The Rhode Island Republican

REWARD OF VALOR.
NEW YORK, JULY 26.
The Common Council some time since
voted, that the Freedom of the City be presented
to Charles Stewart, Esq. commander
of the frigate Constitution, for the gallantry
and courage displayed by him, his officers and
crew; in capture of the British ships Cyane
and Levant.
Captain S. being in town, the ceremony of
presenting the certificate of citizenship, &c.
took place yesterday afternoon in the City
Hall, in the presence of the Common Council
and a number of spectators-when his honor
the Mayor, (Jacob Radcliff, Esq.) delivered the
following address to captain Stewart.
Sir-in behalf of this corporation, I have
the honor to present to you the Freedom of
this City, as the testimony of the high opinion
we entertain of the gallantry and skill displayed
by you, in the capture of two of his
Britannic Majesty's ships of war, the Cyane
and Levant.
Our citizens have at all times felt a deep
interest and the highest gratification in the
prosperity and glory of our infant navy. Having
to contend, on its recent trial, with a gigantic
power on the ocean, boasting of superior
skill, and of triumphs over all other nations
it was natural that in the commencement
of the contest, some doubts should be
entertained of the immediate result; but the
daring, spirit and consummate ability displayed
in its first efforts, accompanied with the
most brilliant success, soon dispelled those
doubts and inspired a confidence which has
been confirmed and increased in every stage
of its subsequent career. Not only has the
honor of the American flag been maintained
in every conflict, but the achievements of our
navy have transcended the most sanguine expectations
of its friends, and exalted the American
name and character in every part of
the world. It has given a pledge of inestimable
value to its country, and a proof to its
enemies, that the people of these states are as
capable of vindicating their rights on the
ocean, as they have manifested the power of
maintaining them on the land. To you, sir,
is justly ascribed the honor of having supported
and elevated this character, and of confirming
this pledge, in one of the last conflicts of
the war, in a difficult and trying situation, contending
with a superior force, and under circumstances
which entitle the victory you obtained,
to be classed among the most brilliant
events recorded in naval history. Your countrymen
are anxious to evince their gratitude
for this event, and they feel a peculiar pride
in bestowing their praise on the officers and
crew of a favorite ship, which was the first
in the late war to acquire distinguished honor
to the American flag, and after a course of
unexampled success, among the last to extend
and increase its lustre. I am accordingly
instructed to request, that you present
the thanks of this board. to the officers and
crew of the frigate Constitution, under your
command, for the heroic manner in which
they engaged, fought and conquered, on the
occasion now referred to
REPLY.
Sir-I received with a lively sensibility,
the handsome testimony which you have conferred
on me in behalf of the Corporation of
the City of New-York ; and I must ever bear
in grateful remembrance, so distinguished a
mark of their liberality
In the late contest with our skilful and gigantic
enemy has pleased Divine Providence
to enable our countrymen to sustain
with unsullied lustre, the honor of our flag.
To our fellow citizens we owe our grateful
acknowledgements for the strong interest
they have taken in our infant navy, and for
the liberal manner with which they have rewarded
its exertions. Encouraged by their good
opinion, we have felt, on all occasions, that
though not to be disappointed If, sir, I have
been permitted through the confidence of the
government, and the valor of my officers and
crew, to contribute any portion of support to
the honor of our flag, and the elevation of our
character on the ocean, I must ever consider
it as one of the happiest events of my life. It
will afford me, sir great pleasure, to convey
to the officers and crew I have the honor to
command, the distinguished notice the Corporation
of the city of New-York, have been
pleased to bestow on their efforts.
I-beg leave to return my thanks to the
Corporation for the honor they have conferred
on me, and the very liberal manner in
which they have noticed the victory obtained
by the officers and crew of the frigate Constitution
over his Britannic majesty's late
ships Cyane and Levant. I also beg you, sir,
to accept my thanks for the flattering manner
in which it has pleased you to convey to me
this instance of the munificence of the Corporation.