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Brilliant four or five miles astern. This was the most interesting feature in the day’s proceedings, being the only piece of competition in sailing, the other vessels having merely to obey orders and keep their stations. Not being able to weather the “ Warner Shoal,” the squadron as each ship aoproached, tacked and stood over to starboard. When outside the Nab the St. Vincent clewed up her courses to wait for the others, and the Vanguard and Albion followed her example to keep their stations. The Albion had to take in her top-oallant-sails to keep clear of the Vanguaid.° At 12 o'clock signal was made to the Steamers to prepare to go ahead under sail only, and the dinner pennon was bent. When outside the Albion asked permission to lower the main topmast (!) which was granted. The Rodney was obliged to back her main topsail to keep her station, she drew ahead so fast.—By a quarter past 12 all the line-of-battle-sliips made the Nab, and formed the prescribed order of sailing in two columns.—At this time the Steamers were making up fust, the Terrible and Retribution leading, the former ahead, the whole fleet now lay to during the dinner hour.At one o’clock Signal was made for a Lieutenant from eacli ship to repair on board the St. Vincent,—this appearing likely to prove a business of an hour or two, from the distance at whicli the other members of the squadron lay from the Commodore, a signal was shortly after made to the steamers to take tho boats containing the officersin tow.The Commodore having communicated his orders to his officers sent for the various ships, the steamers set sail and prepared to go ahead.About 2 o'clock a squall came on from the eastward, and compelled the ships to send down royal yards—take in top gallant sails, and loresnils; at this the yachts and small craft began to manifest some symptoms of uneasiness, and put hack as fast as they could for the shore.At about half-past three, after lying to for two hours the fleet made sail down channel, under double reefed topsails, top gallant sails, and foresails, and at 5 o’clock were lost to view from the Nab Light vessel.The Trafalgar again showed her inferiority to the rest of the Fleet; and the Albion proved better even than on the last occasion of shewing her abilities.(From the Washington Union, Mai/ 28.J The New York Albion invokes all the friends of peace to exert their best efforts for its preservation. It thinks the danger imminent. We sympathise in our wishes with the Alhian. We, too, deprecate any war between Great Britain and the United States, and wc invoke as sincerely os it does the blessings of peace between tho two tions. But why does it indulge any fears at this moment ? Why suppose that a call for 50,000 volunteers points to a war with England? We mean to conduct the war against Mexico with all the vigor in our power. We may wont 25,000 volunteers, or even more, to strike such a blow as may compel her to make peace. Wo shall invade her territory ; we shall seize her strongholds; wo shall take even her capital, if there be no other means of bringing her to a sense of justice. We inay want 50,000 volunteers, not against England, but for the Mexican war. Why need the Albion, then, attribute our military energy to any covert design of waging a war against England ?“Look-ahead dropped in gently at the principal wharf of the Cove, and was received by a salute°f Arresting sight was here exbibited.-Thesettlers had congregated together for t, e purpose of giving the finishing stroke to the bea Jtiftil little church which overhangs the Village, by Jencmg it around. The site of the Church is particularly ioftv and picturesque. It stands on an eminence higher than all the houses in the settlement, and_ Vet sheltered by hills still further northward from the full severity of the wintcry blast. It »ironi me iuii i^iciuj —. .— - - . .__,85 feet long, and 30 wide, with a small spire and a Bell whose tones of sacred invitation can be heard far o'er the rippling waters, in the track ol essels passing up into the harbour.With a liberality, as worthy of commendation „s the “ Window’s mite,” one of the settlers gave the spot of land whereon the church is built: and when or.e considers that it covers half the best piece of tillage land in the village-aund cltfls where scarcely an acre in ail has been redeemed from Nature’s bleak and rugged dominion—one can from some estimate ol the value in which these hardy settlers hold the priviledge of pious communion in the House of God.This interesting edifice itself is built m real old English style—the oaken frame-work jutting from the plastered walls within. As we sauntered through its aisles, we could not help thinking of the “solemn, yet sweet” breathings of a Hema.ns, whicli have wafted to the other lands the spirit which hallows “the blessed homes of England, and hoping that