STEPHEN DECATUR.
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In the United States Gazette we find the
following incident Of this distinguished of.
ficer. aF .-t ,r 1


/. The first time had the pleasure Of see.
ing this illustrious man, was in the Wes
Indies, during our differences with the
French Republic. He was thena Lieuten.
ant on board Of one of our largest frigates
whose officers had been selected from a.
mong the most promising in the Navy, and
were on the occasion 10 which allude
generally on the quarter deck grouped, as
is the custom, in different places, convers-


ing on the various subjects of their profes-
sion, was introduced to many OF them
they were pleasing, genteel men having
the characteristic look and air of sailors
but in. Decatur, was struck with pecu-
liarity of manner and appearance, calcnla,
ted to rivet the eye and engross the atten~
tion. | had often pictured 10 myself the
form and look Of hero--such as my favor
ite Homer had delneated-here, | thought,
it was embodied On being released from
kind Of spell, by which he had rivetted
my attention, turned to the gentlemen to
whom ] was indebted for the introduction,
and inquired the character of Decatur-the
inquiry was made of person, TO whose
long experience and knowledge of human
nature, the inward man seemedto be unfold
ed. "Sir," said he, "Decatur, is an officer
Of uncommon character-of rare promise
man of an age-one, perhaps, not equal
led in a million !" ga man overheard Wa'
now buzzed through the ship" "2d cutters
away--3d cutters away" were passed
from deck to deck-I observed Decatur to
spring into the mizen chains-l ran to the
stern--in a few moments saw youth, up
held above the surging wave, by buoyan'
and vigorous swimmer, and thus sustained,
until relieved by the boats-life had nearly
fled-but it was not extinct--it returned
il was the life of one who has since had
celebrity, and lived to see his preserver the
pride and glory Of his country.


II was under such circumstances, ! frs
saw the generous and chivalric Decatur,
man more unique, more highly endowed
than any other ever knew--to whom
perhaps the country is more indebted fol
that naval renown which the admiration o.
the world--a renown, so associated will
the name Of Decatur ss to render them IN
| Ndissoluble,