Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-07-30

the vote of the SIKH Congressional District OF In
diana in the next Democratic National ConTen-
lion.
THE LATE CAPT. STEVENS 7. MASON.
When Good and brave man falls in the cause
of his country, the memory oil his virtues shou'u
mol die with him. but should be transmitted 10
posterily as brich, examples to excite The emula-
ton and admiration OF future generations. 10
this end, and as model worthy OF imitation, we
give brief sketch OF The life OF Capt. STEVENS
THOMSON MASON.
Captain Mason was born at Selma, Loudoun
county, Virginia, on the 22d OF January, lSlo.-
He was The only child OF The late and much Ia
mcnted Arnslead T. Mason, and was very lille
more than one year old when that great man Tell
| in a duel After The death Of his father, The sole
care and education of young Mason devolved
on his widowed mother, who faithfully dischars-
ed that Difficult, and delicate trust, and insIilIed in.
10 his youthful mind those high and ennobling
principles of honor, morality and integrity, which
shone so conspicuously in all the actions OF his
after life. Gifted by nature with strong and vi
sorous intellect Capt. Mason was destined 10 &C.
cupy no ordinary station in any oil The pursuits
of life which he might have selected. Regarding
The law as the high road 10 fame, he adopted it as
his profession; but being prevented by an here
dtary weakness OF The eyes, from giving il that
application which was necessary 10 insure emil
hence and arrive al distinction he soon ABANDON
ed the study, and devoted his time and energies
IN AGRICULTURAL pursuits. TWAS at this time, 100
that he took an active and jealous part IN the po-
; l,ics Of The day. and even established, at his
individual EXPENSE Democratic press, IN Inc
strongest and most Incorporating Federal DIS
,rict in the State of Virginia. Although he was
an ardent and unwayerng advocate oil The great
principles of Democracy, and fearless in express
ing his opinion on alllh prominent political ques-
,;ons If The country, vet no one possessed in
higher degree The respect aud confidence OF MS
polilical opponents, who constituted very large
majority OF the citizens OF Loudoun
In February lS43, he led 10 the hymena al
lar the lovely and interesting Sallie ]. Forbes
Youngest daughter Of Murray Forbes, Esq, OF
Falmouth; and by this happy union The cup OF
his earthly bliss was completely filled But
mysterious though wise Providence had ordained
that this happiness should BIZ OF short Duration
and in the biiet period Of six months from his
marriage he was called on 10 mourn the death OF
his lovely and beloved wife. Though no one ever
felt more deeply and aculely such loss, yet ne
bore i, with bis usual and becoming iorliiude.
About This time, having become involved
in serious pecuniary cmbarrassmenls, both on
his own and others account, he was obliged
to dispose OF his splendid estate, and was thus
reduced from wealth and aluence 10 CON-
paralive poverty YET, in these trying si!na-
lions, through all The fiery ordeals which he had
10 pass, Captain Mason remained The same. and
his honor and his integrity, so far from being i'm
peached were above suspicion. Maligny itself
could fix no stain on his character, and was re-
luclantly compelled 10 acknowledge its brightness
and purity. In the Spring OF rs, through the in-
lerieren:e cl friends, without his own apPica-
lion, he received The appointment OF military
siore-kespa al the Washington Arsenal. This
although lucrative and comparatively an easy |
post, yet it lilly suited with his aspiring and
ambitious Gews, he resigned, after ha wing held il
regiment d mounted riflemen having, about |
this lime, pissed Congress. he procured from the |
President The United States the appointment!
OF Caplainin that newly raised regiment. I'm
medialcy OF receiving his commission, ne ap-
piled himsef energelically to recruiting his COM
pany, and vas The first Captain in that whole re-
gimenl wh, reported his company ready for SER
vice. Instead Of Oregon, which was the origl- |
nal iesIina ion of the mounted rihemea, he was |
ordered 10 jim The army in Mexico, where he ar
rived soon if;cr The battle OF Monterey. He re-
manned viii General Taylor until the lombard |
ment OF Vera Cruz was determined on by The |
Administration, when, together with mos, OF The |
regular army, he was ordered 10 join Major &C.
neral Scot. His first engagement was before
Vera Cruz where skrmish took place between |
The rifles and a body OF Mexican lancers, in |
which the Mexicans, though far superior in num-
beIs, were repulsed with considerable loss. His
cool courage and daring inuepdiy on this occa-
sion won for him The admiration Of his COM
manding officer. His next engagement was in
the hart-fought and warmly contested fight Of
Cerro Gordo where, while gaany leading on
his men, his left leg was carried of BY cannon
ball, and he was obliged 10 be borne from the
scene OF action. The conduct OF Captain Ma
son on This occasion came under the immediate
observation OF Colonel Harvey, and his noble
bearing and daring inrepidily on the battlefield,
received the particular notice OF that officer in
his official report. For some weeks after he re-
ceived his wound, the friends Of Captain Mason
INDUCED The hope, that it would not prove fatal,
and indeed, until few days previous to his death
there was every prospect OF a speedy recove!y
but, in consequence OF absorption OF matter BY
The lungs, his case assumed more dangerous
aspect, and Justly excited the fears and apprehcn
sons Of his friends for The worst. When apprised
OF his situation, the same tranquility and fori,ude
which had characterized him through life, attend
ed him in his trying hour. He spoke with com.
posure Of his approaching end, and after having
made adisposton OF some articles 10 his paricu-
lar friends, he met the King Of 1errors with calm |
ness and resignation. Thus died, on the 18th oil
May, ls47, this high toned, chivalrc and brave
officer, al The early age OF 29-not until, however,
he had established character Tor courage, no.
nor and integrity and had endeared himself TO a
large number of admiring and devoted friends
The public and unfeigned manifestation Of feel
ing and sympathy, and their unanimous vote of
a sword 10 him, so soon as they heard OF his mis-
fortune at The battle of Cerro Gordo, proved much
more forcibly than words can express The high |
estimation in which he was held by the citizens
Of his native county. And, subsequently,, when
his death was made known, the universal regret |
which pervaded The community in which he had |
lived, and the prompt and active measures taken |
10 bring 10 The land Of his birth his remains, show
that he will long live enshrined in their memo
ries, and his name will ever be associated with !
wha! is good, brave and honorable. II is design
ed, we learn, as soon as practicable, TO bring his
Z; and hara lhen, IN. |