there might arise, even from these rocky fastnesses, one wlio, by the melody of simple song, would make the Homes of Nova Scotia not the Toss loved, though they be more bleak and barren. Yet even these rocks—the huge grantite boulder, and the iron-stone in precipitous masses, crowned with its scantly covering of rich green grass—with the rumbeling sea below, and peaks j 0j and promontories in the distance—create ideas of I p; sublimity and awake enthusiasm in the soul. - { c,After a visit to York Redoubt, and a glance at j |,j the curiosities in that direction, (of which another; chapter hereafler,) wc returned to the Village, j where a sumptuous repast had been spread, in en-1){ pitnl time, by the way, to assuage the voracity ,|, which climing mountains heights is very apt to | create. All the villagers and guests gathered • (j, ound, and there was “ nothing to hinder” a fine'From tiie seat ok War.—TIio Now Orleans papers of the 22d and 23d ult., contain news from Brazos St. Jngo to the 19th, P. M., received by the steamships New York and Alabama. From this it appears that nothing of moment had occurred since our previous advices. Troop3 continued to arrive almost daily at Point Isabel. Colonel Wilson, with four companies of regulars, and three of Alabama volunteers, had crossed to the Mexican side of the river, and marched to Barita, n small town on the right hank of the Rio Grande, eight miles from its mouth, of which they had taken possession without opposition. It was believed that some fortifications were to be erected there. A detachment from the squadron had gone up the river to co-operatc with the land forces. It was understood at Point Isabel that. Gen. Taylor intended crossing over to attack Matumoras on the 16th. Early in the morning of that day a few cannon were heard at Point Isabel, but nothing like a cannonading, and it was generally believed that our troops had taken Matamoras without opposition. There was a rumor that the Mexican army had retired to San Fernando, some thirty leagues interior. The Mexicans arc reported to have lost 100 men in crossing the river, after the battle of the ninth, and many of their wounded arc said to have died through neglect. The reports from our own wounded men arc not altogether favorable. The hospital at Point Isabel contained 53 wounded officers and soldiers. Some of these are terribly mutilated. Col. McIntosh, 5ih Infantry, was pierced through the mouth with a bayonet, and shot in three places. Col. Payne, Inspector General, shot in the hip. Capl. Page, 4lh Infantry, lower jaw, part of the tongue and upper teeth entirely shot away—Itp is suffering dreadfully. Captain Ilooc, 5lli Infantry, right arm shot oil' above the elbow. Lt. Gates, 8lh Infantry, right arm broken, and shot in the left hand. Ll Jordan, 8th Infantry, shot and bayoneted in several places.— Lt. Luther, 2d Artillery, lower hip shot off. These sufferers are expected to recover, though it must he as the reward of great care. Of tho common soldiers, it is reported that many who were most severely wounded are dying. This is attributed partly to tiic boat and partly to the poisonous nature of the copper shot used by the Mexicans.Volunteers continued to nrrive at New Orleans; so many that Gen. Gaines had declined to muster any more into the service until he had received further instructions from the War Department.A letter received by tho N.'O. Delta, from a gentleman on board the U. S. frigate Raritan, off Brazos, dated IGtli and 18th ult., mentions the report that a Frencli and Englisli fleet of 30 sail had arrived off Vera Cruz. The steam frigate Mississippi had left the Brazos, probably for Vera Cruz. Eight boats left the squadron on the morning of the 18th on an expedition up the river.New York and Liverpool.—The Post Master General has made a conditional arrangement with E. K. Collins, Esq., for a line of steamers to between New York and Liverpool. These, in connexion with the semi-weekly Cunarders, will give to New York a steamer every week.fl3@it/i@5gnAyt.nTESTIMONIALS OF HEROISM.Presentation of Medals to the twelve Fishermen who rescued the Survivors of the Laurel.—An enteresting cermony took place on Monday lust at Ferguson’s Cove, and as the Post got wind of the matter, the Post, of course was there.A party of about two dozen gentleman from the city, on the invitation of A. M. Uniacke, Esq., M. P. P. for the Township, left Stevens’ wharf shot-ly before high moon, in the swift Fishing schooner “Look-ahead,” (the same, by the wav, that rescued some of the crew of the Laurel from a watery grave,) and after a fine run of half an hour, theround of corned liecf, and other viands ill plenty, for walking off the board. A supply of Keith’s malt—and Madeirn for those who preferred it was not wanting to aid the feast: and the regalement was concluded by the interesting ceremony, which formed the chief and pleasing features of the day.Presentation ok the Medals.