The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-01

own feelings that the Mayor respectfully requests that
election Of delegates appointed to be holden in the
NWednesday next, the 9th Of March.
81 90 In consequence OF the melancholy CATASTROPHE
he citizens OF Washington and vsers to the city, are
uniformed ths company will be expected at the Pres
ients House on Friday evening --Madisoniaa FEB 80
II WAsHINoroN, February 90
The day was surprisingly beautiful. We thought from
yesterdas cloudy sky that would have rainy day OF
eary in the morning presented gay and busy scene i
Nearly all the carriages engaged and freghted with
she loveliness beauty and grace Of the city About II
A. the President Of the United States. Mrs. Ro-
Hber Tyler, Miss Cooper Mr.. John Tyler jr, with large
number Of officers in gtering uniforms all the members
5of the Cabinet save Mr. Spencer many other high func
onares Of State grave Senators and aspiring members
quite number Of attaches and secretaries of legation
2Gen. Almonte Minister from Mexico Mr. Richard Paking
ham had been ted but declined number OF other
4gentlemen whose names do not recollect assem-
Where and Alexandria, fast bearing down for that place.
q Opposite the Navy Yard boat load OF musicians were
aiken on board, who as we approached Alexandria, and
athe Princeton hove in sight struck up Hail Columbia,
S}while we describing graceful under her
bow to view the splendid steamer in all her PRIDE the
ards armed to the cheers that uttered by the
3company as they neared her.
b We approached her on her larboard SIDE and
Equte close 10 her. brid made from our hurTi
deck to the Princeton and the ladies and gentlemen
Eeceived by the officers deck and conducted to Capt
Stockton, in full uniform The band struck up the
8 Star Spangled Banner" the marines presented arms
and as soon as the company were on board salute Of
wenty guns was fired the band still playing national
E3airs and was quite amusing to how many ladies
emained OF deck to witness the manoeuvre, although
hey had been politely requested to step down not to be
annoyed with the smell OF powder the noise OF the
Hrepor.
which prevailed in that throng that death walking
lin the midst Of them. cooy singing out his victims
plendd dinner served in the cabin and the ladies sat
down FIRST and were waited on by the gentlemen, who
really agreeable and did the best with wit and re-
Hpartee, to season the repast.
In the the Princeton hove anchor and made
sa; bearing down for Fort Washington and Mount Ver
Enon Past Fort Washington, where the Potomac expands
and presented sufficient scope for The power of her big
Eguns the forward gun was shotted and fred the bali
strking the and rebounding five six times till
eye would longer follow its progress To observe
effect of the shot had posted myself the nearest
lartoard cannonade gum and the sailors had erected
OF scsoldng the ladies to stand by the side
Eof me- One or two had taken their position there and
beside stood Mr.. Secretary Upshur, intent upon wit
Guessing the whole manoeuyre offered him my place
wasthe precise spot where an hour afterwards he was
Meanwhile the table had again been set for the gentle
mcn and repaired down to join in the general merr
ment Captain Stockton the first toast, and the cabin
President" then drank, followed by nine cheers to
(which the President replied by giving the Oregon the
and Captain stockton" An number Of tossts
sBenton, Col. Smith, OF New York, Senator Woodbury.
and Others and at last Miss WickHe daughter of the
SPostmaster General proposed the American Flag the
aony thing American that will bear stripes" This
Areceived with laundering applause-the young adys
Hhealth drank with three three herself de-
gclarel worthy Of marrying hero. Scarcely that
Ktoas drank when the whole changed into
Ssof wretchedness and woe.
u great gun again loaded with shot
and another trial made OF its strength and efficacy The
gunlwas pointed o'leeward, and behind (you must
cuse for being thus particulars but the scene has left
Susuch indelble impression upon my mind that am
compelled, like Coleridges mariner in 1.-THE Abatross,
e the left of him Mr. j. Washington Tyson Assistant
t.Pos'mrster General, of Philadelphia
Philadelphia and little the right Of but behind
hm Colonel Benton. of Missouri who had lady at his
,S;arm, and Judge Phelps Senator from Vermont
Isl To the leeward OF the stood Judge Upshur and
Ex-Governor Gilmer, who had but few days ago entered
Xon the duties Of his Office and little behind them late
Charge dc Affairs to Belgium, Mr. Maxcy, of Maryland
By the side OF him stood Mr. Gardiner OF New York. and
Commodore Kennon Of the Navy, who was at the same
time CHIEF of the Bureaus in the Navy Department
"a When the gun fired the whole ship shook, dense
cond of smoke enveoped the whole group on the fore.
caste but when this blew away awful presented
isitsef to the view OF the spectator.
81 The lower pare Of the gun from tho trnnons to the
"a breech blown off and half section of laying
EMr Upshur. IL took two sailors to remove it. Mr. Upshur
was badlycut the eye and in his egshs clothes
were literally torn from his bodyhe expired in about
Lminutes Governor Glmer of Virginia fonnd equal
LILY badly injured He had evidently been struck by the
ssecton OF the gun before had reached Mr. Upshur.
n Mr. Sykes the member from New Jersey, endeavored
Ito raise him from the ground but was unable matrass
was procured and he placed it, before any medi
assistance could be procured he longer among
Mr. Maxcy had his arms and one of his legs cut Off tn,
peces Of flesh hanging to the mutiated limbs cold and
bloodless, in manner truly rghtful He died instantly
"a Mr. Gardner, of New York, and Commodore Kennon
E!lingered about halt hourbut they did not for
moment to be conscious OF their fate and expired
a7almost without groan The flags Of the Union were
placed over the dead bodies as their winding Sheets
81 Behind the gun the scene, though at first equally dis
sresssng was less alarming. Captain stockton, who
fknockel down. almost instantly to his feet, aud
jumped the wooden carriage to the whole effect
of he cal
bunt ofand he stood calm and undsmayed but silent
Judge Phelps of Vermont had his hat blown or knocked
% and the buttons of his coat torn but he not other
4and Instantly recovered his position.
Miss Woodbury. and Miss Cooper. who in company Of
pha had been standing on leeward gum were not hurt
Nbut Miss Woodbury. Che beautiful aud accomplished
daughr Of the Senator from New Hampshire) had her
.fwhOle face sprnkled with blood, which, however am
Srglad to say, was not her own.
Such the force of the explosion that the sarboar
and larboard buwarks literally shattered and that
he part of the gun described was blown into twenty
.;thirty pieces besides the two principal sections
Ellie had taken his stand BY the side Of Gov Gmer hui
remarks falling from the lips OF the latter and per
hss es about %r TO He hs
believe that shall run" So saying he rereated suitine
E3the action to the word, and was saved.
la The President himself had taken his position hut few
mnutes previous precisely where Governor Gilmer was
killsd but for some aft and was thus
s1 The most heart-rending scene, however, was tina
Efwhch followed. The two daughters Of Mr. Gardiner,
3New York both board and lamented the death
Esof their father, while Mrs Gilmer from whom they il
attempted keep the dreadful of the death of
husband presented truly spectacle fit to be depicted
Eby tragedian.
M There she sat deck, with hair disheveed pale al
@death struggling with her feelings and with the dgnit,
Sol woman Her lips quiverng, her eyes fixed and up
urned, without tear only the corners little moist soil
koqusing Oh certainly not MIR. Gilmsr cannot b.
2dead! Who would dare to ipure him Yes, oh Lord
me on m
lNAnd then still more apparently calm and seeming to b.
scoeced with the ures tearing her heart Within a" be
1seech sc, gentlemen tell me where my husband is f'
IA "oh impossible impossible and he, he, h
f13be dead l-impossble !"