The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1849-08-31
From the Baltimore Sun.
The Star Spangled Banner.

The Star SPangled Banner.
As the beautiful and patriotic song Of the
late Francis S. Key maintains 10 primscy
as national anthem, we are glad TO tiod
an authentic sisiement Of the circumstances
under which il was written, particularly as
much misspprebension has exist on the
sui ject heretofore. We ir-ou II as sp.
propria'e 10 this day.
Mr.. j. S. Skinner, who, during the late
British wsr, was agent for flag. Of tincs
and for The err hsnge OF prisoners. in an
article in the National lnteIligencer, cor
reciiDg some slight errors into which Mr..
lngeisoll, 10 his History Of the War Of
1912, bad fallen. furnishes the loc,s con
necied with This production
"On visit 10 the emy upon business
growing out OF the capture OF Washington,
the Undersigned was instructed 10 take a..
long with him Mr.. by, Of Washington
his mission having exclusive reference 10
he release of Dr.. Beans, a venerable cav.
alier Of Prince Georges county, Who, on
The re'res, from Washington. had been seiz
ed in his house, and carried Of in the nigh,
under circumstances Of gross harshness and
udIgni,y. His friends were persuaded that
something nigh, be hoped from Mr.. Keys
tact and persuasive manners IN getting the
doctor released, and though that VAS efec
led by different influence, Mr. Keys visit
ended happily in giving us ono national song
that will be as iDperishable rs the naval
reno~n II will ever serve to celebrate. and
to cherish. Such was the origin of the
Star Spangled Banner. >"
Shortly after This release the attack on
Baltlmore was made, CONNIE ing With
nigh, csunonsde Of For, McHenty, "duting
the striking CONCLUSIONS of Which," SAYS
Mr.. lngersoll, "ihe song Of the Sar Span
eed Banner was composed in The sdmIra's
ship" Ga ihis Mr. Skinner remarks as
follows:
Nov, i, is not unworthy Of that noble
inspiration that lis circumstances should be
more exactly known. The sulhor of the
Stsr Spabeled Banner VAS never on board
the admirsfs ship after We we're N sight
of B fillmore. We had been invited, dur
ing our detention, to take up our quarters
with the admlrsl's son, SIR Thomas Coch
ranc, on board the Surprise frigate, the ad
mral expressing regret tina, his own, the
flag ship, was so crowded with officers that
he could not accommodate US ss he wished,
bu, promised that his sou which be re.
deemed) would make US comfortable until
after the de1ouement Of the expedition then
gong forward.
Dining every day with the admiral and
a large party OF army and navy officers,
his oijects and plans we're freely spoken
Of, and thus, when We arrived in sight OF
The city, The undersigned sgan demanded
an answer TO his dispatches. to which Sir
Alexander answered smllngly: 'Ah, Mr..
S after discussing so freely as We have
done in your presence our purposes md
plans, you could hardly expect Us to let
: on 60 on shore now in advance of US
\ our dispatches are all ready. You will
have 10 remain with Hs until oil 10 over,
" heo | promise YOU there shall be no fur.
Their delay Seeing no help for il. | de.
msnded that we should be returned to our (
own vessel--one OF Fereuson's Morrill, I
packets, under our own 'stnr.spsngled ban. /
ner, during the attack. II ives from her
jeck, in view of Fort Mclienry, ,ha, we
witnessed through an anxious day snd
ugh,
The rockets red glare tic bombs bursting in air.
md the song. which was written the night
,iler we got back to Baltimore, in the ho.
el then KEEP, at the corner Of Hanover and
Make, streets was but a versIlied and al.
post literal transcript Of our expressed
'opes and apprehensions through that ever
memorable period Of anxiety to all, bat ne.
er despair. Calling on It's accomplished
uihor the next morning, he handed it 10 ,
he undersigned, who passed i. to the BaltI. /
lore Patriot, end thro' 1t TO immortal,y." ,