vice mwh.ch his master passion of glory could receive no
m-atification, he gave this singular species of whim and
Icc'ntricity full play. He would, while on shore, have
thel^rave and saturnine character of the severe and un-
bending moralist, or the light and airy fop, as occasioii
demanded. Whatever character was ^vantll^ to complete

the, conviviality of the group, when ^-^^fflf^^^l^l
ass-i 'ned it Bv th is happy versatdity of talent he became
7t^^ guest at eve?^\able, and was * tavounte of
all classes of men. His approach was haded as t c cei
tvA precursor of wit and humour ; and the company, on
a^^ec'ind nterview, were sure of beholding him in a cha-
racter entirely different from the first. By this happy com-
bination of humour, and an eccentricity always sparK ing,
. and always various, while he rigidly enforced the obsei-
va ce of the embargo law, he acquired the confidence and
Section of the inhabitants. He relieved the aspenU^s of
this unthankful service by such arts ; and *e jMtizens
supplied him with the best provisions, for the "^e "f the
mei whom he commanded, and were ;"'?essait in their
invitations for him to become a guest at their tables When
he was called off from this service, it was a subject ot g-,-

"'in lla'he was ordered to join the frigate President
Ca..tain Bainbridge. From this ship he was transferred
to the sloop of war Hornet, as first hemenant, ""der ^aP-
tain Hunt. In a dangerous and heavy gale, his brother
officers have reported,' that by his superior skill and intre-
pid'tv-, as an officer, tire ship and the crew were both pre-
served from what they deemed m^^'-table destruction.

In his promotion to a lieutenancy, he found himselt
outranked by his junior officers. This ^^^^o severely
woiindino- to his pride, that he remonstrated to the proper
dCtnent in very feehng terms. He stated, that he was
no V commanded by lieutenants who had formerly served
uler him. in theTripoline war. To withdraw a com-
mission from the individual on whom it ^^ conferred, to
declare an oflicer unworthy of the honour thus bestowed,



304



GLORY OF AMERICA.



IS an outrage of the same character as wantnuly to place
a junior over the head of his senior officer. -".Vhethpr ob
jections of this nature weighed with the ffovernnient we
know not: but certainly his remonstrances>roved m.&l

Warded w;jh'ff"" ^'"T'' "^I'^^^-'^S ^"^ complaints -
gaided with a favourable ear, he tendered his resignar,on

lohi^' o^n of nS' '"t/'"' "' '^' *""'= f "'^' ffentfeman-s
going out of office. It was not accepted. andLieutenant

Bi rrows had now to bear with fortitude what he was un

IS Vfo7"f ', "": f^'f'' ' '''' government Srh,
itlt'Aj rf ' '^^ "'' P"''P-'^ of prosecuting a ^ov-
ST Ifw' ''' '''^' "''""''^- He found this indispen-
sable, as hLs circumstances were, at tins time, somewhat
e^i barrassed: and he accordingly went on board the ship
Thomas Penrose, fi-om Philadelphia, bound to Canton
under the command of Captain Anslev. of that citv On
the return passage, the ship was captured and carried into
Barbadoes Lieutenant Burrows arrived in the United
State, on his parole, in June, 1813, and in the succeeding
month, was regularly exchanged. ^

Shortly after this,'he was orfered by government to re-

maud of the Lnited States sloop of war Enterprise, then in
a state of readiness for sea. His mmd was slill sore with
ran't'^R . ,f unredressed gi'ievance, on the subject of his

of o^lor, . IP'^'P'''^"^/"'''" '"'"'^^ ^"fi<^d his love
ot glorv, which superseded all other considerations He
declared, to an int mate friend, that he would serve during

the If' H^ *'* 'fi' 7"',f "^'^" '^'^^h his commission mtf
the hre He sacrificed all minor feelings, and promsdv
accepted the appointment. ~ promu.n

<5,h'^nf%^"f P?'" I'^V.''" ^^'^''' f Portsmouth on the
5 h of September, 1814. The next dav, she fell m with
h^ Britannic majesty's brig the Boxer, mountincr sixteen

The Boxer fired a shot, hoisted Enfflish'colours and im-
ressel w(, ?'''r '''^" '^ '^', E^^l<^rpnse. The Ameri an
Havu 7nl r?. ^"'' T'^'"? preparations for action.

