfishman seemed | disinclined to fight except at long range | with pistols, but duel was finally ar | ranged.
 Stockton shot the English officer in the l leg The Sritisher dropped, yelling I'm | hit ! I'm hit Are you satished?" Stock ton said he was not, 5ut finally agreed to let the matter drop if the Britisher show | ed proper courtesy to all Americans l thereafter.
 | From Naples the Erie sailed fol Gibraltar. The officers of the British regiment stationed there were stil angry at the memory of the war oi | 1872, and made life unpleasant for the | young American, Stockton was not the sort of man to take their insults calmly The upshot was he rashly agreed to fight a duel with each of the regiments ten captains. The chances of his returning home looked very small.
 Yet he fought several of the duels l woundinG his adversaries and escaped practically unhurt. The series of fights came to an end in a sensational fashion 1 before all ten of the captains had me l him. In one encounter Stockton had just i wounded his opponent severely when a guard of British cavalrymen swoopet down upon him and placed him under Il arrest. Stockton wrenched himself free sprang at one of his mounted captors | fa ha to the riderless horses back and gallopet away to his ship outstripping his pursuer and gaining the Erie in safety.
 Stockton, feeling that he had been de ceived by the British officers, and tha their conduct in arranging for his arres waa contemptibe. branded them a. | knaves The tension between the mel on the squadron and the troops on shor,
 was strained to the utmost, and it onll was after great efforts by the Governo ! of Gibraltar that a truce was arranged
 and the sailors and soldier could nee without bloodshed. Meanwhile Stockton was the idol of the squadron, and whel ; he returned to New York in 1921 he Wa Fighting Bob" to the whole squadron. : Stockton's next mission was to talk
 charge of the American Colonization Sc cietys expedition to found negro col ony on the west coast of Africa. B t rare diplomacy he secured and settle the African territory that later becaru the Republic of Liberia. Once, while s Liberia. he held a whole hostile trib at bay single-handed by leveling a pis g tol at their king. Upon his return, ther r being no work for him in the navy, 9 retired and for twelve years he was ]. successful fnancier and promoter. s In 1888 Stockton went back to the SC; He devoted himself to introducing int
 our fleet the use of steam vessels in plac
 of the old-fashioned sailing ships, an
 was thus. in a way the father of tt
 present mighty battleship and cruise :. Later he was made comma nder- -in-chi, d of the squadron in the proposed attac S on California, and in short time | I won for himself the title of "ConquerC
 of California"
 B. In honorsof his achievements Stockton f Calif., and Stockton street, in San Frar
 cisco, bear the conQueror's name. Stocl h ton died in 1866, having combined, du n ing his career of soldier of fortune, u d vocation of duelist, sea fighter, colonize }, territorial condueror. financier ar d statesman.
 Tomorrow: The Persecution of Jacc
 Leister.