of putting the sentence of the law into execution, a half guinea piece; then speaking to his valet for the last time, said, “Hutchins, when I fall, throw my morning gown over me;-I should be sorry they saw my blood." This was accordingly done; and it is reported he bled inwardly, so that no blood did appear.

American Treachery.

Captain Sir Thomas Hardy, of the Ramillies, was off New London, in June, 1813, when his boats captured a schooner, making for that harbour; the crew had left her. The vessel was brought close to the Ramillies: Sir Thomas Hardy ordered her to be placed alongside of another prize. Lieutenant Geddes, and thirteen men, were in the execution of this order, when, about half-past two, the vessel blew up, and the lieutenant, with ten of his men, perished; three men only escaped, but were dreadfully scorched. Such was the effect of a wicked and cruel artifice, planned by American merchants of New York, and sanctioned, we fear, by the government. It had been reported, that the Ramillies was short of provisions; they had therefore placed some articles of this description in the hatchway, in hopes the vessel might have been taken alongside. In the hold were stowed several barrels of gunpowder; trains were laid to explode at a given time, by means of clock .work. A quantity of arsenic among the food would have been so perfectly compatible with the rest of the contrivance, that we wonder it was not resorted to. Should actions like these receive the sanction of governments, the science of war, and the laws of nations, will degenerate into the barbarity of the Algerines and murder and pillage will take place of kindness and humanity to our enemies. Every honorable mind in America will blush for his country, when he reads this account, and detest the authors of such diabolical treachery. ME

Punishment of Seamen in the Reign of Charles 11.

(From the Harleian MSS.)

A capstan barr being thrust through the hole of a barrell, the offenders armes are extended to the

full length, and soe made faste untoe the barr croswise, having sometymes a basket of bullets, or some other the like weighte, hanginge abowte his necke, in which posture he continues until he is made either to confesse some plotte or cryme whereof he is pregnantlie suspected, or that he have received such condigne sufferinge as he is sentensed to undergoe by command of the captaine. The punishment of the bilboes is when a delinquent is putt in irons, or in a kinde of stocks used for that the which are more purpose, or lesse heavy and pinching as the quality of the offence is proved against the delinquent.—The ducking att the mayne yarde arme is, when a malefactor, by having a rope fastened under his armes and about his myddle, and under his breatche, is thus hoysted upp to the end of the yarde; from whence hee is again vyolentlie lett fall intoe the sea, sometymes twyse, sometymes three severall tymes one after another; and if the offense be very fowle, he is alsoe drawne under the verye keele of the shippe, the which is termed keele haling; and whilst hee is thus under water a great gunn is given fire righte over his head; the which is done as well toe astonishe him the more with the thunder thereof, which much troubleth him, 15 toe give warning untoe all others toe look out, and toe beware by his harmes.

Steam Man-of-War.

The American steam-vessel, called the Fulton (from the name of the inventor), appears to have been a very formidable floating-battery, with the power of loco-motion, at the rate of fre miles an hour. Without

masts or sails, she could

preserve her position on the quarter of a ship, for any time, in calms or light winds. She had thirty 32pound guns on one deck, her sides were five feet thick, and being covered over like a tortoise's back, bade defiance to the shot of an enemy. For the defence of rivers, and still waters, she answered every purpose; and could have been encountered only by a vessel of similar construction. As she was not produced till after the conclusion of the war, she never came into action; but experiments were made, and her powers appeared to be very surprising.

Fulton, in the year 1811, wrote a letter to Count Marbois, wherein he proposed to destroy the whole British fleet by means of torpedoes. This man first suggested his plan to Mr. Pitt and Lord Keith; they were tried at Boulogne and failed. He next invented the famous stoneships, which he was to have conducted himself to the harbour of

Boulogne, but by some means never could find a favorable opportunity of doing so he was, however, well paid for what he performed. After this he was no more seen in England; and we hear of him in America, receiving money from that government, for perfecting his inventions there, while at the same time he is in correspondence in 1809 with the Count de Marbois, to impart his secret to Napoleon, to rid his imperial majesty at once of all his enemies, to smooth the way to universal empire, and the conquest of England. On completing this last, though not least object, the modest projector only demanded two millions sterling, to be paid to himself, his heirs, or assigns. Admiral — (who once held the command in the Downs) asked a projector of this description. and we believe the same person, where he expected to go when he died? The man hesitated: Why to hell to be sure," said the honest veteran.

Loss of his Majesty's Ship Anson. His majesty's frigate Anson, of 40 guns, Captain Lydiard, commander, after completing her stores of all kinds for a four months cruise, sailed from Falmouth on the 24th of December, 1807, to resume her station off Brest. As it blew very hard from the W. S. W. she was not able to get so far to the westward; however, Captain Lydiard persevered in his endeavours until the 28th.

