The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-10-09
DOMESTIC.


From the Norfolk Herald, OF Sept. 20.
most solemn and imposing ceremony
took piece on,kbe 18th inst, in syiog the
Corner stone of CASTLE CALHouN, the
following account OF which, "A friend who
was present, has, at our request, obliglngly
communicated for our paper.
MAJOR General BRowN was on visit Of
inspection al Fortress Monroe, aud. in
COMMUNICATION of hls gallant services at
the sortie Of Fort Erie, un the I7th Sept.
1914, he was requested by Col. Gra'ioi,
the commanding Engine I, 10 ullirlate on
the anniversary of that day, in laying the
foundation stone of this important For
tress. At O'Clock, 1. VI. Gen. Brown,
accompanied by the officers of the station,
aud Il large dssemblage of ladies' and cl,l-
zrns, embarked 10 the steamboat Hampton,
from Fortress Monroe, aud Procet ded to
tho site of the Castle. Al halt past one, the
ceremonies commenced by a most pathetic
aud appropriate prayer from the Rev. Mr..
Nost~oood of Hampton. lie purtrayed
IN lively colors the blessings Of civil aud
religious liberty, enjoyed by our happy
country, and invoked the protection vi ID
vine Providence on this work, as our of
the means, under his favor, of preserving
that boon unimpaired, which had been
bought SO dearly by the blood of our fore
fathers. The power OF his appeal was
marked on every countcnance, aud the uf-
ty strains OF the Military Band, which then
struck up Hail Columhia,' produced an
effect more easily imagined than described.
Col. Gratoit then advancing 10 the General,
NJ tod
nled with the following concise but uea
address:
"GENERAL: On this anniversary of the
sortle from Fort Erie, and to commence
safe that eventIuI day, permit me 10 re
quest of you, as the leader ON that occasion
to othclate on this, and To lay the first cor
uer stone Of This great rational work of de-
| tence. now present you with the tools
necessary to perform the operation.n
The General replied, that he felt hatter-
I'd by the honor that had been conferred
on him, aud received with pleasure the
presented tools. He then handed them 10
Mr. Heating, the master mason, and ad-
dressed to INN aud Mr.. Smith, the master
carpenter, few appropriate remarks on
the magnitude and Importance Of the duty
conhded To them turning 10 the military
he observed
In thus assisting my brother officers in
laying corner stone of this great work
IN b"nor Of the nth September, 1914, |
must be permitted, in gratitude to our COM
mon parent, piOusly TO remember those
exalted spirits, who on the 18th Sept. the
18th August, and every other day during
the siege of Erie endeavored To sustain the
moral power of their country"
! The massey stone was land in due form,
and when the last stroke from the Generals
hammer announced the Consummaton OF
! the act, the loud roar Of cannon, and the
star spangied banner rising in majestic
grandeur through the dense canopy OF
smoke that o'erhung the island, proclaim-
ed to the world the birth day of another
bulwark of liberty. The salute was an
swered from Fortress Monroe, and the
company Withdrew to the cheering strains
nf" Yankee Doodle to partaxe OF spIen.
did collation., prepared by order of Colonel
Gratoit.
AT half past three, they returned to For