On this page
-
Text (4)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
Geoiigk Peabody , Esq ., tho diatinguiHhed American bunker , mot , on tho 17 th of this month , at tho Brunswick Hotel , Blackwnll , some hundred and fifty ladies
and gentlemen of England and America , the latter having come from all parts of the States . Mr . Lawrence , the American Minister ; Mr . Brown , M . P . ; Colonel Aspinall ; Mr . Hankey , a governor of the Bank of England j Judge Wood , of New York ; Colonel Fremont , and Colonel J , B . Lawrence , were present . There Was also a large number of ladies present . After dinner , the health of the Quepn was proposed and responded to most enthusiastically , with three times three and one cheer more . The healths of tho President of the United States , and of Prince Albert , were also given .
By a remarkable coincidence , this day was the anniversary of tho battle of Bunker ' s Hill . Mr . Lawrence alluded to this in his address , connecting it with the battle of Waterloo , the anniversary of which fell on the IStli . He congratulated at the same time his own countrymen and the British nation , in that the triumph of American arms had given liberty to the New World , while Great Britain had conferred upon the Old World a peace of thirty-six years duration . The Anglo-Saxon race had kept the peace of the-world . He hoped to see the good feeling between Eng land and America grow stronger every day . Addresses were also delivered by the gentlemen above named , and the company and ¦ their host separated with mutual satisfaction .
AN INTERNATIONAL BANQUET , AT BLACK WALL .
Untitled Article
LETTERS FROM PARIS . [ FKOM OUR OVVtf CoitUESPOXDENT . ] Letter XXVI . Paris , Tuesday JSeeniug , 22 nd June , 1852 . Fbench politics are at a stand-still . Louis Bonaparte , hedged in on every side , seeks in vain to advance . It he proposes a new law , when he presents it to the Legislature of his own invention , he discovers that public opinion is against him , and is compelled to withdraw Jus measure . Public opinion has completely regained its power j and although deprived of its ordinary channels of publicity , it is not the less formidable .
The opposition to the present state of affairs strengthens simultaneously with the louder utterance of public opinion . Political parties have recovered from the confusion into which they had been thrown by the recent events , and men of all shades of opinion are now disputing every inch of ground with the _ Government . Correctly speaking there is no Bonapartist party ; the thing so called consists solely of the , hangers on of the Elysee . We are witnessing the strangest sight possible —the spectacle of a Government , which derives its origin from violence and treachery , and owes its continued existence to the same means—a Government having no-hold- ' on the country , and being secretly underminedbyall kinds of conspiracies , yet preserving the outward appearance of stability . But the uncertainty of
the future is well understood at the Elyscje . It feels that it must strike again or fall . But the blow is not to fall upon the Republicans , o-s on the 2 nd December , but will aim at the destruction of tho Orleanists and Legitimists . A thousand projects are canvassed at the lily see to effect this purpose . Persigny sides with the sanguins , who advocate violent measures . Ho recommends tho removal of four thousand Legitimists and Orleanists to Algiers . Some look upon tho confiscation of tho property of these parties as accomplishing the desired result . Carlier , tho ex-Minister of Police , would organize a Legitimist conspiracy with tho aid of Bonapartist police . To g ive it an air of probability a sprinkling of magistrates and a few leading military men would bo put in . In fact , the elements < of anofclior Vendee would bo collected as a snare for tho
Count do Chnmbord ; and a movement at Brest would secure tho Prince do Joinville . Thus organized , all tho unfortunate wretches drawn into tho net would bo tried by martial law , and mercilessly shot . Tho final decision of tho Council of State in tho matter of tho Orleans property was delivered on Saturday . Tho Government carried its point , with nomo modification of tho terms , by tho casting vote of President Burocho . All Paris was shocked to find General Allard , who had boon loaded with kindnoHS by tho House of Orleans , among those who voted with tho Government . But groat was tho surprise of tho public to hear that M . Ch . Giruud , ono of Bonaparte's
exministers , and M . Touraugin , another Napoleonic , wore in tho ranks of tho opposition . Tho Council , as if to qualify tho unfavourable impression , as regards tho Government , produced by their previous vote , rejected . M . Morodo ' s amendment , proposing to exempt tho Halo of tho Orleans property from stamp duty . All tho aniondmonts proposed by tho Budget Committee wero rejected ' by tho Council of State , Tho proceedings of this body wore most Hoandulous . It was evident they wero moro tools in tho bunds of Bonaparte . Even Pornigny was nshamed of thoir docility . Tho Committee has recorded ita dissatisfaction in a report to tho Legislative Body . This report U virtually a protest against tho Govormnont , addressed to Franco . It
Untitled Article
