nr\^^ tW^ (cctOi ^>.y^ ■i ^^>rJ\o^c*A^- Sf<^Xu<^m/S^<=^ • F2.Z 1)1 ^U^N YorWl^^^t' X e- s HONORS TO ADMIRAL FARRAGUT. At a Meeting of Citizens lield at the Colleotor'a Office, on the tenth day ot December, 1864, on motion of Mr. Draper, Mr. Moses Taylor was called to the Chair and Mr. S.ini'l Sloan was appointed Secretary. Mr. M. 0. Roberts submitted the following : Recognizing the illustrious service, heroic bravery and tried loyalty which have dis- tinguished the life of Rear-Admiral D. G-. Farragut in the cause of his countrj- — especially the lofty spirit of devotion by which he has been animated during all the period of the present war, and the signal victories achieved by him over the utmost skill and eft'ort of rebellion ; therefore, Resolved, That a committee of citizens be named by the Chair, -with power to add to their number, to receive Admiral Farragut on his arrival, now soon expected, at this port. Resolved, That a Federal salute be fired in honor of the arrival of the flagship Hartford, with Admiral Farragut on boai-d. Resolved, That the City of jSTew-Tork, following the example of the great free cities of the world, in doing honor to their illustrious countrymen, honors itself by tendering to Admiral Farragut an invitation to become a resident thereof, and that the committee be instructed to devise the best mode of carrying this resolution into effect, so that the man, his achievements and his fame may belong to the city. Resolved, That we see, with the highest satisfaction, that the President, in his annual message, and the Secretary of the Navy, recommend the creation of a higher grade of naval rank, with the designation of Admiral Farragut as the recipient, as a national recognition of distinguished service and exalted patriotism. Resolved, That the offer made by the Collector, of a revenue cutter, for the use of the committee, in meeting the flagship Hartford, be accepted with thanks. Resolved, That it be resiiectfuUy recommended to the Municipal authorities to confer the freedom of the City of New- York on Admiral Farragut. The resolutions were unanimously adopted. MOSES TAYLOR, Chairman. Saml. Si.OAN, Secretary. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. A. A. LOW. wii. & dodge, CIIAS. H. RUSSELL, ^^ H. GKINNELL, S. DRAl'l.R, H. A. SMYIHE, L. W. JEROME, HENRY CLEWS, ISAAC BELL, ROBT. L. SrUART, HENRY J. RAVMOXD, John J. Cisco, Treasurer. MOSES TAYLOR, Chairman. MARSHALL O. ROBERTS, JOfLV E. WILLIAMS, WM. T. BLODGETT. ROBERT H. McCURDY, HENRY M. TABER, C. H. MARSHALL, A. T. STEWART, JOHN' J. PHELPS, J. TAYLOR JOHNSTuN. JOHN A. STEWART, S. B. CHITTENDEN, MORRIS KETCHUM, RICHARD SCHELL, DENNING DUER, P. M. WETMORE, JOHX C. GREEN, JAMES W. BEEIvMAN, V^M. A. DARLING, DANL. DEVLIN, FRANCIS SIvlDDY, FRANK W. WORTH, SHEPPARD GANDY. WED. W. CLARKE. SAMUEL SLOAN, Secretary. ■ A TESTIMONIAL OF PUBLIC GRATITUDE. Nevv-Tork, December 31, 18C4. To Vice-Admiral David G. Farragut, Senior Flag-Offlcer of the United States Navy. Dear Sir, — It is but an act of duty on tlie part of the citizens of tliis commercial community to acknowledge the brilliant services you have rendered to the country in guarding its maritime interests, protecting its commerce, and maintaining the honor of its flag. The gallantry displayed by the fleet, which, under your orders, opened the Mississipiii from tlio Delta to the Crescent City, deservedly won the ajiplause of a grateful peojjle : but still later in the contest still waging for the restoration of the national authority, and the possession of the forts and territory of the Union, your unparalleled skill and daunt- less intrepidity in forcing the entrance of the Bay of Mobile and capturing its defences, thrilled the hearts of your countrj-men and excited the admiration of every generous nation. The deeds which illustrate alike your name and the naval history of the republic, have been fitly recognized in your promotion to a grade higher than has ever before been known in the Amtnican Navy; a rank fairly won in bloody conflict, justly bestowed by the government, and gladlj' hailed by the American people. The citizens of New-Tork can offer no tribute equal to your claims on their gratitude and afl'ection. Their earnest desire is to receive you as one of their number, and to be permitted, as fellow-citizens, to share in the renown you will bring to the Jletropolitan City. This desire is felt in common by the whole community, and, in the hope that it may be not inconsistent with your own views, the gratelul duty has been confided to us of iducing in your liands the accompanying Testimonial ; and we lemaiu, Willi the highest respect and regard, Faithfully, your frienc^s, MOSES TATLOK, Chairman. Sajili:i, Si.oax, Secretary. .lollN .). (,'lsco, Treumrer. REPLY r3F Ar»\nRAL FAERAGUT. To Vit 5f:*S5 T >—,-:?