The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-12
THE TWELFTH OF SEPTEMBER.


ton of the Defenders of BALTIMORE. The cars
brought them over at early hour, to the
number of about three hundred; and with them
came the beautiful banner which had been presented
TO them at still earlier hour, in BALTIMORE ny Mr.
b. c. Freshman in the name OF the ladies' oil mat
city. With them came, also, the Independent
Light Dragons, commanded by Captain Boudm,
and the Mechanical Volunteers, commanded by
Captain Watkins together with large host of cit
izens--n all, amounting to near 500 persons, IN
several cars They received at the depot by the
Washington Light Infantry, under the command Of
Lieut.. Mexican, by the committee of arrange
ments appointed by the meeting of the citizens of
Washington, already stated in our columns; and
about IL o'clock repaired to the White House, to
pay their respects to the President Of the United
States attendedby his cabinet some OF the officers of
the government, and Mr.. Levy, the newly-elected
senator of the new State of Florida. They had
previously announced to the President their inten-
ton of waiting upon him. and received the follow
ing reply, through Major Walker, his private
secretary:
"wAsmSGTos CRY, Sept 8, lei5.
"GrSrLrrS The President Of the United states has re-
ceved your lt instant informing him that the
association Of Defenders Of Baltimore in islf would visit
this city on the 18th inst -,
In your inquiry whether II will be conve-
receive you and at what hour am directed by
opportunity Of exchanging personal salutatons with
band of patriots distinguished aud SO deserving OF ma
and that will be convenient to receive you any
which you may designate after your arrival here
with great respect remain your 9esdsn servant
"siessrs Henry Myers VIM. p Mills Joseph Darling, J.
Dinsey, Jos Branson, committee OF arrangements'"
On their arrival at the executive mansion,
they were received in the semicircuar room by
the Presiden. They were preceded by the mayor
of the city, Colonel Scaton,) the committee of
arrangements, and the marshal of the day, (Gen.
Huner.) As soon as the martial music ceased in the
saloon, Mr.. B. G. Freshman addressed the Pres
ident in few happy, eloquent, and patriotic re-
marks He reminded him of the day which
had brought them together--the celebrated 18th
of September-when proud enemy landed in
Baltimore, and met by her gallant citi-
zens. He portrayed, in few strokes of his PEN
c the events of the day. the advance Of the enemy,
the death of their commander their rcpulse by the
volunteers, their defeat, and triumph and con-
cluded by assuring the President, that though in the
course of the thirty-one years that had elapsed
since that memorable day, many of them had
been swept of, and most of them were enfeebled by
time, yet the fire Of the flint still there's the
flame of patriotism still burnt in their bosoms; and
they were ready at any moment to respond to the
call of their country, and to appear again in arms
He concluded by offering their respect to the chief
magistrate Of the nation, and wishing him sincerely
a successful and glorious administration.
The President made a short but impressive reply.
He thanked them for their good wishes. He sym
l.. L. a.. n,I,i rh had rpu Ia
them to Washington He congratulated them on
the honors they had wonon the spirit they had dis
played on the 18th September, lSl4-on the memo
rable services they had rendered to their country.
He rejoced that the Monumental City had found
such gallant defenders in the day Of her need; and
had no doubt, when the country called again for
champions to defend her rights, we should find them
in Baltimore--we should find in them the spirit
and the power to support our glorious banner.
He was happy to see them-to congratulate them
on the return of the anniversary of the association,
and to take each one by the hand.
Major j. K. Staplcton, of Baltimore, one of the
most distinguished of her defenders, also addressed
the President at considerable length. We hope his
address will be published in full for it is well worthy
of preservation. He drew, with great feeling and
eoauence, picture of the events Of that memorable
period of our history. He gave striking descrip-
ton of this metropolis, when captured by the Brit
ish in l8l4--her public buildings destroyed, as if
by Cossacks when they demolished the monuments
of the arts, or the Cloths when they attacked Rome
He described then, leaving this city, flushed with
their successes, and elaed by the hope of capturing
Baltimore-with "Bcauty and booty" as their raj
living words-their feet darkenng the waters of the
Patapsco as it had never been beforehand their tri-
umphant troops landing at North Point. He filed
hscan with fgures-the volunteers of Balti-
more marching to receive them-the British general
slain by rilemen--rhe next in command being more
cautious, but finally driven off by the gaantry OF
the defenders of Baltimore" He next described
the British, on the 18th and 18th September,
attacking Fort McIienry, approaching at night
with muIled oars; but the sound was caught up
by the vigilant sentinel communicating the alarm,
and then a storm of fiery shot pouring in upon
them; and finally, the discounted enemy retrcat-
ing from the attack, foiled in their purposes, and
covering in their spirit. He alluded to the monu-
ment which had been raised in Baltimore in honor OF
the illusrious dead; and he concl udcd with telling
the President, that though time had thinned their
ranks, yet the fame was not yet oxtinguished in
their bosoms; and they and their children, and all
the citizens OF Baltimore, were willing to repair to
the standard of their country whenever they were
called upon to assist her.
The President replied, in an eloquent manner
There was an enthusiasm about him, which
affected all who heard him. He again paid tn,
tribute Of honor to the Defenders of Balmore-told
them that he had not the slightest doubt, as they
had proved true to their country in the day which
tried mems souls, they would again do their duty
whenever she called them TO her aid-that the pa
triotsm which they had once displayed would evel
remain fresh and active in their bosom He did
not know--he did not bclieve--that matters would
now proceed to extremitics; but he had thought il
Il nLe .-au.