men besides himself were left unhurt on his quarter-deck: a different combat to the piff-poff predicted by M. Maurepas. "Record it in the fairest light Of faithful history's page; They only triumph'd whilst they shunn'd the fight, We would fain dwell longer upon the details of this brilliant action, but that Capt. White's clear statement ought to be universally read; and that we hope a full account of the battle will be produced by Sir Howard Douglas, whose talent and competent knowledge of the subject can furnish a full exposition of its merits, and give a quietus to the question. Though we wish not to spoil the interest of the Captain's "Researches," by making copious extracts, we cannot but subjoin the following pointed reflections. “I have also, I trust, satisfactorily shown that the battle of the 12th was brought on by the French Admiral having borne up before the wind for the purpose of affording protection to the disabled French ship Le Zélé, and not by the British fleet having stood to the southward till two in the morning, as is most unaccountably stated in Sir George Rodney's public letter, and repeated by Mr. Clerk and Rear Admiral Ekins in their description of this engagement. "I have not allowed myself to be biassed by any consideration but facts, in bringing forward the statements I have ventured to lay before the public. On this principle also I have endeavoured to place in its due light, the so much vaunted measure of breaking the enemy's line. The boldest assertors of the claims of Mr. Clerk to the honour of this celebrated discovery, have not yet presumed to enumerate Commodore Affleck, of the Bedford, among his pupils, and yet it is true, that the Bedford, as well as the Formidable, made her way between two of the enemy's ships, but in a different part of what is called their line of battle. Owing to this circumstance the French fleet was, as has been already observed, broken into three parts instead of two as is commonly imagined, though we do not find that the gallant Affleck took any share of merit for achieving an exploit precisely similar to that which has been bruited with so much industry from John o' Groat's house to the Land's End. The victory of the 12th of April, however, was so far from arising from this movement either of the Formidable or the Bedford, that the circumstance of the disjointed parts of the British line getting between equal portions of the enemy's fleet, produced only the effect of allowing seventeen or eighteen sail, to avoid the cannonade they must have encountered in weathering the ships of the British rear, which they must have done had they had to pass our whole line. How far they would have succeeded in doing so is another question, but the strong probability is, that had they, in the state in which they then were, been exposed to this additional ordeal, they would have shared the fate of their five captured comrades. It seems evident then that we must ascribe the victory, under Providence, to the circumstance of the contending fleets being brought into close combat by Sir George Rodney tacking at the precise moment he did, and by a subsequent change of wind. This position gave to our brave countrymen an opportunity of exerting those qualities which are the result of firmer nerve and cooler courage, while it deprived their enemy of the advantage he was generally so fond of deriving from his superiority in sailing, and consequently in manoeuvring, of which he availed himself whenever he could fight at long-shot distance." It were unjust to dismiss this article without a parting word. In studying these encounters, it is impossible to overlook the admirable discipline and fighting order which must have pervaded our fleets, to enable them to sustain so harassing a warfare; while the destructive havoc dealt to the enemy, proves that naval gunnery was more effectively plied then, than it has been latterly; owing, perhaps, to the remissness arising from constant success. On the other hand, the very defective state of our ships in those days, is frequently dwelt upon in the "Researches," as an evidence of what kind of tools the British Admirals had to work with; and to enable the tyro to form a more correct judgment on the exertions of the officers of that day-the "old school" of our Bobadils-than other productions afford him the means of doing. Through the misconduct of our Ministers, the advantages we gained were isolated, and the result of the war unfortunate, for they did not seem to be aware, that to attempt an object with smaller means than we can command, is a profligate waste of life and treasure. Thus, though it was well known that the French were about to make the West Indies the theatre of war, they were always allowed to outnumber us; and the best ships we had, were carefully preserved in England. We therefore esteem it as one of the grand causes of Rodney's glorious success,* that he had more efficient means at his disposal than his predecessors. Another inference we gather is, that a true-bred tar was then, as now, and we hope for ages to come will continue to be, the merry, dare-devil, happy-go-lucky being, we have always found him when, as he says, "there's any thing for a fellow to do." Of the gallant recklessness of sailors, in the proud moment, when the flag of their country is displayed to an enemy, the testimonies are universal: Nelson was wont to say, "They mind shot no more than peas ;" and to their intrepidity Lord Howe attributed all his success. But for their unwearied zeal, whether braving the Pole or the Equator, England must inevitably have tasted of the horrors of war at home, instead of participating in every domestic comfort, while scenes of blood and terror were afflicting all the surrounding nations. French sailors are also unquestionably