The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-12-14


Friday, we announced the death OF Com. Jesse D.
Elliott. Of the oldest officers connected with the
American navy, the sixty second year Of his age
He had been a great sufferer for several months
past, his principal complaint being dropsy the
chest but there some collateral diseases,
which were exceedingly painful For period Of
forty years, CON- Elliott had served his coun-
try with fidelity; and, although frequently censured
most harshy, by portion OF the American press,
for his devotion, or, as it was often called, his
slavish sycophancy, to the ruling powers at Wash
ington, we believe his acts were generally prompted
by honest and patriotic motives. The love he bore
the late President Jackson, frequently led him
into ridiculous errors or excuses and for his de-
votion to that great soldier and statesman it cannot
be doubted that he has been more severely censured
in high party mes by the wing press, than any other
naval commander who has served his country so
long and so faithfully.
Com Elliott entered the navy in 1904. as a md
shipman and in 1872, we find him on Lake Erie,
Lieutenant, experimenting the naval affairs
that lake. In October, OF that year, he CALAMITY
captured two British vessels, the Detroit and Gale
donia, while they were under the protection of the
guns Of a British fort. Eiot's force was boats
manned by fifty men each, and the attack was made
at 3 o'clock IN the morning. The Detroit mounted
six guns. and had fftysx men, besides about thirty
American prisoners the Caledonia mounted two
guns, and had crew of twelve men, and cargo OF
furs valued at Sl50,OO0. Several attempts were
made to retake the latter, but she was finally de-
stroyed by the Americans, who also burnt the De-,
rot, after they had taken out OF her large quantity
OF military stores.
When Com. Perry took command of the Ameri-
can fleet on Lake Erle,, In March, 1873, Lieut..
Elliott had been promoted, and commanded the brig
Nft Dar l.
ing the brig Lawrence, also mounting twenty guns,
for his flag ship. There We're eight other small
vessels in the fleet, the whole mounting fifty-fve
guns; while the British fleet under the command of
Com. Barclay, mounted slxty-three guns. With the
battle which took place between these fleets, on the
10th of September following, and glorious result.
our readers are well acquainted; and it may be well
for John Bull to brush up his lnemory, in relation to
1t, at this tme After well fought battle the
and stripes were triumphant, and the whole of the
British fleet was captured. History tells that
"Capt Elliott particularly distinguished himself by
his exertion and skill" The loss on the side OF the
Americans was twenty-seven killed and ninetv-sx
wounded-t0al, one hundred and twenty three;whlle
the loss of the British in killed and wounded, was
one hundred and sixty. The rejoicing at this vcto
ry was every where so great, that our principal CT
Com. Perrys prowess on that occasion, it is not
cessary to speak. He fought like tiger, and was
exposed to the heaviest OF the battle He will ever
live in the hearts OF his countrymen, of Amer
lcas most daring, and chvalrous, and successful
naval heroes Com. Perry much to his credit, spoke
IN terms OF high commentator OF the conduct OF
Capt Elliott, in his official account of the battle
When notification ran high in South Carolina,
Com Elliott was ordered to the command of the
naval forces that station and there, said,
he made himself at times, little ridiculous, by
with the union party. His flag ship was the Boston.
But matters IN that quarter were luckily settled With
out bloodshed
For several years Com Elliott was in command
ho RI af chuo
where he made himself obnoxious to the political
enemies of President Jackson, by causing to be
placed on the bow Of the frigate Constitution, a
bust of that popular old fighting cock, which was
afterwards mutlated, or cut of, in the dead hours
of the night, during heavy tempest, by Captain
Dewey, then resident of Boston. This head was
afterwards exhibited at supper, given by the
"whig safety committee" at the Stackpole house
1t was subsequently sent on to Washington, and we
believe Is now among the rubbish In the navy de-
partment, Mr.. Van Buren, having conditionally for
given the offender. The Constitution having been
ordered round from Boston to New York, new
figure-head was placed upon her bows by one of
our skilful carvers, and she has borne it proudly
ever since.
Com. Elliott, within the last ten years, has seen
much active duty, and has been In some bad scrapes
He commanded the American squadron in the Me-
dlterranean for two or three years; and we believe
he got into scrape there, and treated one OF his
heutenants IN an unoffcer-like and ungentlemanly
manner, for which, and other offences, such as
turning part OF the trlgate Constitution into sta
BILE for jackasses and stud horses, he tried by a
court martial at Washington, found guilty, and sus-
pended for two or three years. His sword was re-
turned to him, and he was restored to the hOnors
and emouments of his Office, by President Tyler,
long before the term Of his sentence had expired;
Sard %heH ey
sank to his final rest on Wednesday evening.
We cannot conclude this notice of the death OF
Com. Elliott without remarking that his character
was perfect riddle. In his social relations he was
/ wa d0yOted-ha
pitallty was bOundless to his friends he was true,
and warmly attached; while towards his enemies
he was ever bitter and relentless. He was fond OF
showing the medals and swords he had received
from different legislative bodies for the valor he
displayed during the last war, on the Lakes He
appeared to be child Of impulse, and often in
hot water when there was no need for It,, His Of
fer of sarcophagus to Old Hickory was decidedly
in bad taste; ands for that he received chaste but
whitening rebuke from that sturdy democrat and
pure Christian; and many persons think, to this
day, that the man he chastsed in one OF the Read
Ing railroad cars, was hired to stand the
Gaming We never believed it
Our limits will not permit us to enlarge upon this
subject. II IS one OF teeming interest Com. FL
ashes! The old familiar maxim, "say nothing of
the dead except that which is good" reminds us
that we must be cautious in our remarks about the
deceased. He had many enemies who had but lit
suffered some, as our quondam friend, Col. Webb,
doess he also had many warm friends. Ii we mis-
take not, he was Com. larron's second, when that
officer shot Decatur His impetuosity, restlessness,
and imprudence, often led hun and HIS friends into
awkward errors. Perhaps the meanest thing Com.
Elliott ever did, was his attempt to pluck leaf Of
laurel from the grave Of the liophearted Perry, to
adorn his own brow; but now he lies as low as
that brave officer 'sAtler LIES itful fever, he
sleeps well !" and it is difficult to tell how he now
feels, or what he would say if he were permitted to
address crowd Of young officers at this time.
On the monument erected to the memory OF
Shakespeare, in the church at Strattord, his birth
place, is an inscription which would suit the Com
modore exactly
Good friend for Jesus sake forbear
To dig tho dust enclosed here.
Biest be the man that spares these bones
And cursd be he who moves my bones"
Movements OF Travellers.
The arrivals yesterday, everywhere, at the hotels,
were even less numerous than usual Saturday We
found the following the regstries which forms the
+ ann total. At the