Phenix Gazette

To the Editors of the National Intelligencer.

Gentlemen: In perusing the French papers
which the last arrivals furnished us with, I have
been highly delighted with the debates of the
Chamber of Deputies in relation to the glorious
deed of Bisson, such acts are worthy of being
known by every nation, no matter to what coun-
try the achiever of them belongs. Being of
that opinion, I take the liberty to send you,
herewith, a translation of extracts of the sittings
of the 5th and 25th of April last, so that you
might insert it in your columns if you think it
will be acceptable to your numerous readers.

My only regret will then be to have but feebly
expressed in another language, the effusions of
the noble heart whose sentiments were all a-
wakened by the deed of Bisson, of that heart
which we were taught to appreciate when it
was beating among us.

I remain, gentlemen, yours, truly,

Washington, June 7, 1828.

H.

At the sitting of the Chamber of Deputies in France,
of the 5th of April, the Minister of Marine, the Baron
de Neuville pronounced the following speech:

"Gentlemen: The Naval forces which the
King keeps in the seas of the Levant have never
ceased to watch over the safety of our commer-
cial interests: but it is particularly since hostilities commenced between the Turks and the
Greeks, that our national vessels have display-
ed the most constant activity to preserve com-
merce from the depredations of the numerous
pirates who infest the seas bordering upon the
seat of war. Several engagements have taken
place with them, and they have either been cap-
tured or forced to save themselves by flight.

A Navy officer, the Ensign Bisson, who com-
manded the prize Le Panayoti, has fallen, after
a bloody affair with pirates. who, with superior
forces had succeeded in taking possession of
his vessel. I am about to give the Chamber
some details of an event which the French Na-
vy. will with pride, record in its history.

Towards the latter part of October,
1827.

His Majesty's corvette La Lamproie seized, on
the coast of Syria. a Greek pirate brig, manned
by 66 men. The frigate La Magicienne, on
her passage from Alexandria to Smyrna, took
on board the pirate's crew, save six. and put on
board in their place an officer, and 15 men of
her own crew; then returned to the Archipel-
ago with the prize. On the night of the 4th of
November, the two vessels parted, bad weather
came on, and the prize was obliged to put into
the island of Stampalia. On coming to an an-
chorage, two of the Greeks on board succeeded
in reaching the shore. The commandant of
the prize, the Ensign Bisson, having no doubt
of being soon attacked, his first care was to
prepare every thing for the most vigorous de-
fence. But his generous courage did not mis-
lead him; he knew that force could prevail over
valor, and he determined not to be mastered
even by force. He especially desired that vic-
tory be not the lot of miserable pirates. Alrea-
dy he had foreseen every thing, prepared every
thing. "Pilot, (said he to Tremintin, his sec-
ond) give me your word, if fortune does not
smile upon us, and if you survive me, to do
what I shall do if I do not fall in the fight—
blow up the ship." Tremintin swore, on his
honor, to show himself worthy of his chief.

"At ten at night, two large misticoes attacked
the brig with fury; they boarded her on her
forecastle—15 men struggled, with admirable
intrepidity, against 130. Numbers alone pre-
vailed; nine Frenchmen fell—the deck was in-
vaded—Bisson wounded, covered with blood,
slipt out of the scuffle, and had only time to say
to his friends, "Fly, throw yourselves in the
sea!" then turning towards Tremintin, he add-
ed: "Farewell. Pilot—now is the moment!"
He rushed to the magazine, where he had him-
self, beforehand, made all necessary prepara-
tions: seized the match, and set fire to the pow-
der. The ship was blown up; the sacrifice of
honour and patriotism was consummated, a
noble heart ceased to beat, and France numbers
a hero more. [General movement in the As-
sembly.]

"I shall add nothing, gentlemen to my reci-
tal; there are actions which speak of themselves
so high, that it is only sufficient to make them
known, to excite in every bosom respect and
admiration.

"Honor! honor to our Navy, gentlemen! Na-
varino and Bisson have just proved how far the
King and France can rely upon it! [Unanimous
bravos.]

"I must not conceal from the Chamber, that
the brave Tremintin has been created, by the
King, Knight of the Legion of Honor, and pro-
moted to an Ensignship; that the four sea-
men, who arrived with him on shore, more or
less wounded, have equally been rewarded.—
His Majesty has just authorized the erection of
a monument which will contribute to perpetu-
ate the memory of Bisson. There remains
still, gentlemen, to give to his sister (his parents
have ceased to exist) a mark of public grati-
tude. A law is necessary: the King has com-
missioned me to propose it to you. You will,
no doubt, gentlemen, join him in an act so emi-
nently national." [Universal marks of assent.]
The Minister of Marine reads the project of
law, thus expressed:

"Article the first. A pension of 1,500 francs
out
of
the
funds
of
the
Invalids
of
the
sister
is
granted
of
the
to
Enseign
Marie-Benjamine-Thomas
of
the
same
Bisson
who
gloriously
died
the
4th
of
November
1827
on
board the prize Le Panayoti."

"This pension shall begin from the 4th No-
vember, day on which the Ensign Bisson died.

At the sitting of the 25th following, the a-
bove project was put under discussion, and in
answer to some objections made to its passage
the Minister of Marine expressed himself
in the following terms:

"GENTLEMEN: I did not expect to be called
upon to speak to-day: for I thought that no one
but words of admiration would be heard in this
tribune. However, I shall not defend the be-
roic deed of Bisson; honor, glory, patriotism
need no defence; the whole of France will an-
swer. [General movement of adhesion ]

"Some had dared to stigmatise the deed
with the name of suicide. Ah! The God of
Christians has already admitted, in his immor-
tality, the one who has given so noble an ex-
ample to the world

"They speak to you of succours which are
not granted to the Greeks. Gentlemen, let us
lay aside the political question. Know that
Charles X. and his Ministry are never behind
hand when humanity is at stake. They have
told you that women and children were carried
to Egypt. Let them designate only one of our
ships that has not endeavored to prevent it
At this very moment, the King's vessels are
engaged in receiving the unfortunate victims
of Scio. This very morning I have received
a despatch, informing me that one of our ves-
sels has saved four hundred and thirty-seven of
them. [ Lively marks of satisfaction.]

"This is what we have to answer. I will
add nothing to what has already been told you.
lest I weaken the sentiment which pervades
your souls. You all admire, together with
France, together with the whole Universe, the
deed which our history, which the French Na-
vy, has been pleased to consecrate among its
records.

"Gentlemen, the King has not thought it ne-
cessary to increase the pension of Bisson's sis-
ter; she has been allowed what is usually giv-
en to the widow of a Vice Admiral And, be-
sides, it is not with money that such deeds are
rewarded. If the King of France wished, in
looking back, to reward all the high deeds
which have been achieved for the last thirty
years in our Armies, in the Vendee, under the
colors of Conde, & every where, our Treasury
would not possess sufficient means to do it.
[General movement of assent.]

The votes are warmly called for.

The President—M. de Puymanrin proposes
an additional article, expressed thus: "The
Government of the King shall transmit to pos-
terity, upon brass and marble, the glorious de-
votedness of the Ensign Bisson

The Minister of the Navy—The wish of the
honorable Deputy is fulfilled. A monument is
to be erected at L'Orient.

This declaration rendering useless the add-
itional article, the ballots are taken on the whole
of the law granting a pension to Bisson's sis-
ter, and adopted by a majority of 241 votes against 3