Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-08-14
Anecdotes of Public Men
NY COL. JOHN W. FoRNEY.

Anecdotes of Public Men
BY COL. JOHN W. FoRNEY.
From the sanday Morning Chronicles.
. Robeff Neld Stockton, of New ser-
sew, gfandson Of Richard Stockton, one
of the agners Of the Declaration OF In
dependence, was born near Princeton
in that State, in 1885,. and died there
October Z, 1866. Inheriting many ol
the qualities Of his great ancestor, his
csreer was longer, more varied, and, il
possible, more exciting He began the
battTeo of life early. Leaving Prince
ton College, he entered the navy al
fifteer, was an aid of Commodore Rog.
ems on board the historic frigate Presi-
dent, and rose rapidly by his impulsive
daring. He remained in the navy TIL
Is49. and ended with the rank Of conn.,
modsre in ls45. Few have achieved a
more enduring fame. lie was at once
sailor, statesman, and diplomatist. AS
commander OF the frigate Erie, in 1921
he was instrumental in purchasing from
Africa the original site of the Republic
OF Liberia. During this cruise he
captured a number Of slayers and a
Portuguese privateer and French sioop
engaged in the vile traffic. On his re-
turn from this duty he was ordered to
the West Indies, and broke up nea
of pirates that were preying on our
commerce. From 1926 TO 1888 he re-
Inained at home, espoused Gen. Jack,
sons cause with much activity, and
began his iabors for internal improve
ments in NewJ ersey, which only closed
with his death. In 1888 he resumed
active service in the navy. and soon dis
tinguishcd himself by his knowledge
of gunnery, steam engines, and naval
architecture generally. The celebrated
steam sloop-of-war Princeton was one
of the products of his genius, and was
superior to any, war vessel afioat for
speed, sailing qualities, model, and
steam motive power. She attracted
universal attention. Her armament
was two 225-pound wougkt-iron guns
and twelve 42-pound carronades. After
this he was sent to the Pacific coast, and
there identified himself with the early
acquisition of California;; and to his
dash, courage, and statesmanship, our
country is incalculably indebted for the
magnificent empire cuniposedJ of the
State of California and its Jewelled sis.
tiers. In 1916 he carried reinforte-
ments to the Pacific squadron, Com
modore Sloat, at Monterey, and shortly
after superseded him in the command.
While force ofsnpt over fifteen hun
dred men, six hundred of them sailors
from the fleet, and some Californians,
he, in six months, conquered the whole
of California, and established the au-
thority of the United States there. He
returned to the East over land in June,
1s47. In June, 1s49, he resigned his
commission in the navy, and, IN 1851,
was elected a Senator in Congress from
New jersey for the term ending in
1857, but resigned in 1853, after having
been active in several measures, among
others the bill abolishing fiogging in
the navy, which he introduced. But
: the steamer Princeton was not always
fortunate. 1t was the pride of his heart
and in order to exhibit the efficiency
of his "big gun," he carried her into
the waters of the Potomac, and ON the
2Sth of February, 1874, invited Presi-
dent Tyler and the gentlemen of his
Cabinet, and a number, of members OF
Congress and distinguished persons, to
q sumptuous banquet on board, for the
purpose of inspecting the ship and
witnessing the performances of the iron
thunderer. Among the company were
President John Tyler, Hon. Abel p
Upshur, Secretary of State; Thomas
w. Gilmer, Secretary of the Navy;
William Wilkins, Secretary of War;
Hon. Thomas III. Benton, Virgil Max
cy, Captain Kennon, Mr. Gardner, Mr.,
Phelps, Mr.. Tyson, Second Assistant
Postmaster General, and number OF
ladies. 1t was genial and joyous com.
pany The gallant Stockton, with his
large wealth, fine manners, high spirits
and love of society, was the beau idea
of a courteous host, and on that day he
was unusually happy. All were de
lighted with the beauty of the ship and
its appointments, and especially with
the cordial hospitality of the comman.
der. The big gun had been twite sue
cessfuliy fired, the guests had just COM
pleted bounteous dinner, when un.
fortunately it was proposed to have
another trial of the monster cannon
The company started for the main deck
and President Tyler was about to fol.
low, when he was arrested by favorite
song and remained to hear fit, which
probably saved his life. The ship was
Just approaching her anchorage al
Alexandria. Around the big gun 9
large concourse was assembled, and Mr.
Wilkins stepped back, quietly remark
ing that though he was Secretary o
War, he felt he was too near for safety
The next moment the terrible machine
exploded. The massive breach spill
into two parts, one of which killed Mr.
Upshur, Mr.. Gilmer, Mr.. Maxcy, Capt
Kennon, and Mr.. Gardner, and the
other swept away portion of the bui
warks and went into the river. Capt
Stockton, Mr.. Benton, Mr.. Phelps, ant
several more were prostrated, but moi
severely injured. Seventeen of the
crew were hurt, some of them badly
The scene baffied all description. II
shocked the whole country. The
whole country. The President sent &
special message to Congress next morn.
ing, while all public and private bust.
ness was suspended, and the honored
dead were buried with appropriate Ger.
emonies. Captain Stockton was deep.
ly affected, and his sympathy for the
victims was not less sincere than the
general feeling which acquitted him OF
all blame. i3sE - ei.,,- 4 -.
These events took nlace in February