Soon after the commencement of hostilities, the United States sailed on a cruise. On the 25th of October, 1812, in latitude 29, North, longitude 29, 30, West, a sail was discovered to the windward. Lieutenant Allen was requested to go aloft and ascertain, if possible, to what nation she belonged. Perceiving the British pendant at the mast head, he descended, and sportively informed his impatient comrades, that she was a lawful prize. The enemy, having the advantage of the wind, fought the United States at his own distance, and the action continued for an hour and fifty minutes. So tremendous was the fire kept up by the American frigate, that the British sailors repeatedly shouted, supposing the United States in flames. At length, after losing her mizen-mast, fore and main top-masts, and main yard, the enemy struck. She proved to be the British frigate Macedonian, mounting 49 carriage guns; one of the finest frigates in the British navy, and commanded by John S. Carden, one of the ablest and bravest of its officers. Her loss was thirty six killed, and sixty eight wounded. The loss on board the United States was comparatively trifling; only four killed, anu seven wounded; and so little damage had she received in her hull and rigging, that she would have continued her cruise, had not her commander thought it of the first consequence to convoy his prize into port. To the decided superiority of the Americans in the exercise of their guns, the cheapness of this victory must undoubtedly be ascribed; and to the diligence and perseverance of Allen in training the men, much of this superiority was unquestionably owing. The conduct of Decatur, when Carden came on board the United States, was such as we should have expected from one, of whom honour and feeling are the distinguishing characteristicks. When the British commander offered his sword, Decatur observed, "I cannot, sir, receive the sword of one, who has defended his ship so gallantly; but I shall be happy to receive his hand." Such delicacy of conduct adds new laurels to the wreath of the conqueror. We regret that the conduct of the officers of the Macedonjan, when lieutenant Allen boarded her, should have presented so revolting a contrast to this nobleness of soul. No assistance was rendered him in ascending the side, and he entered by climbing up the chains. On requesting the officers of the Macedonian to enter his boat, the first lieutenant sullenly asked him, if he intended to send him away without his baggage." Do you suppose yourself in the hands of privateersmen?" said Allen. "I know not into what hands I have fallen," was the sarcastick reply. We feel a conSCIOUS pride in stating, that this ungentlemanly behaviour produced no severity on the part of the Americans. Lieutenant Alien ordered the haughty lieutenant instantly into the boat; but he placed a guard, to protect and secure to the owners, every article of the officers' baggage. To Allen, was intrusted the difficult task, of bringing the shattered and sinking Macedonian into port. In this he succeeded, though assailed by storms and waylaid by enemies; and amidst the gratulations of thousands of his countrymen, triumphantly entered the harbour of NewYork, with the American eagle looking down upon the British cross. After a very short interval of repose, lieutenant Allen was ordered to take command of the Argus, then repairing at New-York. After her repairs were completed, a report was circulated, that a British brig of war was cruising in the sound; and Allen immediately sailed down for the purpose of offering her battle. So well was he known, and so universally beloved by the brave sailors in our navy, that on this occasion, the whole crew of the Hornet volunteered their services, and unsolicited, put themselves under his command. The cruise was however fruitless, as no enemy was to be found; and after a week's absence, in obedience to the command of commodore Decatur, he returned into port, About this time, the death of Mr. Barlow having interrupted the negotiation with France, Mr. Crawford was appointed to succeed him; and Mr. Allen, (now promoted to the rank of master and commander,*) in the Argus, was directed to conduct the minister to France. This, notwithstanding the imminent dan * Captain Allen never had the satisfaction of receiving his commission. It was by some accident delayed until after his sailing, and has, since his death. been forwarded to his father, together with a letter of condolence from the secretary of the navy, by commodore Rodgers. ger arising from being compelled to pass through blockading squadrons, and across a sea swarming with the enemies' cruisers, he cheerfully undertook; and, after a voyage of twentythree days, safely arrived at port L'Orient. From thence, he writes to the secretary of the navy, under date June 12, 1812. "I shall immediately proceed, to put in execution, my orders, as to the ulterior purposes of my destination." These appear to have been to destroy the English commerce in the Irish channel; a service, dangerous and inglorious. Though this was, to his noble mind, particularly revolting, yet a sense of duty stimulated him to such exertion, that the injury which he did to the British shipping, in this cruise, is estimated in their own papers at Two Millions of dollars. In this, as in every other part of his life, such a noble delicacy marked his conduct, that the very papers, which record these injuries, bear unequivocal testimony to his honour and humanity. He never allowed the baggage of passengers to be molested or inspected; but generously surren dered to them whatsoever they claimed. Officers capable of thus stripping war of its horrours, and robbing conflict of its ferocity, are at once the pride of their country, and an honour to the human race. But it was impossible for Allen long to continue in this invidious service. His soul burned for distinction, and