Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-03-08
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AUTHENTIC PARTICULARS.
The sLockino Icc,1. MT on bOard tie Prtncttoa-W
Death of fno CxbinCt Ministers and three other as
nRguished Persons.
WAsHiSGroS CRY, "wednesday Night,
February -, le4l
D.a, S;r-l am really not sufficiently collected I
write YOU an account of the awful calamity of whci
| have this day been eyewitness; but IN order Z
allay excitement, will give you the details, as lar
they transpred under my own observation.
You are aware, that about twelve days ago, ION ga
turday Sc mighty Captain Stockton invited the rresi
dent and a company Of select friends, among whom
were Mr.. Gilmer and Mr.. Wilkins, just then con
Snmed IN Office, to visit the Princeton. lhey wen
own the river in her. and the great gun on the bow
Hthe Peacemaker-was then fired three times, tue oai
Of $50 lbs traversng the ice IN The river u the aso
nishment and delight of the visitors
On Yesterday week all the members OF Congress
were invited, and 200 members oil the House ant
Senate went down in her TO Mount Vernon; and re
turned to the Arsenal On that occasion the great CUR
was fred FIVE times without injury although three o
four times the gun closely surrounded by mem
bers of Congress during the time OF firing; ana ha
it then exploded, it must have killed % or oo Con
gressmen at least
curson on board of this beautiful vessel; and all th'
Cabinet Minister'S all the Foreign Ministers, oil tht
members of the Senate and House who had wives ant
families were invited to join in the excursion, together
with all the distinguished people in the city, with the
wives and families.
Accordingly abou, ~ o'clock, steamboat left the
wharf a, tins city ladered with about $50 persons IN
GLIDING the President, Messrs Upshur, G'lmer, WIZ
kins WckliFa, Nelson Miss Upshur, Mrs. Gii'ner
Mrs Wickife and three daughters, Mrs Nelson
all the Foreign Ministers and their ladies', except Mr.
Packenham, and Mr. Pagot, doth of whom were IN
vited) Senators Talimadge, Rives, Benton, Phelps
Jarnagin, Hannegan, Mrs Tallmadge, Mrs Rives Mf
and Mrs. Milton Brown, Mr. and Mrs Wethe!ed, ana
many other members OF Congress with their am''ies
and say $50 more of the most beautiful women IN the
country.
The steamboat then proceeded down to Alexandra
where the Princeton was lying; the day was hne ana
balmy, the hags flying, the band was playing
coors streaming and the guns OF the Princeton hrng mel
salu,es, made all seem Joyous and happy The whole
party was put board the Princeton full OF lie ana
happiness, and gee, and with her distinguished ahd
richly laden freigh, she proceeded down the river
As soon as she had proceeded about mile, and
while nearly all the ladies deck, the great gum
the Peacemaker, fired for the 1st Time IN perfect
safety Had exploded then, il would have killed al
least so GO Of the most lively and distinguished wo-
men in The country But all passed of WE'LL and TINS
impaired feeling of perfect security to the company
They promenaded the deck-frta,ons and compliments
and jokes of all kinds passed round, and a went mer'
~ marriage bell.
On reaching nearly opposite Mount Vernon, the gun
was fired second time, with perfect safety Mount
Vernon was passed the vessels head put up stream
70 return. About this time, II past o'clock,
Captain Stockton invited his guests into the caon 10
partake of q most sumptuous collation.. wA'ch he nag
provided; and set out IN truly elegant manner
All the distinguished people on board were ga'"ered
around the festive table, the greater part OF them had
met and laughed, and danced full Of joy and delicious
hopes The night before at the Presidents levee And
nothing could exceed the Overlooking spirits that seem
ed to possess all present Captain Stockton took the
head Of the table, and gave hs health OF the President
which was drank with enthusiasm. Several other
toass given, and heartily respondedto the ladies'
quaTed their gobels of champagne; their bright eyes
sparkled, their cheeks glowed, and wit flowed from
every ruby lip.
