William Burrows was born at Kenderton, near Philadelphia, on the 6th of October, 1785. His father was wealthy, and not wishing to confine the genius of his son to any particular pursuit, apprehending that his wealth was amply sufficient to the support of his son in the style and character of a gentleman, he was accordingly left principally to his own guidance, dallying with books as he would with toys, regarding them rather as matters of amusement than as objects of serious concern. Knowing how essential to the character of a gentleman it was to become familiar with the living languages, his father warmly exhorted him to turn his attention to them; in this he but partially succeeded. To the French language he betrayed an insurmountable reluctance. In the acquisition of German, Burrows was more successful, and at the age of thirteen years he could converse in that language with great fluency. This may be considered as the broad outline of his early years, as far as regards those pursuits which often have an important bearing in the formation of the future character of the man. The Portsmouth did not return to the United States for nearly a year. Burrows now became sensible of the necessity of becoming better acquainted with his preparatory studies, and obtained a furlough for the purpose of applying himself to the science of navigation with renewed ardor. From 1800 to 1803, he served on board different ships of war, in cruises, some of a longer and some of a shorter date, unimportant as far as regards the glory of the navy. This was, notwithstanding, a necessary school, which prepared him for more important services. In the year 1803 he was transferred to the frigate Constitution, Soon after his return, Lieutenant Burrows took the command of the United States sloop-of-war Enterprise, and left the harbor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on the 5th of September. On the following day he fell in with his Britannic majesty’s brig Boxer, mounting sixteen eighteen pound carronades and two long nine pounders. The Boxer fired a shot as a challenge, hoisted English colors, and immediately bore down upon the Enterprise. The American vessel was now employed in tacking and making preparations for action. Having obtained the weather-gage, she manoeuvred for some time to try her sailing, and to ascertain the force of her antagonist. At length she shortened sail, hoisted three ensigns, and fired three shot in answer to the challenge. The action now grew warm; the Boxer bore within half-pistol shot of the Enterprise, and, giving three cheers, fired her starboard broadside. She was answered by three cheers and a larboard broadside from the Enterprise, and the action became general. The Enterprise, having the advantage of the wind, ranged ahead of her enemy, rounded to on the larboard tack, and commenced a raking broadside. The enemy’s main-topsail and topsail yards came down, and the Enterprise, taking a position on the starboard bow of the Boxer, and opening a raking fire, compelled the enemy to cry for quarter. Their colors were nailed to the mast and could not be hauled down. This action lasted for forty-five minutes, during which time the Boxer received much damage in sails, rigging, spars and hull. The Enterprise had but one eighteen pound shot in her The number killed on board the Boxer is uncertain. The same officer states, from the best information which he was able to procure, that there were, of the enemy, between twenty and twenty-five killed, and fourteen wounded. At the very first fire, Lieutenant Burrows was mortally wounded by a musket ball. He refused, notwithstanding, to be carried below, and during the whole of the action his life’s blood was streaming on the deck. With his dying lips he requested that the flag might never be struck. When the sword of his gallant enemy was presented to him, he clasped his hands together, and exclaimed, “I am satisfied! I die contented!” He was then carried below, and expired shortly after. The bodies of Captain Blyth of the Boxer, and of Lieutenant Burrows, were conveyed to Portland and interred at the same time with all the honors due to their rank and character. Having paid the debt which they owed to their respective countries, they now slumber side by side, awaiting the day of the resurrection together. The following resolution was unanimously passed by both houses of Congress. “Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled: “That the President of the United States be requested to present to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Burrows, of the brig Enterprise, a gold medal, (see Plate XI.,) with suitable emblems and devices, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress, of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers It is rare to find a character more distinctly defined than that of Lieutenant Burrows. He could accommodate himself to the circumstances in which he was placed, and suspend the exercise of a darling passion, when the season would not admit of its indulgence. His heroism maintained a long and obstinate contest with the king of terrors, and he was only cold and insensible to the charms of glory, when he was invested with the coldness and insensibility of death. It is much to be lamented that no likeness of this distinguished young officer now exists. The mind, in cases like the present, labors to supply the defect, and to form for itself a sort of sensible image, for we never read of high and illustrious actions without associating them with a body. MONUMENT OF BURROWS.The following record must be read by every American, with pride and pleasure, at such an instance of liberality and honorable munificence to the memory of the brave. A gentleman from New York, Matthew L. Davis, Esquire, while passing through Portland, some time since on a tour eastward, had accidentally taken a walk into the burying-ground. His attention was attracted to the neglected grave of the late Captain Burrows. The only guide to the spot, where is deposited one who had so much heroic merit, and who deserved so much of his country, was the tombstone of his deceased competitor, Captain Blyth, of the Boxer, which had been but recently erected by the surviving officers of that ship. The thought was instant. Mr. Davis immediately gave orders for an elegant marble monument to be erected over the grave of Burrows, without the sparing of labor or expense. It was done! and its style of execution does credit to the ingenious artist, and the inscription is highly creditable to the taste, judgment, and modesty of the generous donor, and worthy the hero whom it is designed to commemorate. THE TOMB OF BURROWS.I saw the green turf resting cold On Burrows’ hallow’d grave; No stone the inquiring patriot told Where slept the good and brave. Heaven’s rain and dew conspired to blot The traces of the holy spot. No flow’rets deck’d the little mound, That moulder’d on his breast, Nor rural maidens, gathering round, His tomb with garlands drest; But sporting children thoughtless trod On valor’s consecrated sod. I mourn’d, who for his country bleeds Should be forgot so soon, That fairest fame and brightest deeds Should want a common boon. But oh! the rich have hearts of steel, And what can Penury more than feel? At length “a passing stranger” came Whose hand its bounties shed; He bade the sparkling marble claim A tribute for the dead: And, sweetly blending, hence shall flow The tears of gratitude and woe! DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.Occasion.—Capture of the British sloop-of-war Boxer. Device.—An urn, with the inscription, W. Burrows, on the pedestal; military emblems tastefully arranged on each side; one is a coronal wreath hanging from a trident. Legend.—Victoriam tibi claram patriÆ mÆstam. Reverse.—Two brigs engaged. The Boxer on the larboard side of the Enterprise. Main-topmast of the Boxer shot away. Legend.—Vivere sat vincere. Exergue.—Inter Enterprise nav. Ameri. et Boxer nav. Brit. 4th of September, 1813. |