The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-12

THE LAST OF DISTINGUISHED sHr
[from ths New York Daily Express.
Nxx Eu Wrfx<3o \

BAN FRAkCtSco, june oV
The enclosed slip, which will explain itself, cut from
the San Francisco Herald of the 22d inst Thinking IL
might interest you TO know what the finale OF the
services rendered by that good ship which you command
ed so many years with credit to yourself we'll as to the
commercial character of the merchant marine am ndn
ced to forward it TO you with my kind regards wss
resident of New York city upon the arrival OF the Cad
with the honored Lafayette was within the Castle
Garden when he landed there. think the Cadmus arri
we'd In harbor in 1850, and has been used as soro
ship until became too leaky for that purpose From
locust sanchons of the ship, some who have know
edge of her. have been curious enough to have walking
sticks as mementoes of the staunch old cra ING ueA
house is used a kind Of balcony to a cottage IN thc
suburbs of city, which cottage Is occupied by oN
Islander who well rccoects the arrival ON that bcau
full Sunday morning. the visit to the residence OF Gov
ernor then Vice Prcsden Tompkins and other crcun
stances connected with that interesting OCCASION
(rrom the San Herald, OF a2dl
Mr. H. c. Platt the contractor, is busily engaged in
repairing Battery street. In front of Wheclers Gynfhas
UNI with the wales and bottom planks Of the famous
old ship Cadmus which had the distinguished honor OF
bringing Marquis de Lafayette to this country in 1874
The plaks to this day sound as pump bolt and
would have lasted many years longer. This cSie tsas
indelbly connected with countrys history as the May
Flower and the very sight of her rcmsns recalls host
of historical "reminiscences of deep interest toeyery Aef
is instructive to ponder on the progress ot our
country since that old ship tossed the spray aside with
her bold bluff bow and spread her wings to the Winds
as she bounded across tho Atlantic to bear to grateful
people the distinguished man whose memory shares
place in their hearts with that Of Geo Washington The
mind is almost painfully taxed to grasp the vasncss OF
the strides we made towards national rank and
err and wealth and Importance since the keel of the Cad
first parted the yielding pillows Millions OF the OPP
pressed of other lands find shelter and protection liberty
and independence under those institutions that Lafayette
helped to found and among Others thousands upon thou
sands Of his countrymen. In no one art have we
advanced rapidly than in that Of ship building and
could the architect of the old Cadmus look upon OF
our modern specimens of superb clippers which the
admiration of the world, his bosom would bound with
pride at the acknowledged superiority OF his countmen
in his handicraft 1t is almost saddeDing TO think
that the remains of the famous old ship being aid Tor
the passage Of and drays that horses and cattle
will tread out the last brcs of her tough and vcneracd
old Sides and that men, they pass over the moulding
planks will do unconscious or unmndfui OF the place
She once held among the celebrities of merchant fleet
1t is honorable to country to contemplate that,
from the landing of Lafayette in 1924 to the present
tme there has been but sentiment expressed OF uni
versa appreciation of the invitation Of Congress Tor the
General to visit the United States and the profcr OF
national ship for his accommodation 1.-THE Delaware, "a,
then just finished, to be tho vessel Lafayette ac
ceped the invitation but declined the honor OF
ship he always opposed to any pubc dcmonstfa
ton that inconsistent with republican simplicity
The spontaneous admiration and regard OF the people al
ways accorded was agreeable to him, and most heartily
and gratefully acknowledged by him, on all occasions,
both in our own United States and in France.
The frmness of his republican principles were put on
trial he entered the carriage prepared for him. after
the military review, upon his landing at the attery N
yes for the accommodation of the city authorities and
distinguished persons already filled along State
street. whence voice heard ''unhorsc the carriage
Immediately as if by magic the horses taken from
the Generals carriage and citizens We'd with each other
in taking the place of horses Lafayette instantly rose,
and in low tone of voice said, Open the door u you
please can never consent to this. In moment the
General and the writer of this were upon the sidewalk
An anxious inquiry was whispered round, whats the
matter? The reply The General desires the horses to
be put to the carriage he cannot men IN such po
ston The horses again put to the carriage the
General took his seat the procession moved on but 1t
was some minutes before the General recovered his com
posure, exclaimng in whisper ns he took his scat,
srhat anti-republican The lesson was not loSt
there has never been the Harvesting of men in place OF
horses since that time.
When it is considered that the Cadmus was taken from
the line of packets returning in ballast sacrificing her
entire home carry out the views OF the govern
ment of the country, without any compensation what
ever to master or owners it Is strange thing that e
government should to this day neglect mere Indemnity
for losses actually sustained. So thinks everybody