The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-10

Britannia docs not Rule the Waves-Th
Progress or the Model Republic, SC.

ETO&rCsS Oh INC mOueA TNepuUklc, CSCs
Last evening presentation of testimonial made
to Mr. George Steers constructor Of the yacht America
that whipped everything Of British mould in their
own waters The presentation accompanied by
dinner given at Metropolitan Hall The appointed hour
six O'Clock, but dinner not the table till
twenty minutes past seven o'clock There about
three hundred gentlemen present, and band Of music
tended to eniven the proceedings.
At the back of the head table, in the centre was the
following inscription sc New Yorl-the skin of her
nsval architects acknowledged" On either side Of this
Webb" The folds of the American and English flags
completed the decorations OF this end of the roon At
the opposite end was banner, having the words,
Robert Fulton, IN very large letters surrounded by
festoonery Of the stripes and stars
Mr. John Dimon Of the firm Of Smith s Dimon, ship
evening Mr. George Steers Mr.. B:ady Postmaster Of
New York, W H. Brown, Mr.. S. Draper, Mr.. T. X. Col
lns Mr. Tomn'on; on the left George Law, Mg. Smith
the body Of the room We observed John McKeon, late
District Attorney Mr. Davies late Counsel to the corpo
ration, MIR. Durham, of the Arcbimedes Works ex Alder
IAN James Kelly. Captain French, &c sc
AS econ as the company were shown from the ante
room into the dining hall,
Mr. GEORGE LAW said Gentlemen I em happy to see
that such an interest has been taken in matter of so
much i'm portance to the country The present century
is one to which the peculiar excellence Of naval archi
lecture owes its fame II has grown with the growth Of
the country all that has been deserving Of pride
apa whch We have 80 MGoS reason to admire belongs
to the present century AS our nation got strength this
branch Of ical pursuits grew to its present state
Of practical superiority During our struggle for indie
peDdence it is well known that the facility bringing
the means from England which DESTROYS of tramp
ling upon but frs and imperfect; and through
these nperfectiops on her part enabled to de-
veope cur were enabled to contend with
their power, and to push conquests till liberty
was gained Gentlemen, we owe to the mechanics
debt ofgratude-w to them muck of that CONNER
cia greatness as nation which We enjoy for without
that sk in ucting the ships in which
is distributed throughout the world, should indeed
know hut little of our present greatness which
epjoy In that particular pursuit. When the Worlds
Fair was announcedwhen that invitation went abroad
when every pursuit invited to present there the
fruits 81 lis labor and produce the results Of skill
sciences then it was that an occasion occurred for our
mechanics IN naval architecture to evince theirs and
the young man who had grown up with the growth of
the upper part Of our city, whose boyhood days
which were turned to such good account while others
probably were locking upon bis attention of
Quelce stood forward at thst time 1t might be well for
to look with respect and regard those children who
are now perhaps neglected. for in their minds the great
are those standiDg beside me, who know we'll from hs
infancy Mr. George Steers (Appause know how his
skill was acqured-t fron constructing boats,
well as from sailing and from the practical skill which
be thus acquired from both these combined Some Of
Our citizens desired TT that time when this invitation
wei forth TO the world in 1851 that there should be
present in the English waters trial of skill In naval
architecture, ard Mr.. George Steers tbs man who
selected to build craft for that purpose Mr. VIM.
Brown was the person who entered into the contest
(Appause) The constru ion Of this vessel
to Mr. Steers and from the frst line which was
lsid down IN the mould until the sails aud rigging
put upon the vessel all entrusted to Mr. George
Steers. (Applaue) The vessel was built; she took her
departure from these shores in August she crossed from
here to HsvTe. after passage OF twenty days;
From Hav1e she went to Cowes, and there remained
established her excellence. (Cheers) AS soon abe
arrived in the English waters, end believe, on her
Havre, Notwithstanding their de,ire to hold her in
check yet so much Of her qualities had evnced them
selves that The knowledge won't from the pilot to the
Ingh Yacht Club, and trial of speed on the waters
could be made no tIal of tkill could be had till the
regatta took place, and the Queens cup which free
70 all natiens according to the rules CT the club spened
the door and admitted her to berth The result Of
tbs is known 70 you a She started IN the
Fix Eilss, passed them al lchsers) The port
! TO which they ran and returned was sixty
lies and the di,tancs wbiob she Geat them was
some sever eight miles After this her
tabthed anG tlese Iothiug further to be doue.
