kins, of the Warren, of thirty-two guns, 14 John Hodge of the Montgomery, of twenty-four guns, 15. William Hallock, of the Lexington, of sixteen guns, 16. Hoysted Hacker, of the Hamden, of guns, 17. Isaiah Robinson, of the Andrew Doria, of fourteen guns, 18. John Paul Jones, of the Providence, of twelve guns, 19. James Josiah, of the of — guns, 20. Elisha Hinman, of the Alfred, of twenty-eight guns, 21. Joseph Olney, of the Cabot, of sixteen guns, 22. James Robinson, of the Sachem, of ten guns, 23. John Young, of the Independence, of ten guns, 24. Elisha Warner, of the Fly, of guns, Lieutenant Baldwin, of the Wasp, of eight guns, lieutenant Albertson, of the Musquito, of four guns.

The different naval engagements during the war are particularly described by the author, who adds some interesting particulars of the activity of the American privateers:

The success of American privateers during the year 1777, in the capture of English merchantmen, was extremely great. Their daring spirit and boldness was unparalleled. Their enterprises were no longer confined to the American seas. The coasts of Europe were now covered with them. The shores of Great Britain were insulted by these privateers, in a manner their hardiest enemies had never dared to attempt. Even the coasting trade of Ireland was rendered insecure. Into so great a state of alarm were the linen merchants thrown, that they petitioned for, and obtained a convoy for the linen ships between Newry and Dublin, and Dublin and England. This was a circumstance before unheard of. The British merchants were forced to adopt the mortifying expedient, of chartering foreign vessels, particularly French, to transport English goods to the continent of Europe. Thus was the immense naval force of Great Britain rendered incompetent fully to protect her own shipping, by the privateers of a country that possessed not a single sail of the line, and that had been only a year in existence as a nation.

The countenance given to American privateers by the French court alarmed the English ministry. The General Mifflin privateer had committed great depredations along the English coasts. On entering the port of Brest, she saluted the French admiral. After the deliberation of an hour and a half, the admiral returned the salute in form, as to the vessel of a sovereign and independent state. Lord Stormont, the British ambassador at the court of Versailles, was much irritated at the conduct of the French. He threatened to return to London, if they should continue thus to countenance the Americans. In consequence of his representations, an order was issued, requiring all American vessels to leave the ports of France. Notwithstanding this

order was positive, yet so many evasions were practised, and the execution of it was so relaxed, that the American ships still continued to frequent the French ports, and to equip and refit in them.

The English West India islands, in particular, continued to feel the severe effects of the American system of privateering. It is estimated that the number of English vessels, employed in the West India trade, captured by American cruisers, amounted on the 1st of February, 1777, to 250 sail; and the value of their cargoes to about $10,000,000. In the course of one week, 14 English vessels were carried into Martinico. So overstocked was the market of this island by these privateers, that English silk stockings, which usually sold for two and three dollars, were disposed of for one dollar. Sailors went from door to door, offering their prize goods for sale. Nor could they dispose of Irish linen for more than two dollars per piece. Other goods sold at the same rate. Of a fleet of sixty vessels from Ireland, for the West Indies, thirty-five were captured by American pri

vateers.

The number of English vessels captured by the Americans during the year 1777, amounted to 467. Previous to the war, the English employed two hundred ships in the African trade. The cargo of each was valued at about 40,000 dollars; making together $8,000,000. At the close of the year 1777, only forty remained in that trade. So that this branch of commerce alone, suffered an annual diminution of $6,400,000.”

"An American privateer put into Beerhaven, in Ireland, for fresh provisions. She remained there about ten hours, paid for every thing she got, and departed in safety."

"The Reprisal of 18 guns, captain Wickes, the Lexington of 16, Johnson, and the Dolphin of 10, Nicholson, after leaving Nantes, sailed round Ireland, and up the north channel. In the course of five days, they took 14 vessels; 110 prisoners were put on board the Crawford, one of the prizes, with permission to proceed to Whitehaven, and to dispose of the vessel as they thought proper."

Among the resolutions of Congress at this period, we observe one which might, we think, be very usefully adopted during the present war:

On the 3d of October, 1776, the secret committee were empowered to purchase, arm, and equip, a frigate and two cutters, in Europe. They were instructed to give orders to the said fri gate to cruise in the British channel against the enemies of the United States.

VOL. II.

After the revolutionary war, the navy appears to have been almost abandoned; for we are told, that

The appropriations for defraying the expenses of the marine department during the year 1784, amounted only to thirty thousand dollars.

The depredations of the Algerines first induced the govern. ment to have recourse to a naval establishment, in the year 1794, when an act of congress authorised the building of four ships of forty-four guns, and two of thirty-six. The peace with Algiers was succeeded by the war with France, which occasioned a gradual increase of the marine, till

The navy of the United States (says the author) during the years 1798 and 1799, amounted to six forty-four gun ships, three thirty-six, seven thirty-two, three twenty-four, seven twenty, four eighteen, and three fourteen. In all thirty-three vessels, besides a number of smaller vessels.

During the years 1798, 1799 and 1800, there were four thousand able seamen in the navy of the United States, who, with the requisite number of ordinary seamen, would have been sufficient to have manned eighteen sail of the line.

The following are the details:

Ships of the United States' Navy, 1798, 1799.

And a number of smaller vessels

1799

In service in 1798, 202 besides smaller vessels.

1799, 30

The present war forms a new era in our maritime history not less brilliant than any which preceded it. The account of the different naval engagements since the declaration of war are given circumstantially by the author. These are so familiar that it is unnecessary to dwell on them. We shall therefore extract only what relates to the present state of the navy:

On the second of January, 1813, congress passed an act to increase the navy of the United States. It authorised the president, as soon as suitable materials could be procured therefor, to cause to be built, equipped, and employed, four ships to rate not less than seventy-four guns, and six ships to rate forty-four guns each.

On the third of March, 1813, an act was passed supplementary to the act for increasing the navy. It authorised the president to have six sloops of war built and equipped for service: also, such number of sloops of war, or other armed vessels, on the lakes, as the public service may require.

For the building or procuring said vessels, and for the payment of two hundred thousand dollars for vessels already procured on the lakes, by direction of the president, the sum of nine hundred thousand dollars to be appropriated.

The sum of one hundred thousand dollars to be appropriated for the purpose of establishing a dockyard, for repairing vessels of war, in such central and convenient place on the seaboard, as the president of the United States shall designate.

The president to be authorised to contract for the building any of the six forty-four gun ships authorised by law; provided

that the building be under the inspection of an agent appointed by the secretary of the navy.

On the third of March an act was passed to encourage the destruction of the armed vessels of war of the enemy. It allowed to any person who should destroy a British armed vessel of war, otherwise than by the armed or commissioned vessels of the United States, a bounty of the one half of the value of such vessel and cargo. Torpedoes, submarine instruments, or any other destructive machines whatever, to be used for this purpose.

List of the Navy of the United States, May 1, 1813.