PREFACE COMMODORE John Rodgers was born on the eve of the American Revolution, and died a few years before the Mexican War, having served almost two decades as the senior oficer of the navy. Arriving at early manhood during that critical period when the government under the Constitution was initiated, tested, and developed, he was called to play an exceedingly important part on the stage of nationaI affairs, both as a naval oficer and an administrative official. His achievements in war, diplomacy, and administration were greater than those of any of his naval colleagues, and his life compares most favorably with theirs in wealth and picturesqueness of incident...