60th Congress, \ 1st Session. \ SENATE. S Document I No. 456. CP:LEBKATI()N of three hi NDKKDTH ANiMVEKSARY OF DISCOVERY^ OF LAKE ( HAMPLAIN. MESSAGE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TKANs.MrrriN( A REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE SUBMITTING A COM- MUNICATION FROM THE STATES OF VERMONT AND NEW YORK RELATING TO THE CELEBRATION OF THE THREE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. April '60, 1908.— Read; referred U> tlie Committee on Foreiun Relations and ordered to l)e printed. To tlir Senate and Iloaxr of Rrin-enentat'tiSi-: I transmit herewith a report V)y the Secretary of State submitting a formal communication from the States of Vermont and New York, made to the Go\ ernraent of the United States thiough the Department of State, to the end that the Federal Government may make provision for national participation in the proposed celebration of the three hundredth anniversary of the discovery of Lake Champlain. As recommended by the Seci'etary "of State, the memorial is laid before the Congress with a view to appropriate action. Theoik)re Rooskvelt, The White Holsk, ApnJ W. 1008. The President : I transmit herewith a joint memorial of the States of Vermont and New York relating- to the celebration of the three hundredth anniver- sary of the discovery of Lake Champlain. This memorial is a formal communication from the States of Vermont and New York, made to the Government of the United States throug-h the Department of State, to the end that the Federal Government may make provision for national participation in the proposed celebration. I respectfully recommend that the memorial be laid before (yong-ress with a view to appropriate action. Respectfully submitted. Elihu Root. Department of State, Wa-^hiru/tov, April 20, 1008. 'U^i ANNIVERSARY OF DISCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. Joint Memorial of thk States of VEKiioisT and New York IIelating to the Tercentenary of the Discovekv of Lake Champlain. To the Honorable Elihu Root. Secretary of State, Wasliiiifjlon, D. V. Dear Sir: The Lake Champlain Tercentenary commissions of Vermont and New York, acting jointly, beg leave to sul)mit herewith a brief recital of the steps taken to provide a titting celebration in Jnly, 1909, of the three hundredth anniversary of the discovery of Lake Champlain and of the territory of the present States of Vermont and New York by Samuel Champlain, the French explorer. action on the part of the state of VERMONT. The movement looking toward the celebration of the three hundredth anni- versary of the discovery of Lake Champlain was inaugurated by the introduc- tion and adoption by the Vermont legislature of /a joiijt resolution approved November 15, 1900, by his excellency Governor Fletcher D. Proctor, the text of which follows: Joint resolution for the appointment of a commission for the three hundredth anniversary of the discovery of Lake Champlain. Whereas the discovery of Lake Champlain was an 6tfent in history fully as important as many others that have been recognized by various States, as well as by the National Government; and Whereas the three hundredth anniversary of such discovery will occur on July 4, 1909: It is hereby Resolved by the senate and house of representatives, That this event should be observed in a fitting manner, and to bring about an observance commen- surate with its importance there is hereby provided a commission, consist- ing of the governor, who shall be chairman ex officio, and six other members, to be appointed by the governor before January 1, 1907, one of whom shall act as secretary. Said commission is hereby empowered to adopt such meas- ures as in its judgment may be reasonable or necessary to bring about the fitting observance of such event. And as the interests of the State of New York and the Dominion of Canada are allied with those of Vermont in such observance, it is hereby recommended that said commission confer with the proper authorities of New York and Canada to ascertain what action they or either of them will take with Vermont in making the observance of this event successful and a credit to all, and that the commission report the result of such efforts, together with its recommendations, to the general assembly of 1908. The members of Said commission shall receive no pay for services rendered except their necessary expenses. The secretary of said commission shall be allowed such sum for services rendered as may be fixed by said commission. The auditor of accounts is hereby authorized to draw an order for such expenses and allowance when approved by the governor. Thomas C. Cheney, Speaker of the House of Representatives. George H. Prouty, President of the Senate. Approved November 15, 1906. Fletcher D. Proctor, Governor. State of Vermont, Office of the Secretary of State: I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a joint resolution en- titled " Joint resolution for the appointment of a commission for the three hun- dredth anniversary of the discovery of Lake Champlain," approved November 15, 1906, as appears by the files and records of this ofl3ce. Witness my signature and the seal of this office, at Moutpelier, this 22d day of February, 1907. [SEAL.] Frederick G. Fleetwood, Secretary of State. 