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THE
IN
NEW YORK.
A PAPER
READ  BEFORE THE NEW  YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
MAAY 3D  1859.
-- — o
BY  HENRY  B. D)AWVSON.
Jfviltetcb —as  lalltiUcvipt, for Jrillatc (Eircilatioll.
1859.








TIt LE,
A N.PAPEr
READ BEFOE L  TUE NE1W YORIIK  IS['TOI:iCAL,O`IL)ETY,
Iay.,7 1859-)
BY HENRY B. DAWSON,:jrint, i, a  u        fruat hiuatrc Ifi. itateioil.
185 9.




Entered, aceording  to Act of (Conlress, in the vyear 1.55t), hy HI:,e- }I~. IDAtO30, Dti tlhe (JC,1'k's Officc of
tile Distict (C'ot itfor the Sou hee u li::liridt. of'X Nw Yeork.
T:I,PUHKEE   E   t\    i l  L\. ERS
POUOH iEtPSIE.




l'o FREDERIC  i)E PEYSTER, EsQ.:
Larte President of "'lTe ASt. XVicholos Society/"?
N'O.W SECOXND VICE-PRESIDENT OF TTIE NEW YORK HIISTORICAL,SOCIETY 
A LJINEAL DE)SCENDANT OF
Jotla)nte  be Venzter,
Whose sturdy  opposition to the oppressions of the King of Great Britain,
at thle head of thlle Merchants of the City of New York, in 1664-75,
formed one of'thel small l)egiinnings " of the Americian Revolution 
AS A iMEMENTO OF PERSONAL RESPECT,
THIIS LITTLE WO RK  IS INSCIRIBED,
TBY ITTS FRIEND,
THE AUTHOR.
Greenburg, N. Y., l~ay 25, 18509.








FOUNDED  1804.
At a stated nmeeting of the Society, hteld at tile Library, on Tuesday
evening, Maly 3d, 1859, tlhe paper of the evening, entitled "SONS OF
LIBERTY  IN NEW  YORK," kv as rvad by Mr. I-hNImY B. DAWSON.
On its conclusion, Dr. JOHtN WV. FilANCIS submitted the following resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the thanks ofr the Society be presented to Mr. I-IENuY B.
DAwsoN, for his highlly interesting  aper read(l this evenling, and that a copy
be requested for the archives of the Society.
Extriact from the MIiinutes.
A -NDREW  WAElNER,
Recordtiny &9~aretaryj.








SONS OF LIBERETY  IN.NEW  YORT        K
It is a singular fact, 1Mr. President, that while the
war of' the American Revolution- is, generally, filmiliar
to every one, the Rlevolltiol itsellf, which precedled
alltd pri'oced that war, is compatratively unknown and
uncared for.  In fact, the scene( of every battle and
skirmrish has become holy ground; th%11e oglorious declds
of' Washingtoln  and Greene,  of Wtayne  and HI[enry
Lee, of Davie and MAltrion, hlave become the theme of
general admiration; and, in the  bsenCe of' more p)-romlinIentr objects, eveni the apocryphal tfmle of the ilusterers
of' that era has received a sharc-e of that applause which
has been intended for t.he mierits of' another and better
class of nlen.  In the mlidst of all this veneration, on
the part of' the people, the bloodless conflict of' principles, which had estranoged Can  intelli(gent and loyall
people from  its Sovereign and from  the homes and
graves of its ancestors, has been, g'enerally, fbrg'otten;
and, with here and there an exception, the names as
well as the patriotic devotion of James Otis,.Joseph
Warren, Paul Revere, and Benjanmin Edes, of Boston;
of Jonathan Sturgles, of Fairfield; of John Durkee, of
Norwich; of Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, MTyndert Rosebtaum, tand Thomas Young, of Albany; of John S., Hobart, of Huntington, L. I.; of William Livingbston, Johnl
AMorin Scott, William Smith, Isaac Sears, John La -mmb,
RIgobert Benson, Egbert Benson, Frederic Weissenfels,
Willitam Wiley, G-ersholm Mott, Alexander -McDoug'l?,
Alexandelr Hamilton, Joseph Allicocke, and MIarinus
W\illett, of' the city of New York; of PRev. Daniel Hendrickson, Peter Imlay, Jr., and Peter Covenhoven, Jr.,
of Freehold; of William Bradford and Isaac -Iowell, of




Philadelphia; of Thomas Chase, Robert Adair, and
Patrick Allison, of Baltimlore; of William Paca, Samuel
Chase, and Thomas B. Hands, of Annapolis; and of
their correspondents and co-workers throughout other
parts of the country, have been lost sight of and entirely neglected.
A  running survey of some of these lost ones-the
Sons of Liberty int Nezw York-is the subject of this
paper; and I bespeak for them, in advance, a portion
of that respect which has been too long directed toward other and less worthy objects.
"The ilother Country," as our English friends still
take pleasure in calling themselves, and her twelve
trans-Atlantic daughters-to say nothing of "the stranger within her gates," at the mouth of the Hudsonnever lived in harmony, or displayed much regard for
each other's comfort or happiness.  On the contrary, it
was, emphatically, an  unhac)p)y famfily; and, as is generally the case when the conservative, but obsolete,
ideas of the parents fail to keep up with, or offer opposition to, the radically progressive sentiments of' the
children, the nervous American daughters, and the
equally sensitive Dutchl handmaiden, were never firmly
bound, either by affection or ideas of interest, to their
avaricious English mother and mistress.  In short,
dropping, the simile, the history of the Colonies on the
Atlantic seaboard, with a single exception, presents
but little else than a series of conflicts between the
government or its officers on the one hand, and the
Colonies or their chosen representatives on the other,
for the protection of the privileges which they or their
fathers had possessed "at home," before they emigrated; which they had not alienated or enfeoffed by their
removal to lAmerica; and which, as they maintained,
they continued to hold -without forfeit or abatement.




9
From  Massachusetts to' Georgia, with rare exceptions,
"the chartered [)rivilecges" of tlle Colonies were the
great subject of contention; and, ifllihng back on MAlgna
Charta, admitting the supremacy of' the Parliatmeont-lin
which they were ulnrepresented-and  recognizilng the
grace of the Kin; —as embodied in their charters —as
the foundation of' their political righllts, the colonists
battled manfIully, as many of their ancestors had done
in the days of the first Charles, for the redress of theiir
grievances, and for "their rights as Englllishmen."
While this contest fbor "privileges" was being wagoed
by the twelve English Colonies, another, not less iinportant than this, was in progress in another part of
America.  Another Colony, more impatient of control
than either of the others, was struggling in the midst
of them  for a higher and  holier purpose;  and was
wielding a blade of' more exquisite teimper than the
weapons of any which the otlers possessed.  Of foreign
origin, "the rights of Englishmen" were not the birth-right of' her soils; nor did the Mlagna Charttl afford a
protectioln to her a"gainst the tyranny of the Sovereign
-whose individual property she was,' by right of conquest.  Possessing nlone of the rights of' local legislation, except so far as the King or his grantee, eCr gratlcia,
allowed it, nor then without a veto power reserved to
ahimself; and governed, almost entirely, by laws which
Ihad been dictated, without the assistance of' any popu-,rly constituted legislative body whatever, she could
not, reatsoI!'ably, claim "'a vested right" to  representation before taxcation; n1or could she, consistently, plead
fbr her "right" to an impartial Judiciary, while the
King controlled, legally, and without restraint, the
fountains of' justice within her boundlaries.  I-eaven
-lad permitted the issue of "royal charters" to the
twelve, as a 1protectioll against the aggressions of the




10
King and the Parliament; but to the thirteenth   our
own New York —that safeguard had been denied, that,
being uninculnbered  with  the  concessions which her
"privileged" neighbors had made to the King and the
Government,  she   might  strike  for "'dfleicnfdei;cc e
and  "the'ij/ttS (!"   atC,")  an1d  lead  the  columnl  to
victory.
Origina.lly  a  Colony  of Netherlanders,  in  August,
1664,  the  icltu  cbtrtuantsb  passed into  the  hands  of
the Kinog of Great Britain  and of' his grantee, the Duk1e
of York; and, since that timle it has been known  as
NEW  YORK.1  "If we except Jamaica, this was the first
Colony which had been gained by the valor of' Englishmen; and now the Sovereign ac(quiredl all the   rights
of a conqueror, bouncldel only by the principles of humanity and by the terlms of the ca pitulation,   agreeably
to the law of England, as defined by Sir Edward Coke,'that  where a country  is con(futeredc  by  the English
arms, the King may exercise over  it a legislative  authority, and may establish such a constitutionl as he may
think prudent.' "    At the same time, "the Duke  of
York,"- the King's grlntee'aniimated  by his peculiar principles, and inmpressed with  an  opinion  that he
was invested, by his patent, with,'reyal anutlhority, had
conferred  all Ilis p1owers   on his deputy";3 and  that
officer,  Col. RIichard Nicolls, stood before the sturdy
burglhers of' this city, endowed with all the:legal attributes of a perfect despot.4   It is indeed true that soon
1 -Articles of' Clpitulltion,'"Algust the 27, old style, 1664."'
2 Case of Calvinl.
*3 Chalmers' Political An,-nals, Ed. London, 1780, p. 574.
4 "tIe eected no cortuts of justice, but took upon hiiselflith  sole decision
of' all controversies, wh-llatsoevei'. Complaints came beiolellilll  by petition'
uponl whlicl lt Ilt vel i dt to thle p-rarties, and, after a summary hleaillng, l'o —
noulnced judgment. Is determlllnatiolis were called'Eld(icts,' and were1 exeu —




11
afterwards,  "in  all the   territories  of his Royal Highness, liberty  of conscience,"  to   a  limited  exteint,  "'was
alloec&l,   priovided  such  liberty  was  not  converted    to
licentiousness, or the  disturbance  of' others  in  the exercise  of the Protestant  reliioln";'  that "the  several
townships had  librcty  to  make their peculial  laws,  and
decide  all small  cases  witflin  themselves"';",  and   that
Nicolls,  soon  after  the  conquest,3'prudently  copyilng
what had  been  already established  by  the Daultch,
erected a' Court  of Assizes,' " —-composed   of
of himself and  his Council,  togetlier  with   the  Justices
of the Peace in the city of' New York —in which wTas
vestedl, not only  Judicial powers, biut, to   a limited  extecd by thle shllelifi-s li had tappointed.  It is mu:clh to his hono(r, thlllt lnotwithstlandin g  all this 1)letlitude of pIow er, he governed  tlle prlovince Awith
integrity ald,:                              Ii8'ory  qf' _Ato l/.d'  l7, ed. 18'29
p., -. 37.)
I "The Conditions tor New P'lalters itn the Territories'of his toyal H1ighness tile Dtruke of York," )iy Cov. Niellis.
2 Ibid.
3 The date  of the oraization o  tle C(loott  of  Assizes is a mllatter of
disput-e.  Smlitll (lfistorf yqf' ofu    O')r,  td. 1o829, I,  1. 12) attributes it t1o
thle elra oftrov 1. Lovelace who succeeded G       N icolls; W ood (HIitory  t.Lo,  Iog l8iot, etl. 1828, p. 9(t, ilote,) says   Thi llli.sr is a glelt   iAstal<ee.  It was
established  )y    tic olls inl thl  eodle  Ic lead compileded for tIle govermlll- t of
the Colonr, and b111llis1cd aIt Ienpstead, s Matrch 1, -1665.   Othler:, illowinr, thlese nrtlllorities, hilve  doptedl one or otller of' tlhese tieoiies;  luItt I
believe the lprovisiolls of "t )llkC ke's Laws" relate  ollly to t-he, e[l et!(ylteio
jf' the sCesio2es of a' "Cour) t of Assizes,'  whlichI (ltl(l1 been  lrcvioeu.sl oClglmized b)y order of (Jo\. Nieolls.  T'lle telms of the Code -inalsmul 1:s the
organization of a n\ew Coulrt is not filtuded to, uts the ielu)bei's of thle Court
are lnot designated, as tlhe cllia acter alltnd extent of its  iutholl ity     are inot de..
fuiled or lleltiollted, id( 1as tle nu1mber of itS sessions t:ud timle aitd lplace of
its meetinLgs nare tile o(tld  siubjets of its pl)ovisioIns ( Ir)ticle "Assizes,' I
Lacs)-if I initerpret tlleilr mle(llil' cormcctly, d(o  ot cstablish a "Courlt of
Assizes, lbut mlerely  eglfate one wichlll was  tllready  ill existence'Ild(d
whose sessionls, by tllit act, mt were  (ed'Ctzcdl in 1l1ibeC1  ("'6:1hall be, Ield  13t;'1
once i, the yCear").  I reseCCttlfly  slubl1it t'ilat tfle Dutch Or)liginal, d llich
(halmners says Nit)lls'prudently (lopied   can  be ftound im  the Court of
Director  (Genel tncd CoIeril  whose Mainutes  lre  ill the office o.,f the
Secretary of stt.t at, albmuv.




12
tent, legislative  powers also.'  But it is  equally true
that the Duke's "deputy" was the only source of official.authority in the Colony;  that this "Court of Assizes"'
was his  creature, and  was responsible  olly to  him;
that the legislative powers which it possessed extended
only to  the p)?rVileye ogf 3'tecoCme2udiz'n2'ijy measu'ecs   to the
Dukle foir his enactment,  "without whose approbation
they acquired but little authority";` that the  Code of
Laws by which the Colony was governed   was  "established by the authority of his Majesty's Letters Patent,
granted  to  his RPoyal Hiihness James, Duke of' York
and Albany," and published   "by  virt't.   of  c C omm'.iss ion"  fiom   that Prince, without the  reco(nition, oil
his part, of any rights of legislation whatever, either in
the people, the Court of Assizes, or of any other body
whatever;3 that taxes were raised  by  warrants issued
annually froml  the  Governor  and  his  Council to the
High Sheriff;  on assessm ents which  were inmade by the
constables and overseers of the  several  towns,  all of
whom  were responsible only to the Governor, who  appointed them, and not, in the remotest degree,  to  the
people  among  whom  they exercised  authority;4 that
import duties were levied  by  special orders from  tIle
Duke;5   and  that commercial  intercourse  with  any
1 "  swers, to to the severall Queeries relaltin to the Planters in the TerIritories of' Ilis I. I.'s, thle Duke of Yorie., in America," made bv GC,o
Nicolls, July, 1665; Chalmers, I. 575.
2 Chalmlers, p. 574.
8 Title of the Code, known ais "The Duke's Lawis."
4 Duke's Laws, title,'Pabbtic Cl(crgc/es."
*3 "iReply to the Peticon of the FarmIrs of yr  latics Calstomles,, NV. Y.
Papri2s, I., 92; "Instruccons fi  Edllnd Andros, Esqlr, my Lt Gover:r of
Lontg Island," &e., daited July 1, (1674; Duke of York to C(ov. Andros,
J.ni. 28, 1676; thle sa;le to samelll, May 7, 1677; Wr'rant  o  CoyV. t Anll('os,
18th May, 1678; Dake of York to Lieut. Gov. Blrocldbolt;, 28th MalarchI.
1682; C(o)mmi.ss;ion of Lucals Salntell. to be Collectorl of the Port at New
York, 17th Feb.. 1688.3.




13
other country thain  England, notwithstandinlg the sixth
article of Capitulation  gualranteed  free commerce with
Holland, was strictly  forbidden.     What  "rights  of
Englishmen," or which of the provisions of'Iagna Charta  the people  of New York en:joyedl,  whlile this gov-_
ernment existed, is a, question Awhich  is easier asked
than answered; and yet, who  can  say there -' was  the
least illegal usurpation of power?   tit was a conquered
people, and, as Sir Edward Coke said, "the Kin:g could
exercise over it a legislative authority,  and  establishll
such  a.  constitutionl as   e miglht think prudent."
The people  never reogarded  this  government with
any affection; and, under the leadership of the fearless
Peter Stuyvesant, they  soon  dlenmnded  the rights to
which they were entitled  under tlle provisions of the
articles of capitulation.   So  sensitive,  indeed,  were
they, that, in October, 166(4,-less thlan  two  months
after the surrender of the  city  to Col. Nicolls,-the
Burgomasters and principal inhabitants of the city refused to take the  oath  of allegiance  to  the Duke and
the iKing, until the provisions of the Articles- of Capitulation-among which was the right of "a voice in  all
public matters," through  their own  lfreely elected Deputies-had been reaffirmed and  secured  by the Governor; and, from  that time, they  steadily  persisted
in  demanding   the   recognition   of  their rights to
participate in  the government;   ceasing  to  pray  for
I Orders in Council, Nov. 18, 1668.
2 It is a fit vorite theory waitl so,) tllm thte lu)ntch, in Neow Yorl, Werei
-,\vr'v of l;le ove rnnlcllet of thehi I'atllelrlalnd-   Id tha t they g1ad113  aTiled the-ll-uselves of tle ol)lo tunllity,whicllh wI  ffolrded, b1  tle'ril  a il of
Col, Nicolls, to tlrowl off the yoke. III deying this. I need only reier, for
evidenlce, to tile stendlx  opp)osition w hichl the burghers presented to Nicolls
whenl he nattempted to secure their adhlesion to the Crown of Great Britainl




14
that power  only  when  the  "Charter of'Liberties  and
in October, 1664-less than two monthl-s nfter the  onlest-of whllich tllhe
followingl is the record,?iow pinted fi,)br thei j/smt til.eC:
"'Friday, 14th Octob., 1664, at Onle o'clock in the afltcroon, bIeino sent for,
lhave appeared at this City HallPieter T'onreman, Paunlus Leo(lerzen Vanlder Grist-, Cornelis Steen-I.vyckl,  Tymotheus (xabrv, Isa.e Grcvemlat, Nicholaas dle Mceyer,, Allard
Antolx,  Joannes de Poister, Jacob Kip, Jacques Collsseau, Isaac de dForeest,
JeIroinius Ebbl)inckBnrgomiuasters reporting thlat the HIr Governorel Richard Nicolls had, tlle
evening previous, ordered that h1e should appealr   in plersoi to tilke the Oatll,
and w ithl that view  that BrI'gomasters should suin-1on to this City.Hall
the Magistracy of this City  and Some of tlhe Prilncipal Inhabitanllts.  Aft:erl
whiclh the Ieer G-overnour Nicolls  appeared ill person, with hlis Secret. ary
in this City Iall, enquiring where the T-Teer Petrus Struyvesaiitt   Secretary
van Rllyven, &  the Preachers were?  It was thereunto answered, tllat
it, was not known that they should have beenl sent for.  To which tIle
-Ir GovernourNicolls said, thlat they should le sent fbi. Who being invitedl
they immediately camle.
The Hir Governor Nicolls reqnuests ofi the lireselit Assemibly to take the
Ibllowing Oath:
"I swear by the inn'me of Almighty God that I n-ill l)e al tIru Sublject to
the king of great Britain, and n-ill obey all Such e onmllnds as I sal receive
firomn his Majestie, his ]toyall Iiglhnesse James Duklle of Yorlck,  And scl
governolloulls and officers as from time to tile are appointed over ncle by his
Authority  ilnd nolie otheli whlil st I live ill any of his Majestis territories.
So hlelp me God."
[I-Tere follows iii the original a itrnslation of the above Oath into Dutch.]
The iprece(ing Oath being read to the Meeting  by tile II' Governour
Nicolls, divers debates occurred thereupon by some of the Assembly.  Finally all in th1e meeti.ng roundly declared  that they could not take suicll
Oath, unless the HIr INicolls should please to ad(ld to  the said Oath-"Conformable to the Articles concluded on the Surrender of this pllace" —as they:te1ared )by taking such Oathth they iight nullify or render void the articles.
Then Deo Aegapolensius and Secretamry Van Rulyven stated that they sSaw
110no impediment to taking such Oath.  Nevertheless divers words occurIrled
over &  hither thereupon, a.fter whicll tilhe JIr Governour Richard Nicolls
finally departed with hlis Secretary firom the AMeeting.  The Ass;emlArly  also
then adjourned.
On the Tuesday ibllowing, tlhe D ur-gomasters went Awitll the Tl-easnirer 2
1Book of tlhe City- accounts to te10  IIr Governour Richard Nicolls, atnd placed tihe same inl his lhands, together withl the Bonid granted to the City by
the late Hheeren Director General and Council.  After which divers debates
arose on bot:h sides in presence of Col. Cartwrig'hlt and Mr. Thomas Willet




