April 12, 1861; The New York Herald
The Departure of the Steam Frigate Pawnee.
Our Naval Correspondence.
United States Steam Sloop Pawnee.
OFF CAPE HENRY, April 10, 1861.
The Pawnee left the Navy Yard at Washington, D.C., at nine A.M., April 6, and steamed directly for Norfolk, arriving off the Naval Hospital at half past seven A.M. on the 7th. Coal and provisions were put on board, but the inclemency of the weather prevented her putting to sea till this morning. She sails under sealed orders, therefore her destination will not be known till after all communication with the shore is cut off. The officers have no clue whatever as to her destination. No unusual preparations have been made for warlike purposes, or for any purpose aside from the usual routine of a man of war. It is sincerely hoped by all hands that coercive measures are not contemplated by the government. It is too late. Revolution has become a success. Civil war would only inaugurate a useless bloody struggle. The present administration can hardly be held to blame for the present state of affairs, as everything was accomplished before the 4th of March past.
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 shipbell tolled out its muffled tones, the melancholy drums rolled their funereal salute, while the presented arms and uncovered heads of officers and men paid a sad tribute of respect to him who was 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 life time 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. Pass by this grave, oh Americans, as did the Pawnee and her gallant crew, and if after you have the hearts to rend each other, to scatter ashes and ruin over the land of Washington, then, indeed, is vain all virtue, all patriotism, and the sooner the iron heel of despotism is planted firmly upon the neck of the people the better. Let both North and South remember the cry, ‘Those that rule by the sword shall perish by the sword.’
The Pawnee goes upon her duty. She will, under the direction of her gallant commander and officers, perform it faithfully, no matter how painful it may be—no matter how many friendships may be broken—no matter how much we may differ about the right or wrong of it.