"In searching the history of our own country, when it stood together as a united nation, waging just war, we find England, our mother country, whose language we speak, arrayed against us. But, on account of this bond of birth and language, should we cease to tell about the deeds of those men who freed us from her grasp and oppressions, and made us what we are? I trust not. May our navy glory in its record, no matter the consequences! May our youth grow up with the lives of these men—our Yankee commanders—before them, and may they profit by their examples!
This should not inculcate a hatred for a former foe. It should only serve to build up that national esprit de corps without which no country ever stood up for its rights and willed to fight for them. May the sons of our new citizens, whose fathers have served kings, perhaps, and come from other countries, grow up with a pride in America's own national history! "
Contents:
The United States Frigate Constitution Falls in With a British Squadron
The Constitution, Under Command of Captain Hull, Captures the British Frigate Guerrière
The British Frigate Macedonian Is Captured by the United States Frigate
Captain Wm. Bainbridge Captures the British Frigate Java
Gallant Action of the Privateer Schooner Comet, of 14 Guns
The United States Sloop of War Hornet
The United States Frigate Chesapeake Is Captured by the English Frigate Shannon
The United States Brig Enterprise Captures H. B. M. Sloop of War Boxer
The American Fleet on Lake Erie Captures the Entire English Naval Force Under Commodore Barclay
The United States Frigate Essex Is Captured by Two English Vessels
The United States Sloop of War Peacock Takes the British Sloop of War L'epervier
The United States Sloop of War Wasp Captures the British Sloop of War Reindeer
The American Forces on Lake Champlaincapture the English Squadron Causing the Evacuation of New York State by the British
The United States Frigate Presidenis Taken by a British Squadron
The Constitution Engages and Captures Two English Vessels
The British Brig of War Penguin Surrenders to the United States Brig Hornet
The Chase of the Hornet, Sloop of War, by the Cornwallis, a British Line-of-battle Ship