wounded at his quarters, still remained at his post, survived the action, and there received the sword of his gallant and intrepid antagonist.

The following extract from Captain Allen's letter, addressed to his sister, will show the character of this intrepid officer in an amiable light:

"When you shall hear that I have ended my earthly career, that I only exist in the kind remembrance of my friends, you will forget my follies, forgive my faults, call to mind some little instances. dear to reflection, to excuse your love for me, and shed one tear to the memory of

HENRY."

LIEUTENANT

JOHN CUSHING AYLWIN.

THOMAS AYLWIN, a merchant of the town of Boston, espoused the sister of the late William. Cushing, who at the time of his decease was one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. In the early stage of the American Revolution, Mr. Aylwin removed from Boston to Quebec, where he remained during the whole contest. At the close of that war, his son John Cushing Aylwin, was born, in the capital of Lower Canada. His education was more useful than speculative. He obtained a familiar knowledge of the French language; was instructed in the rudiments of Latin, and the elements of Mathematics. In early life he was rated on board a British frigate commanded by Captain Coffin. In consequence of the impressment of one of his particular companions, he left the British service in disgust.

Retaining, however, his predeliction for the sea, as soon as he lost his parents, he abandoned those pursuits which had been pointed out for him, and entered an apprentice on board a ship in the London trade.

His master, the Captain of the vessel, did not fulfil on his part, the articles which he had entered into with Aylwin. Instead of allowing him six months tuition at a naval academy, according to stipulation, his master continued him on board the ship, which he employed in the West-India trade. Aylwin, nevertheless, so much profited by a short experience, that after two voyages, he was advanced to be mate of the ship, being then about fifteen years of age. Some dispute having arisen between him and the Captain, the latter wreaked upon Aylwin, a vengeance to him emphatically horrible. It was contrived, that he should be kidnapped by a press-gang.

After his impressment, he was put on board a gun brig; and here every artifice was practised, and every means employed, to induce him to enter voluntarily into the English service. Promotion was offered him in case of his compliance, and upon his refusal, his letters to his friends were suppressed, and himself continued, from day to day, and from year to year, without prospect of deliverance, traversing distant seas, and enduring all the diversities of climate. The North Sea, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, and the East-Indies, with all their varieties of climate and misery, had tried his patience and weakened his frame. His diminishing health rendering him less serviceable, he was released and came to Boston, after being six years in imprisonment. Thus a temporary loss of health, was the instrument of a permanent enjoy

ment of liberty. Nor were his sufferings unattended or unrewarded by countervailing advantages. He had become a finished seaman; and having acquired that accomplishment, principally during long service in an armed vessel, and having borne a part in several engagements, he was likewise a proficient in naval warfare.

He now entered the merchant service, which he prosecuted as master of a vessel for several years. At the beginning of the late war, he was appointed sailing-master of the frigate Constitution, Captain Hull, with an understanding, that this appointment should not prejudice his claim to promotion as a commissioned officer, and also, that such promotion should take place with all proper expedition. On the first cruise of the Constitution, his seamanship was called into exercise. Her escape, after a pursuit of sixty hours, on her first putting to sea from the Chesapeake, is reckoned among the most masterly manoeuvres which have been performed in the navy. In such circumstances, the duty of sailing-master is most important; and in the event of success, he may justly claim a proportionate degree of credit.

Mr. Aylwin continued on board the Constitution till the capture of the Java, which terminated his life. At the capture of the Guerriere, he still officiated as sailing-master; and by his display of nautical skill, both in bringing her into action and managing her during its continuance, called forth the applause of Captain Hull, and of every person who was witness of it. In this action he received a wound from a musket ball, and was afterwards appointed Lieutenant, in which character he again sailed in the Constitution, Captain Bainbridge. In her action with the Java, where the capture of the latter was purchased with the

life of Aylwin, his courage and skill came up to the high anticipations which his former merits had excited. A musket ball or grape shot, struck him just under the collar bone, and came out at the shoulder blade. We close this memoir, by the obituary notice furnished to the public by Commodore Bainbridge.

"Died on board the United States' frigate Constitution, at sea, the 28th of January, 1812, of wounds received in the action with the Java, Lieutenant John Cushing Aylwin, of the United States navy. He entered the service about the time war was declared, as a sailing-master, and was promoted to a Lieutenancy, for his gallant conduct in the action with the Guerriere. He was an officer of great merit, much esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He had seen much of the world, and improved his opportunities of observation; possessed a strong mind, with great benevolence of disposition. In his death, our country has suffered a great loss-his friends a painful deprivation.

"In the action with the Guerriere, he stood on an elevated situation, by the side of his brave comrades, Morris and Bush, at the time the two vessels came in contact, and was wounded in the left shoulder with a musket ball.

"In the late action he commanded the forecastle division, and his bravery and marked coolness throughout the contest, gained him the admiration of his commander, and all who had an opportunity of witnessing him.

"When boarders were called to repel boarders, he mounted the quarter deck hammock-cloths, and, in the act of firing his pistols at the enemy, received a ball through the same shoulder. Notwithstanding the serious nature of his wound,

he continued at his post until the enemy had struck; and even then did not make known his situation until all the wounded had been dressed. His zeal and courage did not forsake him in his last moments: for, a few days after the action, although labouring under considerable debility, and the most excruciating pain, he repaired to quarters, when an engagement was expected with a ship, which afterwards proved to be the Hornet. He bore his pain with great and unusual fortitude, and expired without a groan.

"A dauntless soul erect, who smiled on death."

LIEUTENANT

WILLIAM BURROWS

Was born on the 6th of October, 1785, in Kensington, then near, now joined, to Philadelphia. His father, at this time in affluent circumstances designed to give him a belles lettres education. Left to his own inclination, at thirteen years of age, his use of books was gratifying only curiosity and amusement, subjects not of lasting importance. The accomplishment of polished life, necessarily embraced a knowledge of the living languages, and for the attainment of this object alone was parental authority exercised, which was but partially accomplished. A knowledge of the French, in particular, was considered an accomplishment of the highest order, in the attainment of which, the son manifested the greatest reluctance. But in acquiring a knowledge of the German language, with the father a secondary object, he was much more successful. He learnt