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LX I HAG IS
From an essay on ike Divine Authority
OF MR HEW MS'fJMEHTf
By DAVID BOGUE.
The Fulness of the New Testament.
The world is filled with books,
and great numbers of them are ex
cellent. How many men of the first
talents have written admirably on
the subject of religion \ Every age
can boast of its celebrated authors,
who have consecrattd themselves to
the instruction of mankind. I have
read many of them with pleasure
and improvement,: but I find, that,
when l have gone through them
three or four tiihes, I have gained
all their ideas. In spite of me they
become fiat and uninteresting, and I
am obliged to lay them aside ; for I
can no longer read them with plea
sure.’ ‘
Ilut the New Testament forms an
exception to this rule. I have read
them many parts of it, hundreds of
times ; and can read them again to
morrow, with equal relish as at first.
Whenever I peruse it with serious
attention, 1 discoryer something new;
and the more attentively and devout
ly I do so* I discover the more : and
new ideas spring out of the words
and subject, mid enrich my mind.—
Besides, I am never weary of read
ing it: It presents new charms to
me evtrv day : and like bread made
of the finest wheat, it is always a
g ret able to the taste. The more I
read, the more 1 love it : and the
more intimate my acquaintance, ‘the
stronger is tny affection lor it; I
•have my favorite authors on religion;
and I frequently pet use them. They
are men of genius, learning, and pi
tty. But they are only children, in
comparison of the fishermen of Gal
ilee : and I find a fulness and sweet
ness in their writings; which the o
thers do not possess.
Whence tomes, this astonishing
difference ? Allow the New Testa
ment to lie written by inspiration ;
and the reason will be easily assign
ed. The Holy Spirit of God, whose
. understanding is infinite, can put
Such a number of ideas into a book,
as it shall unspeakably surpass the
power of man to do, which shall one
alter another appear to the pious
reader, and amply reward his re
sdatches. He can likewise so fill the
book with good, us well as with truth
tlfut. it shall delight the heart, as well’
enlighten the mind, and have such
untie sen i) able charms, that y it shall
Ihe always sweet, and fill the soul
with the highest degree of mental
pleasure* 1 o these causes I ascribe
its astonishing fulness.
But'how will ye “who call the New
Testament a common book, or a for
gery, account for this singularity ?
To deny the fact, will not avail. The
observation before us has been made
by thousands of persons, -both illite
rate, and learned, in every age : and
against such a mass of evidence, the
assertion of those who have read,
merely with a view to find fault and
to condemn, will not weigh much in
the balance of impartial reason.—
The testimony of bats and owls, to
the loveliness of the gloom of night,
and against the beauty of the light of
the sun, would not lie heard in oppo
sition to the unanimous declaration
of the inhabitants of tire earth, and
of the air, to the contrary. But
ought I to use such a comparison ?
My design is not to irritate, but to
reclaim a friend and a brother, who,
to my grief, has gone astray ; and to
lead his feet into the way of peace.
—-*«*<;
porter s letter.
was speedily done to prevent it, the
ship would soon sink from the num
ber of
And on sending for the Carpenter,
be informed me that all his crew had
been killed or wounded, ahd that he
had Once been over the sides to
stop the leaks, when his slings had
been shot away, and it was with dtffi.
culty he was saved from drowning.
The enemy, from the smoothness of’
the water, and the impossibility of
our reaching him with our carron
ades. and the little fear that was
excitedly our fire which had become
much slackened, was enabled to take
aim at us as at a target; his shot
never missed our hull, and my ship
.was cut up in a manner which was,
perhaps, never befdre witnessed; in
fine, I saw no hopes of saving her,
and at 20 mimutes after 6 P. M. gave
t*e pa.njVl order to strick the colors.
Seventy five men, including officers,
were all that remained of my whole
crew, after the action, capable of do-,
jpg duty, and many of them severely
wounded, some of whom have died
since. The enemy itill continued
bis fire, and my brave, though un-
Hur t# companions, were still fal
g . ’.out me. I directed an oppo
site gun to be fired, to shew them
itifi»• If T- <
we intended no further resistance;
but they did not desist ; four men
were killed at my side, and others in
different parts of the ship. I e now
believed he intended to showjno quar
ters, and that it would be as well to
die with my flag flying as struck,
arid was on the point of again hois
ting it, when about ten minutes al
ter hauling the colours down, he cea
sed firing.
