Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-10
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

THE VETERANS or 1917. The Convention Of del
sgates of the soldiers engaged in the last war with
Great Britain, again met yesterday morning, at teI
o'clock, in the first Presbyterian church.
The proceedings were opened with prayer by tho
Rev. Mr.. Westbrook, Of New York, who, IL wa
said, served as chaplain during the war.
Colonel Baldwin, Of New York, offered the iol
lowing resolution:
Resolved That there be appointed committee
consisting OF one member fbom each State anc
Territory 10 be selected by the delegates from the
States and Territories, respectively, and 70 be con
brmed by the convention, whose duty-t shall be
10 examine the bill pending before Congress fol
the relief Of the veterans of the Of 1912, anc
10 propose such amendments as they may think
necessary and to urge the passage OF the bill by
Congress.
A debate ensued. An old soldier from Ohio, a
native Of Maine, warmly advocated the passage Of
the resolution. He expected to stay in the city for
some time, to attend to bill for his relief which
had passed one House or the other three or four
times, but never got through both during the same
Congress II the present Congress, he remarked,
shall not now pass such a measure as the Conven-
ton desire there win be one next year that will,
take his word for 1t. II essential there should
be committee here TO look after the old soldiers
bill, for, without q committee they would be like
the old Dutchmsn, wen he ish gone, den dey for
git him" Laughter.
II was said In the course Of conversation, that
the Committee for this District had already been
attending TO the subject.
Gen. Leslie Coombs remarked he had been here
for seven years to see to an unquestionabe claim,
but be had never debased himself by asking any
member to vote for it, He had, however, shown
that he was about. He acted as most successful
constable In Kentucky did. The officer was great
sufferer laughter and when he saw debtor
he stood on and looked him right in the face. The
debtor would Immediately take. the hint, and say,
You wait your money; here 1t isl" 1t would be
well 10 keep committee here to look at the mem
bcrs, and rattle shot at them.
The President said he intended to stay here,
whether others do or not. voice, "You must
look II 'em, Judge" Ha! ha
Ex-Governor Ritner, Of Pennsylvania, asked
whether there were any soldiers present who served
In the brigade commanded by General Richard
Crooks, and who served under General Harrison.
He knew Of two or three only: Samuel Bias and
himself The brigade consisted Of twenty-five hun
dred Pennsylvanians. He then proceeded to relate
some OF the incidents Of the war in the West, and
explained why they were prevented from taking
Fort Maiden. There was a mistake of the head
and not Of the heart in the arrangements for that
purpose In the course of his remarks, he said it
had been his fortune to preside over many conven-
tons and deliberativc bodies, but he had never be-
fore seen the same number Of men who presented
az respectable an appearance MS his brethren in
arms now present.
The ex-governor was reminded that there was a
third person In the church who served with him,
and fourth afterwards proclaimed that he was
along too. lie said that In that brigade there were
honorable judges and doctors, and at least gov
ernor. Major Bias was a high private at that time.
An were privates. was private.
Al this point, large and beautiful silk national
flag was brought into the church. As soon as il
had been placed in the pulpit three cheers were
given, in salutation the delegates rising. And
then three times three. Nor were the cheers in
whispers, but were given loudly.
This flag was presented to the New York sol
diers Of the war Of 1912, while they were in ses-
sion at Fonda, by the ladies of Albany.
Capt VIM. Taylor rose, saying he did not be-
leve the delegates were called here to tell long
stories, but for the elevation of the poor soldiers
ofthe country. He wanted something practical.
In New York they had organized sick committees
10 visit the alms-houses, and 10 ascertain the
Der of Veterans who were there sheltered. He
hoped that similar societies would be formed
throughout the country keep the old soldiers from
starvation, by raising funds and administering the
necessary relief There are In the New York
Of the old soldiers dies II there Is nobody TO give
him decent burial, money Is collected for that pur
pose, and his companions In arms follow his re-
mains to the tomb with the honors of war They
give him decent burial whether he is pauper or
not.
He said he served at Baltimore In 1912, and was
member OF the bloody twenty -sevcnth regiment.
He attributed the burning of the city of Washing
ton 10 the Vaccinations Of the Hartford conven-
Tkas x.ha L.x.. ~. ant
here whipped the British away from Baltimore.
Finding they could make no impression there, the
Enelsh went 10 New Orleans, where General Jack
son gave them severe fogging.
The captain said he had likewise served In the
Mexican war, and produced proof Of this--a medal
voted TO him by the corporation Of the city Of New
York.
The resolution Of Colonel Baldwin was unsni.
mously adopted.
Coioncl Tod and other gentlemen addressed the
convention In soulstirring terms.
il was resolved that the members Of the conven-
ton viii proceed TO Mount Vernon at nine o'clock
this morning.
Votes Of thanks were returned TO the President
Of the United States, the president and officers Of
the Convention and Others.
IL was resolved that this Convention shall reas-
semble In this city on the sth Of January, 1856.
By vote OF the Convention, George r. Roberts,
man Of color, from Baltimore, was requested 10
make statement Of his experience during the war
oflsi2-lA He did 80, In an earnest and impress
ave manner relating the incidents Of his captivity
and condemnation 20 death by the British Of his
exchange and return home, and Of his subsequent
services under the celebrated pnvstcer commander,
Captain Thomas Boyle, Of Baltimore. His recital
was received with applause.
There 10 to be q meeting tomorrow, At the Ma
tional Hotel, with view 20 carry out the objects
for which the Convention was held
The larger number Of the delegates have LEFT the
city for their homes
PIcErocKErs.--In addition TO the cases which
We mentioned yesterday, Of pocket picking, we
learn that Mrs Rowe, of Georgetown, had her
pocket picked, and Mrs. Blair, also Of Georgetown.
The latter lady's pocket was picked In the large
omnibus, which was running on that day. Her
port-monnsie was taken, togcthersith the contents
The old soldier who was swindlcd out Of 600
by two rascals upon the "pstcnt safe gsme,- yc--