Sr^e Lp , 'f \"'' 'T*" ?^?^' '^^ mancBuvred for
some time to try her sailing, and to ascertain the force oi



WILLIAM BURROWS. 305

her antagonist, At length she shortened sail, hoisted three
ensigns, and fired three shots in answer. The action now
grew warm ; the Boxer bore \vithin half pistol shot of the
Enterprise, and giving three cheers, fired her starboard
broadside. She was answered by three cheers and a lar-
board broadside from the Enterprise, and the action be-
came general. The Enterprise having the advantage of
the wi'nd, ranged ahead of her enemy, ronnded to on the
larboard tack, and commenced a raking broadside. The
enemy's maintopsail and topsail yards came down, and
the Enterprise taking a position on the starboard bow of
the Boxer^ and opening a raking fire, compelled the enemy
to cry for qnarters. Their colonrs were nailed to the mast,
and could not be hauled down. This action was conti-
nued for forty-five iriinutes, during which time the Boxer
received much damage in sails, rigging, spars, and hull.
The Enterprise had but one eighteen pound shot in her
hull, one in her mainmast, and one in her foremast. Her
sails were much cut with grape shot, and a great number
of grape were lodged in her side. The Boxer had twenty
eighteen pound shot in the hull, most of them at the water's
edge, with several stands of eighteen pound grape in her
sid'e. Lieutenant M'(^all stated his loss to have been four
killed, and ten wounded. The number killed on board of
the Boxer is uncertain : the same officer states, from the
best information w^iich he was able to procure, that of the
enemy, between twenty and twenty-five were killed, and
fourteen wounded.

At the first fire, Lieutenant Burrovv's was mortally
v/ounded by a musket ball : he refused, notwithstanding,
to be carried below, and during the vx'hole of the action,
he lay bleeding on the deck. With his dying lips he re-
quested that the flag might never be struck. When tlie
sword of his gallant enemy w^as presented to him, he
clasped his hancls together, and exclaimed, ' I am satisfied
I die contented." ' He was then carried below, and ex-
pired shortly after. Captain Blythe, of the Boxer, who
was killed by a cannon ball, was one of the supporters of
the pall at the funeral of the unfortunate Lawu-ence. These
brave men now slumber side by side, and their antipathies
26*



306 GLORY OB* AMERICA.

with them. The following resokition unanimously passed
both houses of congress :

" Resolved^ by the senate and house of representatives
of the United States of America, in congress assembled,
That the president of the United States be requested to
present to the nearest male relation of Lieutenant Wil-
LiAJi Burrows, and to Lieutenant Edwin R. M'Call,
of the brig Enterprise, a g-old medal, with suitable emblems
and devices; and a silver medal, with hke emblems and
devices, to each of tlie commissioned officers of the afore-
said vessel; in testimony of the high sense, entertained by
congress, of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers
and crew, in the conflict v^qth^he British sloop Boxer, on
the fifth of September, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and tliirteen. And the president is also requesW
to communicate to the nearest male relation of Lieutenant
Burrows, the deep regret which cong-ress feel for the loss
of that valuable officer, who died in the arms of victory,
nobly contending for his country's rights and fame."

The remains of the gallant commanders, Burrov/s and
Blythe, were bin-ied at Portland with military honours.

The following memorial was caused to be inscribed on
the monument of the gallant Lieutenant Burrows, of Port-
land, by Mr. M. L. Davis, of New York:

" Beneath this stone, mouldei*s the body of William
Burrows, late commander of the Liiited States' brig En-
terprise, v/ho was mortally wounded on the .5th of Sep-
tember, 1813, in an action which contributed to increase
the fame of American valour, by capturino; his Britannic
Majesty's brig Boxer, after a severe contest of forty-five
niinutes. A passing stranger has erected this monument
of respect to the name of a patriot, who, in the hour of pe-
ril, obeyed the loud summons of an injured country, and
who gallantly met, fought, and conquered the foemen."



JAMES LAWRENCE.



John Lawrence, Esq. was a respectable la\\^er of the
state of New Jersey, and resided in the city of Burlington.
He had several children, sons and daughters, of whom the
youngest, James, forms the subject of this memoir. He
had the misfortune to lose his wife, a few weeks after the
birth of this son, which took place on the 1st of October,
1781, and, consequently, committed him to the affectionate
care of his daughters, for whom their brother ever mani-
fested the warmest gratitude and friendship.

His juvenile years were checkered with nothing more
than the ordinary occurrences to which that stage of life
is universally subjected. He was mild in his temper, mo-
dest in his manners, dutiful and affectionate to his rela-
tives and friends.

