Tuesday, October 1, 1799.
Yeſterday the FRIGATE ESSEX, of 32 guns, was launched from the ſtocks, in this town. She went into the water with the moſt eaſy and graceful motion, amidſt the acclamations of thouſands of ſpectators, and a federal ſalute from her guns on the hill, returned by an armed ſhip in the harbour, commanded by Capt. Thomas Williams. The Committee acting for the ſubſcribers, Col. Hacket, the ſuperintendant, and Mr. Briggs, the maſter builder, have thus the ſatisfaction of producing to their country as fine a ſhip, of her ſize, as graces the American Navy. It is not yet known who will command her; but it is on all hands agreed that ſhe is well calculated to do eſſential ſervice to her country.
COMMUNICATION.
And ADAMS ſaid, "Let there be a Navy!"
and there was a Navy.
To build a Navy was the advice of our venerable ſage. How far it has been adhered to, is demonſtrated by almoſt every town in the United States, that is capable of floating a galley or a gun boat.
Salem has not been backward in this laudable deſign. Impreſſed with a due ſenſe of the importance of a Navy, the patriotic citizens of this town put out a ſubſcription, and thereby obtained an equivalent for building a veſſel of force. Among the foremoſt in this good work were Meſſrs. Derby and Gray, who ſet the example by ſubſcribing ten thousand dollars each. But alas! the former is no more—we truſt his good deeds follow him.
Such was the patriotic zeal with which our citizens were impreſſed, that in the ſhort ſpace of SIX MONTHS they contracted for the materials and equipment of a Frigate of 32 guns, and had her completed yeſterday for launching. The chief part of the timber was ſtanding but ſix months ago—and in a moment, as it were, "every Grove deſcended," to put in force the patriotic intentions of thoſe at whoſe expenſe ſhe was built.
Yeſterday the Stars and Stripes were unfurled on board the Frigate ESSEX, and at 12 o'clock ſhe made a majestic movement into her deſtined element, there to join her ſiſter craft in repelling foreign aggreſſions, and maintaining the Rights and Liberties of a "Great, Free, Powerful & Independent Nation."
The concourſe of ſpectators was immenſe; and the averted face of jacobiniſm was not ſeen depicted on the countenance of a ſingle one;—but on the contrary, the heart-felt ſatisfaction of the beholders of this magnificent ſpectacle, was evinced by the concording ſhouts and huzzas of thouſands, which reiterated from every quarter.