essays on Mexican chronology and Indian philology, have always been received with great respect. His "Synopsis of the Indian Tribes within the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, and in the British and Russian possessions in North Ameri

of the argument to be laid before the At the council table, he exhibited the King of the Netherlands, one of the vivacity of the youngest member. In umpires in the disputed British boun- the published Transactions of the Ethdary question. Subsequently he pub-nological Society, will be found an lished, chiefly extracted from his state- elaborate production from his pen on ments in this paper, an essay on "The the Semi-Civilized Nations of Mexico, Right of the United States to the Yucatan, and Central America. He Northeastern Boundary claimed by also published in the same work an them." He was chosen, in 1730, Presi- essay of great learning on the Indians dent of the Council of the University of Northwest America and their Voof New York, and in the following cabularies. His observations in these year took part in a Free Trade Convention, held at Philadelphia. He was about the same time chosen President of the National Bank of New York, the position since occupied by his son. In 1842, he was elected First President of the American Ethnological Society, of which he was one of the founders, ca," forms the second volume of the and in the following year President of "Archæologia Americana," issued by the New York Historical Society. The former was a select body of few members, who mostly held their meetings at his house in Bleecker street. At the latter he became known to a larger concourse of the public. Few who witnessed, in his discharge of these offices, his simple, unaffected, eager interest in all branches of knowledge, will forget the impression. His aspect bore strong marks of age, though his powers of mind were unabated; his accent retained something of his foreign birth. There were few nights too stormy to keep him away from a regular meeting of the Historical Society.

the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester. Two pamphlets on "Peace with Mexico," and "War Expenses," published by him in 1847 and 1848, were largely circulated. They were earnest, prudential expostulations on the cost and folly of war.

In such pursuits, the last years of Albert Gallatin were passed to the closing day. His death took place in his summer residence at Astoria, on Long Island, opposite the city of New York, on the twelfth of August, 1849. He was in his eighty-ninth year-a long life of honorable activity, of useful culti vation, of mental independence.

STEPHEN DECATUR.

THE gallant Decatur-the "Bayard | Royal Louis and the Fair American; of the Seas"-who thrilled the last married a lady, Miss Pine, of Irish generation with a series of brilliant parentage, and begot a family of several exploits, which will live in history, children, two of whom, Stephen and since they were acted on no mean James, illustrate our naval history. theatre, not only for his country but When Philadelphia was occupied by for civilization and the world, was, as the British, Mrs. Decatur fled in comhis name imports, of French ancestry. mon with other townspeople. She His grandfather, a native of the sea- found refuge at Sinepuxent, on the port La Rochelle, in France, took natu- eastern shore of Maryland, where Sterally to the Atlantic for a livelihood; phen was born, January 5, 1779. As entered the navy, became a lieutenant, his father continued to follow the sea, was ordered to the West Indies, and engaging in the merchant service after there having been well-nigh killed by the war was ended, Stephen was early the fever, was driven to leave of ab- introduced to that element. At the sence and a residence at the north. He age of eight, he accompanied his father chose Newport, Rhode Island, recruited, on one of his voyages. His boyhood became enamored of a lady of the was marked by spirit, activity and place, and gave up all thoughts of the resolution. Many are the anecdotes French navy for a life of wedlock. preserved of these early days at PhilaBut Hymen, being a god requiring delphia; of his swimming and skating various liberal offerings upon his altar feats, and readiness of self-defence in tables, the convert must provide the plucky encounters. He found on redue hecatombs. Taking with him his turning from a fishing excursion one own son Stephen, born in Newport in day, his mother rebuking a tipsy gen1751, he resorted to Philadelphia on tleman, who had struck his younger the lookout for nautical employment. brother. The gentleman retorted. SteThere death soon foreclosed the mort-phen reminded him that the lady was gage upon his life which had been his mother, and demanded respect. sealed in the West Indies.

The son early adopted the sea, distinguished himself in the service of the Revolution by his command of the

The drunkard replied with insolence, and aimed a blow at Stephen, who brought his assailant violently to the ground. "Mother," said the youth

over his fallen foe, "you need not feel laid the foundation but assisted at the sorry, for he deserved it all." nativity of that gallant old ship, which in due time we shall see him leading to victory."

These were the days of Adet and Genet, of French propagandism in America. The Decaturs had French The aggressions of Algiers and of blood in their veins, it is true, but they France upon our commerce, created the knew how to appreciate Washington American navy-the slow growth of and their country. Boys and men wore insult and necessity. The elder Decatheir distinctive badges and cockades, tur was commissioned by Adams in the tricolor for France, and the blue 1798, sailed in command of the Delafor independent America. A noisy ware, and immediately brought in the dinner to the French ambassador had first prize, Le Croyable, subsequently put unusual spirit into the streets. A Bainbridge's Retaliation. The genius mob attempted to pluck the young De- of the young Decatur was fired anew; catur's cockade. Stephen, who never his capacity was observed by his friends, looked aside to consequences, on a and the problem of his life was solved point of honor, parried with a blow, by Commodore Barron, who, without and a fight took place, in which he consulting any member of the family, would have been sorely worsted, had procured him a midshipman's warrant, not some of his father's men come to which was willingly accepted. Decathe rescue.1 tur joined the United States, Commodore Barron, in May, 1798, at the age of twenty. The ship in her early cruises was employed along the coast and in the West Indies, and made several smaller captures. The service, though not noted by any great adventure, was sufficient to stamp the charac ter of Decatur upon the minds of his companions. At the end of the year he was made lieutenant. With this rank he sailed in the United States, carrying the French Commissioners, to Europe, served in the Norfolk, on the American station, while his ship was undergoing repairs, and rejoined her, continuing to the close of the war in 1800.

The youth had a good education at the Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia, and a year at the Pennsylvania University. His mother thought of him for the Church; the son longed for the sea. A compromise was for a while effected by a clerkship in his father's shipping-house; but the youth was intent on the service. He studied mathematics, and constructed and rigged models. He was sent by his employers into New Jersey, to superintend getting out the keel-pieces for the frigate United States, then on the stocks. When completed he was launched in her, and may then be said, as his biographer, Mackenzie, remarks, "not only to have

'These anecdotes are told in Mackenzie's Life of Deca

In the wholesale reduction of the navy which ensued, Decatur was re

tur—whose narrative we follow throughout-a book of tained. A new opportunity of service

equal diligence and neatness.

soon sprang up. The Bashaw of Tri