motives which call for the present communication will be received and viewed by you, sir, with a more favorable eye. In the promotion of Lieutenant Morris I cannot but perceive that my expectations as an officer have been vitally assailed. It is, in fact, a declaration to the public, that I was incompetent to discharge the duties of a situation to which I was entitled by my rank. And how, sir, I would respectfully ask, have I deserved this stigma on my character? The character of a military man is his only treasure, and believe me, sir, that he who does not guard that treasure with miserly solicitude will prove but a bad sentinel over the honor and interest of his country. By all governments this military spirit has been fostered with parental care, and I had fondly hoped, when entering the service of my country, that I had intrusted my honor to guardians who would preserve it with the most scrupulous anxiety. That this opinion was well founded I shall not presume to question. The individual who suffers, and the public who inflicts, cannot always think alike on a subject of such a delicate nature, and in which the feelings of the individual are alone interested. But when the feelings of the individual so highly excited present him with the alternative of either acquiescing in what he believes to be an unmerited testimony of disgrace, or relinquishing his commission, I trust there is no man of honor who could hesitate which to choose, and no man of feeling who would condemn the choice. For my own part, I confess it is an act of my life for which I feel the most acute concern. To my country I am attached with the most filial veneration. Her Constitution is my idol-her happiness my ambition, and her glory my pride; and at this time to be forced from her service, when my heart and hand are ready to vindicate her violated rights, is a sacrifice which I cannot view but with the most poignant regret. My impressions and feelings are now, sir, before you, and so fully satisfied am I of their correctness, that I should not hesitate to leave the decision which should emanate from them to the magnanimity of Captain Morris himself. I shall now, sir, conclude with the assurance that it will afford me the highest satisfaction to remain in the navy, should it accord with the views of the executive to restore me to that rank of which I have been deprived by the promotion of a junior officer; but should this be refused, I must request that you will do me the favor to consider this as my resignation. With sentiments of the greatest respect, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,

HONORABLE WILLIAM JONES,

Secretary of the Navy, Washington.

CHARLES LUDLOW

A little prior, Lawrence had sent the following on the same subject to the senate of the United States:

"To the Honorable the Senate of the United States of America in Congress Assembled.

James Lawrence of New York, master and commandant of the sloop

of-war Hornet, respectfully presents this memorial to the honorable senate of the United States upon the nomination of Lieutenant Charles Morris, late first officer of the frigate Constitution, to the grade of post captain in the navy of the United States.

Your memorialist respectfully represents that he entered the service as midshipman, September 4, 1798; that he continued in that capacity, attached to sundry vessels, upward of two years, when he was appointed

an acting lieutenant on board the frigate Adams, commanded by Captain Robinson, in which capacity he continued until the reduction of the navy, in consequence of which his appointment was not confirmed, and of course. he remained in the grade of midshipman.

That when the war with Tripoli was declared he was promoted to a lieutenant and attached to the Enterprise as first officer, from which he was removed to the frigate John Adams, and acted in the same capacity.

That this service continued three years and a half, when he returned to the United States with Commodore Treble, and was again dispatched to the Mediterranean as commodore of gun-boat No. 6, in which service he was engaged sixteen months.

That while attached to the Enterprise he sailed as first lieutenant with about seventy volunteers, in the ketch Intrepid of four guns, under the present Commodore Decatur, then commodore of the Enterprise, to destroy the frigate Philadelphia of forty-four guns, lying in the harbor of Tripoli.

That Lieutenant Morris volunteered as a midshipman in this expedition, which was so completely successful that the Philadelphia was destroyed without the loss of a single man on the part of the Americans.

That for this exploit Commodore Decatur was made post captain, and the rest of the officers and crew of the Intrepid were voted by Congress two months' extra pay, which was declined by your memorialist.

That since the Mediterranean service was completed your memorialist has been constantly engaged in the service, having been attached to the Constitution as first lieutenant, and to the Vixen, Wasp, Argus, and Hornet, commander, during which command he has been twice to Europe with dispatches.

That he was in the Hornet when war was declared, and was attached to Commodore Rodgers's squadron, and cruised with him until the commodore's return to Boston, and is now attached to Commodore Bainbridge's squadron.

