Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-26

fayette Square are of equal historic I'M
portance to that of the north side,
\ description Of which appeared in last
Sundays Star, and their past associations cam
mot help but prove entertaining to those inter-
ested in the old homes standing near the
White House. ~
The Decatur house. at the southeast corner
Of jackson place and III street, has been the
subject of special article. and for that reason
will be but briefly referred to here. It's pres
ent number Is 49," for 1t should be understood
that the numbering Of the houses on both the
Madison and jackson street sides Of the square
are not the same as existed at an earlier date.
It was built by Commodore Stephen Decatur.
hero Of the War with Tripol, in 1919 with prize
money awarded him for captures made by
American vessels under his command. It was
here that this intrepid naval officer died in
1920 after his fatal duel with Commodore James
Barron also Of the United States Navy, brought
on by a misunderstanding, as, indeed, are so
large percentage Of our quarrels even today.
Decatur's most celebrated act of bravery con-
sisted in retakng the frigate Philadelphia from
the enemy after 1t had grounded during
blockade of the port of the City Of Tripoh. Con-
cealing his men below, he entered the harbor
with small vessel, which he warped alongside
the Philadelphia as though it were ship in
distress. As the two vessels struck the pirates
first suspected the design; but it was then too
late, for Decatur leaped aboard with his men
and swept the affrighted crew into the sea. He
then set the ship on fire and, amid a tremen-
dous cannonade from the shore batteries es-
capped without losing man.
TT was Commodore Decatur who was the au-
- thor of the famous toast: "Our country! In
her intercourse with foreign nations may she
always be in the right but our country, right
or wrongi" It seems that when we are pledging
our allegiance, we might think of the lofty
sentiments expressed in this toast-that we love
our country though she be right or wrong.
After Decatur's death the home was leased to
Baron Tuyl, the Minister from Russia, who left
Washington early in 1925 Henry Clay, Martin
Van Buren, and Edward Livingston followed in
order, when 1t again became the home of For
eign Ministers Sir Charles Vaughan and Baron
Hyde de Melville. In 1886 it was sold to John
Gadsby for $4,000 and was subsequently occu-
pied by Joseph Gales, Howell Cobb, George M.
Dallas and Judah p. Benjamin. After the close
of the Civil War 1t was purchased by Gen. e. F.
Beale, and Gen. and Mrs. Grant were frequent
visitors there after leaving the White House. 1t
Is now owned and occupied by Truxtun Beale,
son Of Gen. Beale. .. .-..
The new Office building numbered 1926
jackson place, adjoining on the south the De-
catur house. is erected on the site Of the gar
den to that old home and it obscures from view
the window In the south side of the second
floor which was cut there In 1884 by direction
of Martin Van Buren, in order that he might
see and respond TO signals displayed from the
White House by his most confidential friend.
President Jackson, in whose first administration
he served as Secretary of State, becoming Vice
President to jackson IN 1888 and following him
into the White House in 1887.
The next house to the south, No. %. is the
home of the Women's City Club. 1t was first
occupied by william L. Marcy, who held many
dmportant Offices, including that of Senator
from New York, governor of that State. Sec
retary of War in the cabinet of President James
x. Polk and Secretary of State for Franklin
Pierce Later Representative Newberry resided
there while serving in Congress, followed by
James Blaine and later by Representative Will
liam L. Scott of Pennsylvania. who was native
Washingtonian and who served when quite
young as page in the House of Representa-
tiyes After Mr. SCOTS death, his daughter
AIRS. Richard Townsend, inherited the property