3 ■it ANNIVERSARY OF DISCOVERY OP LAKE CHAMPI.ATN. 3 Acting in accordance with the foregoing resolution, Governor Proctor ap- pointed the following commission, of which he is ex otficio chairman: Fletcher D. Proctor, chairman. Proctor; Walter E. Howard, Middlebury ; Lynn M. Hays, Essex Junction; Horace W. Bailey, Newbnry ; IM. D. McMahon, Burlington; R. W. McCuen, Vergennes ; Walter H. Crockett, St. Albans. The commission organized by electing AValter E. Howard chairman pro tempore and Lynn M. Hays secretary. On March 23, 1907, committees were appointed to visit Albany, N. Y., and Ottawa, Canada, for the purpose of inviting the State and the Dominion to co- operate with Vermont in the proposed celebration. The committee to visit New York State ])resented the plan to his excellency Governor Hughes, and it met with his api)roval and was strongly indorsed by members of the New York legislature. At Ottawa the committee was received by Sir Wilfred Laurier, who enthusi- astically approved of the pi-oposed celebration and said he would be pleased to have his country well represented on the occasion and that an invitation from the Government of the United States would be cordially welcomed. September G. 1007, the two connnissions met at Hotel Champlain, Bluff Pomt, N. Y., and upon resolution the chairman of each commission appointed a sub- committee, one of its duties being to confer with the Secretary of State at Washington relative to the part France, Great Britain, and Canada should take in the proposed event. The visit of these subcommittees to the Secretary of State is more fully stated further on in this Joint memorial. It may be well to state that the members of the subcouunittee of the Vermont commission called on President Roosevelt, who approved of the project and promised to lend it his full support. Governor Proctor will in his retiring message next October bring the whole matter fully to the attention of the Vermont legislature, making at that time recommendations to the legislature. The report of the New York commission to the legislature, which sets forth the desires and intentions of that commission, is indorsed by the Vermont commission. ACTION ON THE PART OF NEW YORK STATE. The Lake Champlain Tercentenary Commission of New York State, created in April last by the legislature, was charged with the duty of conferring with a commission already existing representing the State of Vermont and with representatives of the Dominion of Canada, and to report to the legislature of 1908 a plan for the proposed celebration. To this end various conferences have been held with representatives of Vermont. In September last members of the two commissions, including the governor of New York and the governor of Vermont, made a tour of inspection of historic points on Lake Champlain. On December 4. 1907, a subcommittee of the New York commission and members of the Vermont commission had the honor of a conference with the Secretary of State at Washington, with a view to enlisting the interest of the Federal Government in the proposed cele- bration. At a subsequent joint meeting of the New York and Vermont com- missions in Albany, resolutions were adopted in which it was directed that a suitalile memorial be submitted to the Federal Government through the Depart- ment of State, requesting that the Federal Government make suitable appro- priation for the proposed celebration and that it be asked to invite therein the participation of Canada, and also to invite and entertain representatives of the Republic of France, the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Dominion of Canada. Governor Hughes in his annual message to the legislature dwelt upon the i»ro- posed celebration with approval, and recommended it to the legislature for a suitable appropriation. The New York State commission, after various conferences, drafted a report to the legislature, of which a copy is hereto appended, and to which we beg to refer you for a more detailed statement of the action of the New York commis- sion, 'incorporated in the report is a draft of a bill which has been introduced in the New York legislature providing for the creation of a permanent com- mission to carry out the purpose of the act and making a suitable appropriatimi therefor. The amount recommended by the senate finance committee is $50,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, in place of $100,000. as stated in the first draft of the bill attached hereto. ANNIVERSARY OF DISCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. In \U'\\ of the inteniational cliaractci- of tbe event which it is proposed to cele- brate. ycHir connnissions feel that it is desirable to inclnde in the celebration as guest's* of the I'uited States, representatives of France. Great Britain, and Canada It is also especially desired, and your memorialists most respectfully ask, that suitable provision be made for attendance at said celebration, or par- ticipation therein, of such civil, military, and naval rei)resentatives of the Gov- ernment of the rnited States as may be hereafter desij,'nated. In