The Rhode Island Republican

NEWPORT, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1817.

Distinguished instance of Intrepidity and Humanity.

On Friday last, as the packet Maria, Capt. Garr, was on her passage from Providence to this place, a lad by the name of Thurston Burrs, fell from the bowsprit of the packet which was then going at the rate of about eight miles an hour, and being unable to swim would inevitably have been drowned had not Gen. William C. Gibbs instantly leaped overboard, and, at the imminent hazard of his own life, succeeded in preserving that of the boy. Owing to the rapidity of the vessel, he was at a considerable distance from the packet when Gen. Gibbs reached him: and being much chilled, (the weather being extremely cold,) was twice carried under by the weight of the boy and his own clothes, before the boat, which was put off for the purpose, could reach them. They were both nearly exhausted, and probably could not have kept above water a minute longer.

Here are such instances of courage and magnanimity—seldom, indeed are united in one person, such great virtues, with such great fortune—the gentlest feelings of the heart, with the noblest daring of the soul. Gen. Gibbs saw an unfortunate being in distress—not his brother—not his friend—no, a stranger—yet that stranger was his fellow citizen—poor, indeed, in fortune—but existence was still to him, existence. In attempting to rescue him, his own life might be sacrificed—there was but one instant to decide, and the heart decided. He saw him struggling for life fearless of danger, he plunged into the river—he beat down the waves—he glided through the water, which almost froze as he glided—he reached and he saved him. He—numbed, and almost exhausted, he is but saved himself. The picture is sublime—even stoicism, itself, cannot view it with composure. General Gibbs merits the admiration and love of his fellow men—and what he well merits, he unboundedly possesses. Such a picture of undaunted humanity would, at all times, be a splendid associate in the gallery of triumphant patriotism.