fire on the foe; but as the Americans took best aim, the British lost most men, and Capt. Brown, perceiving this, directed his lieutenant to leave him with the rest of the wounded to the mercy of the enemy, and make a push for the boats. Our volunteers pursued the British to the water's edge; but the steady discipline of the latter enabled them to get off, and the former returned to attend to the wants of their prisoners, and to unlade the carts which they had captured of their plunder, (among which some of the party recognised sundry articles of their own property,) and which was all soon restored to its proper owners.

During the closing scene of this action on the field at Newport's News, young Barron distinguished himself in a remarkable and gallant style. He rode up directly in front of the British line, and discharged both his pistols, one after the other, in their faces, receiving their whole fire at once but providentially without hurt. His fine horse, however, was wounded in one of his legs which made him rear and plunge at such a rate, that had the enemy been quick in reloading their pieces, our bold youth must have lost his life; but, as it was, he got off without a wound. Several of the Americans were badly hurt, and a very fine young man, by the name of John Smith, was killed. The English took off all their killed and wounded, except Capt. B., so that the amount of their loss was never ascertained; though it was no doubt greater than that on our side. I may add here, that Capt. B. was taken to Hampton, and lodged in the house of Dr. Brodie, where he received all the care and attention from the doctor's family and the town's people that his case required, and which he acknowledged with grateful thanks. A flag of truce also came from the fleet with articles of comfort and refreshment for him, and a request for permission to take him off, which was readily granted; but he was never in a condition to

be moved; and after lingering about two months he died.

Sometime after this affair, Lord Cornwallis moved his fleet and army to Yorktown, and invested the whole country below, including York county, Warwick, and Elizabeth City, and drove all the able bodied men out of the whole district, except those who were old, and a few others who surrendered their arms, and took his parole. The condition of that part of the country at this time, was indeed truly distressing. Soon afterwards, Lord Cornwallis giving evident proof that he meant to fortify himself at Yorktown, the Governor of Virginia issued an order to Commodore James Barron who was then the senior officer of the State Navy, to collect all the officers under him, and all the small craft of every description that he could find in James river at Trebell's Landing, which was made the Head Quarters of this assemblage, and preparatory to the now expected arrival of the Northern army under General Washington. This mosquito fleet was employed in collecting provisions. from every quarter of the adjacent country, and depositing them at the landing where a sufficient force was stationed to protect them. The Commissary General, Timothy Pickering, established his Quarters at this spot, and Commodore Barron was associated with him in the important service. of supplying General Washington's army with provisions, which was eminently successful. During the whole of this duty, Lieutenant Barron was employed in this fleet, in various ways, until the surrender of Lord Cornwallis's army, an event which, as he used to relate, he had the great satisfaction of witnessing with his own eyes, when he saw the British forces commanded by Gen'l O'Hara, march out of the town, and lay down their arms, in the appointed field; a glorious spectacle indeed.

His surrender put an end to the war, on the land, at least

in our State, whose whole effort was now directed to the work of collecting a fleet of suitable vessels to protect her shores from the marauding parties of British cruisers, both public and private, that continued to infest our waters for some time. Several small vessels were, accordingly, soon equipped, and one of them, a schooner of ten guns, called the Patriot, was commanded by Lieutenant Barron, who was soon afterwards promoted to the rank of Captain. This vessel was now selected by Commodore Barron to bear his broad pendant, and, with the aid of several others, was employed in protecting the revenue of the State, and transporting the money arising from it, to the new seat of Government, at Richmond. And thus did our young officer continue to be employed until the adoption of the Constitution of the United States-when the service expired.

After this event, Capt. Barron engaged, for a short time, in the merchant service, and sailed to various countries in Europe. In this way he was constantly acquiring skill and experience for his future employment, and still rising in reputation. Subsequently, therefore, when a United States navy began to be spoken of, he was naturally among the first who was thought of as a lieutenant for the frigate which was to be built at Gosport; but some circumstances occurring to delay the building of that ship, we heard. nothing more of him, until we learned that he was commissioned as post-captain, and went to sea, upon a sudden emergency, in the sloop-of-war brig, Richmond, on a short cruise in the West Indies. From this vessel he was removed to the frigate Baltimore, and from that ship he was ordered on a cruise in the Constellation, after the return of which vessel, he was appointed to superintend the equipment of the frigate Chesapeake, and subsequently sailed in her for about a year and a half, when the short war with France was brought to a close.

In 1801, he was appointed Captain of the frigate Philadelphia, one of Commodore Dale's squadron for the Mediterranean, and continued in this service about a year, when he returned home, and remained unemployed until the year 1804, when he was appointed to command the Mediterranean Squadron sent out for the relief of Commodore Bainbridge, and his companions, then prisoners in Tripoli. During his command on that station, his health failed, and a short time before the peace was concluded, he surrendered his command to Commodore Rogers, and, immediately after that event, he returned home in his own flag ship, the President, then under the command of his brother, Capt. James Barron.

In the year 1810, having recovered his health, he was appointed to the command of the Navy Yard at Gosport, and on the 10th of November in that year, while sitting at the dinner-tables with a party of dear friends in Hampton, he raised his elbow to the table, and deliberately laying his head on his hand, he expired in an instant, without a struggle, or a groan, or even so much as a sigh.

Commodore Barron was a little upwards of six feet in height, remarkably well-formed in all his limbs, with a fine open face, and altogether was a noble-looking man. At the same time, his manners were courteous and engaging. His temper and disposition were gentle, amiable, and winning in the highest degree. His friends, of course, were numerous and affectionate; but they too have mostly passed away, and the few who now remain can only cherish his memory as that of a highly meritorious officer, and a most worthy man. J. B.

A THOUGHT.

So clear and strong the stainless diamond's ray,

It long may be concealed, but ne'er decay.-John Sterling.

REMINISCENCES OF PATRICK HENRY.

[We transfer the following interesting article-by the Rev. Dr. Alexander-from the Princeton Magazine to our own pages, where it may be even more at home. Indeed as both the subject and the writer of it are of our State, we think it very fairly belongs to our work. We may add, that we regard the testimony of such a witness as Dr. A. to the character of Henry's eloquence as particularly valuable, and worthy of the highest. respect.]

From my earliest childhood I had been accustomed to hear of the eloquence of Patrick Henry. On this subject there existed but one opinion in the country. The power of his eloquence was felt equally by the learned and the unlearned. No man who ever heard him speak, on any important occasion, could fail to admit his uncommon power over the minds of his hearers. The occasions on which he made his greatest efforts have been recorded by Mr. Wirt, in his Life of Henry. What I propose in this brief article is to mention only what I observed myself more than half a century ago.

Being then a young man, just entering on a profession in which good speaking was very important, it was natural for me to observe the oratory of celebrated men. I was anxious to ascertain the true secret of their power; or what it was which enabled them to sway the minds of hearers, almost at their will.

In executing a mission from the Synod of Virginia, in the year 1794, I had to pass through the county of Prince Edward, where Mr. Henry then resided. Understanding that he was to appear before the Circuit Court, which met in that county, in defence of three men charged with murder, I determined to seize the opportunity of observing for myself the eloquence of this extraordinary orator.