I cannot speak in suffic ienly high
terms of the conduct of those enga
ged for such an unparalleled length
of time [under such circumstances]
with me in the arduous and unequal
contest. Let it suffice to say that
more bravery, skill, patriotism and
zeal were never displayed on any oc
casion. Every one seemed deter
mined to die in defence of their much
loved country’s cause, and nothing
but views of humanity could ever
have reconciled them to the surren
der of the ship ; they remembered
their wounded and helpless shipmates
below. To acting lieut. M’Knight
and Odenheimer 1 feel much indept
ed for their great exertions and bra
very throughout the action in fight
ing and encouraging the men at
their divisions,, for their dextrous
management of the long guns, and
for their promptness in re-manning
their guns as their crews was slaugh
tered. The conduct of the brave
Sc heroic officer, acting Lieut. John
G* Cowell, who lost his leg in the
latter part of the action, excited the
admiration of every man in the ship
and after being wounded would not
consent to be taken below until loss
of blood'rendered him insensible.—
Mr. Edward Batnewall,acting sailing
master ; whose activity and courage
was equally conspicuous, returned on
deck after his first wound, and re
mained after receiving his second
until fainting with loss of blood. Mr.
Samuel 15. Johnston who had joined
me the day before, and acted as ma
rine officer, conducted himself with
great bravery, and exerted himself
in assisting at the long guns ; the
musketry after the first half hour
being useless [from our long dis
tance.]
Mr. M. W Bostwick, whom I had
appointed acting purser of the Essex
Junior, and who was on board my
ship, did the duties of aid, in a man
ner which reflects on him the high
est honor, and midshipmen Jsaacs,
Farragnt and Ogden, as well as act
ing Midshipmen James Terry, James
R. Lyman and Samuel Duzenbury,
and Master’s Mate William Pierce
exerted themselves in the perform
ance of their respective duties and
gave an earnest of their value to the
service ; the three first are too
young 10 recommend for promotion,
the latter 1 beg leave to recommend
for confirmation as well as the act
ing lieutenants, and Messrs. Barne
wall, Johnston and Bostwick.
We have been unfortunate, but not
disgraced^—the defence of the Essex
has not been less honorable to her
officers and crew, than the capture
of art equal force, and I now consi
der my situation less uuplcasant
than that of Com. Hillyar, who in
violation of every principle of honor
and generosity, and v regardless of
of the rights of neutrals, attacked the,
Essex in her crippled state, within
pistol shot of a neutral shore ; when
for six weeks I had daily offered him
’ fair and honorably combat, on terms
greatly to his advantage; the blood
of the slain must be on his bead, and
he has. yet to reconcile his conduct
to Heaven—to his conscience and to
the world The annexed extract of
a letter irom Com. Hillyar, which
was written previous to his returning
me my sword, will shew his opinion
oflour conduct.
My loss has been dreadfully se
vere, 58 killed or have since died of
their wounds, and among them Lieu
tenant Cowell; 39 were severely
wounded, 27 slightly, and 31 are mis
sing ; making in all 154 killed,
wounded and missing, a list of whose
names is annexed.
The professional knowledge of
Doctor Richard Hoffman, acting. Su
rgeon & Doctor Alexander Montgom
ery, acting Surgeon’s Mate, added to
their assiduity and the benevolent at
tentions and assistance of Mr. D. P.
Adams, the Chaplain, saved the
lives of many of the wounded ; those
gentlemen have been indefatigable
in their attentions to them , the two
first I beg leave to iVcommend for
confirmation, and the latter to the
notice of the Department.
I must in justification of myself db
hat with our six twelve potm
tly we fought this action, our
ides being almost useless. ‘
- loss in killed and wounded hgy»
cn great with the enemy’s among
the former is the Lieutenant of the
Phoebe, and of the latter Capt. Tuck
er ot the Cherub, whose wounds are
severe. Both the Essex and.the Phoe
be were in a sinking state? and it was
with difficulty they could be, kept a
float until they anchored tn Valparai
so next morning. The battered state
of the Essex will, I believe, prtvent
her ever reaching England, and I
also think it will be out oj tfieiv pow
to repair the damages of
so as to enable her to double Cape
Horn. All the masts and yards of
the Phoebe, and Cherub are badly
crippled, and their hulls much cut
up \ the former had UJ pound
shot through her below her water line
some three feet underwater. Noth
ing but the smoothness of the water
saved both the Phoebe and Essex.
I hope, sir, that our conduct may
prove satisfactory to our country, and
that it will testify it by obtaining our
speedy exchange, that we may again
have it in our power to prove our
zeal.
