and
endeavoring to incite servile insurrection in time of peace. Truly
"tempora mutantur," etc.

The river obstructions, above alluded to, consisted of a line of sunken
vessels, and of heavy pieces of timber chained together, and extending
from bank to bank. A few days before the attack was made, General Duncan
was speaking rather confidently of his barricade, when Warley remarked,
"General, if I commanded a fleet below, and my commission lay above your
obstructions, I would _come up and get it_." Most of us belonging to
that little naval fleet, knew that Admiral Farragut would dare to
attempt what any man would; and for my own part, I had not forgotten
that while I was under his command during the Mexican War, he had
proposed to Commodore Perry, then commanding the Gulf Squadron, and
urged upon him, the enterprise of capturing the strong fort of San Juan
de Ulloa at Vera Cruz _by boarding_. Ladders were to be constructed and
triced up along the attacking ships' masts; and the ships to be towed
along side the walls by the steamers of the squadron. Here was a much
grander prize to be fought for; and every day of delay was strengthening
his adversaries. It was the general belief, indeed, at the time, that
the admiral was in daily communication with the city by means of spies;
and the public indignation was so deeply roused against Mr. T----t, the
constructor of the Mississippi, ("a Northern man with Southern
principles") who failed from time to time in launching that vessel as he
had appointed to do, that he was in danger of "_Lynch law_"; and it is
at least a singular coincidence that the naval attack was made
immediately after that powerful vessel was launched, and before the guns
could be put on board. But the idea of any collusion between Mr. T----t
and the enemy, or of treachery on the part of the former, was never
entertained, I believe, except by a few bigoted zealots, blinded by hate
and passion against every one born north of the Potomac.

This class, which ought to have acted more fairly, found many followers
among the multitude; from which little charity or justice can ever be
expected. Nearly 1900 years ago the "plebes," influenced by their
leaders, demanded the release of a robber and murderer and crucified the
Saviour of mankind; and history further informs us that 500 years before
that era, a Greek citizen could be banished without special trial,
accusation, or defence; and that Aristides was sent into exi