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

this time that through the Friendship o. M Hassler he
became acquainted with that eminent French svan Nco
in the exploration and SURVEYS the upper waters OF the
Mississippi and their tributaries The instructive eompa
nonshp OF that gentleman outweghed the attractions OF
the federal metropolis and during the winter months OF
1885, wnea the coast survey parties were assembled at
Washington for the purpose OF working out their results
Lieutenant Page devoted all his time 10 the Of
Nicolet IN his calculations Day light often daw ned their
nights work. and Captain Page has often been heard TO
that he looks back to those hours of scientific dsa
patton tie 0ost useful and instructive part OF his pro
fessiona life
50 highly did Ncolet appreciate his services, that he
urgently begged Lieutenant Page to accompany him
sant IN the continuation Of his expedition to the Rocky
Mountains. Domestic occurrences obliged Lieutenant
Page 70 decline this oier, and Mr. Ncole seleccd and
obtained the assistance of Lieutenant Ohu c. Fremont
whose career has since been distinguished
After years passed the trianguatol and hydro
graphical parties Of the survey Lieutenant Page
ordered in 1912 10 the line Of battle ship Columbus
which, after cruise OF year in the Mediterranean was
ordered 10 the coast Of Brazil At this time the Navy De-
partmen determined change annually the stations OF
our squadrons This experiment, which would probably
have increased the efficiency and health OF the navy be-
gan and ended with the cruise of the Columbus
In 1Si5 Lieutenant Page attached TO the Naval Oh
seryaory assistant to Lieutenant Maury which duty
no remained for three years During this period nc was
selected by the then Secretary the Treasury Robert
walker to examine the lighthouse system abroad but this
tempting opportunity of foreign travel he declined as he
making series of ohsers atoms with the mural circle
at the Washington Observatory. He deemed il his duty
to complete thein and Lieutenant Many the Superiten
dent found these services 50 valuable that he was anxious
TO retain them
IN lS4s Lieutenant Page once anoat First
lieutenant of the Plymouth bound three cruise
to the East Indies In 1915 however he transferred
10 the command Of the brig Dolphin the station,
and IN this position rendered efficient service in suppress
hg INC ace shen soeemmoh ia those seas ana the pays
Of southern China. His zeal courage and activity were
the subject Of frequen; commentator One OF his
exploits was the capture Of two Chinese war junks
that bad robbed English merchan,man of a
variable cargo OF cotton and another OF which had
attempted 10 intercept, during dark night the briggs boat
on her way from Macao under the impression that she
Il u 10 DOa were
and desI atched without delay under the command OF
Lieut. John lac Davis who, after few rounds from the
cartnes boarded and took possession OF the unknost
Of her crew making their escape by jumping over
board.
In 1851 the Dolphin ordered home, via San Fran
cisco and Cape Horn The brig old and in bad condi
ton, ard many watched, with sad orebodngs, for a
glimpse Of the little crafts sails she left the waters Of
China believing that she about to fight her last battle
With the winds and waves. She near being lost in
typhoon off Manila, and had stormy time round Cape
horn, but reached New York safely in the summer OF
1851.
Lieut. Page once more rejcned his family after an alb
sence of three years and six months.
during this in the China that Iieuten
ant Page became intimate with r. r. Forbes, Of Boston,
then the head Of the house Of Russell Co, Canton
They there agreed plan Of memorazng Congress for
the passage of act authorizing survey OF the China
seas. The appropriation was subsequently made, and
Lieutenant Page detailed and assured OF the command
OF the expedition. But change in the head OF the Navy
department produced change in the organ of the
expedition, and increase p the number OF vessels as
originally contemplated into squadron Of too large size
to be commanded by a Lieutenant Lieutenant Page
nigh; have quoted on this occasion the famous line of vr
| gil
Ego feci rersiculos alter tuia honores.
The Water Witch was now about be launched and
Lieutenant Page offered the command which he &C
copied. II at this time that public attention had been
turned 10 the Paraguay river and its tributaries and the
government memorialized TO cause its exploration
| The Geographical Society OF this city, taking a
cial request to that effect, which had de
! cidcd influence it's conduct, and proba-
/ bly, led to the final arrangements. OF that ex-
petition the public will be enabled to Judge from
The OF Lieutenant Page in the hands Of the
publishers, and which, from knowledge Of its contents
the writer predicts will be Of the great works OF the
times and rank s author With the greatest explorers Of
France, England Holland and Russia He engaged in
these surveys from February, 1885, TO May 1866 The
lawcss attack the Water Witch while ascending the
Parapa which cost the life OF American seaman but
replied TO with. the greatest gallansry now of
the OF the present operations against Paraguay
After his return to the United States Captain Page OBJ
tanned appropriation from Congress Of S25 900 TO
rete the exploration OF the waters Of the la Plata In
this effort he encouraged by the dispatches Of
Minister to Bolivia which stated that the government
there extremely anxious that the exploration should
be extended 20 the waters which connected II with the
countries on the Atlantic For this work Mr.. Forbes, Of
Boston, constructed small iron steamer OF light draugh
and the officers Of this second expedition left month";
since for the OF their abors As Captain Page
about to sail to ION his associates ne detained
by the Secretary of the Navy join the squadron of which
foresec. The Commissioner will proceed, u
Lopez will let him. up 20 the city al Ascuncon "a nego
tate IL Gene 10 blows the fighting squadron will be
led aud commanded by Captain Page, while the larger
vessels will keep him their draught OF water
will permit Our impression IL, that Lopez has
FIVE AM several sailing vessels IN his two
men, he will not succnmb without trusting to the for
tune Of In that expect from Captain Page
and Isle gallant comrades result that shall Shine In the
annals OF our navy.