Commodore Hillyar (l am infor
med ) has thought proper to state to
his government that the action only
lasted 45 minutes ; should he have
done so, the motive may be easily
discovered but the thousands of
disinterested witnesses who covered
the surrounding hilis can ttstily that
iwe fought his ships near two hours
and an half ; upwards of fifty broad
side were fired by the enemy agreea
ble to their own accounts, & upwards
of seventy five by ours ; except the
few minutes they were repairing dam
ages, the bring was incessant.
Soon after my capture, I entered
into an agreement with Com. Hill
yar to disarm my prize the Essex
Junior, and proceed with the survi
vors of my officers and crew in her
to the United States, taking with
me all her officers and crew. He
consented to grant her a passport to
secure her lrom re capture. The
ship was small and we knew we had
much to suffer, yet we hoped soon to
reach our country in safety, that we
might again have it in our power to
serve it. This arrangement was at
tended with no additional expence,
as she was abundently supplied with
provisions and stores for the voyage.
In justice to Commodore Hillyar,
I must observe, that, (although I
can never be reconciled to the man
ner of his attack on the Essex, pr to
his conduct before the action, he has
since our capture shewn the greatest
humanity to my wounded [whom he
permited me to land, on condition
that the United States should bear
their expences,] and has endeavour
ed, as much as lay in his power, to
alleviate the distress of war by the
most generous and delicate deport
ment towards myself, officers and
crew ) he gave orders that the pro
perty of every person should be res
pected—his however, were
not so strictly attended as might
have bpen expected ; besides being
depiived pf books, charts, See. &c.
both myself and officers lost many
articles of our clothing some to a
considerable amount. I should not
have considered this last circum
stance of sufficient importance to no
tice, did it not mark a striking differ
ence between the Navy of Great Brit
ain and that of the United States,
highly creditable to the latter.
By the arrival of the Tagus, a few
days after my capture, I was infor
med that besides the ship which had
arrived in the Pacific in pursuit of
me, and those still expected,’ others
Were sent to cruize for me in the
China Seas, off New Zealand, Timor
and New Holland, and that another
frigate was sent to the River la Pla
ta.
To possess the Essex it has cost the British
1 Government near six millions of dollars, and
yet, sir,, her capture was owing entirely to
accident j and if we consider the expedition
With which naval contests are now decided,
| the action is a dishonor to them. Had they
j brought their ships boldly into action with a
force so very superior, and having the choice
of position, they should either have captured
or destroyed us in one fourth of the time they
were about it.
During the action, our Consul General Mr.
Poinsett, called on the Governor of Valparai
so, And requested that the batteries might
protect the Essex. This request was refused,
but he promised that if she should succeed in
fightiflg her way to the common anchorage,
he would send an officer to the British Com
mander and request him to cease firing, but
declined using force under any circumstances,
and there is no doubt of a perfect understand
ing between them; this conduct added to the
assistance given to the British and their
friendly reception after the, action and the
* strong bias of the faction which govern Chili
; in favor of the English, as well as their hos
tility to the Americans, induced Mr. Poinsett
to leave that country. Under such circum
stances, I did not conceive it would be pro
per for me to claim the restoration of my
, ship, confident that the claim would be made
by my Government to more effect. Finding
some difficulty in the sale of my prizes, I had
taken the Hector and Catharine to sea and
burnt them with their cargoes*
I exchanged Lieut. M‘Knight, Mri Adams
and Mr. Lyman, and eleven seamen, for a
part of the crew of the Sir Andrew Ham
mond, and sailed from Valparaiso on the 27th
April,-where the enemy were still patching
up their ships to put them in a state for pro
ceeding to Riode Janeiro previous to going
to E q^iand.
Annexed is a list of the remains of my
crew to be exchanged, as also a copy of my
correspondence between Com. Hillyar and
myself on that subject. I also send you a list
of the prisoners 1 have taken during my
cruize, amounting to 343.
1 have the honor to be, &c.
D. PORTER.
The Hon. Secretary of the Navy
of the U. S. Washington.
Extract of a letter from Com • Hillyar f
to Captain Porter .
% Phoebe, April 4th, 1814.
“ MT DEAR SIR ,
“ Neither iu ourccnvcrsation nor in the ac
company in g letter, have I mentioned your
sword Ascribe my remissnees in the first
instance to. forgetfulness; I consider it only
in my servant’s possession with my own, until
the master may please to call for it; arid al
though I omitted, at the time of presentation,
from my mind being much engrossed in at
tending to professional duties, to offer its res
toration, the hand that received will be most
gladly extended, to put it in possession of hiin
who wore it so honorably in defeuding Ins
country’s cause.
