floating in all the looseness and uncertainty of ephemeral publications.

There are no events connected with the early history of the United States, which have been more neglected, than those that took place on the ocean. The most juvenile reader is well acquainted with all the prominent battles and sieges of the revolution; but a comparatively few persons have any distinct knowledge of the many gallant struggles of our infant navy. The all absorbing interest of the transactions on land, where the cause of liberty was chiefly sustained, diverted attention from the sea. Every one had a vague idea of the sanguinary triumphs of Paul Jones; but there recollection seemed to pause; forgetful of exertions, which, though often humble through inadequate means, spread annoyance through the wide commerce of Britain.

The first attempt to rescue these honorable and patriotic services from threatening oblivion, was made by Mr Clarke, in his Naval History, compiled during the late war. At that time, the navy of the United States, respectable in force and thorough in discipline, had drawn the public attention to its element, by a series of successes almost unexampled. Curiosity was broadly awake, and eager to turn back to the triumphs of its earlier days. Mr Clarke has succeeded in retrieving many materials from forgetfulness, which will be useful in illustrating our national history; and he reviews. several acts of heroism and enterprise, which might soon have passed beyond the reach of search. Mr Goldsborough, in his Naval Chronicle, whose title forms the head of this article, has trod in the same path, with the same laudable intentions. His account of revolutionary events is rather meagre and desultory; but this, he says in his preface, did not form a part of his original plan; it is therefore a gratuity, of the scantiness of which we have perhaps no right to complain. In descending to later times, when we were involved in difficulties with France, and particularly where he comes down to the Tripolitan war, he enters into a fulness of detail, which renders his volume a valuable repository of historical facts, and official statements.

During their colonial state, the North Americans were often engaged in maritime warfare, as auxiliaries in the enterprises of the mother country; and in many of them, they were dis

tinguished for their activity. Their zeal and sacrifices in these wars, waged generally for objects entirely distinct from their interest, evinced a heartiness and sincerity in their filial affection, which should have entitled them to a more grateful return. But these services, though repaid with contumely and injustice, were not without their benefits; they educated a hardy and expert marine, which was destined ere long for a higher duty, than that of abetting contentions arising out of transatlantic rivalries.

When at last the colonies, by their revolt, became separated from the mother country, they were at once deprived of all maritime protection. The fleets, which had before been stretched along their coast for defence, were suddenly converted into hostile armaments, already in possession of their harbors. Nothing remained with them, save the skill and moral energy, which had been acquired in former wars. It is a subject of surprise and admiration, that this revolt should have taken place, when the overwhelming maritime power of Britain was so well known; rendering her master of every avenue to the revolting country, and enabling her to transport her armies with such certainty and facility. It doubly enhances the boldness of the undertaking, and shows both the heaviness of the oppression, and the fearless character of the sufferers.

It would appear that, when resistance was contemplated by the colonies, a naval force was not taken into consideration. Such an idea might have been discouraged, by the utter hopelessness of contending with the mistress of the ocean. It was not until provoked by wanton aggressions upon their defenceless commerce, that they adopted measures of retaliation. These measures, for some time, were not the result of any executive or legislative authority, but sprang from the patriotic ardor of individuals or corporations. One of the most conspicuous of these incipient and spontaneous enterprises occurred at Machias, Maine, soon after the battle of Lexington. A vessel, which left Boston immediately after the 19th of April, carried to Machias the tidings of this first bloody aggression. The people in all quarters, goaded and exasperated, had waited but for this consummation of oppres sion, to break forth into fierce and resolute hostility. A forbearing spirit seemed to have restrained them under the most

powerful excitements, and had limited their opposition to the most scrupulous defence, until this aggravated violence released them from the last obligation. The moment this release was felt, a daring eagerness for action was manifested on every side.

A British armed schooner was at that time lying at Machias. Considering hostilities as now begun, a plan was immediately formed to capture the unsuspecting enemy. The first intention was to seize upon the officers of the schooner, while attending church on the following day, which was Sunday; but this design was defeated by the vigilance or the activity of the officers, who made their escape to the vessel, and, after firing a few random shot at the town, dropped down the bay. Unwilling to lose the prize, a party of volunteers the next day took forcible possession of a lumber sloop, and immediately began pursuit. The whole equipment for this sudden cruise consisted, according to Mr Goldsborough, of three charges of powder and ball for twenty fowling pieces, 'thirteen pitchforks, ten or twelve axes, a few pieces of salt pork, &c. No circumstance could more strikingly exhibit the reckless and confiding bravery of this little band, than that it should have been without any acknowledged leader, until the moment of overtaking the enemy; when Mr Jeremiah O'Brien was chosen by unanimous consent. Unappalled by the disparity of force, he at once laid his sloop alongside of the schooner, and, after a short but severe contest, carried her by boarding. The British vessel is said to have had four six pounders, twenty swivels, two wall pieces, and an abundance of cutlasses, firearms, and ammunition, and a crew consisting of two commissioned officers, and thirtyeight petty officers and men.' The crew of the lumber sloop is stated to have been less than forty. With the armament of his prize, O'Brien fitted out a small vessel called the Liberty, and soon captured two other British armed schooners, sent out in pursuit of him, whose crews he conducted prisoners to Boston, where, upon the recommendation of General Washington, he was appointed a Captain by the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts. Returning to Machias, he soon manned two vessels, the Liberty and the Diligence, with volunteers, sailed for New Brunswick, and took by surprise Fort Howe, with its garrison and military stores, and a

