The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-06

m having her completed In the yard Wnere her
keel was laid.
Tn this lust state pride Of his fellow citi-
zens. Commodore Stewart warmly participate
ed but the determination Of the Department,
was irreyersable, and he yielded with regret
10 the 6as, department, which took from the
State Of PENNSYLVANIA the honor OF giving the
finishing stroke TO the noble ship that bears
her own name.
The want Of dry dock at Philadelphia,
was the alleged ground Of Justification for this
procedure, and called the immediate atten-
tion OF Commodore Stewart TO this impor-
tant appendage Of complete navy yard at
this city,
The commercial importance of Philadel-
phia, its facilities for procuring timbers and
other materials for building and repairing
ships, and its central location, all combined
10 force on his mind the propriety Of recon-
mending the establishment of dry dock, and
enlisted the utmost energies of almost all the
public men and people of Pennsylvania IN
support Of the measure.
As the Commodore enters into the matter
with his characteristic yigor, IT Is hoped that
in short time this saiutary object will be at
tanned and all agree that it will materially
contribute to the benefit Of the many indus
trious mechanics and laborers who will thus
find employment, and to the advancement, OF
the commercial interests and prosperity oil his
native city, as well as TO the naval resources
and strength Of the country.
Should this undertaking, prove successful
it will stand a monument, as enduring as the
fright angled city" ITSELF commemorative oil
the public spirit and devotion to the navy,
which have ever distinguished his career
Commodore Stewart is about FIVE feet nine
inches in height, erect and well proportioned,
oft dignifed and engaging presence, and pos
sessed OF great constitutional powers 10 endure
hardships and privations of all kinds. Al
though fiffv-nine years of age, he Is still as
active as If he was but in the prime Of life.
His complexion is fair, like that of Mr.. JEFF
ferson, but bears the weather-beaten marks
of naval service His hair is Of chestnut
color his eyes blue, large, penetrating, and
intelligent The cast Of his countenance was
Roman, bold strong, and commanding, and
his head finely formed. II has been pro-
nounced by phrenologist, the head Of a man
of great vigor Of mind, high sense of justice,
and inAexible resolution Of purpose. 1t is
well known that his character corresponds
perfectly with these indications.
His mind is acute and powerful, grasping
the greatest or smallest subjects with the in
tuitive mastery of genius. He not only fully
understands his profession as naval comman-
der, but all the various interests of commerce,
the foreign and domestic policy of his country,
the principles Of government, and the "law
of nations" are as familiar to him as 'house-
hold words"
Let any person consult his numerous Off
cio al md hra
range Of subjects; or sit down and converse
with him upon the political and social rela-
tons of our country, its internal resources,
and the true policy of developing them, and
he will be astonished at The extent and accu-
racy of his information. Often has the ques-
ton been asked, how did this man, amidst the
rapid events Of life spent in the active SER
vice of his country, acquire so much useful
knowledge beyond the apparent line of his
profession The answer is,-Commodore
Stewart has always been an observer, ad.
er, and thinker. Nothing has escaped his
vgilant attention He has devoted himself
to the service of his country, and he holds
that whoever would serve his country well
should understand its government, lis laws,
and its interests in order to uphold, represent,
and sustain them.
prising, and under the most irritating circum-
stances, his Oldest seamen have never yet
seen a ray of anger flash from his eyes. His
kindness, benevolence, and humanity are
proverbial amongst those who know him, but
his sense of justice and acquisitions of duty
are as unbending as fate.
That this is not the strained language of
panegyric, recur to the account, in the pre-
~ IN If,
man and children from watery grave, for
proof Of his humanity. Recur TO his nven-
ton of our cannon sights, an event which
added so much to our superiority in gunnery,
for proof Of his mechanical genius. Recur
to the able and manly letter to General Sucre,
among many others, the principles Of which
have now become the guide and rule of our
government, on the subject Of blockades, for
proof of his knowledge Of the law of ma
tons. Recur to the magnanimous stand taken
by him in conjunction with Commodore
cambridge, on the employment Of the navy
at the outset of the war. for proof of his Chi
valric patriotism: to which circumstance alone
were Justly attributable to the
Secretary ofthe Navy-oGr glorious victories
on the ocean, victories which covered the
flag of the nation with imperishable honor,
and inspired the dropping hearts Of our
countrymen with that confidence and valor
which enabled them to vanquish the foe,
wherever they met him on sea or land. Recur
for proof of his skill and bravery to the many
actions in which he fought and commanded,
and especially 10 his victory over the Cyane
and Levsnt, victory unprecedented in naval
history, by which he reduced TO practice his
own prior theory, that one large ship could
&c ,,nI .