“ Believe me, my dear sir, very faithfully
yours.
(Signed)
“JAMES HILLY AR.
Captain Porter.
New York, July 9.
W/e have received the following state
ment from authority which will riot
he questioned. *.
After the capture of the Essex, captain
Porter entered into an arrangement with com.
Hillyar, to transport the survivors of his crew
to the U. States in the Essex Junior, on parole;
on condition that she should receive a passport
to secure her from recapture and detention.—
On the sth of July, fell in with H. B. M. ship
Saturn, Capt. Nash, who examined the pa
pers of the Essex Junior, treated Capt. Porter
with great civility, furnished him with late
news-papers, and sent him on board some or
anges, and, at the same time, made him an
offer of services. The boarding officer endor
sed the passport, and permitted the ship to
proceed. She stood on the same tack with
the Saturn ; and about two hours afterwards
again brought too, the papers examined,
and the ship's hold overhauled by the boat’s
crew and officer. Capt. Porter expiessed his
astonishment at such proceedings, and was
informed that captain Nash had his mo
tives.
It was stated that com. Hillyar had no au
thority to make such arrangement ; that the
passport must go on board of the Saturn again
and the Essex Junior be detained. Captain
Porter insisted that the smallest detention
would be a violation of the contract on the
part of the British, and that he 1 should con
sider himself as the prisoner of captain Nash,
and no longer on parole ; at the same time of
fering his sword which \vas refused, assuring
the officer that he would deliver it up Wrh the
same feelings he had presented it to com. Hill
yar. The officer went on board, returned and
informed capt. Porter, that the Essex Jun.
must remain all night under the lee of the Sa
tnrn. Then, said capt. Porter, I am your
prisoner ; Ido not feel myself bound by any
contract with com. Hillyar, and shall act ac
cordingly. *
At 7 o’clock next morning, the wind being
light froth the southward, the ships being about
30 or 40 miles from the land, off the eastern
part of Long Island, and about musket shot
from each other, there appearing no disposi
tion on the part of the enemy to liberate the
Essex Jun. captain Porter determined to at
tempt his escape. A boat was lowered, man
ned and armed, he desired captain ©owns to
inform Capt. Nash thathe was now satisfied
that most British naval officers were not on
ly destitute of honour, but regardles§ of the
honour of each other, that he was armed and
prepared to defend himself against the boats
if sent in pursuit of him ; and they must here
after meet him as an enemy.
He now pulled off from the ship, keeping
the Essex Jun. in a direct line between him
and the Saturn, and got near gun shot from
them before he was discovered ; at this in
stant a fresh breeze sprung up, and the Saturn
made air sail in pursuit of him, but fortunate
ly a thick fog set in and concealed him when
he changed his course and eluded them; during
the fog he heard a , firing, and on its clearing
up discovered the Saturn in chase of the Essex
Jurt who soon brought herjtoo.—After rowing
and sailing abont 30 miles, captain Porter suc
ceeded, with great difficulty, and hazard, in
reaching the town of Babylon, f Ecmg Island]
where, being strongly suspected to be a Bri
tish officer, he was closely interrogated, and
his story appearing so extraordinary, none
gave, credit to it; but on shewing his com
mission all doubts were removed, and he met
from all the inhabitants the most friendly
and hospitable reception.
GEORGIA , Franklin County •
Whereas Nathan Huchens applies
for letters of administration on the
estate of Dre wry Huchens, late of
said county, deceased.
These are therefore to cite and
admonish all and singular the kin
dred and creditors of said deceased
to be and appear at my office, within
the time prescribed by law, to shew
cause, if any, why said letters should
not be granted.
Given under my hand at office this
19 th day July , 1814. -
FREITK. BEALL, c. c. o.
GEORGIA , Franklin county.
Whereas Joseph Chandler, applies
for letters of administration on the
estate of Sarah Bryan, latfc of said
county, deceased.
These are therefore to cite and
admonish all and singular the kin
dred and creditors of said deceased
to be and appear and at my office
within the time prescribed by law,
to shew cause, if any, why said let
ters should not be granted.
Given under my hand at office this
\9th day of July, 1814.
FRED’K. BEALL, c. c. o.
SADDLING BUSINESS.
THE Subscriber respectfully in
forms his friends and the public,
that he has commenced the above
business in Jackson county, on the
main road leading from Athens to
Jefferson, about mid way, where he
carries it on in all its various branch
es—-Will be thankful to those who
may please to favor him with their
custom, and assures them that ihc
utmost attention v.PI be paid to their
cor aan’d —His wots shfH be neat
ly execute3, done* o# moderate
terms.
