Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-01
,The Last of the BIannerhassetts.
The eloquence of William Writ, and the

The eloquence of William Writ, and the
memorable conspiracy of Aaron Burr, made
the name of Herman Blannerhassett as fa-
millar as household word to the people Of
this country some forty years ago. His
fame, misfortunes and history, embalmed
in the gorgeous eloquence of Writ, are still
familiar to many. But whilst every de-
clamatory school-boy recites with a voice
alternating from a shrill treble to hoarse
growing bass the glowing extract from the
gifted orators famous speech upon the oc-
casion of Burr's Trial. none perhaps ever
enquired the fate of the noble Irishman af-
ter the failure of Burr's great conspiracy.
When the treachery, heartlessness and vii
lainy of Burr had destroyed poor Blanner-
hassett's almost Edenlke palatial home on
the Ohio, and involved the unsuspecting
/ owner in his degradation and ruin, few IN
quired his fate and subsequent history.
Herman Blannerhassett all of our readers
will perhaps recollect was the son Of an
Irish nobleman who emigrated to this coun'
1try in 1897. Possessed of ample means,
he purchased beautiful island on the Ohio
river, and expended nearly hundred thou
sand dollars in the erection of an edifce re-
markable for its almost Aladdin beauty Of
decorations and proportions. The orna-
mental grounds in their beauty, and floral
and horticultural ornaments, rendered Blan-
nerhassett's residence an earthly paradise.
Surrounded by all the appliances of the
most refined luxury, with magnificent Ii
brary, costly furniture, superb paintings,
blessed by the society of refined wife and
intelligent children, his wealth and pros
perity excited the admiration and envy Of
all who glided by his residence upon the
waters of the Ohio. Seduced by the eo-
quence of Burr, Blannerhassett, at an un-
fortunate moment, became the confdante
of Burr; and was as that persons accom-
plice, arrested, conveyed to Richmond cast
into prison, but discharged, after the ac-
quittal of the principal consplrator.
The pecuniary embarrassments of Ban.
nerhassetts pressing heavily upon him, he
was forced to sell his magnificent palace
and estate, and misfortune logged his foot-
steps, until he died in Ireland in 1928, tro-
ken hearted and almost pauper. His
wife and only surviving son returned TO
New York in the year 1881, in very re-
duced circumstances. The mother died
many years ago, and until few weeks
since, the world had forgotten the once ia
nous Blannerhassett, and his family.
The following history of the son of Blan-
| oh M lu
reliable source, illustrates with melancholy
force the strange and remarkable revolu-
tions of the wheel of fortune, in elevatlng
the lowly, and also in crushing the children
of the rich in the mlres of the Slough of
Despond.
A few charitable ladies short time
since, visited the Five Points In New York
that most horrible of modern Alsatias,-
upon an errand of mercy. Here among
the lowest. the vilest, the most wretched
of Gods creatures, in damp, low, unfur-
nished comfortless room, they found a
delicate, refined looking old man, destitute
of every comfort Of life, without sufficient
bread or clothing, forced to associate with
the most ruffianly and unprincipled of the
population of New York. He was the only
child of the once wealthy and distinguish
ed Blapnerhassett. The son of the man
who had sci up merchants ,patronized litera-
ture and the fine arts, and been courted
and honored by thousands, who had united
with Burr 70 conquer an empire, was found
almost starving in cellar in the vilest
portion of New York. One alone had
proved faithful to the last Of the Banner
hassetts-one alone clung to the last spar
of shipwrecked, broken, forgotten family.
An old negro woman, aslave of Herman
Blannerhassett. in the days of his prosper
ity, who had held young Blannerhassett
in her arms, when lis father was the afflu-
ent gentleman and associate of Burr-was
found by the SaHaritans who visited hel
master devotlng all of her remaining
strength to her feeble and helpless master
Forgotten by lhe world, this faithful slave
afforded to the son of the celebrated Blan-
nerhassett-what the world had denied
hlm-bread, and an humble roof to protect
him from the inclemency ola Northern
winter. What moral does this point Of
the instability and uncertainty of worldly
wealth and position--the only surviving
son of Blann erhassett perishing almost fol
want of ths necessaries of life, in Five
Points, and supported by the exertions of a
faithful negro !-RichmOnd Dispatch.
7 SPIRITUAL MAMFEsTATIoNs.-- the
House of Representatives, Friday, the Hon
Mike Walsh created not little merriment
by rising to privileged question, and ask.
ing whether it was proper for distinguished
members of that body to be seeking infor.
nation by communications with the spirit
world on the subject of the Nebraska bill
He said he had understood rule had been
adopted by the House excluding the intro.
duction of spirituous liquors from the Capi.
tol and he wished to know whether, in the
face of this rule, 1t was in order for mem
bers to introduce the spirits down stairs to
consult them on the question now pending
before the Senate, and which has already
created great deal of excitement in the
public mind.
On inquiry Off congressional believer in
the spiritual phenomena, we learn that
the alluson of Mr.. Walsh was to an assem-
blaee of upwards of thirty members, in one
of the committee.rooms of the Capitol on
Wednesday night, to witness the performan-
ces of two men from the north, one of whom
processes to be writing and the other a
rapping medium. The subject of Nebraska
was introduced among other proceedings.
and "ghost" indirectly foretold the defeat
Of the bill i IF the exhibition answered no
other purpose, 1t served to amuse the COM
pany of honorable gentlemen; several of
whom have been communicating with the