Not a week after these fellows left the ship, 1 was passing the jail, which then stood near the park, and heard some one call to me from the balcony. I looked up, and there were three of our bows in limbo for debt, and each of these were paid off, with nearly four hundred dollars. Such was the manner in which man-of-war sailors were plundered in those days, before saving banks, amd sailor's homes were instituted. I obtained leave of absence to visit my friends in Boston, and had not been home more than two weeks, when I received orders to join the ship again. On arriving at New York, I ascertained that the Ontario was to be fitted for a cruise to Columbia river; and was to be commanded by Capt.
Biddle. Capt. Downes having been ordered to the Independence, at Charlestown. Not willing to go the cruise, I applied for orders to another ship; and instead of which, was ordered to the navy yard, at Charlestown, and there to report myself to Commodore Hull. Before I left the Ontario for Boston, one of our midshipmen had applied to the commader of the yard, for leave of absence, to visit his friends who resided in Charleston, S. C. The old gentleman gruffly answered: " No sir, your services are required in the yard." As the midshipman was passing down to his ship, venting his disappointment audibly, in rather unmeasured terms, he met Mr. P, first lieutenant of the yard, to whom lie told his trouble.
" Ah! '■ Said Mr. P, " you don't know how to approach the commodore, I'll teach you how to do it, and if you follow my directions you will surely accomplish your purpose. Just wait a day or two, say — day after tomorrow morning; and then watch when he enters his office, and in a few minutes go in, make a very low bow, — Good morning Commodore; how is your health this morning? you look charmingly; I have never seen you look better in my life! does your lady enjoy her usual health? Then pop the question about your leave." Accordingly, P j, followed out the suggestion, and on the morning appointed, watched the old gentleman as he entered his office, and in a few minutes knocked at the door, and was admitted.
He made a very handsome bow, and in the most polite manner, commenced: Good morning, Commodore; how is your health this morning, sir? I think I never saw you look so well in my life." C. Exceedingly well; thank you sir. P. And your lady? docs she enjoy her usual health? 0. " Excellent, excellent. I am obliged to you, sir." P " Commodore, I should feel extremely grateful for a few days leave to visit my friends." C. Certainly, sir. How much time do you wish? " P. " About three weeks, sir. C, "0 take six sir, with my best wishes. Will you dine with me to-day, sir, at 3 o'clock? " P.
Thank you, sir. I shall be happy to do myself the honor." So much for knowing how to approach a " great man." M According to my orders, I reported myself to Commodore Hull, for duty in the Navy Yard at Charlestown. Had not been here long, before I was convinced that it was no place for me; everything was solitary and dismal. There were no public stores except those on the right as you enter the yard. No mechanic establishments, except a small blacksmith's shop, and a boat shed. It appeared to me more like a graveyard, than a public naval depot. There were two or three master mechanics who had got on the right side of the commodore, and were feathering their nests out of Uncle Sam pretty successfully.
There were many very singular transactions carried on during my stay here, to which I shall not refer at present. There were several officers attached to the yard, and about in the same order as on board a ship-of-the-line, viz: commodore, captain, senior and junior lieutenants, sailing master, midshipmen, master's mates and warrant officers, such as gunner, boatswain, carpenter and sail-maker. My hanging-up place was on board the Java frigate. Commodore Hull was an excellent seaman, and as all the world knows, a brave naval officer; yet he was evidently lacking in one point, and that was, a proper respect for his officers. The three years that I had then spent in the navy, were sufficient to show me conclusively, that a naval officer, no matter what his rank may be, must keep within his sphere; to go out of it, he degrades himself; and in no condition of life is a strict observance of rank more indispensably necessary than on board a man-of-war.