Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-11-14
MISCELLANEOUS.

"REMINISCENCES or THE War OF ISl2-The Hon.
Lemuel Sawyer, who was a member of Con-
gress in 1912, furnishes The following interesting
Renaissance in letter 10 The editor Of The n. T.
Courier and Enquirer:
well remember the occasion of Midshipman
Hamilion's presentation Of the tlag Of the Mace
DOMAIN. was present, though unnenlionally,
nj the grand naval ball given, about the li'h OF
December, 1872, by the citizens OF Washington,
TO Capt Stewart IN return for the one he had Civ
en- them little previous, on board his ship. The
bawas held at Tomlinsons Hotel, on Capitol
Hill, where boarded: and being somewhat in
disposed, | had retired 10 bed Just as the ball open
ell The music, and the regular vibration Of the
floor To the motion of the dance, kept me awake
| considered, as was thus condemned 10 suffer
the evil Of The ball, might as well compensate
myself by its qualification. | found it well filled
with the beauty and fashion OF The place. and
honored with the presence OF Mr.. and Mrs. Ma
olson, and the heads OF the Departments, among
whom was Paul Hamilton, the Secretary OF the
Navy, his lady and two handsome daughters
In The mids, of our enjoyment, al about o'clock,
a messenger came 10 the door and communica-
ted some news secretly TO the managers. They
were then observed 10 whisper something to Mr..
Hamilton who had private conversation with
the President. Immediately it was buZZed about.
that messenger hau come and was waiting be-
low, with the glad lidings OF signal victory OF
one OF our ships over one CT The British OF equal
force. In a moment and without the least
noise or confusion, an arrangement was made
by the managers, 10 give full effect to the
fortunate concident. The Secrelary's impotence
TO run down stairs and meet his son was restrain
ed, and delegation OF three gentlemen was ap-
pointed 10 wait on Midshipman Hamilton ard
fha q ,.., ~
which he was the bearer, the flag of The Macedo-
MAN. An opening was left through The crowd Of
spectators from The door 10 the back part Of the
room. Secretary Hamilton and his family were
placed at the bottom of the passage and 10 front
OF the door, while the President and his lady,
with The members of the Cabinet, were arranged
an each side. A brea;hleSs silence prevailed.
The ladies stood up on the back seals between the
columns that supported the ceiling, the whole
length OF The room, gazing with intense interest
al the door II may be mentioned, that Midship-
man Hamilton had been absent two years, and
that he had escaped by miracle from the conha-
grafton of the Richmond Theatre, the winter be-
fore BY breaking through The sash of one OF The
upper windows, and leaping TO the ground, dis
lance Of near thirty feet. AT length the head
OF the procession entered the room, consist
ing of Midshipman Hamilton, supported on
each side BY member of the committee, iol-
lowed by train OF gentlemen having the cap
tured flag. Young Hamilton, seeing his pa
rents waiting for his approach with outstretch,
ed arms, with modest demeanor and accelera-
red steps, threw himself into the arms Of his
mother, who hid her face in his bosom, overcome
by her feelings Of silent joy from thence he tore
himself 10 grasp his fathers hand in long and
cordial shake, and ended by receiving and return
ing the enraplured embraces of his sisters. As
soon as this highly dramatic scene was over one
sudden burst oil huzzas resounded through The
ROOM The flag was paraded and marched
around the room TO the tune OF Hail Columbia
after which i, was brought before Mrs. Madi
son and laid at her feet but she did not tread OF
il as some Of the opposition papers alleged You
may we'll suppose that this new and unexpected
feature in the ceremony, gave an increased yes
10 The rtainment, and that il went of witt
charming and enhanced gusto. Young Hamii
Ton was very handsome officer, and invested a:
he was with The virgin honors Of this greet nava
victory, which dissolved The charm OF British in
yincibility on the ocean, was the cynosure Of al
the fair eyes presents but he bore his triumph anc
his honors meellly. lie was promoted to Lieu
tenancy, and ia that capacity was cut in two BY
chain shot in The action Of the President with th'
Endymion, or rather British squadron. of TIT
coast Of Rhode Island few months after, while
he was bravcly dischargins his duty under ,h'
gallant Decatur