young man as a native of Maine from his boyhood.
The reply was, "All that may be so; but he has no protection, and that
is enough for me." With these memories fresh, it is not surprising
that Americans rejoiced when the news of an encounter terminating in
favor of the United States ship was received.

On May 7, 1811, the United States frigate "President" was lying
quietly at anchor off Fort Severn, Annapolis. Every thing betokened a
state of perfect peace. The muzzles of the great guns were stopped by
tompions. The ports were down. In the rigging of the vessel hung
garments drying in the sun. At the side floated half a dozen boats.
Many of the crew were ashore on leave. The sailing-master was at
Baltimore, and the chaplain and purser were at Washington. From the
masthead floated the broad pennant of Commodore Rodgers, but he was
with his family at Havre de Grace; and the executive officer, Capt.
Ludlow, was dining on the sloop-of-war "Argus," lying near at hand.
But the captain's dinner was destined to be interrupted that bright
May afternoon; for in the midst of the repast a midshipman entered,
and reported that the commodore's gig was coming up rapidly, with
Rodgers himself on board. The dinner party was hastily broken up, and
the captain returned to his ship to receive his superior officer. On
his arrival, Commodore Rodgers said that he had received orders to
chase the frigate that had impressed the sailor from the "Spitfire,"
and insist upon the man's being liberated, if he could prove his
citizenship. This was good news for every man on the frigate. At last,
then, the United States was going to protect its sailors.

Three days were spent in getting the crew together and preparing for
sea; then the stately frigate, with all sails set and colors flying,
weighed anchor, and stood down the Chesapeake with the intention of
cruising near New York. She had been out on the open ocean only a day,
when the lookout, from his perch in the cross-trees, reported a
strange sail on the horizon. The two vessels approached each other
rapidly; and, as the stranger drew near, Rodgers saw, by the
squareness of her yards and the general trim, symmetrical cut of her
sails, that she was a war-vessel. Perhaps she may be the offender,
thought he, and watched eagerly her approach.

As the stranger came up, the "President" set her broad pennant and
ensign; on seeing which the stranger hoisted several signal flags, the
significance of whic