National Republican., 1881-10-22
A RELIC oF LAFAYErrE.
A Mennonite for the oldest Boat Club I'm
the Waited statea.

In 1926 the British frigate Hussar Wis
tied New York and anchored in the river of the
Battery. Her officers owned very fast four-oared
gig manned by four Thames watermen, who were
members OF the crew Of the Hussar. The officers
happening in the ooffee-house at Old slip Uhe
fashionable restaurant Of tho day) one evening the
subject OF rowing was introduced, and the prowess
of the celebrated whitehallers, of New York. was
mentioned. This brought about some banter
among those present, and the result was chal-
lenge from the British ofIiceB on behalf Of the
crew OF the Hussars four-oared gig. The challenge
was published, specifying a race from the side
OF the frigate up the North River to Days Point
and return a distance Of three miles, with turn
The gauntlet was accepted by the four-oared
American Whitehall boat American STAR The day
was nxed, and the British and American crews
came to the line in handsome uniforms, the former
boat carrying as coxswan an English mdship-
man in full uniform. gun was fired on the deck
of the frlgatc indicating the start. Both crews
got away on even terms, and remained so for
nearly quarter OF a mile, when the Americans
began forging ahead of their British adversarics.
At the half-mile the Yankees had increased their
advantage to a length Of clear water. This lead
was gradually increased to the turning point, and
was sustained TO the finish, the Americans coming
home winners by several lengths. In the follow
ing year General Lafayette visited this country
as the Nations guest. During his stay
in New York the original crew OF
the winning whitehall boat American Star
conveyed him 10 the navy yard and to the various
points Of interest about the harbor in the boat in
which they had won the race with the crew Of the
Hussar. Upon the departure OF General Lafayette
for France in the United States rlgato Brandywine
the Whitehall boatmen presented him with their
boat. American Star. rs q souvenir OF his visit
to this country Arriving with the boat ut his resi-
| dence, Lagrnnce. in France, General Lafayette
erected a pavilion for tho shelter OF this boat,
where nov remains IN good state Of preservation.
The present representative OF the Lafayette family
in France is Senator lafayette, now In the Senate
OF the republic. This gentleman has caused to be
made handsome sketch of the pavilion and the
| old boat American Star. The picture is pencil
sketch, finely colorcd, bearing upon Its side a
| photograph Of Senator Lafayette. At the bottom
is inscribed the history of the boat and Its
achievement Senator Lnfayette's autograph is
appended TO a statement upon the sketch, to the
effect that the picture was made and designed for
presentation TO the Oldest boat club Of the United
States The picture was sent to Mr.. Fernando Jones
of this county. Claims have been presented by
many clubs of the United States, but the award
has been made to the Atalanta Boat Club of this
| city, which was organized In 1873. The annual
regatta of the Atalanias takes place on the Harlem,
| River on Saturday afternoon of this week. After
| the conclusion of the races the momento referred
| to will be presented 10 the club BY Mr. Fernando
Jones. Comte de Beaumont and others of the
French delegation TO the Yorktown Centennial
now In this city, have been invited and will be
present at the Atalanta regatta and the presentation
after the races, as heretofore stated.-New PorA
| Erpress