Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-12
Of the government.

The admiral wore the brilliant uniform Of his
rank. Mrs. Porter. at the request of her chill
dren. wore a dress of white silk. with front Of
gold brocade. and diamond ornaments. There
were ten grandchildren present-seven boys
and three girls. One of the latter, a young
lady of eighteen, is very beautiful and will be
debutante next season. The admiral. though
having crossed the line of three-quarters of a
century of years, was hale and hearty. As he
said to a friend. Good enough for another
war" Mrs. Porter also mingled actively among
her guests. The home of the admiral has often
been the scene of brilliant gatherings since il
was built by Richard Rush, of Pennsylvania, in
1926, when he was President John Quincy
Adams Secretary of the Treasury. During the
intervening sixty-three years it has been owned
and occupied by Senator Preston, of South
Carolina; Joel r. Poensett. Van Buren's Secre-
tary Of War; Commodore Shubrick. Gen. Phil
kearney, U. s. A; Capt. jefferson Paige, L. s..
N; Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer and Lord Lyons.
British minister's; Senator Hamilton Fish, and
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Hodge.
from whom the admiral bought it in 1869. In
speaking about these events the admiral said:
And in all this long history and family success
sion it is remarkable that a death has never
occurred in the house."
ADMIRAL PoRTER's YOUTH.
When the ine-of-battle ship Washington
sixty-six years ago gracefully glided into the
waters of the Anacostia from the ship-house of
the Washington navy-yard, among the persons
on board her sparless deck was youth of ten
years of age. He was a bright boy of COM
handing figure with a lineage of heroes of the
sea- This youth was David ID. Porter, now the
admiral OF the American navy, one of the two
greatest naval heroes of the century.
1t might be said of Admiral Porter that he
was literally launched into the navy as he was
launched into existence amid the din of arms
and OF naval triumphs. He was born in Penn
sylvania in June, 1913, precisely one year and
eleven days after the declaration of war by the
United States against Great Britain. He opened
his eyes upon mundane scenes when his
country at the height of her VIC
tories over Britannia, then mistress of
the seas. The British vessel Alert
had been taken by the Essex. a vessel with
which his fathers name is imperishably asso-
ciated; the British frigate Guerrero had been
destroyed by the Constitution. after one of the
most desperate naval encounters on record.
The Frolic had been taken by the Wasp the
Macedonian by the United States and the Java
by the Constitution. During his natal year the
British brig Peacock was taken by the United
States brig Hornet and the Boxer by the En-
terprise. Perry destroyed the British feet and
annihilated British power on the great lakes of
the north. Thus a series of victories, on sea
and land, eliminating in the defeat of the
British at New Orleans, attended the arms of
the republic. The embryo hero of the quarter
deck made his first voyage in 1924. then boy of
IL. with his father who was in command of the
historic sloop-of-war John Adams. The cruise
among the islands of the West Indies was his
first nautical experience, and though not then
in the service of the government he took his
naval service.
ON THE ROAD TO FAME.
In 1927, with his father, Commodore David
Porter, he entered the Mexican navy, and
after a round of brilliant deeds was captured
h,-f Is nj -,
ship at Havana, and was afterward taken TO
the Moro castle. Upon his release, returning
to his native land. he entered the navy of the
United States in 1923. receiving his first COM
mission from President Jackson, and since that
time the stepping-stones of his career were
marked by commissions as passed midshipman
in 1885; lieutenant in 1S4l; commander. 1861
rear admiral, 1868; vice admiral 1866, and ad-
miral, 1870. His name is conspicuously asso-
ciated with some of the most memorable
events in his countrys history. He opened the
way to the capture of New Orleans by the
demolition of the forts at the mouth of the
Mississippi river. He commanded the feet CO.
operating with the land forces against Vicks-
burg. resulting in the surrender of the city and
few days later in the opening Of the Mississippi
river from its fountain waters in Minnesota TO
its Acknowledgement in the waters of the Grff of
Mexico. His heroic services eliminated in the
capture of Fort Fisher, on the North Carolina
coast, one of the most obstinate and bril-
liant engagements of the war for the Union and
fitting finale to the grand events which the
navy contributed to that chapter in the history
of their country's glory.
THE LAST CRUISE
of the admiral was made in 1867 as vice-admi-
raj After his succession, in 1870. to the
rank of Farragut, the hero of New Orleans and
Mobile. he was adviser to the President in mat
tiers relating to the welfare of the navy. In
1850 he vas practically retired from active ser
vice. Since then he has been untiring in his
efforts. through the medium of his pen and
voice, to bring Congress and the executive to a
realizing sense OF the inadequacy of our naval
power, and the importance of liberal policy
in the construction OF modern ships and appli-
ances of naval war. Admiral Porter to-day is
by many regarded as the ablest authority on
naval subjects in any country. In the threat
ened situation between the United States and
Germany he has been close observer of events
In event of war the country will rally around
him as the leader in naval preparations and
plans Of operations.
HIS MOTHER.
The mother of Admiral Porter was Evalina
Anderson, daughter William Anderson, of
Chester, Pa, gentleman of wealth, and for
some time a representative of his district in
Congress. The admiral has a miniature of his
mother on ivory taken eighty-three years ago.
which represents a young woman of extraordi-
nary beauty. He cherishes the portraiture of
the one who gave him being with the tenderest
emotions OF reverence. admiration, and love.
MRS PORTER.
Mrs. Porter is a daughter, as her eminent
husband is son, of the navy. Her father was
Commodore Daniel T. Patterson, who COM
manded the naval forces Of the United States
at New Orleans during the war of 1912, and CO.
operated with Gen. Andrew jackson in the de-
Tense of that city when the British were routed
and their commander, Gen. Sir John Packen-
ham, was killed January 8, 1915. The late Car
MNM