means of support.  In speaking of his acquaintance with this female he says, “I fell in with a woman, who I thought was all virtue, but she deceived me, and I am sorry to say that a heart that never felt abashed at scenes of carnage and blood, was made a child of for a time by her, and I gave way to dissipation to drown the torment.  How often when the fumes of liquor have subsided, have I thought of my good and affectionate parents, and of their Godlike advice!  But when the little monitor began to move within me, I immediately seized the cup to hide myself from myself, and drank until the sense of intoxication was renewed.  My friends advised me to behave myself like a man, and promised me their assistance, but the demon still haunted me, and I spurned their advice.”

In 1826, he revisited the United States, and hearing of the war between Brazil and the Republic of Buenos Ayres, sailed from Boston in the brig Hitty, of Portsmouth, with a determination, as he states, of trying his fortune in defence of a republican government.  Upon his arrival he made himself known to Admiral Brown, and communicated his desire to join their navy.  The admiral accompanied him to the Governor, and a Lieutenant’s commission being given him, he joined a ship of 34 guns, called the ‘Twenty Fifth of May.’  “Here,” says Gibbs, “I found Lieutenant Dodge, an old acquaintance, and a number of other persons with whom I had sailed.  When the Governor gave me the commission he told me they wanted no cowards in their navy, to which I replied that I thought he would have no apprehension of my cowardice or skill when he became acquainted with me.  He thanked me, and said he hoped he should not be deceived; upon which we drank to his health and to the success of the Republic.  He then presented me with a sword, and told me to wear that as my companion through the doubtful struggle in which the republic was engaged.  I told him I never would disgrace it, so long as I had a nerve in my arm.  I remained on board the ship in the capacity of 5th Lieutenant, for about four months, during which time we had a number of skirmishes with the enemy.  Having succeeded in gaining the confidence of Admiral Brown, he put me in command of a privateer schooner, mounting two long 24 pounders and 46 men.  I sailed from Buenos Ayres, made two good cruises, and returned safely to port.  I then bought one half of a new Baltimore schooner, and sailed again, but was captured seven days out, and carried into Rio Janeiro, where the Brazilians paid me my change.  I remained there until peace took place, then returned to Buenos Ayres, and thence to New York.