New-York tribune., 1868-04-04
IN ILLUSrRIoUS CLAINANr
A FAMILY THAT HAS DONE THE STATE SOME
SERVICE.

| Mrs. Lizzie X Smith. widow OF the late Lieut. H. III.
Smith, Sd U. S. ARTILLERY, praying to be reimbursed
IN the comparatively trivial sum of s246S for bag
gage and other property actually lost by her deceased
husband Ialong with his life). in the month OF De-
cember. 1853 while proceeding to California with his
regiment on board the illfated steamer San Fran
ciscoD This memorial was clearly just. the troops
having been sent 10 sea in an untred ship and Col
Gates who was in command and therefore represents
| ing tho United States having behayed-tO use the
| mldest possible language--with the most fnghtful
| inefiiciency The amount claimed by Mrs Smith, or
rather by Senator Foster her behalf was based on
schedule exhibiting the exact cost of such baggage
| and camp furniture as Lieut. Smith had with him
| his family consisting of the present widow and her
two daughters, then infants being prepared to fol-
low him to California in the next steamer and there
| to settle for some years.
| This memorial strongly urged by Vice-President
Foster was referred in ordinary course OF business
to the Committee Claims from which 1t was soon
after returned TO the Senate by Dir. Williams OF
Oregon with an adverse report based on an aleGa-
tion-we suppose true one-that many of the art-
cles lost did not strictly technically belong to an
officers "military equipment" Some of the bag
gage, no doubt was not any essential or professional
part of an officers equipment ~ but would never
thcless, prove indispensable to officers young
wife and two infant children, when removing from
their home in settled State and going to reside in
such comparative wilderness rs California then
was This was the view argued by Vice-President
Foster before the Senate the reception of the ad
verse report from the Committee on Claims; and
under pressure of the obvious justice of the case and
strong speech from Senator Van Wrinkle. the claim
OF Mrs Lizzie X. Smith for s2,46S unanimously
passed by the Senate during the session of 1867.
In the House of Representatives, however, the
L. md nd in
explicably as the wretched steamer out of whose
wreck it had arisen. Congressman Deano, Chair
man of the Committee on Claims for some cause
other appeared strongly opposed to it-probaby for
the Same reasons that had previously induced Sena
tor Williams TO make an adverse report on the same
caim-to wit: general opposition TO all demands of
this character against the Government; and an in
sufficient examination Of the merits presented IN this
very striking and peculiar Casa case, let us add
than which not one more strongly appealing to the
heart and Of justice Of the American people, has
ever been presented to Congress since the foundation
Of our Government. II is 10 strengthen which
long line of illustrous services to the Republic all
converge; and when we have stated II fully the
gross injustice Of denying TO Mrs Smith reimburse
ment for property actually lost in the service OF the
Government. and bidding her exc out support for
herself and two children so far the national purse
will, we trust be apparent.
Mrs Smith is sister Of Capt Raymond Rodgers,
L. S. Navy who was Fleet Captain during DuPonts
capture of Port Royal and attack on Charleston.
Sister Of Capt George W. Rodgers u. $. Navy, who
was killed while commanding the monitor "Catskill,"
i'm an attack on Fort Wagner Morris Island. Her
paterna grandfather was Col. Rodgers who COM
manded the famous Maryland line during our revo-
lutOnary war, being greatly distinguished for his
gallantry and frequently mentioned in Gen wash
ngton's dispatches. His two were also gallant
officers who have carved their names into our his
tory with their swords. The eldest was Commodore
John Rodgers, who fired the first gun Of the war of
1872 and for many years the senior officer Of
infant navy The other son, the claimants frther,
| was Commodore George W Rodgers. who for his
special gallantry during the Of 1912. received
| sword OF honor from his native State and gold
| medal from Congress- accompanied by vote OF
| thanks This officer died in command of the Bra
| lillian squadron having also a diplomatic mission 10
| that country.
Commodore John Rodgers, the claimants uncle.
had two sons her cousins, whose names and services
| have become familiar during the recent civil war.
| One is Commodore John Rodgers, u. = Navy, who
| led the attack against both Port Royal and Fort
| Sumter also doing distinguished service elsewhere
under Admiral FaTraqt; and the other Ii Colonel Rob
crt Rodgers. lately commanding the I'd Maryland Po-
tomac Infantry than whom officer had finer regI-
ment or did better service with it, during the recent
struggle, having been twice severely wounded. Ano
ther brother of the claimant, sh0uld previously
have said, Lieutenant Alexander r. Rodgers, lh u.
S Infantry fell mortaly wounded while leading the
forlorn hope of his regiment in the stoning Of Che
pultepec and another brother. who also did good
service during the late war becoming ncapacitated
for active service i'm the field is retained IN the
| service as military storokeeper So much for the
| services rendered TO the Republic on the paternal
side. through three generations OF this claimants
! kindred.
On the maternal side, the claimants grandfather
WAS the famous Commodore Perry, who helped 10
| ganize the navy of our of Independence. For
several months he prisoner on board the dread
fnl jersey prison ships and after his discharge was
one Of the Lieutenants of tho "TrumbuH during her
!, action with the Watt" one Of the hardestfought
naval battles of that contest The old Commodore's
| five sons, uncles TO the claimant have made tho
name Of Perry familiar and lustrous word to all
| American ears. The eldest, Commodore q. III. Perry,
| gained the victory on Lake Erie and along with
him i'm that engagement was his little brother Alex
| ander a mere boy OF 10 years old serving as mid
shipInan and aide. Of the COmmodOrc's services we
need not speak: but not 80 generally known, that
little Alexander received ball through his cap and
! was subsequently, voted the thanks of Congress and
a sword Of honor being probably, tho youngest re
| eipient ever known Of such national acknowledge
ments Another OF the five brothers, Commodore
NJ C. Perry, crowned a long life of naval glory by
| opening the ports Of Japan TO American commerce;
while two more of the FIVE brothers commanders
under Commodore MoDonough in the battle on Lake
| Champlain. aI... ..
Thus coming from naval aud military stock the
most eminent the claimant presents through her de-
ceased husband claims almost equal to her claims of