brave; but their bravery being an affair of mere impulse, is more frequently manifested by impetuosity of attack than fortitude in defence. We wish to avoid the charge of prejudice, but from closely studying their own reports of battles, breezes, and wrecks, we can pronounce that, though Crapaud is more buoyant in success than Jack, he is more dejected under reverses; and he altogether yields to the Briton in that resolute courage which instantly applies resources against impending danger. Futurity is inscrutable but is such a matchless display of human art as a Grand Fleet, in line-of-battle, together with all the patriotic daring and practical energy of British sailors, doomed to succumb to some gigantic wedge, propelled, under the direction of a dozen stoakers, by a few chaldron of coals? Ohe ! * In commenting upon this memorable battle, we have felt, as we hinted above, the want of more positive data respecting the most important feature of the contest, viz. the real cause of the opening in the enemy's line, and its direct consequences. We understand, however, that Sir Howard Douglas is furnished with tangible evidence on this head, and we shall look to the final statement of that accomplished and patriotic officer for proofs, if such exist, to influence our decision upon a point still susceptible of doubt. U. S. JOURN. No. 31. JUNE 1831. M RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LATE AMERICAN WAR. BY A CRUISER. It was at the commencement of the month of January 1815, that a squadron of frigates and smaller vessels, with a line-of-battle ship, (the Dragon of 74 guns,) were assembled off Amelia Island, situated at the entrance of the river St. Mary's, in South Carolina, for the avowed purpose of capturing the town, and merchant-vessels lying off it, nearly thirty miles distant from the sea. Capt. Somerville, of the Rota frigate, was the senior officer of the squadron, but in consequence of having been confined to his cot for several months by severe illness, he delegated the command of the expedition to Capt. Barrie of the Dragon. The ships' boats, manned and armed, (with a party of marines in each,) were dispatched to the rendezvous at Amelia Island, where several companies of the West India Rangers (who are all blacks) were already assembled. Point Petre, which forms the starboard entrance of St. Mary's river, was distant from us about four miles, and was very strongly defended by a battery mounting six long thirty-six pounders; added to which a strong and rapid current constantly prevailed, setting from this point towards Amelia Island, at the rate of more than two knots an hour. We remained several days encamped upon the island, making every preparation to storm the fort, (if necessary,) and also with a lingering hope, that the wind which had hitherto blown dead in our teeth, would shift to a favourable quarter: in fact the weather was occasionally so rough and squally, that it was with considerable difficulty the boats could maintain their position at anchor during the night, their light grapnels being insufficient to prevent their drifting, and consequently every expedient was resorted to, by sinking heavy iron kettles laden with stones, &c. to effect this purpose; but notwithstanding these efforts, our Lilliputian fleet, amounting to upwards of fifty sail of "small craft," would on the morrow's dawn frequently present rather a confused and scattered line. Our launch, which pulled eighteen oars, and mounted an eighteen-pound carronade forward, a brass fourpounder abaft, with two swivels on each side her gunwale, cut rather a formidable appearance among the host of pigmy satellites by which we were surrounded; and it was laughable to observe how frequently the pressing calls of hunger would relax the haughty bearing of military rank, for we had the advantage of possessing a very compact set of coppers and cooking apparatus that had been taken out. of a small schooner we had captured and burnt a few days prior to our arrival, which of course enabled us to provide a sumptuous meal in comparison to our less favoured brethren. From this circumstance it may be surmised, we had generally a pretty strong muster at our dinner hour, and many a gallant captain, when pulling past us in his gig, could not resist the temptation of the savoury steams acting upon his olfactory nerves. He would lie upon his oars, and hailing our "luff," demand what we had for dinner, then without ceremony step into our boat, sit down, and with as much goût as if in a club-house at St. James's, help to demolish a huge assemblage of lobskous, composed of stewed geese, fowls, salt junk, &c., the feathered part of the re past being neither very delicately drawn nor plucked; however, hard service created a good appetite, and a glass of grog, with agreeable companions, served to render a meal truly delicious and acceptable, that under other circumstances an epicure would have turned from in disgust. In after-years, when fondly dwelling upon the early scenes of my boyish days, how often have I reflected into what artificial beings the habit of luxury has moulded us-when tossing, wearied, and feverish on a bed of down, how often have I brought to mind the delicious slumber I have experienced in the bottom of a boat, with nought save the canopy of heaven for a covering, even when the warring elements were pouring down a deluge of rain upon my weakly frame :-so true it is, that the real comforts of this world can only be felt and duly appreciated by those who have been enabled to form a just comparison between the superfluity of wealth, and the miseries of deprivation! The evening before the intended attack displayed a most imposing and enthusiastic scene; the arms of the marines and soldiers were piled in fanciful groups, whilst their gallant