1i 
Privileg'es,'  which  was   passed  October 30, 1683, secuiregfarding the Oath, and  thenl tlhe (-overlor110111 sid  that the Cominonlllty
were gr2eatly (litl'racted  by some.  rlm'1,gomlasterll   therellpoi  declared that
tlheyA Ihad no knowledge thlereof, and persisted a ga ni  thlt tt tley couoll  not
take tIl.e Oath leflore  and 11 ntil it -w.as thlereunto added-T'li11of)rmable to
tlhe Articles concluded -at the Snrrelldecr.of this idaee.'"  Whereupon the
f[rr ( overnore'i l  exjhlldited( anll (leliveredl to  the Blolrgomalstersl  thle following
writillo,:
i\Vlicretas thiere is: false 1 atl     nu 1  irilous'tst)ertioil  nt'st vOll thle ()atl of
O()bedience to Iris Mat ie hlis 1-'yd'il lilinesse thie I)Dlue  of Jorek  and  the
GoverI'nor and Offce, rs appointed h)y  liS Matis  Athoriti  aiimd  that solne
)e-rsons hlave Inalicionsly   soullit to distrlact th e mIlindes of the Inhllabitants:t' NeTi Jo eke b1?l sngcosestinll tbirt thle Art, yeles of p:t   o eic ] ae, i tc    d Solemn-.
lv made,   sine(l  and sealei,  were intendel(1  i)  that Oa.th to be inaade Nt lll
a1nld of lolefb c t, to to the end tllalt such, wiclked  pralctises ma1v niot take the
ef'ct for well they Iar edesigne(l, allld tlhat,ll non  undler  lis M3aties ohbedliencc  as denizens of' his town e,  iayv  be undeceiv ed  &  Iot give:?nly
lo011er clreditt to the disturliers of thlc  peace of thic  Governmen t.: T (doe
tlhinike fit,t to declare that tlhe Articles of Surrendelr ate  not in  tllme last:
broken or intended to ble broken by anly  \e (it1os 1or expI1essions on tlhe s'lid
(ath, and if any persolu  or 1)ersons iherai'terl shalll prsnilme  to,ivre anl
other construction of the soinid Oath than. ie herein declared, I s(,.l:d,cCcmp't h11 n or tlhe1m disturbCrs of tI le peace of hIis MA[ties sullljects, and  (procele accordingly.  I (doe further oppoint and0l ordler that thic  dcclairncondlbee for thicith [lf.firtloith?] re'lld to all the llihabitants and el7eaistred:  ns also
that eovery denizen under my G-ouermlent doe take the said Oalth who intendll
to Relnmne here unider hie iMLaties Obedience.  Given llunder my handl l-lie
eighlteenth day of Octob., iull the yeare of or L,ord God, 1604:  was.si illed
Richa]rd Nicolls.
At the side stoodl'"To  the 3bouro-omastrs alnd other thlie  M,i gistlrates of N ew  Joreke.'
[ilere follow s a translatio    i of tlhe aboive into Dutch.1
This date 20th October, 1664.  In this City-lall Asselmbled.
PieterTlloleit an,  Panlus Leolnlerts i''itS   lll' (dlGrist, Cornelis Steenwyerk,
Tymiotheus Gabry, Isane (:revenrlat, Nieolaas dle Meyer, Allard  Antholly,
Joallmn s v-n llIrnil,   Jlonnes dc Pei.ster   lIenlldriek  Janzen van der' YAin,
Jacob KIip, I-endrick lip, thei Ellder,   JaleJques Co1usseau, Jeronimns Ebbilck,
Gosvert Loockeraans, Isaak de Foreest, Jaii Villge.
Tlme p]oceeedlin;s wxlhichl took place as well on tile 14th (O)ctolbei  s after'
wards, and the  w-ritilltg  of the Iteer Governoulr Nicolls bemin recad  to the
Meeting, it was as ked wlhiethlle  the afolresaie d Oath couldl not be taken,   ilasanchltle's the -lTr Nicolls stated in w ritinig that the Articles of the Sinrendler of1 this,laco: e nlot i- oken in tle least,  Nor intended  to be broken -
Where'eupoll it, wav.s oiversally resolve(l in lite Affirmative, provided  the
above namlled Ileer Governour N icolls shall seal his giveln ivriting.  Then




16
red  to them,  an  appearance at least, of' the  desired
privilege.1
I  an. awvare, sir,  that  many  consider  the "'Duke's
Laws," ais they are called, to some  extent,  at least, the
work of the people, and  that this Code  furnishes  evidence of the existence of a lpopularly constituted legislative body in the earliest days of the English authority
in New  York.   I trust, the Society will pardon  me if I
give, briefly, the  reasons which  induce  ime  to  differ
from those who have preceded me.  The Code known
as the " Duke' s Lawis" was promulgated, as it had been
enacted, by the sole authority of the Duke,  at a Convention  of Delegates  from   the  Long  Island  towns,
which  had  been  convened  at Hiempstead,  in March,
1665,"  and, by  the  same   authority,  it  was  subsequently amended,  in  September and  October  1665,
the HEr Tonnerman says lhe cannot give his advice thereupon as lie intends
to depart for Holland with tlhe ship lying ready to sail."
I certify the ft oregoing to lbe a true copy of the original Minutes on file in
imy office. June 22d, 1859.                 ). T. VALENTINE, C. C. C.
For add(itional evidence, let the r1emonstrance of the lurghers on the
change of tlle municippal tfori of g'overnmlent, by Gov. Nicolls, in June
1 665; the memorials of Peter Stuyvesant to the King and to the Duke,
October, 1667; thle memlorials of Olive Stuyvesant Van Cortland, and
otheors to the Duke and the King, in December,  L 668S; and tile correspondence between Gov. Nicolls and the Duke of Yor1k and Sir John Werden,
the Duke's Secrctary, —especially Sir John's letter of Sept. 15, 1675,-be
examilned.  In that letter, Sir Joln wrote to Gov. Andros, —in reference
to tllhe proceeding s tgainlst Cornelius Steeniwyck,  Joannas Van B1uglh,
Joannas de Peyster, Nicholas:layard, Egidius Lnyck, William  B eeckman,
Jacob Kip, and Antonius dle Mill, whlo had declined, t second time, to
take tlhe oath of nllegiance, unless the Governor renewed the explanation
which Gov. Nicoll halad given in 1664:,-as foliows: "I have comunicated
to his RI. IH. your Ire. of the 20t;h of Aprill, 1675, with ye copies of ye proceedlings lmenconed ill ye 8d paragraph of it, relateing to yCe tuwettvtoits
m.eeti.rs 1 /' some  of y  cieife of 7/e DultchI in yt city,", &c.
I This "Charter" is copied, at length, into the Revised Laws Iof 1818,
Vol. II., Appendix II.
T2 itle of "The Duke's Lacws."?




17
C:0t)ol)er 16;72, and  Octolbpr 1('75   and lll i a n il.ll), tth0
saimue law-mlki ng  power1,   itllot            L') oa tic'i-ati[ion
teein by tlhe p)eople or the Court  r-e(lt      iC
Duke's Laws,"  by  (rn' o'lr/de  to that  ffec l    xx l':' was
taddressed  to Sir Edmontld Andros,   in  Anugus;,'67,
all of' which is entirely inconsistent with the legal existence and authority  of' such  a popular hlaw-nmakilgo
power as that in question.   The uneasiness of thet piople, also, fiurnishes additional evidence thlatl tlis (Codle
of 1665) had not been enacted bl y a popularly collustitulted body, and that th-ey were not consultedl it the ifor.
lmaltion of those lawAvs which were, for son1  ye'rT.u'fle' —
wards, enacted and promulgated.
On the 6th April, 1675, the Duke, in  ansrwer to  (a
letter which he had received fronm  Gov.. Andiros writes
to that officer, "touching Generall Assemlbllyes Ave' y
people there  seeme desirous  of in  /nmitacoil of' thf(Iei
neig'hbour Colonies,?  and tells him, I[ t thintle you lhaie
done well to discourage any mrocon of" y' kind, both as
being not at all comprehended  in yo" Instructions nor
in.deed, co,s',stenlt w'  *./b'mcJ  o/   cv,'ermt a/-'F';c!(foveI/ /
estcablishedct, nor necessary ifor y" ease or recdresse of any
greivance yt m1tay happen, since yt mally'.e as easily olbtained, by any peticon or other addresse to you at their
Generall Assizes, (weaT  is once a yeare,) whe-re the same
persons (as Justices) are usually  present, who, inl all
probability, would be theire RIepresentatives if' another
constitucon  were  allowed."'  In January,  1676(,   the
Duke, speakiiing  of letters  rwhich  he  hlad  "forlnerly
writt touching Assemblyes in tlhose countreys," says to
his faithful deputy, Anlldros,'"I canllot but suspect
I Vide tlhe Preambles (o the amedllelllnets.
2 ":Order to put the Duke's Lawo-.s in ihree in New York:," Ai..ug3. 6, l674.
38 The Dutke to Gov. Andros, Jan. 28, 1676..>




18
they  would be of'l dlahmneroun; conseciuence, not;hili  bt)ei;g more 11101]know tllhenoi   tl-ln h(  apt1)lne     of  smcll bol)0 es to
assumt1 e to  themlselves    l1) pOi(vile(1,s  w''  tr O,(:'-  (hAstruc.;tive to, o       r     ft, distllrl)e, the peace o(f v"'ov.1mlnl  ll whereilln tl-   are  a llowe.". ln pil, 1678I
(A or. Andlros repolt edl    tlat   tiihe Court of Admiralty
hathl  1)een  o.)y  speciall (omissionl  or  )y  the t         Cour1t ol:
MAi, tyor  &  Aldermen_  a-tt  New Y-orte,"i.         and  that'thl:e
cheier  Leu1islatiue ])owel the re is'ini  t he Governlol" witl
lvicce o-f the Counc ( ell.'         n I lhe  i99tlh  June, 1681, thle
G(-e]nerial Assizens-ilneluding th;    Gov (    ernor, the Council,
thte  Il:h:iolr,and Alde lln'en of l;his city, the Hligh Sherifi,
and   te  (- a-nd  JilJuy —  petifioned  the  Dulke,  i   the
lmostt humlble terims,  for a,  General  Assenibly  for 1)u1Po.SeOs of Leg'islation.`  On the 27Tth   of Janltuary, 1683,
Hmo AveIId by3T these conti  ued appeals,  and  fearing  tlhe reselmenit of the people, th:le  Duke instructedl  GOv. DOI1
g:,?'iln his 11ale, to issue out  lr;'tts or wvarrLt  of Sum1n
onl-s to yv' se, all Sheriff1es or other O(ffic" in OV(ev y part
o-f \LC  7c1d  0  r el vlllit  I ieiein  you  saill express; e that.
I  h,re /, o,,,/ - l tiatt t;here  shall be a,  Get.'" As:-_ssembly o' lll thle      I reeholo- ers   y t. P11e p sols  ]ho  they  shall
cho-ose  )Lo rep')ellt v         or (10 1. 1   col s e idting    h y( ( self
and  tIe said Councill. ]l nat 1   s s.e:ift and 1necessary
to  be  larde  in1 estlh-hblisled  for1 thlAe  ooocd  A:eale  andl
o'overneml    of the  said ColonlT    and its  DepenldeincyTes,
and  of  all  th(.  illlhal)itaintls   ilreoF. "'   Andt, finally,
_/.t_,SU    lo it.s e Ib( l s, h         x -  its  of   t. ec. tio l  l wAere
-1 -Atseweri; to emIllili-. is),tl:l Necw York ln, l.    1 (1  (';7.
t I'-.iLe ]}nII-nf e-l)et iet-ilt I'   } ( (il, Imcil o()' lhe:'Prov'imlc. -tl lle   lerien it   c
Sex- Yorl.: itj. mi.v t'he. jI li:(,pe,;.%tollf)led dt q  seill (Corl  i.Aize held.it the cii' o  e N-e Yk,  3it 0o  lf,       i."i L-,I (v order,  o(ii West
C~lcile  of  ws size.r".. sLI;tractioilw tb Coel. T Ih omas I)o1n i~l La:t. and. G(ow. of INew Yorke,
&C."  7 Januir, w  1683.




191
issued, and the ^ASSel-bly conve11Vned, 1e'(l r leg'islat-live pitur'-1
poses. 17t11 October, 1683,1-seventteen  yea.: a, ft( er the
date (of the a.llegedl popular Assemlbly of Dele.'atels ait
iHempstead, where, it:is asserted, this identica.l Irivilege had been exercised by the people; durin-o whichl
period, also,-if the suppositions of Chalmers aLcd otl —
ers are correct —the people were  praying f'o  a. p iailege -which they ahlready  enjoyed, and  the DukTe Avtt s
steadily opposing t]he grant of that which lie had  already conceded.  For these reasonls, AMr. Presidelnt,
alnc othlels which I cannot name at, this tim(ne,Il  am
conlstrained to diffl-elr from those who have precede d mte.
andl to regard the "Du.ke's laws" as the edicts of an
absolute and arbitrary power;  the Instrulcti ons gfiven
by the Duke to Gov. Dongan as the first legal and aiuthorized concession of' the Proprietor of the Colony to
tlhe pop]ular demanlld fOr the riht of self-goverlmlentl
anrd the Assembly of October, 1683, as the first sessioin
of the first Assembly of the People in the Province  of'
New York.
Nor am It less inclined to dispute the title of' the atl.legecd inlstru.lmentality, throug h whoml  this concessiolon
was secured, than the tirme when it was effected.  I t is
a favorite theory, AMr. President, that the people on the
east end of Long Island were the steady opponents of
the despotism  of the Proprietor of the Colony and his
dlelputies; Land that to theam the Colony was chiefly in.delbted for the concession of the right of self-government.  It
is true, as claimned, that on the first of March, 16,65, a
convention of delegates froim l each town  on Longo Isl —
anld assemblled alt lempstead; andl that, at that ti ime
art place:'"i/c D".Ule',s 1aw,.," so called, Twere promulgatecld; (aLd it is, doubtless, also  ltrue that when lGo-vy.
Donllan traveled throug'h the Islanlld, oin his way-RS to his
1 Smith's NTew York,. p. 59.




20
government, in  1683, he hea, rd  complaints andl   itnessed ('reat dissa:tisfa:ctiwon:Umoll' the people.'   But  here,
so  far  as I have seen  thelt,7 the record  of their opposition  to  /the  focv;)?e'.nflt ceases,  althougll  their antipathy agulinst, the Dutchl  in  this city  and  neighborhood
finds firequent mention il  the  pages  of  the   archives.
On- the  othetr halnd, I  sublmit  that  this  Colnvention   at
Hlempstead was composed of delegates who had been
assemlbled,  nomiinally,  to  settle   the  bounndaries  and
local dififerences whicht  existed betw\een tle   townls  on
Lon' Islan(d         but really  for the convenienIce of the Governol  in securing       the  l.!legianl ce of that people   to   the
DtuLfk(s  g,'overnl ment    that  it  possessed   no 0authority
Avhateve-r, except for  the local purposes  folr  wAhich it
~had been conlvened;~ and, even on that sulbject, its anthorl:ity rwas binding only within the towns of Long Island,
firom  which, alone, any  deleg]ates had been  ordlredl  or
sent' that einbracing  the opportunity  which  the  occasion afb'ordted —if that was  not the'real olbject  of' the
Co1nvetio]n`l —-Gov.  Nichbolls  tlhere   l)'ovrl7(alctted   the
Duke's  Code,  ib?    vi iy'hte (!',/ & Come )'iSs'io s      /'0'o )2n o liS'
oygall il._;y/hness"; li and that he(  never  asked, and  the'Convention never elailmed, a(t vote  or any other action
I  \Aiddress oi'tihe ihllbitlnt of, East lH-ampton to Gov. Dong:ln, Sept. 10,.'Ilte'o)odl sense o-l Niceolls ind(lled lill tl   (all t oettler' two dpl)nties
froma every to,\wnstilp, in  ottl'e t'o se;tetle lalte contro)versies, to  l'event new
on0lc..:  (C/allmc's, 1p. 37i,) "Itistory (de111tres tlltt tlI \e e ca e1(lled for
the:et..i  |))o s ()t'Itp iol gtlim, thle bou(laries ot, towslhi ps, th ough tfat
probab'l   was tlade Itlte p'et.enee, wlilt-st the real (desigl of Nicolls wats to'.)]tM'  (l'eel't.' otl i o)lf o'l    sublisi-on t() lis i mast-e'.   (l-bid, p. 57-8.)   The
dest,''u o(t their  teettio' was t a 1ste l teimits of t heir townshipil)S, f'' tlhe
prosetlation of tie pubetilit  1tee."'  (S)in'it', fIisto/ or f e:' i.\i: Yorkb., Ed.
3 Ohtlller's, 1'8.'57
4 Titl (.h o'l /ti  Jt..,c'a,   L(sa c a,:?published Marcl' 1, 1605,  and reprinted
ti TIhe Collections of the A'ewo 1oIo   Ihistorical Soiety, Vol.., 2). 307.




21
of the  delegates on  that subject.l                I submit,  also, that,
on  thle  sate   da~y,  tIle   samee   Coni.vention —           so   far  firom
claiming     a rv iight to  participt iate in the  cllt n.lllts of any
Laws, or in   any  other  (act  of' sell'overl1nent —-'";ost
/hmtnlyq  aJnt l t1~    k-dui'gly  ac     lck oetd/e(, e to  I   t'. If  t/he
great hlonlour  anl  satisfi ct'c,?)n  thel/ reccie'i ed'   tha.eni' dle-_
pendawnce  p.jon, ]biis Roycl.            l I i: qe  ass "    and they'pIP:bbi/celGy and ~a_,n?,aninwatsl    (l6eclfe)ed  theCni' hChCCei/lCl S ObtPissiVon  to  all  such. La wes,  Styattes,   a(0d Oatnd 0)(t(l-na cs
which,   wer'e  o0'  shotlld  I)e  m1ade  bI,,y?.ir'te    Jf  a,,tIho'ily
r/)'on  hm,   Ah/ts h]e'Tres  (or s8llccesors$, /i)' c(c'(1;''           all(] I
feel it my   duty  to  s-ay    thllt  I  hlavI        e failed  to  find  any l
satisfactory  evidence   of' the   existen ce  of a                       diflrelnt
sentiment,  amongl   the  people    of   these   towns,  ulntil sonic  time  afterwards, when   the  arbitra1y  inea.s'ures
of the Duke's Governmlent h.ad forced  thlem  into (a
similarity   of action. with   tl;hat  of  their  neighbors  in
this    city.'  On    the   other    hand,    at  laroce   (-Ild
1 So0m1e d.issaitistction  li'tving been. expressel   by tle i()l,-:titlll tS of the
Deleg.Ltes, l -'I V(dratlIc  (lil J(ie( stra)15 CCe" A\1 issuedC by some' of them,
oil tihe 2-lst Junc, 1G666, ini. w\lici   a detailed statetileatt is i111 ide of tlhe  iproceedings  of thie Conllentioli; y'et t1ter'e is not the l    t )posisible  illusion to
an exercise of any poe1'      )by tllhse gIentleinen Aiyho had 1assemiibled ait H11emllpsteadld.   Tlley  sly "iE  (Gou. Viol ls) "lhad lire)ired': body o(, general lawsl 
Itcrlft'cr  t 1o be, olbserved/; t(/,?,I.e /li    c (. 1ievcm'(d 1to0 Nst,' &(., tl:at whlile they
07ojC Ct (d1'tit;t ollls()u a n,.l  2' o9tlt' o  Ctr  l ]se.' ii t) lie laws.; T' rHIEM
act(,i/l oti I/ is 1.tV(;ect ('eg.ed6(  te-(1 e ald /ee  6al10ererIw   "iii (le several almendnernts,'' witlh  i[ssri'nees" nes'.).etsiei fh t tne   te'nde rs-' 0o f'hlteiat iorso
which  litn t tie mtade to the11 Sessions liy the towIls.
2  iAddress  of the Depultie.s asselllbled,it.I leilip)steadcl, to  his rPoyTal
IhIig1.tless tle Duke ot'f York.
3  Since tltis papl)er has been l1beb'(re) t1he Society I llave blee.!n fiLvored, Iby
mly  esteeilllie   frieind, George Helry    oorest', M s(e    Awithll the piellusal of
sever.l inlterestinlg docmnellnts, (onlnected Avitfl t(le ca'ly nlo\emenll'lts ill the
towns on Long Islanld; yet, notwitlhstanding thllir va'1u1t  il otlher respects,
thlley do nlot suplply sulfficiet evideiice to  onviiiii.ce  ieC of the existence of
any error in  this onclnsion.  It is true tlat some persollns il the tolls referred to were dissatistieil \ ith thle etctioll of the Di)elegates   t Hf-ecmipstead,
ijn March, li165; ald that,  soon afterwards, they commlened  an il agitatl:it
of tlie slbject of tleili g'ievrllces;   t it is clally trLue tllhat, in this reIspelct:




22
very   influential   party    of  Dutchl,   i n                 h this    e ity,
resenting  the indigniities  whiceh  had   been  heaped   on
them, by the  olnquerors of  -the Colony, and   smarting
under the wanton  destructionl   of' their  business  with
their Fatherland, which had been  gtularanteed to  themn
by  the Articles of' Capitulation  in   i664,  openly  and
boldly refused to give  in their alleg'iance to  the  Kin(g'
until  the  Governor  had   given  a  written   guarantee,
over his  hand and  seal, of the reserved  rights  of the
people.'  Among the nfost obstinate  of  those  who  resisted, and one of the last who yielded, was Joannes de
Peyster,  the  acknowledged   head   of  this  influential
family;2 while others  of  the  same  people,  who  lhad
iley Ax ere thell blut ifbel,e iita. tos of' tile Blurglelrs of tile ciht  of  New
Yo'k, uAN11o, t'o   some Illcthsl, liad been enriglged ill reistiini tlie encroacli —
mients of the Governilen t oil the individual rights of, the people      of tl.lt
place; inrd hlild not only bade defiance to tle Ipotr c o(f tl,tt  Go e1imcut.
but hai, dso, cotompelled it to yield, by coilplyill  witl thii heir cqil tments.
Thlle one onlly plisl:' yeld Io tie fulfilinlet of a speific, but disgracetfu,  l,cemtent, by a successfil ally; tihe ot llerl  (.rNct ed obclicce ( to tre / tO  uir ielmcI td
a(/' e6 c  o".  oit'o',  ht\llell that obedience migilt be colstrued iti) a stu11rlelndr
of their iecitlifar i/ut-l noue ot itw0lich (  rt. I V-AYI  f   t//o (,oit/o/tio,')o
were illconisistent t itli thle filldallllltl lelA\tr of England; wh\-ile, u1111(
Art. XXI. of the samle iistrmulllient  tllhere lilad beell.se'ured to ticnil the
]p)c/i(m, privilege  of'chooslay l)elocties,"  -ho  lihould halve  "t/ Jl6ee roice
nzo  ill 2,,pbic ofoeo      me/c   as, c(i y othe r JhpoeptieS:    d111( tlley openlyresisted lris power, comptellued him to yield to tlteir delanl ds, and, ultimately; seured, bi speia   g l'iSgisative CeiicthiieiCt, the greLt principles 1br wAhllich
they ltad contelllded-verii those wvhichl conflicted witll the Generalll Laows
of G(eat i31ritain.
1  Pr'oceedings of thle Ioinasters andl principal ihllbitalnts of Nrew
Yorke aIt the Cit 1Hall, October 14, 1664,which hlave been coplied at le1ngth
oi pag'es 13 and 14, note 2, of this work.
2  M'r. l   I)   eyster was one of th1ose wh1io resolutely r1f'usetd  to t lke tlle
oalth iL ()Otobtl',  1 664, uItil Gov. Niolls hliad given al 1written ogul"rmtee of
th;1e riTiults of tlie 1,ople, over his liind aLnd seal; (Vidle pCfiqe I1, I lote.)
anll   in 167i, l](i wvts one of' tire fiiw who again  leflused obedience i   welei
G(o-. Anrdltos tenderel d c    s imili'  oiatl.    (Vide  remizoriu. s cj Dulitci, ty/luh.
ers /0 (1-(c.l, fi,,os. d,, aend tto T/e Sates(-(i 6eci ral of  14ol1lcl  161nt7, 1f1o.c/7.
16 )7 5.)




