Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-11-08
tCOMMUNICATED.


Constellation calls up some Of the glorious
memories Of the past, when in our struggling
youth, rs a nation. we were united. Alas! that
discord should have disturbed the harmony, the
unity Of this confeIeracy of Independent States!
The old ship constellation WIS built at Bal
timore in 1897, contemporaneousIy with the
"Constitutiou at Boston, the PRESIDENT at
New York. and the 'United States" at Phila-
dephla. All these are names Respondent with
the fame of the .. S. navy and the brilliant
history of her gallant seaIncu.
The old Constellation gained our first naval
laurels in the quasi war with the French Re-
public, when under the command Of the gal
liant Truxton in 1899 and 1900. On her first
cruise she captured the sic lnsurgente' and
the lie Vengeance, in both Of which engage
ments the fight was desperate and bloody. On
board of her at this date was Rodgers Us lst
Lieutenant, and David Porter as midshipman,
both of whom were afterwards famous in our
naval annals. In the war Of 1872 the Con
stcllation was fitted ont in Washington and
laid off Alexandria near Fishtown, on her way
to sea. This was in 1914. Her commander
who died recently at over 80 years of age.
Ridgcly, OF Maryland, once prisoner as mid
shipman Of the trigate Philadelphia, at Tripoli.
in 1904. She did not however, get to sea at
| that tune, but at Norfolk was very conspicuous
under Capt Tarbcl in the defence Of that city
and harbur. The present ship was built about
25 years ago, and named suppose, to retain
the memory of the old one 1t Is not generally
known that the Constitution, "Old [rousides, !"
also sailed from the Potomac on her first cruise
in 1912, when she tore the British ensign FROM
its charmed height.
All the above named vessels have been
famous in our naval history, and are ndiSsou.
bly, linked with the heroic deeds Of our naval
heroes, all too, save one, were brilliantly sue
ccsstul in carrying aIoft the banner OF the free.
and pulling down the ensign Of the boosted
mistress OF the seas The unsuccessful ship
WAS the ''Pre>ident," under Decatur when, in
1914, she yielded, after gallant fight, to the
superior force Of a British Squadron, but ere
her ensign fell, her deck was red with heroes
! blood, aud three Of her leutenants had yielded
their breath in defence Of the banner. beneath
whose starry folds they valianty fought.
have seen i. S. squadron, when boy
pass up and down this noble stream. | saw
Porter hcet-MoSquIto it was called-pass up
this river on its return from the cruise against
the West India Pirates. also saw Lafayette
pass down the river in 1925 in the old steamer
Mount Vernon to join the y. 5. ship Brand y
winc," tn anchored below, destined to take
him back to France | can distinctly rccolIect
him, bare headed, standing at the gaugway.
bowling in spouse to the huzzas which greet
ed him from the shore; his nankeen pants and
crippled leg were distinct objects in my boyish
eyes The late R0bt B. Randolph was a mid
Shpman on board the President in the action
referred to, and behaved himself with COM
melClabc gallantry.
In these remarks, upon the interesting past,
| specially desire to remember our old town:
j. L. Newton. a native, lies buried in the old
Presbyterian graveyard, a Lieutenant under
Lawrence in the grand action OF ID minutes,
between the 'IIornct" and the 'PeacOck. 4"
The citizens of Alexandria gave Newton a
sword, x handled sword lIc wore it when
here in 1871 in COMMAND Of the steam trigate
missouri" saw him, Che did not know me J
tall, manly, fine looking gentleman.
Commander VIM. Jameson is still living, a
resident and native born Of this ancient Belle
Haven On the lst Of September 1911, he en-
tered the navy as midshipman, was in the &C,
ton between the u. s. aud Macedonian, y
subsequently transferred to the U. 5. brig Ar
gus, under command of W II. Allen, the lst
|
orabIp combat aforesaid He in that position
was wounded. He is now living here an octo-
generian a worthy citizen, a gallant Old seaman,
faithful father, a stcadtast friend.
Whilst on this subject Of Alexandria remi-
niscences let me not forget to name midshlp.
man Dephy, who persisted i'll the Argus
with his commander, Allen, in the terrible con
fct with the "pelic;ln' in the British Channel
in sight of the "Whitc Cliffs of Albion
jameson was his comrade in thateventtul fight
now living Dclphy's brother, worthy cltl-
zen, is still living and can be seen i'll market
every morning Who does not know Bart
| Dc!phy? ANTIQUARY.
WASHINGTON ITEMs.-Thc proceedings OF
the Washington Board Of Health, are made
the subject of much fun.
Yesterday afternoon while Mr.. William
RYAN was engaged in the discharge of the du
ties of his desk, as a clerk in the Sixth Audi
tors Office, he fell suddenly to the floor, and
although every assistance possible was render
ed, he expired in few minutes
Judge Wylic yesterday issued decree dl-
vorcing from the bonds Of matrmOny Henry
o. Vcrmillion with Josephine Vcrmlon.
The petition sets forth that the parties were
married on the 10th of january, 1868 that
defendant lived with him as his wife for two
days only, and then abandoned hun.
1t is said there is a movement on foot to buy
out Mr.. CoIfax as candidate for next Prcsi-
dent. The movement may be "on foot''-but
it will be no GO
DIED.
At his home in Georgetown, ID. G., on Mon
duy last Mr. WM H. MARLL, aged ffty-six