—For this ceremony, Mr. Uniacke seized an opportune moment—just as the fishermen had finished their repast and taking care that all the fine hardy fellows for whom the medals wore intended were within hearing. He said lie deemed it a honor to be the medium of expressing the high sense which the citizens of Halifax entertained of n disintenrested and noble net of humanity and daring on the part of a dozen individuals now before him.“ It affords me great pleasure,” continued Mr. U., addressing the Fishermen, '• in presenting you with the accompanying memorials which have been prepared as a testimony to your noble and heroic conduct. These medals, by their inscriptions, give tho histors of the event which they commemorate, and record the names of those who achieved it. Among tho benevolent and prniswor-thy acts which man is capable of performing, there is none which calls forth the admiration of his fellow man—no deed whicli more highly exalts him in the esteem or estimation of his companions, or tho eye of the world, than that of having preserved the life of a Fellow-Being. You my fellow countryman, in the hour of danger, shrank not— you, when lt;hc mighty ocean rolled its uplifted waves in the distance, breaking into atoms the field of ice llmt stretched for miles, and in its fury caused the very rock-bonnd coast to tremble—notwithstanding tho bitter frost and the terrors of the storm—yon hesitated not, when yonder signal told yon that.'? Wreck was in tho distance, like a speck upon tho ocean—to luunch your frail boat, and manfully buffeting the waves and the icc, pushed your way, at the hazard of your own lives, to rescue the sitfforer3 from the pitiless storm and the yawning deep.“Sublime spectacle! Tho fisherman’s heart— bent on a noble purpose—quailed not even at the mighty tempest, which as if in admiration of his heroism, permitted him to advance. The ocean which now leaves your shores so tranquilly was then lashed into foam ; but your object triumphed —one great and benevolent feeling prevailed— yonr cheering word was “Onward!” and still “ Onward!” till at length you neared the wreck. Who can fancy the feelings of that dispairing crow, as they hung together, benumbed and powerless, with death starting them in the face— when their deliverers approaching! Two of them had already sunk to rise no more—one hung a lifeless corpse frozen to the rigging—and the Captain was lashed to the mast—exhausted and senseless from pain and suffering—with 'injuries inch have cost him tho amputation of his leg. Happily, even he escaped with life—and he and the rest of tho crew—then live scarcely living beings, have to thank you as their Preservers. Yes! through you my noble Fishermen, lmvc their lives been saved—through you have they been restored to the hearts of their kindred, who, hut tor your exertions, miglit now be mourning their early and melancholy fate.”Mr. Uniacke again expressed his gratification at being tiie medium of presentation, in the presence of a brother of one of the persons rescued, (Mr. Twining ) and added that the occasion would hut servo to enhance tho interest he had ever felt in promoting the welfare of those hardy men whose home was amid the perils of the ocean—and whose rights its was his pride to advocate.The Medals were then presented, and hung with blue ribbons round the necks ofWilliam Smith, George Smith, John Purcell, Charles Holland, Phillip Harrington, Michael Sullivan,William Beverly, William Smith, William Gifford, Thomas Holland, James Terrance, Adam Horn,In testimony of their intrepid conduct in rescuing the Captain and Crew of the Brig Laurel on the 24th of February, I84G.The Medals being presented, the health of the Twelve Fishermen was proposed by A. M. Uniacke, Esq., when one of them instantly responded by proposing “ The Queen !” which was drank with great enthusiasm. “Mr. Uniacke the honored Reprcsentivc of this Township,” was then given, and the company adjourned to within doors, and enjoyed themselves with a national dance lili dusk, when the city-folk returned home.—Halifax Post.The presentation of the medals to the gallant fishermen of Ferguson’s Cove, we have already noticed. We forgot however, to mention that these tcstimonals of manly heroism, which will be handed down with pride to succeeding generations, were manufactured in this City by Mr. Langford, and were handsome specimens of native skill. They were surrounded by a richly chased border, and set with gold, containing in the centre the name of the owner, and a relation of the deed for which he receives it.—Ib. 6th instant.
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Fredericton Head Quarters
Fredericton, New Brunswick, CA
Wed, Jun 10, 1846
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Matthew S.
CA 24 Jul 2023
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Fredericton Head Quarters
