Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-04-05
For the Burlington Free Press.
THE PRINCETON DISASTER.

Here too are met the high IN rank,
The Nations honor'd head is here,
His aids in council man the flank,
And Phelps and Benton too are there.
Such are the throng who line the ship
Attracted hence TO view the scene,
And mark the bulle, as it dp'd
As thence dscharg' it sought the main.
or the gay concourse here that stood
And with their presence cheer'd the tars,
Not one had tho't Of death or blood
Here secret hidden among the spars.
Twice had the thunder of that gun
The prince of ordnance now been heard.
And still unharm'd us yet each stood
Upborne above the riven flood.
The gentler sex, the fair ones turn'd
Escorted to the cabin room,
Save one or two who still remand
Unconscious Of the coming doom.
Again the mighty iron rung:
With loud explosion shook the ship
While sulph'rous smoke a curtain hung
To hide the sight 'twould fan have kept.
But lo shrek burst on the ear,
Eie eye the smoke could penetrate,
Which when the mist away did clear,
Reveal'd the dreadful stroke Of fate.
The murderous gun itself had burst,
Its scatter'd fragments death had dealt
Gilmer and Upshur, laid in dust
Cause weeping eyes IN tears TO melt.
The first had Just received in charge
The care of all the force marine,
The second of the state at large,
Chief Minister, and scribe was seen.
Not here alone the nation mourns
This snd and sudden stroke of fate,
For there was one that DER his urn
Laments dear and loving mate.
Twas she who came with him on board
Wife of his bosom, fond in hope
Not dreaming death stood near with sword
To dash from her her only prop.
q what sad and gloomy change,
On board the Princeton here was seen
Eleven corpses there were rang'd,
AS victims OF the rent machine.
While some more fortunate were but stunn'd,
And live 10 thank their better LOT,
But mnge tears with those around
Who sought their friends but found them not
With lghsome hearts they came on board,
r. enjoy the scene and catch the breeze,
EXCHANGED full many joke and word
And for the time all seemd well pleased.
Alas! that Fate should prove adverse,
To scenes SO pleasing and so bllthe,
And in their place supply hearse,
To bear from thence the work of death.
The White house dwelling of the Chief,
Receives the mournfnl unln within,
Where now o'erwhe'm'd with general grief
The city meets in funeral train.
Here two departments vacant stand,
Rpbbd by this dspens,tion sore,
And here a servant at his hand
The President behods no more.
Thus in n moment was behold,
Wives of their husbands rohb'd by death,
The state of Two who office fill'd
With others who resgnd their BREATH
All nv the bursting of that gun,
Which made bat only for their foe
Like traitor thus has friends undone,
And kllld them with single blow.
All little like the gentle name,
With which twas chrlsen'd at its birth,
Thus TO belle its martial fame
And prove Judas here on earth.
Go worthless fragment, pig Of iron!
No more our navy TO disgrace,
Go and some oyster bed adorn
To some more harmless toy give place.
While heie the victims we lament,
With grief unfegn'd depore their fate,
Let us TO whom life yet is lent
Take lesson hence and mediate.
How weak and slender are the ties,
That bind us mortals to this world,
How suddenly doth death surprise,
And man headlong from hence is hurPd.
Fen while we fancy we are safe,
And ruddy health gows lhro' our frame,
The bow is drawn, charged with our fate,
And the sped shaft our end proclams.
Be humble then, We who seem great,
B,ware We rich, ye thoughiess gay,
And learn with truth to estimate
Things as they are, deaths lev'ling sway.
Tho we may proudly lfl our heads
And on our fellows look disdain,
The tomb will soon bring down our pride,
No such distinctions there are seen.
Farewell ye honord dead who met
Your fate on board the Princeton then.
Peace 10 your rest, your last estate,
And let the angels say Amen.
Huntington, March 81, 1874. J. J.