23
taken  the oaths, were not less  disaffected   to  the goveminent.    In 1667, Governor Stuyvesant visited England; and, in behalf of his countrymen in New  Yorlk,
in  October of that year,  he petitioned  the Diuke  and
the King f'or a ratification           of the Articles  of Capi:ulation-which  had   become  Ilae Jcail IgJfana  Chgtc'a td f/
NBev YolA'k —-ancl  for the redress  of grievances  1 in December of the  following  year,,  Olive Stnuvvesa  nt \ Van
Cor'tlant,    Gerritt  Slicktenhorst,   Jacques  Cousseau,
Mlathew    Sternberg' en   Nicholas De AMey rcm  Il eysbert
Blankerts,  Stoffeill Jansen,   Jo1111t,Jansenii!oster  VAani
Aken,   tacob  Scherinerhorn,  iJoin  Al   n  b alieni
man  Vedder,        John  Martens,    Adriani   VaX t         l-1pelldon,
Jeronymuns  Elbbing,  AI\larg' itiit  VPhiilipps, Janueti  de
Witt, Hfis M:la.' sworlne  suibjecs  of  -tlle Dutch   Nation,
Inhabitants  of  New  Yorke    in America,  in behalfe of
tLhemselves,  and  many more  h1is:Ala'8 Loyall suljects,
now  resideing' iin New  Yorke," likewxise petitioned   the
King fb` ra 1remnova.l of impositions on their  trade with
Holland;' and,  in 1669,  the Corporation  of' this  city,
also pleading the Articles of Capitulation,  united   in  a
petition to the Duke  for  the  same  commercial  privileges which   other Colonies  et'joyedl.:'  In  1680,  l-the
i   Severall Prop)osalls iumbly to bet tdeId   to 1is5 Jiovyll jighleliuc
from Peter Stuyvesantl, the late Governor of Nw  Nethel allidl,  iu thIe
behaltb  of ]imsnsolfe, &  the )Dutch htlnabita.llts there."
"To ye Kings  most 1Excelelt'M. tio     &  to ye - Ltob l 3I0i b     o Lords of' Ilto
MatS  mmost hiole Priuttio.omel. lnt    [hle lmn blPeticonl o:f Peter StovveS'ut,  late dGovNornIor of yo( Citty  uI.d fort called.\mstesdlon   hid C Ge
email of yvo Now Netherlan ds, Im lbr atd ill behnll:di  of hilmseler:  mltid lie
Dnutcll Nacoil, ifow Yor Mitts sub.ec iet  ilit Now Yomrkc.'   Ieold and order —
ed 28,t1h October.'67.'"
2'Petition of Olive Sttyyveslalt \Vanm Cortlint &  others,:onert:m:iomirai_,
sendiillg    slail)_1 to New Yorlk:"' re't  illn (ouneio lltit Dr[ 111313.
3     ehe Humble petition ot the MaLio.r and Al iemcamn of Now Yorle.. in
b)elmal[e' of themselves and the itest of tmle Inhabitamnts of this pmoe."




24merclants of this  city,  the greater  portion   of  whom
were Dutch, or of Dutch descent, refused to pay customs which had been imposed by the Duke's officers;1 alnd they  discharged   their  cargoes in   defiance.
of the Government,2 arrested and tried  the Collector of'
the Port, —who was also Mayor of the City,-and, when
he challenged  the  jurisdiction   of  the Court, they  sent
him_  to England for trial, on a charge of treason.:' From
the Mlerchants of this city, the  disaffection extended  to
others, in  different parts  of the  Colony,4 and  the R:%evenues-that most vital part of the Duke's  franchise-were almost wholly  cut  off;  while the authority  of tle
Courts, —-so powerfil was the opposition,-was  openl]y
defied.    Capt. Brockholes, the   Duke's  Receiver-General, writing  to  Gov.  Andros,  Sept.  17,  1381,  says,
"Nothing was paid  in by  cany, and thoutgh  since I have
done what was possible to gett the Excise kept up, my
Endeavors therein have proved ineffectuall-the merchants takeingc   advantange of Courts  who Being  Scared
)Reffuse  to  Justifie  and  maintaine  my   orll'rs."   With
these ftlcts I respcectfully  submlit the  -nmfatter to the Society, believing- that to  the  D.tch  ancd  thfe   /lferJchanfts oSj~
i[ "Tlhe B1ill fitnd (a-atilst Czlpt. AVn..[)re'  tl,ld  "Tlhe Proceedinlgs
agii L    I ) M1. u)er, C oellei-, (,1' tlle oI'lrt o,f New Y ork.
2  (Colo>ni  l)o( iliculelits. IlL. I. 1289,l note.
3       E]elt teit l1'1l1l tl-e Col't of  Assizes, ilf  NeNw York,  to the Secietalv of
State, 1 (iS] 8."   X   Win. 1 )\ ers l)etition to the King,"' &e.
4  I1i lo lpart of the Colonly wtas the opposition iCloe strenuously mailtainled tllail inl Ilster colllt\, where sonie of thle most wAealtl-y l'.nd influentitil.  f tflel l)utcl1 settlers perlelptorily decliled to takle tile oathl as lolg,1s
t he  live (L   lle of'tlese als,. jer c: C1(tts C De l1 itt, a illtgistralte,'ind the
pos:;osOlM Of l'trre (st.tes,.n 1rlanCestor of lly fi'ienlds. J. (nd E. De Witt
andl Williall An. D)e' \itt, Esqrs., of New- York; and his lpropl)erty wvas saIved
iro,)in 0c)lfi:i(lti)l, itfter Ilis d(lecelse, bly his elcdest son, lwho letitionedl fir,
~:t(l  1 ltailiel(  tlile lnrivile(e of taikin, the oatl, w llic]l Ihis fatiter Iild sS.,
steCl i' Ix    C(l tI l,




25
the  c'fi?/i f o L/ en,: YJrk —w.-hose  fidelity  to  the Capitulation, (and whose  vigila.lnt  wa.tclfllulness in    tle   cause of
Freedom, (at that earlly  day, never filt.iered-the Colony
is indebted  for  its  first  popular  Assembly,  alndcl  the
country  for  many   of the  mlost  substantial blessings,
consequllent ol that conlcessiOl, which   it  now   enjoys.
It has been Avell said, recently, in this connection, by a
learnecd  historian of' New  Yorlk,  that "tllhe resistance offered, thus early, by the Merlchbants  of' New  York,  to::cTamt'.n Wt  toitthou.- tR/jel)n icSractactiOnt, led    to    tile  introduction,  soon   after,   of   a  representative   form   of
government into  the Province";  and ll               e  migoht  have
added, withl equal propriety,  that  that  mleasure  was
immediately hastened by the  action  of  the  Court  of
Assizes-six   of   the   Judges    of'   which,   in    addition to  the lbody  of the   Grand   Jurors,  were  also
J'erch tttsf (Jf t/he city   f   / Newt Y;,A1.2
I  Dr. E. B. O'Callaghaln, in his note to " The Bill found against Capt.
Win. Dyre."  (Colonial qocG.1,,t,   (?f xcT or (ft'.j, III,, ip. 289.)
2  On the29tlh of June, 1681, "tlle couincil of the pi1ovince, the alldermen of New York, and thli jbtic assemibled at a spociad court of Newk,  te tibl' a i t of ssize, held in the city  of NSTc  Yorkl " humbly petitioned the Duke, oiz a
p're.Gent1?ment ft thle  a'/d J.ry,'o r((t "tle-rei,lI representted the great
pressue ain(l lamlentable condition of Hlis lMajsty's sutbjeets il thlis your
Royal Higlness' Colony,,and also presettinly, for the ()ly remedy and
ease of those burdensl thltt an.asselilbly of the Ieoplle IllLy be established
by a free chioice of tlie freeholders iand /al(itmbdta of tllis  our Royal'
Highness' Colo ny";   and the Coint t, dinig itself encourltged,and obliged
to concor' I.( ith, tie sGaid  yi(Iad infquest, alld in ll sublllissive nM11111nner to
prostralte ourselves:t yolu' R>oyl lIighlless' feet, and i'epresent  thle miserable and deplor1ible cod(litioii of tlhe inlabitants of this yo0ur loyalI-Higliness'
Colony, who, for ninyl yvel,;' rs 1)st, hlve grolned under' inexpressible burdens by havinig an ar'biti riy and absolu.te power used and exercised over
us, by bwhich a ye~arly revenue is exacted froill us against our A\rills, (and
trade grievously l)burclned w-itll undue and u niisuall culstol's, illmposed on
the merchanIdise iwvithout ou  onsent; ou()111 liberty  id f iedomi enthralled,
and the inlhabitaints,?/ndli# x/hi oWtt (,1ad del prived Of ANY.,.(ore vote or
interest in the Governmi/eat, to tilr g'eatlt (lisc(Oul'rell it'Cat, id contrary
to the l]a\s, igh'iits, libertiet,'I0d pl ivileVes" of tlet sublject, so that Awe are




26
The privilege  of a popular  Assembly, which  had
been secured to the people of the Colony, after a struggle of twenty yealrs, was enjoyed but for a very limited
periodc.    n Febrnary, 1685, the  Duke  ascended  the
throne, as the successor of his brother?, Charles II; and
on the 29th May, 1686, Governor Dongan was instructed to declare the Bill of Pi'ivilegecs   under which  the
Assembly  was then held,  "RIepealed,  determined, &
made  void,"l'-lthe   sole  power of legislation  being,
thereby, transferred fioom  the Assembly  of the People
to the Governor and Council.   Other mea's ures,  equally
oppressive, were ordered at the same  time —the revenues  beinog  plateled  ulclde   the  unlimited   control  of
/the Got;e'rnor;  no tSxeS or01' imposts could  be.'edtcced "'
no schoolnliaster could keep school, unless  hle had  received a license  fiom  the Ai:chbisihp of(' UCu.tevbury;4
no printing press  could  be  kept for printinT,  "'nor
any book, paimphlet, or other matters  whatsoever bee
printed  without  the Governor's  especial leave  &  license first obtained,"5 "thus establishing ta real t-yranny,'"
as Chalmers observes,6  "and depriving  thlie  oljects of
it of the  most powerful means of renderilng it odious
in t;he sig(ht of' mankind, and, consequentily, less p)ermanent.   Thus," he continues, "Cdeprived of (ln Assembly.,
was New  York unhappily reduced, once  nore, to  the
condition of,t coznquttzire(d provinicc.'
esteelled as notlling, and hlve becone a reproalch  t.llthe. eigllbors il other
his llmajesty's colonies," &e., "whlichl nlcessitates us, ill te lillt'  of tllis your
Royal IHighnlless' Cololy, to become hule hml sullimtlts llland sulitorsl to, your
Royal ligllness, p)rayling,"  &c.
1 Instructions to Gov. Dougn(n, 29th  ty, 1686t section 12.
2 Ibid, section 20.
3 Ibid, section 28.
4 Ibid, section, 38.
5 Ibidt, section 65.
6 PoliticCal Anllllals. p. 588.




27
In 1689, in the exercise of those great filndamental
privileos' wbhic i h1ave been  So (graphically  described
by Mr. ]' J:l-isoll, in th11  intrroduction to'tlhe Declaration
of' Idepeldence, a-nlI by, thle (race of' Godl, rather than
by th at of the Kinog, tlle people of.New York summinarilv
dismissed the royal'onvernment of'Lieutenant-(-Governlor
NTicholsoLon, and instituted ta neiw  one, untder the leadershil) of a(1 resp:ecptab)le Irlechai-nt, named Jacob Leisler.t
When it is borne in mindi  that the Colony had been
Ogovelned, durinog the preceding   four years, under the'
instructions which the Duke had given  to Governor
DoIgnan, to which I have referred; and that the Lieutenant-Governor.;a few days befbore, had been helard to
assert "that the people of New York was ai conquered
people, without claim to the rights ofEnogl:ishimetl; and
that the Prince might lawfully govern  the Colony by:
his own will, and appoint what laws he pleased,"  the
cause and the purposes of' this local revolution will be
understood;  and the character of \New York, and her
progress in the development of the political rights of
her people, canm also, therefitrom, be readily determined.
In 1691, still anxious to secure to the -people, under
William and Mairy, what James had refused to ratify,
the Assembly passed I'An Act declaring what are the
gRights and Priviledges of their Majesties' Subjects inhabitiinr within  their Province  of New  Yorkl,"2  among
which was the declaration-'That the supreamim Legislative Power and Authority,
under their M\ajesties, IT1(ill7am  and 11ifcf'y, King  and
Queen of' LEnzglandt   Qc, shall fbrever be and reside in
1 Sllith's New York, I., I)'l. 80-97; Documenlts o thle subject in
I:1he DoCuentIllt  History of Noew  York, Vol. II.
2 Jourulll  of the Genertl Assembly of Nc\ York,  Die AIlartis, 2 ho.
P. M, April 28, 1691.




28
-a Governor in Chief and  Council appointed  by  their
M ajesties, their Ie-tirs and Successors; anlld thle People,
by their IepLresentatives, met ani colnve.n'd  in GCeneral
Assembly";  land  anlother, providillng-   "That no  Aid,
Tax, Talliatge  or  Custom- Ioan,  Belnevolence,  Gift
Excise, Duty  or Imlposition  whatsoever, shall. be laid,
assessed, imniosed, levyed or required    of or onl any of
their Majesties' Subljects within  this IProvince,  &c.  or
on their Estates, upon any  mai-nner  off Colour  or Pretence whatsoever, but by the Act and Consent of the
G-overnor and  Council,  and  Representatives  of  the
People  in General Asseibly  mlet atnd  convened-''
In  terms  such  as  thlese,  thle   most  loy(a.l of the
people  of NewNv  York,  as  early  (as -1691,  mlaintained the great principles of 1765 and of 1776; but thleir
Majesties-like their tyrannical predecessors-witnessed every encroachmment on their prerogative with alarm,
anld the Act was vetoedl — again  destroyincg the young
bud of freedom, but still leaving  "tlhe root of the matter,"  deeply seated, in the breasts of the people.
In 1704, the   unprincipled Lord Cornobury  renewed
the strife on thle part of' Queen Anne, by declar;ting tlat
he "knewv of no rights which the  Assembly  possessed,
as such, but such as  the Queen  was  pleasedl  to  allow
it ";   and  te A ssembly           as 1not )backward in resenting
the insult.4  Knowinri    the unplrlincipled avarice alnd the
dishonest practices of tile (:loverlnlol,  in his Propensity.................................................................................................................
1 The Laws of l[crl Maijesties Colony ot New York; irjad/(torsb;'8 Edit.,
N. Y., i0G,710,;. 2, 3.
2 L,Tiws of New York, firom  the  year 1'691 to 1751.  (Livingston &
Smith's Ed., N. Y., 1752.) P. 5.
3 Speech of Lord Cornbury in the Journals    of tihe General' Assembly of
New York, D     oie fov' i, 9?I..A. R..,trJie 1 170I,5.
4 Address of tlle Geiieral Asselllry to the Gover1lor, in the Journal:s.
of tlie General Assclmbly,  Die Jois, i,9 1o).,-112. JtI/e 28 1704.




29
for plunder, the purse-strings ofI the Colony  were  also
draRwn tsighter  than  ever;' anll,  Ior the  extraordinary
supplies which  Awere voted  in  the  following  yeaIr,2  a
special  treasurer, who  was  responsible  only  to   the
Assembly, was  ()appointed sat the  same  time,6  and  afterwards secured  )by)T royal  concession.4
In 1707, when Francis 1Make(rnie  and John 1fHamlptonl,
two Presbyterian  ministers, were arrested for preaching
without a license firom  the Governor, and justified themselves under the English  law, kRnown  as  "the Act of
Toleration", they were told that the provisions of that
Act were  limited to Enggland;  that the Queen's ecclesiastical authority, in  the Colonies,  was  supreime; and
that it had been  delegated  by  her  to  the Governor,
whose license  had  not  been  obtained,  either for the
preachers or the house  in which they  had ministered.
hI-[lnmpton was liberated  before  trial; but  the. case  of
Maleinie was submitted  to a jury  of the people, when
the law  as well as the  fact was  (cadjudicated,  and  the
prisoner acquitted, in defiance of the ecclesiastical pretensions of' the Governo  and the Queen, and in consonance with that "fireedom  of conscience,"  which  had,
firom  the earliest days, been the privilege of every resident of the Colony.'
1 The Hloulse ste'clilv reflised to all(o)w the Council to illtelrfere'witl, or
anell, any "Monlcy Till.  (Jolru:l yf' t/c' Ae ssc)iy, Jlnec 10 actnd June
1.5, 1704.)
2 Journal i)f t.he G(ential AXses\mblyl Jllle 15 and JTune i 1  1-705.
83 Journal of the G(clleterl Assemll)l, Jliice 20, 1705.  It atppe:trs that the
Treasu-rer, tlu.ll -pp)ointel, aT-  C('l.  brtll-la dlle Pevlster. the eldest son
of Joanurlnes de PICtels'.
4 Selech ot Lo)d (Ca,r)br'll,.bi in, the,oul-mnal o-)f the G-enera:fl Assembly,
Die T"e?ne'i. 11 l. A. f.- AS e-pt. 27, 1 70G.
5 A Narra  tive )f a T(w  anr  Und Usual.limerenict  Imprisonment of Trwo
P]resbyternian Ml:inisters, and Prosecution of Mr. Frallnceis A[akemie, one sf
them, fo plreaching one sermon in thle city of New Yorkl. Reprinted
N.  Y., 17 PP, pp  52.




In 1708 the Assembly refiisectl  to  co)ntinue the supplies, in consequence of the  firancs n-hichl haid  beell
committed by Lord Cornbury;' and, almolng  other resolutions and bills, it received a rep ort fiom an special
comnmittee on Grievances, and a)pproved the resolutions
which tile commiittee htad recomlmended."  The terms
of these resolutions b)espeak the spirit of the people not
less than that of their represent.a tives; alnd, as Awill be
seen, they proposed a line of action which, even under
a republican  government, has not b)een  carried out
until a recent date.  These are the words: 4'c]esobled:
That it is the Opinion of this Comm-ittee, That the appointing Coroners in this Colony, without their being
chlosen by the People, is a Grievance, and  contrary to
Law.  Resolved   That it is, and ml\ways has been, the
unlquestionable Right of every PFreeu'an in this Colony,
that he hath a perfect and entire' Property in his goods
and Estate. Resoblved: That the Imnposing and Levying
of any Monies upon his Aafljesty's Subjects of this Colony,
unider any Pretence or Colour whatsoever, without Consent in General Assembly, is a Grievance and a ViolaLion of the People's Property.  Resolved: That -for any
Officer -whatsoever, to extort firom the People extravagant aiid unlimitted Fees, or any Monies whatsoever, not
positively est;ablished tand  regullated  by  Consent in
General Assembly, is unreasonable and unlawful, a, great
Grievance,' and tendiing to the utter Destruction of all
Property in this Plantation.  Resogleod: That the erecting a Court of Equity, without consent in General Assembly, is contrary to Law, without Precedent, and of
dangerous Consequence to the Liberty and Properties of
the Subjects. Resobn7ed: That the raising of Monies for
I Journal of the Geuerl Assemblyl- (Edit, 17(4,) pp. 218-2')3.. Smith's
Nerw York, (Ed. 1829,) 1'. p. 165.
2 Journal of the- General Assenlbly, Die,lb'Lbat-ieJ  8 leo. A. J1J,  Sepit.
1i, 1708.




the  Support:' (Governmen t,  or  other  necessmtary
ChIarge,     by:ny' Ta x, Ilpost or burtlhlein oil Goods
imported  or (-ex'sported, or  anya  Clog  olr Hl-indrance
on rrafMfic or Comlmerce,  is found, 1)y Experience,
to  b)e the Explilsion  of  mllany, and the  Impo)ver —
ishing.  (-of' the  rest of  the'Planters, Freeholders,
and- Inhabitats of' this Colony;  (of most pernicious
Colsequence, w10 hich, if conltinued, will unavoidably prove
the Destruction of the Colony.  RLcsJolved: That the excessive Suis of:MAoney received friom Masters of Vessels
trading lhere, undler the Notion of Port Charges, visitinol the said  Vessels by sulpernumillerary  Officers, and
takingi extraordinary Fees, is the great Discolragement
of Trade and Strangers comining amongst us, beyond thle
Precedent of any other Port,and without Colour of Law.
Resolvel: That the compelling' any AMan cleared upon
Trial by Jury, or othierwvise, to pay any Fees for his
Prosecution, or anything whatsoever, unless the Fees
of the Officers whom   he employs for his necessary
Defence, is' a; great  Griervanlce,, iend  contrar3y to Justice."
nl tfile following year (1709), Lord Lovelace renewed
the attempt to securle the unlimited control of the revenue, and to place the power of levying taxes beyond
the interflerence of the Assembly.'  Thle la-tter body,
true to tlhe principles involved in the second, third,
and fourth resolutions of the precedii)g year, positively
declined to comply with the reqluistion1; and, at the
same time, in defiance of the government, it; authorized
the collection of' ~2500 only,:nid approprliated every
penny of it, by  special provision, for specified  obI Lord Lovelace's Speechll. (Journal of the GCeneral Assemlbly, Die
Jovis, 9 ho. A. 1A., Al'il 7,1709.)




jeets.1  By this unusual and a(lggressivee act, the Asserably, in behalf of the people, held 1 controlling influence
over the royal government, in the same malnner and to
the same extent that the I-lotse of Colnllons dloes in
the government of England; and'l established, pralctically-and in direct conflict with the rights of the conqueror over th.e persons and estates of the vanquished-that, so far as the internal affalirs of New York
were concerned, there should be 1 "n(o ta).o Catxion)? without
epl ese)n.eta tion. "
Defeated in this, the next attempt was made in a
more insidious and indirect manner; and in Nov. 1711,
the Council,claiming the right to participate in all classes
of legislation, was nmade the chosen  instrument of the
government for that purpose.  With the assertion that
it was "a Part of the Legislat-Lure, constituted, as thle Assemblywas, by  the mere Grace of the Crown," the
Council clain-ed the right to make amendments to the
revenue-bills,2 by which means a check would have been
placed on the action of the Assenmbly, in  its assaults
on the prerogatives of' the Crown or the authority  of
the Governor.  But the Assembly was not slow, either
in discovering the dangerous device, or in resentinog,
with proper spirit, the attempted interference with the
property of the people.  "'Tis true," were its spirited
words,3 ithe Share the Council have  (if any ) in  the
Legislation, does not flow from any Title they have, from
thle Ncatute of that Board, which is only to advise; or
from their being another distinct State, or Rank of People in the Constitution, which they are not, being  all
I JouriIal of thle General Assembly, Die Jovris, 9) h1. A. ML, iJaly 5,
709.
2 Jourinal of the General Assembly. l)ie Tl'evhcn'i, 8 1wo. P. ~1/. Ml.tcecl
16, 1711.
8 Journal of the General Assembly, Die Sabbatti, 9 ho. A. -L, Nov.
17, 1711.




