The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-23
The Naval Fete at Annapolis.


The Annual Ball of the Naval School came off on
Thursday night, "with unbounded applause" We have
heard much of Its beauties, that regret our lnabi
y to do justice to it. We that the scene OF
this ete, is of itself, object of great attraction TO every
stranger The seat OF government of the first State which
established the great principle OF religious liberation
distinguished for the beauties of its locaonand assoca
ted with some of the most interesting recoecions OF
the Revolution, and the formation OF our constitution
every feels, when he visits Annapolis that they
touching upon classic ground. In that town. is the
mansion of the governorthe legislature is in ses-
son-and the Senate chamber is dear to every friend of
liberty and every admrer OF heroic character by the recol
lection that it was in this Hall the illustrious Washing
ton surrendered to Congress his commission COM
mander chief of the triumphant armies of the Uni
ted States. The College of St John is there
which, like William and Mary, in Virginia, has educated
so many of the distinguished sons OF Maryland. We
understand that to the stranger Qor unfortunately
still strangers ourseves) the town of Annapolis presents
singular appearance from the peculiarly OF its plan,
and the antiquity OF its principal edices
THE naval school is well known TO be established in
the United States fort on the Severn river Much credit
is due to Mr. Bancroft the late Secretary OF the Navy,
for the energy with which he founded this institution
in 1915, and for the sagaclty with which he selected
Captain Buchanan to supern,end 1t. 1t is admirably
conducted This fete drew together large crowd from
Washington and Baltimore 1t is the first visit which
the present Secretary of the Navy has paid to it, and
NAV Judge from the qualification which he feels and ex
presses he may be frequently tempted TO leave the ardu
Gus cares of office at Washington, and TO see
the gallant mddes and their accomplished and popular
captain. Mr. Mason was accompanied by the chalrmen
Of the naval committees of the two houses OF Congress,
and majority of the members of those committees.
We understand they all cordially hailed by Capt
Buchanan, his officers, and the cadets OF the school,
The governor received all the visitors with grace which
became his office The members of the Legislature well
coined them with the warmth which characterzes the ct-
zens of their State. The inhabitants of Annapolis
tended every species of hospitality in the courteous
manner to the gratfed guests The Secretary and Naval
Committees visited the yard, and received with
salute and strains of martial music They expressed
themselves much pleased with all the arrangements and
discipline of the institution
We visited (and here speak from the lips Of fair
spectaor the library and both houses of the legislature,
though were not fortunate enough to see them in
session. We stood upon the very spot, at least
deavored TO do so, from which General Washington
signed his commission, he scene which is illustrated by
the picture in of the panels of the rotundo) have
rarely ever witnessed 1--WE still speak in the words of
impoverished magnificent spectacle than was
presented at the ball The decorations might have
done credit to the fairer sex, though assured
that the young gentlemen alone had superintendent
them The walls were hung around with the flags
of every great nation with whom hold .commu-
nicaton, and we were pleased even 10 see the Mexican
colors embellishing the among the rest There
were 600 100 persons present at the animated
The marine band of Washington, and the band-at the
yard contributed to the Joy and brancy of the spectacle
The supper thrown open at half-past one-he CEN
tire of the table onamented with most beautiful
specimen of fulrigged vessel prepared by of the
youngest of the mddes The supper splendid and pro-
fuse beyond description. The company did not dispense
till half after four.
Every left the joyous with regret Every Wis
tier bid adeu to Annapolis with the keenest sentiments of
gratitude for the hospitabe and cordial reception which
they had met with from all classes The Secretary and
committees and most of the citizens of Washington re-
turned to this city yesterday morning.
We publish first page the speech of the Hon.
Andrew johnson, of Tennessee, on the Mexican war