The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-13

Dsa1AAf1l Tsstiueaial.
It will be reoelleotsd By our readers, that during
the dicslties which occurred at Chsgres In October
last, small party Of returning Cslfornians wsro
PLACED IN great peril on tn: Spanish side Of the river
that place. aTSm WHICH they were relieved ~ tho
the English steamer Midway. Believing that they
owed the lives of some, if not ALL of their number to
the friendly exertions Of that gentleman, and desi
rous to express their grateful recollection Of his kind
ness, they subscribed some $500, for the manufao-
ture OF suitable piece of silver to commemorate the
service, which they commissioned Mossrs. Tiffany,
Young x Ellis to execute. This has just been oom-
eted, and can now be seen at their splendid estab
lishment in Broadway. II is in tho form of punch
bowl Of ample capacity; and tho beauty OF ITS de-
sign, elegance and appropriateness Of its embelsh-
ments, and the artistic manner in which the whole
Is executed cannot fail to give much satisfaction to
the donors, while they reflect tho greatest credit
upon those who designed and manufactured it. The
design it but proper to state, is from the pencil Of
MIR. Bernhard Christ, the talented draughtsman in
the employment of Messrs. Tiffany, Young and
Ellis, assisted by Mr.. -, also in their service.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BOWL.
1t is elegant in form, and of great size, being
seventeen inches in diameter, and sixteen inches in
height to top of cover. The lower portion repre-
sents waves of the sea, the border surrounding it
being massive rope cable On ono side of the
body Of the bowl is presented fine view of Chagros,
taken from u point exhibiting the town on both
sides of the river, the old f.rt, and the English
steamer in the distances WHILE in the foreground are
the British boats, with the national flag at their
storms, bearing the rescued passengers out of tho
river. On the other side is escutcheon, sup
ported, on one hand, by the British Lion, on the
other by the American Eagle Over all the flags
wreaths of olive, while, surrounding the whole,
branches of oak and laurel embloms Of strength and
victory, crown the ornament of the shield. Upon
the escutcheon is the following inscription
PRESENTED
CAPTAIN WILLIAM SYMONDS,
Commanding the Royal Mail steamer Midway by the
grateful remembrance of his generous assistance in
Treating them from situation of great danger,
Chagres In New Granada. the 23d day Of October,
i W, MACONDRAY, A. G. ABELL,
X. s. DORR, G. T. FOoTE,
ii. GRIMES A. 8. HALLET,
&C. HACkETT, G. b. NEWELL
I. J. HALLE.
Aquatic plants Of various kinds, spring from the
bottom Of the bowl, filling all the vacant spaces
with their leaves and stems. The brim is surround
ed with heavy hawser. Two Monsters with
their scaly tails artiscally intertwned, form each
handle and the cover, also heavily embellished
with surrounding wreath Of oak and laurel, has
for handle massive anchor, entwined with chain
cable.
The execution of the whole is magnificent and as
beautiful triumph of art, it may we'll be subject
OF just pride to The manufacturers.
IT is subject of sorrOwful regret to those who
ordered this beautiful testimonial, that the kind
hearted officer for whom it was destined did not live
to receive it. 1t will be remembered that Captain
Symonds commanded the Inflated steamer ANA.
zon, which was burned at some weeks ago, and
there is little to doubt that he persisted with
the many other victims of that sad calamity but
owing to the kind interest manifested by Mr. Robert
Bunch, H. B. M. Vice Consul for this State, the
donors have ascertained that Captain Symonds has
left wife and children, and to them this evidence
of grateful recollection of the husband and father
will be forwarded by the next Cunard steamer-Mr
Bunch having kindly undertaken to procure Trea-
sury order for its admission in England, free of
duty.
We subjoin copy of letter written to Captain
Symonds by those he aided, their arrival here in
November last, and also a letter to Mrs. Symonds,
which will accompany the testimonial.
New York. Nov. 9, 1851.
CAPT. VIM SyMoNps Royal Mail Steamer Midway
DEAR SRIn the hurry of our departure from Chagres
in the Cherokee the evening of the 23d u-the day
of the late unhappy that town-we
opportunity to express in fitting terms acknowledge
ment OF the obligations under which felt ourselves to
you.
painful position from which you relieved will bcst at
test Prisoners for many hours in the midst Of hundreds
of armed and excited demsavages exasperated to the
last degree-(and with some reason too)against our
countrymen witnesses to the slaughter of two of
passengers in the streets and the mangng of
Their in such manner that little hope OF his
covery con exist listeners to the repeatedly
expressed determination Of those who surrounded
the house in which had barcaded ourselves that not
single American should leave that side Of the river
ave-most of us without of any kind, and diff
cucs increased by the presence flour helpless
situation was, to FAY the least. unfortunate
And as the approach of night had been compelled to
remain till then, would undoubtedly have brought with
1t a more determined demonstration upon house.
have hestoton in expressing the belief that
the lives Of some not all Of party to the generou
manner in which you came to our relief on being info
ed Of the perous circumstances in which placed
For this and especially for the promptu de with which
great danger to your own ship again offer you
warmost and most heartfelt thanks and more dura
BILE testimonial e grateful recollection Of your kind
ness has been ordered shall hope you will do the
favor to accept 1t when completed designed it will be
to commemorate the service for which hold ourselves
so greatly your debtors.
BE kind enough to convey to your officers our sincere
thanks for their courtcscs towards and exertoR in
our behalf and believe that shall remain your
F. W. MACoNDRAY,
ALEX. G. ABELL,
JAS. c. HACKETT,
ALEXANDER AUSTIN,
HIRAM GRIMES,
f. GORHAM
II. s. DORR,
T. j. HALLE,
s. HALLETT,
CT. FOOTE.
q. b. NEWELL
New YoRK, April IL, 1852
My DEAN MADAM-In the month Of October last
California became greatly indebted at Chagres Capt
William Symonds for his generous exertons in rescng
them from position of great peril the accompanying
letter addressed to him in November last will explain.
DESTROYS to testify gratitude to him with something
more enduring than words, upon arrival in
this city directed the manufacture Of the piece of
silver which accompanies this letter hoping that he
would accept 1t in earnest Of our thankful remembrance
Of his friendly services.
But Providence has wilcd that he should never know
how gratefully recollect his kindness Ere this testi
monal completed and probably before the letter
above alluded to could reach him. dread calamity had
deprived you Of kind and excellent husbandus of
generous and noble hearted friend.
Believe me, madam, we have sympathized with you |
deeply in this heavy you have been called upon to
bear Not of who did not feel the sincerest grief
at learning the untimely end Of kind benefactor
and, though we well know how vain are all earthly con-
solutions for such loss, hope that 1t may prove
source Of some satisfaction to you knew that few
strangers in farrell land who perhaps indebted to
him the preservation of their lives and restoration to
those they loved grateful testimony to his possession
Of those noble qualities which adorn the character
Of an English officer and gentleman.
Since everything Providence in its inscrutabe wis