accordance with the sn.irgestion made on the occasion of the visit of the subcommittee representing: the two States, that the matter of Inviting and enter- taining representatives of France. (Ji-eat BiMtain. and Canada be under the direc- tion of the Dejiartnient of State, and that the Fnited States Government make adequate provision therefor, we, the umlersigned members of the two commis- sions, hereby respectfully request that you lay this matter before the President and Congress of the li'iited States, with such recouuueudation as may seem advisable. . ^ ^ In the hope that action may be taken at the present session of < ongress, we do respectfully subscrilie ourselves. Flet( HER 1). Proctor. Walter E. Howard, Lynn M. Hays, Horace W. P.ailev. M. I>. McMaiion. U. W. :SkCA^f. Walter H. Crockett, iiiiniisnioiirrs for the Sidle of ] rniioiit. Alkany. Aitril 10. I'JOS. Charles K. Huches. Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler. J. W. Wausworth. Jr. Henry W. Hhx. John C. K. Taylor. Alonson T. Dominy. James A. Foley. P'rank S. Witherree. John H. P.ooth. ('oiiniii.ssioiKr.'< for the Sfiif( of Xciv ^ ork. Report of tiie Laki A.MPLAiN Tercentenary Commission of New York State. (Transmitteil to the legislature .March 2o. 1908.) State of New York. Jh ie taken l»y such States ANNIVERSARY OF DISCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMFLAIN, 5 and the Douiiiiiou of Canada for tbe observauce of such tercentenary : There- fore be it Resolved (if the assembly concur) that a commission, consisting of the governor, who shall be chairman, ex-officio, two citizens to be designated by him, the lieutenant-governor, the speaker of the assembly, two senators, to be designated by the lieutenant-governor, and two members of the as.sembly, to be designated by the speaker, be appointed to represent the State of New York at such conference, with power to enter into negotiations with the com- missioners representing the State of Vermont and those representing the Do- minion of Canada for the observance of such tercentennary, and that such commission report the results of their negotiations, together with their recom- mendations thereon, to the legislature of 1908. " That such commissioners receive no pay for their services and that their necessary exitenses be paid by the State, but such payment shall not exceed the amount expressly appropriated thei'efor." The al)ove resolution was adopted by the senate April 1."). 1007. and by the assembly concurring without amendment April 16, 1907. For the expenses of the conunissioners appointed under this resolution. $2,000. or so much thereof as may be necessary, was appropriated by chapter 578 of the laws of 1907. Governor Hughes appointed as niemltevs of said commission the Hon. Frank S. Witherbee. of Port Henry, and the Hon. .Tohn H. Booth, of Plattsburg. The lieutenant-governor designated the Hon. Henry W. Hill, of Buffalo, and the Hon. .Tohn C. R. Taylor, of Middletown. The speaker of the assembly named the Hon. Alonson T. Dominy, of Beek- mantown. and the Hon. .Tames A. Foley, of New York City. .lOINT MF.KTINf! OF THK XlOW YORK AX1> VIORMONT COMMISSIONS. . At a joint meeting of the Vermont and New York commissions, held at Hotel Chamiilain. BInff Point. September 6, 1907, His Excellency Governor Hughes presiding. Governor Proctor, of Vermont, and six members of the Vermont commission were present, as were also all of the New York commission, except the lieutenant-governor, the speaker, and the Hon. Frank S. Witherbee. absent in Europe. Mr. Victor H. Paltsits. State historian of New York, also attended by invitation. Mr. Frank H. Severance, of Buffalo, was chosen secretary of the New York State commission. The chairman stated the general purpose of the commissions and the desir- ability of reaching definite suggestions for c.-irrying out the work. On motion of Senator Hill a subcommittee of three was created, to be apiiointed by the chair, the governor being chairman ex-officio of the said subconnnittee. who should confer with the Secretary of State at Washington as to advisable steps to be taken in regard to bringing the proposed celebration to the attention of the Ilepublie of France, the Ivingdom of Great Britain, and the Dominion of The subcommittee sul)sequeutly appointed consisted of Hon. ITtMiry W. Hill, chairman, Hon. Frank S. Witherbee. and Hon. John H. Booth. A TOUR OF IXSPKCTION. A tour of inspection of historic sites on Eake Chainpl;iin having been de- termined upon, members of the two commissions, including the governor of New York, the governor of Vermont, and a few guests, left Hotel Champlaiii on the mornini;- of September 7. 1907. on two yachts. As thev passed northward places of historic interest were ponited out. and every island, every bay and headland was found to have its associations. The attention of your 'commission was especially directed at the outset to Valcour Island, just off the New York shore near Plattsburg. This island, now in part owned by the Federal Government, has played an important part in three wars. On October 13. 1759, Captain Loring, of Amherst's army, pursued a French schooner and three sloops, under the shelter of Valcour. Two of the sloops were here sunk, and the third was run aground by her crew. The naval en- gagement of October 11. 