The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-27

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Feb. TO- 1920.
SIR In compliance with resolution OF
the Congress of the United States, the Presi-
dent directs me to present 10 you gold me-
dial, in testimony Of the high sense entertained
by Congress Of your gallantry and good con-
duct and services in the capture of the British
vessels of war, the Cyane and Leyant, after a
brave and skilful combat.
| have the honor to be,
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
SMITH THOMSON.
Commodore CHARLES STEWART. u. S. Navy
The war having terminated with Great
Britain, the Constitution was put out of COM
mission, and laid up in ordinary. In 1916,
Captain Stewart was placed in command Of
the Franklin ship Of the line, of seventy-four
guns, and in 1917, she was fitted out at Phi
ladelphia as the flag ship of Commodore Stew
art, who was directed to take command Of the
American squadron in the Mediterranean sea-
In November, 1877, he sailed for England, to
convey the Hon. Richard Rush as minister to
the court of Great Britain, who was landed
there in the latter part of December, after
which the Franklin proceeded to the Medi-
terranean, and Commodore Stewart took COM
mand Of the forces of the United States in
that sea. In a profound state of peace with
all the world, there was no farther field for the
commodore to exhibit his talents, skill, and
chivalry, which state of war calls forth
but here we must view him in a new and diff
ferent situation from the former, controlling a
formidable force, preserving its discipline
amongst the officers and crews, correspond
ing with various governments, their most dis
tinguished men, our own ministers and consuls
in Europe and in Africa, preserving our rela-
tons with all the Barbary powers in particu-
lar, placing his forces in such attitudes as eff
fectually kept them in check, and restraining
any disposition in the king of Spain to retail
ate on our commerce the seizure of his pos
sessions in Florida by our national troops I'M
der General Jackson-conveying to our go
vornment the earliest and most important in
telligence, growing out of the revolutionary
disposition Of the Spanish and Italian Nea-
politan) reformers and patriots; cultivating
the good disposition of the surrounding 60
vernments and people, protecting their COM
merce and our own from piratical depreda-
tons, and relieving their vessels and crews
from disasters and distress receiving and
entertaining on board his magnificent ship, the
princes, nobility, and monarchs of the ada
cent kingdcms-all this called forth an ener-
gy and diversity Of tact and character which
few men are fortunate enough to combine,
but was, in this instance, fully developed, TO
the lasting advantage of his country, the honor
of the navy. and the appreciation of his fellow
citizens.
Commodore Stewart proceeded to Naples
Bay with the squadron under his command,
at which city the Emperor of Austria had ar
rived, with his court, on tour through the
south of Europe The Marquis Chercheli,
prime minister to the king of the Sicilies. sent
an invitation to the Commodore to attend
grand fete TO be given the Emperor, at the
kings villa. This was accepted, and the op-
portunty was embraced by the Commodore, to
invite their majesty's TO visit the ships Of war
under his command, to which they readily as
scented. They came on board the Franklin
seventy four, where they were received with
manned yards and royal salute, and were
entertained in the NEST courtly manner by the
Commodore and the officers Of the squadron.
They visited every pant of the ship, and
expressed themselves highly gratilied with
their reception; and when they were about
to depart, the Grand Master Of the Empress,
installing one Of the wind sails for the mast,
attempted to support himself against it while
stepping over one of the hatchways the wind
sail yielding to the pressure, the poor gentle
man was precipitated TO the lowest deck-his
ANGLE was unfortunately broken, and he was
otherwise severely injured. Immediately, all
was CONSERVATION with the party he was
taken into the wardroom, and his ANGLE set by
Dr. Salter, the surgeon of the ship, with a
rapidity and skill which called forth the adj
miration of their majesties, who were much
attached to the unfortunate member of their
household.
The delay caused by this untoward event
delayed the party after night, when they all
returned to the shore. 1t was on this occa-
sion that the Emperor manifested his graft
tude for the attentions and skill Of DR.. Salter,
and directed a purse OF gold TO be rendered to
him, which the Doctor politely declined re-
ceiving for a professional act in the cause oil
humanity. This conduct contributed to raise
the American character for humanity and dis
interestedness as much as the exhibit Of the
high order and discipline OF the squadron had
done TO impress on their maiesiies and their
courts, the progress the American people had
made and were making, to future naval re-
nown After Commodore Stewart had thus
II was unanimously determined in the affirmative,
and
ordered, That the clerk present the same 10 Sc
nate for concurrence
The resolution passed the Senate unanimously,