cruise which swept the English commerce from the seas over which the 'Essex' sailed. Amongst his captures was a very fast sailer: he equipped and armed her as his consort, and named her the 'Essex Jr.' Lieutenant Downes was appointed her commander with John Minor Maury as his first lieutenant.
Not long after leaving the Marquesas, they put into Valparaiso, where the English frigates 'Phoœe' and the 'Cherub', under the command of Captain Hilliard, fell in with them. Captain Hilliard had orders to capture the 'Essex' at all hazards. Porter, always ready for fight, cleared his ships for action, and stood out to sea to gain file "marine league" required by international law in respect to neutral ports.
The 'Essex Jr.' got well away to sea. The 'Essex, while rounding the headland, was struck by a squall, her fore topmast was carried away, and while thus crippled and in the harbour she was set upon by the British frigates and captured, after the most glorious defense ever made by a ship of the United States.
Farragut, then a boy of eight or nine years, dear to Porter as a son, was with him on the 'Essex' in this fearful fight.
The Essex Jr. made her way to the United States, where John Maury was ordered to join the 'Epervier', Captain William Lewis commanding. Fortunately, the 'Epervier' sailed a day before John Maury reached Norfolk. Just before sailing, her captain, Lewis, and his lieutenant, Neal, were married to two sisters (the Misses Whittle). The ship was never heard of again, and the ladies were widows (and childless) till they died a few years ago.
Having escaped the fatal chance of the 'Epervier', Maury received orders to proceed to Lake Champlain, in time to be with McDonough in his complete victory over the British flotilla, which was captured or sunk. Thence, a few days
