Lot 2040 email save

Famed Continental Navy Captain Cousins Tribute

Sign In to see what this sold for

American Revolution

---

Revolutionary War Continental Navy Captain "Tribute" Poem

(NICHOLAS BIDDLE) WILLIAM SCULL, Philadelphia Mapmaker.
Autograph Manuscript Signed, "Wm Scull," no date or place, 12.25" x 7.25", Choice Very Fine. A poem entitled "Verses to the Memory of my beloved cousin Capt. Nic[ola]s Biddle of the Randolph frigate of 36 guns blown up in an Engagement with the Yarmouth British man of War of 64 guns." The poem reads in full with original mistakes: "What dread Explosion rends the distant Skies, What sulphirous flames in Spiral Volumes rise, The Randolph Swims No More, Modest and brave, The Virtious Biddle finds an early grave, Oh gallant Youth, what Monument of praise, Can thy afflicted grateful Country raise, When Britains Tyrant Oer the Atlantic waves, Pour'd forth Numerous hosts of Armed Slaves, There Masters bloody dictates to fulfil, And bend a free People to his will, Thy generous Soul disdain'd luxurious rest, Thy Countrys wrongs inflam'd thy Manly Breast, Repeated lawrels gather'd on the Main, Increase thy glory, Not thy warmth restrain; Tho beauty with alluring Virtuous Charms, In Softest Accents Woo'd the to her arms, Thy Countrys love, and love of Martial fame, The Gentler passions of the Soul Oercome, And bid the hope to See thy wish Complete, 'On Equal Terms the British flag to meet, 'Pluck Naval honors from the Britons brow, 'Or dauntless Sink to Oceans Caves below, Such was thy wish, Mysterious heaven deny'd, Deserved success to Crown thy Noble pride, Oer power'd by double force, the Trembling Main, Beheld thy Ship the Unequal fight Sustain, Amaz'd behel'd the British band retire, Confus'd and falling at the dreadfull fire, Even their Proud Chief in that distructive hour, Confess'd thy Naval Skill and thundring Power, Too soon Alass; too Soon the wrapping flame, The Randolph Seiz'd and Spar'd the Britons Shame, Mounting in Air Amidst his War like Crew, To heavens blest Seats the heroick Biddle flew, There Swell'd Americas immortal band, Heroes who dy'd to Save their Native land, All haste to bind the Youthfull Wariors brow, With Wreaths Whose Vendure Shall forever glow. Wm. Scull." Slight partial fold separations, a few minor soiled spots, else fine condition. A touching, evocative tribute to one of this country's first fallen heroes. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.

Nicholas Biddle (1750-1778) was one of the first five captains of the Continental Navy. He spent much of 1775 off the coast of Newfoundland capturing British merchant ships. In June, 1776 Congress gave him command of the 32-gun Frigate Randolph, built in Philadelphia and launched in early 1777. On March 7, 1777 the Randolph encountered the 64-gun Ship HMS Yarmouth. Instead of fleeing in the face of a superior foe, Biddle chose to fight. After a twenty-minute engagement, the Randolph exploded killing all but four of the 310 men aboard. This proved to be a serious blow to the fledgling Continental Navy. William Scull was a third-generation mapmaker, who during the American Revolution served in the Geographical department of the Continental Army.

Early American will accept payment by check or credit card.

View Early American next auction.

Similar lots up for auction