main-royal. England could not, if she would, forget the day. Spain has a less ready memory; and France had a national interest in the transactions of the scenes of our revolution, and remembers the part she took with pride, and speaks of the ancient alliance with warmth and pleasure. Formerly, while the British nation tendered the naval courtesies to our national days, as they might be noticed by our own ships while lying in company with their national vessels, they omitted to honor, by salute, the Fourth of July. On one occasion I have heard an officer of our navy remark, an English Captain, years ago, came on board of one our ships, on the Fourth of July, and after making his compliments and evincing his readiness in noticing all other of our national days, added, " But Captain," said he, "you will excuse me, to-day, for I cannot join you in the rejoicing, that the American people were ever severed from the British nation.' It was a delicate compliment, and so I presume it was intended to be. Since that time, how

ever, it has become an order of the British Admiralty, that British men-of-war shall notice the Fourth of July when they are lying in company with American vessels of war. Consequently, when our salutes of seventeen guns from each of the ships of our squadron boomed over the sea, at 12 o'clock to-day, the British, the French, and the Spanish ships of war, lying at Sacrificios, opened with the complimentary salutes.

The loud reports of all the war ships of all nations lying off the harbor of Vera Cruz, came over the waters in their loud intonations, while the clouds of smoke soon drifted to the leeward, and again left the ships as before, sleeping at their rest and distance, with their own and complimentary flags, decorating their beautiful proportions.

Having omitted to notice the compliment which our own squadron paid to Her British Majesty's ships on the 30th ultimo, some five days since, it becomes not inappropriate to mention, in this connection, the salute of our squadron on

THE QUEEN'S CORONATION DAY.

Our several ships gave the royal salute; and our own kind wishes were sincere for the best welfare of her Royal Majesty, Queen Victoria, though expressed by American hearts and republican citizens. And even now, at this moment of suspense, as to the final adjustment of the difficulties in connection with the Oregon question, there are generous feelings on the part of the American people, who would deprecate injury to the British empire. And that friendly feeling, which must and does of necessity exist between the two people, resulting from their common origin, their many relationships, even in blood, and connections of families, as well as of commercial interests, we trust shall not be disturbed ; but be rendered yet more sincere in its expression, and yet more close in its amities, by the adjustment of all jarring questions on the principles of compromise and mutual forbearance.

Commodore Conner invited all the Captains in the fleet, now on the station, to dine with him, to-day. It is not a frequent occurrence for so many Captains afloat to be gathered to a dinner on the anniversary-day of our national independence.

These gentlemen, severally, present characteristics peculiar to each, as do the individuals of most assemblages, and freely develop them in conversation at a dinner-table.

Captain Fitzhugh of the Misssissippi is a gentleman of comfortable proportions for wintry weather; and enjoys a flow of spirits with good nature, that loves to laugh, and to make others laugh. He amused me, by recounting an adventure with one of my clerical acquaintances; and professes to have been quite liberal, and is yet very favorable towards Bishop Meade's Manufactory of Parsons, as he designates the Episcopal Seminary, near Alexandria, D. C.

To my friend Dr. Keith, of all worthy memory, (designated as "brother Ruel" by Captain F)., the Captain seemed to be much attached, and spoke of him with great kindness.

Captain McCluney, of the John Adams, has a head which develops his character a high brow, and that full, elevated rotundity of the cranium, that designates one of the "suaviter in modo" of manners, benevolence, and honorable bearing -all which most certainly enters into character, where it is written in the feature, and developed in the formation of the head. The John Adams, commanded by Captain McCluney, is a favorite ship of mine, for her fine warlike proportions, and because she went in company with the frigate which took me, of a time, quite around the world.

Captain Engle commands the steamer Princeton, and hails from New-Jersey, that land of fine peaches and champaign cider, and of some other associations yet more acceptable to me, in connection with a number of years which I spent at school, in Lawrenceville and Princeton. It was an agreeable review, in making mention of some of these things with Captain E., and canvassing, besides, the merits of the steamer Princeton; and the steam-properties in the character of his friend Bishop Doane.*

The Princeton is certainly the most efficient ship we have on this station, for blockading the Mexican ports. She is a full-rigged sloop-of-war, sailing quite as well as other vessels of her dimensions and rig; and, when occasion requires, can add her steam, giving additional speed to her progress; and in case of head-winds, may keep yet on her course, and change that course at her pleasure. The propeller submerged, seems to be the most successful application of steam

* On reference to the Navy Register, since writing the above, I perceive that Captain E. is from Penn., but really, I could not willingly spoil the associations of the fine peaches by altering the paragraph; and the Princeton is all New-Jerseyan, in her origin and earlier command.

for a war-ship. Captain Engle assured me, that the Princeton, in a few days would be so trimmed and kept in that state of readiness, that she can at any time get under way in fifteen minutes after the signal shall be made to her. She consumes about one ton of coal a day, in the blockade here; and her allowance, while running by steam for the whole day, is but about ten tons.

The associations connected with this ship will always render her an object of melancholy interest.. The catastrophe that occurred by the bursting of the big gun on board of her, will be remembered wherever her name is heard and her story is told-destroying as it did, the lamented Upshur, Gilmore, Cannon, Maxcy, Gardiner, and others.

Captain Forrest of our own ship, of course, was present at the dinner. He has lately joined the Cumberland, to succeed Captain Dulany. The health of Captain Dulany on his reaching Vera Cruz, became considerably affected, while he suffered much from the heat of the climate. It being generally understood that nothing could be done, or would be, by the squadron on this station, Captain D. asked to be relieved. But at that time no declaration of war between the government of the United States and Mexico was anticipated. On reaching the Brazos de Santiago, and thence Pensacola, public affairs were found to have assumed a more serious aspect, and war absolutely raging, and finally and formally recognized by the government of the United States. Captain Dulany having learned this state of public affairs, still remained by the ship, and returned with us from Pensacola to Vera Cruz, though his relief had left Boston direct for the same place. Captain Dulany is still aboard the Cumberland, as a volunteer, though relieved by his successor, Captain Forrest. How soon Captain D. may leave the Cumberland I do not know; but I well do know, that his courteous manners, and his cordial and amiable nature, will

cause his departure to be regretted, and himself to be reremembered, with all feelings of kindness and respect.

Captain D.'s relief, Captain French Forrest, brought me intelligence from the District which I was glad to hear; and mutual acquaintances made us soon familiar on topics of mutual interest. I doubt not Captain F. will be found a popular officer, as he seems to be a courteous and an amiable gentleman.

Captain Aulick, of the frigate Potomac, and Commander Adams, of the Mississippi, were also of the Commodore's guests; and with the First-Lieutenant, the Fleet Surgeon, Dr. Walters Smith, a most worthy gentleman, and the Chaplain, constituted, with those already named, the company of the Commodore for his Fourth of July dinner.

The dinner itself seemingly passed very pleasantly to the party; and the Commodore not only takes care of his guests, but evinces cleverness in conversation, and a creditable attainment in matters of books and subjects of taste, as well as in his own particular profession.

Few things speak more certainly of the pleasant passage of time than its rapid advance, without its being noticed or wearying. Four hours and a half were spent at the dinnertable, without any evidence presenting itself that the time was passing otherwise than agreeably to all parties present.

The band played national airs, waltzes, and operassome soft, some sweet, some so harsh that the composers would hardly have recognized their own pieces; or, if they had recognized them, it would have crazed their system of nerves, and made them mad.

Having retired to my own room after the dinner was over, I had my own private thoughts for the Fourth of July. How dependent we are on the associations of the past for our joys -our sorrows-and, to me, of onward hopes.