pears to have been over-fastidious, for he refused to listen favorably to any of them, his invariable remark being, "I have bnt two children, and they must inherit all I have." The result was, as usual, that the girl married for love," and not "for money," and her husband, on that account, was the most undesirable to her father of all her suitors. Colonel Custis had very ambitious views concerning the marriage relations of his son, Daniel Parke. He had a fine person, a large fortune and an irreproachable character. Writing to a friend in London, Colonel Custis said: "If Colonel Parke had lived to see my son, he would have seen his own picture to greater perfection than ever Sir Godfrey Kneller could draw it." He was a very desirable match for the fair daughters of Virginia. His fine portrait by Woollaston, already mentioned, attests his manly beauty and dignity. Many negotiations were commenced for a family alliance with him. His cousin, Evelyn Byrd, of Westover, was proposed. Colonel Custis earnestly desired the match for his son, but he would not be brought to terms, and at length Colonel Byrd, in a very decided letter, in which he tells the wooer how much he regrets his father's impracticability, as he should have "preferred him to all others," adds, that he cannot trust to "such a phantome as Colonel Custis's generosity." It is probable that young Custis was not very earnest in pursuit of his cousin Evelyn, for at that time the beautiful Martha Dandridge had crossed his path, and won his most ardent affection. She was the most attractive belle at the little Colonial Court at Williamsburg, then the place of residence of the royal governors. Her grace of manners, sweetness of expression, and constant cheerfulness, won the affectionate consideration of all who made her acquaintance. Colonel Custis was then one of the Governor's Council, and saw much of Miss Dandridge, but he long refused to sanction his But he was assailed on all sides by reports of the many charms of character and the bright virtues of Miss Dandridge, and finally yielded. Among the papers alluded to I saw the following memorandum in his own handwriting: "I give my free consent to the union of my son Daniel with Miss Martha Dandridge." Also the following letter from a friend of the younger Custis: son's choice. I am the news that, I believe, will be most agreeable to you of any you ever heard. That you may not be long in suspense, I shall tell you at once, empowered by your father to let you know that he heartily and willingly consents to your marriage with Miss Dandridge-that he has so good a character of her that he had rather you should have her than any lady in Virginia-nay, if possible, he is much enamored with her character as you are with her person, and this is owing chiefly to a prudent speech of her own. Hurry down immediately, for fear he should change the strong inclination he has to your marrying directly. I staid with him all night, and presented Jack with my little Jack's horse, bridle and saddle, in your name, which was taken as a singular favor. I shall say no more, as I expect to see you soon to-morrow, but conclude, what I really am, "Your most obliged and affectionate humble servant, J. POWER. "To Colonel DANIEL PARKE CUSTIS, New Kent." The younger Custis was then thirty-eight years of age. The "Jack" alluded to in the letter was a small negro boy, to whom the old gentleman had taken a most violent fancy. On one occasion, when in great displeasure with his son Daniel on account of his refusal to concur in his father's ambitious views concerning his marriage, he made a will, and had it duly recorded, leaving all his fortune to this boy. Through the solicitations of his friends, when the ill humor had passed away, he destroyed that will, and then he manumitted the boy with his mother Alice, and made ample provision for their maintenance. In May, 1749, Daniel Parke Custis, of the White House, on the Pamunkey, and Miss Martha Dandridge were married. The bride was then only seventeen years of age. The fruit of their union were four children, two of whom (the eldest) died when they were very young. Their father did not long survive them. Fanny Parke and John Parke grew to maturity. Fanny died at Mount Vernon in 1773. father (Colonel Washington) she bequeathed to him all of her large fortune. After remaining a widow a few years, Mrs. Custis married Colonel George Washington in January, 1759, who then became the guardian of his wife's surviving children, and watched over them with the tenderness "DEAR SIR:-This comes at last to bring you of a real parent. Out of love for her step In the old War for Independence Mrs. Washington's son, John Custis, who married Eleanor Calvert, acted as aid on the staff of Washington. He was serving in that capacity at the siege of Yorktown when he was seized with a camp-fever, and went to Eltham, the seat of Colonel Bassett, not far distant, where his wife joined him. The most tender care and the utmost skill of Dr. Craik, Washington's family physician, could not save him. When the surrender of Cornwallis was effected, Washington hastened to Eltham. He was met at the door by Dr. Craik, who informed him that all was over. The great heart of the Patriot was touched with tenderest sympathy for the afflicted widow of his stepson. He mingled his tears with hers, and said: "I adopt the two younger children as my own." These were Eleanor Parke and George Washington Parke Custis, the former then about three years old, and the latter six months. That was in October, 1781. So it was that George Washington Parke Custis became the adopted son of Washington. At the close of the late Civil War the Arlington Estate passed into the possession of the National Died, October 10, 1857. