Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Public Tribute to Native Worth.

On Wednesday last a valuable Sword was presented by a committee of gentlemen consisting of Nicholas Emery, Esq. the Hon. Asa Clapp, and Mr. Robert Boyd, in the name of the citizens of Portland, to their gallant townsman, Alexander Scammel Wadsworth, second lieutenant of the Constitution in her victorious conflict with the Guerriere upon whom devolved the duties of first officer of that ship after Lieut. Morris was wounded, which was early in the engagement. In consequence of his extraordinary exertions on that day in conquering as well as during the night after the battle in clearing the Guerriere the health of Mr. Wadsworth was so much impaired, as to have confined him since on shore, where he has passed his time among his friends on a visit to his native place.

The government of the United States having evinced their impression of his merit by appointing Lieut. Wadsworth to the second command on board the frigate Adams under his accomplished friend the brave and modest Morris, the citizens of Portland seized the opportunity of his returning health—on the eve of his departure—to make a public expression, previously contemplated, of the proud sense they entertained of the honour reflected on themselves by his conduct on the illustrious occasion of the conquest of the Guerriere.

In performing the ceremony of presenting the Sword the following appropriate address was made in an animated manner by Mr. Emery.

Lieut. Wadsworth,

With heartfelt pleasure, in behalf of the inhabitants of Portland, we take the liberty of presenting to you a Sword, as a token of respect they feel for your character, as a mark of the high estimation in which they hold your services as second officer on board the U. States frigate Constitution, in the capture of the British frigate Guerriere, on the memorable 19th of August.

The inhabitants of Portland are sensible that the proud consciousness of having discharged your duty to your country is the noblest reward their brave townsman would possess; still they hope that the tribute to valor and patriotism, which they now bestow, will not be unacceptable. As they understand you are soon to assume a new command with your brave companion in arms, permit them through us to wish you a successful cruise. They are confident that "while the cannon's fire is flashing fast" on board the Adams, your Sword will gleam in defence of our country's honor—A dear departed spirit will hover round you and direct you to glory.

The concluding sentiment is understood to contain an allusion to the memory of a brother—the heroic Henry Wadsworth who sacrificed his life in the service of his country on a voluntary expedition with Somers and Israel in the Mediterranean, while the fleet of Preble lay before Tripoli.

To the address of the Committee Lieut. Wadsworth made the following reply in a spirit that needs no praise.

Gentlemen,

The Sword which you have presented in behalf of the inhabitants of Portland, is a reward sufficient for the highest merit; I cannot flatter myself that I yet deserve it. I accept it therefore not as a testimonial of my present desert, but as the expression of your wishes for the success of our Navy, and as a sacred charge to sustain the honor of our country's flag. Be assured that my life shall become a sacrifice to that end, and that to deserve the honor which you now confer, is a powerful motive to the most persevering exertions. Depend, that this Sword shall never be used but for the glory of America—Receive this public pledge that it shall never be disgraced. Accept gentlemen my thanks for this unmerited honor, with the assurance of my high respect for yourselves and the inhabitants of my native town.