Mr. George steers IN the mean time, returned to this
county. am happy u that my worthy friend Who
Low star DIS before (r u. X Ccins) invited him to
return ir one & his ships Yes it was in one of the
Collins line of steamers which have done to
vance tie Jane at the country that worthy friend
sent en- inv tation. and insisted that the American
but what We are grathd ats that they returned the
ard hundred more bat we say. do not take
iron US our shipwriahts Leave them, and
be made, and when the prize is to be you may
be sure That the stars and stripes aud the American
eagle, will h'at tiunphautly to the winds AS evi.
d-rce 6f gratitude that lost nothing but the ship,
We have prepare here presentation testimonial IF
tie e iinH1ioI in which regard the man who con
.tucttd iis yacht and acquired this triumph fer our
county! We have prepared here two pitchers sal
ard two gcbl.t to be presented r Steere and
trust vetha all feel pleasure in drinking his health
when the opportunity arrives Ard now Mr George
Sieers il pr.s.npg them TO you behalf OF the
nttee token Of our high regard and of our estima.
uoL for ysr sir az mechanic and u man. trust sir
you VIII accept tber at our hands and that is the highest
! honor we Wish so receive
Mr.. STEERS who il audible. and seemed completely
oNepCwtred by his ee rs il timated the profound
tinept Eiatituae which filed his heart this
sjop and rendered him utterly incapable Of rendeTing
he thtIks in words He was gratied and thankful for
| this n shfeststion
| TIE pitchers tors the following inscription -
frne nted to George Steers Esq, as testimonial Of
respeatfor bis mechanical skill evinced in the
siueIion OF tic yacht America
COMMITTEE.
Elk Collins Thomas Durham,
George Law. Wm II Webb.
John DinOp, Peter X STEELE,
james Murphy, Henry Dnnham
J..K. Star ton Andrew X. Mickle
Jimea Kelly. Emanuel b Hart,
1hopas stack u b Boerum
'.e'' a "'''rV''' JOHN p l;Sss d nonIsr
in. STANTON, sereIary
DeceTt,r, ISL
TIE company then sat down TO dinner and ample Jus.
tee Iavi Z ceen done to the viands
Ire PEisrptNr gave the FIRST toast follows -" The
President q the United states-a beloved by
counted ors longing enjoy with US The sacred ard
ne ainabe blessings Freedom Of Speech, Freedom Of
the P1es, Free Suffrage. ard all the rights OF to
seli.goyeiLm.Dt Mig sic--The Prendentp March.
~. toast vas duly honorcd
The nez. cast VAS The yacht America and her
yeuig designer her proud scl his genius
and tntitit him 10 nome, which, like hers speaks
itself Music-Star spanged Banner.
Mr. TutopoRfl TonsliNsoN r. piled on the part of Mr.
Steers rs olloMt Yes ntiemen, the yacht America
aLd her young designer Mr. steers WI only years
Of to This city central city OF the Western
world ard Which ~ Desired to be the commercial
centre q all the world HE IA her ship wright
his brothers were u psrigbs SO that his succesa w not
the success attfibu able TO chance. We cd look
for It's source in accident fortune. or patrc nage-it
sprung from labor Tie studied by night aud dreamed
~ day ~ the great ships witch 20 down
wren hftn years OF he askeo his father If he might
plt beat his fatt.r gave him b consent, aud he
rlaDn,d L,at. sId its Mar tin Van Buren, and
u oltst1ipped al its con petitOrh Agein be planned
row Beat and as re VAS moving IN her the
waters. he the yacht OF j q stevens who
ISi'u and asked TIE name ct his boat lie answered
atd gave tbe nsnc arG Nh Stevens presented tim with
colaJs and that rowto0t hs przs lie built the
u tie Una hich In sli III bat one
wen he prize: lie bnilC Wag6taif and the Moses H.