Show AX UISTOKIU 1IOKROR THE TAtE OP AN ALMOST JXIHGOT TEN WASHINGTON TRAGEDY RECALLED The dreadful disaster which has overtaken Secretary Tracy recalls the shocking tragedy of February 23 1S44 Tjy which two cabinet officers offi-cers a high naval officer and other officials were instantly killed in the very presence of President Tyler and his cabinet The lory of the tragedy Is told In a graphic manner in the recently I liuMtehed Diary of Philip Hone In his entry for February 291S he say Horrible Most horrible An express arrived at 2 oclock bringing an account of an awlul catastrophe which occurred yesterday yester-day at about 4 oclock p m onboard on-board Captain Stocktons team rieCa Friiiteton The vessel which was here a few weeks ago fitted up with EricsMmB propeller and carrying the enormous wrought iron gun which threw by the force fortyfive pounds powder a ball of proportionate size tnree millS at vach discharge The murderous projectile was named Peacemaker and most deplorably has it earned its name by making in an instant the peace of several of the most distinguished l men of the country and sending them where the wicked cease from troubling An f rus the account hav reached UK it is certain that iu discharging this gun with a ball utar toAlexanctria 01 Uio Potomac it exploded at a time when there wan a party on board of 500 ladles and gentlemen including the president presi-dent and beads of departments toll excepting iMr Spencer with their famIH nllal and militaiy officers senators and members of the house of representatives and all tLe distinguished dis-tinguished persons resident and visiting I at Washington The ilTect 01 this tremendous explosion ex-plosion was the immediate death I under the moot shocking circum tictof Sir Upshur secretary of state Governor Gllmer secretary of the navy Virgil Maxey late I charge datI1lrs at Belgium Daniel Gardner late State senator of New York from Lon Island Commander Com-mander Beverly Kennon US K and others Captain Stockton was dangerously wounded and Colonel Beuton slightly Governor Gil uiera wife was on board There I were 200 ladies on board but fortunately fortu-nately they were all below dining and drinking toasts The voice of mirth and joviality below mingled with the groins and dying on deck Sot onLio the ladies was Injured I B t on Idsttiuir |