NAVAL BATTLES.

THE benefits to be derived from historical records of noble achievements whether physical or moral are universally acknowledged. The ambition of the student, the warrior, or the statesman is stimulated by the accounts transmitted in this manner; and the Patriotic of every age and nation have heard with pride the heroic deeds of their countrymen recounted, whether it be done by the faithful pen of the impartial historian, or recorded in the page of Historical Romance. It is with the desire of commemorating some of the most remarkable exploits of our gallant seaman that the following plain and unvarnished description of the Naval Battles fought by them since the establishment of the American Navy is offered to the public; believing it will be useful to the whole American People and especially to the rising generation, prompting them to emulate the Heroic daring, and that high minded self respect which has uniformly distinguished the American Commander. No one can read these pages without being filled with admiration at the vast majority of victories which have crowned the efforts of our Gallant Navy. Indeed

during the continuance of the late war with Great Britain there are but two instances of the loss of an American Ship where the forces were nearly equal, viz.-the Chesapeake and the Argus; and we certainly cannot consider the former as having been of equal force with the Shannon, although the number of guns were so nearly equal, (the Shannon having in all 53 guns and the Chesapeake 49) on account of the difference in the crews, the Shannon having been at sea long enough to discipline hers completely, while the crew of the Chesapeake were scarcely out of port. Nor is the meed of praise due to our gallant Tars for bravery in action alone, for we have abundant evidence in the following pages of very superior skill in Naval Tactics and Seamanship, as well as in battle. There is not probably on the pages of history a more brilliant illustration of these qualities than in the escape of the Constitution from the British Fleet in July, 1812. In every naval engagement seamen alone can tell how much depends upon skill and celerity in managing the ship.

The accounts are carefully selected from the best authorities and uninteresting detail as much as possible avoided. It has been attempted to preserve a connected narrative as far as the nature of the undertaking would permit, and to make the work something more than a mere collection of official documents and extracts from log books. The limited

size of the volume does not admit of so complete a history as some readers would wish, but it embraces a more comprehensive view of the operations of our

Navy than any other publication, and the engravings are done in a style of elegance which does honor to the artists who executed them.

In the revolutionary war, which gave indepen-. dence and character to the United States of America, several armed vessels were in commission, and performed exploits, that confer immortality on the names of BARRY, MANLY, JONES, and others. During the latter years of the contest, from the want of finances, the depreciation of paper currency, and, perhaps, still more, from the alliance with France supplying a naval force, little was done to augment, or even to maintain, that of our own nation; and, shortly after the close of the war, the few ships, that had constituted the navy, were sold by order of Congress.

The depredations committed on our commerce in the Mediterranean, by the piratical corsairs of the Barbary powers, induced Congress, in 1794, to undertake the formation of a naval force for its

protection. Four ships, of forty-four guns each, and two of thirty-six, were ordered to be built.— The act authorizing the construction of these ships, passed the TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF MARCH, which may be considered as the day that gave existence to the navy of the United States.

The creation and establishment of a permanent and efficient naval force, for the protection of commerce and the defence of the seacoast in case of war, had always been advocated by Mr. JOHN ADAMS; and during the term of his presidency, from March, 1797, to March, 1801, the object was pursued with great zeal and energy. To no individual is the nation more indebted, than to Mr. ADAMS; and posterity will hail him as the FATHER OF THE AMERICAN NAVY.

In 1798, there were in service twenty vessels; in 1799, upwards of thirty. A law was passed, directing the building of six seventy-four gun ships, which, however, was never carried into effect. In 1801,

the navy consisted of the following ships:

All the other public vessels were ordered by Con

gress to be sold, and the building of those authorized was suspended.

CAPTAIN THOMAS TRUXTON.

Was one of the first six captains appointed by the President, at the organization of the naval establishment, in 1794. He was directed to superintend the building of the Constellation, of 36 guns, at Baltimore, and to take the command of her when equipped

The commerce of the United States having suffered much from the ravages of the French, both in national vessels and privateers, Captain Truxton was sent with a squadron to the West Indies for its protection.

On the ninth of February, 1799, at noon, the island of Nevis bearing w. s. w. five leagues distant, the Constellation being then alone, a large ship was discovered to the southward, which proved to be the French frigate Insurgente, of forty guns and four hundred and seventeen men. Commodore Truxton bore down upon her, and, at a quarter past three, ranging along side, poured a broadside into her, which was immediately returned. After a warm action of an hour and a quarter, the French ship struck twenty-nine of her crew were killed, and forty-four wounded. The Constellation had only one man kill ed, and two wounded.

On the first of February, 1800, the Constellation being alone in the road of Basseterre, at half past seven A. M. Guadaloupe bearing eastward, about five leagues distant, a sail was discovered, which, on ap