The fisherman is u privileged man. In the colonization of Massa- 

 chusetts, when every arm and every purse were needed for the public 

 defcRce, he was relieved from the performance of military duty and the 

 payment of lax<es. In the time of William, of Orange, when the avenue 

 to the royal palace of Holland w^as supported by a toll of every passen- 

 ger, he was excused and exempted In war, and in the midst of hos- 

 tile fleets, he has been allowed to pursue his avocation unharmed. 



He is a grateful man. In the war of the Revolution he was the 

 prisoner of Nelson, on the coast of Massachusetts. Released by the 

 young hero, whose crew were sick and d3dng of the scurvy, he con- 

 veyed refreshments on board of the royal ship at the peril of his own 

 life. 



He is a patriotic man. His services, as a countryman of ours, and 

 in the nsivies of England and France, have been related. In the recent 

 struggle for liberty in Greece, he fled from the continent to the isles, 

 where ke was foremost in resisting the oppressors of his country. True 

 to the end of the contest, he gave his boats and vessels freely, and 

 without recompense, to be converted into war and fire ships. 



He relieves distress. Mungo Park, during his travels in Africa, 

 passed through many fishing villages, and was kindly treated. At one 

 the chief magistrate was rude and surly. Park was worn and weary. 

 A fisherman kindly relieved him from the difficulties which surrounded 

 liim, b}^ transporting him to a distance from the inhospitable ruler, in a 

 canoe. 



He is moved at the sorrows of others. Within the recollection of 

 many persons now living. Major Campbell, of the British army, slew a 

 brother officer iin a duel. The story is a long and a sad one. Suffice 

 it to say here, that the extraordinary circumstances of the case seemed 

 to place the Major on a level with common murderers ; that he was 

 tried and condemnefl to die ; and that great exertions were made on 

 the part of his friends to save him. The agony of his wife was lor a 

 time intense. By wonderful exertions she recovered sufficient fortitude 

 to enable her to leave Ireland and to set out for London, to throw herself 

 al the feet of majesty and implore her husband's life. No steamers 

 then crossed the channel ; and a gale of unusual violence interrupted 

 lier progres-s, for all the packet-vessels were on the opposite side. 

 *" The days of tlae being whom she loved best on earth were num- 

 bered. The storm was at its height; a mountainous sea broke into 

 tlie harbor while a crowd anxiously watched the progress of a fishing- 

 boat, which, under close-reefed canvass, was strugghng to beat up to 



His fatfeer was a fisfecrnian, and, following the same business, he assisted in the sale of fish in 

 the market place. While thus employed, he attracted the attention of Henry Collins, a 

 wealthy and pliilaiitliropic citizen of Newport, who, pleased with his activity, handsome person, 

 and spixghtliness, took him from the fish stand and provided for his education, and finally es- 

 tablis.ked him in cwnmerciid business. But as a merchant Mr. Southwick was unfortunate, 

 and Ifecame a bankrupt. He retrieved his fortune, however, by marrying a daughter of Col. 

 John Gardiner, who had been governor of Rhode Island. In the Revolution he was a whig, and 

 peiiormed good service to his countiy. A sufferer by continental money, his fortune was im- 

 paired a second time, and hia latter "days were embittered with poverty and many infirmities. 

 He was a man of decided character and talents. His sou, Solomon Southwick, of New York, 

 h&s borne a distinguished part in the XJolitics of that State. 

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