though victory, in his situation, must have had all the consequences of defeat, and conquest over his enemy have ensured his own capture; yet, he rather sought, than shunned a conflict. Too soon for his country and his friends, his daring wishes were gratified. On the 14th of August, he fell in with the British ship, Pelican, commanded by captain Maples, cruising in the channel for the express purpose of destroying or capturing the Argus. For the particulars of the engagement, which ensued, we must rely entirely on the enemy's account; as no official communication on this subject has ever been received by our government, or, if received, has been, for some inscrutable reason, suppressed. From the official letter of captain Maples, we learn, that when he fell in with the Argus, she was shortening her sail and preparing for action-that the action continued for forty-three minutes, and that the Argus did not strike her colours, until he was in the very act of board. ing her that the killed and wounded on board the Argus, as computed by her own officers, was forty; while on board the Pelican, the loss in killed and wounded was only eight. He does not state his own force either in men or guns. This statement is so general and imperfect, that, from it, but one conclusion can be drawn; viz. that some circumstances are designedly suppressed, and that we learn but half the truth. The Cork Chronicle and the London Pilot have been cited, to prove, that towards the close of the action, the Pelican was joined by her consort, the frigace Seahorse, of thirty-eight guns-this has however been denied, and we possess no means of ascertaining the correctness or incorrectness of this statement. Early in the engagement, captain Allen received a shot, which carried away his left leg, yet he steadily refused to be carried below, and continued on deck until, from loss of blood, he fainted. On leaving his ship, for the hospital, on his arrival in port, he, for the last time, addressed the sorrowing crew, who had witnessed his bravery, his fortitude and his misfortune. "God bless you,” said he feelingly, "God bless you, my lads, we shall never meet again.” The following letter, from John Hawker, esquire, the late American vice consul at Plymouth, gives the most particular details of the last moments of this brave man, that we have been able to procure. "SIR, "Plymouth, 19th August, 1813. "The situation I have had the honour to hold for many years past, of American vice consul, calls forth my poignant feelings in the communication I have to make to you, of the death of your son, captain Allen, late commanding the United States' brig of war Argus, which vessel was captured on Saturday last, in the Irish channel, after a very sharp action of three quarters of an hour, by his Britannick majesty's ship, Pelican. "Early in the contest, captain Allen lost his left leg, but refused to be carried below, till, from loss of blood, he fainted. Messrs. Edwards and Delphy, Lidshipmen, and four seamen, were killed; and lieutenant Watson, the carpenter, boatswain, hoatswain's mate, and seven men, wounded. Captain Allen submitted to amputation, above the knee, while at sea. He was yesterday morning attended by very eminent surgical gentlemen, and removed from the Argus to the hospital, where every possible attention and assistance would have been afforded him had he survived; but which was not, from the first moment. expected, from the shattered state of his thigh! At eleven, last night, he breathed his last! He was sensible, at intervals, till within ten minutes of his dissolution, when he sunk exhausted, and expired without a struggle! His lucid intervals were very cheerful; and he was satisfied and fully sensible that no advice or assistance would be wanting. A detached room was prepared by the commissary and chief surgeon, and female attendants engaged, that every tenderness and respect might be experienced. The master, purser, surgeon, and one midshipman, accompanied captain Allen, who was also attended by his two servants. "I have communicated and arranged with the officers respecting the funeral, which will be in the most respectful, and at the same time economical manner. The port admiral has signified that it is the intention of his Britannick majesty's government that it be publickly attended by officers of rank, and with military honours. The time fixed for the procession is on Saturday, at eleven, A. M. A lieutenant-colonel's guard of the royal marines is also appointed. A wainscoat coffin has been ordered; on the breastplate of which will be inscribed as below. A tablet, whereon will be recorded the name, rank. age, and character of the deceased, and also of the midshipman, will be placed, (if it can be contrived) as I have suggested; both having lost their lives in fighting for the honour of their country. "Mr. Delphy, one of the midshipmen, who lost both legs, and died at sea, was buried yesterday in Saint Andrew's church yard. I have requested that captain Allen may be buried as near him, on the right (in the same vault, if practicable) as possible. "I remain, respectfully, sir, "Your most obedient humble servant, "To General Allen, &c. &c. &c. Providence, Rhode-Island." ' "JOHN HAWKER, "Cidevant American vice consul. That the enemy were not wanting in respect to his remains, that they acknowledged his bravery, and lamented that death, which alone insured them victory, the following extract from a London paper, abundantly proves. "Plymouth, August 24. "On Saturday last, the twenty-first, was interred with military honours, William Henry Allen, exquire, late commander of the United States' sloop of war Argus, who lost his left leg in an action with his majesty's sloop of war Pelican. J. F. Maples, esquire captain, in Saint George's channel, the fourteenth instant, whereof he died in Mill Prison Hospital, on the fifteenth following. |