Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-06-21


Friday, would be worth looking at, and
would undoubtedly attract many to wit
ness it. In that VIC were not mistaken
thousands will bear us testimony that
it ,cas scene such as they previously
had but little conception of, and that
it well repaid all the trouble and ex-
expense it cost them to witness it,
The day was just such one as was
in every way calculated to add beauty
and give effect to the magnificent
display. AT an early hour, our fine
harbor presented picture Of the
most cnlivcning and animating nature I;
steamboats,, schooners, sloops, sail
boats, barges, sc. decked out in their
gaycst colors, crowded with passengers
from various places, were seen moving
in every direction in view of our ancient
allies, while at the same tina the Forts
in the Bay, ,& heights near the town, were
covered with dense masses Of human
beings, falling but little short, we should
think, five thousand in the aggregate.
In the words of writer in the Provi-
dence Courier-"it was scene which
no;pen can describe, and worthy the
most gifted pencil. 1t was one Of nov
city, of pleasure, and of interest, such
as has seldom occurred, and which may
never occur again" Enough, howcv-
er, Of preamble, let us to the Grand
Haisseau and the exhibition itself.
At l2 o'clock, the company which
were invited to partake, consisting
merely of the Naval Officers resident at
this place, and few invited guests, sat
down to dejeGn6, served up in
the true French style, which is saying
sufficient in its praise During the hour
and half occupied at the festive board,
the most cordial interchange of good
feeling prevailed, and number of sem
timcnts were given calculated to unite
still more firmly the bonds Of union,
subsisting between the two nations
Not making memorandum of them at
the time, our recollection but imper-
fcctly serves us. The first proposed
by the Commodore, "Thc President Of
the United States, "was responded to by
toast in honor of "The King Of the
French and the Royal Family Of
France" Others were then given,
nearly as annexed, intorspersed with
music from the band OH deck.
BY guest--"The squadron of
France AT HOME in our waters
hail the event as one calculated to
brighten the chain of friendship which
unites the two nations"
This was responded to by a toast
from the Commodore highly compli-
mentary to the town Of Newport and its
inhabitants
BY a guest" AS the arrival of the
French fleet in our harbor recalls to us
the period when France shed her blood
for us, I proposc-thc memory of one
of her sons who was a Peer Of France
and citizen Of our Republic-com-
mander of the French National Guards
and General in the service of the Uni
ted States LAFAYETTE"
To "the three days of july" by a
guest, the Commodore promptly and
handsomely addcd-"and the FOURTH. "
"The Army and Navy of tho two
countries having exchanged salutes,
through their respective representa-
tives, the collation. closed with tho fol-
lowing
BY guest" L'Hcrcule"-in the
infancy of our institutions VIC called OH
the Hercules of France and were an
swered by her chiraIy; we this day
celebrate the second advent Of the same
Herculcs-always welcome, in peace
and in war"
The Commodore then invited the par
ty to accompany him and inspect the
ship, men, sc. throughout, as prepared
and put in readiness for the sham en-
gagcment about to take place. Every
thing was in the same condition as ii a
real battle was to have ensucd-irom
the spar deck to the cockpit, where
stood the surgeon surrounded with all
the various instruments sc. adapted to
his dread profession. The men armc'
with pistol and sabre were at their guns
and scarce sound was heard from ol
motion made by any, If we may cX'
cept the token of respect from cacl
captain Of his gun to the commander al
he passed in review before them. i
was q scene calculated to awaken thu
deepest and most solemn reflections
one that we shall not soon lose the re