Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-21
Visit Of the President and Secretary Of the
Navy to Annapolis

II.
bin, Secretary of the Navy, Captain Ingra-
ham, and Sidney Webster, Esq, arrived at
Annapolis by the evening train of cars on
Friday. The President was received at the
depot by a committee Of citizens and con
Quoted to the Senate chamber, where he was
formally welcomed to the city by Mr.. Murray,
Commissioner Of the Maryland Land Office.
President Pierce replied in brief, pertinent,
and neatly worded address, which was warm
ly applauded. The citizens then awaited
themselves of the opportunity to exchange
salutations with and receive introductions to
the President, and also Mr. Secretary Dobbin,
both Of whom were very cordially greeted by
those present. The hero of the Kosta affair,
as well as Mr.. Sidney Webster, also received
polite attentions.
At night the President and Secretary of the
Navy were the guests of Capt. L. M. Colds
borough, commandant of the Naval Academy,
at brilliant ball given in the Academy build.
ings.
At about 9 o'clock Saturday morning the
President and the Secretary Of the Navy, ac-
companied by Gov. Ligon and party, visited
the Naval Academy, and were appropriately
received by Commander Goldsb orough with
school Of 120 pupils drawn up in infantry line.
The official salutes were fired from the guns
of the shore battery and from the Preble,
which ship was gorgeously decorated with
about a hundred flags and streamers
At 12t o'clock, the morning train of cars ar
rived with large number of members of
Congress- heads of bureaus, and other invited
guests, with quite number of ladies, to visit
the Merrimac. Among them were several
Senators, Mr.. Speaker Banks, Mr. Faulkner,
and several members of the press. Judges
Legrand and Mason, of the Court OF Appeals,
and the Hon. Anthony Kennedy, Senator elect,
were also present.
Preparations were Immediately made for the
visit to the Merrimac, which had arrived at
her anchorage off the mouth of the harbor
early in the morning, and now formed a beau
tiful object in the seaward view. The govern
ment steamer Engineer was soon closely
packed with the dignitaries whose visit gave
eciat to the occasion and with as many ladies
and gentlemen in addition as could find room
on her decks, put off for the Merrimac, lying
about four miles distant. As the boat ap-
preached, the frigate grew in beauty and in
size, until close view disclosed the immense
dimensions and massive elegance of her hull.
Until the Engineer approached to within one
sentinel walking on the outer guards, and the
boat keepers doing in the sun, were the only
signs of life to be seen, but suddenly the sides
swarmed with sailors, who running nimbly up
the rigging dispersed themselves in hundreds
about the yards; their fine appearance and at
titudes Of expectation as each man assumed
his station seeming to render the whole i'm
mense fabric instinct with life. The Presi-
dent and Secretary Of the Navy were received
at the gangway by Capt Pendergast, and his
officers, and conducted to the quarter deck,
where the marines were drawn up and saluted.
The great guns Of the ship then gave forth
their noisy we come. The view presented at
the moment of the reception of the President
on the quarter deck had a certain degree Of
imposing interest about it that is not every
day paralleled.
Of the vessel followed. SO many descriptions
have already been published that but little
further need be said. To the unnautical eye
she appears the very perfection of war YES
sci solid and massive in her unornamented
beauty, complete in her appointments, and
perfect in all the improvements of hull, model,
machinery and armament, that could fit her
to cope with the most powerful vessel that is
possessed by the navy of any nation The
fact that she has eleven acres of deck area ex-
presses briefly but forcibly an idea of her
great size. Her present number of officers
and men is about eight hundred but this is
only her peace complement. In time of war
she could not be fully manned with less than
fifteen hundred, and has plenty of "fghting
room" for two thousand.
Whilst the visitors, increased by this time
by another boat load from Annapolis, and an
excursion party from Baltimore, were scatter
ed through the ship, the drum beat to quar-
tiers and orders were given to prepare the ship
for action. The gangways were taken down,
theguns unlimbered, ammunition was passed
up from the magazine, orders rang out, officers
took their station, the men hurried to and fro,
the boatswain's whistles were heard in all
parts of the ship, and the mode Of preparing
the ship for action was carried out with all the
apparent earnestness and speed that would
characterize the half hour previous to a real
engagement.
The President and members Of Congress de.
string to return to Washington in the evening
train, after hastily partaking of a rich and
bountiful collation. provided in the Captain 8
cabin, prepared to leave the vessel. The
same ceremonies were again gone through
with. The marines mustered and saluted,
the yards were manned and as tho boat
moored off a parting salute gave out its noisy
goodbye.
The President and Secretary Of the Navy,
and most of the members of Congress returned
to Washington In the four o'clock train.
PERSONAL