The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-02
ON ln his express. hni tn no nnr-

- friends of Col. Gardner, also offered
-..arnden $500 to take on the news correctly, bu
10 no better purpose. Harnden did, however
carry intelligence TO Captain Stockton's wife anc
family at Philadelphia, that night, and the mex
morning his son Robert went on to Washington
think l. has been stated, that the five gentle.
men were killed by one and the same piece of the
cannon, which weighs some 1900 or 1900 pounds
ana lies some twenty feet from the gun. This
piece is about one quarter of the large breech Of
the cannon (a behind the trunnlons)-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, Phelps, and the young lady were standing.
Ii appeared to be the unanimous opinion OF those
on board the Princeton this morning 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 workman
ship AS Mr.. Wise said, " it broke like piece
OF corn bread" All this, however, will undergo
strict examination by proper officers, legally APP
pointed, and il may not be proper to PREJUDICE the
case.
- The dead bodies were brought up to the usual
steamboat landing, where they were met by Mr..
Wickllfle and others in mourning, who escorted
the six hcarses to the Presidents house, where
Col. Gardeners body will remain, while the others
are to be taken to their respective friends. 1t was
announced that the funeral would take place to-
morrow 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 a
fever.
Col. Benton is also rapidly recovering, and quite
out of danger.
Washington is shrouded in gloom, distress and
agony Both branches of Congress met to-day,
and adjourned over to next Monday, as you will
learn from the Washington papers. The President
sent Congress message which you will also find
in your exchanges.
From the mutltudes of relatives and friends of
the deceased, lamentations and mourning are ra
pdly spreading in every direction throughout the
length and breadth of the United States. S. B.
WASHINGTON, Feb 29lh.
The cut which l send you, explains as
y can be the position of all the principal parties
at the time Of the accident. BY which ii will be
seen, that the five distinguished persons who were
killed were all standing in a cluster (as it were) on
the larboard side. Poor Gov. Gilmer was only
about feet from the gun.
There is no truth whatever in the report that one
lady was blown into the rigging; that Captain
Stockton attempted to jump overheard, that
pieces of the gun two or three pounds in weight
passed through the hats of certain persons.
Already speculation is rife to the Of
Mr. Upshur and Mr. Gilmer. And amidst the null
tipllcty of statements it is next to impossible to
get at the truth. A great many persons not only
desire that Mr. Webster should go into the State
Department, but express their confident belief that
he will be selected by the President. Butyou may
rely on that he will no, be as Mr.. Tyler thinks
that Mr. Webster appropriated too large share of
glory to himself for concluding the Ashburton
Treaty.
The President strongly desires that Mr.. Littleton
Waller Tazewell, Of Virginia, should take the
State Department but a few days since Mr. Taze-
well said positively that he would take the burthen
OF no Office whatever. However, recent sad events
may induce him to change his mind.
1t was the intention of Mr. Tyerto put Mr.. Gill
mer into the State Department, and to nominate
Mr.. Maxcy for the Navy. Now, both are dead.
Judge wilkins (Secretary of War; is also spoken
of for the State Department; he is calm, clear
headed man, with honesty of purpose and sound
Judgment He has been Minister to Russia, United
States Senator and Judge, and possesses consd.
siderable talents in diplomacy. He is for the whole
Of Oregon, and opposed to Mr.. Van Buren,.
In all probability Gen Saunders, M c. from
North Carolina, will be selected as Secretary o
the Navy.
All these changes will have great effect on the
politics and commercial interest OF the country.
A singular effect will also be produced on the
Texas question by this accident. Mr. Upshur ano
Mr.. Gilmer were both warmly in favor OF annexine
Texas to the United States now all those who
are left in the cabinet opposed to this measure
The settlement Of the Oregon boundary will ais O
be retarded although the principal part of the ne
gotiations will doubtless be done by the President
himself.
From this statement you will see the immense
Importance of this accident in even a political
point of view.
Mr.. Bentons case was terribly exaggerated he
was much more frightened than hurt.
Mr.. Robert Tyler was not on board at the time
of the accident as stated by some he was detain
ed by seeing his friends, Mr.. and Mrs. Church OF
Providence, Rhode Island previous to their do.
partuie.
Mr. Pakenham would have been on board but
he was detained in order that he might finish his
dispatches by the Hbernia.
II is said here that this gun, which was made al
Wards Foundry, New York, ,cas 1eper propcd -
This should be investigated 1t was said to hav.
been taken up the North River on the anchor no,
in order TO prove it, but account of the ice il
the River the gun was taken back and put OF
board the Princeton without ever having beel
proved. The gun kept at welding heat 70
four days and nights whilst the men were max
ing 1t.
From the Madisonian.]
Message OF the President
TO the Senate and House Of Representatives of the u ST.