President Tyler and the Tragedy of the USS Princeton

It was a beautiful and unusually warm February day in 1844 when President John Tyler, members of his cabinet, and 200 other important guests including Former First Lady Dolley Madison, boarded the USS Princeton for a trip down the Potomac River. The Princeton has caused a sensation upon its arrival in Washington D.C. as it was the first screw steam warship in the United States Navy. The ship’s designer, John Ericsson, was the same person who later would design the USS Monitor of Civil War fame. The presidential trip aboard the USS Princeton would be the fourth such trip down the river since the ship had arrived in the nation’s capital. On these trips the public was not disappointed as the big guns mounted on the USS Princeton were fired several times.

The ship was outfitted with two guns which were called Peacemaker and Oregon. The Oregon could fire a 225 pound shot 5 miles using a 50 pound charge. The gun had a new type of design that was revoluntionary for the time using a series of hoops in the construction. The Peacemaker’s design attempted to copy the design of the Oregon, but instead of the reinforcement with hoops, the metal of the gun was simply made thicker resulting in a gun that weighed 27,000 pounds.

On February 28, 1844 President Tyler and his guests boarded the ship for a trip that would include a formal luncheon. Besides Dolley Madison guests included former New York State Senator, David Gardiner, and his daughter Julia. His family owned Gardiner’s Island which even today is the largest privately owned island in the United States, and it has been owned by the Gardiner family for over 400 years. Julia Gardiner was “the” socialite of the day and, prior to the trip aboard the USS Princeton she had already captured President Tyler’s heart. Letitia Christian Tyler, President Tyler’s first wife had passed away in 1842, and he had met Julia Gardiner on a few other occaisions. Some sources state he had already asked her to marry him. The Tyler Courtship and Wedding, an article here at American Presidents written by Jennie, provides further incite into President Tyler’s marriage to Julia Gardiner.

During the last planned firing of the Peacemaker for the day the gun exploded wreaking havoc on the ship. An excellent article by Ann Blackman found here provides the tragic details in graphic detail. It was a tragedy that not only had an effect on the people who witnessed the explosion and aftermath, but it had a great effect on the Tyler presidency.

Gone in an instant were two of Tyler’s trusted cabinet members. Secretary of the Navy Thomas W.Gilmer was a former congressman and governor of Virginia. He was killed only ten days into his term as the head of the Navy. Also killed was Secretary of State, Abel B. Upshur. It had been Upshur’s secretive efforts on behalf of President Tyler which resulted in the treaty that annexed Texas. President Tyler’s valet, a slave named Armistead, was also killed onboard the Princeton. Some sources erroneous say he had been aboard the famous slave ship; however, President Tyler’s mother’s maiden name was Armistead, so I am surmising the slave had come to Tyler through his mother’s family. Julia Gardiner’s father did not survive the explosion either. It is she said she fainted and fell into the arms of President Tyler when she was told her father was not among the survivors.

Pauline Wayne, Presidential Cow

Pauline Wayne was a cow owned by President Taft. According to Wikipedia (yes, the cow has an entry), "From 1909 to 1913 Miss Wayne freely grazed the White House lawn. She was the last presidential cow to live at the White House and was considered as much a Taft family pet as she was livestock." The 1909 date may be wrong as the New York Times announced her arrival at the White House in 1910.

Pauline was quite famous for a cow in her days. Her coming and going was reported by the media. The New York Times covered her extensively. Her departure in 1913 warranted a headline on February 2nd titled "TAFT COW ON RETIRED LIST.; Pauline Wayne Goes Back to Her Old Wisconsin Farm." The article noted, "Pauline has not been in the best of health in several months. President Taft believes that if she is taken back to Wisconsin and put on Senator Stephenson's farm again, her youthful vigour will revive. The Senator was glad to recover Pauline, as she had supplied milk to the family of the President for two years, and he thought she would add dignity to his herd."

Other facts about Pauline Wayne:

- She was a Holstein-Frisian cow.

- Her Bovine Blue Book number was 115,580.

- She was shipped to the White House in a large crate on an express car on a train.