1776, between the American and British fleets, was oft Valcour. which was also within the theater of the engagement of September 11, 1814. 6 ANNIVERSARY OF DISCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. Other islands in this part of the lake share the history of these events. It was from Schuylers Island, October 12, 1776, that Benedict Arnold wrote to General Gates, announcing the loss of two vessels of the American fleet. The commissioners crossed the bay which was the scene of Macdonough's brilliant victory of September 11, 1814, in which the American loss was over 200 and the British loss over 300. Special note was taken of Crab Island, where the Americans placed their sick, September 7 to 10, and where the con- valescent soldiers built and manned a battery. Here is the burial ground where were interred the soldiers and marines killed in the battle of September 11, 1814. Just beyond we passed Cumberland Head, with associations not only of the war of 1812, but of the Revolution. Here it was, in June, 1777, that Burgoyne's army rested for several days. Farther north, on the New York side. Point au Fer was passed. This famous point, visited by many of the early expeditions, was fortified by General Sulli- van in 1776. In June of the next year it was occupied by Burgoyne; and the British remained in possession until 1788, after the close of the war. Near the north end of the lake, among other iilaces noted by your conmiission, is Windmill Point, so. named from a mill and settlement built there by the French in 1731. The Canadian boundary line runs about 2i miles north of this point. An interesting association relates to a visit made to this place in the autumn of 1766 by Sir Henry Moore, governor of New York colony, and Sir Guy Carleton. governor of the Province of Quebec. Their object was fo ascer- tain where the boundary ran which had be<^u fixed by royal order at the forty- fifth degree. "After encountering many dirticulties." the governor of New York subsequently wrote to the lords of trade (November 7, 1766), "we fixed the limits on the River Sorell (now known as the Sorell or Richelieu, the outlet of Lake Champlain), about 2i miles below Windmill Point, which is farther to the northward than we imagined to find it from the observations which were said to be made there by the French some few years ago." During this visit of the two governors at Windmill Point they were visited by a number of French gentlemen from Quebec, who sought a confirmation of their rights in seigneuries granted to them before the conquest of Canada and now found to extend south of the Canadian boundary line. The adjustment of these old seigneurial grants, and questions relating thereto, ran through many years, and constitutes a considerable chapter in the international history of this region. The boundary line was fixed by an order in council (Report of the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council) August 12, 1768. Your commissioners made their first landing at Sandy Point, on Isle la Motte, the site of the first French settlemtmt in the valley ; thence, after dinner at the home of the Hon. Nelson W. Fisk. Isle la Motte, going to Burlington, where the commissions were the guests of the Burlington Commercial Club and of the Ethan Allen Club. Various points of interest in the city and vicinity were visited, and the following day as many of the commissioners as could arrange went by steamer to Crown Point and afterwards to Ticonderoga, where the sites and ruined fortifications were inspected. CONFERENCE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE. On December 4. 1907. the Hon. Henry W. Hill and the Hon. Frank S. Wither- bee, of the above-named subcommittee, visited Washington, where :Messrs. Lynn M. Hays and Walter H. Crocket, of the Vermont commission, joined them in a visit to the Secretary of State, the Hon. Elihu Root, with whom a conference was held, at which there were also present, besides the commissioners. Senators Proctor and Dillingham and Representative David J. Foster. The conmiissioners laid the proposed plan of celebration and commemoi'ation before the Secretary of State, with a view of ascertaining the action which he would approve in the matter on the part of the Government of the United States. The Secretary inquired what New York State and "N^'rmont were likely to do in the way of appropriations: and was informed that both States were expected to make suitable appropriations, and that it was deemed im- portant that representatives of the RV SU(;(.K.STIOXS. In free discussion ahiong the members of the commissions it was developed that in the judgment of the commissions the proposed celebration should include exercises to b? held at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Plattsburg, Bur- lington. Isle la Motte. and. if found feasible, at a eoint-nient point in Canada, Other suggestions were : That on Sunday, July 4. 