Elizabeth Town Gazette

The Launch.—The National Intelligencer states, that on Monday the first instant, at a quarter before 12 o'clock, "the noble ship of the line COLUMBUS glided from its bed, at the Navy Yard in this city, in the most majestic style, in the presence of many thousands of spectators, who, in despite of unfavourable weather, had assembled to witness this interesting scene. The occasion was robbed of much of its brilliance by the state of the weather; but it lost none of its intrinsic grandeur. The vessel was greeted on its descent, by a national salute from the artillery, by patriotic airs from the band of the Marine Corps, and by the shouts of thousands of COLUMBIANS, gathered together from every quarter of the Union.

"Among the spectators were the President, many Senators and representatives in Congress, the Heads of Departments, the principal officers of the government resident here, officers of the army and navy, strangers and foreigners.

"It is a very general impression, that a more beautiful launch was never witnessed in any country.

"This is said to be one of the finest vessels ever built, and to confer credit on the skill and attention of our naval architects. It will not be long before the Columbus bears the National Banner on the ocean, under the charge of some one of our most distinguished naval commanders.

"We are pleased that the name of the rightful discoverer of the shores of this country, and whose name, perhaps, our country ought distinctively to bear, has been conferred on the first line of battle ship built in this District, the finest vessel ever launched in the United States, and perhaps in the world."