The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-11

successful &C ,omplishmeDt OF al experiment which
had been conducted cnder the superintendent aid
officers OF the navy. The experimental ship, The
Princeton, foated majesticaly on the bosom OF the
potonac, and her projector and com mander, die
tipguished not more For his valor uan for his up
bounded hospitality, had sent out cards OF invitation
Tor tese on board, comprising multitude. Never
DID the eye gaze on brighter or more aninated
than tina: which the beautiful river exhibited
during the forenoon Of that fatal day. There
aoated the ship whereon bad been concentrated
so many hopes ard anticipated joys Decked out
in trim array there waved from every rope and
yard some emblematic fag in token Of our
amity WITH an, Inc yh'ie , world while proud
head, our own beautiful banner. Numberless barges
shot out from every cove and point, loaded with
their living freight. and flew on the wings OF hope
and Joy toverds the gallant ship The decks were
soon crowded with hosr Of happy visiters. There
was but one person in that crowd who did not par
take Of the hilarity which universally prevailed,
and that exception was found in the person Of the
interesting and admired lady Of the Secretary Of The
Navy. From the moment that her foot touched the
deck Of the ship fceboding of evil took possession
OF her mind. The slightest separation from her
husband caused her inexpressible agopy. Vain we're
the efforts which were made to expel from her mind
the bcrlid spectre of the future Of that wosG day.
The pail and the shroud foated before her vision,
and she was miserable. Like Cassandra, she pro-
phesied Of evil and her prophecies were treated as
the effects of womanly tinidity and nervous excite
neDt. Tell US, you who profess to look into the IN
ture, you who claim the power to read the mys-
tefies which envelope cause and effect be-
between the troubled mind thus filed with feyersh
apprehension and the dread reality which afterwards
occursy With this exception, never was there as
sembled more joyous crowd. clOudless sky added
TO the hrlancy of the scene. The anchor ia weigh.
ed and the ship moves with majestic grace the
dimpled " aters; at length her large experimental
guns tired, and the immense range OF the pom
deions balls seemed TO realize all that the valorous
Stockton had fo.etold OF their power The ship i
returning to her anchorage and the feast is nearly
ended. Abel p Upshur has added 70 its zcst by the
cbams Of bis conversation and the brilliant flashes
OF bis wit. Thomas w. Gilmer, intent on the intl-
mate knowledge OF her material aad structure. haa
visited every part OF the ship and mastered the
entire fabric. The song sill prevails and patriotic
sentiments abound. The gallant commander and
U2shur and Gilner are no longer az the table Or in
the cabin. They have assembled 10 the De k acc I'M
panied by few friends. The Secretary of the
Navy desires once more TO witness the effect of
discharge from one OF the guns, and the cap
tsn proceeds 70 comply with his wishes. The
crowd below is in utter ignorance OF what is passing
above loud report is 1T length heard, and does not
at the moment arrest the song and merry jest;
mysterious whisper at last reaches the crowd;
anxiety, to be soon succeeded by dism3y, prevails
The upper deck is reached aud there lies sealed in
death and already wrapped in the folds OF that flag
which wss never looked upon by then while in NE
without imparting 20 their patriotic hearts quick
ened pulsation, the two eminent secretaries aud
a son Of this Commonwealth, Com. Kennon, had 80
often courted danger on the ocean aud had won the
Commodore's flag by gallant service, and ~ the
time presided over an important bureau. While
Virginia mourns over the remains of her
noble sons, Maryland bends in solemn
wee over her gifted Maxcy, and New York laments
the death Of her talented and accomplished Gardi-
rer. Joy is turned into mourning. The morning,
so bright and cloudess, is succeeded by an evening
Of deep gloom and sorrow. The muIfed drum, the
solemn toll Of the bell the loud and dismal peal OF
the minute gun, announced to the country the sad
tidiDgs of death and woe. There are two vacant
seats at the Cabinet Board the following morning
Upshur and Gilmer have fallen like two stars struck
from their spheres" will not dwell on the funeral
beyond its influence so far as memory will lie: me
ron the map OF Virginia there are imprinted two
names which will remain there so long as her own
name shall be known among men. They are those
OF Upshur and Gimer, as descriptive OF two valua-
BILE and fertile countries MontEsenf,m pcrenEis.l
Thus in the course Of eight months, three mem
bers Of the executive branch OF the government had
passed away each shining light aud at moments
the field of battle there IL but little time left tc weep
over the loss OF friends who have fallen while gal
lan,ly leading on the charge; The pas.iionate ex
from his lips when Napoleon 70 be Informed OF
the death Of DeSsaix, who, by seasonable aad gal
liant charge, changed the fortune Of the day, Of
oh, why have net time 70 weep" Is, TO some
extent, applicable TO the war Of factions. Action,
constant action. Is often urgently necessary. but
when the war is over the nory dwells upon the
virtues of those who have fallen aud opens up all the
sources Of grief. And who now can visit the graves
OF Lcgare and Upshur and Gilper without emotion
and deep sorrow.
