"CONSTITUTION." -- THE "ESSEX" TAKES THE
"ALERT." -- THE "CONSTITUTION AND THE "GUERRIERE."

At the time when the declaration of war was made public, a small
squadron of United States vessels was lying in the port of New York,
under the command of Commodore Rodgers. The warlike tendency of the
popular mind had long been evident, and the captain of every
war-vessel had been for some time making active preparations for
service. Some apprehension was felt in naval circles, lest the small
size of the navy should lead the authorities to lay up the vessels in
port during the continuance of the war. This apprehension was well
founded; for not only had such a course been debated in the cabinet,
but orders had been prepared, directing Commodore Rodgers to hold his
vessels in port. This decision was actively opposed by the officers
of the navy, who felt that, though inconsiderable in numbers, the
United States navy could make a brave fight for the honor of the
nation; and with one accord all protested against the action
contemplated. Two officers, Capt. Bainbridge and Capt. Stewart, went
to Washington and sought an interview with the Secretary of the Navy,
Paul Hamilton, who assured them that the plans of the Government were
well matured and would not be changed. The United States could not
afford, said the secretary, that its few frigates and men-of-war
should be snapped up by the enormous fleets of the British, as would
surely be the case, if they ventured upon the ocean. But it was not
intended to materially reduce the lists of naval officers. The
frigates, with all their loose spars and top-hamper taken down, were
to be anchored at the entrances of the principal harbors of the
country, and operated as stationary batteries.

This prospect was far from agreeable to the two officers. It was
intolerable for them to imagine the graceful frigates, with towering
masts and snowy canvas, reduced to mere shapeless hulks, and left to
guard the entrance of a placid harbor. Finding the secretary
inexorable, they went to the President and put the case before him.
They assured him, that, small though the list of American ships was,
it bore the names of vessels able to cope with any thing of their
class in the British navy. Both officers and seamen were proud of the
service, and burned to strike a blow for its honor. President Madison
seemed much impressed by their representations, and agreed to take the
matter into consideration;