Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-19
r,pr. JOHN NawhAND SIAFEIT.
q,e Life and Death of tho Famous Ma
val Officer.
FROM he WHmingfon ". o. S'ar.

o oyoninr after prolonged illness, in the
sstb year of his age.
His death, though unexpected, will be
sincerely mourned by many warm per-
sonal friends, not only in this community
bnt elsewhere in the State, and, indeed,
..ronohout the country. He leaves a
urdov with three children. and son and
S,,,,hfer by former marriage. A friend
S,rnisbes us with brief account of his
i",,o aud remarkable career:
Jobn Newland Matiit was born at sea
wi, - 1919. His parents were the Rev.
iobn Newland Aat1it and Ann Carnlcke,
his wife.
the Rev. Mr.. Matiit having determined
n emigrate to America, left Ireland with
his wife and family late in January or
noylv in February, and landed in New
Vori on ADril II. 1919; mis- son John haY-
inc been born on the passage. Their first
home was in Connecticut, and when John
was about years old his uncle, DR.. VIII
liam Matfit, who had accompanied them
)" America. visited his brother, the Rev.
Mr. Maffit. and finding himln Strengthened
circumstances, begged 10 adopt their son
Iobp. and on the consent OF his parents.
Dr Nafit TOOK his nephew to Fayette-
vile. y. c.. where he resided.
some years were passed in this happy
home of his boyhOnd, when his uncle de-
termined to send him to White Plains in
New York, TO facilitate his education. AS
a little stripping be started by the old
hme stage coach with his ticket tackled
to his Jacket. and on his arrival at his
destination much curiosity was shown to
see tbe little boy who had come alone all
Thai distance from his Southern home. He
ramained at this school under Prof. SWIM
burn. until be was Is years old, when his
flrber's friends obtained commission rs
Nidshipmani in the United States navy for
him. His commission dated Feb. %, 1882.
His first orders were to join the old
irigate Constitution, the flagship of the
squadron commanded by Commodore Ell
lot. then fitting cut for the Mediterranean.
This cruise lasted three years and six
months, and it was during its continuance
that most OF the incidents narrated in
Nautilus took place. Having been APP
pointed aid to Com. Elliot, the young Mid
sbIum4n mad many advantages not other
wise obtainatle. He was next ordered to
the frigate Macedonian as past Midship-
man. and it was while in port at Pensa-
cola. Fla, that he had his first experience
Of yellow Jack" and came near losing
his life.
His first Independent command was the
Gallattn. He commanded also the brig
Dolphin and several others. He was en-
gaged under Prof. Bache, for some years,
on the coast survey, and was OF great SER
vice to the Professor, which the latter was
not slow to acknowledge. Much of their
work was in the harbOrs of Nantucket,
Charleston, Wilmington and Savannah.
Achannel in tue harbor OF Charleston still
bears the name of Mat1iJ, In one OF the
/, - A,.st,
is paid to him: "Re was always cOnsld-
cred one of the best officers and most high
toned gentlemen of the old service. For
some years he was connected with the
coast survey, and Prot. Bache. the head
OF that department, d clared If Matit was
taken from him he could not supply his
place in all the navy. He is not only
thorough seaman and game to the back
bone, but a gentleman of superior intel
lect. a humOrist of rare excellence, and
one of the most delightful companions.
There is no position in his profession
which Maffit is not capable OF filling with
honor and distinction"
This was his acknowledged position
when the war began. His last command
while in the service of the United States
was the Crusader. He was very success
full in capturing slaYers. In January,
1860, while in command of the Crusader,
aud also acting as paymaster of the ves-
sci, he was ordered by the Secretary of the
Navy to proceed to Mobile and there cash
a check on the Collector Of the Port for
prize money due the officers and crew of
the vessel under his command. The Or
der was Obeyed, and the check presented,
but some hesitation was manifested in re-
gard to cashing it. The city at the time
was much agtated by the ordinance of
secession, Which had been passed by the
Stale OF Alabama. Some feeling was
aroused by the presence OF government
steamer, and II became known to Capt.
hafiit thai a band was organized with the
ayOwed object OF capturing the steamer.
He Immediately placed the vessel in de-
lensive position, got up steam and pre-
pared for action. In an interview with
Col. Forsythe, then editor of the Mobile
Register, and Col. M, an influential
citizen, he stated that If steamers APP
preached with hostile intent he would
open his broadsldes upon them. This eX-
preston OF his determination and the IN
fluence of these gentlemen had the effect
OF checking the scheme; and 1t was aban-
d0ued. He next proceeded 10 Havana as
ordered, and through the American Con-
sui, endeavOred to negotiate with the
Bank OF Havana for funds required FOR
the necessities of the vessel. In conse-
quenee Of the disturbed condition of the
United States the negotiations failed. and
he felt compelled to advance from his pri-
vale funds the money needed to work the
steamer to New York, where he was Or
dered. On arriving at New York, he
turned the steamer over to the proper au-
tnorlties and went to Washington to settle
the accounts. His cash accounts received
no attention from the Fourth Auditor,
though for several months he was con-
slant applicant for a settlement, that he
might be reimbursed for the necessities Of
his family.
trying position was his-his wife be-
ing dead, his children had no relative save
IN North Carolina, his chidnOod's home.
II ne remained In the navy bis property,
winch was all North. would be secured 10
hlm-his friends have since assured him
mat mad he remained in the service OF the
United states he would have had Admiral
forter's place. All that appealed 10 his
interests lay there. Love OF his profession
was entwined with every fiber OF his being.
Oh the other hand, he would have been
Compelled TO fight against his people
perhaps fired upon the very home that
shetered hum and was then sheltering his
uelens eless children. one night a friend
called 70 inform him that his name was
..oWn Tor arrest next day. IN all the con-
fusion and distress. of that time, mis- atec-
IONS drew him South. To do his duty,
Wherever he felt IL called him. was bis
characteristic, and 10 both sections he
was faithful while he held their commits
sOns,- Ills resignation having been ac-
eepted, he felt free 10 leave and cast his
fortunes with the South.
MS war record Is well known. During