Evening star., 1933-12-03

ing 1t popular at his dancing saloon. where
many Of our earlier residents took lessons In
their youthful days TO the strains Of the fiddle
played by slave belonging to the professor
named Harry White The writer recalls this
his snOw-white hair, looked the part of the
typical Uncle Tom In 'tJncle Toms Cabin"
L of Gaetano Carus1. who to this
hcountry for the purpose of organizing the
United States Marine Band but who did not
fare so we'll because the officers who urged him
to come here went beyond their authority in
doing so. Complications naturally ensued, and
apparently one seemed strong enough to
assume the responsibility for the presence OF
the pioneer Carusi and his family, or for those
who came here to play in the band. He was
unquestionably very badly treated, though he
appears to have done everything he could to
make good on his part.
About 100 years ago. when he had grown
old, he appealed to Congress for relief and
remuneration but whether he received either
the writer cannot say. However, he left behind
d, the printed story of the abuses he SO unjustly
received
ITO the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States in Congress as
Sembled," he begins and after introducing the
subject says:
I'm the year 1904, whilst the United States
were at war with the government of Tripoli,
Capt. John Hall of the Marine Corps was au-
thorized by Commodore Samuel Barron COM
mander Of the squadron then blockading Tripoli,
to form band of music: nay, in turning over
certain documents. I have discovered that the
said Capt John Hall. previous to his departure
Tor the Mediterranean, received orders from
Col. Borrows to form this band. Capt. John
Hall, in consequence of this double charge OF
Col. Borrows and Commodore Samuel Barron,
which, by-the-by, am better informed origi-
mated with President Jefferson, who proposed
to Congress a plan for this purpose, which,
however. was not adopted, endeavored by every
means to meet with some individual, not
only capable Of directing and commanding one
band, but calculated likewise to form others.
After considerable research for this pur-
pose, Capt j. Hall. meeting with a certain pro-
fessor of music called Gaetano varano made
him an offer of this appointment, but he re-
fused it, as he was already head of the band
attached to a regiment in Syracuse. belonging
to His Majesty the King of Naples. But this
same Gaetano Varano thinking that an offer
of this nature would crafty my foolish dreams,
and my desire Of travelling, mentioned me to
the captain and told him where resided
Il then lived at Catania, and Capt. Hall
Immediately entered into correspondence
with me, and proposed the affair to me- Offer
ing me the scanty pittance of $12, with ra-
tions. pay per month This offer refused,
telling him that, without taking the trouble of
such long voyage. was in possession of the
double of that, residing, as did, quietly at
home.
This refusal I hoped, would have saved
me from any further opportunities. But it
was not so. For the space of a whole year did
this captain importune me by his letters, max
iv,rv vnfra ,snI~ olxr
cant and pitiful.
"At the end of the year the captain came
in person to Catania to proffer his suit. 1t was
vain for me to state to him that the remunera-
tion he offered would not suffice to provide for
the necessities of my family, especially in
America; he redoubled his entreaties stating
that in America could not but become rich
in the short space of three months. Still I
persevered in refusing. Finally, inquiring about
my family. and whether any of them were
capable of enlisting in the band assured him
that my boys were able to do justice to their
different parts; he then offered them pay;
and upon my still refusing he at last offered
q ration of $6 month to my wife.
Rejecting that besides these small remune-
rations, I would be able to gain several others
by my individual exertions, we concluded the
agreement"
= AETANO then tells of the part he took
~ in the War with TripoH. in which band
of musicians was compelled to take part, and
his final arriving in this city. September 19,
1905. which he refers to desert, "in fact"
to use his own words "a place containing some
two or three taverns with few scattered cot
tages or log huts. called the City of WASH
ington, the metropolis of the United States
America"
Eve were disembarked on the goth of the
tavern to join in celebrating a great festival
IN honor of the soldier who had fought against
the pirates of Tripoli all the women after
ward, with their children (being the families
of those composinp the hand) were conducted