Downes, John

an American naval officer, B. in Ma ., 1786. He entered the U. S. navy as a midshipman in 1802, and distinguished himself in the operations before Tripoli in the following year. D., during the war of 1812, and in the expedition against Algiers in 1815, won still further reputation as a skilful and dashing oficer. In 1832-4 he commanded the Pacific squadron, and in this capacity avenged an outrage committed on an American merchantman, by storming Quallah Battoo, in the Island of Sumatra. D. 1855. ceremonious; - said of persons; as, "after his plain, downright way." ( Add is on .) -Open; undisguised; without reservation; absolute; - used in relation to things; as, a downright falsehood.