Al last, Captain Stockton said, as they were now
within % minutes run of Alexandra, he would fire
parting salute from the Peacpmaker, in honor of the
memory of the great peacemaker of his country, Geo
Washington. lie sad this priraey t. the President,
and the Cabinet Immediately around him, and told
them he would fire the gun this time for their especial
benefit and qualification. Accordingly, all the Cabinet
started go up the cabin stairs, and the President
with them; the President nearly on deck when
he called back TO hear toast proposed By Mss
Wlckfe; 1t this "The flag of America; the only
thing that is American that viii bear stripe THIS
was received with great enthusiasm The President
then gave the "Three greet Guns-the Princeton-her
Commander and his Peacenaker This was loudly
aoplauded by the Indies And then the members OF the
Cabinet started togo mp stairs.
Al this moment Mr. Upshur had his hand on the
Presidents arm, and SAID, "come, Mr.. Tyler, let's go
uD and the gun fired" Just then Col. Dade asked
Mr. Waller Ohe Presidents son-inlaw) to sing an old
song about l776 The President replied, mo, by
George, Upshur, | mnst stay add hear that song OF
Wallers-Its an old favorl'e Of mne-you 60 up, and
I'll JON you directly" Accord,ngly away went Upshur
and Giner, Wilkins and Nelson, to the gun fired
Messrs Benton, Phsl2s flanagan, Jarnagin, Mss
Woodbury., Mr.. and Mrs Weihered, Charles Augustus
Davis, Mr. David Gardiner, Virgil Maxcy, Commodore
kennon, and many others went deck The Pres'-
dent renamed below listening 10 the and Jnst as
Mr. Waller came 10 the name of Washington, on
went the gun "There," said Mr.. Schamberg, (master
oil the ceremones "thats in honor of the name; now
for three cheers. And just they were about TO
give them, boa'swans mate rushed into the cabin
covered with powder and said that the big gun had
exploded, and killed many Of those on deck.
On hsannouncement The shrleks and agonizng cries
oil the women were heart rending: all calling on and
Tor their husbands, fathers, brothers, and And
when found, rushing wildly into their arms, and liant
ing with excess of feeling.
On the deck the appalling in the extreme
Captain Stockton had TAILED the gun by his own drec
tons, and fixed the lock On the larboard side of tbs
bows Messrs. G,lmer, Upshur Kennon, Gardiner, ant
Maxcy were stationed about ten twelve fee, from h
gun; Gilmer the closest. Behind them stood Mr.. Ben
ton and Mr.. Phelps, with Miss Woodbury. between
them. Miss Somervie OF Baltimore stood on q for
ward bow gun the arboard side close to Col. Ben
ton. Behind the breach of the gun stood Charles A
Davis, with Mrs Wethered on his arm Mr.. Secretar,
Wilkins observed, 'aiho' am Secretary of War, We
confess coward, aud will stand little further off
with that he turned and walked about II feet att benin
the foremost, when the gun exploded
All the upper part at the breech blown oil, and
piece weighing 300 or 800 pounds struck Messrs GI
mer, Upshur, Maxcy, Gardiner, and kennon, an
knocked them all down the piece lay across the leg
of Gilmer, Upshur and Gardiner, when they wer
found after the smoke blew away; elmer and upshu
also struck with pieces of vets in the hea
and temples, and Gmer behind the AID in the side
Mr.. GARDENERS lower limbs were torn all 10 pieces; al
their clothes much burnt; and Upshur, Card
and Kennon, all fell touching each other Upshur
lips moved for few seconds, and then oil was still
Gmer breathed once twice, and then all was over
the others never stirred. Captain Stockton was Blow
back against the fore shroud (he behind the oreac
of the gun when it fred) his whiskers and eye
brows all blown of, and soon as he recovere
from the stunning effect Of the shock, and the smok
cleared away, he sprang with delrious effort on tn
gun, shattered il was, and exclaimed IN agony
'acouid to God alone had been kHed!" His friend
then carried him down stars and laid him on the set
tee where be nearly tainted from exhaustion, and
last he burst into agony of tears. He was imme
diately put 10 bed.
The President appeared the most sorrow stricken mar
of the whole party he rushed 10 the deck, and when h
the dead bodies Of Upshur and Gilmer he wept bit
terly. II horrid scene God keep me from see
ing another like it. One of Virgil Maxcys arms was