On The New American Frigate Alliance[169]

As Neptune traced the azure main That owned, so late, proud Britain's reign, A floating pile approached his car, The scene of terror and of war.

As nearer still the monarch drew (Her starry flag displayed to view) He asked a Triton of his train "What flag was this that rode the main?

"A ship of such a gallant mien "This many a day I have not seen, "To no mean power can she belong, "So swift, so warlike, stout, and strong.

"See how she mounts the foaming wave-- "Where other ships would find a grave, "Majestic, aweful, and serene, "She sails the ocean, like its queen."--

"Great monarch of the hoary deep, "Whose trident awes the waves to sleep, (Replied a Triton of his train) "This ship, that stems the western main,

"To those new, rising States belongs, "Who, in resentment of their wrongs, "Oppose proud Britain's tyrant sway, "And combat her, by land and sea.

"This pile, of such superior fame, "From their strict union takes her name, "For them she cleaves the briny tide, "While terror marches by her side.

"When she unfurls her flowing sails, "Undaunted by the fiercest gales, "In dreadful pomp, she ploughs the main, "While adverse tempests rage in vain.

"When she displays her gloomy tier, "The boldest foes congeal with fear, "And, owning her superior might, "Seek their best safety in their flight.

"But when she pours the dreadful blaze, "And thunder from her cannon plays, "The bursting flash that wings the ball, "Compells those foes to strike, or fall.

"Though she, with her triumphant crew, "Might to their fate all foes pursue, "Yet, faithful to the land that bore, "She stays, to guard her native shore.

"Though she might make the cruisers groan "That sail within the torrid zone, "She kindly lends a nearer aid, "Annoys them here, and guards the trade.

"Now, traversing the eastern main, "She greets the shores of France and Spain; "Her gallant flag, displayed to view, "Invites the old world to the new.

"This task atchieved, behold her go "To seas congealed with ice and snow, "To either tropic, and the line, "Where suns with endless fervour shine.

"Not, Argo, on thy decks were found "Such hearts of brass, as here abound; "They for their golden fleece did fly, "These sail--to vanquish tyranny."

"Built up the River Merrimack at Salisbury, Massachusetts, she was first sailed in the spring of 1778, soon after her being launched, and was then commanded by Capt. Landais, a Frenchman, who was preferred to the command as a compliment to his nation and the alliance made with us, a new people."

"As Philadelphians we are entitled to some preeminence for our connection with this peculiar frigate. After the close of the War of Independence, she was owned in our city and employed as a merchant ship. When no longer seaworthy, she has been stretched upon the margin of Petty's Island to remain for a century to come, a spectacle to many river passengers."--Watson's Annals, III, 338.

The Alliance was the only one of our first navy, of the class of frigates, which escaped capture or destruction during the war. She was during the Revolution what "Old Ironsides" became in later years, the idol of the American people. She was in many engagements and was always victorious.

Freneau's poem first appeared, as far as I can find, in the 1786 edition. It was probably written shortly after the launch of the frigate.