The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-20


THE PRINCETON SrrAnER.-Owing TO the bad
weather on Wednesday the party that was TO visit
tins steamer, was delayed until yesterday when a
company Of some two hundred merchants ship mas
teri, steamboat commanders and engineers were Ia
ken on board the Princeton from the foot of Barclay
street, In the steamer Bergen.
On reaching the ship they were received by Capt
Stockton very cordially, who with them went the
rounds of the ship, which had been got under weigh
and steered up the North River. The two grea,
guns on board the Princeton, the lions OF the
day, aud excited great admiration as well from the
ignorant who only conJectured as to their power, as
from the scientific gentlemen who had seen their ca
pacity tested
One OF the guns, the largest, is placed in front Of
the foremost on railway, upon which il can be
moved with as much facility as ordinary field
piece ashore. The starboard bulwarks Of the steam
er.ucre removed and charge Of IS lbs. Of powder
was put In this Peaoe-maker" as il is Familiarity
called, when the gun fired off the foundry Of
Messrs. Sullmsn Ward, TO let the passengers know
little Of what could be done.
The recoil Of the gun was very slight and the
shock was scarcely felt. The other gun called the
Orator. is much smaller, and stands between the
main and mizen masts, and is worked precisely like
the one forward, and do good service. Either
oil them would be quite as much as an ordinary FRI
gate would find agreeable TO silence
The engine room Of the steamer was the great CEN
tire Of attraction for the scientific part Of the com
Psny. IL was universally admired. An intelhgi.
BILE description Of her engine needs more knowl-
edge Of machinery than we po.sess-but no one
could fail to be struck with the simplicity and great
finish OF the whole Of her heavy snqines-movng
without the lesst jar or noise 40 little indeed that
on deck the milton caused by them is scarcely felt
The whole OF her engine loom and boilers are pro.
tecled from balls by covering Of iron sufficient to
stand the shot from any gun of ordinary make. This
renders II impossible for her to be disabled in that
way, from the peculiarly Of her engine and wheel
all out of the reach Of shot nothing but the breaking
OF her engine from defect could cripple her in
an action. Aner she was Disabled as a stsamer sup.
posing such hing possible, she would be fully a
match for any thing that could be brought against
her. as she would still have her heavy guns and sail
ing qualities equal TO those Of any soop Of war Her
model fr saihng vessel is perfect and will compare
hvorsbly with any YES 81 afost
After all parts Of he ship had been visited the com.
pany adjourned TO the cabin, where most excellent
lunch had been provided showing plainly that if Can
tain Stockton knew how to prepare FOR The enemies of
his country, he also knew how TO receive his friends
in a cordial manner.
The merit Of all this part the affair was di.caim-
ed by the Captain in favor Of another Of his guns ~
who In turn considered himself fully repaid in serving
so gallant commander. After all had satisfied their
apicues which were quite Keen, and quenohed their
thirst which was considerable the health Of CAPTAIN
Stockton was proposed and drunk with all the no.
nors. Captain Stockton rose to reply, but said he
should decline speech as from his early ell oc,tion
this was out Of his line but be begged leave to pro.
pose the health Of gentleman he saw before him,
and gave
Captain Erickson, whose mechanical genius has
sstonIshcd the world"
Which vas warmly responded TO-
The next toast was one from William Porter Esq.
OF the spirit Of the Times" who gave
The Three G,cat Pesce-makers-LorJ Ashbur-
ton, Daniel Webster, and Captain stockions great
gun"
Received with three times three, and thrc. moro
The health Of Captain Stockton was again pro.
posed, as the "SbcetAncbor Of the American Ma
va" The gallant Captain was Immediately upon hi.
feet not to respond to this toast but to disclam hi.
ute 10 so Gathering designation In Navy like
our own, Which comprises so many gsllsn, men--all
he would say sheet ADcbors"-be felt him.e II bo-