54 ELISHA KENT KANE. 



American seamen ! They met in the spirit of 

 charity, generosity, and heroic endurance for the 

 alleviation of the misfortunes of others. A com- 

 mon sentiment of humanity attracted those expedi- 

 tions to that repulsive spot from far distant coun- 

 tries ; and the sight of each other was the signal for 

 the expression of the most friendly sentiments and 

 for the mutual performance of the kindest offices. 

 This event possesses an honorable significance and 

 import, which weaves a wreath of fadeless glory, 

 more noble than the proudest trophies of victorious 

 battle, around the brows of those who were the 

 actors in it ; and the fairest and freshest flowerets of 

 that w^reath belong to our own gallant seamen, who 

 thus labored to rescue those who were not their 

 brethren, but the children of a foreign, and too 

 frequently a hostile clime, from. a most cruel and 

 horrible fate. 



