National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-05
THE LATE THOS. CARBERY.
THE RECORD OF 4 BUSY AND WE'LL
SPENT LIFE.

a
VALUABLE SCRAPS OF WASHINGTON
HISTORY - CAPT. CARBERY AS A MILL
TARY AND CIVIL oFFICER-HIs ADMIN
IsTRATIUN OF THE MAYoRALTY-wHAT
He ACCOMPLISHED.
At the meeting Of the Oldest Inhabitants Asso-
citation, held Wednesday afternoon, Mr.. Nicholas
OaIlan, q member OF the association, read before
the body well prepared biographical sketch Of
the late Captain Thomas Carbery, Well-kno"h
citizen Of this city and who was closely luen-
tined with its past history. The following Is the
text OF
Mr.. CALLAN's PAPER
One Of the most beneficial results connected
with the institution. Of which you and nave the
honor to belong, is received from the perioolcSl
presentation Of papers and readnE OIL essays
whereby Whatever Is important 10 remember ~
the transactions Of the past is preserved from Cd
IIvion. and we are again placed, as It were, lace
n fare with those cherished spirits who have pre-
neded us to that bourne from which no Traveller
returns" Other and more pretentious irstlIuuOus
NAV add to the intellectual status OF the age Cy
facilitating the PRONUNCIATION Of selenune Jus
courses by dIffusing throughout society passion
ate yearning after book knowledge ana SeueIHl
inclination TO converse on literary topics but 1t is
the peculiar privilege Of our 70 I'M
to It's members that mysterious JOY iheohPrehen-
sTb1o n man were not immortal, which accom-
,opfrs the recital OF the virtues and characters
tics Of those they had loved and respected in days
and wears gone by, whose noble examples for rec
titude Of conduct and persevelng industry,
their successors Of this and the forthcoming gen.
erations are called upon to initiate. In a country
like ours where the occurrences OF one day are ior-
gotten in the excitement Of the morrow, and
where the most startling events fail to produce
an abiding or lasting impression, the usefulness
In were,
the mutilated record of the previous past, in max
inp its members share in the Offering duly paid
Of honor and love to the memory OF the departed
one can never be duly appreciated.
As l look calmly through the lights retro
zpect1ve. It becomes more and more evident 70 my
mind that the objects and purposes Of our assocla-
ton are beginning to develop and unfold them-
selves, so that we on the eve Of realizing WhaI
was proposed in its organization, by bringing 70
light many OF the almost-fOrgotten events Oh
the mast, and holding up to public admiration the
true character OF our citizens. My object In the
remarks am about to submit is to pay passing
homage to the memory OF one Of our
OLDEST AND MOST USEFUL CITIZENS,
who, II living, would be among US to-day and MS
honored name be enrolled on our records as one
orour most esteemed members. But ne oepafteu
this life before cur association was organized, after
having resided among US for more than nan
century. He witnessed the rise and growth OF our
CITY from its infancy to nearly its manhood. Ire
fer TO the late Captain Thomas Carbery' q natiNe
Of MARYLAND, (oI st. Nary's county, and whose
ancestors emigrated from Ireland before the
American Revolution, and an evidence Of the
great responsibility Of the Carbery family in that
country. there are places Of note there bearing
that name at this hour.
Mr.. Carbery was educated at the best schools
in his native county, and when still unuer age
in his minority, when the declaration o. war Dy
the United States against England vas pro
claimed in 1872 his bosom was fred by patriotism
and remeu bering, no doubt, the cruel wrongs In
aicted upon our country during the war OF the
Revolution, and the trials and privstions to which
It was subjected during our struggles for national
iDdependeuce he determined to offer his services
10 his country and, anxious to fill any place, oc-
cupy any position in which he could subserYe iis
interests and contribute to its welfare Actlng
under the inspiration Of this sentiment, he applied
TO the President Of the United States for CON-
mission IN the army The President at trst re-
fused to appoint him account Of his youth, but,
undismayei by this disappointment to bis most
cherished hopes. and adhcring to his determine
ton to put himself in q position where he could
achieve distinction in that dark, gloomy hour be
again applied for a captalncy, to which he was
appointed by M President Madison, and in q
remarkably short period Of time he enlisted q full
company, which was mustered into the service oil
the United States and stationed in this city.