JQSSLPii RASPBERRY,
Juh 38# .tyU*
NOTICE.
, Nine months alter date applica
tion will be made to the Honorable
Court of Ordinary* of Madisbn coun
ty, for leave to sell one tract of land*
containing* bhe hundred and forty a
cr.es, more or less, lying in the coun
ty of Oglethorpe, On the waters of
Cloud’s creek) adjoining Job Felton*
deceased, Lewis others,
and lot No. 211, twelfth district of
Baldwin, now Jasper—sold for the
benefit of the heirs and creditors of
Hardy Sanders, deceased.
WILLIAM SANDERS, ,
Guardian*
March 17, 1814.
WN——a—— —■! ■»*—
GEORGIA, “I Court of Qrdinarjy
v Adjourned Sessions ,
Clark County, J 6th June> 1814.
V RULE NISI.
On the petition of Isaac Middle
brooks, Jun. praying that the execu
’ tors of John Maxey, deceased, may
be directed to make titles to him of,
m, and to a tract of land in fee sim
ple, lying in Wilkinson county to
the one of two lots, either No. 61 in
the fifth, or No. 1 in the fifteenth
• districts, the choice of which lot
was left to the said Isaac Middle
brooks, which he hereby signifies to
be lot No. 61. Agreeably to a bond
made by the said Maxey in his life
time to the said Middlebrooks, a co
py of which is here filed in the court.
It is ordered that the executors of
the said Maxey make titles accord
ingly in pursuance of the provisions
; of an act of this state in such cases
made, unless cause be shewn against
the same at. a court to be hqld in
■ said county of Clark on the first
Monday in September next.
A true copy from the Minutes .
’ JOHN HODGE, C. C. 6
■ ... ■■ , Ui — l * - ■ * ■
GEORGIA, Wilkes county.
By David Terrell, Clerk of the Court of
jj Ordinary of said county.
WHEREAS John Hodge has ap
plied,for letters of administration*
with the will annexed, of Col.Samu*
’ el Jack, late of this county, deceas
ed.
These are therefore to cite and
admonish all and singular the kin
dred and creditors of said deceased,
to be and appear at a court of ordi
nary to be held in and for. the coun
ty of Wilkes on the first Monday of
September next, then and there to
shew cause sis any ) why said let
ters should not be granted.
Given under my hand this 11th day of
July, 1814. x
D. TERRJELL, Cleric.
* , j- .- • . y,,
GEORGIA , Clark Couufr.
‘ l Court of Ordinary , July Term*
RULE NISI.
ON the petition of William
Finch, Jurf. praying that the admi
nistrator of William Finch, Sen. de
ceased, may be directed to make ti
tles to a certain tract of land in fee
simple, situate, lying and being in
the District of Abbeville, South Ca
rolina, joining lands of John Mar
row, Hugh McCormick and David
Paisley, agreeably to a bond mad©
by the said William Finch, Sen. 8c
Lydia Finch, in the life time of the
said William, Sen. a copy of which
is filed in court.
It is ordered that the administra
tor of the said William Pinch, Sen.
deceased, make titles in pursuance
of an act of the Legislature of this
State in such cases made and pro-,
vided, unless cause be shewn to the
contrary at a court of ordinary to be
holden in and for the county oF
Clark, on the first Monday in No
vember next. *
A true copy from the Minutes •
JOHN HODGE, C. C. O.
WATKINSVILLE LIBRARY SOCIEtT
The Members are earnestly soli*
cited to attend a meeting in Wat
kinsville, on Saturday the~27thof
August, at 9 o'clock. The object of
the meeting involves considerations
| of the first importance to the Libra
ry—All the Books belonging to the
Library must on that day be produc
ed. .
By order of a majority of the Mem*
herSr—
STERLING ELDER, Librarian .
July 22.
NOTICE.
A
Nine months after date applica
tion will be made to the honorable
Inferior Court of Clarke county, for
leave to sell 84 acres of land on Bar
ber’s creek, joining lands of Parker
and others, being part of the real
estate of William Bankston, deceas
ed—to be sold for the benefit of the
beirs and creditors of said deceased.
SALLY BANKSTON, Executrix
JONATHAN MELTON, Executor
July 14, 1814.
ICP WANTED *>.
M this Office, .somelTeat piai*
homespun, vhite. striped
I Colored. Subscribers ip tfig* Gaaetf
| who live sufficiently near,
.’ wifi avail themselves of thts
i t unity ci making tUeir firyi payo-sui
til by so tiding confer an