Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-09-07

LAUNCH OF TaE GREAT BRITAIN

Speech Of Mr., Eversst The COLLATION. eiseI
BY the Great Western Steamship Company. up.
on the launching Of their new and msenificen
IRON steamer. was On occasion Of considerable m
terest. number Of speeches were made com.
pimenlaTy % The company and 10 Prince Al.
BERT, who was present Is its guest. A toast IN
honor OF The representatives OF tDreign govern
mcnls present, was replied to hys the rrussian
Ambassador and BY Mr.. EvKRErr, our Minister,
whose speech, which we give below. was receiv,
ed with much eDihasssm. Mr.. EvKRETr said
Ma. CHaIRMAE May il please your
Roysl Highness. Ladies' and Gentlemen.
The sntImstion which has been given 10
me, that in consequence Of the kind all1.
sion you have been pleased 10 mske 10
my country and myself. some sckDqwledg
ment is expected 81 me, induces me 10
in,rude myself for moment on your mo-
tice. feeIit, sir, 4 very agreeable priviF
lege. 10 be permitted TO partake OF The
hospitality Of this interesting occasion.
We read in one Of the delightful poeiical
productions, with which the literslure OF
our common language has been enriched
by Sir Walter Scott. OF the Chieitain, who
By The sound Of his whistle. called up
FIVE hundred clsusmen from the thickets
Of highland glen. His Royal highness
has'pefformed greater wonder to-day.
He has literally covered your walls, your
road sides. your house tops. aud Brandon
hill to the very summit. not with shun
dTed. but with hundred thousand Aoy al
subject anxious 10 testify their devoted
ness TO their gracious and beloved Sove-
reign, and their attachment 10 him. the
partner of her affections rejoice, Sir.
as The humble representative Of one 81
The allied or friendly powesr, To which yon
have alluded, 10 have had an opportunity
Of Witnessing spectacle SO pleasing q
ven TO stranger.
But | could hardly feel myself siran-
ger. when on stepping on board that won
derlul ship, this morning. my eye caught
from the foremost head the sight OF the
Gag Of my country gracefully mingling
IFS folds with yours and those Of the O.
,her friendly powefs. | rejoice in the
belief, that the interests Of the two kin
drec nations, rightly understood, are as
near TO each other as their banners on
your mssl-heads !. and pray from my
heart that their best affections u4ay be as
closely iniert wined 10 honorable peace.
We read in the Arabian Tales OF the
wonders Of msgic.--oi flying stcsds, Of
palaces starting by eDchantment from the
ground. Sir. lei us leave magic 10 the
nursery; give me the magic Of Mechanic
Az kGeSp;ids lis. .bs! Sssess asllRg Ry
verthe dark csverns Of the Iron mine.
and out OF them has started up this noble
this siupendous structure, ready TO launch
upon the waves. Irsjoice tosundefstand
that my native shore is one OF the deSti
q atoms Of this beautiful vessel; and I as
sure you that when she has passed the
narrows at New York. she will be saluied
by thousands Of my counirymen. as cordi-
ally as by those who now hail her en-
trance upon her destined element.
His Honor the Mayor has spoken Of
the sdeclining trade Of this ancient city:
rather let us. with him. on this suspicious
occasion. augur favotably Of is revival
II is The nature Of foreign trade, like The
element upon which il is conducted, 10
lucluaie hi,her and thithet; The wave ri.
ses on one shore and sinksson another
But; will not readily believe. that this
ancient seat Of English enterprise and
trade, from which the discoveries Of
North America went forth three centuries
end half ago.-is destined 10 pertna-
nent decline. lrejoice 10 behold. in The
active part she has taken in the noble en-
lterprise Of navigating the ocean by steam,
a vigorous effort toward a,great and spec
dyreyival. Letus hope, that this wonder,
fuIsMp, whose introduction 10 her destin
ed element we are assembled 10 witness
may prove one Of the most efficient a.
gents for bringing abou; that suspicious
result. n wonder indeed il is Of modern
art, THAI she viii be able with her i'm
mense bulk. with her way .faring hun.
dreds, bore on her iron wings,-tu con.
duct her course across the Atlantic, and
reach her desired haven, as regularly, al
most as certainly, as that mime steamer
which has been busily pursuing its voy-
age before the table at which we are seat
ed, and IS now fas: anchored 10 froat ot
bis Royal Highness. Mr, Esefett alludS
ed to The ingenious piece Of mecEanlsm
Representing the Great Britain 10 full
rail- Sir, lzthsnk you again for your
kind remembrance Of my country, and
beg 10 tender yousand the Great Western
Steamship Company, my most cordlal
good wishes for the success Of this great
enterprise.