33
Commons; but only from the mere Pleasure of the
Prince, signified in the Commission. On the contrary,
the inherent Right the Assembly have to dispose of the
Money of the Freemen of this Colony, does not proceed from any Commission, Letters Pate'nt, or other
Grant from the Crown; but from  the free Choice and
Election of the People, who ought not to be Divested
of their Property, (nor justly can,) without their Consent.  Any former Condescensions of other Assemblies
will not prescribe to the Council a Privilege to make
any of those Amendments, and,'therefore, they have it
not.  If the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations did conceive no Reason why the Council should
not have Right to amend Money-bills, this is far from
concluding there are none; the Assembly understand
them very well, and are sufficiently convinced of the
Necessity they are in, not to admit of any Encroachment
so much to their Prejudice."  Without occupying the
time of the Society by noticing the constantly recurring
attempts of the Government, during the succeeding
twenty years, to regain the prerogatives which had
been seized by the people and the Assembly, I beg to
invite its attention to a circumstance which occurred in
August, 1733, and produced more important results
thaii any which preceded it, either in this or any other
Colony. At that time, Governor Cosby, in the exercise
of the authority which, although dormant, had never
been surrendered,-the authority of the victor over
the vanquished,-removed Chief Justice Morris, without
impeachment or trial,and advancedMr.JaLmes DeLancey,
a more consistent friend of the government to the vacant
seat.' This flagrant violation of the rights of the Judiciary and of the people, was too palpable an attempt to
I Book of Commnllissions, (Sec. of State's Ofce) 3, folio 272.




34
restore the old order of affairs, to  be allowed to pass
without notice; and both the parties into  which the
Colony had been divided, and all the energies which,
for several years, had been held in check, were, at once,
aroused into complete action. All the grievances of
the preceding sixty years were brought into judgment;
all the passions and prejudices and malignance of spirit
— the more pungent from their temporary repose-were
called into requisition; the columns of the press teemed
with essays and labored arguments to prove or to disprove the illegality of the removal; and a conflict was
commenced, between the people and the government,
which was continued, without ceasing, but with greater
or lesser violence, until the Treaty of Ghent, on the
24th December, 1814, confirmed the entire separation
of the contestants, not only in New York, but, also,
within the boundaries of those twelve Colonies, whose
"chartered privileges" had been so often spoken of by
the people, and so little respected by the Government.
As, in October, 1642, the  New  Netherlands  hlad
granted a home, with "freedom  to worship  God," to
the persecuted  Sectaries  of Massachusetts;' so, in
1709-10, the Colony of New York had given shelter to
the fugitive Palatines who had fled  from  the persecutions of the French in Germany.2 One of these, a penniless lad of thirteen years,3 the eldest son of a friendless widow,4 was apprenticed, by the public authorities,
on the twenty-sixth of October, 1710, to William Brad1 O'Callaghan's New Netherlands, I, p. 258; Bolton's Westchester, ii.,
pp. 145-7, and the documents contained therein.
2 Order of Councill for Naturalizing and sending certain Palatines to
New York, 10th May, 1708; Minutes of Provincial Council, 13, 16, and
17 June, 1710.
3 List of the Palatines remaining at New York, 1710.
4 In the list last referred to appear the names, "Johannnt   Zangerin, oid.,
ag 833; John Peter, 13; Johannes, 7; Anna Catharina, 10.




35
ford, a respectable printer in this city,1 who had "entered
into an Instrument in Writeing," with Dr. Staats and
Rip Van Darn, who were the  committee for that purpose, "to Cloath, Victuall, and use him well, and to deliver him  to the Government when called for."2   Little
did William  Bradford, his paper-capped journeymen,
or his black-faced apprentices, suppose that the fatherless foreigner —a refugee and a pauper-with his homely apparel and his broken English, was the  chosen instrument in the hands of an over-ruling Providence, for
the establishment of a free Colonial Press; and, as little
did they suppose that for him  had been  reserved the
honor of giving an impulse to the mighty political
revolution — which, even at that day, was gathering its
strength-before whose Heaven-born power the  corruption of Courts and the tyranny of Kings would be
ground into powder.  But so it was.  Diligently serving his master for four years,3 he  passed  through  the
drudgery of "the chapel," from the lowest to the highest grade; and when the term of his service had expired-a partnership with his master having been offered and accepted-the imprint of "Bradford and Zenger"
bore testimony to the integrity of the friendless Palatine.4  In due course of time, the  means which  were
1 Among the "names of the Palatine children apprenticed by Gov.
Hunter, 1710-1714,"appears the following: "1710, Oct. 26, John Peter
Zenger; Age 13; Parent, Widw. Hanah Zenger; Bound to Win. Bradford, Printer, N. Y."
2 "Order for apprenticing the Palatine Children.". In Council, June
20, 1710.
3 By an Order of Council, July 27, 1710, the Boys were directed to bo
bound until the age of 17, and the Girls till they reach 15.
4 The imprint of "Bradford and Zenger" appears on the title of a copy
of ";KIAGTE van Eeinge Leeden der Nederduytse Hervormde Kerk,
woonede op Raretans, &c., in de Provincie van Nieu-Jersey, in Noord



36
requisite to establish an independent office had been
the reward  of Zenger's industry; and when, in 1733,
the despotic removal of the Chief Justice of the Colony
had aroused the energies of the people of New York,
"The New  York Weekly Journal, containing  the freshest advices, foreign and domestic," became the acknowledged organ of the popular party. With the character of this paper, —sustained, as it was, by  the pens of
Chief-Justice Morris, James Alexander, William  Smith,
Seur., and  other intellectual giants; with the effect of
its strictures on the Government; with the seizure and
imprisonment of Zenger; with the arbitrary erasure of
the names of his Counsel from  the  rolls  of the Court;
with the trial and  acquittal of the prisoner; with the
exultation with which the people, led  by the Corporation of the city of New  York,l received the intelligence
America., onder de Kroon von Groot Brittanje, over het gedrag Aldaar en
Elders, van Do. Theodorus Jacobus Frilinghuisen, met syn Kerken-Raaden,
ten Antwoord op hune Ban-Dreygende Daag Brieven, &c.; aan Alle
Liefbebbers der Waarheyd, ter onderoek, voorgesteld Hoe Die Gegrond
zyn, of Niet; met een Noodige Voor, Reeden tot opheldering van de
ilagte uytgegeven Door de Gevorlmagigden der Gemelde Leeden.-Te
Nieu-Yorlk, Gedrukte bij WVillera Bradford en J. Peter Zenger. 1725."
Trancslation. —The COMIPIAINT of certain members of the Dutch Reformed Church, residing at Raritan, &c., in the Province of New-Jersey, in
North America, under the Crown of Great Britain, concerning the conduct,
there and elsewhere, of Domini Theodore Jacob Frilinghuisen, with his
Consistory.  In answer to their threatening judicial letters.  Presented to
arll the lovers of truth, for investigation, whether they are well grounded or
not; with a Preface necessary to the elucidation of the Complaint. Published by a Committee of the members named.-New York: Printed by'William Br adford and J. Peter Zenger. 1725.
This book is now owned by B. J. Lossing, Esq., of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
1 The proceedings of the Common Council of this city, on the occasion
of Zenger's acquittal, have been so often referred to, that a more extended
notice may be considered unnecessary. As the documents have never
beenl printed, however; and as they confirm what I have said respecting
the radical sentimlents which prevailed in New York, I have, through the
courtesy of my fiiend, D. T. Valentine, Esq., the venerable Clerk of the
Common Council, procured certified copies of them to illustrate my subject.




37
of this victory of freemen; and with the great political
revolution  which  it produced, every intelligent NewYorker is familiar; and the time of the Society need
not be taken to repeat the well-known story.
"Att a Common Council held at the City Hall, of the said City, on
Tuesday the 16th day of September, Anno Dom. 1735:
" ORDERED, That Andrew HIamilton, Esqr. of Philadelphia, Barrister at
Law, be presented with the Freedom of this Corporation; and that Alderman Bayard, Alderman Johnson and Alderman Fell be a Committee to
bring in a Draught thereof.
" Att a Common Council held at the City Hall of the said Clity, on
Monday the Twenty Ninth day of September, being;he feast day of St.
Michael the Archangell, Anno Dom. 1735:
"Stephen Bayard, Simon Johnson & Christopher Fell, Esqrs., Aldermen,
to whom it was referred to prepare the Draught of the Freedom  of this
Corporation, to be presented to Andrew Hamilton, Esqr., make their Report thereon in the words following (to witt), that they have prepared the
form of the Grant to the said Andrew Hamilton, Esqr., of the Freedom of
the City of New York in these words (to witt):
City of
NewYork,ss j PAUL RICHARD, Esqr., Mayor; the Recorder, Aldermen and
Assistants of the City of New York, Convened in Common CouncilTo all whom these Presents shall Come,-Send Greeting:
Whereas Honour is the first Reward of Vertue, and Publick Benefitts de_
mand A Public Acknowledgment, We therefore, under A Gratefull Sense
of the Remarkable Service done to the Inhabitants of this City and Colony by Andrew Hamilton, Esq., of Pensilvania, Barrister at Law, by his
Learned and Generous defence of the Rights of ihcankind ancd the Libezrty
of the Press, in the Case of John Peter Zenger, lately tryed on an Information Exhibited in the Supream Court of this Colony, do by these
presents bear to the said Andrew Hamilton, Esq., the Public thanks of
the Freemen of this Corporation, for that Signal Service which he Cheerfully undertook under great Indisposition of body and Generously performed, Refusing any ffee or Reward, And in Testimony of our Great Esteem
for his Person and Sense of his Merit, do hereby present him  with the
Freedom of this Corporation. These ale therefore to Certifie and declare
that the said Andrew Hamilton, Esqr., is hereby Admitted, Rewarded and
allowed A Freeman and Citizen of the said City. To Have, Hold, Enjoy
and Partake of all the Benefitts, Liberties, Privileges, Freedoms and Immurities whatsoever Granted or Belonging to A Freeman and Citizen of. the
Same City.
In Testimony whereof the Common Council of the said City, in Common
Council Assembled, have Caused the seal of the said City to be hereunto




38
My object in thus noticing the progress of the opposition in the earlier history of the Colony, and the trial
of Zenger, has been to remind the Society of the character and temper of the people among whom the American Revolution  originated,  and  was sustained, in its
earliest stages. Accustomed to the daily taunts that
they had no rights but those which the King, as their
conqueror, had  pleased  to  give  them-although surrounded by other Colonies, where  "the  rights of Englishmen" had been guaranteed to the inhabitants by
"royal charters"-the people of New  York  had  fallen
back on the great first principles of government, and,
single-handed, had  battled  manfully  for their fundaaffixed, this Twenty-ninth day of September, An1no Domini, One thousand
Seven hundred and thirty-five.
By Order of the Common Council,
WILL. SHARPAS, Clerk.
And we do further Report that Sundry of the Members of this Corporation and Gentlemen of this City, have Voluntarily Contributed Sufficient
for a Gold Box of five Ounces and a half; for Inclosing the Seal of the Said
Freedom, upon the Lid of which we are of Opinion Should be Engraved
the Arms of the City of New York. Wittness our hands this twentyNinth day of Septeimber, 1735.
STEPEN BAYARD,
S. JOHNSON,
CHIRISTOPHERi FELL.
Which Report is Approved by this Court, and Ordered that the Freedom and Box be forthwith made Pursuant to the Said Report, and that
Mr. Sharpas, the Common Clerk of this City, do affix the Seal to the Same
Freedom, and inclose it in the Said Box.
-Mr. Alderman Bayard going to Philadelphia, and Offering to be the
Bearer of the Said Freedom to Mr. Hamilton, Ordered, that Mr. Sllarpas
deliver it to Alderman Bayard for that purpose, and that Alderman Bayard do deliver it to Mr. Hamilton with Assurainces of the Great Esteem
that this Corporation have for his Person and Merits."
Naew York}, H1ay 25, 1859.
I do hereby certify the foregoing to be true extracts from  the linutes
of the Common Council at the dates above given.
D. T. VALENTINE, Clk. C. C.




39
mental rights as men, and  as members of the body
politic. For nearly seventy years this constant agitation had been continued; and every New Yorker, from
his birth, had  grown up amidst a race of politicians,
and become familiar not only with the theory of government, but with the greatest part of the outrages
committed by the officers of the Crown.  The liberation of the press, on the acquittal of Zenger, immediately increased the supply of political information;
and, as quickly, every citizen became, if possible, more
completely a politician.  A  royalist writer,' speaking
of those times, informs us that "the scribblers of the
day grew more wanton than ever"; and that "the contending parties left no stone unturned to gratify their
revenge.", With Chief Justice Morris and the venerable Rip Van Dam, with James Alexander and William
Smith, Senior, at the head of one party, and Governor
Cosby and Chief Justice Delancy at the head of the
other, each actuated by the most malignant feelings, it
need not be wondered at that the strife was marked
with unusual ability and relentless fury.
The death of the Governor, in 1736, and the rival
claims of Messrs. Clarke and Rip Van Dam, to  the
right of succession, did  not, in the least, allay the
strife or quiet the people; and when the former gentleman withdrew to the fort, an intelligent and determined party rallied around the latter, with a full determination to meet force with  force.'  The recogni1 Smith's New York, II., (Ed. 1829) p. 23.
2 President Clarke to the Lords of Trade, New York, March 16, 1736;
Rip Van Danl to President Clarke, March 11, 1736; President Clarke to
Duke of Newcastle, and to Rt. HonI. Horace Walpole, March 16, 17836;
Smith's New York, (Ed. 1829) II., pp. 26-30.




40
tion of the former, by  the Home. Government,1  which
reached New York on  the day before the intended assault on the fort,~ settled the dispute  concerning rank,
without reconciling the parties on other subjects; and,
with well-defined principles on the part of both, the
strife, although modified, still continued.
With rival presses, laden with  the  elaborate  essays
of that period, each struggled for the mastery among
the people, until 1744, when the influence of the popular party had become so great that another important
concession was yielded by the Governor.   On the 14th
September,  of that year, the Judiciary  was relieved
from   its dependence  upon  the Government by  the
withdrawal of Chief Justice Delancy's Commission,
which he had before held "during the pleasure of the
King," and by the issue of a new  one, to be held "during his good behavior."3
This first fruit of the freedom  of the Colonial Press
gave fresh courage to the people, and, from  that time,4
an organized opposition to the Crown —without a specific title in the beginning, but, afterwards, well
known as "THE SONS OF LIBERTY,"' or, more familiarly
1 Commission of George Clarke, as Lieutenant-Governor of New York;
signed "CAROLINE R. C. R." and dated July 13, 1736.
2 President Clarke to the Lords of Trade, New York, Oct. 18, 1736.
The same to the Duke of Newcastle, New York, Nov. 23, 1736. Lieut.
Gov. Clarke to the Lords of Trade, Nov. 27, 1736. Smith's New York,
(Ed. 1829) II., pp. 30-32.
3. Delancy's Life of Delancy.
4 "After Mr. Delaney had, by cajoling Mr. Clinton, received the Commission of Chief Justice during good behavior, the Profession of the Law
entered into an Association, the effects of which, I believe, your Lordship had formerly opportunity of observing in some striking instances.
They proposed nothing less," &c.-Letter of Lieut. Gov. Golden'to the
Earl of Halifax, 22 Feb., 1765, from his llfS. Letter Book, (Golden Collections) in the New York Historical Society's Library.




41
as "  Tn- LIBERTY Boys, -was mailltained  and kept in
operation.  Sustained, in the beginning, by the great
abilities of James Alexander and William Smith, it was
not long before tile younger members of the bar,especially William Livingston, John Morin Scott, and
William Smith, Jr.,-occupied their places, and carried
out their designs.  In the laiiguage of Gov. Colden,
written nearly twenty years afterwards,l they "proposed
nothing less to themselves than to obtain the direction
of all the measures of the Government, by making
themselves absolutely necessary to every Governor, in
assisting him when he complied with their measures,
and by distressing him when he did otherwise.  For
this purpose," he continues, "every method was employed to aggrandize the power of the Assembly, where
the profession of the Law must always have great influence over the members, and to lessen the authority
and influence of the Governor."
In 1744, the first proposition to tax the Colonies by
means of Stamped Pac per, was made by an aspiring
New York politician-Lieutenant-G-overnor Clarke"in order to obtain the appointment of the Commissioner for Stamps in America, as well as the inferior
officers under him."'  But Governor Clinton, writing to
the Duke of Newcastle, on the 13th of December, of
that year, involuntarily describes the character and
spirit of the people among- whom he lived, and expressed his doubts of the expediency of the proposed
measure.  After referring to the subject generally, he
says: " The People in North America are quite strangers to any duty, but such as they raise themselves, and
was such a scheim to take place without their know1 Letter to Earl of Halifax, Feb. 22, 1765.
2 Gov. clinlton to Duke of Newcastle, New York, 13 Dec. 1744.




42
ledge it might prove a dangerous consequence to His
Majesty's interest."   This  appears  to  have  been  the
last of the proposed measure, until it was revived, in
-1765; when New  York, as we shall presently see, justified the warning which Governor Clinton had given to
the Governnment, nearly twenty  years before.1
1 The origin of the movement providing for a taxation of the Colonies,
by means of a Stamp Act has been the subject of a protracted discussion.
Without claiming more for the representatives of the King, in New York,
than they merit, it may not be improper to call attention to the fact that
as early as April, 1734, Gov. Cosby informed the Assembly that he thought
"a Duty upon Paper to be used in the Law, and in all Conveyances and
Deeds of every Denomination, might, if rightly managed, bring a considerable Sum of M oney, yearly, to the Treasury," and proposed it "as an
ez2eriment."  (Journal of the Asscemibly, Die Jovis, 4 hto. P. 11X., ApI. 25,
1734.)  The Assembly did not adopt the measure; yet it appears the idea
was not lost sight of. In 1744, Lieut. Gov. Clarke "showed two printed
scheimles" to Gov. Clinton, as referred to in the text, one of which was
"Proposals for establishing, by act of Pcarliamenzt, dutys upon stamp papers and parchment in all the British and American Colonys," in which
Gov. Clinton said he was "apt to think Mr. Clarke was concerned, in order
to obtain the appointment of the Commissioner foir Stamps," tc., although
the Lieutenant-governor said they "were sent hilm from England." (Letter of Gov. Clinton to Dulkee of;Newicastle, New Yoark. Dec. 13, 1744.)  InI
August, 1755, Lieutenant-governor Delancy invited the attention of the
Assembly to the defeat of Gen. Blraddock and tle consequent exposure of
the Colony to the inroads of the French and Indians, and to the necessities of the Pr'ovincial Troops who were then in the field, as well as that
of the new force which might be called for; and lhe suggested, among other
sources of a revenue, "a Stamp Duty," which would "be so diffused as to
be, in a ~Manner, insensible." (Lieut. Cov. Delancy's lilessage, Assembly
Journall, Aug. 6, 1755.)  In October, 1756, the Assembly, among other
means of raising a revenue, "Orlder'ed That a Bill be brought in, for
erecting and establishing a Stamp Office in this Colony, for stamping all
Vellum, Parchment, and Paper, which shall be charged with the Payment
of a Duty; and that Col. Beckman and Mr. Verplanck prepare and bring
in the same." (Journal, Oct. 5, 1756.)  After a protracted consideration,
on the 23d October, the bill passed the House, and was sent to the Council (Jougrncal, Oct. 6; Oct. 7; Oct. 21; Oct. 23, 1756), but the provisions were such as that body-the peculiar representatives of the Crown
-could not approve. On the 23d of November, therefore, it asked a
conference on the subject with the House, but the latter body resolved
that as it was "'a money Bill, this House cannot Consent to any Confer



