The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-08
From the National Intelligencer of yesterday
Il,res NJ daI ~ olo

Presentation OF Medal to Colonel Bliss.
An interesting ceremony took place at the Pre-
sidential mansion yesterday morning-the pre-
sentation of gold medal voted by the Legislature
of New York some time since to Colonel w. w. S.
Bliss, of the army, testimony Of its repect for
his distinguished services. The entire New York
delegation in Congress were present. The medal
was presented by Colonel Claxton aid-de-camp of
Governor Fish, on behalf of the State of New York
The circular room nearly full; all parties
seemed much interested in the ceremonies the
President himself appearing much gratifed with
the distinguished honor paid to Colonel Bliss by
the Empire State The occasion graced by
the presence of trio of ladies, two of whom were
relatives of the President, the third fair New
Yorker. Some little merriment occasioned by
an after presentation to the President of a curry
comb, by Senator Seward, from Troy manufac-
turer, and beautiful petite gold fish by Mr.. Joseph
Hoxie, of New York, from the Piscatory Associa-
| ton of that city.
| Colonel Claxton WAS presented by Senator Sew
ard in the following remarks:
Colonel Bliss: In the presence of the Represent
atives of the State of New York in the Congress of
the United States, have the honor to present TO
you Colonel CLAYTON, of that State, who is charged
by his excellency, the Governor, with the perform
ance ola duty which he is now ready TO discharge"
as follows
"rhe Legislature ofthe State Of New York, your
native State, about year since, passed resolu-
ton requesting the Governor have struck
gold medal, with appropriate emblcms and de-
vices to be presented TO you as indicative of the
high sense and full appreciation by the people Of
the State of New York Of your meritorious and
gallant services in the late with Mexico. The
same resolution provided that copy of this medal
be deposited at the Military Academy at West
Point and alao that anofher shond ho placed
among the archives Of the State Library, at Al
bany.
al had yesterday the honor, under instructions
from his excellency the governor, TO place in the
hands Of Brigader General Totem Inspector of the
Military Academy, the medal intended for that in
stitution, and now hold the designed for you.
Upon il is emblazoned the arms of the State which
proudly halls you her son, and whose aspiring
and exulting motto Of Excelsior" you have 80 hap
PLY illustrated in your brilliant career. Upon il
Is inscribed the names Of those fields which have
shed 30 much lustre upon the American arms, and
TO the result and glory Of which you 80 much con-
tributcd. But not less indelibly Is the grateful
collection Of your services impressed upon the hearts
Of your fellow citizens Of your native State who
have, by the highest compliment which can be
awarded the soldier, testified that they held in
treasured remembrance.
al find myself surrounded by the Senators and
Representatives Of the people Of New York. who have
for their worth and talents been selected 10 admin
lister the affairs Of the nation and 10 assist in our
national councils. Their presence here this morn
ing is evidence that in this tribute 10 distin-
guished merit, with which am charged, political
and party considerations forgotten; and have
solicited their presence, that all which might be
wanting on my part, 10 the satisfactory discharge
ofmy most agreeable duty, might thereby be sup
piled.
81 may be permitted, for myself, TO express my
deep sense Of the honor accorded me in being the
bearer Of this testimonial rendered douby crafty
ing by the "reminiscences of our earlier friendship
and the intimacy Of former years.
al now havc.the honor TO present to you, by d.
rection Of the Governor of the State of New York,
this medal, and his accompanying letter, taking
occasion to assure you, at his request, OF his re-
spcctful consideration"
Col. BLISS responded as follows:
''SR: In accepting the medal voted by the Lcgis-
lature of New York, and which you have been de-
putcd by the Governor Of that State 70 present TO
me, feel an embarrassment which 1t would be al
fcctation TO conceal. When recall the names Of
the of New York who bore distinguished
part in the late Mexican war, and whose claims
upon her gratitude are 30 much stronger than my
own, am conscious that an undue prominence has
been given by the partially Of friends TO the scr
vices which IL has been my good fortune, in the
line Of my duty, to render; and that this distin-
guished token Of her appreciation, one of the high
est that republican State may bestow, is immea-
surably beyond any poor deserts OF mine.
81 am bound by the strongest associations TO
New York. She Is the State Of my birth and my
earliest recollcctions, and within her limits was
educated and nurturcd in the profession To whlch
belong. ! am sure that all the graduates OF The
Military Academy must look TO New York with
almost hlial respect; for, among her most inpos-
ing scenes, they learned that obedience which best
teaches TO command; they acquired those sciences
which ennobe and bumanize the profession OF
arms, and they imbbed the patriotism which
breathes in the air Of those highlands thronging
with revolutionary memories To the discipline
and the teachings Of that school its graduates owe
whatever of SUCCESS has attended their military ca
recr.
81 beg that you will convey to the Governor OF
New York my most sincere but inadequate ac-
Acknowledgements for the high honor which this day
receive II any thing we're wanting TO attach me
firmly to the State over which he prcsides-if any
new incentive were needed to the punctual dis
charge Of every duty--it is here. With such tes-
timonial he would be doubly recreant who fall
tered in any trust; with such reward in pros
pcct, who would not press forward in the path Of
honor, and make his own the proud motto Of the
Empire State, Ercslsiorr"
At 81. Paul, Minnesota on Sunday, the 3D. inst ,