_ ■-- iarre 'best tfte i:ee5i<3Li; -a: 3!Si»}r? sjiji Sfi^isiSaes^^iit sn. ei^iajriB- ealLri 'jn. la ^ ■ jr-^ ^ss &e isE^ _ ; ; : nril i 'jEToi-siaaES a* New-York, Jamianj 26, 186f). Vice-Admiral David G. Farragut, r;. S. Navij. Dear Sir, — ^In a former communication addressed to you, we alluded to some of the grounds, upon wliicli the Loyal Citizens of New-York were desirous to express, ip a fitting manner, their sense of your claims on the grateful recognition of the Country, for gallant services rendered at a period of imminent National peril. Of the Fund provided for the declared purpose of rendering you a tribute of respect and gratitude, the su^m of fifty-one thousand one hundred and thirty dollars was appro- priated to the purchase of Fifty Bonds, issued hy tlie National Government, of the value of one thousand dollars each, with accrued interest ; and, we have now the pleasure to place in your hands a chect for the surplus remaining from the subscription. In closing this duty, one of the most grateful we have ever been called on to perform, we offer you the assurance of our earnest hope, that you may long be spared to shed lustre on the Navy, and to enjoy the retrospect of a life of usefulness and honor devoted to the service of your Country. With sincere regard, we remain. Faithfully, yours, MOSES TAYLOE, Chairman. Sam. Sloan, Secretary. John J. Cisco, Treasurer. FARRAGUT TESTOfOKIAL FtTNi). 'CaNTMBUTOKS. Moses Taylor & Co .:$1,060 Morris KetcMim .;.;... 1,000 Samuel Welmore ..- 1,000 John C.Green .^ 1,000 K. L. &A. Stitart 1,000 Brown Brothers & Co 1,000 Alexander T. Stewart 1,000 Columbian Ins. Co 1,000 Peter Lorillard 1,000 Charles H. Marshall .:....... 500 George Smith 5d0 Marshall O. Roberts .;......... 500 Phelps, Dodge & Co '500 John Taylor Johnston 500 Winslow, Lanier & Co 500 Clark, Dodge & Co 500 A. A. Low &Brother 500 S. B. Chittenden 500 Charles H. EusseU 500 D.B. Fearing 500 J.J.Phelps 500 J.J. Astor, Jr 500 M. H. Grinnell, President 500 Paul Spofford 500 Eichard Schell 500 W. H. Webb 500 C. K. Garrison 500 Francis Skiddy 500 George Opdyke 500 Livermore, Clews & Co 500 Wm. B. Astor 500 Edwin A. Stevens 500 Thnrlow Weed 500 George E. Nesbitt 500 William Astor 500 Eufus L. Lord 500 Cha's Aug's Davis 500 Eisk & Hatch 500 James Lenox 500 J. N. A. Griswold 500 Sturges, Bennett & Co 500 Weston ir own force in men and ■weight of metal, whicli swept her (leeks and made her senppers literally run with blood, to receive his first impressions of British ideas of the sacredness of neuti-al waters within a neutral port. Nor has this been the only practical illustration which our friend has had occasion to witness of British ideas of the rights or duties of a neutral nation. For nearly four years, in the enforced commerce with the rebel poits by Biitish subjects, through violation of the blockade, and in the cruising of British privateers against our commerce on the ocean, he has in his professional capacity been compelled to witness these illustration.s. Yes, sir, I say hy British privateers; for, disguise it as they may, there stands before an enlightened woild the patent, broad and undeniable fact, that American commci'co has been neailj- swept Irom the ocean by armed vessels of war, openly built by British subjects, in British watei-s, of British iron and British oak, mounted with British guns, supplied and equipped with British material and munitions, manned by British sailors, and commanded only by lebel officers, who have been forced to a stealthy escape through American blockaded ports to be able to stand upon the quarterdecks of these neutral British privateers. Sir, perhaps it is not for us now to seek to penetrate the vail which conceals the future from our view. But it may bo i)erniitted us to believe that some time hereafter, when this rebellion shall have been suppressed, as in time it will be, and when its sup- pression shall have been followed by the restoration of the Union in all its integrity, as, under the blessing of God, it is our unalterable jiurpose that it shall be, our cousins upon the opposite side of the Atlantic may then be invited by our Government to a friendly conference over the devastations