1909, religious services of a character appropriate to the anniversary be held, if possible, at suitable points, especially at Cliff Haven, at Isle la Motte, and in the cathedral at Burlington, under The auspices of the Roman Catholic Church. Also, that said celebration shall include such musical features as may be found desirable, and. if possible, an aqtiatic pageant, with fireworks, electrical disiilav and other appropriate features. It is understood and expected that the anuunl me -tinL's of regattas of canoe, motoi- l)oat. or yacht clubs may be held at this time on Lake Champlain. contributing attractive features to the celebration. „ , , ^ ^, u. j., It was further suggested, with the approval of the members present, that the fraternal orders represented in the Champlain ^'alley be invited to join in the celebration and to appear in regalia in apjiropriate parades as opportunity may offer. Vfter soni" discussion as to the practicability of participation by patriotic societies, it was voted that the secretary of the New York commission procure data relative to the patriotic societies represented in the Champlain Valley and submit it at a future meeting of the commission, that the commission may act with morh' adequate information on this subject. A MEMORIAL VOLUMK KKCOMMENDKI). A further suggestion, which appeals with force to your commission, is that there should be provided for. to be published by the State of New York, a suit- able memorial volume, to be issued as soon as practicable after the celebration, which shall contain a L'eueral report of your commission: a report of the cele- 8 ANNIVERSARY OF DISCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. bration and memorial exercises: a suitable historical sli;etcli of tlie ("Uamplain region; a bibliography of the worlds of Champlain and worlvs relating to him; a cartogiapliy of Lake C'haniplain. and such other features as may be determined upon. APrROVAL OF THE F.XECl'TIVE EXPRESSED IX THE ANNUAL MESSAGE TO THe' LEGISLATURE. That the governor of New York State heartily approves of the proposed cele- bration is shown in his messase transinitte and the Virgin. TN DEFENSE Of NEW YORK's RIGHTS. Of surpassing interest to the American student and an especial source of pride to the resident of New York State are the expeditions sent out by the feeble colony of New York to maintain their rights against the enci-oachments or mui'derous incursions of the French and Indian allies to the north. When these enemies burned Schenectady and slaughtered its inhabitants in February, 1690, New York was stirred to a just retaliation: and it was through the Cham- plain Valley that .John Schuyler (grandfather of Philip Schuyler of Revolu- ANNIVEKSARY OF DISCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 11 tionary fame) led his little force in a fleet of bark canoes against the enemy in Canada. His men were few, but they strucli a sturdy blow for the rights of New York. In 1691 Maj. Peter Schuyler led still another expedition against the hostile settlements, also by the Lake Champlain route. Numerous other expeditions followed in subsequent years. The annals of colonial New York show how time and time again Lake Champlain was both highway and battle ground where the rights of New York were defended and established. EXPLOITS IN THREE WARS. Lake Champlain throughout its whole length was the theater of important engagements and expeditions during the Revolutionary war. One needs but to mention Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga, Seth Warner at Crown Point, and Bene- dict Arnold at St. Johns. The battle which the latter fought October 11, 1776, near Valcour Island off Plattsburg, was one of the earliest naval battles in our history and one of the most heroic. The wreck of one of Arnold's vessels, the Royal Savage, still lies near Valcour Island. Plattsburg and Cumberland Bay are memorable for engagements in the war of 1812, both on land and lake. Here it was. September 11, 1814, that Mac- donough won a brilliant victory over the British squadron under Downie. It was one of the decisive engagements which brought that war to a close with credit to the Americans. As one passes up the lake to the south, the points of historic significance mul- tiply, and recall, besides the later wars, the old French war with the exploits of " Rogers the Ranger:" the defense of Ticonderoga by Montcalm (July 8. 1758), when Abercrombie stormed the works only to retire, crestfallen and exhausted, with a loss of some 2.000 men. The next year, again in July (2.3d) British arms at Ticonderoga under Amherst scored a victory, and virtually ended the domin- ion of the French in the valley: and British it remained until that :May morning (the 10th) in 1775, when Col. Ethan Allen made his sudden advent and de- manded its surrender " in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." Crown Point, the old P'rench Fort Frederic, is peculiarly a landmark to the student, for it was not only the southernmost outpost of the French of Canada, but as early as 1742 it was reported to be. " with the exception of Quebec, the strongest work held by the French in Canada." Furthermore, it was of great strategic importance, for it commanded the open highway between French and English North America. .VbandouiHl by the French in 1750, it was occupied by General Amherst (August 1), who gathered there 15,000 troops, and rebuilt it, stronger than before. During the Revolution the Americans held it until Bur- goyne with 7.000 troops invested it (June 27. 