His father designed him for the bar, but he, very early,
discovered a predilection for naval pursuits, from which,
in vain, his father attempted to divert him. In obedience,
however, to his father's wishes, he spent a few years in the
dry studies of the law, until his fathers death, which en-
abled him, by the consent of his uncle, to follow the bent
of his inclination. He learned navigation, and, at seven-
teen years of age, was honoured with a midshipman's
warrant. His first voyage was a cruise, in the ship Ganges,
under Captain Tin2:ey, in the Yfest Indies, durino^ the
short misunderstanding between France and the United
States. This and several subsequent ones furnished no
incidents of character worthy of record. The Tripoline
war, however, was of a different cast. In this the most de-
termined spirit was displayed. At this time, Mr. Law-
;rence was appointed a Lieutenant, and assumed the com-
mand of the schooner Enterprise. During this expedition
he volunteered in the hazardous exploit of destroying the
, frigate Philadelphia, and accompanied Decatur as his first



308 GLORY OF AMERICA.

lieutenant. The brilliant success of that enterprise is
well known, and for the gallantry and skill displayed on
the occasion, TJecatur was made post-captani. while Law-
rence, in common with the other officers and crew, was
voted, by Congress, only two months extra pay which
he declined accepting.

The harbour of Tripoli seemed now to have become a
sort of rendezvous and school for the American infant na-
vy. The coast of Barbaiy was the field of their first ex-
perience and youthful achievement. The most of the
officers may be fairly styled young heroes, iuU of life, spi-
rit, and entiuisiasm It was there they formed those strong
ties of brotherly love and friendship, that natural confi-
dence, which has distinguisbied them for that bold spirit
and defiance of danger, evinced throughout the late war,
and which is without a parallel in any other nation of the
same duration.

Nearly three years and a half did Lawre/ice remain on
the MediterraneaTi station, after which he returned to the
United States with Commodore Preble, and was sent out
as commander of gun-boat Xo. 6, in which station he re-
mained for sixteen months; after this he acted as first
lieutenant of the Constitution, and as co)nmander suc-
cessively of the Vixen, the Wasp, the .-^igus, and the
Hornet.

In 1S08, he Avas married to the daughter of Mr. Mont-
da vert, a respectable merchant of New York.

Soon after the commencement of the late war against
Great Britain and its dependencies, he sailed in the Hor-
net sloop of war, as part of the squadron that cruised un-
der Commodore Rodgers. While he was alu-ent on this
cruise. Lieutenant jMorris was promoted to the rank of
post-captain for his bravery and skill as first lieutenant
of the Constitution, in the action with the Gu'i'.rriere.

This appointment as it raised him two grades, and
placed him over the heads of older officers, gave offence to
many of the na^y, who could not brook that the regular
rules of the service should be infringed. It W3s thought
partiallv unjust, as giving him rank above J nwrence,
who had equally distinguished himsdf as first ^" utenant



JAMES LAWRENCE. 309

of Decatur, in the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia,
at Tripoli, and who, at present, was but master and com-
mander.

On retiirning from this cruise, Lawrence consulted with
his friends, and addressed a memorial to the Senate, in a
letter to the Secretary of the Navy, wherein, after ac-
knowledging the great merits and services of Captain
Morris, he remonstrated in the most respectful and tempe-
rate, but firm and manly language, on the impropriety of
his promotion, as being contrary to the nature of naval
precedence, and particularly as it respected himself; at
the same time he frankly mentioned that he should be
compelled, however reluctantly, to leave the service, if
thus improperly outranked.

The reply of the Secretary, was brief and singular
barely observing" that if he thought proper to leave the
service tvithout a caiise^ there ivould still remain heroes
and patriots enough to support theflagP

This laconic epistle did not come directly to Lawrence's
hands, as he had then set out on another cruise to the
Brazils, with Commodore Bainbridge, in the Constitution.
Off the Brazils, they fell in with a British sloop of war
called the Bonne Citoyemie, having a large amouait of
specie on board, which they chased into St. Salvadore.
This vessel was larger and of greater force than the Hor-
net, yet Captain Lawrence had^contrived to have informa-
tion communicated to Captain Green of the Bonne Cito-
yenne, acquainting him that he wished for an interview,
and pledging his honour that neither the Constitution nor
any other vessel would interfere, which was supported by
a similar one given by Commodore Bainbridije, that he
should not interfere ; yet Captain Green, declined the
combat, alleging, that though perfectly satisfied that the
event of such a rencountre would be honourable to his ship,
yet he was equally convinced that Commodore Bainbridge
could not swerve so much from the paramount duty he
owed his country, as to become an inactive spectator, and
see a ship belong^ing to the very squadron under his or-
ders, fall into the hands of the enemy.

