Of British tars, near Stonington.

But some assert, on certain grounds,
(Besides the damage and the wounds,)
It cost the King ten thousand pounds
To have a dash at Stonington.

[Few of Freneau's earlier and _better_ poems were so popular as this of
"The Battle of Stonington," in its day. All Connecticut boys knew it by
heart, and it had an established place among the 'declamations' of
school exhibitions. Until within a few years it was to be found in the
assortment of every street vender of ballads and patriotic
poems,--sometimes in its original form, but more often, with
'emendations and corrections.' In the broad-side from which I first
learned it (bought at a stall in the neighborhood of Fulton market, some
thirty years ago,) for the twelfth and thirteenth verses was substituted
this:--

"They bored the _Despatch_ through and through,
And kill'd and wounded half her crew;
'Till crippled, riddled, she withdrew,--
And curs'd the boys of Stonington."]

CELEBRATIONS OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK.

1815.

Thursday, Aug. 10th, the first anniversary of the battle, was observed
as a day of thanksgiving and prayer. The old flag was again hoisted on
the flag-staff at the battery: and a procession, formed at that place,
marched to the Congregational meeting-house, to listen to a discourse by
the pastor, Rev. Ira Hart. On its conclusion, the procession returned to
the battery, where the exercises of the day were closed by prayer. "On
Friday evening a grand anniversary ball was given; the assembly being
both numerous and brilliant."--_Conn. Gazette, Aug. 23d._

1818.

Celebration at the Borough, on Monday, Aug. 10th. "The company was very
numerous, and the business of the day went off with great eclat."--_Id.
Aug. 12th, 1818._

1824.

An Oration was delivered at the Congregational meeting-house, by Rev.
David Austin, "characteristic of his talents, patriotism, and
eloquence." The concourse of citizens from Stonington and the
neighboring towns was unusually large and respectable. An excellent
dinner was provided by Major Babcock, at the Borough Hotel, to which a
large number of citizens and invited guests did ample justice. The
following were among the volunteer toasts:

By Capt. Edmund Fanning. _The Grasshopper Fort_[B]--may it never be
forgotten by those whom it defended.

By Samuel Copp, Esq. _American Eighteen-pounders_--as handled in the
Grasshoppe