43
As I have said, the opposition against the Government, at this time, was an organized, systematic, and
enterprising party, presenting  itself in  different parts
of the Colony, and making itself known by its influence over the acts of its representatives in the Assembly of the Colony. In a series of bold and defiatory
encroachments on the prerogatives of the Crown, it
steadily and systematically increased the power of the
people, and  as steadily  sapped  the foundations  of the
Government. The time allotted to this paper will only
permit me to glance at the proceedings of the Assembly, during the  succeeding  twenty  years, by  a reference to some of the principal subjects of its attention.
It claimed and exercised the right of being represented, before the Home Government, by  an Agent of its
own selection, who should be entirely under its own
control; in order that its grievances might be presented,
and its interests protected, through other instrumentalities than the  venal tools who  administered  the Government in the Colony.'  It took upon itself the custoence with the Council, on the subject Matters thereof," (Journal, Nov.
23,) after which the Council passed it, "without amendment," (Jowrnal
oJ' the 4ssemnbly, Nlov. 29,) in which form. it was approved by Governor
hiardy. It will be seen from this that while the right of instituting a
Stalmp Office, by the local Colonial Assemzbly, as a "money Bill," was
retogmlized, the right of the Pariliament q' Great 1Britain to do the same
thing, was considered'a "dangerous" experiment, in New York, even by
~the Royal Governor, as early as 1744.
I The practice of appointing'"Agents" to represent the interests of the
Colonies, at the Courit in Eigland, was, by no imeans, a new  measure at
that tile; but it was a decided innovation that this Agent was independent of the Governor? and the King's Government. As early as 1695, Mr.
Nicolls had been appointed the Agent of New York, at the instance of
Gov. Fletcher (Journal of tlhe Assembly, Oct. 4, 1695); and fiom time
to time, thereafter, the Governor had urged on the General Assembly a
renewal of the  appointment.  (Lieut. Gov. Clarke's Speech, Apl. 15,
1741; Gov. Clip7,totn's Speeches, Assevm2bly Joutrnals, NVov. 8, 1743, and
ApI. 17, 1744-.)  The Assembly, however, decided to control this Agent;




44
dy of the  military  stores  belonging  to   the  Government, and appointed  their  keepers;  and  it retained
the control of them, even after the  commencement of
more aggressive measures.l  It clained and  exercised
and, because the Government would not allow this privilege, the Assembly
refused to assent to the appointment.  When Lient. Gov. Clarke recomnmended it, ill 1741, the Assembly expressed its willingness to join in
such an appointment, provided the Agent w'as "dZelpendingy on and playable
by the General Assembly." (Answoer to Lieut. Gov. ClGa.rke's Seech, Assembly Jour'nal, Die Veneris, 9 ho., Apl. 24, 1741.)  In March, 1748,
in order to secure the control of this agency, without the possibility of a
veto fiom  the Governor, the Assembly, by a  "rider" alttached to the
General Appropriation Bill for the year, provided for the appoinltment
of an agent, and appropriated ~200 for the expense of the.Agency, to
be "paid and discharged out of the Funds appropriated  for the Annual
Support of the Government."  (Journal of th7e Assembly, Die SCbatti,
9 ho. A. i., 1farch 19, 1747-8; Gov. Clinton to Lords of'acde, Apl.
22, 1748.)  From that time an Agency was maintained, which was not
accountable to the Government.
I When the expedition against Canada was projected, in 1746, the Colonial Assembly provided stores for their troops, and appointed Comnlissioners to issue them to the Captains in command. In September of that
year, Gor. Clinton, then in Albany, issued an order to the Comlmissioners,
directing theim to issue these stores to'"his Majesty's Troops, in like manner as the new Levies raised in this Province, for the Service of the Expedition against Canada, are supplied," &c. (Cov. Clinton's T}arr'Cant,
Seplt. 29, 1746.)  The Commissioners refused to obey this order, "not
conceiving they were empowered by the Act to do so," (Repoirt of t7he
Assemnbly Committee, Nov. 8, t746), when the Governor issued a second
order, directing Henry Holland, an  officer of the Government, and  a
"press warrant," directed to Col. John Roberts, to seize the same, which
was done. The Comnlissioners reported thle facts to the Assembly, by
whomn an investigation was instituted, and a report made. The I-louse
took action on the subject, on the presentation of this report, declaring
the Governor's Warrant to be "ill-advised"; that the Commissioners "'did
their dnty and acted agreeably to law"; that the order to Mr. Holland
was "arbitrary and illegal "; that Mr. Holland, Col. Roberts, and Cadwallader Colden, for the part taken by them in this seizure, were "guilty
of a high Crime and Misdemeanor"; that no further provision of Stores
be made "until proper Assurances be given, that an effectual stop shall
be put to such proceedings"; and that the breaking open the storehouse
was "'arbitrary, illegal, and a manifest Violation of the Rights and Lib



45
the sole  right  of mnustering  into  service,  controlling
while  in the service, and paying  after their discharge,
the troops which might be found necessary for the  defence of the Colony; and, to that extent, at least, it
was the sole judge of the necessity for, as well as the
value of, the services of the troops within the Colony.'
erties of the Subject."' (Jourcnal of Assembly, Die Sabatii, 9 ho. A, M.,
Novy. 8, 1746.)  "The Assembly, in the time of Mr. Clerk's administration, had taken into their own custody all the publick gunpowder in the
Province by puting it under an Officer of their own nomination, and not
suffering it to be used otherwise than by their direction.  They have, in
all publick Acts distinguished the stores of war, purchased by taxes raised
in  this Province, by the name of Colony Stores of Wa'r, from  those
stores that were sent by his Majty as if his M2 ayty had no property in those
purchased by taxes raised in this Provee."'  (Gov. Clinton to the Lords of
Trade, NVeto York, 22 Jane, 1747; See, also, Same to Same, 15 MNov.
1748, Aug. 7, 1749, and Oct 4, 1752.)
1 Among other instances, in the month of April, 1746, troops were
ordered from Albany to man several Blockhouses, on the frontiers, and
provision was made for their support. (Jouwnal of Assembly, Apl-. 9,
1746.)  On the 20th llarch, and 22d April, 1746, Gov. Clinton urged
the co-operation of the Colony in strengthening the garrison at Louis —
bourg by raising and forwarding troops for its "Succour and Relief";
(Assem1,y Journal, lrich. 20, and A1l. 22, 1746;) but the Assembly
promptly refuised to do so. (Assembly Journal, AIf)fil 22, 1746.)  During the recess, in the same year, the necessities of the Colony required
the Governor to order three hundred mien in addition to those whom
the Assembly had ordered, whllich was reported to  that body, and its
approval asked. (Gov. Clinton~'s fiessacce; Assembly Journal, June 3,
1746.)  In  October, 1748, the Governor urged the continuation of a
Colonial force which  rqas then at Albalny, notwvithstanding the prospects
of a Peace -whichi then prevailed. (CGo. Clinton's fiessage, Assembby
Jouqr~nal, Oct. 24, 1748.) But the Assembly, in view of the expence,
declined to do so.  (Assenmbly's Answer, Jomrnr.al, Oct. 19, 1748.)  In
July, 1755,) Gov. So-hrley "reconmmended" this Colony to raise an additional nurmber of imen to be  liemployed against Crown Point, (hIouse Jrour'~nal, du ly 4, 1755,) but the Assembly, in Comniittee of the Whole, apZpeared to consider it uninecessary, and, afterwa rds, resolved to wait until
the reimnforcements were necessary, when it would t-ake steps to secure
them. (Jiocae Jiwozrnalt,  Jutly 5, 1755.)  See also Gov. Clinton's Letter's
to the Lo~'ds oJ 71ratle, 2 0 Oct. and 1]5 No3v., 1748;'The Present State of the
-Irovince of ezve;  07%';?,ol fDec. 12, 1746: J ar'.l7cs! thle ANssembly, AiVe.
24, 1756. &C.




46
It claimed and exercised, to some  extent,  the  control
of the  Indian  affairs within  the  Colony,  as  well  as
that  of the  Commissioner  who  superintended them.'
It claimed and exercised the sole  right of originating
laws for  the  government of the  militia.'2   It  claimed
the right, and exercised it, of judging of the  necessity
for Fortifications within the Colony,  of  the  character
of those which should be  erected,  and  of the manner
and   time   for   their  construction.3    It  also   continued    to   deny   the   right   of  the   Council   to
originate    or   amend    any   Appropriation   Bill  or
1 From the earliest days the management of Indian affairs was conltrolled, more or less, by the Assembly; but, subsequently, that body exercised a more carefull supervision of them. In September, 1744, Goy.
Clinton, at the instance of Gov. Shirley, addressed the Assembly, urgently
insisting on a more vigorous prosecution of the War, by making a Treaty
with the Indians. (House Journal,  epnt, e 8, 18744.)  But the House Awas'"unanimously of the Opinion that itwould be imprudent in them to engage
in any Scheme before a Plan of it was imparted to them, from which they
might form a Judgment of the Thing, and how far the Colony might be
able to assist in the Execution thereof."  (Journal, Sept. 19, 1744.)  On
the 8th October, 1747, after appropriating ~800 for the Indian service,
and ordering it "to-be deposited in the hands of Propelr  P ersons"-the
Governor having been suspected, and charged, indirectly, with a mal-appropriation of a former supply-the Assembly promised support in other
branches of the service; (House Journal, Oct. 8, 1747;) but the Governor
refused, indignantly, to receive the message, or to co-operate with the
House. (Ibid., 3 ho. P. 1.)  On the following day the Assembly declared its own Rights, and its Determination to consider all proper subjects,
"in such Order, Method and Manner, as to theml shall seem  most convrenient and conducive to the Interest and Welfare of the People they Represent."  (Journal, Oct. 9, 1747.) The Assembly had, previously, asked
for the accounts and vouchers of the former grant; (Joucrnal, _Nov. 4,
1746;) and Gov. Clinton was not pleased with the action of the House.
Other instances of a similar spirit are not unfiequent on the records.
2 Journal of the Assembly, Sept. 30; Oct. 19 and 27; Nov. 17, 1741;
"The Present State of the Province," Dec. 12, 1746; Gov. Clinton to
Lords of Trade, 4 Oct. 1752; &c.
3 Journal of the Assembly, Apl. 1, 3, 4, 9, and Dec. 24, 1745, &c.




47
Act  for  the  raising   of a  revenue.'  It  continued
its  refilsal  to  provide   a permanent  revenue,  "for
the King's use," as the Government required; and provided one for a single year, only, at a time,  "for the
service of the Colony."2   It continued  its disposal of
the Revenue by  specific  appropriations to  each individual who was entitled to receive it, by name, instead
of by a general appropriation, "F'or the sup1port of His
1 In October, 1750, [rr. Nicoll and Col. Schuyler were directed to
"carry back, to the Council, the Bill entitled'An Act to enable his Excellency to meet the Six Nations of Indians at Albany, and to make them the
usual Presents there,' with the Amendments made thereto by the Council,
and acquaint them,That lthis House conceives that the said Bill is a Money
Bill, and that therefore they cannot agree to any Amendments made thereto by the Council."  (IIoulse Joursnal, Oct. 6, 1750.)  On the 18th November, 1751, th.e Council ordered "tlle Hon. William Johnson, Esq., to acquaint the General Assembly, that the Council desire the House would
communicate to the Council the several Accounts laid before the House,
upon which the several Allowances have been made in the Bill brought
up to the Council, entitled,'An Act jbr p1aying and dischairginy several
Demadcls ncmade on this Colony,',and the Vouchers for the said Accounts,
together with the several other Accounts recommended by his Excellency
to the General Assembly, this Session, and the Vouchers respecting them."
(House Journal, NVv- 18, 1751.)  But the HIouse declined to consider the
request, after characterizing it as "extraordinary" and "unprecedented."
(Ibid., Afternoox Session.)  On the next day a Bill appropriating ~500
for the Indian Service, which had originated in the Council, was rejected
by the House, on the ground that it appeared to 1"intrench on the great,
essential, and undoubted Right of the Representatives of the People of
this Colony, to begin all Bills for raising and disposing of Money." (louse
Jozrnal, NMov. 19, 1751.) The same result of an attempted amendment of
the Stamp Bill, in 1756, has been already referred to-(Vide Note 1,
page 42) —and numerous other instances, found. places on the Journals of
the Assembly.
2 Among other instances of this opposition to a "permanent revenue,"
which abound in the Journals of the Assembly, is that in wrhich the House
addressed the Lords of Trade, Dec. 12, 1753, and remonstrated against the
Instructions which Sir Danvers Osborn had brought with him; and the
long-continued contest between the -louse and Lieut. Gov. Colden, with
which every historical student is well acquainted, fully sustains the remark
which I have used in the text.




48
Majesty's Government;"l  controlling, thereby, the action
of every  individual — officer in  the Colony —"from a
Judge to a Constable, and from a Governor to a Tidewaiter," as Governor Clinton mournfully, but facetiously remarked'-and compelling obedience to itsbehests,
at the risk of his salary.  A history of the progress of
these "encroachments," as they were called, would furnish a perfect epitome of the progress, during that time,
of that mighty Revolution,  which,  soon  afterwards,
severed all the ties which connected the people of New
York with the Home Government, and  gave strength
to that new, but independent, political organization
which has become stronger and stronger, to  the present day.
On the 30th July, 1760, Chief Justice DeLancey departed this life;3 and the people, at once, became "uneasy" respecting the character of the person who might
be chosen as his successor, as well as concerning the
tenure of his office. The deceased had held a commission'during good behavior," instead of "during the
King's pleasure," as I have already noticed;4 and the
Assembly and the People reasonably felt "uneasy," lest
the control of the Judiciary, through the new appointment, might be again vested in the Crown.  New Jersey had been cursed with the successive appointment
of two incompetent but needy favorites of the minis
1 As an instance of the uniform practice of the Assembly, reference is
made to the Supply Bills for 1744-(Ilouse Jous rncda, Dec. 1, 1743) —.that
for 1747-(Jburnat, Nov. 14, 1745)-that for 1747-(Journal, Oct. 23
1.746)-that for 1755-(Journal, Nov. 16, 1754), &c.
2 Gov. Clinton to the Lords of Tradle New York, 4 October, 1752.
3 Smith's New York, (Ed, 1829!,) page 2851.
4 Vide page 40.




49
try, to a similar office;  and the Assembly and  the Peo_
pie of New York were also "uneasy" lest a similar person, instead of "a person of fortune among themselves,'
might receive  the Commission, and,  from  his necessities, not less than  from   his  sympathies,  become  the
abettor of despotism.2   Governor Clinton, years before,
had proposed this, as the best means of destroying  the
power of "the faction," as the popular party was termed;3 and the sequel showed that the suspicions and the
"uneasiness" of the Assembly and the People had been
well-founded.
At the first session of the General Assembly,
in. 1761,  a Bill was introduced, "to  remove Doubts
1 William Aynsley, "who had been raised to be Chief Justice from the
low station of Treasurer to a turnpike in the North of England." was recommended by Lord Ravensworth, and appointed Chief Justice, while
Rob't Hunter Morris held that office "during good behaviour," and hadnot
been impeached. Judge Morris being absent, Aynsley took his seat, but
died about a year afterwards. The Commission was then given to Nathaniel Jones, "a Newgate Solicitor," whose wife, Lady Oliphant, lived in
adultery with Lord Chief Justice Welles, through whose influence, for the
purpose of effecting his removal from England, the appointment was obtained. Jones appeared and demanded his seat at the March term of the
Supreme Court, 1760; but Chief Justice Morris was on the bench, and resisted him. The Court decided in favor of Morris, and Jones "returned
whence he came."  (Smith's New York (Ed, 1829), 2 p. 284; Field's
Provincial Courts of New Jersey, 22p. 150-154.)
2 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Lords of Trade, January 11, 1762. The
contest between the Assembly and the People, on the one side, and
tbe Government on the other, on this subject, was long-continued and determined; and when MIr. Prat was appointed to the office, a salary of
~300, New York currency, only was voted, on the ground that that
amount was "sufficient to engage Gentlemen of the first:Figure, both as to
Capacity and Fortune in this Colony, to accept " the office. (Journal
of the Assembly, Dec. 18, 1761.)
3 "To preserve the peace of this Colony, and to prevent the like Cabals
for the future, I am humbly of opinion, that it will be proper to send over
fit persons from England to be Judges in this Province, especialy one to
be Chief Justice," &c. (Genr. Clinton to Duke of Bedford, 2vew York, July
7, 1749. See also his Letter to Lords of Trade, of same date.)
4




50
and Scruples occasioned by the Demise of the King &
other Purposes therein mentioned,"' the provisions  of
which President Colden has thus described:" "The intention of the Bill was to establish the Courts of Judicature of this Province by Act of Assembly, & to oblige
me to  grant the Judges Commniissions duering  good
behavior, with a clause that they  might be remooved
by the Governor or Conmlnander-in-Chief; on an Address
from the Assembly, or by advice of at least Seven of
the Council, signified  under their hands."  Notwithstanding the opposition of the Governor, the Bill passed inl two sessions of the Assembly,3 and in the Council,4
but the Governor refused to approve it,5 and "All the
officers of the Government were left without any  support,"6 as an act of retaliation, by  the Assembly.  Intimidated by these proceedings in the Assembly, and
hoping that their own salaries would be provided  for
by that body, the Imljisne Judges of the Supreme Court
declined to act, "until their Commissions were renewed,
& they would not accept of them  otherwise than  dureing good behavior, as tlhey had their Commissions fornlerly."7  While these proceedings were pending, Benjamin Prat, of Boston, arrived  in New York, with  a
mandamus requiring the Governor to grant a Commission to himl, as Chief Justice, "dureing I-is Majesty's
pleasure."8   But the Assembly maintained its position
1 Jonurnal of the Assembly, M}arch 27, 28; Mlay 13 and 18, 1761..
2 Letter to Lords of Trade, Apl. i5, 1761.
3 Journals of the Assenmbly, Mlay 13, 1761, and Sept. 8th, 1761.
4 Journal of the Assembly,  May 18, 1761, and Sept. 11th, 1761.
5 Prest. Colden to Lordls of Trade, New- York, June 2.  Aug. 12,
and Sept. 25, 17t61.
6 Lieut. Gov. Colden to W. Pitt, See'y, Sept. 24, 1761.
7 Lieut. Gov. C(-lden to Lords of Trade, Oct. 6, 1761.
8 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Lords of Tlrade, Jan'y 11, 1762.




51
with firmness; and "notwithstanding it knew the Tenor
of 1Mr. Prat's commission, & His Majesty's Instruction,
that Commissions to the Judges  be  granted  dareing  Hifs   Majesty's  pleasure   only,  it  absolutely
refused to grant any Sallary -to the Chief Justice, or to any  of the Judges, unless their commissions be dureing their good behaviour, and their
Sallary to be granted, even in that case, for one year
only."' For two sessions, Chief Justice. Prat occupied
the Bench, unaided by his Brethren, the puisne Judges,
and without compensation,2 when he became discouraged with his prospects, and returned to Boston;3 which,
by the terms of his Commission, was equivalent to a
resignation; and the operations of the Courts, throughout the Colony, were, for a time, completely suspended.
It is an important fact, Mr. President, that with tile
surrender of the Judiciary to the control of the Assembly and the People, the direct action of the masses, on
the affairs of the Governiment, became more apparent.
Before that period, their influence was mnade known
through their representatives in the General Assembly;
now they felt secure from  prosecution, an 1, gradually,
they assumed to themselves the  exercise  of their original right of self-government.
Accordingly, on the 18th of August, 1760, the people expressed, in emphatic terms, their abhorrence of the
system of impressing seamen from the market and
1 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Lords of Trade, Jan'y 11, 1762.
2 Lieut. Governor Colden to Lords of Trade, Jan'y 11, 1762.
Chief Justice Prat to the Lords of Trade, Miltoh, May 24, 1762.
3 "The puisn6 Judge having declined to act, & Mr. Prat being under
a necessity to return to Boston by his want of sallary, they expect the
Governor, to prevent a failure of Justice, must be under a necessity, in a
short time, of appointing a person in Mr. Prat's place who is ambitious
of this office, & on such terms as he likes." (Li;eut. Gov. Colden to ord,s
of Trade, Jan. 11, 1762.)




52
wood boats, acnd firom the merchantmen which visited
this port-a practice which 3appears to lhave found
great favor with officers of the Royal Navy, who were
on this station.  At t;he time referred to, I. M.;s ship
Winvzchester was off' the haLrbor, and attempted -to repeat the practice; but with'what result, the despatch
of Prest. Colden will best explain.l   The following are
his words "lOns thi e 18th of this month, as the ship
Samsonz o.f ]Brist-ol, Oslborn Greatrakes, Master, a ship
of 22 gluns &  67 men, wvas comneing froml sea to this
port, &  passing  His Majesty's ship W'Tinchester, tlhe
Tin4?zches-ter fired sifg nal  uns to bring to, &  sent her
barge to know what she was.   As soon as the barge,
with  the 3d. Lieutenant &  13 men  came on0 the
Samson's bow, the Lieutenant hail'dcl her, & bid her
bring to:  on which the crew of the Sacmnson fired a
volley of Musquetry onl the TWibchester's barrge; and
tho' the Lieutienant called out to them to cease firing,
& rowd  from the SampC,?:sozn, the crew  of the Sam,,nson
continued -firing thl ei: Muscquetry, by which: four men
on board the barge were killed, theo' not one piece
was fired from  the barge at any tirme.  The Samnson
crouding all the sail she could, got into the Harbour.
Soon, after which Capt. l-Tale, Com -ander of the Winch/ester, sent his first & 3d Lieutenants to nme, with the
men remaining of the barge crew.  Their evidence being taken by the,i.ayor of this City, in my presence,
&  in presence of' one'of the Judges, the Mayor issued his warrant for apprehending the People on board
the Samjrlpson),;  but the ship beinlg placed at; a small
distan.ce from the endIc  of the wh'arf & the crew having
arimed themselves, bid. defialce -to all authority.  Next
day Capt. HTale broughlt up his ship to the assistance of
the MAagistrates, on sight oni wAhich the crew  of the
1 To fiords Comlnlissioers of Trade and Plantations, Aug. 30, 1760.




