413 ART. X.-Biographical Notice of the late Captain Gamble. THE (With a portrait.) HE lives of those, who by their virtues or services have acquired an honourable name in their country, excite a curiosity always earnest in its inquiry, and delightful in its gratification. There is a harmless vanity that prompts us to claim, even by the most remote connexion, some participation in the glory and rewards of distinguished men. We covet a relationship to them, and instances occasionally occur, that lead us to feign or feel the general consanguinity of a whole nation. These are seen in the high and attractive standards of human excellence, around which a people rally with the warmest feelings of family partiality and affection; feelings which offer an equal tribute to human eminence, however diversified its paths. Those who determine to live and labour for the cause of humanity, may choose with indifference the mode and place of their service-the fellowship of virtuous and elevated actions will raise them all to one kindred rank in the world. 'Tis true the pursuit of manly and permanent fame is generally cheerless or repulsive; and demands a vigour of industry and resolution, that, under present self denials, can look forward with patient anticipation to a distant, though certain possession. There are however some means of distinction,-more alluring in their prospects, and more immediate in their gratifications-which even in the midst of their employment, call forth that public admiration and favour, which in other pursuits are received only as an ultimate reward. This is exemplified in the early fame attending the profession of arms. There is an interest and grateful feeling towards the fate of those, who offer their lives to the service of their country: their success is identified with the honour of their nation; public attention follows its steps with enthusiasm, and marks its issue with applause. The fields of war furnish those rare occasions to human ambition, where the ardour of youth may reach its desired glory and attain to an equal measure of renown with the wisdom and experience of age. Thus we all saw, during the late war with England, the warmth of public feeling, and the grateful tribute of its honours; and we all remember, how ample a portion of them was bestowed on the youthful heroes of the land. Their deeds on the ocean were the universal theme, and proud examples of fame were exhibited in glorious succession to the world. With these remarks, we shall offer to our readers a short notice of the life and character of the late captain Gamble, in the belief that the simple detail of his services, and this unfeigned tribute to his memory will be sufficient to give his name a deserved place in the grateful and lasting remembrance of his countrymen. We are aware that his fame had not yet come before the world in its full and promised lustre; but he had fulfilled the duties of his short career, in the most faithful and exemplary manner, and those who knew him, will bear witness to the truth of our narrative. Thomas Gamble was born Recklestown, in the state of New Jerey, on the 24th of December, 1783. He was the second son of major William Gamble, an officer of the revolutionary army. His early youth was passed amid the quiet and seclusion of the place of his birth; and though its minor events and promises are still in the recollection of his friends, they do not here require a particular enumeration-It is a general fact that the characteristics of the man are exhibited through youth in fainter though distinguishable traces; and, that the same mode of moral and intellectual qualities, influenced perhaps by education, appears in the succes sive periods of human life; and we hope to show, ere this memoir is concluded, a full reason for inferring that the boyhood of captain Gamble was both virtuous and intelligent. He remained at Recklestown until about the age of twenty, at which time he had acquired a useful and practical education, and had qualified himself for mercantile business. He early entertained a predilection for a sea-faring-life, and even in his retired station looked forward with anxiety and eagerness to the world and its distant prospects. This passion for the adventures of the sea has often filled, and elevated the youthful heart: and aftertime has decided whether it was the thoughtless ardour of inexperience, or one of those instinctive agencies that occasionally determine the characters and fortunes of men. In the year 1804, captain Gamble left the place of his birth to gratify his favourite inclination, and immediately afterwards began his naval career. His first voyage was to England as a sailor in the merchant service. His aim in this service was to qualify himself for that station in the navy for which his application was then made; thus wisely seeking a preparatory knowledge during that indefinite period too frequently consumed in idle expectation-With an independent pride, he resolved to enter his profession by the humble duties of the forecastle, and through them to learn in practical detail, the rules of seamanship and subordination. On his return from England he received a midshipman's warrant in the navy of the United States, and was immediately ordered to join the frigate Congress, then equipping for the Mediterranean service, and commanded by commodore Rodgers. An association with that officer here commenced and continued during the greater part of captain Gamble's naval life. He sailed with him successively in the frigates Constitution and Essex, and served in the Mediterranean during the Tripolitan war: and whilst thus advancing in the knowledge of his profession, he gained the approbation of his superior officers, and the warm attachment of those with whom he was connected. The detail of the minor incidents in the life of most men, is either tedious or unimportant, and in this notice of captain Gamble, we do not wish to be more circumstantial than justice to his memory requires. It is no small commendation to say, that whilst a 415 Biographical Notice of the late Captain Gamble. midshipman, he was generally at sea, and discharged with alacrity, intelligence, and faithfulness the duties of that station. In April 1810, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and was soon afterwards appointed to the frigate President, then commanded by commodore Rodgers; and continued with him in that vessel during the greater part of the late war. He was her first lieutenant in her memorable escape from the British squadron in the North Sea, and was equally conspicuous for his attention and alacrity in the responsible duties of his post. That frigate had during the war, a character for equipment and discipline that was the reliance and boast of her country, and had spread abroad a fame for bold and active enterprise that was the frequent report of Europe. The skill and adventurous spirit of her commander, and his accomplished and effective associates, warned an appalled adversary to shun the certain disaster of single combat, and taught him, that the safety of contention, or the hope of triumph, was to be sought only in the strength of greatly overbalanced force, or in the combined operation and pursuit of squadrons. The President frigate never met the long sought opportunity of justifiable fight, and when at last she yielded her flag to the enemy, she gave him a worthless wreck, over which he might mingle his proud exultations on the destruction of a dangerous foe, with a questionable satisfaction at the gainful efforts of his timorous prudence. On the return of the President in the year 1814, captain Gamble was transferred under the command of commodore Rodgers to the Guerriere, then fitting out at Philadelphia. From this station, he accompanied the commodore who hastened with his crew to the defence of Baltimore, then menaced by a British force. It is well known, how much the active and meritorious services of the officers of the navy upon that memorable occasion, contributed to the safety of that city. The citizens of Baltimore have duly appreciated their gallant and skilful exertions, and with the generosity of valour, have always shared with them the honour of their success. In December 1814, captain Gamble was made a lieutenant-commandant, and separated from commodore Rodgers. He had accompanied that officer in all his service for more than eight years; and from his undeviating course of duty, his accomplishments as an officer, and his unimpeachable conduct even in its trifle, had won from his commander a personal attachment, which ended only with his life. We pause on this friendship! it speaks a full encomium on the youth. Shortly after receiving his commission, captain Gamble was appointed to the command of the Spark, and sailed, the succeeding summer, with the squadron destined to Algiers, under the command of commodore Decatur. The early and brilliant termination of the war with that power, reflected additional lustre upon the American navy, and the gallant individuals who conducted its operations. Europe saw, and honoured an activity that gave in almost daily succession a blow, a triumph, and a treaty! On the |