The place OF Judge Upshur was filed ad interim
by Mr.. Nelson, distinguished son o. Maryland
who still lives the charm Of the social circle
aud bright ornament of tho bar, who, upon the
death Of Mr. Legare, had been appointed ~
torney General. To dill the statoa permit
nently attention was immediately directed 10 that
distinguished Southern Statesman, who hal for 50
long time performed 2 conspicuous part In the
great drama Of politics, aud who's claim for intel
lectua superiority over oil rivals IL 10y improperly
maintained. lie had some time before Withdrawn
from public lie, and reposel opon the laurels al
ready won at his quiet retreat in the State OF his
ma vitv. lie was nominated without previous con-
sultation with him, and the day OF his nomination
witnessed his confirmation ny the unanimous vote
OF the Senate. No whisper Of discomfort was heard
In the Senate chamber, at the appointment but his
accession was seemingly hailed with joyful a..
claim by nll men. When ] entered the House Of
Representatives. in 1916 IL, Mr.. Calhoun had az
qnired high reputation b. hs brilliant displays on
the ioor OF the house Of which he was stiI mem.
Der and competed with Mr.. Clay, who was then Speak.
en- Tor the leadership OF the commons. Gcfone the
close OF Congress he was called by Mr.. Monroe ~
the head Of the War Department In which station
be e. hibted an administrative talent Of the highest
order We had become partially estrangcl from
each other by reason OF the difference OF vicA in
regard 10 the election Of $50, and before his nc.
tifemcnf from TIE senate Onr intercourse consisted
merely in the interchange OF ordnlry civilities
Ny letter inviting him 10 seat III the Cabinet for
the list time informed him OF the pending nego.
tiaton for the annexation OF Texas. toe knOwle
of which had been conhned 70 NJ. Upshur NJ.
Nelson and Mr.. Van Zandt, under injuncsJns OF
profound sccresy, arising from the appresensons
OF a formal protest from Great Britain and France
which might have involved Consequences Of -
iioUs import. lie vas particularly urged to come
TO tho aid Of the administration for the
adiussucpt Of the Oregon boundary then m
open question. and he doubtless saw In the adjust
ment OF that question wreath OF fame az
bright a. that WITH which Mr.. Webster had cncir.
clcd bis brow in the adjustment OF that Of the north
east. The same patriotic envoy who was the repre-.
sentative OF this country for the time OF the earle
negotiation was still at London, and had placed
The government, "a have before said in possession
Of the terms on which Great Britain would probably
le inclined 70 settle the Oregon boundary. | con.
fess 70 an anxious desire az that tine 10 close my
residence in Washington by the Consolidation OF the
peaceJf the two countries, thrsggh the adjust nent
Of hctonly open question Of moment existing al IN II
Ir... sb.ss a 10