On the morning of that day they made the Isle of Bas, on the French coast, which they had seen the preceding evening. There being now every appearance of bad weather, Captain Lydiard determined to return to port, and accordingly shaped a course for the Lizard, the gale still increasing, and it coming on very heavy. About three P. M.

the land was seen about five miles west of the Lizard, but at the time not exactly known, as many opinions were expressed as to what land it was then in sight; the ship was wore to stand off at sea, but had not long been on that tack, before the land was again descried right a-head.

It was now quite certain that the ship was embayed, and every exertion was made to work her off the shore, but finding she lost ground every tack, she was brought to an anchor in twenty-five fathoms, at five P. M. with the best bower anchor veered away to two cables length. By this anchor the ship rode in a most tremendous sea, and as heavy a gale as was ever exp rienced, until four A. M. of 29th, when the cable parted. small bower anchor was then

go, and veered away to two cables length, which held her until eight A. M. when that also parted; and as the last resource, in order to preserve the lives of as many as possible, the fore-top-sail was set, and the ship run on shore, on the sand which forms the bar, between the Loe Pool, about three miles from Helstone, and the sea. The tide had ebbed about an hour when she struck; on taking the ground, she broached-to with her broadside to the beach, and most happily heeled into the shore; had she, on the contrary heeled off, not a soul could have escaped alive.

Now commenced a most heartrending scene to some hundreds of spectators, who had been in anxious suspense, and who exerted themselves to the utmost, at the imminent risk of their lives, to save those of their drowning fellow men. Many of those who were most forward in quitting the ship lost their lives, being swept away by the tremendous sea, which entirely went over the wreck. The main-mast formed a floating raft from the ship to the shore, and the greater part of those who escaped, passed by this medium.

One of the men saved stated, that Captain Lydiard was near him on the main-mast; but that he seemed to have lost the use of his faculties with the horror of the scene, and soon disappeared.

At a time when no one appeared on the ship's side, and it was supposed the work of death ceased, a methodist preacher, venturing his life through the surf, got on board, over the wreck of the main-mast, to see if any one remained; some honest hearts followed him. They found several persons still below, who could not get up; among whom were two women and two children. The worthy preacher and his party saved the two women and some of the men, but the children were lost

About two P. M. the sh to pieces when a few

emerged from the wreck. One of these was saved. By three o'clock no appearance of the vessel remained.

The men who survived were conveyed to Helstone, about two miles distant, where they were taken care of by the magistrates, and afterwards sent to Falmouth in charge of the regulating captain of that port.

Among the officers saved were Captain Sullivan, a passenger; Messrs. Hill, and Brailey, midshipmen and Mr. Ross, assistant surgeon.

To the above account, we shall subjoin that of Captain Lydiard's steward, who was more immediately about his person, and very exact in

his observations.

"On the 27th of December, 1807, cruising off the Black Rocks, and perceiving the approach of a gale, kept a look out for the commodore in the Dragon. The next morning (Monday) the gale encreasing from the S. W. and not perceiving the Dragon in any direction, at nine o'clock shaped our course for the Lizard, with a view of getting into Falmouth. At twelve o'clock, all hands upon deck, the sea running very high, two bow-ports on the starboard side, washed away by the violence of the sea, also a port a-breast the main-mast, by which means she shipped a great deal of

water.

"The captain sent for the master at this time to determine the situation of the ship, and, at half past twelve o'clock or thereabout, land was seen about two miles distant; but, from the extreme thickness of the weather, they could not ascer tain what part. Captain Lydiard ordered the ship to be wore to the S. E. not thinking it safe to stand in any nearer, under such circumstances of weather. Soon after one o'clock, the master wished him to run in again and make the land, which supposed to be the hat if we could make

it out we should get into Plymouth. Captain Lydiard asked if it could be done without risk; he (the master) said, he thought it could.

"The ship was then wore, but the weather still continuing thick, we had a cast of the lead, and, having twenty-seven fathom, we were convinced we must be to the westward of the Lizard, and immediately wore ship again, and made all sail. Soon after three o'clock, as the captain was going to dinner, he looked out of the quarter gallery, from whence he saw the breakers close to us, and the land a long distance a-head. The ship wore instantly, and Captain Lydiard's mind made up to come to an anchor; for had we kept under weigh, the ship must have struck upon the rocks in a few hours. The top gallant masts were got upon deck, and she rode very well until four o'clock on Tuesday morning, when the cable parted. The other anchor was immediately let go, and the lower yards and top masts struck. At day-light the other cable parted, and we were then so close to the land, that we had no alternative but to go on shore, when Captain Lydiard desired the master to run the ship into the best situation for saving the lives of the people; and, fortunately, a fine beach presented, upon which the ship was run. Shortly after she struck, the main-mast went, but

hurt no one.

