The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-09
Tribute OF Respect 60 the Memory OF Liou-
tenant Commanding William p. Near
thur. United States Navy.


thur, United States Navy.
Intelligence having reached Washington city o
the death at Panama, ON the 23d December last, o
l Lieutenant Commanding WILLIAM p. MACARTHUR
U. s. N, assistant in the Coast Survey, the civil
ians and officers of the army and navy on coas
| survey service, met at the office on "wednesday
the 9Th instant, pay the tribute of respect due
his memory.
The meeting being called to order, mo-
| ton of Lieutenant CHARLES III. McBLAIR, u. S. N.
seconded by Lieutenant maxwell WoopHuLL, U
is. N, ALEXANDER DALLAS BAcHE, IL. d., Su.
perntendent, was called to the chair, and Lieuten
ant THoRsroN A. JENKINS, U. $. N, appointed
| secretary.
| Professor BAcHE addressed the meeting as fol-
lows:
We are met here, as you all know, to nay mel
| anchoy tribute of friendship and respect to one
| who was dear to us all-dear a brother to many
| of US. Instead of greeting his arrival among
we had fondy hoped, in health, in the full flush Of
| success, we meet to mourn together over his loss
| from our band. The work which he has accom-.
plished will live forever. Surrounded by circum-
| stances the most difficult, perhaps, which ever
tried the consancy, the judgment, the resources OF
any photographer, he vanquished circumstances.
His reconnaissance of the western coast, from Mon
terey to Columbia river, and his preliminary sur
vey there, were made in spite ofdeseron, and even
mutny; in despite OF the inadequacy Of means to
meet the truly extraordinary circumstances of the
country. Happy that in his officers he had friends
devoted to him and to their duty, especially happy
in the officer next to him in the responsibilities OF
the work.
Frustrated by an attack of fever Of malignant
type, contracted while preparing his vessel for sea,
Lieutenant Macarthur nevertheless persisted in vol
| unteering for the charge of the photographed
party on the western coast. subsequent relapse
did not abate his determination to enter pio-
neer upon this arduous service, trying alike to his
powers of mind and body. Steady in the midst of
tavc ba I-id he
| mand success. Selling the peculiar wants of the
photography Of that coast, he applied all his
giles to supply them. The gratitude Of his fellow
citizens there is already his; the praise of new
country the resources of which he had aided in de-
vcoping.
He has been called away just as his wishes were
realized, ample means provided, and the first and
worst difficulties overcome In his letters and
ports he urged strongly the necessity for enlarged
appropriations, and for steam vessel for the hy
biography His last letters from this Office brought
him news that both his wishes were grati6ed, and
called him home to make the enlarged arrange
ments for continuing his work. The arrival of Mr..
Cuts with instructions, as late as the beginning OF
October, confirmed the necessity of his return, and
he took passage in the steamer Oregon, commanded
by his friend, Lieutenant Patterson.
An attack Of dysentery Frustrated him COM
pletely and from this in spite of the best medical
attendance, of such nursing and attendance only
the circumstances to which have referred could
insure he rallied but for time, and sunk to his
final rest before he could be landed at Panama.
His remains were consigned to foreign soil, to be
brought, let hope, to his country where all his
| affections centred
He has not lived in vain. His name will ever be
bright in the annals of our Survey, whether in the
more usual labors on our Atlantic coast or as the
pioneer on the shores of the Pacific. Always ad-
vancing as life advanced-thc last his browning
work.
Professor BAcHE having concluded his remarks,
Lieut.. WARRINGTON A. BARTLETT, U. S. NJ, arose
and said:
Mn. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN: After the ap-
propriae and feeling remarks of the chairman, it
unnecessary for me to add more than to say that
when left Captain Macarthur the western
coast he was in excellent health and buoyant spi-
rts, in view of what had been, and what he hoped
yet to accomplish. 1t was my good fortune to be
long associated with him, and that association
| caused me to love him as brother. will not de-
tain you, but offer the following resolutions for
your consideration.
l. Resolped That the civilians and officers of the
my and navy engaged on the United States Coast
Survey, now assembled in Washington have re-
ceived with feelings Of deep emotion the melan-
choly intelligence Of the death of Lieut.. Command
ing WIN. P. MACARTHUR, U. s. Navy, Assistant in
the Coast Survey and that in his sudden and un-
expected deccase the navy has lost of its most
gallant and accomplished officers, and the Coast
Survey one of it's most zealoua and efficient la
bsrers.
2. Resolved, That the successful reconnaissance
of the western coast of the United States, from
Monterey to Columbia river, and the prelimi-
nary survey Oh the entrance 10 the &C
complished under the most peculiar and extraor-
binary difficulties, while they proofs of his
conquerablc energy, determination, and SKILL have
| forever identified the name of WIN. p. McARTHuR
with the progress of the Republic in the West.
3. ResoIced, That most sincerely sympathize
with the bereaved and afflicted family of our
generous and warm hearted friend in their ire
parable loss, and commend the widow and orphans
to the gratitude of the Republic to whose service
| the husband and father ardently devoted
| throughout his life.
| 4. RESOLVED, That Professor A. D. Bache, Super
intendent of the United States Coast Survey; Bre-
vet Major J. j. Stevens, of the United States Engi-
| neers; Lieutenant NJ. Woodruff, of the United
States Navy; Mr. J. J; Ricketts,. Of the United
States Coast Survey, and Passed Midshipman r.
| nj. Cuyler of the United States Navy, be n com
mittee to take the necessary measures to have
erected, in the Congressional burying ground, a
| suitable monument commemorative OF the SER
vices and virtues OF the deceased.
5. Resoiped, That copy of these resolutions be
communicated to the Navy and Treasury Depart
ments, with a request that they be placed on the
files, and also to the family of the deceased, and
6. R1eolped, That the officers of the Coast Sur
| vey wear badge Of mourning for thirty days
in further testimony Of their regard for the memo
ry of the late Lieutenant Commanding WILLIAM
p. MACARTHUR.
| Major STEVENS, in seconding the resolutions, ad
dressed the meeting as follows:
| rise, Mr. Chairman, in the name of one of tho
|
tribute to the memory of Lieut.. McARTHUR. car
add nothing to the remarks that have been already
made. simply propose to pay tribute of feeling
and respect
| 1t was not my fortune to know Lieut.. McARTHur
personally. But feel that know him well through
| his works. They hold up his character as worthy
| of all respect and admiration. In prosecuting hi
| labors on the Pacific shore he exhibited constan
cy, energy, and a rare force of command which
enabled him TO triumph over almost insuperabl'
difficulties. These qualities would have made hin
conspicuous in any career. He possessed all thu
elements of the heroic spirit. Trials which bowee
| down the strength of strong men gave his feeble
| frame almost superhuman strength; and he &C
complished, in the midst of sickness and physca
depression, of mutiny and desertion, labors tina
those most highly favored by health and appliance
would have shrunk from. His example oPpeolo Il
as with irresistible force. How can we yield to de
spondcncy witnessing his lion heart accomplishing
its great purposes-giving vigor to worn GU
| frame, and snatching success from the elements o
| defeat?
| McARTHUR was an ornament to both services will
| which he connected-to that larger service
the profession of his youth, in which he took such
pride; and to that other service to which his ma