The New York herald., 1869-03-19
TESTIMONIAL TO CAPTAIN DUCHEsSE.

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Congratuiatory Banquet Mt DeInonico's Last
Evening.
1t win be remembered that In January last the
steamship Pereire, OF the General Transatlantic Com
pany, commanded by Captain Duchesne encountered
fearful storm few days after she had left Brest,
on her way to this port, during which she was CON-
PEELED to put about after receiving considerable
damage. The skill, GOODNESS and indomitabe courage
displayed by the captain during the terrible ordeal
which the vessel underwent that occasion excited
feeling OF great admiration for him on both sides OF
the Atlantic, and shortly after having brought his
vessel safely into port the Emperor Napoleon deco
rated him with the Cross OF the Legion OF Honor,
as o betting recognition Of his services. On
the arrival Of the captain at New York IN the
Pereire last week the French residents OF this
city determined to tender him banquet as a
testimonial OF their esteem, and last evening,
under the auspices OF the Cerce Francois
de l'Harmonie, the affair came of at Delmonicos,
corner OF Fourteenth street and Fifth avenue The
occasion attracted very select assembage and was
one Of the most sociabe and pleasant reunions Of its
kind which have taken place in this city for
decorated with the fags q France ana the United
States, while very pretty miniature Pereire graced
the table at which the gallant captain and his
officers were seated. There were present about 100
D To y ths
Pereire; Messieurs N. Bishop. v. Durand (ex-Presi-
dent Of the French Benevolent Society," Ellie Char
and j. Odn, or the city Of st. Etienne. Monsieur A.
POTTER Vice President OF the Cercle Francois de
peculiarly Ia DeImonico, and % Of r course. our % included
everything that the most fastidlous OF epicures
could have desired.
After the cloth had been resumed Mr. Ellie Charter
in proposing the toast Of the hOnored guest Of the
evening, referred IN very appropriate terms to the
popularity which Captain Ducnesne nad won Tor
himself on both sides Of the Atlantic by the
courage he had displayed on more than one occa-
son tSs In time Of danger e. n sea- and BY
known to extend to his passengers. The speaker
then recounted some very pleasing episodes Of
among which was the celebration in mid-ocean of
the Fourth OF July, in which the captain took an
&c G t1e vosas
inch sailor, and when they landed at Brest and
witnessed the meeting between the sturdy seaman
and his family they felt that he was every inch
man, and that the old saying that good sailor
could not be an affectionate husband was proven to
be very false one.
Captain Duchesne, in rising to respond, was
loudly cheered and, after the applause mad some
what subsidized. said that it would be useless task
say I anything Of Of the battery which he he had d
nSsse He said n that he wSs i.
express how deeply the honor extended TO him had
touched his heart and the occasion would certainly
never be enaced from his memory. In the name OF
his officers he thanked the assemblage for the COM
pliments that had been showered upon them. and in
conclusion proposed the toast Of 'a navy that had in
times gone by fought side by side with that Of
France in many glorious fgnt'-"The American
Navy"
Mr.. Charles A. Dana responded to the toast, and
concluded very neat little speech in French by
giving the French Navy, may lis glory be per-
petua" which, like the previous toast. was drunk
with all the honors.
Several other toasts were proposed and duly
honored, when Mr.. Ellie Charlier, on behalf of Cap
tain Duchesne, returned thanks to the press Of the
United States for the sympathy 1t had manifested
for the welfare OF the Perere In her late disaster
and for the generous manner In which IL had CON-
mented upon his efforts TO DO his duty and save the
lives OF his passengers.
The assemDage then adjourned with three cheers
for the commander OF the Pereire, who had "dared
to save his passengers regardless OF the cabal OF
those who considered that captain should lose all
rather than give way before the terr0rs OF the
ocean,"
The banquet was splendid success in every par
ticular, and will no doubt be In years to come
'green spot' In the memory OF the brave man In
whose honor 1t was rendered recognition OF his
manly conduct duriug disastrous and trying
ordeal.