'Captains Lydiard and Sullivan, with the first lieutenant, were resolved to remain with the ship as long as possible; many people were killed on board; the first lieutenant and a number of others washed overboard. board. It was the captain's great wish to save the lives of the ship's company, and he was employed in directing them the whole of the time. He had placed himself by the wheel, holding by the spokes, where he was exposed to the violence of the sea, which broke tremendously over him; and, from continuing in this situation too long, waiting to see the people out of the ship, he became so weak, that upon attempting to leave the ship. himself, and being impeded by a boy who was in the way, and whom he endeavoured to assist, he was washed away and drowned."

This unfortunate officer might truly be said to have sacrificed his life to the high sense of duty, which, at all times and on all occasions, determined his conduct. His body being found, was interred with military honors at Falmouth, attended by Admiral Sir Charles Cotton and General Spencer, with all the navy and military officers of the expedition at that port, the captains of packets, the mayor and corporation of the town; and was afterwards removed to his family vault in the parish church of Haslemere, Surrey.

Captain JOHN WRIGHT was born at Cork, in Ireland. His father was Captain James Wright, paymaster of the sixth royal veteran battalion. In 1794 Mr. Wright served as midshipman and secretary in the Diamond, of 38 guns, Captain Sir Sidney Smith. The enterprising spirit of Sir Sidney Smith had been successfully exerted against the

until April 18, 1796, when

having, on a reconnoitring expedition off Havre de Grace, captured the Vengeur French lugger privateer, with the boats of his little

squadron, he was driven by a strong

set of the tide above the forts. Sir

Sidney and his prize were discovered by the enemy in the morning the alarm was given, and he wa attacked by such a superior fore that resistance was found utterl

unavailable, and he was compelled to surrender himself and his company, among whom was Mr. Wright, prisoners of war. He was afterwards, in 1804, appointed to the sloop Vincejo, and made a second time prisoner, of which the following is the substance of an account in a letter, dated May 14, 1804 :

-

In cruising between the Loire and L'Orient, on the evening of May 4, he discovered a large ship corvette at the entrance of the latter place, apparently ready for sea, and learning from a neutral that her force was eighteen long 18-pounders, and 160 men, and her destination eastward, with a convoy of thirty sail, he proceeded in that direction to intercept her. He continued to watch her motions, and endeavour to bring her to action; when at daylight on the 8th the ship was becalmed close to the mouth of the river, and carried by the ebb tide, in less than an hour, so near to the Taignouse Rocks, that he was forced to anchor to avoid them, to sound, and warp into the fair channel. By the time this was accomplished, and all hands placed at the sweeps, she was pursued by a large division of the enemy's flotilla, which had been perceived rowing out of the Morbihan, soon after she anchored. By half-past eight o'clock the enemy had advanced within extreme range, and opened their fire; they continued rapidly gaining upon the ship, until about half-past nine, when they were so near, that Captain Wright was compelled to sweep her broadside to, and engage under the greatest possible disadvantages; a perfect calm, a strong flood tide making against him, the people fatigued by hard labor at the oar, and divided during the action, between the larboard guns and the starboard sweeps. sweeps. This unequal contest was maintained with great animation, and with frequent cheers, by the weak but gallant Vincejo's crew, for nearly two hours, within grape and hailing distance: her

hull, masts, yards, and rigging, bad been much injured; three guns were disabled; the fire was slackered, notwithstanding every effort to revive it, to one gun in about five minutes, by the booms falling upon the main-deck, and the flower of her men being killed and wounded. "In this painful situation," says the captain," without a chance oi escape, or hope of succour, closely pressed in a dead calm, by seventeen gun-vessels, advancing to board with numerous troops-with a crew reduced to fifty efficient officers and seamen, including seventee boys, I might still perhaps have opposed a momentary, though van resistance to such superior force. but I felt it a duty I owed my Coul try to surrender in time, to preserve the lives of my brave men for SOLbetter occasion.

" Of the conduct of my officer and ship's company in general, their lordships will form an adequate opinion, from the superiority of the enemy, compared with the length of the action; the retrospect d which affords me consolation in misfortune, as it presents little to blame, and much to commend and admire but it is a pleasing duty of mine to particularize the active intrepidity and intelligent bravery of Lieutenants Wallis and Hall, and the distinguished gallantry and u common energy of Mr. Lewis, act ing boatswain, whose death I la

ment as a severe loss to the service. To these officers, and the smal draft of seamen I received from the Utrecht, is greatly to be attributed the obstinacy of the conflict, in which I trust it will appear, the honor of the country, and the reputation of the navy, have been supported to the utmost of our power.

that

"Mr. Hiller, the master, and the warrant and petty officers in general, acquitted themselves of their duty in the action, to my perfect satisfaction, I annex an account of the enemy's force, a list of my