1777K when the Americans aban- doned it and retired to Ticonderoga. LANDMAHKS THAT SHOULD BE rRESERVED. That the iireservation of liistoric sites within our own bomidaries meets the approval of the American jieople and is a source of satisfaction to them is proved by innumerable instances. Never do we hear any advocacy in favor of abandoning sites already acquired and suitably cared for, either by State or natioh. But very often do we hear regret expressed that more sites, rich in historic associations, have not been thus acquired and safeguarded for the future. Of no points in New York State is this regret oftener expressed than in re- gard to Crown Point and Ticonderoga. Indeed, the scenic beauties of these places would win for them approval as public parks, even had they no historic associations. But in addition to their great natural beauty and comparative accessibility for large numbers of jieople. they offer to the visitor a wealth of historic association equaled by few if any other spots in onr State. The ruins at Prown Point are the best [treserved examples in America of the military constructions of their day and kind. WHAT IT IS PROPOSED TO CELEBRATE. In the view of your commission, the events above mentioned are a few of the many occurring in the valley of Lake Champlain which make it a worthy scene of a* notable memorial celebration. We would celebrate the tercentenary of its 12 ANNIVERSARY OF DTSCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. discovery; but that anniversnry. which falls July, 1009, is also a flttmg occasion for recailins. in speech and written record, in festival and in pageant, some of the other nation-bnildins: events in the three centuries of history of that region. For several of those events, as our report has shown, the month of July is the anniversary time, as well as of that first voyage through the lake by the ex- plorer. In" 1909. too. we would celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the introduction of steam navigation on Lake Champlain. For more than a century this lake has been a part of New York State's system of improved waterways, and for eighty-nine years it has been joined by canal wirh tho canal system of the State and" the Hudson River. LAKE CHAMPLAIN IN LITERATURF,. One needs but turn to the literature of travel and description to find abundant records of the Champlain Valley in the narratives of travelers, especially Eu- ropeans. For many years, because of its beauty, its history, and its directness or convenience, the tour through Lake Champlain was a favorite one with for- eign as well as American travelers. Peter Kalm. the famous Swedish l»otanist. describes at length his visit to the valley in 1749. Isaac Weld and John Maude, English artists who traveled in America at the close of the eighteenth century, describe it at length. Dr. Timothy Dwight. the famous president of Yale Col- lege, made elaborate record of its conditions as he found them in 1798. Shortly after the close of the war of 1812. an English officer. Lieut. Francis Hall, of the Fourteenth Light Dragoons, traveled through the Champlain Valley and recorded with unusual detail the state of things as they then were. His narrative, printed in London in 1818. is a valued source of information for this particular period. In 1842 Charles Dickens enjoyed the beauties of flic lake tonr. and in his American Notes, in marked contrast to many of his critic.-il coinnieiits, he wrote in superlative praise of the steamboat service that he found on I^ake Champlain. PROGRESS OF THE CHAMPLAIN REGION. These and many other travelers who have written of Lake Champlain have left a valuable recoi-d of conditions as they were at different i)eriods. We have a picture of the lake when its shores were practically all wilderness. We see the bark canoe followed in turn by the rude baffciiu. the heavy sloo{). then by various sail craft: later by the pioneer steamboat, and finally by the era of modern travel and conveyance, whether for passenger or freight, whether for business or pleasure, with all the useful appliances of steam and electricity. Even more striking has been the evolution of the shores, where the remote pioneer settlements have been succeeded by scores of thriving conununities. The Champlain A'alley embraces a jiopulons and progressive portion of the Empire State. Our citizens in that valley have a just pride in its past, and are ready to promote in any way itossil)le such commemorative celebration as the State may defennine n])on. NEW YORK AND CHAMPLAIN. New York State has never erected any memorial to the gre.it explorer who first reached her shores. So far as your commission is aware, the only monument to Samuel Cham- plain tliat has been erected in the I'nifed States is the modest but creditable statue unveiled in the village of Champlain in this State on July 4. 