- Pauline's Aunt (Gertrude Wayne) held a world record for butter and milk production. Pauline herself only produced seven and a half gallons of milk a day.

- Pauline was pregnant when she arrived in Washington. I have been unable to determine the fate of the offspring.

- Nellie Taft referred to Pauline as Mooly-mooly.

- The William Howard Taft Papers at the Library of Congress include a file on Pauline.

Dear Mrs. Roosevelt

I found a great website on the New Deal that is sponsored by the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. Now there is a boatload of great material here, but what I found fascinating was section called "Dear Mrs. Roosevelt." This section talks about how the Depression affected children and even includes some of their letters to Mrs. Roosevelt asking for specific things - from things like clothes to bicycles. The site then puts her response with it so you can see what she and her staff wrote back to them. It also includes lesson plans for those of you are who are teachers out there.

I thought I'd include one of the letters and the response to it for you:
Star Route One
Albertville, Ala.
January 1, 1936

Dear Mrs. Roosevelt,

For some time I have wished to be aqainted with you. Or merly to receive a letter from you. I haved wish much to see you, but as I am a poor girl and have never been out of our state that will be impossible I guess.

Mrs. Roosevelt since I have been in high school I have been studying modern things and conveniences. I took your family for my study. I have found the study to be the most interesting subjects I could have found. In the study I, at all times know where you are, by reading all papers I find at school and elsewhere. I find what you are doing. You may never had given this a thought, but to think over our daily lives there is a good story to it.

My life has been a story to me and most of the time a miserable one. When I was 7 years old my father left for a law school and never returned. This leaving my mother and 4 children. He left us a small farm, but it could not keep us up. For when we went back to mother's people the renters would not give us part. and we were still dependent. I have been shoved to pillow to post that I feel very relieved to get off to my self.

I am now 15 years old and in the 10th grade. I have always been smart but I never had a chance as all of us is so poor. I hope to complete my education, but I will have to quit school I guess if there is no clothes can be bought. (Don't think that we are on the relief.) Mother has been a faithful servent for us to keep us to gather. I don't see how she has made it.

Mrs Roosevelt, don't think I am just begging, but that is all you can call it I guess. There is no harm in asking I guess eather. Do you have any old clothes you have throwed back. You don't realize how honored I would feel to be wearing your clothes. I don't have a coat at all to wear. The clothes may be too large but I can cut them down so I can wear them. Not only clothes but old shoes, hats, hose, and under wear would be appreciated so much. I have three brothers that would appreciate any old clothes of your boys or husband. I wish you could see the part of North Alabama now. The trees, groves, and every thing is covered with ice and snow. It is a very pretty scene. But Oh, how cold it is here. People can hardly stay comfortable.

I will close now as it is about mail time. I hope to hear from you soon. (ans real soon)

Your friend, M. I.

Reply to the letter:

January 4, 1936

My dear Miss I:

Mrs. Roosevelt asks me to acknowledge your letter and to express her regret that because of the great number of similar requests, she has found it impossible to comply with them, much as she would like to assist all those who appeal to her.

Assuring you of Mrs. Roosevelt's sympathy, I am

Very sincerely yours,
Malvina T. Scheider
Secretary to Mrs. Roosevelt

Whose in-laws are these?

HINT: The President in question was from Ohio (while there were a lot of Presidents from Ohio, between the century and the state, you are down to a multiple choice question on this one).

As per Michael's suggestion last week - which 19th century President had this couple as his in-laws? Now I have a hint for this that will narrow it done considerably (make it more of a multiple choice question), but we'll start with nothing beyond the century timeframe and see if anyone can get it from there first. I also have a post to go with this picture after we figure out who this couple is.

Poll: If you had to vote for one of these recent third party candidates for President, who would you vote for?

The latest poll has closed. The question was, "If you had to vote for one of these recent third party candidates for President, who would you vote for?" There was a tie for first.

Ron Paul (1988) and John Anderson (1980) each got 33% of the vote. Ralph Nader (2000) came in third with 20%. Ross Perot (1992 and 1996) came in last with 13%. Thanks to all who participated in this unscientific poll.