53
SaVnjpsonz seized the boats and went on shoar armed, in
different parties, at a distance fi'onim the toun. As soon as
the Council could be called I isslIed,b,)y their advice, a Proolamation, to have the crew of the Samczson,~ every man by
his name, apprehended anywhe-ire within this province:
& I wrote to all the neigchbourLing' Governors for the
same purpose, in case ainy of that crew  should escape
into their Governments: and I ordered  a deta chment
of the Militia of  this City to assist thle <hleriff;  bxt all
ineffectually except as to  one man lnowl in jail.  The
laster & first Mate being on shoar were commiitted to
jail, & afterwa rds admitted  to  )atil l)y Judte Horsemanden.:"
At this late date we mlight halve supposed this was
a lawless defiance of the necessarty port-legtulations, and
of the usual visit of the boarding  officers fionm  the
Revenue Office, had  not the  venerable Presildent,
in another sentence, explainedl   not only the cause of
the opposition to the visit, on the part of the Sct1so,'s
crew,' but that of the sympathy which induced the People to conceal the men whvo weVnt onl shore, and the
Judge to liberate, on bail, the Captaiin and  Mate who
had been arrested.  "Sonme other Captains of -His lifajesty's ships," he  says, "hc(lad  (,,stressed the totUn. 1by
pressing ilen fronu the mnarket-bo10ats &  wood boats &
by other actds Of seve.ri'ty, tvherel;  thfe -).:coplje of the -toanct,
and coutnztr~y ha7id genzecra lly r;ece[vecdt sr on, 92 rejadces:
and the Merchants in this port had lsutffered by their
seamen's removeing to the:teiglhbouring Colonies, where
they were free from any press."  It will be seen that
the "strong prejudices" whicll "the people in the tounl
and' country had generally received," had been exerted
in opposition to "the acts of severlity;" and that "the
sufferings of the Merchanlts," and  th-e "'distress in the,
toun," occasioned by the oppressive acts of tlhe officers




54
of the Navy, had been more powerful in securing the
retreat of the fugitives than Captain Hale and the Winchester, the Mayor and his warrants, the Sheriff and the
Militia, and the Governor and his Proclamation, could
jointly overcome.
Four years afterwards a similar case occurred in this
harbor, an account of which I cite, to show the progress of the spirit of opposition during' that period.
Holt's "iVewv Yorck Gazette and Weecly Post Boy," for
Juely 12, 1764, contains the following significant narrative: "'We hear that on Tuesday last [Ju luy 10th, 1764]
four Fishermen who supply the Markets in this City,
were pressed from on board their Vessels, and carried
on board a Tender from Halifax, belonging to one of
his Majesty's Ships on that Station:  And yesterday
morning [July 11th] when the Capt. of the Tender
came on Shore, in his Barge, a mob suddenly assembled
and seized the Boat, but offered no Injury to the Capt.,
who, it is said, publicly declared he gave no such orders, offer'd to release the Fishermen,- and goinig into
the Coffee-house wrote and delivered Can Order -for that
purpose.  AMeanwhile the mob, with great shouting,
d-rag'd the Boat thro' the Streets to the middle of the
Green in the Fields, where they burn'd and destroy'd
h.er, and dispersed as suddenly as they met, without
doing any other mischief; some of the Company went
on Board  tire Tender with  the Captain's order, &
brought the Fishermen on Shore.  The Magistrates, as
soon as they had Notice, sent to disperse the Mob, and
secure the Boat, but the Business was finish'd before
they could interpose.  The Court met in the afternoon,
but were not able to discover any of the Persons concern ed in the Mlvischief." —The Society will perceive'the perfect state of discipline-if I may be allowed to
use the expression-by which both the "lmob," as it




was called, and the imass of the People of this City, had
at that time attained.  In the forenoon of the day the
Captain came on shore from the Tender] when i"a qnmob
SUDDENLYr asselblhbled," the boat was taken froml tlhe water, dragged through the streets, "'with great shouting',"
from the foot of'Wall-street to the Park- under the
very noses of the Military, who occupied the Barracks.
which stood where the old Alms-house building more
recently stood, on the line of' Chambers-street  where
they burned it; and, having accomplished their object,
"lthe mlob" "disperlsed A  SUp-DENLY atS thley  nzet," and
no one knew, or would tell the MIagistrates, who they
were, or whither they went.  Is it probable this "mob"
were all strangers, who had suddenly entered the city
for that specific purpose, and, after having effected the
object of their visit, retired into the country again?
or is it not more probable that an organized body of
determined mlen-minute-1men, if you please-had assembled on signal, and after having effected the destruction of' the boat, retired  to their several occupations without fear of' betrayal by their neighbors, who,
equally with themselves, had been sufferers fiom  tlhe
impressment of the fishermnen?
The progress of the popular cause, at this period,
can be seen fitom'the report of Governor Colden, in the
latter part of 1763, when he informed the Earl of' Egremont1 that His Lordship could not "possibly conceive
how weak the hands of Government are in this Province, & hliow much the Governor is disabled in securing
the King's Rights & in putting the Laws of Trade in
execeution"; and from  the appropriate remarl ks of a
learned miember of this Society, that'"in no part of
the continent was opposition  to  the British  government more deeply rooted, more rational and steadfast,
I Lieut. Gov. Colden to Earl of Egremontl, Sept. 1.4, 1763.




56
than here, where the popular lawyers continued their
appeals, through the weekly press, to the public mind,
and, supported by the great landholders, excited the
people to menace resistance and to forebode independence.'1'
In the latter part of the year 1764 the Colony was
deeply agitated on the subject of APPEALS from  the
Commoii Law  Comrts of the Province to the Governor
and Council, and finally to the King.  It had been
usual to bring questions concerning the Law  and the
Practice, in these Courts, by ~Writs of Error, before the
Governor and Council and the King for final adjudication; but never, until now, had an appeal-by which
the entire merits of the action, as well as the Law and
the action of thie Courts thereon, could be reviewedbeen entertained by the Provincial Government.2  Governor Colden, with his wonted zeal for the interests and
authority of the King, obstinately refused to yield the
point that the appeal had been well taken; while, on
the other hand, in his own words:3," the whole body
of the  Law    Judges  and  Lawyers -are  violently
against it, as it will undoubtedly lessen their Pove-r &
Influence.  Whatever be done in this place," he continues, "I am very confident I shall have it in zmy power to humble them, & to curb their Licentiousness after
this, tho' I nowiv- stand alone in this dispute, without any
assistance."  This opposition was, undoubtedly, produced front different causes, while they  all tended to
the same ultimate object.  The Courts partly felt, as
Gov. Colden remarks, that the measure would  "lessen
their power and influence" among the people; and, in
1 Bancroft's United States (First Edit.,) IV., p. 441.
2 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Lords of Trade, NTov. 7, 1764.
3 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Sir WTilliam Johnsotn, Dec. 10, 1761. (Ctolden.MSS. ina the lVew Yok7c ltistorical Society's Libraryc.)




57
accordance with that love of power which finds a place
in  nearly  every  human  breast,  they  opposed  it.
On the other hand, the popular party saw in the mrovement an attempted recovery of some  of the prerogatives which had been conceded  to  the people —an attempt, by ithe Government, to  place  itself above the
Common L[aw Cou-rts of the Cololy, and, therefore, beyond  their authority-; a-nd the determin ecd opposition
of John Niorin Scott, the Livingstons, and other popular lawyers, will, from that cause, be fillly understood.
At this period, also, was introduced an-d enacted the
notorious measure known as the Stamcp A.ct, of which
the world has heard so rnuch, and fromn  which it is still
reaping so bountiful a harvest.  A similar measure had
been proposed, several years before,' but the several
Administrations who had  considered  the  proposition
had lacked courage sufficient to give it- their countenance and support, or openly conclemlned it as irmpolitic, or inconsistent wriith tlhe rights of the Colonists. The
accumulated debt of the houme go-vernment had now
become so formidable, however, that no other equally
feasible   means  of  seculing  a  revenue  presented
itself; and Grenville, -with some mnisgivings, had given
it the sa~nction on' fhis official support.  Intelligence of
the proposed measure speedily  reached  the Colonies,
andc, amongto  te very earliest of the  -iesponses from
thence, New  York,  in a voice o:f earnest warning,
told the Ministry that "if the Colonist is taxed without
his consent, he will, perhaps, ask a change."'    James
1 Vide I)age    note.
2 New York Gazette lil:uisday, Mayi 2y,  176'4-, cited by Mi. Btlncroft.
When it is borlne in irin l( thlnat the budg-et was nltv iodulc ed into the House
of Commons onl the ith liareh l —-less t'lmn eleven weels 1)efore —-the extreolne vigilance alnd re so!utionl of the, iemile of( New Yoki, in thus expressing thleir views wi- ll o-ii e duly'Tpprecimited.  The earcliest instance of a silmi



58
Otis and Samuel Adams, soon afterwards, aroused  the
energies of Massachusetts and New  England  to  a  defence of their "chartered privileges" —neither of them
possessing the courage or seeing  the  necessity to look
beyond the concessions of the King, as expressed in the
Charters  of' the  Colonies;  -but to  the Assembly  of
New York -where there were neither "chartered privileges" or "vested rights" to  contend for-was reservec the privilege of striking a  heavier blow.   "An Exemption froim the  Burthen  of ungranted, involuntary
Taxes," it says, in  a Memorial to  the House o:f Commons, adopted Oct. 18, 1764, "must -be the  grand Principle of every  firee State. Without such a Right vested
in  themselves,  exclusive  of all others, there  can be
no Liberty, no Happiness, no Security; it is inseparable
from  the very Idea of' Property,'for who can  call that
his own, which.may be taken away  at the Pleasureof
another?, - And so evidently does this appear to be the
natural Right of Mankind, that even conquered tributary States, though subject  to the Payment of a fixe  periodical Tribute, never were reduced  to  so abject and
forlorn  a. Condition,  ats to  yield  to all the Burthens
which their Conquerors migoht at any filture Time think
fit to impose.   The  QTrihute paid, the Debt was discharged; and the Renmainder they could call their own.
And if conquered Vassals, upon the Principie  even  of
naturac l c Jisctzce  m:ay claimin  a F1reedoln  fri'om   Assesslar spirit in the other Colonies? which Mr. B3ancioft h:as fiund, is a prirrate
letter of Riihardcl Henry Le, of Virginia, dated 81st May, 1761i. Tle letter from Eliphatlet DTyer, of Cornmecticut, Avich he cites, inl the same conneetion, was swritten about'il!e s;lne tinie; but it Aw ill be seen that "sceeling
a chacnge" is not, in the remotest degree,e alluded to in it. ( 1Tide Bancrcoft's
United States, [First edit.,] V., p. 194.).A, the sanme gentlenman elsewhere
remarks, ('V., p. 21,,) "'At thlat lomnerlt tfe,7) iit of' ee.stancce Tiwas I? o.
her'e so stromlg  ais in:New York," vet none have receield so little
notice filom the "'historian'ms3" of those tiimes.




59
ments. unbounded and unassented to, without which
they would sustain the Loss of' every Thing, and Life
its-elf become intolerable, with how  imuch Propriety
anc  Boldness may we proceed to inirfo:m the Commons
of Great Bricthi'2 W-ho,'to their distinguished H-onour,
have in all Ages asserted the Liberties of iMankind,
that the People of' -this Colony, inspired by the Genius
of their M^other Country, nobly disdain the thought of
clainming  that Exeympti. on as ca f' t'ic'le/e.  They Ibund
it on a Basis more honorable  solil, and stable; they
challenge it, and glory in it as their Light. That Right
their ancestors enj oyed in GirecLh'-tf'ia'['an'md _ rlccttd; their
Descen dants, returning to those Kingcdoms, enjoy it again:
And t-hat it may be exercised  bv his Majesty's Subjects
at Home, and justly denied to those who submitted to
Poverty, Barbarian W7ars  Loss of  3100lood, Loss of Money, personal Fatigues, anc  ten Thousand unutterable
Flardshipst'o enlajregeo_ the Trade, Wealth, and Domlinion of the Nation; or, to spealk with the most unexceptiona le Modesty, thiat 1when.1, as.Satjectls, all have
equal ILerit; a Fatal, nay t-he ost odious Discrimination should nevertheless be made between them, no
Sophisty can recommend to the Sober, imnpartial Decjsion of eConmmon Sense."  After continuino  the disc us;ioun, at considerable length, the memorial concludes
with' these spirited words:  "The General Assembly of
this Colony have no desire to deroo"ate fromr the Power
of the Parliahtment of Greadt f,?Ct/akn; c bu1t they cannot
avoid deprecating the Loss of such Rights as they have
hitherto enjoyTed, Riights established in the first Dawn
of our Con'stitution, founded upc n tWIie mnost substantial
Reasons, confirmedl b0y invariable Usage, conducive to
the best Ends; never abused to 1)bad Purposes, and
with the Losses of which LibertS, Pi'operty, and all the
Benefits of life, tumble  into Insecurity and Ruin:




60
Rights, the Deprivation of which.will dispirit the Peo
pie, abate their Industry, discourage Trade, introduce
Discord, Po-verty ad Slavery; or, by depopulating the
Colonies, turn a vaTst, fertile, prosperous Region, into a
dreary  Wilderness;  impoverishl  GOreat Bri-taIn, and
shake the Power and Independency  of the most opulent andclflourishing Em.'pire in  the World."
Thi-:s imemorial,  with others of likle tenlor anlid  date,
to the Kinig and the ILordds,  was sent to the Agent of
the Colony in IEngland., ( B. (?hctles, Esqr-.,) and its
effect was  speedily   seen  tlhoughout  the  entilre
coast of' America.    On'the  very  same  day  on'
which  thltis imemorial was'approved  byr the General
Assembly,  (October 18, 1764,)  it  -was  "Ordered,
that the Committee  appointed  to  correspond  with
the  said  Agent,  BE  ALSO  A  COMMITTEE  )DURING
TFE RECESS OF THE I1HOUTISE, TO W\RITE TO, XND CORRES-'POND WITH r1FTIE SETEA-ItAL ASSE~iBLIES, OR COM3iITTEES OF
ASSEMBLIES O-N TrIS CONTINTENTT, on the suinjecg. Matter
of the Act, commonly  called  the SuZayr' Act; of the
Act restraining Pa')per Bills of Credit in  the Colonies
froml beinlg     a legal Tender'; a-nlmd of the several other
Acts of Parliament lately passed, with Relation to the
Trade of the N0ortlhtern Colonies; aidl also on the Subject of the inlpending Dalngers which threaten the Colonies of beixng taxed by Laws to be passed in (r-;eat
Britain."'  I need not enlarge, before lthis S'ciet,AT on'
the importance of this' acti on by the RIepreseutapti ves of
the people of'New York. The character of this M'emorial
bespeaks the (letermined  spirit; of the masses of thle
people, as well as the courage  of their Representatives
in the Assembly; while tihe Order which  was subse1 Journal of the General Asseml.)ly of' NTv York, Die Jovis, 9 7wo.. 1J.,
Oct. 1, 1764:1.




61
quently entered on the Journal, on the same  day, disposes of the question which has been  so  long and so
strenuously argued by MAr. Adams and  others,  in  behalf of Massachusetts, and Mr. Jefferson and others, in
behalf of Virginia, respecting wAhich of the two-Massachlisetts or Virginia-ORIGINATED THE REVOLUTIONARY
COMMITTEES OF CORRESPONDENCE.1    I acknowledge  the
1. On this subject, as on some othlers, it has been my lot to differ from
all who have preceded nme. I am well.aware that the "invention" of the
Committees of Correspondence-which a cotemprqary opponent called
"the foulest, subtlest, and most venomous serpents that ever issued from
the eggs of sedition,'-has received the attention of older and abler pens
thatn ]mine; and that,  ntil this time, two of the sovereign States of the
Confederacy-Virginia and:Massalhusetts-have shared the honor between them, without dispute from any of their sister States, and, apparently, without a murmur or shade of discontent.
1Mr. Jeff'erson and Mr. John Adams, in behalf of their respective States,
have led the contestants, with their characteristic zeal and ability; and
Messrts. Tucker, Wirt, Burke, RIanclall, and Campbell, in behalf of Virginia;
and Messrs.  lutchinsonl, Gordon, Bradford, Marshall, John Quincy Adams,
and Bancroft, in behalf of Massachusetts, Ihave gallantly seconded the labors
of their respective leaders..
In behalf of Mcassachusetts it has been asserted that, oin the 7th Nov.,
1770, the General Anssembly of that Colony, "Upon motion, Or0dered, That
Mr. Speaker, IMr. HIancock, Mr. Hall, MIr. Samuel Adams, and Mr. Jol-n
Adams be a Committee of Correspondence to communicate such intelligence as mlay be necessary, to the Agent (Dr. Fran)klin) and others in
Great Britain; and also to the Speaker of the several Assemblies throughout
the Continent, or to such Committees of Correspondence as t7ley have, or
may appoint.  Said Colmmnittee, firom time to time, to report the whole of
the correspondence to tlhe House of Representatives, and to confer with
such Commnlittee as the lonorable  Board halve appointed to correspond
with the Agent,,as fit as they shall judlge it necessary"'; that this, it was
presuned, "was the first appointment of a Committee of Correspondence,
of thiis class"; (J Q. Adams to Prof.Tucier;) that "while America, generally, was tranquil, Samuel Adamns, continually musing till the fire within
himbnburned; and the thiought of correspondence and union among the
friends of liberty flashed pon his n1iin d"; (Bancroft, VI., p. 407, under
the date "Sept., 1771";) "that when he (Sconl.. Adawms) -first proposed ims
great invention for organizing the revolution through Conmmittees of Correspondence, to be appointed by the meetings of the towns, (Nfov. 2, 1772,)
every one of his colleagues in the delegation firom Boston opposed him";
(Bancrofjt, VI., p. 426;) that, at a town meeting in Boston, Nov. 2, 1772,




62
existence of no more zealous admiirers of Massachusetts
and her illustrious revolutionary sons —-James Otis,
Samuel Adams, and Joseph Warren-in all that rpoperly belongs to their history, than I am; nor am I more
a Committee was appointed "to state the rights of the colonists, and of that
province in particular, as men, as Christians, and as subkjects, and the infringements of them-l; to communicate them to the several towns, as the
sense of the townV of Boston; and to request of each town, a free colnmunication of its sentiments on the sutject"; that "a certain masterly statesman (S. Adams) invvented a Committee of Correspondence in Boston,"
(John Adams in "Novanglus," WVorks, IV, p. 34,) and that "Gov. Hutchinson having been used to represent the party in opposition, as only an
uneasy factious few in Boston, while the body of the people were quite
contented,, Mr. Samuel Adams was thereby induced to visit Mr. James
Warren of Plymouth. After conversing upon the subject, THE LATTER
proposed to originate and establish Committees of Correspondence in the
several towns of the CUolony, in order to learn the strength of the friends to
the rights of the continent, find to unite and increase their force." (Gordon's-Hist. of the Revolution, (Ed. London, 1788,) I., pp. 312-313, under
dlate June, 1772.)
In behalf of Virginia, it has been said that "a Court of Enquiry held in
Rhode Island in 1772, with a power to send persons to England to be tried
for offences committed  here, was considered  at  our session, of
the spring of 1773. as demanding attention. Not thinking our old and
leading members up to the point of forwardness and zeal which the times
required, Mr. Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Francis L. Lee, Fr. Carr, and
myself, agreed to meet in the evening, (iUiarch 11, 1773,) in a private room
of the Raleigh, to consult on the state of things. There may have been a
member or two more whom I do not recollect. We were sll sensible that
the most urgent of all measures was that of coming to an understanding
with all the other Colonies, to'consider the British claims as a common
cause to all, and to produce unity of action; and, for this purpose, that a
Committee of Correspondence in each Colony would be the best instrument
for inter-communication; and that their first measure would probably be,
to propose a meeting of deputies front every Colony, at some convenient
place, who should be charged with the direction of the measures which.
should be taken by all. We therefore drew up the resolutions which may
be seen in Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry. The consulting members proposed to me to move them, but I urged that it should be done by Mr. Carr,
my friend and brother-in-law, then a new member, to whom I wished an
opportunity should be given of making known to the House his great worth
and talents. It was so agreed; he moved them, (March 12, 1773,) they
were agreed to nem. con., and a Committee of Correspondence appointed,
of whom Peyton Randolph, the Speaker, was Chairman."  (Atutobiog. of




63
disposed  to overlook  the services of  Patrick  Henry,
Thomas Jefferson, the Lees, and others  of the equally
illustrious  Virginians of that day and generation; but
I  cannot  forget  that sixr years  b1efore  lcfassachusetts
iftr. Jefersoqn, }foorks., p. 5.)  It has also been said, in her behalf; that
"this House (qf Butrgesses, 1773) had the merit of' originating that powerfilf engine of resistance, Corresponding Committees between the Legislatures of the different Colonies." ( fWirt's Patricklc HIen'ry, Ed. 18, p..)
and that "in this lcan. ner VIRGINIA  laid t71e.nbundation of' our TUzionz.'
(Bane'roft's Unzited States, VI., p. 455.)
For the settlement of this disputed questioll, the representatives of the
two parties finally colnpromised the Imatter —dividing between themselves,
with the -utmlost coolness, all the honor whiich tthey had claimed for the'great invention."  It was agreed (11h. JefTersovn to Sazmuel A. Wells, tzhe
gaclndson of  amuqel AdILdans, ~fLay 12, 1819,) that to Miassachusetts belongs
the honor of having originated those Committees which had been appointed Pby the people, i~n town.V meetin78gs; while to Vilginia should be conceded
that which resultedl fiom similar appointments by -the Legislatures of the
Colonies.. In short, it hlas settled down to this, as Mtr. Bancroft describes
it, (History of UTited Stfates, VI., p. 455,) "Massachl-lsetts organized a
Province; Virginia promoted a Confederacy."
It has been rmy lot-, as before mentioned7 to arrive at a clifferent conclusion, on this very important question.  Respecting the Committee of 1770,
appointed by the Assembly of Massachusetts, it is -well known, in the words
of one of her own historianls, thfat "it does ~not appear that they wrote to
the otheer Colonies, as a former letter to them, from  ~Massachusetts, had
been so severel cesurqed in Enaglad","    (Bradford's Mfassachusetts, I., p. 237,)
in short, that she had "halted on the threshold by reason of English censures." (lRandacl's Jeferson, I., p. 80.)  It is also well known that the
movemlents of Samuel Adams, im. the town meeting at Boston, November
2, 1772, and the subsequent action of the General Assembly, in June,
1773, were the first practically useful results of iMr. Adams' "great invention"; while the invention of Mr. Jefferson was not heard of, or, so far as
we know, tlloght of, until March 11, 1773.'With these indisputable facts in view, it is a reasonable conclusion tlhat
the action of the General Assenlbly of Neow York, on the eighteenth of
October, 1764, which has been referred to in the text, uocs TIE EARIEST'
so've'ment on this sudbject, in America; that the popular movement, on the
thirty-first of October, 1765, at the King's Arm's Tavern, in Broadway,
New' York, was  THE  SECOND  COMMITTEE APPOINTED  in  America,both preceding any sinmilar mlovement in any other Colony; that the printed Journals of the Assembly ("Pzblished by order qf th7e General Assembly:
ew York7c, Printed by Hugh, Gaines, i,Dcc,LxvI "); thle account of the
meeting at the King's Arms Tavern, which appeared in The Bostozn Post



64
appointed her fjirt faint-hearted  Committee, whose fear
of Great Britain  prevented  the preparction  of even a
a single letter'l; and nearly nine years before that celebrated meeting at the Raleigik, Tavern, RBichnoncd, when
Virgini'a gave  birth  to her first. born,2 THE  ASSEMBLY
OF NEW YORK ORIGINATED  TIE MOVEMENT, AND APPOINTED A COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONIENCE, WITH  ROBERT  R.
LIVINGSTON  AT ITS REA.D.  Whatever  nmay  have been
the  case in 1770, concerning Massachusetts, or in 1773
concerning  Virginia, New York  did not "halt on the
threshold by reason of English censures,"3 even in 1764,
although her sisters appear to  suppose  she  was  only
their imitators, after they  had  timidlyfollozwed, years
afterwards, in her footsteps.
The solemn words which came up from New York
and Massachusetts were carried, by trusty messengers,
and confirmed and strengthened  the patriotic colonists
throughout the country; but -the threats  and  the  appeals of all were  alike' disregarded,  and, amidst the
notes of preparation for resistance in America, of earnest deprecation in the Parliament of Great Britain, and
)boy and Advertiser, November 11, 1765, and in Edes and Gill's Boston
Gazette and Country Jour'zal, of the same day; and the earnest appeal to
"the Merchants and Traders of Massachusetts Bay," to "proceed in the
Prosecution of so judicious a plan and thus evince to the World that they
were as disinterested and as wise as their Neighbors", which appeared in
Edes & Gill's Bosto~n Gazette, November 25, 1765, directed the movements,
if they did not originate the ideas, which have since been claimed as "the
great invention" of Samuel Adams, in, 1772-several yeals afterwards.
Until some earlier "inventor" than Samuel Adams, in Massachusetts, or
Thomas Jefferson in Virginia, can be found, to Nrew York must be conceded not only the honor of "'organizing a Province," but, also, of "promoting a Confederacy."
1 Bradford's Massachusetts, I., p. 237.
2 Autobiography of Mr. Jefferson. (IWorls, I., p. 5.)
3 Randall's Life of Jefferson, I., p. S0.




