The New York herald., 1861-12-06
MOVEMENTS OF coMM0D0R1,s WILKES,

HonOrs to the Capturcr ,sf Mason and
slidell-Wolcoming Speech Or the Mayor
and Reply OF Commodore Wilkes-Large
Crowd Assembled to Greet the Hero
Complimentary Letter OF Secretary
Welles, &C., &c.
The public ana Viicial reception TO Commodore Wilkes
took place in the Governors Room at the City Hall ycster
day. recognition OF the valuable services which he has
rendered 10 the government and country by the arrest Of
the arch traitors Mason and Sde The reception was
somewhat delayed, the gallant Commodore arrived in
our CITY from Boston Sunday morning last, but the
welcome rendered TO him by official authorities and
citizens generally quite hearty and cordial as if
Just arrived among The City Hail. at early hour
the morning. surrounded by eager crowd anxious
to get glance Of who had valiantly upheld tho
rights Of international law and the honor Of the Ame-
rcan navy.
The hour Of reception by the Mayor was set downat
eleven O'Clock A. Nj and pnnctua TO the time Commodore
Wilkes arrived at the City Hail. from the Brevoort House.
In a carriage, accompanied by Alderman Dayton. Tho
Commodore attrcd in undrcss uniform and sword,
over which he wore a dark cloak, that aghting
from the carriage he not Immediately recognized by
the crowd. BY Alderman Dayton he was conducted to
tho Office of the Mayer WHENCE after interchange OF
courtcsos, he conducted by civic head to the
Governors Room where the reception took place. There
about fifty persons the at this time, when
Mayor Wood, standing in front Of Commodore Wilkes,
and with his usual grace, proceeded to deliver the wei
coming address. The gallant naval officer stood with
uncovered head and listened attenvely to the address
The Mayor said that it gave him much plea
TO welcome Commodore Wilkes to New
York. the city being highly honored by his
hsiling from its locality. In the crisis under which
the country laborcd there numerous ways in
which the government might be sustained and protected
Not only in tho field and in the navy, but in civil life
could patriotism be evinced. Captain Wilkes had dis
tingg he'd himself in double clpacty-he had acted
like statesman, although holding naval position. Tho
city Of New York honored him personal patriotism
well as n stern and inncxibio determination to do his
duty. The view which he had taken OF International law
was an intelligent one, and one which the abest states
Of the world woud endorse. In the Of the city
o New York he the Mayor rendered him all its hosp
talitios.
AT The conclusion of the Mayors short and pithy ad
dress the Commodore, after pause proceeded to reply.
lie appeared To labor under that embarrassment peculiar
TO scamcn, whose functions lead them more to speak
in the midst OF tne oceans tempest than TO an
audience composed OF the celebrities Of public
Getty. nter collecting himself somewhat. Commo-
dore Wilkes said that the feelings which he expo
rionce at the cordial welcome gwen 10 him cx-
ccengy overpowering. In his breast the
n thanklnness unbonndel tbs thought that for
the small duty which he had the honor OF performing for his
country he had met with the appreciation or the citizens
Of New York. That duty for which he was honorcd he
did ho see in the light that others did but he hoped to
have fun thcr opportunities TO show his appreciation of
the important favor shown him by his loyal countrymen.
CITIZENS OVATION TO THE COMMODORE.
At the conclusion OF Commodore Wilkes reply the door
OF the Governors Room thrown open and tho crowd
Of citizens, who were anZioGsly waiting outside to
shake hands with him, were admitted, by one.
Mayor Wood lett tie room, leaving the Commodore
in charge Of Aldermen Fronent Dayton Orton
and Stevenson. The observed OF all observoss'-
the man who took from on board an English scam-
cr two bideoas traitors TO Union-Commolorc
Wilkes, stood modcstly IN the centre OF the room,
and corailiy shook hands with all who were pre-
seated TO him. Although seeming some" lat cibar
cd from his peculiar posn he still bore that gctic
and seadiast appearance which ~ his leading charac-
esc. Representatives oi all classes OF our netrupo.
tan society made it their business TO Gail cpou Il Com
modore, and nearly every one who clasrcd his hand
compaped it with few coDgratuiaory remarks on tho
heroic deed which will hand bis namo down pose,ity.
Commodore, am honorod BY sak ing your hand 'you
10 tho co8nly high hoLor;' God bio : you for What
yoa have donc Of the so energcti-
caily uttered by the citizens.
Al twelve O'Clock the Grand Jury OF the United States
arrived when their Foreman, Mr. Wardcll, being
tuced by Deputy Marshal Mckay proceeded to speak to
thc Commodore a follow -
Conlao. .ose Wilhes--lhc gentlemen comp sing tho
g and jury OF the United states have dcicga,ed
ne 70 welcome yoa to this city and express their
satisfaction II! tic brlian, decd YOU have achieved
They have observed with great fatisfactn The pariot
Ism, loity coufige and lnompt ac.on Of Commodore
WilLcs, ana we arc proud thai have Commodore
Wilkes in our ravy. You sir, ono Of Tie few who
nave proved faithful to yoir country this v hour or
rial Allow again express chest .-ratitu,e
for your noble decd
To this Complimentary address Commodore Wilkes re-
s.oaded in suitable teins the members d The Grand
ers continued up 10 hali.rast twelve O'Clock Among
thoss no called Governor Anifew, ,ol Masach setts
aud several other men OF distinction Soon after Com
modore Wilkes, ACCOMPANIED by Aldermen ofon aud
Stevenson, psocccded to the carriage whch conveyed
him 10 the B-evoort House.
The eatamon having now had an opportunity of seeing
Commodore Wilkes, the ladies' are dessous Of having
the same courtesy extended To them III. following
communication, subscribed "union," wil! show
TO TIE EDITOR or THE HERALD.
was much drappoiated this morning ia reading in
~ r.. -,
today. The Eotice short that have 10 Doubt
- pay their respects to IA, prevented from III X
ing arrangements in their business t. enable
them 10 do so. The ladies' gcneray strong II
rot stronger, sife to the gallant ,a ain than the
gentlemen Could not Arrange men; BE- made to accom-
iaodate them at he Captain headquarters some other
convenient pace, some evening before lie leaves the ctys
This woad afford time and opportunity ana gipo saisiac
lion to all UNION
DECFMhER 5, 1851.
SECRETARY WELLS ON NAVAL pRIcEpENrs.
NAVY DErAu NDST, Nov. 30, 1s0l
Captain CnARLls WILKES commanding The United slates
steamer san Jacinto, Boston
slE-l congratulate yoa your safe arr al and espe.
cily do congratulate ycu On the great public service
yo I'VE rendered in the capture of the rebel
Messr. Mascn and sde have been conspicuous in this
conspiracy dissolve the Union, and it is well known
that when seized by YOU they were on mission hostile
TO the government and the country Your conduct in
selzng these public enemies marked by intelligence
ability decision and Grrnncss and has the emphatic an
prevail OF this department. IL is not necessary that
should in this commnnicatcgw hich IL intended to be
Of cougratuation 10 yourself ollcais and crcwex.
press opinion the pursued N omiitiup to
capture the vessel which had these public onc!es on
board further than to say that the orbcarance exercised
In this instance must not be permitted to constitute
precedent hereafter for inractious neutral Obligations
GIDEON wELlNs