The New York herald., 1873-08-05
TEE FRIGATE CONGRESS AT GALWAY
The European Fleet on Is Travels-A Cead
Mile Failte to Captain Rhind, His Officers
and Crew-A Hispano-Irish City Speaks
to America-A Citizen Deputation sa.
luted with Twenty-one Guns-The
City ofthe Tribes and It's People


Rear Admiral Case, OF the European neet about
q month since issued an order IN which he an
nOunced that he intended that all officers OF his
squadron shoula enjoy every opportunity to visit
places OF interest whenever the duties Of the sta
tion permitted. With this view he purposed grant
ing leave to officers when possible, and they would
be expected on their return to their ships to make
reports to him. Professional subjects were Of
course to receive precedence in such letters, but
when visits paid to localities afrording sub
jects of military naval nature the reports
to contain remarks on anything Of interest either
historical, natural or artistic The letters to
be forwarded to the Navy Department. In pur-
suance OF this determination the vessels of the
fleet were despatched from the rendezvous each
in different direction. The fine frigate Congress,
Captain Rhind, was ordered to visit the ports OF
Great Britain and Ireland.
THE CONGRESS IN GALWAY BAY.
The Congress, after calling at Southampton
sailed for the fine, old, famous city OF Galway and
anchored in the bay few weeks since. This port
on the west coast OF Ireland in the ordinary
course OF events should be the focus OF British
passage and postal intercourse with the United
States and Canada In 1858 Mr.. Lever, member
Of Parliament. after extraordinary exertions, sue
ceeded IN establishing line OF steamers between
powerful Liverpool lines and their influence with
the English government caused the enterprise, OF
which so much was hoped by the people OF Ireland,
to prove failure. But the Importance Of the port
is none the less, and no doubt Captain Rhind's
officers will collect some valuable information OF
the old Hispano-Irsn city and the surrounding
country which they have visited.
AN ANGELS VISIT.
The arrival of man OF war in an Irish port is an
event; but when the ship sails under the Stars and
Stripes she creates most agreeable sensation
among the people OF every class, for Irishmen in
their own country regard that flag with an affec-
ton that would be hard to describe. correspond
ent on the spot writes. apparently with surprise
and enthusiasm, on the advent of the Congress-
"Judge what an event in the lie OF the harbor is
the appearance therein or an American man-Of.
War-a veritabe man -Of-war-her sides bristing
with cannon and her decks crowded with men.
She is the Congress, second class steamship,
carrying sixteen guns and 256 men. She is Just
paying vsit-only visit for she goes away on
Monday to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and several other
vessels of the United States feet being on q round
OF visits. hope that her courteous and gallant
officers and crew (many OF whom are lrish) will
derive much pleasure during their stay, as | GER
tainly did from my inspection OF their ship. The
proverbia neatness OF an English man OIL war, if
possible. is surpassed, and
THE DECKS ARE AS POLISHED
as dining tables, while the brasses and the fittings
of everything on board are so many FURNISHED
mirrors. rejecting nothing but cleanliness, order
aud strengtn: me arnory wen repays ane VISITOR
voivers and all the weapons Of offensive warfare.
The flag Captain Rhind sails under procures him
A CEAD MILE FAILTE
among Irishmen everywhere, which he certainly
returns by the ready ingress on board allowed to
all sightseers and the polite attention they eX-
perien ce during their tour around the Congress-"
The officers when on shore were treated every
where with the greatest attention and respect by
the citizens who rivalled each other in showing
the great satisfaction they felt by the visit The
trated by an address presented to Captain Rhnd
and his officers by a deputation who visited the
Congress on behalf of the city OF Galway.
| GALWAY SPEAKS TO AMERICA.
The address commenced by stating the intense
satisfaction that animated the people OF Galway IN
would not, 1t continues, extract from our mis-
SION by feeby attempting to expatiate on the iul-
less vainly try to enumerate the surpassng merits
OF the happy and glorious occasion which creates
and calls it into existence. distinguished British
statesman in the British Senate has prOpounded
the idea that could Ireland bu. heave the anchor at
which she springs in the eternal ocean she would
jOylully do so, and would with eagerness and de-
light seek SAFER moorings and more secure repOse
public. Strange as IL may seem, that idea now ap-
pears in manner realized, for If
THE DECK OF AN AMERICAN SHIP
be as sacred to liberty the soil OF an American
prairie-if within the walls OF Congress, in the city
OF Washington, flash the same soul and burn the
same sentiment that illumes and warns the walls
OF the good ship Congress, within view OF the city
OF Galway, 1t would be no poets dream should we
fondly imagine ourselves already basking in the
presence and sunshine of giorlons America. Eng
land claims you az her cousin; Ireland seeks the
recognition Of brother-a brother, 1t Is true, OPP
pressed by poverty and aiilcton-by a poverty
that Is prescribed and by an afflictlon that Is made
methOdcai-but o brother who, when called upon,
has never hesltated to water the tree OF American
freedom with the
REDDEsT AND RICHEST OF HIS LIFE's BLOOD
We hail. therefore, with feelings OF the most pro-
found emotion, your advent among us. We are
grateful to YOU Captain Rhind for having hon
Ored city, gladdening our eyes with the hight OF
your presence and anording us an opportunity OF
breathing in the morning breeze an unaccustomed
balm. We salute and thank your officers Tor their
courtesy and urbanity towards our fellow citizens
in their frank demeanor and generous spirit the
future dispensers OF the Will and the worth OF
THEIR GREAT COLUMBIAN MOTHER.
We clasp with fraternal force the hands OF your
gallant crew, and our souls tinge to the touch;
and, finally, we wish your splendid ship hearty
waste, praying that no mischief may ever belal her
sacred spars while presenting to heaven for its APP
preaching smile their Stars and Stripes.
CAPTAIN RHIND's REPLY.
Captain Rhind expressed the pleasure ii Afforded
city of Galway lie could not attach any political
significance to 1t whatever, but he could not help
remembering that large section OF the American
the institutions o, their adopted country, always
ready to exhibit their native pluck when the ext
the defence OF America and the uphOdlng OF her
institutions There was a mutual feeling OF friend
ship ana amity between Ireland and America; and
coming on, he might say, tour OF pleasure and
peace-.Or America was at peace with all nations
1t afforded him and the officers under his command,
the greatest pleasure TO meet the respectable depu
tatiOn whcn had done them the honor OF pre-
sentIng the eloquent address which had been read
by Mr. Tierney. Captain khind then entertained
the deputation at luncheon, and on their leaving
the Congress he caused parting
SALUTE OF TwENTY-ONE GUNS
N q A
Galway Militia (thc aristocracy OF tile county at
LOughrea to the officers OF the Congress, at which
they enjoyed themselves thoroughly, and we're
otherwise entertained with the greatest hospitality.
All the naval cOurteses were extended by the
authorities to the vessel.
THE CITY OF THE TRIBES.
Galway was once nOurlshing city, but, like all
other parts OF Ireland, it has fallen into decay.
Centuries ago 1t carried on an extensive trade
with Spain. AS transatlantic station 1t possesses
the great advantage over all others In It's proxim-