It was immediately made known to Green that Commo-



310 GLORY OF AMERICA.

dore Bainbrids^e left the Hornet for four days, off from the
harbour in which the Bonne Citoyenne lay ; and at the
distance of forty miles. LaAvrence afterwards went into
the harbour, and remained three days, when he might
only have remained twenty-four hoars had Captain Green
requested it. At length the Constitution went off ako-
gether, leavinsr Lawrence to blockade the Bonne Cito-
yenne, whichlie did for nearly a month, Captain Green
not judging it proper to risk an encounter. Tiie only ex-
cuse that could have been made for Green is. that be did
not think himself fit to depart from the purpose of his
voyage, and risk his vessel in a contest for mere individu-
al reputation. The arrival of the British ship :Montague,
of 74 gims, from Rio Janeiro, obliged Captain Lawrence
to change his cruising ground, on the twenty-fourth oi
January. The ^Montague had been expressly sent for the
purpose of relieving the Bonne Citoyenne and a British
packet of 12 guns, which also lay at St. Salvadore. Du-
ring this cruise, Captain Lawrence fell in with the British
brig Peacock, Captain Peake, off Demarara, a vessel of
about equal iforce. The coml)at commenced within halt
pistol shot, and so tremendous was the fire from the Hor-
net, that; in fifteen minutes, the Peacock surrendered, and
made signals of distress, being in a sinking condition.
Her main-mast had gone by the board, and she was alto-
gether reduced to an absolute Avreck, in so great a defrree/
that, notwithstandinof every exertion was made to keep
her afloat till the prisoners could be removed, she sunk!
with thirteen of her crew, and tliree brave American tars^
who thus nobly perished in endeavouring to relieve a con^
quered foe. Among the slain on board the Peacock, was
found the body of Captain Peake, wlio was wounded twice
during the action, the last of which proved mortal. His
body was wrapped in his flag, as a shroud, and laid
the cabin.

During the battle, the British brig L'Espeigle, mountin<_
fifteen thirty-two pound carronades, and two long nines^
lay at anchor about six miles in shore. The Hornet ac-i
cordingly was put immediately in a situation for conii
mencing' another action, and in about three hours was "



JAMES LAWRENCE. 311

complete repair, but the enemy did not think proper to
make any attack.

The conduct of Captain Lawrence towards the prison-
ers was truly humane and commendable, and such has
been the conduct generally of all the officers of our navy,
on similar occasions. The officers of the Peacock, on
their arrival at ^ew York, said, they ceased to consider
themselves as prisoners;" besides making a public ac-
knowledgment in the newspapers, to Captain Lawrence,
for his good treatment.

It must also be recorded, to the honour of the Hornet's
crew, that, on observing the Peacock's prisoners had lost
all their clothing by the" sinking of their ship, these good
fellows made a muster, and from their own wardrobes
supplied each prisoner with two shirts and a blue jacket
and trov/sers.

On returning to this country, Captain Lawrence was
received with great distinction and applause, and various
public bodies conferred on him peculiar tokens of appro-
bation. While absent, the rank of post-captain had been
conferred on him, and shortly after his return, he receiv-
ed a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, offerins; him
the command of the frigate Constitution, provided neither
Captains Porter nor Evans applied for it, they being older
officers. Captain Lawrence respectfully declined this
conditional appointment, lor satisfactory reasons which he
stated to the secretary. He then received an uncondi-
tional appointm.ent to that frigate, and directions to su-
perintend the navy-yard at New York in the absence of
Captain Ludlow. The next day, to his srreat surprise and
chagrin, he received counter orders, with instructions to
take command of the frigate Chesapeake, then lying at
Boston, nearly ready foi^ sea. This appointment was
particularly disagreeable to him. He was prejudiced
against the Chesapeake, both from her being considered
the Voorst ship in our navy, and from having been in a
'manner disgraced in the affair with the Leopard. This
last circumstance had acquired her the character of an
unlucky ship the worst of stigmas among sailors, wUo
are devout believers in good and bad luck ; and so detri-



312 GLORY OP AMERICA.

mental was it to this vessel, that it has been difficult to
recruit crews for her.

The extreme repugnance that Captain Lawrence felt to
this appointment, induced him to write to the Secretary
of the Xavy. requesting to be continued in the command
of the Hornet. Besides, it was his wish to rernam some
short tim.e in port, and enjoy a little repose in the bosom
of his family : particularly as his wife was in that deli-
cate situation, that most calls forth the tenderness and so-
licitude of an affectionate husband. But though he wrote
four letters to the secretarv\ he never received an answer,
and was obliged reluctantly to acquiesce.

