im there,
where, she says, he lived like a gentleman, with apparently abundant
means of support. In speaking of his acquaintance with this female he
says, "I fell in with a woman, who I thought was all virtue, but she
deceived me, and I am sorry to say that a heart that never felt abashed
at scenes of carnage and blood, was made a child of for a time by her,
and I gave way to dissipation to drown the torment. How often when the
fumes of liquor have subsided, have I thought of my good and
affectionate parents, and of their Godlike advice! But when the little
monitor began to move within me, I immediately seized the cup to hide
myself from myself, and drank until the sense of intoxication was
renewed. My friends advised me to behave myself like a man, and promised
me their assistance, but the demon still haunted me, and I spurned their
advice."

In 1826, he revisited the United States, and hearing of the war between
Brazil and the Republic of Buenos Ayres, sailed from Boston in the brig
Hitty, of Portsmouth, with a determination, as he states, of trying his
fortune in defence of a republican government. Upon his arrival he made
himself known to Admiral Brown, and communicated his desire to join
their navy. The admiral accompanied him to the Governor, and a
Lieutenant's commission being given him, he joined a ship of 34 guns,
called the 'Twenty Fifth of May.' "Here," says Gibbs, "I found
Lieutenant Dodge, an old acquaintance, and a number of other persons
with whom I had sailed. When the Governor gave me the commission he told
me they wanted no cowards in their navy, to which I replied that I
thought he would have no apprehension of my cowardice or skill when he
became acquainted with me. He thanked me, and said he hoped he should
not be deceived; upon which we drank to his health and to the success of
the Republic. He then presented me with a sword, and told me to wear
that as my companion through the doubtful struggle in which the republic
was engaged. I told him I never would disgrace it, so long as I had a
nerve in my arm. I remained on board the ship in the capacity of 5th
Lieutenant, for about four months, during which time we had a number of
skirmishes with the enemy. Having succeeded in gaining the confidence of
Admiral Brown, he put me in command of a privateer schooner, mounting
two long 24 pounders and 46 men. I sailed from Buenos Ayres, made two
good cruises, and returned safely to port. I then bought one half