owners, indiscriminately mixed with the seamen, were reclining around the large fires which were kindled at various distances, (they having taken the liberty of cutting down sundry huge trees to make a blaze,) and all hands were drinking their grog, and singing in full chorus the burthen of our beautiful national airs, Rule Britannia, &c. until the very woods reverberated the echoes which rung from the iron but loyal throats of the assembled throng. The splendour and beauty of the passing scene, might even have tended to inspire the veriest craven upon earth, "to screw his courage to the sticking point," and at least become a hero in imagination. At length it was fully determined to wait no longer than the morrow's dawn for the destined attack of the fort, which commanded the entrance of the river. Still, as the wind continued to blow very hard, it was doubtless rather a perilous enterprise; however, by eight o'clock in the morning, the boats were formed into three divisions: the van being composed of a very large barge, pulling twenty-six oars, (named the Snap Dragon,) bearing the Commodore's pendant, the Dragon's launch, and our own, whose force I have previously stated: then came all the barges which mounted carronades, and the remaining cutters, jolly-boats, &c. brought up the rear. The whole of this force was flanked by those distinguished officers Captains Barrie and Jackson (of the Lacedæmonian,) in their respective gigs. The West India Rangers and a party of marines had been already landed to attack a portion of militia that had been stationed in a wood for the defence of the fort on shore. I need scarcely state, that when the arrangements were completed, and the wished-for orders given to start, every nerve was strained, every sinew put in requisition, to endeavour to reach the wishedfor goal as speedily as possible. But still our progress was tedious and disheartening in the extreme-the breeze was strong, and the current rapid; when however, by dint of incredible exertion, our three headmost boats approached within point-blank range of the battery, they opened upon us with their heavy artillery, and as the men responded with a hearty and deafening cheer to the well-known salutation of their officers, "Give way, my lads!" the shot whistled over our heads, or splashed our faces with the spray of the sea as they fell into the water. In this pleasant predicament, we continued several minutes, and had the Americans persevered, they must inevitably have sunk one half of the invading force; but when we approached within half a mile, volleys of musketry were heard in the direction of our troops, and the enemy, no longer waiting to be assailed in their strong hold, hauled down their star-spangled banner, and fairly took to their heels. A general cheer was now given by our seamen, who made a simultaneous effort to be foremost in getting ashore to plant the Union Jack on their fort. The guns were quickly spiked and dismounted, whilst orders were issued to make the best of our way up to the town. In the mean time, our soldiers and marines had a smart skirmish with the American militia, who were speedily routed; but I was informed, that it was with the greatest difficulty the officers of the West India Rangers could curb the rancour and animosity their men bore to the name of an American: they did not exactly comprehend the system of giving quarter to a conquered foe, especially as numbers of them had been held in bondage from infancy in this country, and many an unfortunate Yankee that fell into their hands in the woods narrowly escaped being butchered in cold blood. Notwithstanding every exertion, we did not reach the town until past midnight, and found that it had been taken possession of without striking a blow; most of the inhabitants had quittted their residences for the country, taking with them their most available effects, and in the morning it bore a melancholy aspect. Valuable furniture of all description was scattered about the streets in profusion; the majority of the doors were left standing open, while occasionally a few stray citizens might be discerned, whose habitual anxiety for the riches of this world overcame the fear which was strongly depicted in the countenances of those who remained to guard them. Heaven be praised! the inhabitants of our happy nation are ignorant of the desolation and horror of warfare carried into the heart of a peaceful country: they cannot appreciate the riven feelings of him who is driven from his home a wretched wanderer upon the face of the earth. The Commodore was most anxious that private property of every description might be respected, and held sacred from depredation; but he had a bounden duty to perform, which was to take possession, in the name of his Majesty, of every store containing merchandize, and a broad arrow was legibly impressed upon all such that had the misfortune to fall under that class: we also captured ten or twelve merchant vessels, one of them an East Indiaman of nearly six hundred tons. It may not be generally known, that the town of St. Mary's is situate on the north bank of the river, and that the southern shore is in the dominions of the King of Spain, consequently, many vessels had succeeded in gaining the neutral side of the river, (which is very narrow in this position,) and their crews, not a little elated with the success of their expedient, frequently taunted our men as they passed in the boats, with the most elegant sneers and witticisms to be found in the Yankee vocabulary. Although terms were entered into with the proper authorities for the peaceable occupation of the town until the vessels were laden, very few of the inhabitants could be induced to return to their dwellings in deep and striking contrast to the melancholy gloom which per |