COPY OF A CERTIFICATE TO CAPTAIN THOMAS BOYLE, FROM THE COMMANDER OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SCHOONER ST. LAWRENCE; DATED AT SEA, FEBRUARY 27TH, 1815, ON BOARD THE UNITED STATES PRIVATE-ARMED-BRIG CHASSEUR.

In the event of Captain Boyle's becoming a prisoner of war to any British cruiser, I consider it a tribute justly due to his humane and generous treatment of myself, the surviving officers and crew of His Majesty's late schooner St. Lawrence, to state that his obliging attention and watchful solicitude to preserve our effects, and render us comfortable, during the short time we were in his possession, were such as justly entitle him to the indulgence and respect of every British subject.

I also certify that his endeavors to render us comfortable, and to secure our property, were carefully seconded by all his officers, who did their utmost to that effect.

J. C. GORDON,

Lieut. and Com. of His Majesty's late
Schooner St. Lawrence:

"Britannia needs no bulwark,

No towers along the steep;

Her march is o'er the mountain waves,

Her home is on the deep."

ARRIVAL OF THE PRIVATEER CHASSEUR.

Captain Boyle arrived in Baltimore on the 15th of April, 1815, in the brig Chasseur, full of rich goods, spoils from the enemy, after a successful cruise among the Islands in the West Indies.

On entering the port, the McHenry in a handsome style. crew were welcomed by all nity.

Chasseur saluted Fort Her brave captain and classes of the commu

The Chasseur was a fine, large brig, and familiarly called "The Pride of Baltimore." She was indeed a fine specimen of naval architecture, and perhaps the most beautiful vessel that had floated on the ocean. She sat as light and buoyant on the water as a graceful swan, and it required but very little help of the imagination to feel that she was about to leave her watery element, and fly into the clear, blue sky.

Although this gallant vessel was so elegant and attractive to her friends, she carried dismay and terror to her enemies. During her last cruise, only seventeen days previous to her arrival in port, her heroic commander captured His Britannic Majesty's schooner St. Lawrence, mounting 15 carriage guns, with a crew of 75 men.

This action lasted but 15 minutes, when the Englishman surrendered his vessel, having been completely cut to pieces. Fifteen of his crew were killed, and 25 wounded; the Chasseur had but 5 men killed, and 8 wounded, and received little or no damage in her

hull.

Her sails and rigging were somewhat injured, but were soon repaired, so that in a few hours she was ready for another action.

The Chasseur made several other prizes on this cruise, which have been recorded in their proper places.

On Captain Boyle's return home to Baltimore, he heard that a treaty of peace had been signed at Ghent, by the Ambassadors of the American and English governments. He then returned to the peaceful avocations of private life, to enjoy the esteem and applause of all those who had the honor of his acquaintance.

I cannot conclude my remarks on Captain Boyle's services to his State and country, without expressing a

wish, that his name may be honored and cherished by every American heart, and I think he is richly entitled to a national monument, to perpetuate his memory to the latest generations.

The writer regrets that he never had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with Captain Boyle; but from all he can learn of his character, to say that he was a dashing, brave man, would, in his case, be but common-place eulogy, for he was infinitely more than that idea expresses. He evidently possessed many of the elements of a great man, for in him were blended the impetuous bravery of a Murat, with the prudence of a Wellington. He wisely judged when to attack the enemy, and when to retreat, with honor to himself, and to the flag under which he sailed.

The reader will please observe his daring bravery in cruising in the British Channel; and call to mind his many gallant victories, particularly when in command of the schooner Comet, in an action off Pernambuco, with a large Portuguese man-of-war-brig and three English merchantmen.

They were all well-armed and manned, notwithstanding which, Captain Boyle captured the three British vessels, and beat off the man-of-war.

The details of this battle may be found in the fourth chapter of this work.

In his last cruise in the Chasseur he also captured his Britannic Majesty's schooner St. Lawrence, of at least equal force with himself.

And then, reflect on his prudence in the management of his prizes.

He destroyed the dullest and poorest of them, and sent into port the best and most valuable, after having removed the specie, and all the most valuable articles

into his own vessel, so as to secure a successful cruise to his owners, and to all others concerned in the enterprise.

As far as I can judge, he displayed in all his acts a sound judgment, beautifully blended with patriotic bravery.

Had this gentleman been a Commander in the United States Navy, his fame and deeds of valor would have been lauded throughout our great republic; but as he only commanded a privateer, who speaks of him? Or of such men as Diron, Champlin, Murphy, Stafford, Wooster, and a host of others, who fought and bled in their country's cause.

Is it not then narrow-minded prejudice not to award a just appreciation of the services of the gallant men who commanded privateers and letters-of-marque during our severe struggle with England for an equal right to navigate the ocean, the great highway of nations. For it must certainly be conceded, that while contending with the enemy at that period, the privateers and private armed vessels formed in fact a large portion of our navy, and were an indispensable auxiliary to it, as the militia and volunteers were to the United States army.

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CHAPTER XI.

CAPTAIN REID'S CRUISE-ARRIVAL AT FAYAL-ACCOUNT OF HIS GALLANT DEFENCE— COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN CONSUL AT FAYAL TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AT WASHINGTON-CAPTAIN REID'S ARRIVAL AT SAVANNAH—HIS RECEPTION AT THAT PLACE-PUBLIC DINNER GIVEN HIM AT RICHMOND, VA.-TOASTS, ETC.CONTINUATION OF PRIZES AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF PEACE-ESCAPE OF THE PRIVATEER-BRIG WARRIOR FROM A BRITISH FRIGATE AND A SEVENTY-FOUR''——SHE ARRIVES AT NEW YORK-BRIG TAGUS, FROM SMYRNA, CAPTURED BY THE LETTER-OFMARQUE BRUTUS, OF BOSTON-BRITISH PACKET WINDSOR CASTLE, FROM FALMOUTH, ENGLAND, FOR HALIFAX, CAPTURED BY THE ROGER AND SENT INTO NORFOLK-TRANSPORTSHIP MOSELY, CAPTURED BY THE LETTER-OF-MARQUE RAMBLER, AND SENT TO BOSTON -BRITISH BRIG BOURWAN, FROM PENANG, WITH A VALUABLE CARGO, CAPTURED BY THE JACOB JONES, AND SENT TO BOSTON-EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF THE PRIVATEER MC DONOUGH, AT MORLAIX, FRANCE-PRIVATEERS PREPARING FOR SEA, WHEN THE NEWS OF PEACE ARRIVES IN THE UNITED STATES

CRUISE AND CAPTURE OF THE PRIVATEER-BRIG GENERAL ARMSTRONG, SAMUEL C. REID, COMMANDER.

Captain Reid sailed from Sandy Hook on the 9th of September, 1814, bound on a cruise. On the same night after leaving port, Captain Reid was chased by a British frigate, and a ship of the line. He outsailed them both, when at noon the next day, they thought proper to give up the chase. On the 11th, two days after leaving port, he boarded the private armedschooner Perry, six days from Philadelphia. The Perry had thrown all her guns overboard, being hard pressed by the enemy. The next day, on the 12th, Captain Reid exchanged a few shots with a British man-of-war brig, and then proceeded on his course. On the 24th, boarded a Spanish brig and a schooner, and also a Portuguese ship, all from Havana. He allowed them all to proceed on their respective courses. On the 26th of (370)