The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-06
From the Neso York Courier and Enquirer.
General Taylor in New York.
NIAGARA FALLS, Sept. l,


been announced by telegraph to the Vice President
at Buffalo, and to Mr.. Spalding, (the member of
Congress from the Erie district,) that he should
leave and proceed direct to Schlosser General
Reed put at the service of the President the hand
some steamer Diamond, Captain Miller, one of the
regular packets between Erie and Buffalo. In or
der to secure perfect safety in descending the Mia
CARA the services of Mr.. Linton, a very able pilot
steamer on the lakes, were secured. The day was
one of the most beautiful that could have been
lected for the journey-the air was bright and
hilarating; and though Just risen from sick bed,
the General was in good condition during all the
trip down. He rested few hours in the evening,
but was up and attentively observing the different
ports, as they were passed in the afternoon. He
made careful inquiries about the necessities of Erie
and Buffalo harbor-a asking and receiving informa-
ton from General Reed and other gentlemen,
to the precise localities where breakwaters, and
piers, and other defences were needed. Besides
General Reed, the President accompanied by
Mr.. Sill and Mr. Keso, two Of the most respect
ed and respectable citizens of Erie.
The boat arrived off Buffalo about five. She kept
far off in the lake, running in only to land few per-
sons at Black Rock pier. At her mast head hoated
a gay flag, the only outward testimonial to the il
lustrous citizen she bore.
Mr.. Fillmore and Mr.. Spalding left Immediately
in the five O'Clock train for the falls. On arriving
at Schlosser they left the and Joined the cit-
zens of Niagara Falls, who were in waiting for the
President, with carriages, at that place Among
them observed Mr. Augustus Porter, formerly u.
s. Senator for Michigan, Mr.. p b. Porter, former
ly speaker of the assembly, and several other gen
tenen.
The hospitable proprietor of the Eagle, Mr.. Hol-
lis White, had previously placed his house at the
disposal of the President, which had been accepted
Mr.. w had every thing in readiness for the arrival
of his illustrous guest.
Schlosser has a reputation and fame am
WINGED superior to that enjoyed by any other old
barn of storehouse in existence-such and such
only, is this place-a broken down, ruinous old
huIl hef he instr Of he
canal-its front half knocked out, and in such
condition that thought the Diamond, in landing
would, at "one fell swoop," give us and the store
house "promiscuous' bath in the Niagara Not
another building is there in Schlosser Here as all
your readers know, was the of the tragedy Of
the Caroline, about which the two great civilized
and civlizing nations of the earth were within
half minute OF dreadful war. do not write with
out the facts. Had the Canadian force fired on our
vessels when General Scott stood by his artillery on
own shore, there would have been actual war
commenced-ended when or how, the fearful waste
of blood and treasure alone answer.
There a goody company gathered this even
ing on that shattered old wharf The Vice Prssi-
dent-Representatives in Congress-the army and
the press both represented-besides a few amateurs
also, were delighted with the graphic that pre-
scented itself The incidents Of the arrival Of the
Diamond were very picturesque We waited long
time for her appearance-the railway cars having
far exceeded her in swiftness-and, before she pre-
sentcd herself, the broad full moon (the moon of
Buena Vista) glittering on the wave Of the
Niagara. Immediately before us lay a lovely little
island, known as Carver's Island-which serves
an admirable breakwater for the harbor of this de-
porable old Schlosser-a much better one than il
deserves. The island is beautiful-the few trees
that left on il elms, turned about and draped
with ivy-their grace and loneliness rendered more
apparent by their being few, and no other trees
near them TO break the picture
To the right, little gem of islet showed itself
and Just beyond, the change Of the river into a
pd its first dash into wildness before il becomes the
herce torrent. Near that-too near for the proxim-
ity Of a steamboat with such glorious freight on
board-was the cataract -Niagara-visible
and heraldcd by the perpetual cloud of mist wreath
ing itself into cloud FORMS sometimes high up like
great tower TO the sky, and now only an airy
curve over the descending waters.
Bucktborn Island and the famous Navy Island
were on the left; and the main shore Of Canada adj
jacent. The separation between the two last named
islands makes the channel through which the boat
had TO pass and IL is not distinguished in the forest
that the smoke and steam that indicated her APP
proach seemed as one Of the old Indian council
lire must have appeared, arising from the dense
woods. AT length the Diamond came fully in
sight and turned her head up stream again, 10 get
around the west end of Carver's Island. Her APP
pearance was very beautiful, with her various and
numerous lights sparkling like maritime illumi-
nation, and the glare of the moonlight about her
As this was a new voyage for her, her master and
the pilot kept a careful lookout. In rounding the
island, General Reed informed me, she struck upon
small boulder or log-struck hard, but passed
over IL without injury. In few moments she was
round, and descended Just enough 10 give a grace
full sweep and place herself alongside the wharf
that forlorn old wharf-with two broken down old
posts, around which il effort Of nautical in
genuity 10 make ga fast'' hold.
General Reed received the gentlemen at the gang.
way, and in few moments the President, leaning
on the arm of Mr.. Fillmore, off the boat. His
characteristic courtesy governing him, notwith-
standing the chill of the night air, which
thy Of October, he took off his hat and passed
tha bo
crowd him, and proceeded TO the carriage. He
rode with Mr.. Fillmore and the two physicians,
DIR. Wood Of the army and DR.. Wood OF the navy.
saw him now for the first time, and II seemed to me
he looked feeble and worn, and as an Older man than
had imagined him TO be. II is natural in seeing
remarkable man for the first time, TO have his re-
sembsnce 10 some one suggest itself This mental
search after similarites haunted me in this case,
much against my will, but at last was fortunate
enough 81 recoect the resemblance that had oc-
CURED TO me. He seems TO me 10 look somewhat
like ex-senator John Hunter, prominent citizen
of Westminster county, in our State.
With returning health, the vigor Of purpose OF the
old General returns rapidly, and he says this even
ing he must go up 10 Buffalo and see il before he
leaves here Should he do so, Lake Erie would
witness such a spectacle of maritime display a. il
never yet has seen.
Every particular which reaches me of his illness
at Erie concurs in showing that II must have been
a very alarming one, and greatly fear relapse, IL
he il subjected 10 the welintcndcd, but inludicious
kindness of " troops Of friends"
Mr. White makes the General very comfortable,
and his house is indeed home for him. Fortu-
nately there but few strangers at the falls and
this Is, evidently, delightful place 10 facilitate
recovery.
To-night--oh what a glory is Niagara this gor
gsos nightl-still and cslmthe rapids are vivid i'm
their terrible beauty, while the lunar bow circles It's
exquisite coIors around the fall The thunder of the
waters shakes the ground--the impending bridge is
like bar of light between the dark walls Of the
chasm. The pageant, always magnificent, is in
all its wonder Of beauty TO night.
SENTINEL