65
of the deepest anxiety among  the  merchants and people  of England, the  Act  passed.'  A  memlorial from
the English me'rchants trading to Jamaica, asking to be
heard by Counsel, had been offered for presentation, and,
afterwards, withdrawn, as an infringement of the rules of
the House.2    Virginia3, and South Carolina4, and  Connecticut5-the last in "the mlost moderate language"'
1 Journals of the House of Commons, Mereurii, 27 Die Februarii,
1765; (Edit. 1803, Vol. XXX., p. 193); Journals of the House of Lords,
Die Venleris, 8th Marltii, 1765, (Vol. XXXI, p. 67); Journals of the House
of Lords, Die Veneris, 22cld Martii, 1765, (Vol. XXXI., pp. 91-93.)
2 "A Petition of several Perlsons trading to, and interested in the Island ot
Jamaica, relating to the said Bill, twas ofjered to be presented to the Elouse.
And a Motionbeing made, and the Question being proposed, That the
said Petitio% be brough/lt it)t; The Journal of the House, of the 8th Day
of March, 1732, relating to the Petition of Richard Partridge, Agent for
the Colony of Rhode Island, &c., wras reaii. Then the said Motion was,
by Leave of the HIouse, withdrawn."  (Journal of House of Commons,
Venzeris, 15 Die Fe bruarii, 1765-Edit. 1803, Vol. XXX., pp. 147-8.)
It will be seen fiorn this extract that the petition was not allowed to come
before the House.
3. Her petition was offered for presentation by Edward Montagu, Esq.,
her Agent, and prayed the iHouse, "to take their Unhappy Circumstances
into Consideration; and that their I-Iose of Burgesses may be continued
in the Possession of the Rights and Privileges they have so long and uninterrLptedly elnjoyed; and clthat they may be heard, by their Counsel, against any
Bill that may be intended to Clhar'e Stamp or any other Duties on the
Colony of Virginia."  (Journal of rHouse of'CUommons,  e2eneris, 15 Die
Februarii, Edit. 1803, Vol.. XYX., 19. 148.)  See also Bancroft's History
of the United States, V., pp. 2441-6.
4 Her memorial pratyed "that the House will not approve of any Bill
that may be offered, charging Stamp Duties in the Province of South
Carolina."  (Joul'nal of House of Comm ons, same date and vqolume as tle
last.)
5 The "Petition of the Governor and Company of the English Colony of
Connecticut in New England," prayed "tlhat the Petitioners may be indulged in the Exercise of the Power of laying all internal Taxes on
the Colony; and that the Resolution. of the HI-ouse, in the last Session of
Parliament, may not be carried into execution, by a Bill for imposing
Stamp Duties on the Colonies."  (Jou'2rnal of the  loutse qf Commons,
same date and volumne as the last.)
6 Bancroft's History of the United States, (First Eldit.) V., p. 246.




66
had  also  prayed  for   a   hearing,  without  effect.
New   York,  fully  conscious  of  her  integrity,  and
scorning  concealment  of  her  sentiments,  had  next
demanded,  in  the  terms which  I have just  recited,  a recognition  of those natural rights, of  which
neither Kings or Parliaments  could  justly  deprive
her; but her "insolence" had been so great that no
member,   even  the fearless Barre,  had been found
with  courage  sufficient  to  present her  memorial.1
The  debate  in  the  House, before  the passage  of
the  Bill,  had,  also,  been   spirited  and  obstinate;
and Colonel Barre's indignant rebuke of Charles Townshenld, which  is  so  well  known,  furnishes evidence
of its bitterness. All had been alike unavailing,; and the
sober, business-like  appeal  to the  judgment of the
House, by the merchants of Britain, not less than the
"moderation" of some, and the  "insolence" of others,
of the Colonies, passed  by the Government  "as  the
idle wind which it regarded not."   The Bill passed, as
I have said, notwithstanding  the opposition of both
England and America; -and the intelligence of its success reached the Colonies, soon afterward.  New England, paralyzed by the fatal admission of the "suprema:cy of Parliament," which Otis had yielded, was dumb
with chagrin2; while  to Virginia  and New  York  was
1 This memorial, to which allusion has been made already, for the reason stated in the text, is not mentioned, or referred to, in the Journals of
tlte I-ouse of Commons. Mr. Bancroft, (Hist. of the United States, Fiirst
Edit., V., p. 246,) has referred to'it, and'given several authorities, among
which is a letter from Mr. Charles, the Agent of the Colony, to the Committee of Correspondence.
2 "New England, where the chief writera against the impending Stamp
Act ha:d admitted the jurisdiction of the British Pavrliament, was slow to
canger. The child of Old England, she was loth to impute to the parent.country a fixed designl to subvert her rights."  (Bacneroft's RIist. of the
5U5;iteti States, First Edit., V., p. 270.)




67
reserved the joint honor of leadingz America to independend ce.'
1 The following syecihnens of the admissions which were made by the
great leaders of the people of New England, contrasted  with the sentiments which prevailed in New York, will serve to show who were not (if
they do not show who voere) the leaders of the Anerican revolution. "   I
also lay it down as one of the first principles from wrheDce I intend to deduce the civil rights of the British colonies, that all of them are subject to,
and dependent on, Great Britain; and that, therefore, as over subordinate
governments, the Pcarliament of G reat Britain has aiCn undoub.ted ~power
and latwful authority, to make acts for the general good, that by nacning
tlhem., slyiall and ought to be equcally binding, as upon the subjects of Great
Britain within the realnm."  (Jamies Otis, Rights of the British Colonies
Asserted acnd Proved, Third Edit., p. 49.)  "Is there the least difference,
as to the consent of the Colonists, whether taxes and impositions are laid
on their trade, and other property, by the Crown alone, or by the Parliament? As it is agreed on all hands, the Crown alone cannot impose them,
we should be justifiable in refusing to pay them, but mqz2tst a7rd oug/ht to
yield obedience to.an act of Parliamnent, thoqugh erroneotls, till repealed."
(7'he sacne workc, p. 57.)  The same gentleman, (James Otis,) in his Vindi.
cation of the British Colonies, (Boston, 1765,) p. 21, says, iii answer to
an opposing,riter: "By regulating trade, I suppose he mIeans, according
to the common "sophism, taxing trade.  Even in this sense," he adds, "'tis
admlitted the parliament have the same right to levy internal taxes on the
colonies, as to regulate trade: and that tthe right of levying both, is uzdotubtedly ini the par'liaCment;" and on page 26 of the samle work, after
alluding to similar' sentiments, which had been pllublished by the popular
leaders in Rhode Island and Connecticut, in pamphlets which he refers to,
he says, "'hese, so far as I can find, are all the pamphlets that have been
published in America, -upon the proposed new regulations of the colonies."'
Those who have read Stephen Hopkins' Rights of th7e Colonies Ivramnined,
will bear witness that, so far as Rhode Island is concerned, when her Assembly adopted that work as its own, she fully admitted the supreme authority of the Parliament, while the sentiment of Governor Fitch of Connectl;icut, (Letter to Ric]hard Jackson, 23 Feb., 1765, cited by Mr. Bancroft,)
that "if parliament, in their superior wisdom, shall pass the act, w)e mztust
submnit," was, probably, that of the peolle of that Colony.
While these publications were appearing in New England, the popular
leaders in New York were arousing the people of that city, and "pointing
to independence,"' by such articles as the following, which appeared in
Holt's "LV. Y. Gazette and WTeekly Postboy," 1157, March 7, 1765.
"The Pri/nter is desired to insert the fbllowinvg 
"We hear. fiom the Eastward, that some infamous scribbler in Opposition to the Pieces that have been publish'd in Defence of the Rights of the




68
Receiving  strength  from   the discordant sentiments
which prevailed  in  the several Colonies, the Ministry
Colonies, has attempted to prsve, that we in thle Colonies are so far froill
being free Englishmen, that Awe are as arrant Slaves as any in France, or
Spain, or any Nation  in  Europe, not excepting Turkey itself.  Such
Wretches ought to feel the Resentment of the People they endeavour to
injure: They ought to be driven from  zamong Free men, and be forced to
herd with such Slaves as they are desirous to make of their Countrymen:
Can Wretches of this Sort, think, by such vile, detestable Attempts, to recommend themselves to the Favour of any Friend to the British Constitution in England? No. They equally deserve the Resentment of the Elglisl Court and People, as of the Colonies; they are equally Enemies to
bothll, for the Liberty and Property of both stand precisely upon the very
sanme Foundation, nor call the least Encroachment be made upon one, without an equal Injury to the other: And when the British Constitution is
violated by illegal Impostors on the Colonies, tihen?, it is high Tilme for
England itself to take the Alarm, and fear to be obliged to submit to the
same Fate.  The stale Pretence, that the Colonies aim at an tIzdependeicy, is so entirely senseless and ridiculous, as to be almost beneath a serious Refutation.  If their Rights and Privileges as Englishmen. are preserved and maintain'd, what can they expect or desire nmore under any Goveminment?  They can have no possible Motive to desire a Change, tho'
they should become ever so populous and powerful. But if those  i/clhts
anrd Privileges are violated, wchat JReason then can remain  othy thzey
shozuld  prefrr the Jritish7  to the lr7elch Governmzent, or oay oth7e'?
They may indeed, from their present Weakness, be compell'd to submit
to the impositions of Ministerial Power, but they'will- certainly consider
that Power' as T'yrrannical; they will hate and abhor it, an2(, AS SOON AS
TirY ARE ABLE, wZill throw it o;f' or, perhalcps, t'ry to obtain better Termzs
fro'm som0e othler Pover.
The Flrench, natural Enemies to Englcand, rejoice in the measures taken
to nlienate the affections of the Colonies fiom their MIother Country-And
shall not the Wretches, who stir uIp and impose those measures, be consider'd as Enemies to his Alfsjesty our beloved Sovereign, and the whole
13ritish Nation, as well as to the Colonies? Surely they ought, for such
they a'e.
The Term lJothemr Clountry is properly expressive of the Relation bet weeen Great Britain and her Colonies; They are to be consider'd as her
Children, not her Sla  es1; the Freedom of both is the same, and the most
dutiful tRetu'ns of Gratittude land Love, will always be made for every Instance of Maternal Affection.  Let a Nation's Curse be the Portion of overy manl. that attemplts to loosen the sacred B1ands of Love and Duty l)y,-which they are United.                                          G.
Similar sentimlents lappeared in 7T/e.&ntinel, No. III., (Holt's N.'Y1 Ga



69
proceeded, at once, to make preparations  for the execution of the law.   For this purpose the stamped paper
was duly prepared 1; young me-, then engaged in the
Departments, in England, received  orders to prepare
for a removal to America, for the purpose of orgaanizing the business in the several Colonies 2; and, with the
hope of pacifying the people, the principal offices were
filled with gentlemen who resided in America, but who
were known to have been  steady  friends of' the Goverlinent.3   Messrs. Oliver, in Massachusetts; Jared Ingersoll, in Connecticut; James McEvers, in New York;
and Zacharias Hood, of Maryland, were among  those
who were thus honored by the Ministry;  and  they
were, thereby, rendered most conspicuous as fit objects
for the resentment of the people.
The intelligence of the passage of the Bill, although
expected, appears to  have staggered  the Colonists;
and its reception, after the first outbreak of feeling had
subsided, was followed by a season of expressive inactivity4-that quiet which, generally, precedes a storm
of unusual severity.  It was 1not long, however, before
the Sons of Liberty  resumed their wonted  activitythe very means which had been provided  for the pacification of the people, more  than any other, serving
to produce the opposite result, in the almost universal
outcry which was raised against those residents of the
Colonies who had consented to serve as Ministerial taskzette, No. 1158, March 14, 1765,) in two papers signed "Freemc.ll" in
~Iolt's 2V. Y. Gcatette, Nos. 1167, 1170, 1171, and 11783; and in. similar
articles in the same paper, Nos. 1165, 1166, 1177, &c.
-1 Minutes of the Treasury,  cited by Mr. Blancroft. (IJist. lnitedW Sta[es,
V., p. 322.)
2. London Chronicle, No. 1428, June 15, 1766.
3. Bancroft's Unitecd States, V., pp. 250, 267.
4. Bancroft's United States, V., Plp. 270-2; Lieut. Gov. Colden to Eairl
of lIHlifax, April 27, 1 765; The same to the'3oard of Trade, Jlle Jun7,:71765;
(Colden J.ll.. s., iV. Y. li'Lt.,%tiet/y's Libiraty;) Grahliam'l [T State', I[V.,
p. 1'7.




70
masters over their countrymen; and while Massachusetts, without even disputing the Constitutionality of the
Act, suggested the means of securing concert of action
among the Colonies, by means of a Federal Congress;
and while Virginia, also dependant, was "ringing the alarum bell," and marshalling the Colonies to resistance; to
"The Sons of Liberty," in New  York, was reserved
the.honor, as one of our brethren appropriately calls
it, of'pointing to independence." 1  "The great:-fundamental principles of government,"  said  John Morin
Scott, at that timne,2 "should be common to all its parts
and members, else the whole will be endangered:  If;
then, the interest of the mother country and her colonies cannot be made to coincide; if the same constitution may not take place in both; if the welfare of' the
mother country necessarily requires a sacrifice of the
most natural rights of the colonies —their iright of ilaking their own laws, and disposing  of their own pvoperty by representatives of their own choosing —-if such
is really the case between Great-Britain and her colonies, then the conneexion between themn OUGHrT To CEASE;
and, sooner or later, it must  inevittably / cease.  The
English government cannot long act toward  a part of
its dominions upon principles diamnetrically  opposed
to its own, without losing itself in the slavery it would
impose upon the colonies, or leaving  them to th.ow it
off and assert their own freedom."  In, tones such as
these, at that early date, did "the Sons of Liberty" in
New York, "point to independence,"  and guide the
judgment of their brethren in every part of the Continent.  Nor were their appeals disregarded.  The seed
which was tlhus sown "fell in good groulnd;" and, flrom
1 Bancroft's United States, (First Edit.,) V., p. 284.
2. In an Essay, signAd'Flreeman' —one of several in diff'erenlt numnbers of
that paper-ia Holt's N. lr Gazette, Nos. 1170, 1171, and 1173.




71
Maine  to Georgia, the golden harvest which, soon
afterwards, graced the hills and valleys of our country,
bespoke the industry as well as the skillfulness of these
laborers in the cause of Freedom  and Independence.
"Such were the words," says the author, to whom  I
have already referred,1 speaking of this document, byN
Scott, "in which the sober judgment of New York embodied its convictions.  They were caught up by the
impatient colonies; were reprinted in nearly all their
newspapers; were approved of by the most learned
and judicious on this Continent; and even formed part
of the instructions of South Carolina to its agent in
England."
Throughout the entire Atlantic seaboard arose, at
once, the-busy note of preparation; and stamps and
stanmp-masters. were alike threatened  with the vengeance of the colonists.  New  York, in this, *as il all
other practical movements, as may be supposed, was
not a whit behind the most'audacious of the other colonies.  The royalist governor, Colden, speaking of' the
state of the colony at that time,> says, "virulent papers
were published in the Weekly Newspapers, fill'd with
every falshood that malice could invent to serve their
purpose of exciting the People to disobedience of the
Laws and to sedition.  At first they only denyed the
authority of Parliament to lay internal Taxes in the
Colonies, but at last they have denyed the Legislative
Authority of the Parliament in tlie Colonies, and these
Papers continue to be published."
The resolute firmness of the Liberty Boys in New
York, at this time, calln be'seen in the following extract from  a letter3 written by  Lieutenant-g'overnor
1 Bancroft's United States, (F'irst Edit.,) V., p. 284.
2 Lieut Gov. Colden to Sec'y Coniway, 23 Sept., 1765.
3 Lieut. Gov." Colden to Sir VWin. Johnson, lAug. 31,'176i5.




72
Colden to Sir William  Johnson:  "No doubt you have
heard of the riot at Boston," lie says, "atnd of' the Seditious discourses  &  threats at New York.   Jamles
McEvers has  accepted  the Office of Distributor  of
Stamps, and entered into Bonds.   Yesterday (Aucgust
30) he sent me his Resignation of this Office, being
terrified by the sufferings & ill-usage the Stamllp Officer met with. in Boston, &  the threats Ihe has received at New York."  On the same day Gen. Gage wrote
to the Governor,l then  at his country seat on Long
Island, respecting the temlper of the people;  and, on
the 2d September, the  latter  answered, asking for a
military force to protect the Government.2  "A Weak
Force," he said, "which the seditious cart have any hopes
of overcomling may.be productive of great miseheif
I therefore think. that if it can be done without prejudice  to his Majesty's Service, a Battalion  l may  be
necessary on this occasion, in order to cut off all hopes
of success in any seditious attempts, or, if such a nunmber cannot be had in time, I am  of opinion that it
may be proper to order as many as circumstances will
allow, to march  immediately to New York, and that
they who are nearest, or least wanted nmarch  without
delay."  On the following  clay, impressed still mnore
strongly with the necessity to provide protection firom
the thlreatened violence of the people, he addressed a
letter to Captain Kennedy, of His M,sjesty's ship, the
Covettry,3 statinlgl that plans had been laid for the destructionl of the Stamnps, and strongly soliciting his assistance in protecting theim.
Early in September, 1765, the Liberty Boys in Annapolis, Maryland, took mieasures to rid themsel  ves of
1 Gen. G.ge to I, iet;. Gov. Colden, Aug. 31, 1765.
2 Lient. Gov. Colden1 to Genl. (- age, Sept. 2, 176,5.
3 Lient. Gov. Colden to Ca pt. Kennedy, Sept. 3, 1765. (Colden JIHSS.,
Neew Yorlok Iistoric6l Society'.s LiZcarly/.)




73
the presence of Zacharias HEood, the Stamp Master, who
had been appointed for that Colony, and they compelled him  to seek refuge in this city.'  As soon as his arrival at the King's Arms Tavern  became known to the
Sons of Liberty  in New  York, "a design  was formed
to force a resignation from  him, which he escaped the
moment before it was to be put in execution, by retireing
into the Fort."2   The appeal which was made to Gov.
Colden,3 and his reply to the fugitive stamp master,4 are
amnusing specimens of epistolary correspondence: but
the King's service required  the  protection  of Hood,
and the Governor granted him  a shelter.  But the guns
of the  Fort  and  its garrison  did  not long  divert
the Sons of  Liberty  from   their  object;  nor  was
the shelter which the royal Governor had extended to
the fugitive, more productive of safety than the parlors
of the King's Arms.   A   large delegation  frorm  the
Sons visited him, soon afterwards, and compelled him
to resign; and, on the 28th November, notwithstanding the King's colors floated over his place of refuge,
they  compelled him  to mlake  oath of the  sincerity of
his renunciation.5   The Sons of Liberty in Baltimore,.in the following March, sent a formal letter of thanks
to the Sons in New York, and the matter ended.6
1 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Sec'y Conway, 23d Sept.. 1765; Eddis's Letters,
pp.:,, Bancroft's United States, V., p. 315; Lealke's Life of Gen.
Lamb, I'. 21.
2 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Sec'y Convway, 23d September, 1765.
3 Zacharias Hood to C. Colden, fiomn the Ifing's A),rms Tavern; Sept. 16,
1765. (Colden VSS., -V. Y. HIistorical Society's Libracry.)
4 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Zaehatlias Hood, at the Ifing's Airms Jv'tern,
Sept. 1765. (Colde iMS1S., NV. Y. Jist. Socicty's Library.)
5 Leake's Life of Gel. llllamb, p. 21.
6 Tho. Cllase, VWi. Lnux, D. Ch:llier, RIob. Alexanlder, and Rob. Adair,
"to the Sons of Liberty in New York.")'l'Batti2borC,  6) fairch, 1766,' in
the "Lamb Paplemr,," in JiS:, 1V. N   luist. Society's Library.