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." On the monument dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Custis are these words: MARY L. CUSTIS, These monuments were erected by their affectionate daughter, Mrs. Lee, some time before the beginning of the Civil War, when only dim tokens of the impending calamity were visible in the political firmament. HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES OF THE PHILADELPHIA NAVY YARD. BY HENRY M. VALLETTE, Chief Clerk in the Department of Steam Engineering in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. ing, among other toasts, was given by the late On the morning of Tuesday, September 28th, 1819-Commodore Alexander Murray being still in command-the melancholy intelligence was first received (although the event occurred at sea nearly a year before) of the death of the gal-ing, no duty too arduous; he fronted without fear lant Commodore Oliver H. Perry, whose exploits during his illustrious career have been so faithfully described in Cooper's "Naval History." At 9 o'clock A.M. colors were hoisted at half-mast at Shearhead and on the receiving ship Corporation,' and on the following Thursday thirteen minute guns were fired as a tribute of respect to his memory. At a dinner party given by the State Fencibles of this city at the house of a certain Curtis Grubb, "near the Schuylkill," the follow the one, and fell a victim to disease in discharging the other." A Mr. John Norris is believed to be the only survivor of Commodore Perry's famous victory on Lake Erie, and is now (November, 1875) residing at Petersburg, Kentucky, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. At an interview had with him a short time ago, he related, among other incidents, that at a supper that was given on their return to Kentucky, just after the battle, the phrase, "Here's champagne to our real friends. and real pain to our sham friends," was then for the first time made use of. An event of more than ordinary interest-cre been shot through the right side; the ball, after passing through the abdomen, lodged in the left side just above the hip. Subsequently Barron was fortunate enough to recover entirely from the effects of his wound. ating quite a sensation, not only among the | both badly wounded-Decatur mortally, having attachés of the Yard, but among the residents of the entire neighborhood as well-occurred on Thursday, December 9th. The event was an official visit of Commodore Stephen Decatur, at that time one of the Naval Commissioners, and then at the very zenith of a fame founded upon glorious naval achievements. He was received by his brother officers at the Yard with all the honors due to his exalted name and station. Just at this period was going on the unfortunate correspondence between Commodores Barron and Decatur, which a few months later-March, 1820-closed in the tragic denouement at Bladensburg. As the details of that sad affair are probably unfamiliar to some and perhaps partially forgotten by others, of our readers, we give a brief note of the fatal rencontre as published in the newspapers of that date. On the 22d day of March, 1820, the parties met according to agreement, Commodore Bainbridge acting as second to Decatur, and Captain Elliott performing a like office for Barron. The distance was eight paces, and at the first fire they were An editorial appeared in the Washington National Intelligencer, dated "Eleven o'clock Wednesday night," March 23d, as follows: A HERO HAS FALLEN! Commodore STEPHEN DECATUR, one of the first officers of our Navy, the pride of his country, the gallant and noble-hearted gentleman, IS NO MORE! He expired a few minutes ago, of the mortal wound received in the Duel yesterday. Of the origin of the feud which led to this disastrous result, we know but what rumor tells. The event we are sure will fill the country with grief. MOURN COLUMBIA! for one of thy brightest stars is set-a son " Iwithout fear and without reproach"-in the freshness of his fame-in the prime of his usefulness-has descended into the tomb. The Philadelphia Gazette of the 24th of March commented severely and justly on this honorable murder: "We have no words to give utterance to our feelings in announcing the melancholy and lamented death of Commodore Stephen Decatur, a hero whose bright career illuminated the annals of his country. This star has set at its very meridian. But what shall we say of the barbarous code to which his gallant spirit has fallen a victim, and to which other lives, equally dear to their friends and country, may also become victims? On this occasion the President of the United States has a signal opportunity of displaying his own indignation, and that of the whole country, at these deadly appeals, by instantly dismissing from office all the aiders and abettors in this gross violation of the laws of God and the law of the land." Decatur was interred at the city of Washington on the 24th of March with all the honors of war, his body followed by a vast concourse of people, consisting of the President of the United States, heads of Departments, members of Congress, naval, military and marine officers, judges, foreign ministers and consuls, detachment of marines as a firing party, band of music, etc.-the following named officers acting as pall-bearers, viz., Commodores Rogers, Porter, Tingey and McDonough, Generals Brown and Jessup, Captains Casson, Chauncey and Ballard, and Lieutenant McPherson. John Randolph, then a member of the House of Representatives, offered a resolution that "out of respect to the memory of Stephen Decatur, the members wear crape upon the left arm for the remainder of the session." This resolution was warmly opposed by a number of members, who gave as a reason for their opposition "that Decatur died through the infraction of one of the laws of the United States, and whilst they all deeply mourned his death, they could not so honor a man who had thus openly set the laws at defiance." Upon taking the vote, Randolph's resolution was negatived by a vote of 83 to 50. An intense excitement pervaded every class of the community upon this topic. The subject was discussed on the highways, commented upon at the clubs, and declaimed at public meetings. Thursday, April 20th, extremely warm for the time of year. The yard thermometer, which was in a shady place where the rays of the sun could not penetrate, marked 76°. Thursday, the 11th of May, was "militia muster" day-a day upon which every patriotic citizen who had arrived at man's estate, and was capable of bearing arms, was expected to do his whole duty by following to the field the redoubtable commander of the "Curbstone Guards"-consequently there were but few able-bodied men at work in the Yard. Friday, June 30th, an intensely warm day. A number of the employés were compelled to desist from work owing to the excessive heat. Tuesday, July 4th. This being the glorious anniversary of American Independence, a salute of seventeen guns was fired at 12 M. A number of officers attached