basely murdered; and afterwards succeeded in getting with both of his prizes to the squadron.

The next day, he received the highest commendation, in a general order, from commodore Preble.

Captain Decatur was now transferred to the command of the frigate Congress, and returned home in her when peace was concluded with Tripoli.

When the frigate United States was put in commission, captain Decatur took command of her, previous to which, he had the command of the southern squadron.

The late war with Great Britain gave him another opportunity of adding to the laurels he had won. On the 25th October, 1812, in latitude 29, N. longitude 29, 30, W. he fell in with his majesty's ship Macedonian, mounting forty-nine guns. After an action of one hour and an half, the enemy surrendered, with a loss of 36 killed, and 68 wounded-while the loss of the Americans was only 4 killed, and 7 wounded. He now carried his prize into Newport, Rhode Island, from thence she afterwards proceeded to New-York, and was refitted.

In May, 1813, after an ineffectual attempt to pass the enemy, and to go to sea, commodore Decatur was obliged to make New-London harbour, where he was pursued by the enemy's blockading squadron, and was closely invested by them.

In January, 1815, commodore Decatur was appointed to the command of the ship President. On the 14th, he embraced the only possible opportunity to escape the enemy's squadron, and go to sea. On the morning of the 15th, he discovered the enemy nearly ahead, one of which, the Endymion frigate, as it afterwards appeared, commenced a fire on the President, which was so spiritedly returned, that in less than two hours she was so crippled, and favoured by a breeze, the President

A

with all sail set went out of the action, and had every probability of escaping, had thick weather set in, of which there was every appearance. On the contrary it continued fine, and enabled three other of the enemy's ships in less than two hours afterwards to approach within half gun shot:-being now assailed by so superior a force, without any probability of escape, commodore Decatur being influenced by motives of humanity, ordered a signal of surrender to be made. He was immediately taken possession of by the Pomone and Tenedos, each of thirty-eight guns, and Majestic razee of sixty-two guns, and carried into Bermuda. On the 22d February, he arrived at New-London, Connecticut.

In the summer of 1815, commodore Decatur was despatched with a squadron to the Mediterranean, to protect the American commerce, and to reduce the regency of Algiers to a pacific disposition. He arrived off Cape de Gatt on the 17th June, where he had the good fortune to fall in with the Algerine admiral, and after an action of twenty-five minutes captured his ship, mounting fortynine guns. On the 19th, after a chase of three hours, he captured an Algerine brig of twenty-two guns. On the 29th June, he arrived before Algiers, and concluded a treaty of peace on advantageous terms. After having visited the other Barbary ports of Tunis and Tripoli, he returned to the United States in November following. President Madison soon after appointed him a member of the board of commissioners at Washington, for the navy of the United States. It was while in the discharge of the duties of this board, that he was challenged to single combat, with pistols, by commodore James Barron, and was mortally wounded at the first fire. He expired on the night of thể 22d March, 1820.

Before he expired, he openly opposed the principle of duelling, and threw himself upon the mercy

of that God whose laws he had violated. Commodore Decatur was pleasing in his person, of an intelligent and interesting countenance. His manners were unassuming and engaging, uniting the polish of the gentleman with the frank simplicity of a sailor.

As a naval officer, he has never been surpassed. The most minute branches of naval science never escaped his attention, and the most abstruse never exceeded his comprehension. The various manoeuvrings of a ship or squadron, were as familiar with him, as the evolutions of an army to the scientific military officer. Whether encountering the enemy in the humble galley, or breasting the shock of battle in the majestic ship, he bore into action, as if the genius of victory hovered over him, and gave him conquest in anticipation. When in the midst of an engagement, his own personal safety never occupied a thought. His fearless soul was engrossed with the safety of his crew and his ship, and the destruction of the enemy. But the moment the battle-fray was ended, he was changed into a ministering spirit of mercy. Over his slain enemy, he dropped a tear-to a wounded one, he imparted consolation-he mingled his sighs with the groans of the dying, and rendered every honour to the gallant dead.

DICKINSON, JOHN, a distinguished political writer, and a friend to his country, was the son of Samuel Dickinson, Esq., of Delaware. In 1764, he was elected a member of the assembly of Pennsylvania; and in 1765, was returned a member to the general congress. In November, 1767, he began to publish his celebrated letters against the acts of the British parliament, laying duties on paper, glass, &c. They supported the liberties of his country,

and contributed much to the American revolution. In 1774, he was elected a member of the first congress; and the petition to the king, which was adopted at this time, was written by him, and is considered an elegant and spirited composition. In June, 1776, he opposed openly, and upon principle, the declaration of independence, when the motion was considered by congress. His arguments were answered by John Adams, who advocated a separation from Great-Britain. The part which Mr. Dickinson took in this debate, occasioned his recall from congress, as his constituents did not coincide with his views. After being absent several years, and finding his constituents unalterably fixed in their system of independence, he fell in with it, and was as zealous in supporting it in congress about the year 1780, as any of the members. In 1782, he was elected president of Pennsylvania. In 1785 he was succeeded in the office by Dr. Franklin. He afterwards removed to Delaware, where he was appointed a member of the old congress; and of which state he was also president. He died at Wilmington, February 15, 1808, at an advanced age.

He filled with ability the various high stations in which he was placed. The welfare of his country was ever dear to him, and he was ready to make any sacrifice for its promotion. He invariably manifested an attachment to a republican government, and supported those men and those measures, which he believed most friendly to republican principles. His political writings have been collected and published in two volumes, octavo, 1801.

DICKINSON, JONATHAN, first president of NewJersey college, was graduated at Yale college in 1706. Two years afterwards, he was settled minister

of the first Presbyterian church in Elizabeth-Town, New-Jersey. Of this church he was for near forty years the joy and glory. The charter of the college of New-Jersey having been enlarged by governor Belcher, in October, 1746, Mr. Dickinson was appointed president. It however did not long enjoy his superintendence, for it pleased God to call him away from life, October 7, 1747, in the sixtieth year of his age.

Mr. Dickinson was a man of learning, of distinguished talents, and celebrated as an eloquent preacher. His writings possess very considerable merit, and are numerous.

DALLAS, ALEXANDER JAMES, secretary of the treasury of the United States, was born June 21, 1759, and was educated at the university of Edinburgh, Scotland.

He came to this country in the year 1783, and commenced the study of the law, and two years after, was admitted to practice in the supreme court of Pennsylvania.

For several years his practice not being very extensive, he prepared for the press the cases adjudged in the courts of Pennsylvania, before and since the revolution.

In 1791, he was appointed secretary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in the same year was elected a member of the American philosophical society.

In 1796, he published an edition of the laws of Pennsylvania, with notes.

In 1801, he was appointed by president Jefferson, attorney of the United States for the eastern district of Pennsylvania, and resigned his secretaryship. This commission was confirmed by the senate in 1802, and he continued connected in this way with the government, until October, 1814, when