The New York herald., 1879-02-03
PAUL BOYTON.

PAUL BOYTON.
THE FAMOUS NAVIGATOR AT THE NATIONAL
| CApITAL-INTERvIEw WITH THE PRESIDENT
SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITION AT THE NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON Feb 1, 1870.
The presence of Captain Paul Boyton in this city
for the first time in his eventfu has created
quite social furore The famous navigator is now o
| guest OF DIR. Rowland well known scientist and
lecturer. II is very doubtful whether any American
has received SO much honor and courtesy from the
| officials and people in general as the Captain.
| His general bearing. coupled with his reputa
tion for personal daring and gallantry to
mand respect and attention that is not ordinary in
| its character.
WHITE HOUSE.
At three o'clock yesterday President Hayes received
Captain Boyton at the White House. in company with
Captain Merrman of the revenue service. The Pres-
| dent was very unreserved in his reception and was
high in his praise of the great Captain achieve
! ments in Europe.
III you refer to life saving. Mr.. President" said
| the Captain, 81 think you labor under common
misapprehension. My record is seventy-two lives
| and they all saved off the Jersey coast. My
| efforts were not appreciated, however in Amerca
and it not until visited Europe that received
| the honors which have showered in upon from
| foreign rulers might have put my own countrymcn
| to shame
| The President then asked the Captain what his
uniform signifed. and. being informed. said he
happy to meet an officer of the French Life Saving
service socially.
'.what was the greatest trip you ever made Cap
| tain - inquired the President.
1.-The voyage down the Tagus. sir. started just
one year ago to-day, and eighteen consecutive
days in making it, 1 the first man to carry
flag through the Tagus for it is unnavigable for ZOO
'.rhe red flag of universal charity the
flag OF your choice, suppose"
'No, sir" said Captain Boytop, promptly. II
carried the American flag the entire length OF the
voyage. The Spanisrds were little jealous of the
| distinction. too.
The President expressed great pleasure being in
formed that the American colors were the first TO
conquer the Tagus and wished the gallant Captain
many happier voyages in tho more congenial waters
| of America. by request Captain Boyton presented
the President with his photograph and signature at
tached and the President returned the compliment
| by giving Boyton a large portrait and autograph.
! "rhapk you Mr.. President said the Captain.
| "Among all my decorations and badges of honor /
shall prize this most it is given by the President
| Of the United States"
After short conversation on various topics and
an introduction to Mr. Webb Hayes. the Presidents 3
son. the party departed and the rest of the day was
| spent in general sightseeing
| EXHIBITION AT THE NAVY YARD.
This afternoon an invitation exhibition was held in
the Navy Yard before the members of the Senate and
House. Just before three o'clock the loud booming
Of the naval guns announced the arrival of the Pres
| idcnt. accompanied by Mr.. Thompson Secretary of
the Navy. and Postmaster General Keys. The Presi-
of the slip in which the experiment was
| to be made. Among those who Joined the Presi-
| dent and members of the Cabinet Admiral
| Scott aud Commodore English The vessels and tor
! pcdo boats which enclosed the space covered
| with flags and the Marine Band was i'll attendance.
The crush along the docks and on the adjacent ves-
sells something fearful. and only the presence Of
several files OF marines prevented al accident:
About onethird OF the assemblage were ladies and
| naval officers.
| Promptly at three o'clock loud splash was heard
| at the boat house. which all eyes imniedi-
| atcly fxed and presently Paul Boyton's paddles
drove him into sight with velocity that stiff
which % he he carried ' Hating in in 'front.' Of tho tho
Presidents boat Boyton dipped the col
ors and the President saiutcd, the Cabinet
| members raising their hats. In another moment
the American flag replaced by the well known
white colors and the red Geneva Cross. which the
captain waved three times in honor Of the life saving
service officials present. The next feature of the
programme was the sending Of dispatches from the
water aud just before the dispatches were written
the boat Baby Mine seen floating by the cap
tain's side, though she had never gone down in
New York bay among the ice. From tho hold of tho
tiny ironclad Boyton two doves. and attaching
letter to the neck of each. set them free. One few
direct to the city, while the other lowered for
ment Just over the Presidents head. and dartcd
straight for Washington and home
CONSTRUCTING A
The gathering together of logs and wreck debris
for the purpose of constructing raft and the sub
sequent building. wns done incredibly short
died the hammer and bound the logs together was
lesson to the Navy Yard workngmcu. Mounting the
raft Boyton illustrated the Of signal hags and the
buglc as distress signals. and afterwafd discharged
several heavy detonating rockets and cloud lights
For few moments the Captain disappeared. and
then returned carrying with him long fishing
tieutly settled down to the watch with the
air Of an expc fenced angler. In short time an az,
parent bite noticeable. and simultaneously
Soyton drew the line out OF the water with fine
looking hsh on the hook. The surprise had hardly
passed than the whole assembly began to give ont
roars of laughter. which was explained on knowing
that the FISH was sea perch and IT hal been drawn
from the Potomac. fresh water river. The
huiuor OF the situation struck the President that
he conld not help but shake his sides with
irreprcssiblc laughter. for tao Captains
little device had been revealed. The fish
was n dead one, bought at Washington Market
and tied to the hook. Lighting fire in an iron hr6
cage n matter of few nlinutcs and then BOyton
mado the assemblage laugh by cleaning and cooking
the hsh aud laying table the RAFT. with table
knives, forks, plates napkins and cruct stand
Boyton then opened u bottle of beer and drank the
health of the President. An awning then opened
and protected the Captains face while he lit a cigar
and read newspaper, meanwhile tanning himself
90 the intense amusement OF the chilled spectators
Sails OF all kinds adjusted and used, aud then
the Captain took from the raft his double barrellcd
Two shots fired In exactly opposite directions
with such rapidity that only report was heard
The captain wrote u number OF autograph cards in
the water and handed them to the spectators. one
Given 20 Mr.. Hayes bore the inscription" Floating
compliments OF Paul Bcyton."
CARRYING A LINE.
life line was next carried from tho boat house TO
the ship Tsapoosa. to illustrate the carrying of a
torpcdoes fired from the little mortar for at
tracing attention in mid ocean. Tho last perform
ance was the blowing up OF small full rugged ship
by huge torpedo.
Captain Boyton leaves for Pittsburg tonight. dcs
pite many invitations to remain. public invita-
ton is being gotten up to call Boyton the city for
lecture this is the only possible manner in which
be csn bs cornered