File:American naval battles; (1837) (14741132336).jpg

Identifier: americannavalbat00kimb (find matches)
Title: American naval battles;
Year: 1837 (1830s)
Authors: Kimball, Horace. (from old catalog)
Subjects:
Publisher: Bsoton, C. Gaylord
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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After remaining at L'orient a few days, he proceeded on a cruise in the British channel, where he captured twenty English vessels ; the crews of which he treated with humanity and generosity. The injury which captain Allen did to the British commerce is, in some of their papers, estimated to the amount of two millions. While employed in burning, sinking and destroying the enemy's property, he was peculiarly careful to distinguish his character from those who depredated for selfish purposes only. The property of the passengers was sacred from hostility ; not an article of that kind would he suffer to be touched. The passengers were allowed to go below, and to take what they claimed as their own, and no hands belonging to the Argus were permitted to inspect them while they were employed in so doing. On one occasion, when a passenger had left his surt out behind him, it was sent after him, in the boat: on another occasion, captain Allen ordered one of his hands, who was detected in the act of some petty NAVAL BATTLES. 109
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110 W. . BATTLES. plunder of this kind, to be flogged at the gangway.The English papers, while they were writhing under the severe injuries thus inflicted, were unanimous in their testimonials of respect to the conduct of this gallant officer, for the humanity and delicacy with which he performed a service so invidious. Probably no action of his life could more plainly distinguish his character than this: he loved danger as much as he abhorred to plunder he defenceless. On the 14th of August, being in latitude fifty-two degrees fifteen minutes north, longitude five degrees fifty minutes west, he discovered, at four o'clock, A. M. a large brig of war, standing down under a press of sail upon the weather quarter of the Argus. Captain Allen immediately prepared to receive her; and being unable to get the weathergage, he shortened sail, and gave her an opportunity of closing. At six o'clock, the brig having displayed English colours, the Argus hoisted the American flag, wore round, and ^a

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