The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-19
THE PRINCEToN-cAPT. STOCKTON.

Spencer, Gilmer, Wilkins, and Postmaster
General Wcklffe, the Naval and Military
Committees of the Two Houses Of Congress,
and large number Of distinguished officers Of
the Navy and Army, visited the Princeton
On coming ON board the ship, the President
was saluied with twenly-one guns. Shorty
after, the ship go, under way, and proceeded
down the river from The place OF embarkation,
OF Greenlesf's Point, near the Arsenal She
cut her way through immense sheets OF ice ma
ny inches thick, which offered but little 'mped-
meut TO her progress. When near Alexandra,
\ proper place was selected Tor the purpose Of
exhibiting TO the guests on board the powers
and force OF the enormous sized wrough,-iron
guns, which should be termed hereafter tho
Stockton GUNS One Of them was loaded
with thirty pounds Of powder, aud shot,ed with
ball weighing two hundred and thirty pounds.
This in, the gun being fred of, struck the sur
face of the water at probably about three miles
distanc. from the ship, and then bounded seve-
raj times, at each of which large body or
sheet of water was thrown up by its force
About three miles below Alexandra, the Prince
ton was put about and short distance above
that place, one of the Stockton guns was again
fred, charged with ball, with similar effect as
the first, and to the surprise Of all that the shock
given to the ship was so slight. On returning
70 the place from which the ship at first started,
the wards were manned in honor Of the Presi-
to the shore-as they had previously been from
thence to the shin, in the boats, manned by sea-
men belonging to her.
Having been guest, we describe the Thrill
ling sensation, though imperfectly, which the
whole scene excited in our feelings. On going
from the shore to the Princeton, we were delight
ed with her peri ct symmetry, and the grace
with which she lay in her element; then, on
reaching the deck, we there beheld the Presi-
dent Of a mighty nation and his Cabnet-po-
tent and grave Senators and Lighthouses
~ well as veteran warriors, who 10 the battle
field and on the quarter deck have won imper-
ishable laurels for themselves, and honor and
glory for their country, together with few pri-
vate individuals, the particular friends of the
Captain Of the ship. Now comes the roaring Of
the cannon, deafening the ear Of the lands
men. Then getting under way, propelled by an
unseen power, the sails being all furled, with
force that hardly any thing could resist-then
examining the machinery, its simplicity, beauty
Of mechanism, aud placed far below the surface
OF the water beyond the possible reach of an
enemy's shot, which can be so changed in
an instant as TO propel the vessel back
wards with the same facility and speed as for
wards-all these things, crowned as they were
with Witnessing the enormous sized Stockton
guns and their powers, connected with the beau
~ of manning and cheering from the yards Of the
snip, animated US with mingled feelings of plea
sure, grandeur and amazemenf, such as we Nave
no, the powers adequately 10 describe. The yes
sell the great guns, Retrospective powers, all far
surpassed every thing we had ever heard said Of
them.
Such, we believe, were the feelings which
animated every visiter on board the Princeton.
We heard many Of them express themselves in
the most enthusiastic manner of the high graft
6ca,ion they experienced at the truly wonderful
exhibition they witnessed.
That the system of naval warfare will un-
dergo, at no distant day hereafter, great, if not
an entire change through the principle of the
application Of power aud the unique engines of
destruction, few who witnessed both on the
Princeton. on Saturday, we appthend will hes
iiate 10 admit.
Having said thus much of the ship, her ar
mament and the scene we witnessed, let
u not forget her gallant Commander. II would
appear .dulatory were we TO give full express
sisn TO our feelings for him, both as an officer
and a gentleman.
Captain Stockton received his guests in the
most kind and unosten, atious manner He en-.
tenained them in that hosptsbe and generous
spirit which his very ample means enable him
10 indulge without stint.
Captain Stockton feels that he belongs 10 his
country, as his acts conclusiveIy prove He
labors for his country. No petty pride of feel
ing weighs feather with him, when QraiiG-
cation of it would divert his mind and energies
from thai purpose. ARGENT occurrence, which
we will mention, together with what we now
witness on board the Princeton, furnishes in.
conference.-the evidence of that.
Upon the rejection of Mr.. Henshaw by the
Senate as Secretary Of the Navy, the Presiden,
invited Captain Stockton to take charge of tina
Department, as eminenly qualified TO perform
the duties and give satisfaction TO the country
However complimentary he might have regard.
ed il. Captain Stockton declined the offer, pre-.
f.rring to retain his presents Lieutenan,,s com.
mand, although himself a Post Captain, for the
purpose Of carrying into full completion ,ha,
which he had commenced and which promise,
soch immeasurable and lasting benefits and re-
nown to his country.
The original proposition was, to build shin
of two thousand tons burden. The Princeton