of our commerce caused by these illustrations of their duties as a Neutral Power during our grapple with a gigantic rebellion. It is not, i)er- haps, foi' us now to say what ground our Government will then assume ; but I have an iilea — it may be a I'anciful one — that it is at least among the things j)ossible that Gieat Britain may be invited in a friendly spirit to foot the bill for all these losses. Should our Goveiument take that ground — and much as we might deprecate the necessity, be driven, through its naval pjwer, to enforce it — it is not impossible that our friend, who, in his youtli, learned his first lessons of British ideas of international neu- trality law in the i^ort of Valparaiso, may, in his ripe manhood, at the head of an Ame- rican fleet, be called upon to impart to ourBritishfriendssome American ideas respecting the duties, and obligations, and responsibilities of neutrals. In such a contingency you will probably all agree with me, that England might find him, if not an agreeable at least a competent instructor. Certainly he has heretofore proved himself equal to any emeigency which ho has been called upon to meet. It is not my purpose now to dwell upon the services which Admiral Farragut has rendered to his country, nor is it necessary. His name has become a fiimiliar household word ; and the renown of his deeds is co- extensive with the civilized world. If the greatness of his naval exploits is to be estima- ted by the genius which conceivedthemand the .skill and heroic daring of their execution, or by the magnitude and importance of their consequences, history may be challenged for that which surpassed the achievements of Admiral Farragut in the waters of the Mississippi and the Bay of Mobile. Those achievements are not surpassed by anything accomplished by the Hoods, the Collingwoods or the Nelsons of the British Navy. Tou probably, sii-, in your boyhood, have read the story given by the English annalist, and have felt your youthful heait beat all the quicker as you did so, which relates that the morning light of the day of the greatest of Nelson's conflicts with the naval jjower of France, saw floating from the topmast of liis flagship the signal, "England expects every man to do bis duty." AViU was such a signal fitted to fire the enthusiasm of every sailor in the fleet. JSut has the world ever witnessed a spectacle like that presented in the waters of Mobile Bay, when our honored friend led the van of his fleet into the converging fiio of the enemy's foits and iron-armored squadron, not with a signal, but himself lashed at a dizzy height to his own mast, and thcxe from his perilous eminence, far above the morning logs and the smoke of battle that raged below him. calmly directing the move- ments of his fleet ; himself the signal not alone that all should do theirs, but that he wasi doing his duty ? I must not detain you too long, but I hope it may not be regarded as out of taste for me to relate an incident narrated to me this morning by an eye-witness of the scene, who is now present with us, illustrating as it does, the sterling qualities of heart aiul soul of Admiral Farragut, and presenting him to us with enhanced claims upon our giatitude. None of us can forget the startling eft'ect produced at the North, in the Spring of 1861, when the news reached us of the seizure, by the insuigents, of the Navy Tard at Norfolk, with its vast accumulation of ordnance and munitions of war. At that period Govern- ment was almost bewildered by unsuspected defections from among our most trusted naval and military officers. It felt as A\'asliington did when he first leanied of Arnold's treason. In anxious and sorrowful apprehension, he exclaimed to one of the most trusted of his military family, "Whom can we trust now ?'' Men, in ItCI, whose fidelity to their flag had been supposed to be unassailable, under the influence of the ties of Southern birth and family, fiiends and associations, and under the influence of that fal.se and pernicious political philosophy called the doctrine of pai'amount State allegiance, many of them, with reluctance, some of them even with tears, surrendered their commissions and allied themselves with the rebellion. Just iirevious to the fall of Norfolk, Admiral Farragut, himself of Southern birth, as was also his true and noble wife, was invited by the emissaries of the insurgent chiefs to join his fortunes to their cause. He promptly declined. The effort to change his purpose was repeated. He was