Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-10
GAZETTE.
From the New York Gazette.
THE LATE HENRY ECKFORD. ESQ.

Delicacy has hitherto kept silent the feelings
of sorrow and respect, universally entertained
in regard to this gentleman: there Is a sanctity
in the afiictions Of those who were near aud dear
to the sacred dead, which Restraints the open ex-
p~ressions of mournful panesyrlc which friend
ship prompts; but to be longer mute, We fear,
would indicate a cold Indifference and unsympa-
,hising forsetiulness, both culpable and untrue,
MIR. Eckfard was an extraordinary man in every
respect-of this his history is a series OF proofs.
He was, in a great degree, the art'hcer OF his
own fortune, and attained the eminent reputation
and success deservedly granted to him, by the
force of his own genius and virtues.
By profession he was a ship builder. lie was
a native of Caledonia. and blessed with an excel
lent education and a sound constitution. lie
came when a young man to the United States,
and became a resident Of this city; when our late
war occurred, he was IN the full and successful
pursuit of his business, prospecting and highly es'
teemed.
The condition of our country during the first
years of the war, is no doubt we'll remembe red:
# ia. we believe, rscollected, that our inva ding
operations of the enemy's country were disas-
trous, aud the government credit and resources
much depressed; that our difficulties we're nu
merous, and save the brilliant achievements OF our
naval heroes, nothing Tor a while occurred tn DIS
sipate or diminish the dread, dismay aud gloom
that hung round us, and a powerful Toe was ready
to Jeyastate our northern frontier.
In that dark peril moment, Mr. Ecktord bold
ly stepped forward. He entered into large and
exten sive contracts. To- take mechanics from this
section of the country tn the Lakes, and there
construct. our feet; he did SO. in opposition to
uncommon aud numerous obstrucuons and dan.
gersZye.Sel after vessel came from his hands,
built. manned and fitted. with a silent skill, a
CELEBRITY and perfection wonderful, even yet to
those who look back to the circumstance
Il had the semblance of magic, and wrnng all.
miration from our euemies; even yet more extra.
! o,dinary. he not only built the fleets, but raised
| The funds and we NAV say created to a oonsidera
! bic dec Zee the very means Of paving Tor and sus-
tanning them; he would from all persons take the
| Treasury paper aud discount 1t, aid become IN
truth the prese.ver Of the pecuniary power and
credit OF our GOV ernment, throughout that region
Of our country during that trying period, rely
Ing like a true patriot 90 the honor OF his coun-
trv for reimbursement
When the war closed he returned to this city
and continued his business. Thereafter, tor ina
nv Years, he followed it with great enterprise and
with peculiar benefit to the mechanics OF the
country; in that period, he buiit a great many
vessels of war of great magnitude, Tor our own
and foreign governments-aIl Df them universal
ly admired for their uncommon combination OF
every thiny that was substantial, excellent and
beautiful in that description Of architecture, and
nv general ADMISSION, be was considered the first
in skill and Science. as well as power, IN his pro
fession. As an instance OF his usefulness to his
country in the mere pursuit Of his business, it IS
established by evidence on record. that in one
year he introduced for ship building and distrbut-
ell among our mechanics, two millions OF dollars
of foreign capital; and during that period. among
the multiludes Of the industrious classes which
he EMPLOYED, and TO whom he paid full wages,
were upwards of 1900 working men employed
by the day.
During this epoch of his life. he was often ap.
p,ieJ 10. 20 accept difarert Offices Of trust. no.
nor aud profit. These he generally avoided; but
in some instances was, by pressing solicitation,
induced to yield. One he was a representative
from this CITY ia our Legislature, and his coadj a.
tors will call to mind the astonishing sagaci'y
aud large grasp of intellect. the i%nfuence and
tact. manifested on that occasion,
II pleased Providence, when his vision OF viz
tuous happiness VAS in brightest glow, to destroy
H.; aud he was suddenly brought TO The trial and
endurance of dreadful, awful, and numerous ca
lami,ie.. We pass by that train OF dark and
narrowing OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. that the excite,
men,, the shock and e%oufict Of those days have
subsidized, It's the wish of ali they could for ever
be removed from their recollection. But the con.
duct of this great man in that time OF a%dversity
can never be forgotten His loss OF property was
immense. yet this he parted with without a sigh;
The was subjected to the bitter sense of unjust
reproaeh,-ot public injury.-to all the wrongs
that could inflct mental torture on the heart ot
an honey bic man;-nay. more; several OF his chill
dreu, beings that he loved with an affection never
surpassed in this world were, under awful cir
cumstances laid one by one, into the grave.
There were no complaints, no murmurs; there
vas the calm. silent, mute suffering OF a great and
yirtuous spirit struggling to maintain il .balance;
the forti,ude, aud meek submission Ola man,
strong in his innate. though wounded integrity,
to heavens will: and the tear and Sigh, though
sometimes irrepressible, and inward agony. though
sometimes eluquently expressed in his counte-
nance, yet were the only language which told the
grief he endured.
Time brought reason to his misguided adverse,
-::..,:,c Of HE eorrovs He directed