Posted inMaritime & Naval History

The Port of Shanghae

From the “North China Herald.”

It is fortunate that Free-trade is no longer in the category of experiments, nor a dubious problem yet to be solved, as the busy activity of our port during the last four months, at the very dullest season in its very partial application here, amply attests.

So we would fain persuade ourselves that our very humble and persevering labours will not prove wholly valueless in exposing, as a fiscal blunder, the enormous impost levied in Great Britain on our staple export. We hold it as absolutely certain, that a reduction of the Tea duty to one shilling per pound, an article which is now of such vital necessity to so large a portion of Europe and America, would be only a fit compliment to that immortal legislation which has relieved our beloved country from the great incubus of the Corn-laws. Further, we are quite satisfied, from the concurrent success of the reductions of duty on Sugar and Coffee, and in the rates of Postage, that the reduction of the Tea duty to one shilling per pound, would lead to such an extended consumption of that article as would, within five years, realise the full amount of five millions and a half pounds sterling of annual revenue, or the same sum which Great Britain now obtains from tea.

Posted inDaily News

Cabin John Bridge

Sunday Scene in Local Option Montgomery County.

BOYS AND GIRLS DRINKING

Slot Machines in Full Operation for Gambling.

SOME OF THE INCIDENTS

View of the back side of the Cabin John Hotel, early 20th century.

While the good people of Washington were attending church Sunday, just across the District line at Cabin John bridge the depraved were rollicking in high carnival. The day was not propitious for a general turning out, but there was nevertheless a big crowd at the well-known resort, where everything goes. The place recalled the early western mining camps, where no distinction was made as to men and methods, and where everything was “wide open all the time.”

It was a poor commentary on the morals of the capital city to witness the scenes of depravity that were enacted almost within the shadow of the great white dome beneath which laws for the good government of mankind are made. The frequenters of the resort last Sunday were made up for the most part of the lower strata of society, yet there were others present who are well known in the business world of Washington, and there was another class, as much out of place it seemed as a rose in a swamp—young girls who came on bicycles, stopping “just for a minute” to get a drink of lemonade. The excitement of the place seemed to Intoxicate them, and they tarried, many of them to taste for the first time this new sensation of depraved society. They stay perhaps to taste their first drink of intoxicants, ending in the wild orgies that too often form a part of the program at such resorts.

Posted inArchaeology

Lenormant’s Finds

M. LENORMANT, who has for for years been rummaging, excavating and searching in the various hiding places of Greece and Syria, has succeeded in finding and securing very many beautiful…
Posted inUS Civil War

Our Warning

We have constantly warned our secession friends, that if they arrayed Maryland against the General Government, the war with all its fearful consequences would be transferred from the South to…
Posted inUS Civil War

April 24, 1861 – Attack upon the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts troops at Baltimore

Massachusetts Militia Passing Through Baltimore (Baltimore Riot of 1861) engraving of F.F. Walker (1861)

The Secessionists of Baltimore having torn up the railroad track leading from the Northern Depots to the Southern Depots, the military were obliged to march through the City. On the arrival of two Regiments, one from Massachusetts and the other from Philadelphia, on the 19th instant, an attack was made upon them by a mob, with stones, brick-bats & other missiles. This drew a fire from the soldiers, discharging their pieces into the crowd, killing live or six, and wounding many others – among them several innocent spectators. Three of the Massachusetts men were killed and eight wounded. The Philadelphia Regiment was unarmed, and but few of them had left the cars when the riot commenced – some of them, however, seem to have been roughly handled. The train was ordered back, and the Regiment returning to Philadelphia early on Sunday morning.

Posted inUS Civil War

April 23, 1861 – Pawnee Honors Mount Vernon

USS Pawnee

A letter written on board the United States sloop-of-war Pawnee, recently dispatched on foreign service, records this touching incident:

“In passing down the Potomac river, and arriving opposite Mount Vernon, a beautiful and graceful tribute was paid to the sacred remains that lie entombed in that hallowed spot. All hands were called, officers in swords and epaulets, sailors in their neat uniform, the fine guard of the Pawnee drawn up, with belt and musket ; at a given signal the large American ensign fell at half-mast, the ship’s bell tolled out its muffled tones, the melancholy drums rolled their funeral salute, while the presented arms and uncovered heads of officers and men paid a sad tribute of respect to him who was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen;” and so the Pawnee passed on silent and mourning, for he by whose grave she glided was the Father of his Country—a country scarcely a lifetime old ; yet the children of the second generation are ready to tear it to pieces, and with its ruins hide forever from the eye of men that grave and all the deeds which make it so famous in the world.

Posted inMaritime & Naval History Ship Histories

Largest Ship In The World Sinks

RMS Titanic

This country and all Europe are at this writing shrouded in sorrow over the sinking of the Titanic, which took to a watery grave hundreds of her passengers last Sunday night. The boat was bound for New York on her maiden voyage and had as passengers many people prominent both in this and foreign countries. The most notable passengers for whom much anxiety is felt in Vermont and New England are Charles M. Hays, Mrs. Hays and their daughter. Mr. Hays is the president of the Grand Trunk Railway and a man deeply interested in the development of the Central Vermont Railway.