The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-02-24
Boston and General jackson.

Just after the opening of Gen. Jackson's
second term there arose between his ad
ministr,tion and the opposition fearful
war in regard to the United States Bank
which institution, headed by Nicholas Bid
die, OF Pennsylvania, was regarded by the
Democrats as an opponent of the interests
Of trade On the contrary, the Wings
gave it their sanction and most earnes,
support. 1t was supposed that Webster's
great speech in reply to Hayne had brought
jackson over to the Wing side to such a
degree that he would favor the Wing poll
cy ofthe United States Bank TO make
this more sure jackson was invited to Wis
lit 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 flattery, and
had nearly yielded to federal persuaslons,
when David Henshaw, that war horse OF
Democracy, averted the intent, and it was
discovered soon after Jackson left that be
had actually signed the order for the reno
val Of the deposits while at his hotel in
Boston. - - SO $40
The wrath of the Boston people can
better be imagined than described. They
sought every way to demonstrate it. In
1884. shortly after this supposed overt act,
the frigate Constitution was hauled into
the ry-dock at Charlestown, Commodore
Charles Elliott being at that time in>com-
mand, and staunch friend and supporter
of jackson. Whatever were, his motives
or his reasons, he gave an order to- Mr..
Laban S. Beecher, the welEknown ship
carver, then young man but short time
in business, who kept at No. 8 North
Market street, to carve full figure of
Jackson for igurehead to be placed on
the Constitution. The Constitution. it
will be remembered, was Boston-built
ship, built on the present site of Constitu-
ton Wharf. Sho 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. and 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 well as generous patron
of Mr.. Beecher, being large shipowner.-
MIR. b. respectfully declined to accede to
other of the committee. Mr.. Alfred Rich
ardson, waited upon Mr.. Beecher with the
same. result. Mr.. Beecher threatening to
shoot any man who should interfere with
his work. AS soon as the facts were made
public the excitement became intense and
violence was threatened, the principal mer-
chants Of Boston taking part. At this
juncture, Commodore Elliott, being alarm
ed for the safety of the fgure-head, with
the promptness aud decision which was
characteristic of the bluff old Commodore,
ordered the work to be taken to the navy
yard and there finished, and informed Mr..
Beecher 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 ar
rived at the time designated, manned by
thirty men, who were provided with billets
of wood to defend themselves in case of
attack. As sort Of feint, portion OF
the men proceeded to the market with bas-
kets. Meanwhile Mr.. Beecher had packed
the unfinished figurehead, 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, rhe little man in black" with
his treasure, being Appointment object on
board the barge for the Kisses of the crowd.
Arrived at Charlestown, MIR. Beeecher was
allotted convenient room to prosecute
the work, before which sentinel paced
night and day. The fgurehead was. COM
pleted and bolted upon the cutwater of the
Constitution 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 90 to sea with
that figurehead. How to accomplish the
result was not SO easy to decide upon
But way at once seemed opened to them.
Captain Sam Dewey, bold, daring, and
reckless man, had just arrived from sea,
and one evening while in company with
few kindred spirits the matter was broach-
ed. Captain Dewey declared that be would
cut off the figurehead and produce it on
certain evening. The holiness of the pro-
position and the well known intrepidity Of
the man gained immediate credence, and
it was not long before preparations were
made for q grand celebration and supper at
Gallasher's Hotel, tho old Stackpole
House. The night fixed upon by Dewey
was eminently propitious-a fearful storm
was raging, accompanied by sharp light
ming and terrific thunder. Dewey had his
confederates at given point; he took
skiff at Charlestown bridge, and, without
the aid of oars, dropped quietly alongside
the frigate fastening his painter to the
lower bobstays, he climbed up to the head,
being provided with q narrow, but highly
tempered saw, and. watching the beats Of
the sentry so as to avoid him on approach,
he sawed the fgurehead through just above
the lower jaw, placed o strong leading line
over the upper part, which, at a given sig
nal, was responded to by his confederates.
The fgurehead was safely brought to Co.
mey's wharf, and from thence taken to
Gallagher's Hotel, where brilliant assem-
bly, was gathered-of all that gay crowd
but few are left-and there was wit and
sentiment and song such as have rarely
been reproduced. AS the time and the oc-
casion have been so long forgotten, and as
the asperities of political wrangles have
been so deeply buried, we leave them
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