to the Yard being present, entered into the proceedings with much enthusiasm. On Tuesday, July 25th, John Williamson, seaman, who was a deserter from the United States ship Constellation, was delivered up by a sergeant of an infantry regiment, and was confined in the guard room at the barracks, he being the first prisoner confined there who had been charged with any serious offence. The illustration given with this paper is a faithful representation of The Barracks' occupied by the Marine Corps at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. We quote from J. Fenimore Cooper: "This corps is so necessary to the military character of every service, has ever been so efficient and useful; not only carrying on the regular routine of duty, but in the face of an enemy, and was so all important to the security of the ships, that we give a brief account of its organization; and in order that the general reader may more clearly comprehend this branch of the service, and obtain a clearer idea of the composition of the crew of a vessel-of 1 At the time of the organization of the Navy Yard a file of ten marines did all the guard and watch duty, occupying a small frame shanty to the right of the entrance gate. Numerous additions were, from time to time, made to the original structure until the muster roll numbered thirty-eight men, when it was considered necessary to increase the accommo the¦dations, and in the year 1807 the present building was erected, in which there are now comfortably quartered about one hundred men. The quarters for the commanding officer of the Marine Corps, just south of the barracks, and having an entrance on Front street, was built in the year 1821, and at the time of its erection it was considered quite an imposing structure. On Wednesday, February 16th, 1820, is recorded upon the "log" the important fact that "this morning the sun was ushered in with unusual attendants of thunder and lightning." Friday, March 24th, received from the Department at Washington official notice of the death of Commodore Decatur, and hoisted colors at halfmast. war, a paragraph will be devoted to a few explanations. "The history of the navy at that day, as well as in later times, abounds with instances of the gallantry and self-devotion of this body of soldiers.” "The men of a public armed ship are divided into two distinct bodies-the portion of the people that do the ordinary duty of the vessel, which includes the petty officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen and boys-and the marines; the former pass under the general name of sailors, while the latter are always known by their own distinctive appellation. The marines are strictly 'infantry soldiers' who are trained to serve afloat, and their discipline, equipments, spirit, character and esprit de corps are altogether those of an army. The marines impart to a ship-of-war, in a great degree, its high military character; they furnish all the guards and sentinels, in battle they repel or cover the assaults of boarders, and at all times they sustain and protect the stern and necessary discipline of a ship by their organization, distinctive character, training, and, we may add, nature. . . . It is usual to place one of these soldiers on board of a ship-of-war for each gun, though the rule is not absolute. It is not, how-to the American name. At the breaking out of ever, to be understood by this that the marines are regularly disposed in the ship by placing them at the guns, as, unless in cases that form exceptions, they act together under their own officers, using the musket and bayonet as their proper From time to time the corps has been increased, the last important change taking place in 1861, when, by act of Congress, the force was increased, making the corps to consist of 2,500 privates; it is at this time substantially the same, except that the legislation of the year 1874, without reducing the legal maximum, provided an appropriation for only 1,500 privates. weapons. "Aware of the importance of such a body of men, on the 9th of November, 1775, before any regular cruiser had yet got to sea, Congress passed a law establishing a Marine Corps.' By this law the corps was to consist of two battalions of the usual size, and to be commanded by a colonel. It does not appear that this law was ever carried into complete effect, the great difficulty which existed in obtaining men for the army, no less than the impracticability of getting so many of the vessels to sea, most probably contributed to defeat its objects. The record of the corps from the time of its organization speaks of important duties performed, sacrifices made and victories won. Lieutenant O'Bannon, of the Marine Corps, led his forces over the arid wastes of Northern Africa, till he joined with his comrades of the corps on the American men-of-war in the Mediterranean, and in the blood of the Tripolitans avenged the stain that rested on the flag of his country. In all the naval conflicts during the war of 1812-14 the marines bore a most honorable part and added glory the Florida war the entire corps volunteered its services, and amid everglades and treacherous swamps subdued the savage hordes who had bid defiance to our government. In the war with Mexico, by their bravery, discipline and efficiency, they won and received the grateful commendation of the whole country. In all the marches and battles on the western coast, the conflicts in the Gulf, the heroic work that resulted in the fall of Chapultepec, and finally in the capture of the City of Mexico, the marines certainly bore a conspicuous part. At the headquarters of the corps may be seen the colors which the people of Washington presented to them upon their return; though tattered and torn, the banner still bears the appropriate motto: "From Tripoli to the Halls of the Montezumas." 'Per mare et terram." The services of the marines during the late civil struggle are of so recent a date that they require no recapitulation now, and the same may be truly said of their gallant conduct in the Island of Formosa and Corea. At the time of the raid on the illegal whiskey stills in this city, a force of marines, one hundred strong, marched from the Navy Yard, under command of Brevet-Major L. L. Dawson, to aid the civil authorities in preserving the peace, and in protecting revenue officers from the assaults of an infuriated mob. 66 |