Under these circumstances your memorialist respectfully presents this memorial to the honorable senate against the ratification of the nomination of Lieutenant Charles Morris to the grade of post captain; but at the same time would bear testimony to the uniformly distinguished merit of that accomplished officer.

Your memorialist would respectfully suggest that no achievement within his knowledge (however gallant) has been rewarded with a promotion of more than one grade, and such is the invariable usage of maritime nations, particularly the British, whose navy has arrived to its greatest perfection.

That the exampled promotion of a single officer on board of any frigate, after a successful engagement, where all did their duty with signal but equal brilliancy, must necessarily be detrimental if not destructive to the service, inasmuch as it is a tacit reflection upon the conduct of those officers who are overlooked.

That the masters and commanders appointed to the smaller vessels of the navy are generally attached to frigates, and consequently are placed by their superior grades in a more unfavorable situation for promotion than officers of an inferior grade, attached to frigates, thereby rendering the grade which they had previously acquired by good conduct an obstacle to future promotion. Apart from etiquette, the impolicy and injustice of such promotion cannot be made more obvious by argument.

That your memorialist is confirmed in these sentiments by the opinions of some of the oldest and most respectable officers in the service, and by all the gentlemen of the navy of the same grade with your memorialist, with whom he has communicated, many of whom think they cannot reconcile it to their honor to continue in the service if so unprecedented a nomination should be ratified by the senate.

BOSTON, October 18, 1812."

(Signed)

JAMES LAWRENCE

Captain Ludlow, after his resignation, being fortunately possessed of an adequate estate, retired to his country place in Orange county, "Windsor Hill," shown in this number. At one time he was a candidate for the congressional nomination from his district, but he lost it by two votes. At "Windsor Hill" he continued to receive such assurances of regard as the following from Commodores Chauncey, Perry, and Hull, and many of his companions in arms whose names are now the property of history. Commodore Chauncey wrote:

Dear Ludlow:

"U. S. Ship Madison, Sackett's Harbor, 18 May, 1813.

Your favor of the 7th inst. was received by the last mail. I regret extremely to find that you have resigned. Independent of any selfish motives, I think that the service has lost a valuable officer, and I think also at some future day that you will regret it yourself. No one could have been appointed to succeed you so agreeable to me as Captain Lawrence. With respect to the sheep I have not thought upon the subject. I will write you more fully about them very shortly; in the meantime if the enemy should make any attempt upon New York before you hear from

VOL. XXV.-No. 4.-20

me, I will thank you to take charge of them and keep them well for me. We will settle the business when we meet.

I have every prospect of having sufficient amusement this summer. The enemy are making great exertions, and a number of navy officers have already arrived at Kingston, amongst the number an admiral. I shall sail in a few days for Niagara. My little squadron sailed yesterday with one thousand troops on board. You will hear of us by the first of June. With very great esteem I am, dear Ludlow, your friend and humble servant, J. CHAUNCEY

CHARLES LUDLOW, ESQ.

P. S.-In my haste I had forgot to tell you that we had been at York, and that we had sharp work for a short time. Lost a number of men, but that is nothing in war time. Bainbridge has sent me one hundred and fifty fine fellows. My new ship will be launched 1st June.

Very truly yours,

The letter of Commodore Perry is equally interesting:

Dear Ludlow :

J. C."

"New Port, February 3, 1818.

It affords me great pleasure to have it in my power to forward you a warrant for your brother; it was sent me after I left home for Washing

I need not assure you that whenever I go to sea I shall cheerfully take charge of him and do all in my power to promote his advancement. At present I have no thought of leaving home. I am in hopes you will come this way next season. Nothing will give me more pleasure, particularly as I am about purchasing me a little place on the island and shall amuse myself in farming on a small scale, and as you are so good a farmer you could give me hints that would be useful.

I am, dear Ludlow, your sincere friend,

CHARLES LUDLOW, Esq."

O. H. PERRY

The following is an extract from a long letter of Commodore Hull, who writes again on the 5th of January, 1834:

"It is a long time, my good sir, since I had the pleasure of seeing you, but my friendship and regard for you is as it ever was, and I frequently call to mind the pleasant days we have spent together. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to have you make us a visit. I wish you and