The National tribune., 1897-12-09
to the Saturday night before the fatal duel

to the Saturday night before the fatal duel
was fought.
This party was given in honor OF Mrs.
Gouverneur, the daughter of President Mon
roe, then bride. Commodore Decatur
cognizant of the affair of honor which
awaited him. was the same affable host,
his wife, even, being UNCONSCIOUS OF the
cloud that hung over them.
The next week Commodore Porter was to
give a similar party During the evening
Decatur said to his contidant, Commodore
Porter, Il may spoil your party"
The following Wednesday, at the dawn
of day, Decatur arose, walked silently out
of the house crossed La Fayette Square
and proceeded to Beale's Tavern, near the
| Capitol, where he and his seconds break
tasted The duel was fought at Bladens-
burg at o'clock. Decatur was mortally
| wounded and was brought to his nome,
| where he died in the basement room OF the
house on the evening OF the day Oh the
duel.
Excitement ran high, and Commodore
| Barron. although MANNED for life, was the
| recipient of anathemas from hearts tor
tured with agony, for the noble Decatur
| dead But since then many Naval ofll-
| Ger has changed his mind IN regard 10 tnls
] unfortunate affair.
There is a period which elapSeS after the
| death of any hero when he passes out OF
| patriotic into historic estimate; and there
| are many to day who believe that Deca-
tur's renewed and unreienting pursuit OF
Barron was the cause OF the duel
1t is related by those living near, that
Mrs. Decatur lived on in this house three
years secluded and alone, and then re-
moved TO KalOrama, where her husband
was buried. Here she entertained with
great display. Her last days were spent in
Georgetown, and she died in the Convent
in 1855.
After Mrs Decatur left her home she
rented it To the Russian Minister, Baron
TuyI. His name and fame seem to have
been founded upon his being an epicure,
his liberal hospitality and the excellence
of his dinners.
When he left Washington, John Quincy
Adams was President, and his Secretary of
State, Henry Clay, occupied the Decatur
house. Here he sustained his social posi-
ton and added dignity to the hallowed
memories of this home.
Martin Van Buren, succeeded Mr.. Clay
as Secretary of State, during President
Jackson's Administration, and occupied
this house. With his love OF show he was
not outdone by Henry Clay in the style of
his entertainments.
up, the accomplished statesman, Edward
Livingston, succeeded Mr.. Van Buren, in
the Cabinet ard in his home. This APP
pointment undoubtedly grew out OF the
warm attachment that sprung up between
Gen Jackson and Mr.. Livingston at New
Orleans.
Edward Livingston was the brother of
the Chancellor OF New York. He left his
native State 10 make home IN the new
domain OF Louisiana. His marriage with
the charming Madame Moreau, the mid
night wedding in the chapel OF the Ursu-
line Convent oil New Orleans, the vicissi-
tudes she and her family experienced, her
exile from San Domingo and her love Tor
her adopted country, are well known Incl
dents in history.
When Mr.. Livingston first came to Wash
ington as a member OF Congress, Monroe
was President. He was afterward sent IS
Senator, and then was rendered the port
folio OF Secretary OF State, which he relin-
quished when made Minister to the Court
OF France.
His beautiful wife and his daughter, Cora
Livingston, made the Decatur house the
social center OF Washington society during
the jackson Administration. Mrs. Living
Ston was q woman Of rare endowmentS,
and her mantle gracefully fell upon their
worthy child. Cora married Thomas Bar
ton. who was afterward Secretary OF Lega-
ton with her father Both of these women
spent their widowhoOd at the grand old
mansion on the Hudson, Montgomery
Place. Mrs. Livingston laid down her life
in October, 1860, full OF years and full of
honor.
Years have waxed and waned since the
beautiful Cora Livingston was the reigning
last visit to the city of her childhood s
home, i'm 1871, brought back Our Lady of
the Manor" in clinging black robes, Il
quaint hood of black silk with its soft
white ruche touching brow and check
that were no longer young. And yet she
was the center OF attraction and reverence
wherever she appeared. She too rests at
the manor on the Hudson, and other lives
have individualized the home on La Fay
cite Square.
Sir Charles Vaughan, the British Minis
ter, lived here. He was bachelor but
he made his house a center for refined and
elegant society and with his gracious man
ner and open hospitality entertained in
| true British fashion.
On his leaving the Decatur House, "mine
host" Of the National Hotel Mr. John
Gadsby, occupied il until his death
The Baron Hyde de Melville represented
the French aristocracy Of the old regime
and the Decatur house was his home.
They entertained royalty; on receiving her
guests the Baroness used to say:
Il am charming TO see you"
For a time this house was rented by the
Government ard used for Offices, and was
afterward purchased by Gen. Edward Fitz-
gerald Beale. On this transfer the Deca-
tur mansion fell into worthy hands. Cen
Beale was the grandson of Commodore
Thomas Truxtun. Commodore Decatur
was Midshipman under Truxtun, and