The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-19
The Paraguay Expedition.


The vessels IMPOSING the naval expedition against
Paraguay are rapidly leaving our ports for the scene
OF action, and before long We may be hearing OF
something stirring in that quarter. II is evident,
from the late brought by the Canada, which
arrived at Halifax on Wednesday,, that the Para
gpayans going to show lght il appears that they
adopting the plan of the Russians at Sebastopo by
placing distractions at the mouth OF the river 70 prevent
the ngress OF squadron The riparian coasts are also
well fortified so that the expedition may turn ont more
important and interesting than was at first supposed
Presunug that information relative to enc Of the
leading men Of the expedition, Captain T. J. Page would
be acceptable, We append memoir Of that gallant Of
lcer
THOMAS JEFFERSON PAGE, DESTINED
PARAGUAY.
Among the many distinguished officers who have been
ordered to Paraguay, to take part in the expedition
against President Lopez for it is really directed
against him than the innocent and oppressed people over
whom he tyranises, is Thomas Jefferson Page, ssq,
Commander navy. and native Of Virginia. As he
occupies in many respects the post OF the greatest
sponsibty and danger, being in fact the pilot and the
fighting Of the fleet, in il brought into action
for the larger vessels will not ascend the river and. &C.
cordng 10 the rules Of the navy, second in command,
brief sketch of his Life cannot be embarrassing
to the readers of the HERALD or the public generally.
Both his paerna and maternal ancestors intimately
associated with the political and military history Of Viz
ena from its first settlement and learn from Bishop
Meades "Churches and Famlies' that they have been
equally distinguished for their social culture and eminent
piety.
The first Of the Pages who emgraed to America was a
Sir John Page, Of Mddesex, who obtained grant Of
lands in Eastern Virginia. and established himself in 1856
upon the York river in what IS nov Gloucester county.
At a4al
ing upon this esate-Rosewell Houser--which sim re-
mains of the finest private mansions in this country,
looking now says the good Bishop, in his interesting
work like an aold deserted English castle, in
solitary grandeur, scarce n tree or shrub around
it. to vary and beautfy the scene II last and
occupant was John Page, Governor of Virginia. gen.
teman who, says the Bishop, was not only the
"patriot soldier and politician, but the well read
theologian and jealous churchman so that, as
have said before, some wished him TO tako orders
with view to being the first Bishop OF Virginia. "
Governor Page was college associate and the intimate
personal and political friend through life OF jefferson,
who frequently his guest at Roscweli and it is said
that the good Governor zeaousy abored both by letter
and conversation to impair. his distinguished friend
his own religious views
Mann the eldest Ex-Governor Page, married Elizabeth
Nelson daughter of General Thomas Nelson Of Yorktown
and their youngest son, Jefferson Commander Page
of the navy is the subject Of this notice.
Thomas the FIRST of the Nelson family in Virginia came
from penrh, near the border OF Scotland, and 1905
founded Yorktown where lie engaged in mercantile pur
suits and amassed great wealth. His wiam-known
in Colonial history President Nelson, from being for
many years President OF the Council and time Pres
dent Of the coonywas also a merchant at Yorktown.
lie owned many ships, and imported largely for the Phi
ladepba and Baltimore markets. As msy be supposed
President Nelson amGssed vast estate the bulk oil which
was inherited by bis son Thomas, who was, as is well
known. a sgner OF the Declaration Of Independence
Thomas Nelson not the less patriot from having
been at the age Of fourteen sent to England for education
under the guardianship OF his fathers friend Bishop
Beby Poreus and after absence Of seven yearsanc
while his return-was elected delegate to the House
OF Burgcsses AZ the commencement Of the Reyo
iutionary struggle he was probably OF tho
wcathicst men in America; at its close he was
OF the poorest having by his personal credit and
by mortgagiug his landed estates, raised enormous
sums for the use Of the State not ono dollar Of which has
ever been repaid 10 his descendants.
soon after his retirement from the Gubcrnaiorial chair
which Jefferson vacated TO hs election dcclar.
Jog tina, General Nelson military talent peculiarly cited
him Cor the Office the noble hearted patriot died, leaving
his family in poverty. HIS widow, who WAS says
Bishop Meade, or the sweetest pety retired
a barren estate in Hanover county the only parirnony
Of her children Chastellux the French traveller, gives
an interesting account OF his visit General Nelson's
family at O1ley, their residence in Hanover.
They met poverty however, with dignity and cheerful
ness One OF the sons Of the family, afterwards well
known in Virginia Chancellor Nelson Is said to
have declared aughngly that in the domestic worship
in their family, the fayosilc hymn at this period was
Send comfort down from thy right hand,
To cheer Ms In this barren land
But the bread thrown upon the troubled Revolutionary
was perhaps not lost to his children Ia the end
obliged them TO enter the healthui circle Of the work
ing classes and at the present time not only in Virginia
but In many parts Of the Union may be found many de-
sccndants Of General Nelson who have become by their
own exertious prosperous and distinguished citizens.
Virginia. however has not been wholly unmindful Of
the services Of her sons statue OF Nelson adorns her
capital and in 1926 her delegation in Congress very
expectedy Mrs Page sent TO the widow of Mann Page
OF Gloucester daughter of General Nelson two cadet
appointments for West Point She accepted but one and
few months later her Jefferson nj tho age oT hf-
teen years, was sent to tho Military Academy.
Tho Virginia lad who had before been beyond the
bounds OF the Old Dominion, was too young oaprreci
ate the advantages Of military education and fresh from
the indulgence aud freedom OF plantation life, was unwi
ling TO submit 10 the discipline OF West Point. lie had
been there but few weeks when he went 20 the Supcrn
WHY SAID the Colonel :. man dc ,emap :, 70.
piled the young cadet week later, when the tender
hearted mother was thinking Of her Youngest aud
the hardFhps To which his tender years exposed
much TO hcr dsmay, he walked into the ite parior at
Shelley.
Even az the age of fifteen neither inactivity nor wan,
of proper spirit the q this conduct His pre-
fereDccs elsewhere for the year fred by the
accounts Of the struggle Tor independence ia Mexico he
left his home and proceeded Washington obtain NJ
possible an appointment as mdshipman in tho Mexican
navy. His only acquaintance in the federal metropolis
nj this time was Commodore Warrington, who init
mately acquainted with his family This noble hearted
hero Of the last battle II isi2 acted the part Of true friend
he not only dissuadcd the young from entering the
Mexican navy, but assisted him 70 obtain from Mr. South
ard, then Secretary Of the Navy a warrant mdship
in the service Of the United States upon which
he entered in 1927.
AMER remaining for short time tho Naval School al
Norfolk he ordered 10 the sloop Erie Captain
Turner, bound on three years cruise in the Gulf Of
Mexico.
The Gulf Al this time infested with pirates and Tie
Tre actively employed In the duty Of ferrctng tn
out One dark RAINY night her boats cut out from under
the guns ~ the fort in the harbor Of ~ Bartholomew the
Bnenos Ayrcan pvatecr schooner Federal she having
captured or taken goods from American vessel She
was protected by the Of the fort lying within hail,
but this did not deter the boats of the Ere, under the
command Of the gallant JOSIAH Tatnal then First eue
nant and Flag Officer Of the East India sqaron from
undertaking the daring enterprise, in which he was sue
ccssful There being many midshpmen Of older commits.
sons entitled 10 preference In the selection ~ officers
for the occasion, young Page left out but by conni
vance or permission Of icutenannow Captan--Charics
Bell who commanded one Of the boats he slipped through