In fact, in the East Room of the White House the captured flags were draped on the wall, and underneath were the names of the victorious vessels:
The Wasp, Constitution, United States and Lively Bee.
The President took no part in the exercises, but was present.
The clergyman who performed the ceremony explained that John Tempest and Bertha Decatur had been legally married at sea by the gallant commander of the man-of-war United States, but the contracting parties desired the blessing of the Church upon their union.
So, on New Year's Day, in the eventful year Eighteen hundred and thirteen, John Tempest was again married to the object of his choice, and this time not on the high seas, but with all the grandeur and éclat of marriage in the residence of the chief magistrate of a great nation.
The sun shone brightly as the bride and groom left the house and walked across the park.
"It is an omen," said Tempest.
"Yes, the sun shines on us, and may it shine on our country's cause."
"Amen!"
Even as he made the response he trembled, for in a few days he was to part with his wife and rejoin the Lively Bee.