Mr.. CARBERY AS A SOLDIER.
In CONSEQUENCE Of the military skill exhibited
by Captain Carbery and the superioTityo OF hi:
men, his company was generally regarded a:
the best-dlscIpiined company IN his regiment
The regiment to which he was attached per
formed military duty in the lower counties II
Maryland, in Baltimore and in this District, and
- 1,o errhN of nrNh
Point and at the disastrous affair near the Dor
ders OF eur city. While his regiment was on duty
in Baltimore latter the battle Of North Point) 9
rnuriny broke out in the army stationed in thai
CITY. The guilty ones were arrested and tried By
a military court and one man was condemned Il
suffer the penalty Of death. Captain Carbery
company was detached to carry out the sentence
Although reluctant to perform such painful
duty, he was nevertheless obliged to obey nj
superior officers. Accordingly his command wal
drawn up in line, the condemned one sitting OF
his coffin listening to the soothing exhortations 0
administer Of religion. Every eye was fixed viii
the deepest anxiety on the doomed soldier. The
brave man who was about to be hurled into eter
nifty had nobly discharged his duty on the field o
battle and in the hour Of danger. The world
"AlI ready! Present." went forth, when CT!
was heard in the distance which made the heart
OF all stand still and cease TO beat. The soldier
was hardened and returned to his company
Captain Carbery related this circumstance ii
later wears. and remarked that that moment va
the happiest OF his whole life.
HIS RETURN TO CIVIL LIFE.
Soon after the restoration Of peace Captain Car
berry returned to private life, and took up his resi-
der,s IN this city with his brothers, Lewis Car
berry, James Carbery and Joseph Caroery. Levi
was for many years surveyor Of Georgetown an
for the county Of Washington and president Q
the Levy Court. James was inspector and meas
urer stationed at our navy yard, and represente
his ward IN the Councils Of this city, and for
period presided over the Board Of Common Coun
ell. Joseph studied theology, and was ordatne
\ Roman Catholic priest A large number OF GU
old citizens will, am sure, remember his gen
erous hospitality on the occasions OF their visit
TO Saint Inigoes when Father Joseph was res
dent pastor Of that ancient mission.
Capt Carbery was largely engaged In IN
vood and lumber trade, bis place Of bushes
being located near his own dwelling, south Of th
Executive Mansion on the banks Of the old cana
Out of this business our deceased friend realize
a handsome fortune and retired. President Mad
son appointed him a Justice Of the peace, Whie
Office he retained through all the changes an
mutations OF public men and political partie
until Mr. PolE's term, when he declined TO be n
appointed.
In the year 1870 Mr.. CaTbery was elected 10
seat in the Board Of Common Council from tn
First ward, and such were the impressions pr
duced by his fine business habits and his unfai
ing devotion 10 the interests II his constituent
that in the year ls22 he was nominated an
elected mayor Of this city, after a most bite
contr st with General Roger &. Weghtman, VII
Is still living among Us, and is member Of on
association. Through some infOrmality in tha
election some weeks elapsed before he was tnal
Vurated and sworn into the Office. He had hard
became warm in his seat as mayor when WI
ofr7GHd1mug nisi was obtained by his late opp
uent against him and the gentlemen who ha
served as commissioners OF election, commando
MI. Carbery TO desist from performing the duti
Of mavo-. and the commissioners to make 7
turn in favor Of Mr. WeightTaan for that oihe
This cause came before our Circuit Court for tria
Eminent counsel were engaged on both sides
General Walter Jones and Francis S. Key
BIr. Weightman, and Thomas Swami and Hem
Ashton for M Carbery. During the progress
the trial the court intimated that the Tetur
from the FRA ward were Informal, and that IN
informalIty rendered the whole election for may
void. Tbs jury who tried the cause thought d
fersntly, and brought in q verdict for Mr.. Ca
berry. Mr.. Weightnan Immediately filed ne
suit in the nature Of a quo iDGrraRfO, but tn
writ was lcTcr prosecuted, and was finally wit
drawn, and Mr.. Carbery allowed 10 enjoy t
Office and serve lis term without further modest
tion.