The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-13
The Capt ure or Washington.


WEsTPoRr Conn Aprl 26th. lS47.
enclose the narrative which you requested me to
ing,on, the memorable oath Of August 1914 1t is
written you will perceive. by Jacob Barker ESQ., and
! events Of that day.
The patriotism Of Mr. Barker who wa. warm support
or OF the war Of IA was exhibited in his jealous efforts
to sustain the finances OF the and to
large loan he had effected occasion of his
visit at that period at Washington. fact general.
y KNOWN occurred at the time which proves the
which MIR Il evinced by the prefer then made by him
to MIR Madison, through the Secretary OF War Give
me a Corporals guard" said he and will. with my
own hands llow up the Capitol the moment the enemy
enters that building" 1t declined by the President
who thought that such vandalism BY th. British would
kindle flame of INDIGNATION throughout the country
and be productive Of the happies results And 20 It
by the cophngration OF the apto and increased with
undated ardor to the close Of the
After the President left for the field of battle Mr. Bar
ker returned to his lodgings and repaired to the navy
yard. 1t may not be uninterestng to d,ta what oc-
CURED there during my brief visit had been but
few minutes in the yard when order directing
Commodore Fipgey TO despatch the and sailors
TO Join the army The sloop-of war Argus fully
equipped and ready for sea- and Capt Creighton her
ndcr, desired remain on board with his crew
and by breating his vessel he pressed his ability
to defend the yard against 10 600 men The ogiish
had artillery, much fatigued by long march,
and there Is no doubt that had Capt. Creghtons ad
vice been taken, he had the of accomplishing all
that he promised The Commodore. in reply observed
you have your orders, sir proceed to execute them
The sailors were landed and with the marines left the
yard. then proceeded to the city, and my way to
my lodgings stopped aC the Presidents house, where
met Mr. b., and what followed his narrative details
My chief object In sending you this narrative is with
the view of rendering to Mrs Madison the credit to
which she justly entitled for the suggestion which led
to the saving of this Portrait and further also to show
who assisted in carrying her wishes into effect The
merit which has been claimed by others, virtually be-
the suggestion showed her patriotic
feelings Is gratifying to me- even at this late hour
among to place the above before the country
and to unite in with in the expression of tho
respect and attachment entertained for this esmnbe
lady
am, with much respect, dear sir, yours &c,
ROBT q. l.. DEPEYSTER.
NEW ORLEANS. March y. lst7
Roman g. l.. DsrrrsTra Esq, Westport, Conn.
Your letter of the ith ultimo came to hand in due
course
cannot account for the mistake Of Gen Jackson az
to who saved the portrait of Washington, when the
British burned the Capitol the night OF August 24th
The story which had been told him, viz that Gen
Mason took down and restored after the Presidents
return. may be- partially true yet he had any hand
in preserving the portrait and any attempt fch the
merit of that from MRS Madison Is a fraud on the
inimitablc and venerable lady.
" he receipt Of your letter gave the first norma.
imposition practised on Gen Jackson, who not
the time Mt Washington.
You cannot but recolect all the facts of the case
The British army was advancing Washington.
and was expected TO the bridge the Poto-
mac. Com. Barney was stationed Mt the bridge with
a detachment Of sailors and marines. President Ma
olson held cabinet council early the fatal morn
ing, In the neghborbood Of that bridge, to deiibe-
rat. on "a proposition made bv George Iyashing,o,
Campbell Secretary 81 the Treasury. aud VIM Jones
Secretary OF the NAVY 10 confr on ,,.n rms,rono,h
command of IN. army In m. d,fnc. or the c,iy ira
thre. Cabinet Ministers attended Tbs Council ma ala
also Richard Rush the Attorney G.n.r,I Won andi
with nv servant James renair. In the hr,lg. ,oo, ~
sunrise. At about o'clock ,;en Arm.,,ang .na NJ
Lampb.ll cam. from In. Counc,I moun,sa ,.,r ho-'s
aud rode OF at full gallon In IN. airecion of a,.Jans
burgh In about half an hour the pr..id.nt .nd NIr
Rush came out, mounted their horses, aud took the
the course Of two or thrr. hour an ,nr.s cam. 10
Commodore Barney directing him 10 rrpsir with bs
mrn 10 this Britisb bayny ,ak., ,b.t a.
rcction They immediately set OF ON "A dog trot with
small pieces Of artillery aud met The british army
the road to Washington mile and half advance