PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
235 
ter, should (relying on Colnet’s statement) put into James’ Island 
for a supply. To prevent the iil effects of information so calcu¬ 
lated to mislead, I felt it my duty to point out the inaccuracy of 
the statement; and if it is true that the captain of the Butter- 
worth obtained the supply of water mentioned, it was more the 
duty of captain Colnet to have particularized the spot, considering 
the object for which (as he informs us) he was sent into this sea. 
I have now the painful task of mentioning an occurrence which 
gave me the utmost pain, as it was attended by the premature 
death of a promising young officer, whereby the service at this 
time has received an irreparable injury, and by a practice which 
disgraces human nature. I shall, however, throw a veil over the 
whole previous proceedings, and merely state, that without my 
knowledge they met on shore, at day-light, and at the third fire 
Mr. Cowan fell dead. His remains were buried the same day in 
the spot where he fell, and the following inscription was place/! 
over his tomb; 
Sacred to the memory 
OF LIEUT. JOHN S. COWAN, 
Of the U. S. Frigate Essex, 
Who died here anno 1813, 
Aged 21 years. 
His loss is ever to be regretted 
By his country; 
And mourned by his friends 
And brother officers. 
Having entirely changed the appearance of the ship, so that 
she could not be known from description, or taken for a frigate at 
a short distance ; having made all the repairs which our sails, 
rigging, boats, &c. required, made a new main top-sail, a conside¬ 
rable quantity of cordage from old rope, and supplied ourselves 
with such articles as we required from the prizes, as well as bro¬ 
ken up our hold, cleansed and re-stowed it, scrubbed our bottom, 
