Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 16.djvu/284

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262 LEWIS A. MCARTHUR

ing remarks of the chairman, it is unnecessary for me to add more than to say that when I left Captain McArthur on the western coast he was in excellent health and buoyant spirits, in view of what had been, and what he hoped yet to accomplish. It was my good fortune to be long associated with him, and that associa- tion caused me to love him as a brother. I will not detain you, but offer the following resolutions for your consideration:

1. Resolved, That the civilians and officers of the army and navy engaged on the United States Coast Survey, now assembled in Washington, have received with feelings of deep emotion the melancholy intelligence of the death of Lieut. Commanding Wm. P. McArthur, U. S. Navy, Assistant in the Coast Survey; and that in his sudden and unexpected decease the navy has lost one of its most gallant and accomplished officers, and the Coast Survey one of its most zealous and efficient laborers.

2. Resolved, That the successful reconnoissance of the western coast of the United States, from Monterey to Columbia river, and the preliminary survey of the entrance to the Columbia, accom- plished under the most peculiar and extraordinary diffculties, while they are proofs of his unconquerable energy, determination, and skill, have forever identified the name of Wm. P. McArthur with the progress of the Republic in the West.

3. Resolved, That we most sincerely sympathize with the bereaved and afflicted family of our generous and warm-hearted friend in their irreparable loss, and commend the widow and or- phans to the gratitude of the Republic to whose service the hus- band and father was so ardently devoted throughout his life.

4. Resolved, That Professor A. D. Bache, Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey; Brevet Major I. I. Stevens, of the United States Engineers; Lieutenant M. Woodhull, of the United States Navy; Mr. J. J. Ricketts, of the United States Coast Sur- vey, and Passed Midshipman R. M. Cuyler, of the United States Navy, be a committee to take the necessary measures to have erected, in the Congressional burying ground, a suitable monu- ment commemorative of the services and virtues of the deceased.

5. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be communicated to the Navy and Treasury Departments, with a request that they be placed on the files, and also to the family of the deceased, and that they be published.

6. Resolved, That the officers of the Coast Survey will wear a badge of mourning for thirty days in further testimony of their regard for the memory of the late Lieutenant Commanding Wil- li?m P. McArthur.