While lying in Boston roads, nearly ready for sea, the
British frigate Shannon appeared off the harbour, and
made sio:nals expressive of a challenge. The brave Law-
rence immediately determined on accepting it, though con-
scious at the time of the great disparity between the two
ships. The Shannon was a prime vessel, equipped in an
extraordinary' manner, for the express purpose of combat-
ino^ advantageously one of our largest frigates. She had
an unusually numerous crew of picked men. thoroughly
disciplined and well officered. She was commanded by
Captain Broke, one of the bravest and ablest officers in
the ser^-ice, who fought merely for reputation.

On the other hand, the Chesapeake was an indifferent
ship. v.dth a crew, a great part of whom were newly re-
cruited, and not brought into a proper discipline. The}^
were stra.ngers to their commander, who had not had
time to produce that perfect subordination, yet strong
personal attachment, Avhich he had the talent of creating
wherever he commanded. His first lieutenant was sick
on shore ; the other officers, though meritorious, were
young men ; two of them mere acting lieutenants ; most
of tiiem recently appointed to the ship, and unacquainted
with the men.

The most earnest endeavours v/ere used, by Commodore
Bainbridge and other gentlemen, to dissuade Captain Law-
rence from v/hat was considered a rash and unnecessary
exposure. He felt and acknowledged the force of their
reasons, but persisted in his determination. He was pe-




Capture of the Peacock by Capt. Lawrence, P. 310.




Capture of the Java, Dec. 29, 1812. P. 357.



L ^aiB T^g i i ^w '^



THE NEW YOBK

PUBLIC LIBRARY f



A6T0R, LENOX
TILDEN JeOUNDA i '



JAMES LAWRENCE. 313

culiarly situated : he had formerly challenged the Bonne
Citoyenne, and should he decline a similar challenge, it
might subject him to sneers and misrepresentations.
Among the other unfortunate circumstances that attended
this ill-starred battle, was the delay of a written challenge
from Captain Broke, which did not arrive until after Cap-
tain Lawrence had sailed. It is stated to have been
couched in the most frank and courteous lanofuasfe ; mi-
nutely detailing the force of his ship ; and ofFerino-. if the
Chesapeake should not be completely prepared, to cruise
off and on till such time as she made a specified sig^nal of
being ready for the conflict. It is to be deeply regretted
that Captain Lawrence did not receive this gallant chal-
lenge, as it would have given him time to put his ship in
proper order, and spared him the necessity of hurrying
out in his unprepared condition, to so formal and momen-
tous an encounter.

After getting the ship under way, he called the crew
together, and having ordered the white flag to be hoisted,
bearing the motto, " Free trade and sailors' rights," he,
accordinof to custom, made them a short harangrie.
While he was speaking, several murmurs were lieard,
and strong symptoms of dissatisfaction appeared in the
manners and countenances of the crevv^ After he had
finished, a scoundrel Portuguese, who was boatswain's
mate, and acted as spokesman to the murmurers, replied
to Captain Lawrence in an insolent manner, complaining,
among other thino;-s, that they had not been paid their
prize-money, which had been due for some time past.

The critical nature of the moment, and his ignorance
of the dispositions and characters of his crew, would not
allow Captain Lawrence to notice such dastardly and mu-
tinous conduct in the manner it deserved. He dared not
thwart the humours of men, over whose affections he had
not had time to acquire any influence, and therefore or-
dered the purser to take them below and give them checks
for their prize-money, which was accordingly done.

It was on the morning of the first of June that the
Chesapeake put to sea. The Shannon, on seeing her
come out, bore away, and the other followed. At 4, P. M.
27



31 i GLORV OF AMERICA.

the Chesapeake hauled up and fired a gun : the Shannon
then hove to. The vessels manoeuvred in awful silence,
till v.'ithin pistol shot, when the Shannon opened her fire,
and both vessels, almost at the same moment, poured forth
tremendous broadsides. The execution in both ships was
terrible, but the fire of the Shannon vras peculiarly fatal,
not only making great slaughter among the men, but
cutting down some of the most valuable officers. The
very first shot killed Mr. "White, sailing-master of the
Chesapeake, an excellent officer, whose loss at such a
moment was disastrous in the extreme. The fourth
lieutenant, 3Ir. Ballard, received also a mortal wound in
this broadside, and at the same moment Captain Lawrence
was shot through the leg with a musket ball ; he howe-
ver supported himself on the companion vray, and continu-
ed to give his orders with his usual coolness. About
three broadsides were exchang-ed, which, from the close-
ness of the ships, were dreadfully destructive. The
Chesapeake had three men shot from her helm succes-