Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-02-24
BOSTON AND GEN. JACKSON.
Curious "Reminiscences OF Party
Feeling.


Just after the opening OF Gen. Jackson,s
second term, there arose between his ad-
ministration and the opposition a fearful
war in regard to the United States Bank,
which institution, headed by Nicholas Bid
die, Of Pennsylvania, was regarded by the
democrats rs an opponent OF trace. On
the contrary, the wings gave 1t their sane
ton and most earnest support. II
was supposed that Daniel Webster's
great speech in reply to Hayne had
brought jackson over to the whig side to
such degree that he would favor the whig
policy of the United States Bank. To make
this more sure, Gen. Jackson was invited
to visit Boston, where an ovation was given,
such as was never rendered to any other
President since the days of Washington.
He was not proof against the Aattery, and
had nearly yielded to federal persuasion,
when David Henshaw that war horse OF
democracy, averted the intent, and it was
discovered soon after Jackson left that he
had actually signed the order for the re-
moval of the deposits while at his hotel in
Boston.
The wrath of the Boston people can bet
ter be imagined than described. They
sought every way to demonstrate it. In
1884, shortly after the supported overt act
the frigate Constitution was hauled into
the dry dock at Charleston, Commodore
Chas. Elliot being at that time in COM
mand, and staunch friend and supporter
of jackson. Whatever were his motives or
reasons, he gave an order to Mr. Laban $.
Beecher, the we'll known ship
carver then young man but
short time in the business, who
kept at No. s North Market street, to carve
full figure OF jackson for fgurehead to
be placed ON the Constitution. The Con
stitution, twill be remembered, was Bos-
ton-built ship built on the present site OF
Constitution wharf. She was the glory OF
the old North End, and on her first voyage
was manned mostly by Boston men. The
time, the circumstance, and the order, all
provoked the Boston merchants, aud they
appointed committee to wait on Mr.,
Beecher and request him to stop the work.
Old Captain Ben. Rich, long since dead,
was the spokesman of the committee, q
great friend as we'll rs generous patron
of Mr.. Beecher, b. ing large shipowner.
Mr. b. respectfully declined to accede Ia
the demand made by Captain Rich. Anoth'
er of the committee, Alfred Richardson,
waited upon Mr.. Beecher with the same
result, Mr.. Beecher threatening to shoot
any man who interfered with his work. AS
soon as the facts were made public
the excitement became intense and violence
was threatened, the principal merchants
of Boston taking part. At this juncture
Commodore Elliott, being alarmed for the
safety of the figurehead, with the prompt
ness and decision which were character 3
tic of the bluff old Commodore, ordered
the work to be taken to the Navy Yard,
and there finished, and informed Mr.. Bech-
er that he would send well-manned barge
to the rear of his shop by daylight Mr..
Beecher's place was situated so that the rear
of the building was on the edge of the old
Middlesex Canal The barge arrived at
the time designated, manned by thirty
men, ~ho were provided with bilets OF
wood to defend themselves i'll case Of at
tack. As sort of feint, portion of the
men proceeded to the market with baskets.
Meanwhile Mr.. Beecher had packed the
| unfinished fgurehead in large box and
lowered it down by the run into the barge,
This accomplished, the boatswain piped
his whistle, and the crew of the barge
came on board, and she shot through the
canal, Just as the excited crowd,
who had got wind of the
proceedings appeared on the ground,
'the little man in black" with his treas
ure, being prominent object ON board the
barge for the Kisses of the crowd Arriy-
ing at Charlestown, Mr.. Beecher was allot-
ed convenient room to prosecute his work
before which a sentinel paced night and
day The fgurehead was completed and
bolted upon the cutwater of the Constitu-
tion before she left the dock and hauled out
to her anchorage in the stream. To guard
against any intended attack by the mob,
Commodore Elliott had placed the yard in
state of defence.
The frmness of Mr. Beecher, and the
boldness OF Commodore Elliott, tended to
increase the excitement in Boston. There
seemed to be fixed determination that
the Constitution should not 60 to sea with
that figure-head. How to accomplish the
result was not SO easy to decide upon, But
way at once seemed opened to them
Capt. Sam. Dewey, bold, daring and
reckless man, had just arrived from sea,
anu OlC CNSnlilR WnllC ~ NOllDuul Will u
few kindred spirits the matter was
broached, Capt. Dewey declared that he
would cut off the fgure-head and produce
it on certain evening, The boldness Of
the proposition, and the well-known in
trepidity Of the man gained immediate
credence, and it was not long hsfore pre-
parations were made for grand celebra-
ton and,supper at Gallaghers Hotel, the
old StNckpole House. The night fixed up
on by Captain Dewey was eminently propi-
tious-a fearful storm was raging accom-
panied by sharp lightning and terrific thun-
der. Dewey had his contederates at given
point; he tooh skiff at Charlestown bridge
and, without the cid of oars dropped qui-
etly alongside the frigate; fastening his
painter to the lower bobstays, he climbed
up to the head, being provided with o mar
row, but highly tempered saw, and, watch
ing the beats Of the sentry so as TO avoid
him on approach he sawed the fgurehead
through just above the lower jaw, placed a
strong leading line over the upper part
which, at given signal, was responded
to by his confederates. The fgurehead
was safely brought to Conveys wharf, and
from thence taken to Gallagher's Hotel,
where brilliant assembly was gathered
(of all that gsy crowd but few are left)--
and there was wit, and sentiment and song,
such as have rarely been reproduced. As
the time and the occasion have been so
long forgotten, and as the asperities Of po-
litical wrangles have been 80 deeply buried,
we leave them where they were, but the
Hartford Convention, with Tim Bigelow at
its head, could hardly have matched the
excitement that followed.
As soon as Elliott discovered the insult
to his chief, he was like roaring lion.
Sending a peremptory message to Mr..
Beecher TO appear at the yard, that gentle
man appeared. "AIr Beecher, said the
irate Commodore, those damned rascals
have cut of that fgurehead; can il be re-
paired p "Yes, said Mr. Beecher, "but
you must excuse me from doing anything
further in the matter as the exciteme mt
is already 80 great. The mutilated part
was then covered with the national flag, and
the Constitution left the harbor in that
condition. The after history OF that fg-
urehead is shrouded in mystery. Dewey