Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-05-15
HasI5E S'a'aG.

Vislr To ruE SiKiUs notwithstanding The weather
Yesterday was stormy and clustering, and snow tell IN
flakes, and a cold North East wind came over US. II did
not damn tn ardnr Of those who had arranged Win the
Corporation Of the City 10 visit the SIRIUS, and welcome
the commander and crew Ut the first steam ship arriv'
ing IN our waters from England About twenty oarges
belonging TO The Navy, decorated with tags and stream
ers, the whole under the command of Capt. SuInghann.
containing the Mayor, members U! the Common C"un'
ell and invited guests. followed by a Aotilla Of other
barues and steamboats, put off tor The Sirns. laying OH
the Battery at half past one O'Clock The steam snip
was decorated with the llags Ofditieren, nations, and made
a very gallant and imposing appearance. BANDS OF mu
sic PLAYING national airs were In the oafges anu on ouard
the ship, aud the cabin and quarter deck were soon
crowded with enthusiastic ad niteIs oil Tins noble vessel
Captain Roberts received his guests al the head OF q
we'll stored and sutnptuous table, aud the exhliiEaling
glass passed quickly round, and congratulations inter
changed with great zeal and S!acehty on the important
event.
Alderman fIoxie, chairman Of the committee of ar
rangements, IN rendering 10 Capt. Roberts the cordial
welcome Of the City nf New York, made some very AM
mating and lust remarks on The great Importance OF lh,s
arrival. as testing an experiment Of the highest inpor
lance to the prosperity Of England and America, and at
ter some merited compliments to the skill and courage oil
the commander and crew of the shi p, proposed the health
Of Captain Roberts, officers and ssatnen OF the Sirius
which was drank with great enthusiasm. Capt Roberts
returned thanks in a brief, honest and cordial manner.
in which he expressed his great happiness at the sue
cess Of the experiment aud the honor done to him BY
the city of New York, and proposed prosperity to the
CITY and lis worthy Chief Magistrate. His honor the
Mayor replied in a very animated and happy address. in
which he took a correct view OF the great Importance
and advantages of steam navigation IN the Atlantic, at
uniting and bringing closely towards each other,n nation,
which are closely allied in interests, feelings and Ian
guape, and gave in conclusion a toast IN honor OF enter
prize mutually fus,ered by both nations
MI. Buchanan, The British Consul, after some prelImI
ury remarks, proposed the memory of Robert Fulton. M
Alderman Benson proposed the health of Queen Victo
ria, which was drank with great cordia'Iiy and goor
feelings. Mr.. Buchanan, in reply, drank the health o.
the President.
The whole party returned at an early hour, unusually
gra,ifed at the novelty Of the festival, and deeply i'm
pressed with the value and importance Of this atiernpr
to the intercourse and prosperity of both countries
cN. y Eo. Star, .4prit25.
NEw YORK. May s
DEPARTURE OF THE GREAT WEsrERS-Our harbor
Yesterday presented a gay and brilliant scene. Sine
the arrival Of La Fayetle there has never been SO grra'
a concourse Of people as were assembled to witness the
departure OF the steam ship "Great WESTERN with he'
little feet of escorts. The Battery, the walls Of Casi,
Garden, and the docks in lis vicinity, were thronged
- with q dense multitude, which could not have number
ed less than sc, 600 -perhaps 1t was nearer oO,o0O per
cons. Shortly after 2 z. M, the big ship pushed of from
pier No l, and making q graceful curve on the North
River side, went down the harbor in fine style, surround
ed BY no less than ten or twelve OF our smaller steamers.
crowded with seekers OF pleasure and pure air. In Sc
veral of the boats there were bands of music, and as the
weather was propitious, the display altogether was en-
livening and beautiful. The contrast between the Eng.
lish aud American steamers was striking-ightness
grace and agility on one slde-srenglh, care and SUB.
stance on the other. We should DO well TO initiate our
ncighbor over sea, in this particular at least. Safety
and permanent utility should be consulted rather than
outside show or swiftness, though they may not be in
compatible with each other.
The escort parted with the adventurous stranger neal
Sandy Hook and returned 10 the city before sun set
Every une seemed delighted with this excursion, ant
Captain Floskin and his passengers must have beer
highly grati6ed with such a commencement Of their voy
age. By the way, If any courtesy was intended TO th.
British ship il would haze been rather more in accord
apce with our notions OF etiquette for the bands in the
other boats to have played the English National Airs
instead of our own, when they left the dock. We hap
pened to hear a pretty black eyed -damsel giving such D
hint TO the leader. "God SAGE te Queer w really
don't know il, madam, or we would with pleasure. A
patriotic band that.
The ''Great Western takes out sixty mine passengers
Confidence seems to be already established In the enter
prise and there is every prospect Of its complete success
II isa little vexatious tn our patriotism, however, that So
great an ACHE vement should not have been FIRST accom-
piishcd by ourselves nevertheless, our national vanity
may be comlorted by the fact that the passage Of the At
lantic by steam was first made by IN American vessel,
and that too by the individual enterprise Of a merchant
Of New York.
A gentleman who was of the party in the Providence
furnishes us another account. 1t is so lively that we
add it.
we Yesterday enjoyed the pleasure of a trip down the
Say in the steamboat Providence, to Join the %,riumphal
procession in honor Of the Great Western. The day
we shall mark with a white stone, and cherish among the
pleasant things of our memory The first fair day ofthe
merry month Of May, a warm sun and a fair breeze
witnessed her departure, and bright eyes glanced from
Battery, and from barge, fair forms crowded the decks of
the merry steamers that accompanied the barque on her
way, and many a prayer followed her from the lips Of
near and dear friends on her perilous and strange voyage.
The Battery and tbs Gardsn appeared from the deck of