The Arkansas banner., 1844-03-27

sss wounded subordinates will all recover. They are all removed to the Navy Yard, with the exception of the gunner and officers.
 The Hon. Henry A. Wise, Robert Tyler, and numerous other gentlemen went down thls morning to meet the committee appointed by the President to make formal investiea- ton into the matter, and prepare for the fu- neral
 On arriving at the Princeton we found that collins for all the dead were already on board. and several of the bodies had been already washed, and put in their final resting place, While this sad work was going on, the com mlttee alluded to, composed of Com. Shn brick, Captain Ramsey, Col. Murray, of N. l., Reuben NJ Whitney, and others. were preparing their report, which will be pub llshed. The report not only honorably acqults Captain Stockton, and all the officers ot the Princeton of the least blame, but deeply sympathises with him and the af iiicted. 1t states on the authority of Lieut.. Hunt, that the gun was only loaded with twenty-five pounds of powder-that it had been fired with forty-nine pounds, and fre- quently with thirty pounds. The gun was properly and carefully loaded with the usual ball and wadding, and fired nearly at hori- zontal level, so that the ball could not possi- ply have rolled away from the powder.
 The committee had collected large num- Der of fragments of epaulets, of swords, Sc., &c., belongining to the deceased A piece of iron broken from the cannon, weighing pound or more was taken from between the clothes and flesh of Judge Upshur. It was not known whether it passed through him or not.
 And here it is proper to say that not only was there no post mortem examination, but every pains seemed to be taken to conceal the injuries which the dead bodies had sus- talned. One thing is certainly known that they were dreadfully, horrible mangled and disfgured-in way which 1t would be dis gusting and revolting to relate
 Great credit is due to Secretary Perine. for the coolness which he displayed amid the dead and dying. Although severely wound ed himself, he with perfect coolness sent for water, and sticking plasters, and other appli- ances. with which he endeavored to close the gaping wounds, replace limbs, and put the bodies in such condition that their friends might recognize them. At the request of Captain Stockton, he attempted to get to Philadelphia last night to communicate the facts to his wife and family He offered any price to Harnden to be allowed to go in his express, but to no purpose. The friends of Col. Gardiner, also offered Harnden $500 to take on the news correctly, but to no better purpose. Harnden did, however, carry intel ligence to Captain Stockton's wife and fami- ly at Philadelphia, that night, and the next morning his son Robert went on to Washing ton.
 think t has been stated, that the five gentlemen were killed by one and the same piece of the cannon, which weighs some 1900 or 1900 pounds, and lies some twenty feet from the gun. This piece is about one quarter of the large breech of the cannon Gall behind the trunionsl l-the rest of the breech is entirely blown away--no one knows where-but presumed to have carried away the bulWarks on the starboard bow, where Messrs. Benton aad Phelps, and the young lady were standing.
 It appeared to be the unanimous opinion of those on board the Princeton this morn ing that the cause of the bursting of the gun was the poor and fragile character of the iron employed in the manufacture of the gun, and the imperfection of the workmanship. As Mir. Wise said, ''it broke like piece of corn bread" All this, however, will under go strict examination by proper officers, legally appointed, and 1t may not be proper to prejudge the case.
 The dead bodies were brought up to the usual steamboat landing, where they were met by Mir. Wicklifle and others in mourning, who escorted the six hearses to the Presi- dents house, where Col. Gardiner's body will remain, while the others are to be taken to their respective friends. 1t was announced that the funeral would take place tomorrow. at the capitol, to the rotunda of which all the bodies would be taken.
 We left the Princeton to-day (Thursday) about one o'clock, at which time Captain Stockton was doing quite well, although slightly inclined to fever.
 Col. Benton is also rapidly recovering, and quite out of danger.