GB NEKAIi PIERCE AND THE UNITED STATES MILITIA . We have received the following interesting account of his military career from a correspondent . The writer has coupled with it some particulars respecting the militia of the States . After declining the two appointments . which had been offered him by President Polk—that of Secretary at War and Attorney-General—Mr . Pierce enrolled himself as a private soldier among the volunteers destined for the Mexican war . As soon as the New England regiment was raised , he was elected its Colonel . A vacancy occurring shortl y after , he wa 3 appointed a Brigadier-GeneLMl . His commission was dated March 3 , 1817 , and on the 28 th of Juno ho landed , with his force of 2500 men , at the city of Vera Cruz . Here a delay of three weeks was occasioned by the want of mules and waggons necessary for transportation ; a delay greatly aggravated by wide-spread sickness among the men unaccustomed to the climate . Yefc under all these discouraging circumstances , he was able to join General Scott at Puebla in July , and to engage in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco in August ; also the battles of Molino del Key and Ghepultepee , —in all of which he greatly distinguished himself by his valour . At the battle of Contreras , the Mexican forces were drawn up in battle array behind a deep ravine , with their ? owerful batteries well placed and well served . General 'ierce had directions to charge and outflank them . In executing this order at the head of his brigade , his horse stumbled-upon , the ragged and uneven ground , fell , and rolled over him . He was severely injured , and his horse was completely disabled . He immediately mounted another , and mingled in the thickest of the fight . That night the troops lay upon their arms ia a drenching rain . The pain was so great from the injuries ho had received , that he was prevented from sleeping , and-the ' -surgeon prohibited Mm from going into battle the next day , urging him . to return to San Augustine , where there was a depot ; but this he refused to do . He determined to , lead his men to Cherubusco , which he did , although it was with the g reatest difficulty he could keep his saddle . Here hewas directed to attacfc the enemy in their rear , which he did . Owing to the uneven ground , his horse threw him with such violence that he fainted ; his troops , oh coming up , demanded that he should be raised and carried from the field ; this he positively refused , ordered them to charge on , and be would take care of himself—notwithstanding a large body of Mexican lancers were then in full charge upon the very spbt where he had fallen . The brave are . always generous . During tho voyage to Vera Cruz , the water fell short . Upon receiving his allowance , General Pierce never failed to divide it among the soldiers . On arriving at Vera Cruz , where so many necessaries were required for the . sick , General Pierce loaned every dollar he had to -the meii ! whoneeded it . Although he suffered severely in his health , in common with others itt th&t deadly climate , yet he was frequently seen , during the march to Puebla , carrying the musket of the wearied sick soldier upon his own shoulder . Notwithstanding the state of his health , he was always at his post during the wholo of that brilliant campaign . On his return home , in parting with hissoldiors at Newport , he divided the balance of his pay then due to him with them , and procured , by his influence , free passages for them upon tho railway : From the beginning to tho end of the campaign his attention and kindness to the volunteers under his command scarcely know any limit . They looked upon , him as a friend and father . Thero was no danger or hardship he was not willing to share -wifch thorn . A great number of anecdotes aro told to illustrato his coolness and intrepidity . In his first battle , that of Contreras , whilo charging upon tho Mexican forces , their cannon-shot wore ploughing up tho ground in every direction . General Pierce , cutting at them with his sword , would say , " Thoro , boys , is a garao of ball for you ! " At tho battle of Molino del Key , ho continued to ride over tho field amidst a shower of bullets , until called by General Worth , who entreated him not to bo fip rash . This is tho man whom tho Democratic party of tho United States have selected as thojr banner-bearer at tho approaching Presidential contest ; not simply because of his high military services , but because he posses soh all tho noblo qualities which can adorn tho character q { tho citizen or tho statesman . He lian g iven tho highest evidence in tho hal ls of legislation of his eminent fitness for tho oxalted station ho hns boon nominated to fill . In every relation of life his character is without reproach . Thoro aro some circumstances connocted with tho war botweon tho United States and Mexico which aro too important to bo forgotten . That a small body of undisciplined volunteers , raw militia recruits , men taken from thoir fields and workshops , who had novor soon blood ilow from a gun-ahofc wound , should , in tho courso of a fow short weeks , bo ablo to drivo throo , four , and , upon ono occasion , nix times thoir numbor of woll-appointcd rogular troops from behind thoir almost impregnable- fortifications , is saying somothing in behalf of a citizen-soldiery . Tho wholo American standing army was loss than 10 , 000 men—all told . Thoro wore 0000 men engaged in somo of tho battles bolbro tho city '' of Mexico , a groat portion of thorn volunteers who had just joined tho army . To this small body of nion , comparatively , tho Mexicans opposed an army of 30 , 000 , tho bo « t troops over raised in that country , with 100 cannon . ^< ld to this disparity of forco , that tho Mexicans woro at homo , in a climate to which they wore accustomed , and occupying well-constructed fortifications . Xho Americans woro ontiro utrangors , not ; only wholly unacquainted with tho country , but wholly unaccustomed to tho unhealthy cliinato . In addition to thin , it was in tho middle of summer when these battles woro fought , and tho ho . it ovorpoworing , Yot those nine thousand yoluntooru and regulars day after day drivo before thorn tho beet army Mexico cvor had—pursuo thoro over ravines , gorges ,