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loaded brig, lying in the harbor, which was destined for the British troops at Boston.

The declaration of Independence had not yet been made. There was still an opening for accommodation; a lingering allegiance still existed in the hearts of the multitude, and a willingness to discriminate between king and ministers; and while the contest was supposed to be only with the latter, measures seldom extended beyond a defensive character, A small fleet was, however, equipped by the general Congress near the close of the year 1775, with a view to more energetic operations. This first squadron that went forth upon the deep, in defiance of a power, whose immeasurable superiority gave it the character of a forlorn hope, consisted of the Alfred, thirty guns; the Columbus, twentyeight guns; Andrew Doria, sixteen guns; Sebastian Cabot, fourteen guns; and the Providence, twelve guns; and was under the command of Commodore Ezekiel Hopkins, who, hearing that the island of New Providence had large military stores unprovided with a proper defence, sailed thither, and succeeded in capturing the governor, the garrison, and stores. On his return, he made prize of a bomb brig; but failing in an engagement with the Glasgow, of twenty guns, which, after a gallant defence against the Cabot and the Alfred, made its escape from the fleet, he was much censured by his country

men.

The beginning of the year 1776 was marked by many achievements, which were as honorable to the actors as serviceable to the country. The short and brilliant career of Captain Mugford of Boston attracts particular attention. We can hardly excuse Mr Goldsborough for having merely mentioned his name. According to Clarke's Naval History, this active and intrepid mariner was the master of a trading vessel, when he was appointed by General Ward, after much solicitation, to the command of the Franklin, a public armed vessel of four guns. It appears that General Ward, through want of confidence in him, which is not accounted for, subsequently intended to revoke the appointment; but Captain Mugford, through his indefatigable exertions, had already put to sea. His first prize was the Hope, a ship of 300 tons and six guns, which he captured in sight of the English Commodore, Banks. This vessel exceeded in value,' says Mr

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Clarke, anything which had yet been captured by the Americans. Her cargo consisted of 1500 barrels of powder, 1000 carbines, a number of travelling carriages for cannon, and a most complete assortment of artillery instruments and pioneers' tools.' The unpreparedness, with which the colonies had begun the contest, rendered every acquisition of this kind of incalculable importance. In conducting his valuable prize to Boston, it was necessary, in order to avoid the British cruisers, to attempt a difficult and almost untried channel. He was successful in going up, but in coming down again shortly after, on another cruise, through the same passage, he ran aground, and while in that situation was discovered by the British squadron. Eight or nine barges were immediately despatched against him. Being aware of their approach, he first received them with his small arms, and then, cutting his cable so as to swing round, brought his broadside to bear; but before a second discharge could be made, many of the boats had reached the vessel. All efforts to board, however, were promptly and successfully repelled. In the midst of this close and desperate struggle, Captain Mugford, while reaching over the quarter, to seize the mast of one of the boats and upset her, received a pistol ball in his breast. Undismayed by the mortal wound, he called to his first Lieutenant, I am a dead man; do not give up the ship; you will be able to beat them off;' and in a few minutes after expired. But his daring spirit still animated his crew; the enemy was repulsed, with the loss of two barges, and many killed and wounded.

The name of Paul Jones has a kind of romantic familiarity with every American ear. Fireside tradition imprints upon the mind of almost every child, long before he dips into history, a vague idea of his desperate valor and sanguinary battles; and when, in riper years, he ascertains the sober truth, he is surprised and somewhat disappointed, to find how many exaggerated notions he has to surrender. Paul Jones was appointed a lieutenant in the American navy at the beginning of the revolution, and sailed in that capacity under Commodore Hopkins to New Providence. After his return. he was appointed to the Providence, twelve guns, and in 1776 was promoted to the rank of a Captain. While still in command of the Providence, he fell in with the British armed