the discharge of the gun,
but was casually detained in the cabin, and so escaped harm. This
shocking catastrophe cast a gloom over Washington, and there was
a general attendance, irrespective of party, at the funeral of the
two Cabinet officers, who were buried from the White House.

One of those killed by the explosion on the Princeton was Mr.
Gardiner, a New York gentleman, whose ancestors were the owners of
Gardiner's Island, in Long Island Sound. His daughter Julia, a
young lady of fine presence, rare beauty, and varied accomplishments,
had for some time been the object of marked attention from President
Tyler, although he was in his fifty-fifth year and she but about
twenty. Soon after she was deprived of her father they were quietly
married in church at New York, and President Tyler brought his
young bride to the White House.

Mrs. Lydia Dickinson, wife of Daniel F. Dickinson, a Senator from
New York, was the recognized leader of Washington society during
the Administration of President Tyler. She was the daughter of
Dr. Knapp, and, when a school girl, fell in love with Dickinson,
then a smart young wool-dresser, and discerning his talents, urged
him to study law and to fit himself for a high political position
in life. She was gratified by his unexampled advancement, and when
he came here a United States Senator, she soon took a prominent
part in the social life of the metropolis.

[Facsimile]
CCushing
CALEB CUSHING was born at Salisbury, Massachusetts, January 7th,
1800; was a Representative in Congress from Massachusetts, 1835-
1843; was Commissioner to China, 1843-1845; served in the Mexican
War as Colonel and Brigadier-General, 1847-1848; was Attorney-
General of the United States under President Pierce, 1853-1857;
was counsel for the United States before the Geneva tribunal of
arbitration on the Alabama claims, 1871; was Minister to Spain,
1874-1877, and died at Newburyport, Massachusetts, January 2d, 1879.

CHAPTER XXIV.
HOW TEXAS BECAME A STATE.

President Tyler was encouraged in his desire to have Texas admitted
as a State of the Union by Henry A. Wise, his favorite adviser,
and by numerous holders of Texan war scrip and bonds. Before the
victims of the Princeton explosion were shrouded, Mr. Wise called
upon Mr. McDuffie, a member of the Senate, who represented Mr.
Calhoun's interests at Washington, and informed him that the
distinguished South Carolinian would be appointed Secretary o