Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Biographical Sketch, and Services of Commodore Charles Stewart, of the Navy of the United States
Charles Stewart was born in the city of Philadelphia, on the twenty eighth of July, 1778, the month after the British army evacuated the city. His parents were natives of Ireland. It was his misfortune to lose his father before he had attained his second year. He was the youngest of eight children. On the death of his father, his mother was left, in the midst of the Revolution, with four children to provide for, and with limited means for their support and education. Being a woman of talents and great energy, she was not found wanting in this arduous task.
At the age of thirteen, Charles sought and found employment in the merchant service, in which he gradually rose, through the several grades, from the situation of cabin boy, to the command of an indiaman; and here, in the full tide of successful mercantile enterprise, he relinquished all that he had toiled for, and offered himself to the service of his coun try. On the ninth of March, 1798, he was commissioned Lieutenant in the Navy of the United States, and received orders to join the frigate United States, then in command of Commodore John Barry. He con tinned in this ship until July, 1800. Part of this time the frigate was employed in the West Indies, to look after and restrain the French pri vateers, and to protect our commerce against their depredations, in which service she was eminently successful. In the latter part of the year the frigate was engaged in transporting the commissioners for treating with France to that country, and was thus deprived of the Opportunity which, under other circumstances, might have led to other and higher honors.
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