Page:Republican Court by Rufus Griswold.djvu/137

played at her mast-head the same broad pennant under which he had fought victoriously upon the sea. After leaving "The Fields," in passing Liberty street she made a signal for a pilot, and received one, and on arriving before Mr. Constable's house, at the foot of Broadway, Mrs. Edgar came to a window and presented the commodore a suit of rich silk colors, in acknowledgment of which the yards were instantly manned and the crew gave three cheers. When passing Old Slip a Spanish government ship saluted her with thirteen guns, which she returned with as much promptness as if she had been an actual man-of-war, sailing upon her proper element. The Hamilton was drawn by ten white horses, and during the advance of the procession went through every nautical preparation and movement for storms, calms, squalls, and sudden shiftings of the wind. When she reached "Bayard's Farm" the crew took in sail and anchored, and the officers "went on shore to dine," while ample messes were sent on board for the seamen and marines. At four o'clock signal was made for unmooring, by a second salute of thirteen guns, and she proceeded to the place whence she started, opposite the Bowling Green, where she arrived at half past five o'clock, amidst the acclamations of thousands. The decorations of the societies, professions and trades in this immense procession were in all cases rich, tasteful, and appropriate, and the general effect probably surpassed that of any similar display ever made in New York except that on the completion of the Erie Canal, nearly half a century afterward. In the evening there was a display of fireworks, under the direction of Colonel Bauman, post-master of the city and commandant of the artillery, "whose constitutional irascibility," says President Duer, "was exceedingly provoked by the moon, which shone with pertinacious brilliancy, as if in mockery of his feebler lights."

These proceedings were on Monday, and on the following Sat-