urged by every consideration that it was supposed could influence his pride or ambition, by the ties of consanguinity and place of birth, to side with his native South, and still refused. The rebel chiefs well knew the man. They knew him better than his own Government then did, and they knew the lion-like qualities that slumbered beneath his modest and retiring habitual demeanor, and the achievements of which he was capable when the latent powers of the man should be roused to active energy. As a last eflbrt to win him over to their cause, they ofiered him any position which he should be pleased to name. Admiral Farragut is a man of sincere but unob- trusive piety, a piety as modest and unostentatious as is his own habitual deportment ; but this assault upon his loyal virtue was more than his nature could endure, and, with a sudden and sailor-like burst of indignation, he rejilied, as he pointed to the emblem of the Republic, -which floated near them : — " Gentlemen, your efforts are useless. I tell you I would see every man of you d d before I would raise my arm against that flag." Norfolk soon fell, and Farragut was warned that the South was no place for him. A few hours only were allowed him for escape with his family, leaving, as he was compelled to do, all his property behind, which was immediately absorbed by the relentless confis- cation of the foe. He reached the house of a friend, northward of the Potomac, exclaiming, as he did to him, " Here I am without a farthing, or a place where I can lay mj' head !" In this way came Farragut to us of tlie North, to the Government to which lie gave his alleg;lance, to the flag lie has for the last three years upheld in so many fierce conflicts with armed treason. Mr. President, the divine Prophet of Nazareth — Him whom we all reverently wor- ship — gave it as the highest "evidence of the devotion of one of his followers to that pure and simple faith which it was his mission on earth to teach, when he said, " He hath left all and followed me." I trust it neither irreverent nor inappropriate for me, in this con- nection, to say of Admiral Farragut, " He has shown his faith hy his works." It is but a little matter for us, here of the North, to he loyal to our Government. Education, association, family ties, interest, the concurrent sentiment of the whole commu- nity in which we live, make it almost a matter of course that we should be. But there have been places where loyalty had a deeper significance, and cost sacri- fices of which we have had no experience. On the devastated plains of Missouri, and Kentucky, and Tennessee, and Virginia, through their towns and villages, where society has been rent asunder — sometimes nearly all upon the side of the rebellion, and the ties of neighborhood, of nativity, and kindred, and family, all tend in that direction — where allegiance to the Union is treated as treason to the South, and the power exists to punish it as such, loyalty to the Government means a substantial thing, which wo have not, but which xVdmiral Farragut has, been called upon to meet. "When wo reflect upon the sacrifices and temptations which he has met and resisted, as the price of his allegiance, well may we exclaim, with the first of English poets, "An honest man is the noblest work of God." And well too does it become the citizens of New-Tork to give to Admiral Farragut this proposed substantial testimonial of their gratitude. For achievements such as his the naval powers of the Old World would have sliowcred upon him rank, orders, decoror tions, knighthood, patents of nobility, with donations of money and Crown lauds. , Under the greater simplicity which prevails with us. Government has not the power to do these things ; while, as to rank, our friend holds the highest now known to our service. He has sacrificed all except those obligations which he recognized as due to his , country and his God to stand by our flag. For three j^ears he has upheld it unsullied, ; defiant, victorious. "What his Government has no power, to give, him let the private , munificence of our citizens furnish. A home here among ourselves, where his later and riper years may pass in a serenity befitting the stirring scenes of his manhood ; a home which, if not as sumptuous or palatial, will be one to which we, and those who shall come after us may }"et point with even more of pride than Biiton ever pointed to Blenheim or Apsley House. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS lifnl 013 709 659 6 #