The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-18
THE JULY MAGAZINES.
trHE EAI.ANY.,e

"a Leap in the Dark, by Edward H.
House; American Women and English
Women" by Justin Mccarthy; "Summer
Rain. " by E. r. Sill; "Lo-Land Adventure"
by Albert s. Evans; ga Problem" " by Louise
Chandler Moulter; ''Gleanings from the Sea,
by John G. Draper; Condemned" by M.
i. r.; 'Museums of Art, Artists, and ANA
teurs in America, by J. Jackson Jarves; $50
Dearly Bought" by Frank Lee Benedict;
''Poppies," by Rose Terry; ''Put Yourself in
his Place, by Charles Reade, chapter XIV
to end with an illustration); IA Sigh," by
j. W. De Forest; "The New Lamps of His
tory" lecture delivered before the Univer-
sity of California, by William Swinton; 'Mr.
Welles in Answer to Mr.. Weed-The Facts of
the Abandonment of Gosport Navy Yard, by
Gideon Welles; 'Drift-Wood," by Philip Qui-
Tibet; Literature and Art" Memoranda"
by Mark Twain; ''Nebule," by the Editor.
AS the reply of that eminent mariner, ex-
Secretary of the Navy Welles, to Thurlow
Weed, is of considerable interest, and spicy
withal, we give it entire:-
MIR. WELLES IN A NSWER TO MIR. WEED.
THE FACTS OF THE ABANDONMENT OF GosPoRT
NAVY YARD.
In the GdIdTyfor June there was published
a chapter from the autobiography of Mr..
Thurlow Weed, which contains, with vast
amount of egotlsm, some facts perverted, and
no little fiction. The author has a very fertile
recollection, a prodigiously prolific memory,
and in his conceits and details he remembers,
and relates with minuteness that is wonder
full, events that never took place, or which
occurred under circumstances widely different
from his narration of them.
This chapter of the autobiography COM
mences with an account of two visits which
were made to Washington in March and
April, 1S61-an interesting period of our his
tory Mr.. Weed describes not only his OBJ
servations, but the vigilant supervision
which he exercised over the Govern
ment, and the admonitions, promptings,
and instructions which he kindly administered
to the President and various Departments. 1t
is pleasant to read the incidents he relates 1t
is still more pleasant to witness the f-satis-
fed complacency and the modest and unaf-
fected self-conceit which crop out in almost
every sentence. That the autobiographer
was as officious and intrusive as he states,
perhaps without any intention of being i'm
pertinent, is altogether probable. Unfortu-
nately for the accuracy of his memory and
the truthfulness of his statements, many Of
his "reminiscences are inconsistent with facts.
The two opening paragraphs will bear repub-
ication. Mr.. Weed says:--
The first and only Inauguration of President
attended that of Mr. Lincoln in 1861 1t was
known that designs upon his life while on his way
from Springfield to Washington were providentiay
averted. 1t was also known that the question OF
seiZiDg upon the Government and its archives had
been Contemplated. fhe few troops in Washington
were therefore stationed around the Capitol During
the ceremony OF inauguration walked about the
grounds, encountering Major General Wool, with
and two pieces of cannon posted SO as to rake an
important avenue. soon after found Lieutenant
General Scott, with the same number Of cannon (on
one of which the veteran was resting his ebow)
posted In an equally advantageous position. This
in country so long exempted from serious internal
collisions, occasoned painful reflections General
Scott assured me that these precautions were not un
necessary and that they had not been taken moment
too early. All, however, passed without either an
attack or an alarm. But it was not long before
eguivocal symptoms Of rebellion were manifested
When IN Washington few days afterwards | was
awakened early one morning by Horace ii. Riddell
formerly resident of and representative from Alleg
hany county, N. Y, but then living at Harper's
Ferry, who informed me that unless Immediately
reinforced the arsenal and armory at that place
would be attacked and taken by enemies of the Gov
ernment who were banding together for that pur-
pose adding that there was not an hour to lose.
went Immediately TO the secretary OF War with this
so imminent, but said that the subject should have
immediate attention. went from the Secretary OF
War to General Scott who promptly said that my
information was confrmatory of that which he had
received the evening previous. "But," he added,
defense OF the capital, is twenty-one hundred.
Washington is as much in danger as Harpers
snail repel attack upon This City, but
cannot hazard the capital of the Union, as should
by dividing my force, even to save Harpers Ferry -
Ny friend Riddles information but too reliable.
The next day brought us intelligence OF the loss of
Harper's Ferry.
Soon after this, our first taste of rebellion, re-
ceived information from an equally reliable source
that Gosport, with its vast supply OF munitions OF
war, was in danger. or this Informed the Secre-
tary of the Navy at the breakfasttable Of Wizards
Hotel. Believing from his manner that he attached
but little Importance to my information, reiterated
with emphasis assuring him that it would be occa-
sion for deep regret IL GOsport were not Immediately
strengthened. Meeting the Secretary at dinner the
same day, renewed the conversation, and was in-
formed the matter teoud be attended to. This did
not quiet my solicitude, and leaving the Secretary
TO the placid enjoyment OF his dinner, repaired to
the White House. Mr.. Lincoln, however, had driven
out to visit some fortidcations. made another
attempt in the evening to see him, but he was again
out. Early the next morning, however, found him
and informed HIM what had heard OF the danger
that threatened Gosport, and how, as l feared,
had failed TO impress the Secretary OF the Navy with
the accuracy OF my information or the necessity OF i'm
mediate action. ''Well," said Mr. Lincoln, 1--WE CAM
afford TO lose all those cannon; I'll go and Father
Weles myself" as he did Immediately. The result
was that Admiral Paulding, who was then de-
spatched TO Norfolk arrived just IN time to enjoy
Illumination occasioned by the burning OF Govern
ment property, and witness the capture Of Cos
port"
do not affect to misunderstood the scope
and purpose of the illusions to myself, mol
the impressions which the autobiographer
seeks to convey. They are in character and
keeping with years of misrepresentation in
relation to the abandonment of the navy yarG
at Norfolk, and other events by which the
administration of the Navy Department was
for years maligned and wronged. This de
traction and these slanders, covertly made,
wasted no time to correct, when employed il
duties which demanded all my attention. No
should l now notice them but for Ger
tain associations of the autobiographer, no
have given them thought if they had been