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Show OFFICIAL TRACEDIES. They Have Marked Many Administrations of the I'at. The tragedies in the official family of President Harrison, great though they are, says the New York Sun, are matched by those in the cabinet of President Tyler, 50 years ago. That administration began with a tragedy, for the death of tho aged Gen. Harri. son, though occurring from natural causes, cannot ho counted, in view of all the circumstances, as aught but tragic. In December of the next year, 1842, occurred the tragedy of the United States ship Somen tho mutiny, the trial by court-martial, and the execution ex-ecution of three sailors, ono of whom was tho son of tho actual secretary of war. In June, 1813, tho president, with some of his cabinet, journeyed to Boston to attend tho ceremonies of the dedication of Bunker Hill monument; and there Hugh Legare, secretary of state, was stricken with a mortal disease and died. But the tragedies of the administration hud not reached their climax. On February 28, 1844, at tho invitation of Commodore Stockton, Stock-ton, the president, with his fiancee. Miss Gardiner, her father, and with the members of his cabinet and nearly 100 other persons of high official rank, embarked on Capt. Ericsson's screw steamer Princeton, belonging to the navy, to inspect the new machinery and to watch the firing of tho two great guns which the vessel mounted. On the trip down tho guns were fired twice. On tho homeward trip, above Mount Vernon, preparations were made to fire a third shot. Around the gun stood nearly all tho principal men who carried on tho government of the United States. Tho gun was fired, and burst, killing eight persons, wounding nearly a score. Tho president had been culled aside tho Instant the gun was fired, but Secretary of State Upshur and Thomas Gilmer, secretary of the navy, were killed, as well as Mr. Gardiner, Commodore Kennon, Mr. Virgil Maxey, two sailors, and the president's servant. Mr. Gilmer hud been secretary of tho navy for only 10 days, and had taken tho post much against his own inclinations. Thomas II. Benton was one of tho party whose gayety was so terribly stilled; but though the president's servant, who stood at his left, was killed, ho himself him-self was unhurt, except for tho breaking break-ing of his left ear drum. |
