The Portland daily press., 1864-09-23

SIR-My attention has just been called to
report, printed ia the Chronicle of the 10Th in
stant, OF what took place at the late assembling
of the citzens OF Cambridge, in the City Bali,
to congratulate each other ON the capture OF
Atlanta. In this report it is stated, that enc
OF our most eminent citizens made certain OBJ
seryations in which my name was Intimately
connected with that Of Admiral Farragut, ap-
parently on the authority OF the Admiral him
self.
This printe account contains, in mixture
of truth and error, mistake SO Important,
that. not stopping 10 enquire into its source, l
seize the earliest opportunity to correctit in
print. This can hardly be done other wise than
by mentioning few facts, which will set the
matter right without further allusion to the
misapprehension would have forgotten. My
only embarrassment arises from the necessity
Of using the first person, and of suppressing
certain names which should be prominent, but
which have at present no authority TO use.
The pertinent facts are these. In the year
1916 a new ship OF the line was about to sail
from Boston for acruise In The Mediterranean
At the last moment; the University (where |
was then yonDg member ofthe Government)
was applied to for q chaplain, with special re-
gard 10 the instruction of midshipmeny yof whom
an unusual number was attached to the ship
for their professional training This was be-
fore the time ofregular naval schools. ! was
despatched, / may almost say, as an emissary
hosh the University tor was to return TO my
place there, better lifted By travel to do her
service. The executive officer OF The ship, the
immediate administrative Authority 10 our
I,a,;.g Of over seven hundred persons, was "a
gentleman whose name Is borne on the records
OF the University as an admitted member,
though he never began residence. He at once
put me in position to gain the respect, and in
not few cases the affection, OF my pupils; and
he lives TO rejoice With me Ia whatever sue
cess has attended them. Among them was
one, then in his early teens, who had been en-
rolled in the Navy as midshipman almost IN
his childhood. He had already served through
a most eyentful period of bis professional life
amer the henefactor who had procured his
warrant. The history Of that iirst period might
close with the following extract from CAPTAIN
Porter's account Of the capture Of the Essex
after one of the seyerest engagements on re-
cord: "Midshipmen Isaacs, Farragut, and Og-
drn eEerled themselves IN the performances OF
their respective duties, and gave an earnest of
their value TO the service. y II They
ara 100 young to be recommended for promo
tionY = " I'D. G. Fauagut, Stightlg
pounded." - .l5.s..-.lr FL. s6,ss.
aegctlbs him as he now appeared to me
bV one word, Ariel" Suffice it to say, that
l became deeply interested in him, my pupil,
on shipbosrd, lor nearly two years; and when
/ was about to leave the ship, to take charge
of a consular post, ] found that it had been ar
ranged, Without the knoWledge OF either of US
(at The suggestion, think, oi the executive
officer have above alluded to- that Farragut
should receive iurlough and accompany me,
ii would consent TO take charge OF him. Our
mutual Joy was complete. The intent was,
that should be literally "his guide, philoso-
pher, and friend acting according to my own
discretion, but officially accountable for him
a. bis superior q fllcer tor had not resigned
nv plaee ia The Navy, While clothed with
this complete authority, do not remember
that [ ever issued an "order," or had occasion
TO make a suggestion that amountedto a re-
proof. All needed control was that Of an eld-
er over an anectionate younger brother
He was noY introduced to entirely new
scenes, aud had social atVaniagee which COM
pesaied for his former too exclusive sea HE
He had found home on shore, and every type
OF European civilization and manners III the
families Of the consuls OF fdiHerent natioDs. In
all OF them my young couniryman was the
delight OF old and young. This had always
been among his chief moral dangers but here
he learu9d to be proof against petting and flal-
fpre. Here, too, he settled his definition ol
trne glory-glory, the idol Of his profession, =
if moi ia The exact words OF Cicero, at least in
Ills own clear thought. Our familiar walks and
rides were SO many lessons in ancient history
and the lover OF historical parallels will be
gratiaed TO know, that we possibly sometimes
s,ood on the very spot wherethe hoy Hanni
haifool, The oath that eonsecrated him TO th'
offence OF bis country
Bus all this was 10 last hardly az ear Ther'
vele signs ol coming pestiienee, not TO o
mistaken, Communication with Europe woni'
soon be entirely cut of. His neld OF dutl
was not here fe was not to be suhJscted Z
rlsg Of this sort and, along with amiiy 0
Danish friends, he passed over to Italy, an'
s'reipfned TO datyn as midsbipman.
These are no vague "reminiscences awaken
ed by recent events, but cherished memories
kept ever fresh, .~rrF.T .sr-frrfr' y
l rave said, Mr.. Editor, more perhaps ina
the occasion called for,-more than enough :
account for strong expressions really uttered
bnt prompted By the recollections OF you'll
which are aptt 10 coniound concnmitants wit
causes. In our Cambridge "Philosophy
the Heart" that Is not contrary to the canon
cn Gratitude. But Iwould not be understoo
TO relinquish one jot of any share NAV /
fairly supposed TO have had in the training ,
Admiral FaFragut. That would be to deirau
the University, which is Immediately concer,
ed In the matter. Ifin youth none kne
him but to love him" lie has now made l. &c
lain, that henceforth it will be said, INC
named him but to praise" The better
countrymen understand him. the more tn
will see that bis is no false brilliancy; that
is not flashing meteor, but star in our
t;onal armament, The past is secure a
sntatever chance may beiide, we shall I
Certain that he deserved success, Let
American Southey who is to write his Life I
himself IN severe training to acquire the rs
ability ability to produce small book, having
simnle truth treated with good sense in pl
and graceful style, that shall make 1t indee
H's.' Yours, respectfully,
CHARLES FoLsoN
C.-,hvsd0a Aug. II. 1854