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Indies, in January, 1800. Soon after leaving port, both ships encountered a heavy gale, in which they parted, and the Congress, unknown to the other, was dismasted. Captain Sever returned to port; but Preble pursued his way, and arrived safely at the Cape of Good Hope, where he waited for some time the arrival of his consort, of whose disaster he had continued ignorant. The Congress not appearing, he proceeded to accomplish alone the object for which the two ships were despatched. This object was principally to meet, and to convoy home, a fleet of American Indiamen. Fourteen sail of vessels, engaged in the China and other Eastern trade, with cargoes valued at several millions of dollars, were accordingly protected and conducted to points of safety. He continued in the India seas several months while collecting his convoy; but not many incidents of his cruise worthy of record have been preserved. An instance of his humanity, however, may not be suffered to pass without notice. A gentleman of the name of Hall, of the brig Sally, from circumstances supposed not to have been an American, who was sick, and whose vessel was in a most distressed condition, was received into the cabin of the Essex, where, to use the sufferer's own words, his " preserver treated him with attention surpassing parental

care."

Hall's letter is full of expressions of gratitude, and closes with the declaration, that the writer's happiest moments will be those in which he should think of "the name of Preble," of the man who saved his life. The service rendered to Mr. Robert Brooke, who was probably a foreigner, at St. Helena, also drew forth a communication of respectful acknowledgment.

No public ship of the United States had made so distant a voyage; and it was the young captain's fortune to have been the first to show the American flag flying from the mast of a public vessel east of the Cape of Good Hope. He returned near the close of 1800. In 1801, the difficulties with France having been adjusted, the navy was reduced. An order, dated the 1st of April of that year, was addressed to him at New York, which advised him, that, by the act recently passed, the number of captains was diminished to nine, the lieutenants to thirty-six, and the midshipmen to one hundred and fifty; and that, of the officers retained, the President had been pleased to select him as one of the captains. This order also directed him to repair without delay to the Essex, and, preparing her for a cruise of twelve months, to join a squadron

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under the command of Commodore Truxtun at Hampton Roads.

Though the law authorized the retention of but nine captains, the number for a time was twelve. Of these, Barry, Nicholson, Dale, Truxtun, Morris, Murray, Samuel Barron, and Rodgers, were his seniors; and James Barron, Bainbridge, and Campbell, were his juniors. Before the reduction, Preble was the twenty-first captain; he was now the ninth, but became the fifth in 1804. While abroad, he was dangerously sick of a fever, and returned in precarious health. From the effects of this sickness he never recovered. Repose was indispensable; and he should have sought it from the moment of his arrival in the United States. But, in accordance with his instructions, he fitted the Essex for sea, and proceeded to Norfolk, where he was compelled to relinquish the command, and yield to the demands of nature for rest. During the year 1801, he married Mary, the only daughter of Nathaniel Deering, of Portland, a gentleman of respectability, and of an ancient name; and from whom Mrs. Preble and James Deering, his only son, derived a handsome fortune.

On the 12th of January, 1802, he was appointed to the frigate Adams, of twenty-eight guns, then fitting for the Mediterranean. Too

feeble for the duty, he tendered his resignation.

Mr. Stoddert had now vacated his post at the head of the navy department, and Mr. Robert Smith had succeeded him. The latter continued in office beyond the term of Preble's life, and survived him many years. A most affectionate intercourse seems to have existed between them, from the first to the last hour of their official relation.

Mr. Smith declined to receive the commission of a gentleman possessing such high qualifications to advance and maintain our naval character," offered to him under circumstances which "irresistibly excited sensations of sympathy and regret;" but he continued, "to insist upon your retaining command of the Adams would be an act of inhumanity, which no state necessity scarcely could justify. You will, therefore, consider yourself hereby released from the command of the Adams, and on furlough, until your health shall be restored; and I pray you to accept of my sincere wishes for its speedy restoration." Though his pecuniary situation placed him at ease, he decided to forego, a second time, the resolution to leave the navy. Rest, freedom from care, and more than all, a home, so far alleviated his complaint and restored his strength, that, in the spring of

the following year, he considered himself able to resume active duty. Yet he was not well. From the time of his return in the Essex until his latest hour, he was a stranger to the enjoyment of sound health. Henceforth, then, we are to trace the course of a man, who, though gradually sinking under bodily infirmity, and beset with difficulties and discouragements, bore himself honorably throughout a most anxious and responsible command.

CHAPTER III.

Ordered to equip the Constitution for Sea, and to command a Squadron against the States of Barbary. His Force. Sails from Boston.-— Arrives at Gibraltar.

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Difficulties with MoTripoli declared in a State of Blockade.-Frigate Philadelphia captured. - General Operations of the Squadron.

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In a picture, the most important objects occupy the foreground. The biographer should be guided by the rules of the painter. professional services, which we are now to notice, were the most brilliant of Preble's life, and will be related with a corresponding mi

nuteness.

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