was so severely wounding to his pride, that he remonstrated to the proper department, in very feelings terms. He stated that he was now commanded by Lieutenants who had formerly served under him, in the Tripoline war. To withdraw a commission from the individual on whom it is conferred, to declare an officer unworthy of the honour thus bestowed, is an outrage of the same character as to wantonly place a junior over the head of his senior officer. Whether objections of this nature weighed with the government, we know not but certain his remonstrances proved ineffectual. Finding that there was no prospect of having his complaints listened to, with a favourable ear, he tendered his resignation to Mr. Secretary Hamilton, at the time of that gentleman's going out of office. It was not accepted, and Lieutenant Burrows had now to bear with fortitude what he was unable to remedy. He applied to the government in March, 1812, for a furlough, for the purpose of prosecuting a voyage to India, which was granted. He found it indispensable, as his circumstances were at this time, somewhat embarrassed; and he accordingly went on board the ship Thomas Penrose, from Philadelphia, bound to Canton, under the command of Captain Ansley, of that city. On the return passage, the ship was captured and carried into Barbadoes. Lieutenant Burrows arrived in the United States, on his parole, in June 1813, and in the succeeding month, was regularly exchanged.

Shortly after this, he was ordered by government to repair to Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, and to take the command of the United States' sloop of war Enterprise, then in a state of readiness for sea. His mind was still sore with a sense of his

unredressed grievance, on the subject of his rank. But the prospect of active service gratified his love of glory, which suspended, all other considerations. He declared, to an intimate friend, that he would serve during the war, and that he would then dash his commission in the fire. He sacrificed all minor feelings, and promptly accepted the appointment.

The Enterprise left the harbour of Portsmouth on the 5th of September, 1814. The next day, she fell in with his Britannic majesty's brig the Boxer, mounting sixteen eighteen pound carronades, and two long nine pounders. The Boxer fired a shot, hoisted English colours, and immediately bore down upon the Enterprise. The American vessel was tacking and making preparations for action. Having obtained the weather gage, she manoeuvred for some time to try her sailing, and ascertain the force of her antagonist. At length she shortened sail, hoisted three ensigns, and fired three shot in answer. The action now grew warm; the Boxer bore within half pistol shot of the Enterprise, and giving three cheers, fired her starboard broadside. She was answered by three cheers and a larboard broadside from the Enterprise, and the action became general. The Enterprise having the advantage of the wind, ranged ahead of her enemy, rounded to on the larboard tack, and commenced a raking broadside. The enemy's maintopsail and topsail-yards came down, and the Enterprise taking a position on the starboard bow of the Boxer, and opening a raking fire, compelled the enemy to cry for quarters. Their colours were nailed to the mast, and could not be hauled down. This action was continued for forty-five minutes, during which time the Boxer received much

damage in sails, rigging, spars and hull. The Enterprise had but one eighteen pound shot in her hull, one in her mainmast, and one in her fore-mast. Her sails were much cut with grape shot, and a great number of grape were lodged in her side. The Boxer had twenty eighteen pound shot in the hull, most of them at the water edge, with several stands of eighteen pound grape in her side. Lieutenant M Call stated his loss to have been four killed, and ten wounded. The number killed on board of the Boxer is uncertain; the same officer states, from the best information which he was able to procure, that there was, of the enemy, between twenty and twenty-five killed, and fourteen wounded.

At the first fire, Lieutenant Burrows was mortally wounded by a musket ball; he refused, notwithstanding, to be carried below, and during the whole of the action, he lay bleeding on the deck. With his dying lips he requested that the flag might never be struck. When the sword of his gallant enemy was presented to him, he clasped his hands together, and exclaimed, "I am satisfied-I die contented." He was then carried below, and expired shortly after. Captain Blythe, of the Boxer, who was killed by a cannon ball, was one of the supporters of the pall at the funeral of the unfortunate Lawrence. These brave men now slumber side by side, and their antipathies with them. The following resolution unanimously passed both Houses of Congress:

"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be requested to present to the nearest male relation of Lieutenant WILLIAM BURRows, and to Lieutenant EDWIN R. M'CALL, of

the brig Enterprise, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices; and a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers of the aforesaid vessel; in testimony of the high sense, entertained by Congress, of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and crew, in the conflict with the British sloop Boxer, on the fourth of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirteen. And the President is also requested to communicate to the nearest male relation of Lieutenant BURROWS, the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of that valuable officer, who died in the arms of victory, nobly contending for his country's rights and fame."

The remains of the gallant commanders, (Burrows and Blythe) were buried at Portland, with military honours.

The following memorial was caused to be inscribed on the monument of the gallant Lieutenant Burrows, of Portland, by Mr. M. L. Davis, of New-York.

"Beneath this stone, moulders the body of Williams Burrows, late commander of the United States' brig Enterprise, who was mortally wounded on the 5th of September, 1813, in an action which contributed to increase the fame of American valour, by capturing his Britannic Majesty's brig Boxer, after a severe contest of forty-five minutes. A passing stranger has erected this monument of respect to the name of a patriot, who, in the hour of peril, obeyed the loud summons of an injured country, and who gallantly met, fought, and conquered the foeman."

yer

CAPTAIN

JAMES LAWRENCE.

JOHN LAWRENCE, Esq was a respectable lawof the state of New-Jersey, and resided in the city of Burlington. He had several children, sons and daughters, of whom the youngest, James, forms the subject of this memoir. He had the misfortune to lose his wife, a few weeks after the birth of this son, which took place on the 1st of October, 1781, and, consequently committed him to the affectionate care of his daughters, for whom their brother ever manifested the warmest gratitude and friendship.

His juvenile years were chequered with nothing more than the ordinary occurrences to which that stage of life is universally subjected. He was mild in his temper, modest in his manners, dutiful and affectionate to his relatives and friends.

His father designed him for the bar, but he, very early, discovered a predeliction for naval pursuits, from which, in vain, his father attempted to divert him. In obedience, however, to his father's wishes, he spent a few years in the dry studies of the law, until his father's death, which enabled him, by the consent of his uncle, to follow the bent of his inclination. He learnt navigation, and, at seventeen years of age, was honoured with a Midshipman's warrant. His first voyage was a cruise, in the ship Ganges, under Captain Tingey, in the West-Indies, during the short mişunderstanding between France and the United States. This and several subsequent ones furnished no incidents of character worthy of record. The Tripoline war, however, was of a different cast. In this the most determined spirit was dis

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