Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-03-09
OF A MEDAL TO COL. BLISS.

To Hon. Messrs. YuLEr, MoRToS, and CAsELL.
PRESENTATION OF A MEDAL TO COL. BLISS.
An interesting ceremony took place at the Pre-
sidential Mansion yesterday morning-the presen-
taton Of the Gold Medal voted by the Legislature of
New York some time since to Colonel w. w. 5.
BLISS, of the Army, as testimony of its respect for
his distinguished services. The entire New York
Delegation in Congress were present. The medal
was presented by Col. CLAYTON, Aid-de-camp OF
Governor FISH, on behalf Of the State of New York
The circular room was nearly full; all parties
seemed much interested in the ceremonies; the
PRESIDENT himself appearing much gratfed with
the distinguished honor paid to Col. BLISS by the
Empire State. The occasion was graced by the
presence of trio Of ladies, two of whom were re-
latives of the President, the third fair New York
er. Some little merrment was Occasloned by an
after presentation TO the President OF curry comb,
by Senator SEWARD, from Troy manufacturer,
and beautiful petite gold fish by Mr.. Jos. HoxIE,
of New York, from the Piscatory Association Of
that city.
Col. CLAYTON was presented by Senator SEW
ARD in the following remarks:
Col Bliss In the presence Of the Representatives of the
State Of New York in the Congress Of the United States,
have the honor present you Col. CLAxToN, of that
Sae who is charged by his exceency the Governor with
the performance oa duty which he s ready to discharge
Col. CLAYTON then addressed Col. BLISS as
follows:
The Legislature Of the State Of New York; your native State
about year since passed resolution requesting the Governor
to have struck gold medal, with appropriate
bems and Devices to be presented you indicative Of the
high and full appreciation by the people of the State Of
New York your mertoous and gallant services in the late
with Mexico The resolution provided that copy
of this medal be deposited at the Military Academy West
Point and also that another copy should be placed among
| the archives of the State Library at Albany.
had yesterday the honor under instructions from his
cency the Governor place in the hands Of Brig. General
ToTrEs, Inspector of the Military Academy, the medal in
tended for that institution and hold the designed
you. Upon is embazoned the Of the State which
so proudly halls you her and whose aspiring and
ulng motto Of Excelsior you have happily illustrated
in your brilliant Upon is inscribed the Of
those fields which have shed much ustre upon the Amel
arms and the result and glory of which you much
Contributed But less ndelby is the grateful recollection
your services impressed upon the hearts Of your eowc
Of your native State, who have by the highest compi
which be awarded the soldier testified that they
4 held in treasured remembrance.
find myself surrounded by the Senators and Representa-
ives of the people of New York. who have for their worth
and talents been selected administer the affairs of the
ton, and to assist in national councils. Their presence
here this morning ap evidence that in this tribute dn-
gushed merit, with which am charged political and party
considerations forgotten and have solicited their pre-
sence that all which might be wanting part to the salts
factory discharge of my agreeable duty, might thereby
be supplied
may be permitted for myself express my deep Of
honor accorded in being the bearer Of this testimonial
rendered douby gratifying by the "reminiscences Of earlier
friendship and the intimacy Of former years.
now have the honor present to you, by direction of the
/ -.
companying letter. taking occasion to you at bis
quest, Of his respectful consideration. N
Col. Bliss responded as follows:
Sra In accepting the medal voted by the Legislature OF
New and which you have been deputed by the Governor
that State present me- feel embarrassment which
i it would be afscaon conceal When recall the
Of the oNew York who bore distinguished part in the
late Mexican war; and whose cams upon her gratitude are
much stronger than my own am conscious that undue
prominence has been given by the pariaty Of friends to
the services which has been my good fortune, in the line Of
duty, to renders and that this distinguished token of her
approbaion Of the highest that Republican State may
besow, is immensuaby beyond any poor deserts of mine
i am bound by the strongest associations to New York.
She is the State of my birth and my earliest and
within her limits was educated and nurtuedn the profession
to which belong. am that all the graduates of the
Military Academy must look New York with amos. fal
respects ior among her most imposing scenes they learned
that obedience which best teaches commands they acquired
those sciences which ennobe and humanze the profession of
and they ubbed the patriotism which brea,hes in the
air of those highlands throng ging with revolutionary
iss To the discipline and the teachings Of that school its
graduates whatever of las attended their military
career ..z.
beg that you will convey the Governor of New York
my most sincere but inadequate Acknowledgements for the
high honor which this day receive. If any thing
wanting to attach me firmly TO the State which be pre-
Sides any new incentive needed the punc,ua dis
charge Of every duty ii is here. With such testimonial be
would be doubly recreant who faered in any with
such reward in prospect who would press forward in
the path Of honor and make his The proud Of the
Empire State, Excelsior
THE SHIP RussIA.We have already mentioned by Tee.
graph that Dr. F. H. Knapp, of the ship Russia
Gently destroyed BY fire when two days from New Or
eans and Capt. Wilson, her commander had been arrested
at New Orleans the charge Of destroying the ship obtain
the insurance, which amounted SI35 900 various in
surance Offices in sha. CITY, They have been held bail in
the sum Of $4,000 each Dr. Knapp, said, the
person who once dentist in this city, and afterwards
started Sinpiaster shnp-Bdk Sun.
UNPoRTUNArE CAsuALTr.-In Mobile bay, on the 22d
uimo, the steamboat Indd accidentally upset and sunk