natural as well as artificial trenches , cut by the labour of a hundred thousand peons ; rushing line upon line , hill upon hill , storming redoubts , overwhelming fortifications , capturing the capital of the country , and ^ planting the stars and stripes upon tho walls of the principal palace . Ia the thrilling and eloquent speech delivered by General Pierce to tho citizens of Concord , who , had assembled to welcome him back , he said : — " To many it had been matter of great surprise that the new levies had fought as they had done . -But it is in tho race . lie would take from the audience before him a rogiment who would do the same . In executing manoeuvres , and in forming combinations in front of an enemy , by wheeling , coimtermnrchmg , &c ., old soldiers are undoubtedly better ; but when it came to close fighting , as in
storming or charging , it was the men that did the work and not the manoeuvring , and in suck work , tho men , who bad never before been under fire or used the bayonet , stood well side by side with tho long-trained soldier . " Again lie says , —" On tho march , in the fight , everywhere one predominant feeling animated them . The question was not who should be ordered forward ; but which corps should bo allowed to go forward first . The . only dispute was upon claims to be first led against the enemy . " He makes an allusion to the printers , which will be appreciated by the highly intelligent members of that honourable profession . He says : — " In the new levies , the printers exceed by twenty per cent , those of any other vocation ; and on account of their have the most
intelligence and high spirit they proved efficient soldiers in the field . " He gives a few of their names . " There was Henry Caldvvell , one of the bravest andmost determined soldiers in the army . There was Serjeant Howell , who was shot through the heart at Cherubusco . As his last breath flowed , he whispered to me' Do the boys say I behaved well ? If I'have , write home to my people . ' ' Then there was Serjeant Pike , who had his leg shot off in advancing along ^ on a causeway swept by three batteries . Two amputations , which did not answer the purpose , were performed ^ and a third was deemed hopeless . Die he must , it was thought . ' I know better than they do , ' he said . ' I'll try another ; and when they cut it again . I hope they will cut it so that it will stay cut . ' A third amputation was p erformed , and-he lived through it . Ho and the others named were printers , " Captain Martin Scott was the first man shot in the above the of wall
army . He raised himself protection a , A brother officer begged him not to expose himself unnecessarily . He replied , — " Martin Scott has never yet stooped . " The next moment a shot passed through his heart . He fell upon his back , d eliberately placed his cap upon his breast , and died . Colonel Graham , _ after receiving six severe" woilnds , continued at the head of his men , and upon receiving the seventh through the heart , slowly dropped from his horse , and as ho fell upon the ground said , — < i Forward , my men ! my word is always—forward ! And so saying he died . ''„¦ , ¦ , <• One great cause of the almost unparalleled success of these newly raisecl troops , was tho fact that the officers , from the hiffliest to the lowest , led , and cheered on their columns . Hence the great disproportion in the loss of officers and men . Every officer killed ^ was shot afc tho head of his men , in the foremost point of danger . Tho enrolled militia of tho United States amount to over
1 , 600 , 000 fighting men . , Tho volunteer servico is there rendered respectable because men of the highest rank and intelligence are proud to become members of a volunteer corps . Washington , J ackson , indeed , all tho best and tho bravest officers that America has ever had , woro at first officers in the militia . If tho "higher classes , " they aro called , in England , would adopt a similar courso , condescend to encourage by thoir example the formation of volunteer corps in this country , England might safely defy " a word in arms . I eee that tho Times is somewhat scandalized , or at least distressed , that all tho prominent candidates for tho Presi-Uonvcntion
dency could bo set aside at the Democratic , and " a man much loss generally known selected . I look upon this as ono of tho crowning excellencies of tho American system , which tho Times disparages . lhat modest and unpretending merit , high intellectual and moral worth , can bo sought out oven in comparative obscurity , and clovated to an office second to nono in tho world without tho adventitious aid of birth , wealth , family influonco , is ono of tho most important and interesting facts connected with tho republican system . Upon no paijo of Roman history does tho eyo rost with more- delight than tho ono upon which is recorded tho translation ot Cincinnatus from tho plough to tho head of tho lloman
army . VICE-PHESIDENTIATi CANDIDATE . Colonel William Rufus King , tho candidate nominated by the Democratic Convention at Baltimore , is a native of tho State of North Carolina . Ho is ono of tho first senators elected from tho now State of Alabama , and was in Congress for twenty-flvo years , In 184 iJi ho was appointed Minister to Franco , wboro ho remained until 1847 . On his return to America , ho wns again elected to the United States Somite , of which body ho is now president . Ho i « a gentleman of great courtesy of manner , and is nniverailly cateonied . Our renders must not confound Colonel William llufus Xing' with tho old Tory Englishman of that nnme , well , known in American history . Tho Vico-Prcsidontial candidate in no relation to him , but cornea of tho Northumberland Pcrcyn .
Untitled Article
JtmH 26 , 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 603
-
-
Citation
-
Leader (1850-1860), June 26, 1852, page 603, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1941/page/7/
-