Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-10-23
MISCELLANEOUS
"Reminiscences Of Garibaldfs Sisit u

On the Sth or 9th Of September, in the year
1853, the Peruvian bark Carmen arrived at This
por, with q cargo taken on board at lsloy, Peru
Her commander was no less a person than ".
Garibaldi, then a simple captain OF a traainS
vessel. now us the hero of Italy, and the sub
verter OF thrones, occupying the attention OF
the entire civilized world. The signature at
the bottom Of the manifest at the Custom
House is in an elegant hand, showing that in
this particular his education in youth had not
been neglected.
From an old merchant of this port, Captain
Sweetser, formerly Of the firm of Swectser u
Norton who was introduced to Garibaldi, on
the day Of his arrival, was in his company the
greatest portion of the time until his departure
from the city, and has since received from Cara.
bsldi & letter and present, we CLEAN some remln-
i~scences Of interest in regard to his visit TO
Boston.
The Carmen was consigned to c. L. Bartlett,
Of this city, and the position Of captain Of the
vessel was undoubtedly assumed by Garibaldl,
as n Temporary occupation Of his time. He
could speak English in a broken manner, but
could not understand it fully as delivered in
speeches and as Capt. Sweetscr understood
sOpIIllSll, HIS acquaintance Il Ih'S SN~>t~
to the commander of the Carmen. At That
time Garibaldi understood the Spanish, Italian,
French and German languages, and ere this
has undoubtedly mastered that OF the Anglo
Saxon nations.
1t was the remark Of the mate OF the Car
men. in speaking of his commander, that he
put his lightning or electricity into every one
who was connected with him, and even his
sailors would have jumped overheard TO obey.
His personal appearance at that time IS thus
described: Of a light complexion and blue
eyes, looking rather like an Anglo-Saxon than
an Italian, with a light beard around his chin,
high shoulders and short neck. On shore, in
Boston, he usually wore a plain citizens dress,
with a KoSsuth hat, but on Shipboard his IA.
rorite costume was = sort Of fcz cap and sailor
Jacket.
While here, C:ribaldi as much rs possible
avoided public observation, and only on rare
occasions was present At any large asscmhlage
of people. He walked the streets in a coEtem'
~plative mood, and he then had a very large
correspondence with his patriot friends in Italy
and those who had been cxpatriated for politi'
cal cause and were then residents Of this coun'
try, and was doubtless brcoding over the plans
since realized for the redemption OF his coun'
try.
At the time of his visit, the CIitnean war
had Just commenced. and the opinion vas ex-
pressed in his hearing that il might result in a
general European contest. IF such should
prove the case ne remarked, you may de-
pend upon it that Italy will make = stronger
effort than she has ever nnrlc before to regain
her Independence" He never spoke Of his
own achievements in the struggles Of lS4S
and his heroic movements at Rome and other
places. Upon one Occasion a friend suggested
that he might he in danger of losing his neck.
1.-THE only regret with me-" nc said. smiling
ais that | have but one neck TO lose for the
sake Of Italy"
His eye was bright, with o quick flash. LIE
thought highly Of Kossuth as u statesman, bu'
not as u soldier. In his walks through the
streets he generally took a good deal Of notice
of ANYTHING new. and always ascertaincd the
principle of any machine which he inspected
Standing one day in front Of the Last Machine
in Fulton street, he failed at first to perceive
the principle, but changing his position, he dis
covered il, when he remarked, How simple
and yet how ingenious
lie much desired, when here, to POSSESS SOM
Government charts, and Captain Sweetser in
truduced him to F. ". Lincoln, Jr., the pre-
sent Mayor, then in that line of business, win
a. once graliGed the Italian Captain with a FIJI
series. Garibaldi returned his thanks, and re
marked to Captain Sweetser, Now fec
rich"
Sir. Lincoln sent to Captain Swcctser all
Garibaldi an invitation to the Festival OF til
Mechanic Charitable Association. The invita-
ton was accepted. Garibaldi attended, and lis
tened to the address, Of which he could under
stand but little, but the music charmed him
As the time for the banquet approached, Car
baldi expressed a desire to return on board HI
vessel, and was not, therefore, present at tn
entertainment.
He remained here but a few weeks, when Il
left for New York, where lie put the vessel i
charge Of the mate, and embarked for Italy
where he has since remained. Garibaldi vi
doubtcdly received n good education i'll hi
youth, studying Mt the colleges ofthat country
lie was born in the year 1907, and rs, there
fore, now in his sd year.
The statements made at the last city dill
ncr, that Garibaldi was at one time present 4
= Fourth OF July dinner at Faneuil HaI
must be incorrect, as he WAS in this city b,
only on one occasion, the few weeks in Sci
tcmber Of 1858, rs stated above Bosto
Trarelsr.