Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-13
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

to publish the following report from an ofhcer
of the United States Revenue Marine, which
demonstrates most eloquently and forcibly the
great benefit resulting from the system of
using the Revenue Cutters of the Government
as relief ships on our inclement and dangerous
coasts, in the winter, when their services can
be spared to make the hazardous and gallant
voyages incident to such efforts in the cause
OF humanity. Surely no one interested in
commerce on the ocean can fail to appreciate
TIE debt of gratitude due from merchant ship
owners, masters and crews, to the Secretary
OF the Treasury, to whom the country is in
debted for the initiation and successful prose
oution of this new system Of employing the
vessels under the Treasury Departments
orders during the season of disastrous ship
wrecks upon the coats of the United States.
The report is dated U. s. Revenue Cutter
Caleb Cushing, Harbor Of Portland, Maine,
March 5th, 1885," and is as follows:
Sir: 1 have the honor to report the arrival
of this vessel ut this anchorage this morning,
at 2 a. m. Cape Elizabeth Lights, bearing
north four miles, it being very dark and
cloudy, heard loud and piercing cries appa-
rently coming from persons in distress, i'm
mediately dispatched an officer and six men
in the direction Of the sound. At q IN. the
boat returned on board, having taken from
the rigging the first officer and five seamen
of the bark David Nichols of Searsport Me-,
Capt. f. G. Sweet, with cargo Of molasses, for
Portland. They reported that the vessel was
going eight knots, and striking some floating
ice which proved to be very thick, she was
cut through, and sank Immediately in nine
fathons Of water. They also reported that
the captain, second officer, and one seaman
had succeeded in getting on some planks
which were found drifting about the vessel,
with the hope of reaching the shore.
L Immediately dispatched boat in search
OF them. A 4.3O, a. m, the boat returned,
having succeeded in finding the second officer
and seaman. They were found in the ice,
which was drifting in large quantities around
them. The Captain had fallen through the
ice and persisted. Four Of the men, one much
frosted, during the day, remained around the
wreck, and succeeded in saving part of her
sails and rigging At 4, p. m, recovered the
body of the captain and took it on board.
Ata, p: m got under weigh, and have run
into this port. So soon as the men and IN ate
rlals saved can be landed, 1 will Immediately
90 to sea again.
=. L am, sir, with high respect, your most obe-
dent servant,
GREEN WALDRoN, Capt. U. s.. RIM.
Hon. j. Guthrie, Sec ry Of the Treas'y, &c.
The Caueus.-The Republican mana gers
in Congress are chagrined ever their want of
success in the result of their caucus convened
in the House hall on Tuesday night last
They hoped that they would have roped in
more or less of the National Know Nothings,
to 60 there and pledge themselves to support
any candidates for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency who may be nominated by the
Republican party. They had previously
bagged Messrs. Campbell, Purviance, Todd
and one or two others, of Pennsylvania, and
Messrs. Pelton and Wakemap, of New York
elected rather as American-party men thar
as anti-slaveryites, and expected fully to Sc
cure at least half a dozen more. But thei,
g haul' was dry one. Not an additional
soft or green" customer fell into the meshes
of their net; and what was worse, it was
found that nearly dozen of those who voted
for Mr.. Banks, took occasion to make it plair
that they are not going to act in the fall with
the Republican organization These gentle.
men having already seen quite enough fol
their shilling, not only failed to attend, but
gave as their reason for SO doing their want
of Identification or sympathy with the new
party for whose benefit the caucus was called
The FIREARMS Men.-Among those from q
distance now in Washington, are an unusually
large number of gentlemen interested in pat
ent arms; the consideration in Congress Of
the bill to increase the efficiency Of the army
which proposes to expend considerable sun
in improved fire arms, having attracted them
hither. They have, among them, a do1er
different kinds Of rifles, muskets, pistols, &C.,
nearly sll of them being decided improve
ments on the arms low in use in the public
service. An inspection Of their samples show.
that We are advancing quite as rapidly in the
art of killing as in any other art whatever
The difficulty will be in deciding which o.
the very many decided improvements will be
most available for the public service The
class Of persons who have them in charge, arc
famous for carrying smooth tongues in their
heads, and are generally able to argue, each
In favor of his own gun, as astutely as any
Philad.lphia lawyer, for his client The Wa,
Department and the House and Senate Com.
mittees on Military Affairs may make up
their minds to undergo a cross fire ordeal from
them, almost as much to be dreaded as a crose.
FIRE from their several patent weapons.
The Case Of DR.. Simons.-The reader will
find on the outside of the Star of this date,
sundry afidavits bearing on the case of DR..
simons, lately dismissed from the army in ac-
cerdance with the decision of court martial,
for leaving his post during the prevalence of
cholera there. 1t is to be regretted that the
evidence embraced in these afidayits was not
fore the court martial, whose action made
it obligatory under the circumstances, on the
President, to sever the connection of DR.. S.
with the army. No gentleman connected with
it has larger circle of personal friends, all
OF whom retain their confidence in him as a