BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF COMMODORE DALE.

THE subject of this memoir is still living. We, therefore, feel ourselves restrained by a sense of delicacy, as well as by a regard to that unaffected modesty, which is generally an accompaniment, and always an ornament of real merit, from indulging our feelings in the well-merited eulogy of his public services, and his private character. We shall content ourselves with a simple narration of the prominent circumstances of his public life; and in so doing, furnish materials for his posthumous biographer, who, uninfluenced by considerations of the kind we have alluded to, will be enabled to do justice to his subject.

RICHARD DALE was born on the sixth of November, 1756, in Norfolk county, Virginia. He is descended from a family highly respectable, though not wealthy. His parents were both natives of Virginia. His father left five children, of whom Richard was the eldest. Having manifested, from an early period of life, a strong predilection for the sea, his friends were induced to comply with his wishes. Accordingly, when only twelve years of age, he entered on board a vessel commanded by his uncle, with whom he sailed from Norfolk for Liverpool, in November, 1768. He returned the following summer, and remained at home until the

spring of 1770, when he was bound apprentice to colonel Thomas Newton, a respectable merchant of Norfolk. In the employ of that gentleman he made several voyages to the West Indies, during which nothing of moment occurred, except two accidents, which are worthy of notice only as being the commencement of a series of misfortunes that awaited him. The first was a fall which he received from the spars, lying across the belfry and the gallows, to the kelson, a distance of eighteen or twenty feet, without, however, sustaining any material injury. The other was of a nature no less formidable. As the vessel was going rapidly before the wind, he was knocked overboard by the jib-sheets, and was not, without much difficulty, rescued from so perilous a situation, after having been in the water about an hour.

In 1775, we find him the chief officer of a valuable brig belonging to colonel Newton, in which, to the entire satisfaction of his employer, he continued till the spring of the following year. A period had now arrived which opened to his daring spirit and adventurous disposition, prospects much more congenial and tempting than those which arise out of the service of the merchant. The war of the revolution had commenced; and he had too much of the feelings and temperament of the soldier to remain inactive. He is, accordingly, presented to us in the early part of the year 1776, engaged as a lieutenant on board a ́vessel of war belonging to the state of Virginia, which was fitting out not far from Citypoint, near Norfolk.

While in the execution of his orders to go to Sandy-point, in James river, in a small river craft, for the purpose of procuring cannon, he was captured by a tender belonging to the Liverpool frigate, carried to Norfolk, and put on board a prison ship, in which he was confined for several weeks.

During the time he remained in this situation, he was visited by Bridges Gutteridge, who had been his schoolmate, but who had not yet declared in favour of the popular cause, having then the command of a tender in the service of the enemy. After much solicitation, and many plausible and seductive arguments, our young adventurer was induced to join the fortunes of his former companion and friend. In May (1776) they made a cruise together up the river Rappahannock, during which they had an engagement

with several pilot-boats, and were happy to escape, with the loss of several men killed; young Dale himself being badly wounded, having received a musket ball in his head. He was carried to Norfolk, where he was confined a long time by his wound. This period he improved to the salutary purposes of reflection, and of firmly resolving, to use his own words, "never again to put himself in the way of the balls of his country." Soon after his recovery, upon his return from Bermuda-whither he had gone with William Gutteridge--he was captured by captain John Barry, commander of the United States' brig Lexington, and on the same day entered as a midshipman on board said brig. This occurred in July, 1776. Not long afterwards, the brig, whilst cruising, was struck with lightning: Dale, with many others, were prostrated, senseless, upon the deck. They were all, however, providentially restored in a few minutes.

Soon after this the brig arrived at Philadelphia. Dale still continued in the same vessel, the command of which now devolved on captain Hallock captain Barry having been appointed to the command of a frigate.

The Lexington sailed in the autumn of 1776 for Cape François, and a cruise. On her return to the United States, in December following, she was captured, by the Liverpool frigate, off the capes of Virginia. In consequence of a sudden and tremendous gale, the captors could only take out the captain and five of the crew: Dale, who was then master's mate, being one of the number. The officers and crew, who remained on board, retook the brig, and carried her into Baltimore. Dale was landed, with some of his fellow prisoners, at Cape Henlopen, in January, 1777. He immediately repaired to Philadelphia, which he had no sooner reached, than he was ordered to join the Lexington again, now commanded by captain Henry Johnson. This vessel sailed from Baltimore for Bordeaux, in February or March, with despatches. Her passage was short and very successful, many valuable prizes being taken by her. Without delay she proceeded to Nantz, to join the United States' ship Reprisal, of sixteen sixpounders, captain Wicks, and a cutter, commanded by Samuel Nicholson, carrying ten four-pounders; the three vessels to cruise in company, under the command of captain Wicks.