1907. The exercises included impressive religious services, a parade, military drills, etc., and a formal unveiling of the statue. Thousands of visitors shared in the exercises, especially those of French- American ancestry, whose pride and enthusiasm indicate the ai'dent indorsal which may be exi)ecte the liistorical importance of those events of 160 the considei ation of the legislature of New York. The anniversary which we desire sliall be suitably observed has great .significance. Iuii>ortant as it is to the student of history, it makes a wider and strcmger appeal to that large body of our citizens whose forefathei-s fought in the wars of tlie Champlain region, or were among the pioneers who transformed it from the wilderness. But chief of all the considerations which we uriie upon your attention is the international character of the i)roi)Osed celebration. The histoi-y of the Champlain Valley belongs to the history of three great natious, whose cordial relations we believe will be promoted by the snitalile observance of tliis sig- nificant date, RECOM MEXDATION. To that end your commission, after careful investigation, reaches the con- clusion that the three hundredth anniversary of the discovery of Lake Cham- plain should be suitably celebrated by New York State; and to that end we respec-tfully recommend the enactment of the following bill: AN ACT To provide for the celebration of the tei-centenary of the discovery of Lake Champlain, the appointment of a comiuission, pnscrihins its powers and duties and making an apjiropriation therefor. The jtcoiilr of the Stair i,f Xcir ^ OrJ:. ircx(ntcil in sniatc and nsscinhlii. fh> iiuict as foUoirs: Section 1. The governor shall appoint five citizens of this State, the president pro tempore of the senate shall appoint three members of the senate, and the speaker of the asseml)ly shall appoint three members of the assembly, who shall constitute and be known as the connnission for the public celebratioii of the ter- centenary of the discovery of Lake Champlain. The members of such commis- sion shall serve without pay, but shall receive their necessary traveling and other expenses. Sec. 2. The object of such commission shall be to plan and conduct a public celebration of the tercentenary of the discovery of I.,ake Champlain by Samuel Champlain in the month of July, 1609. and such other historical events follow- ing such discovery as such commission may deem of general public interest or worthy of commemoration. Sec. 3. Such commission shall organize by electing a chairman, secretary, treasurer, and such other officers as it may deem necessary, and may adopt such rules and regulations as it may deem proper for carrying into effect the pur- poses for which it is created, and shall have power to enter into negotiations and coojierate with the State of Vermont, the Government of the United States, the r>oniinion of Canada, and the Province of Quebec, or either or any of them. and with the various patriotic and historical societies of the State and Nation, in such celebration and may appoint committees of citizens from the Aarioiis municiiialities of the State. Such commission shall also have the power, either by itself or in cooi)eration with the State of Vermont, the Government of the United States, the Donnnion of Canada, and the Province of Quebec, or any or either of them, to erect a suitable permanent memorial to the said Samuel Chami>lain in the valley of Lake Champlain. Such commission may also ap- point committees from its members and may employ such assistants as it may deem necessary, fix their compensation, and define their powers and duties within the provisions of this act. Sec. 4. Such commission shall audit and pay all bills and expenses incurred under this act and file the vouchers therefor with the comptroller of the State: keep an accurate record of all its proceedings and transactions, and shall sub- mit to the legislattire of 1910 a full and complete report thereof. It shall have 14 ANNIVERSAEY OF DISCOVERY OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. no power or authority to contract for the expenditure of any sum in excess of the amount herein appropriated, except such funds as have actually been paid Into its treasury by public or private contribution for the erection of a memorial as herein provided, and it shall keep an accurate account of the receipt and dis- bursement of such contributions, if any, and include the same in its report to the legislature. Sec. 5. The sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys not othervi^ise appropriated, for the purposes of this act, and payments shall be made by the State treasurer to the treasurer of such commission on the warrant of the State comptroller on the requisition of the cliairman of such commission. In addition to the sum herein appropriated, the commission is authorized and empowered to receive and expend public and private contributions for any of the purposes hereinbefore set forth. Sec. 6. This act shall take effect immediately. The foregoing is respectfully submitted. Charles E. Hughes. Lewis Stuyvesant Chanler. Henry W. Hill. John C. R. Taylor, J. W. Wadsworth, Jr. Alonson T. Dominy. James A. Foley. Frank S. Witherbee. John H. Booth. Frank H. Severance, Secretary. Albany, March 23, 1908. LIBRfiRY OF CONGRESS i 014 112 842 5