Edgefield Advertiser

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondents of Charleston Patriot.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 29.

The shocking accident last evening on board the Princeton, has filled the whole city with gloom.

This morning the bodies of the slain were brought from the ship to the President's House on six hearses, where I presume, they will remain until the funeral.

A numerous body of citizens attended the bodies. Among the killed, those most known to the public are Secretaries Gilmer and Upshur, Com. Kennon, Col. Gardner of N. York, and the Hon. Virgil Maxcy, of Md. In addition to the five sailors killed are thirteen wounded.

There was a rumor this evening that Capt. Stockton was also dead, but I found it not the case. He is however, much worse. Had the great mass of visitors been on deck at the time, how much more horribly must have been the catastrophe.

The President, it appears, had risen from the dinner table to go on deck, but was restrained by the two daughters of Col. Gardner, who were afraid of the gun. It appears the last discharge was made under the express orders of Mr. Gilmer. It is said that Mr. Wilkins, Secretary of War, was importuned to stand by the gun, but he declined, humorously observing that "if he was Secretary of War, he could not stand fire."

The following message from the President was delivered to both branches of Congress.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States.

I have to perform the melancholy duty of announcing to the two Houses of Congress, the death of the Hon. Abel P. Upshur, late Secretary of State, and the Hon. Thomas W. Gilmer, late Secretary of the Navy.

This most lamentable occurrence transpired on board the United States ship of war the Princeton, on yesterday, at about half past 4 o'clock in the evening, and proceeded from the explosion of one of the large guns of that ship.

The loss which the government and the country have sustained by this deplorable event is heightened by the death, at the same time, by the same cause, of several distinguished persons and valuable citizens.

I shall be permitted to express my grief at an occurrence which has so suddenly stricken from my side two gentlemen, upon whose advice I so confidently relied in the discharge of my arduous task of administering the office of the executive department; and whose services, at this interesting period, were of such vast importance.

In some relief of the public sorrow which must necessarily accompany this painful event, it affords me much satisfaction to say that it was produced by no carelessness or inattention on the part of the officers and crew of the Princeton; but must be set down as one of those casualties which, to a greater or less degree, attend upon every service; and which are invariable incident to the temporal affairs of mankind.

I will also add, that it in measure detracts in my estimation, from the value of the improvements contemplated in the construction of the Princeton, or from the merits of her brave and distinguished commander and projector.

JOHN TYLER.

Washington, Feb. 29th, 1844.

In the House, as soon as the Message was read, Mr. Hopkins rose, and after an appropriate speech, offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted.

Resolved, That this House has heard, with deep sorrow, of the dreadful catastrophe which occurred yesterday, on board the U. S. Ship Princeton, when many valuable lives were lost; and by which, amongst others, the Hon. A. P. Upshur, and the Hon. Thomas W. Gilmer, met a sudden and awful death.

Resolved, That this House will manifest its respect for the memory of the late distinguished Secretaries of State and of the Navy; and its sympathy for their bereaved families, by attending their funeral in a body.

Resolved, That, as a further remark of respect to the deceased, and to manifest our sense of the most melancholy and afflicting dispensation of Divine Providence, that this House will transact no legislative business until after the funeral obsequies of the deceased shall have been performed.

Resolved, That the members of this House will wear the usual badges of mourning for 30 days.

Resolved, That when this House adjourns, it do adjourn to Monday next.

Resolved, That the following members be appointed a Committee on the part of the House, to act with a Committee on the part of the Senate, to superintend the funeral of the Hon. A. P. Upshur and the Hon. Thomas W. Gilmer.

Messrs. Hopkins, Adams, Barnard, Cave Johnson, and J. C. Ingersoll.

In the Senate, an eloquent address was delivered by Mr. Rives, after which similar resolutions to those of the House were adopted.

Messrs. Rives, King, Archer, Bayard, and Woodbury, were appointed a Committee on the part of the Senate, to attend the funeral. The Senate then adjourned to Monday.

March 1.

The funeral of the unfortunate beings killed on board the Princeton, is appointed to take place to-morrow. The bodies, with the exception of the Hon. Virgil Maxcy's, which was this morning removed to Baltimore, still remain at the Green Room of the White House. As the cases are uncovered, the room is thronged with persons anxious to get a last view of those, who, but two days ago, were in the land of the living.

The Departments are all closed and hung with mourning. To-morrow, all the stores in the city will be closed until after the funeral obsequies shall have been performed. Thousands are thronging in from the adjoining cities, so that I presume the ceremonies will be as fully impressive as those at the death of the late President Harrison.

The volunteer soldiers and citizens of the District and of Baltimore, will participate in the solemnities of the burial. The bodies will be interred in the Congressional Burial ground.

Commodore Warrington has entered upon the discharge of the duties of the Navy Department, and for the present the Attorney General will discharge the duties of Secretary of State.

The following is a list of the wounded sailors.

John Kissick, of Philadelphia, lacerated, wounded and very badly burned.

Charles Lewis, of Pennsylvania, incised wound: bad.

James M. Green, New York city, contusion on the leg.

Wm. H. Taylor, of Boston, both legs badly fractured.

John Potter, Litchfield, Maine, contused leg.

Wm. H. Canning, Burlington, N. J., one of his legs very badly burned, the other not so severe.

Joseph Traiso, of Boston, wounded on the hip.

Charles H. Robinson, of Philadelphia slightly wounded in the head.

James H. Dunn, of Maine, severe contusion on the left side--very dangerous.

There are yet on board Peter Roreas, a Swede, badly injured: Joseph Wells, Englishman, slightly wounded.

Daniel Harrington and Hugh Kelly, slightly.

Mr. Robert King, gunner, was severely wounded, but is better to-day.

Captain Stockton is still dangerously ill, but Mr. Benton is better.