Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-07-29
From the 3 sson Daily Advertiser, G
July 20.
SPLENDID fETE.

II was known so,ne time slice that the
courteous as well as gallant Commodore
baiabri,lge bad issued cards OF invitation
to "A very large circle Of ladies' and gen.
temen of his acquaintance to visit the line
of battle ship Independence. during the
lpresent week-& that accordingly great
preparations were making Tor the lecep.
ZION of tre company. Thursday last as
the dav selected tor this memorable oc.
currence IN the fashionable world and
as it proved TO be delightful weather the
GOATS of the ship as early a> four O'clock
iia the afternoon, in admirable order for
| their accommodation, began TO fill. with
the guests destined to partake of the COM
lmodole's entertainment. The carmen
ere handsomely dressed and decorated
for the day, and the boats contiNued to
/ ply with great rapidity between the ship
and the shore until about seven in the
evening. at whic:. period neatly three
hundred and fifty tashionGbles, both la.
dies and gentlemen had beeu conducted
Jon board.
The arrangements OF the vessel were
equally remarkable for hospitality & good
taste. All that part OF the upper deck as
far forward as the malnmasd, was com
oIetely hned and covered with the iiags
iof different nations, disposed IN such a
lmanner as to produce sudden 4 strk-
Inc as well as novel and beautiful effect ]
Convenient seats for the company WEIR
placed along the sides of the deck, and
the qua ca riages were embcliished viii.
Gowers--whie large band Of musicians
we're stationed upon an elevated seat,
half surrounding the mainmast, thus cen
ve,ting the whole area, betv cen this spct
and the stern galleries, into a splendid
naval bal! room, OF 100 feet III length.
Il he cotilIons commenced as soon a.
the company had generally assembled.
and continued with occasion al intermis !
SONS until about eleven o'clock in the
evening. Numerous ships lanlhorrs, and
a great multitude OF candies d spesed
tastelully round the capstern, which
transformed it into brilliant standing
chandelier. produced an abundant & ap
propriate ligbt for the ball deck. Below
the commedore's two cabins were prepar
ed for the company !; the after one was
fitted up for the ladies apartment, and
tbe gentlemen had cold collation. IN the
forward cabin, at which both welcome
and abundance presided. A succession
of agreeable refreshments upon theupper
deck. comprising all the variety of fruits
which the season affords, cakes, choice
wines and other liquors, seemed TO be
almost unremitted. The evening was an
COMMONLY mild and delightful, and Sc
ries OF splendid fireworks displayed from
ia small United States vessel anchored
near the independence, contributed much
to heighten the scene.
The excitement of this occasion, arls-
ing from the singular and somewhat cen
trarient associations, which the noveltieSI
necessarily attending it, we're calculated
to awaken, was extremely interesting
and powerful.
The deck of man of war, theatre
of combat aud of slaughter, converted III
to place of all others best adapted I,
superinduce ideas of the pleasures %
peace and innocent recreation; the con'