74
During this period-between the receipt of the intelligence of the passage of the Bill, and the time it
was to take effect-the free press of New York was
actively engaged in disseminating the most radical
sentiments on the great fundamental principles of government; on the relative rights and duties of the
government and the governed; on the relative rights
alnd duties of the mother country and the colonies; on
the character, purposes, and anticipated effect of the
obnoxious Act; on the duties of the colonies in the
emergency; and on other kindred  subjects.  In this
work the popular leaders resorted both to the established newspaper press-of which "The New- York Gazette, and Weeklcly. Post-boy", published on Thursdays
in each week, by John bolt, was the principal organ
of the Sons of Liberty-and to special publications
designed for extraordinary occasions; and the plan of
operations thus adopted, as well as the sentiments
which were thus thrown broadcast over the country,
were imitated, and responded to, in the different colonies of the seaboard, especially in Massachusetts, Virginia, and South Carolina.
Thus, in September, 1765, " a political paper entitled'THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURANT,  containZin  Mattelrs'ntcresting to Liberty,' beut no wise'ejluygnant to Loyalty;'
purporting to have been'Printed by lAndtcew Jfarvel,
at the Sign of.the Bribe refused, on Constitution-H]ill,
NorthL America,' was put into circulation. In the centre
of the title was a device of a snake, cut into parts, to
represent the Colonies, with'Join oir cdie,' as a imot1 fMr. Isaiah Thomas (History of Printing, II.,, p. 322) SuppoSes this
sheet was called "Thie Constituttio.al GAZETTE"; but the copies whlich
Lieut. Gov. Colden enclosed to the Alinisters inl England, and a col)y, carefuilly made fi'oll an original, (in Yale College,) for Holl. George Bancroft,
bear this title; and I halve considered the authority of the latter, unnquestionable.




75
to.  It  contained' Well  written  and  spirited   essays against the obnoxious Stamp Act, which were so
highly colored that the editors of newspapers in New
York, even HIolt, declined  to  publish them."   It  had
been written by William  Goddard, and  a large edition
secretly printed at Woodbridge, N. J.; from  whence
it had been  conveyed, privately,  to New  York;  and,
throughli the agency of "hawkers, selected for  that pFurpose," it had freely circulated through  the city.   It had
a rapid sale; was quickly reprinted, privately, both in
New York and Boston; and, at length, it received the
attention  of the  Governor and Council.   Every effort
of' that body  to  trace  it to the printer, however, was
fiuitless;  and the witticism   of one  of  the venders of
the paper, in ascfiibing its origin to "Peter Hassenclever"'s
Ironz Works," furnished a nominal origin  to the publication,   which servedl, also, for others of the same class,
which subsequently appeared, on the same subjects.2
1 When this.device appeared on this paper, it mas the first time it hIad
been emnployed in oj2jposition to the.Honle (Jovernment.  Dr. Franklin had
used it, in "The Pee2nnsyl-ian i a Gcazette," May 9, 1754, as lan incentive to an
union of the Colonies in opposition to tlie encroachments of the French;
but not until the issue of the Corant, 7 elevenl yealrs afterwards, was an
union of the Colonies, to secure thellmselves fi'om  the a. ggressions of the
Crown, thus insisted on.  The next'appearance of it was for the same
pIUrliose, in the Boston, New York, alnd Philadelphila newspapers, in July,
1774.
2 A full and interesting account of this publication can be found in
Thomas's HListory of Printing, II., p. 322.  Lieut. Gov. Coldenll.(Jeatch
to,Sec'reteagy C0oniway, 12th, October, 1765,) evidently refelrring to this sheet,
says,'The inflammatI tory Papers continue to be  ibl'ishled, exciting tlhe
People t) oppose the execution of the Act of Parliament for laying la
Stamp 1Duty in the Colonies.  The most remarkable of these Papers is enclosed.  This was distributed along the Post Roads by the Post Riders.  I
examined the Post MAlaster in this place to know how this came to be done.
HIe assured rae that it was Awithout his knowAledge: tlhat lie had examined
the Post Riders, and found tlat one or Imore Bundles of them  were delivered at Woodbridge, New Jersey, by James Parker, Secrettary to the General Post Office in N. America       *  It is beleived that thllis Paper
was printed by him.  The GYentlemen of the Council think- it przudent at




76
The same sentiments were also inculcated in ballads,
with  which the streets of the city resounded, in opposition to Grenville  and the Stamp Act.   One of these.
the property of Henry T. Drowne, Esq., of this city, is
now  before me:.
"AN EXCELLENT
For the SON'S  OF  LIBEP T Y  in
AMERICA.
By a Gentleman in the City of NEW YORK."
It embraces thirteen stanzas, with a chorus, the character  of all of which will appear  from  the  following
specimens:
I.
"In Story we'le told, hIow our Fathers of old,
B1rav'd the Rage of the Winds and the Wa't ves,
And cross'd the Deep o'er, To this.Desolate Shore,
All because they were loth to be SLAVES; B'r-cde Boys,
All because they were loth to be SLAv1Es.
II.
Yet a strange Scheme of late, Ias been forni'd in the State,
By i Knot of political Knaves,
Who in Secret rejoice, that the Parliament's Voice,
H-as condemll'd ts by Law to be SLAVES; Br}ave Boys,
-Has condemn'd us by; Law to be SLAVES.
XII.
With tl-le Beasts of the Wood, We will ranmble for Food,
And lodge in wild Desarts and Caves
And live Poor as Job, on the Skirts of the Globe,
Before we'11 submit to be SLAVES; Brave Boys, &cc.
this time to BelaCy ma1kiig 1' 1more  ticulacr ilnqtir/, lct'ast it 8hol(ld'be the
occasion of'raisilg the.ob,?which it iS tishovght pro2J.'r b  all m17ea's to
avoid."




77
XIII.
Tihe Birthright we hold, Shall never be sold,
But sacred maintain'd to our Graves;
Nay, and ere we'11 Comply, We will gallantly die,
For wre mW.vst n.ot and ivill nzot be SI,AVES; BrazVe Boys
We zul.st not, anmd noill nzot be SLArES."
While these fiugitive sheets were spreading  treason
throughout the city and  colony, especially among the
poorer classes cf the people, with whom  this class of
publications has always been a great favorite, the "solid
men" of New York-merchants  aind tradesmen -were
similarly supplied through the columns of the newspaper press.'  A  single  specimen  beyond those already
referred to, will suffice in sustaining this remark.  In a'General Acdvertiser" for Holt's "New  Yorkl Gazette ancl
l'Veekly Postboy,". No. 1183, Thursday,  Sep.)tember  5,
1765, appeared an article, from  which  I extract the
beginning and  part of the  conclusiol:'"The 7th of
February 1765, died of a cruel Staqxmp  on  her Vitals,
Lady N —t7h Am n        can Liberty.  She was descended
from  the ancient and honorable Family of the BULLS.
Her Father John Bull, Esq.; married her, agreeable to
her own desire, to a worthy Gentleman  of noble Blood,
tho' of no large. Fortune, whose name was TOLERATION,
and gave her in Dower a certain Tract of uncultivated
Land, which she called after her Name, N-th Am —ca,
which she with her Husband came and took Possession
of, with this additional Grant, that she, her Children
and  dependants, should  enjoy  all the Liberties and
Immunities of natural-born Subjects of him  the  said
1 "Soon after it was known that Stalnp Duties were by Act of Parliament
to be paid in the Colonies, virulent papers were published in the Weekly
Newspapers, fill'd with every falsehood that malice could invent to serve
their purpose of exciting the People to disobedience of the Laws and to
sedition. At first they only denyed the authority of Parliament to lay
internal Taxes in the Colonies, but at last they have denyed the Legislative
Authority of the Parliament in the Colonies, and these Papers continue to
be published."  Lieut. Gov. Colden to Sec. Conioay, "New Yorkl 23 Sepember, 1765.,'




78
John. Bull."          *      "Thus died the most
amiable of Women,. the best Wife, the most dutiful
Child, and the tenderest Mother —-Happy for' her Family, she has left one Son, who was the Child of her
Bosom and her only Hope; himn she often said she prophetically'named I-d —p —d —ce,' and on him the Hopes
of all her disconsolate Servants are placed for relief
under their Afflictions, when he shall come of Age."
In consequence of these movements among the Sons
of Liberty, the populace was fuilly prepared  to resort
to any extremity which might be necessary to protect
the rights of the people; and the Government was so
far intimidated that no steps were taken either to stop
the circulation of these publications' or to punish their
authors.  The venerable Lieutenant-governor, writing
to the Home Government,2 says: "I agreed with the
Gentlemen of the Council that consideq'i /n the ph esent
temper qo' f the peoplie this is not,a proper time to prosecute the Prihlters and Publishers of the seditious Papers.  The Attorney General likewise told me that he
does not thiznl  himzself safe to  commence any such
Prosecution.  But what weighs with me is, that I am
fully persuaded some of the most popular lawyers3 are
the Authors of the seditious Papers, and have been
countenanced by some of the Judges and others of the
highest Trust in the  Governmt  No  Man who converses generally and knows the characters of the Men
doubts who the Authors are., but in the present circumstances it is not practicable for me to obtain legal evidence."
1 Independence.
2 Letter to Sec'y Conway, Sept. 23, 1765.
3 When it is borne in mind that the "mzost r2opular lawyers" Awere Williarl Smith, Jr., William Livingston, John Morin Scott, and Rob't R. Livingston, the part which the S'olis of Liberty performed in this Awork will be
readily perceived.




79
At length the time drew nigh when  the first' shipment of stamps was expected  in New York; and, although  th.e Home Government had  shipped  them
secretly,' in order that the London Agent of the Libert Boys might not know in what vessel they were to
be sent, and that the New Yorkers might be  thrown
off their guard, the jealous care of Lieutenant-governor
Colden considered it necess.ary to provide  other and
mos.t extraordinary means for their protection.  The
venerable Chief Magistrate of the Colony thus relates
the circumstances' in his despatches to the HIome. Government:' "The People of this place having openly declared their intention to'destroy  the  stamped papers
designed for this ProVince, I desired the Captains of His
Majesty's Ships of War, now in the River, to. protect
the ship in which they should come..For this purpose
a sloop was placed at Sandy-Hook  and a Frigate midway between that and this place, while  the Coventry.layd before the Townl.  By this care, the ship EdwaIrd,
Davis Commander2 having  tenll packages  of stampt
papers on board, was brought to an anchor under the
guns of the Fort and protection of His Majesty's Ships."
Intelligence of the arrival of the Stamps was quickly
circulated throughout the city; and, in every quarter,
the greatest anxiety prevailed-all the Shipping at the
Wharves receiving the newly-arrived, with their colors
at half-mast,'to signify  Mourning, Lamentatioqz, and
1 "They were ship'd so privately, that not a Passenger in the Ship.
knew' of their being on board, till a Man-of-War here came on board to
take Care of their Security." Holt's N. Y. Gazette'and Weekly' Postboy,
No. 1190, Oct. 24, 1765.
2 "On Tuesday evening (October 22, 1765) arrived the Ship Edward,
Captain William Davis, in nine Weeks from London, and six Weeks and
three Days from Falmouth. * * * * Capt. Davis, who brought us,
last Voyage, the News that the Stamp Act was passed, has brought the
Stamps themselvQs, intended to enslave us." HoLT's "N. Y. YGazette and
Weekly Postboy," No. 1190, Oct; 24, 1765.




80
IWoe";l  and every citizen feeling the responsibility
which had devolved on him to meet the issue as a man
and an Englishman.
Not the least anxious among the many was the Lieutenlant-governor, whose zeal for the Royal cause never
flagged behind his own intense love of gain.  Fully
sensible of tile popular f'eeling, as he had always been,
he hesitated in the execution of his desire to land the
Stamps; and he sought the advice of the Council, before he incurred any risk in the premises.  That body,
however, wisely disregarded the summons —three only
out of seven responding; and these declined giving
any advice, from.a fear of personal liability which
such a step might impose on theml.'
It appears that the ten boxes of stamps had, been
shipped as merchandise, at different times, probably
without the knowledge of the Captain; and they had
been stowed in different parts of the ship, without any
regard to their character.  To bring the ship to the
wharf, and await the discharge of the cargo before securing the ten cases, was known to be equivalent to a
surrender of them to the people; while a detention of
the' ship in the stream, until the cargo could lbe over:
hauled and the boxes discharged, exposed those who
advised and ordered such a course, to an actionl for
damages, by every person.who had goods on board-a
risk, under the then state of the public mind, which the
learned Councillors would not assume.  They ventured
so far, howcver, as to advise the Lieutenant-governor
"to hire a sloop to take the goods on board till the
packages of stamped Papers could be come at"; and
1 Holt's "iV. Y. Gazette and IWeekly Postboy,'? No. 1190, Oct. 24, 1765.
2 Lient. Gov. Colden to Sec'y Conway. Oct. 26, 1765.




he appears to have grasped at this remedy without delay.  Yet the troubles of the Lieutenant-governor ceased not here.  The Merchants owned the sloops which
he desired'to employ; and as the Merchants, as he
learned soon afterwards, were among the most determined opponents of the.Act, he quickly ascertained
that "no sioops would be hired AT ANY RATEl jor thi7s
service." 1 He found that instead of receiving the sympathy and co-operation of the business men of the city,
he was but throwing himself into the hands of the leaders of "the faction," of which he had written so much
and so bitterly; and, in his perplexity, he was constrained to say, "His Majesty's Ministers are the best judges
of the means to curb this licentious factious spirit:
If it be done in the trading towns the Covuntry will follow." 2 He had "resolved to have the Stamped Papers
ready to be delivered at the time the law directed,"
however; and fearing to imripress a sloop lest a riot
should be produced, assistance of the crews of the
men-of-war was solicited and obtained,3 and, with their
aid, the stamps were landed and deposited within the
fort, without any opposition from the citizens.4
While the Chief Magistrate of the Colony was thus
anxiously employed in securing the Stamps, witi an
expressed determination to issue them on the day appointed by the Act, the Sons of Liberty were employed,
with no less zeal, in providing means to prevent the
execution of the Law; and, among other measures to
effect that object, on the evening of the twenty-third
of October-the night after the Edward came into the
harbor-manuscript placards were "pasted upon the
1 Lieut. Gov. Colden, to Sec'y Conway, Oct. 26, 17G65.
2  Ibid.::,4
3 Ibid.
4 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Secy Conway, Nov. 5, 1'765.
6




doors of Every public Office, and at the corners of the
streets"-'all in the  same words- the exact language
of which will convey, in the fewest words, the meaning of the writers: 1' IPr o  Patri da
The first Man that either distributes or makes use of
Stalllpt Paper let him take Care of his House, Personl,
& E-ffects.                                 Vox Populi
WAe dare"
On the thirty-first of October, the Governors of the
several Colonies took the required oath to carry the
Act into effect; although  there  was no one so mean,
anld yet so courageous, as to  attempt to execute it.
There was no lack of desire, however, on'the part of
Gov. Colden, to discharge his duty to his Sovereign;
aLnd, n:otwith-standdi ing the experience  of McEvers, his
son David applied for the situation of Stamp-master,
pronmising to execute the.duties of the office, and assuring  the G-overnmient thlat "the  neighboring  Provinces have  their Eyes fixed  upon  this Province, &
what ever is done here Awill determine their Conduct
otn'this occasion.'"   Major James, also, who had arrived:in the city, at the head of two companies of artillerists,
had  stustained thle (Aovernor, by his active preparations
r dlefendinlg  thle Fort; while  an  insolent relnta-rk
which he hadlmade  that'"he would  cram  the stamps
down)  their thr7oats wfi-th the end of his sZvwort'd,"-aind
a threat that  "f' they' attemnpted to,rise, hie would
drrhle thezm  all out of the town, for a,pctcc qo/'etscals,
with,fb? -a'd-trwen'ty  mne;," -filled the  people with in1 Lieiti. Gov. C(oldoe, to Sec'  Conlvaly, Oct. 26, 1765.
2 Dai)ni (Colden to tle Conomlissioners of the Stamri) Office, Newv York,
Oct. 6i2, 1,76i5  (The Co(idenl JSSr,S N'ew Y-ork Historical Society"' Library.)




83
dignation,  and excited them  to violence.'  With a degree of bold defiance, which has scarcely ever found
a parallel, the Sons of Liberty published beforehand
that on the first of November, when the Act was to
1 It has been maintained, by a connexion of Major James, that that officer was incapable of such language as I have here imputed to him; and I
have carefully examined the evidence in order to satisfy myself which of
the two —my own statements or the convictions of my friend and those
who agree with him-are nearest the truth. On the part of the people I
find it distinctly stated in HoLr's "-N. Y. Gazette cand Postboy, No. 1192,
Thursday, Nov. 7, 1765,," that "'The haughty Friends to arbitrary Power"'
were encouraged "to talk in an impassioned Strain-to speak contemptible of our Power and Resolution, and either in jest or earnest declare the
Act should be executed, that it should be cr'anmed down our Throats, &cC.
It is dangerous even to jest upon Matters that lie so very close to the
Heart.  Whether these Reports were true or false, I know not; but many
such had been current for some Time about Town, and were imputed to
several Persons, one of whom severely felt the Effects."  Lieut. Gov. Colden also refers to this subject, in a letter to Mr. Grenville, under date,
"New York, October 22, 1768," in these words: "Major James, of the
Artillery regiment, in 1765, carried into the Fort, without my Knowledge,
while I was in the country, several howitzers with their shells, and other
artillery, ammunition and stores. This gave the first uneasiness to the people, and some impr~udent discour'se he used at that time raised their resentmient more against him than any man in the Province, so far that he did not
think it safe to continue in it."  (Grenville Papers, IV., pp. 386-7.)  But
more important than either of the above, is the language of Major James
himself, in a letter which he addressed to Lieut. Gov. Colden, after his
return to England. In this letter he narrates his examination before the
Bar of the House of Commons, concerning whbich he says, it "came on a
little before nine and lasted past eleven.
"iMY ACCUSATIoNS.-I threatened to cramr the stamps down their' throats
wtith the end of my sword. Second, If they attempted to rise, I would
drive them all out of town, fore a pack of rascals, with four-and-twenty
men,.  JY ircd, That I had in contempt to the gentlemen, thrown an Almanack into the fire, that had not been stampt. Fourth, That I had turned
some ladies and gentlemen off the ramparts of Fort George, because they
should not see the works I was carrying on. Fifth, That I had been overofficious in my duty.
"-When the questions were put to me, I answe~red in thze affirmative."
(Colden Pa2er's. in, the collection of the Hon. George Baneroft, of New
Yo ork.)
Upon this testimony, much as I respect Major James' general eharaeter




84
take  effect, they  would   rise  against the Government,
and bury  Aajlor James  alive.'
In1  the  ineantime, the  Merchants   of' New   Yol-rk,
amiong whom  were several of the  leading Sons or
Iliberty, with that good judgclment which' becomes
the  profession, took  measures  to  assail  the  Bill  in  a
novel and  exceedingly  sensitive quarter.  They resolved  to  attack  the man-Lufacturing  and cllercantile  classes
of Englaund,-or  rather  the  Government  through
thllem,-and  by, provisionally, cutting   off' the   trade
vwhich had been built up between New York and Great'Britain, they  expected to  secure  the   co-operation   of;the imerchants,   the  manufacturers, and  the  artisans of
thlle mother country, in their attempt to  secure  the  repeal of the Act.   For this  purpose,  on the evening  of
thle  31st  ()ctober,  1765,  "a  general  Meeting  of  the
-;erellailts of tjh(e CityT of-  New  York, trading   to  Great
Im on constrlailled to believe tllhat, ill thle excitement of the Ilmomlent, ie used
blnlulage whlliChll ill lis c.:llier i oients he shlould hale a Iemnembere d witll
a,'egret  yet as thlese indiscreet remlarks Iwere ploductivte of very importnit results,  I lila lo   t f(lIt't liherl't  eitler t., modift  or overlook themn.
"Trltie p'pll    ae hl   il'( pr)lligio sly discollt1Ctedl,'mld thleir ictions are
hut t. little irl r fo0111    h opel. relelioJl e lion'l   Tle/tr  p'abl7,iCq o/fi'attacC'ikl/  oq'it
( eorqOG,  ( lnld( burninl' the stlllls. ii".st',',Kt'ot _ Yao ]:' r]ewX,: i,, 7,7.G J0oL7tod7n
(I'iro, cle? No. 140N, )T('e. 1fci, 1 7-65.'.oRl (TE()I1o;u-i,, October 81, 1 76.
Si'i  lThe bearer hlereof Joh:in. Hidlge inliforms mle that lle wais told
this lorninlg I  one John1  etch'un',Shoenmaker in this City, that thiere
-\\nis I'ile-sii to hbuxN AAVjor1 J]anes alive t1is )Day or Tomorrowv.  I have
likewiise,ee,1n otlmreisi isoiiimo M nld that a Riot or Tumnltuons Proceedings
utere intenlded. this )\'FoIomrow.    I must desire vou will Examine
Bridge & IKetchiamln  mnl  tlhat yon & the other Maggistrates w\ill (do e0very
thin' il xoliu piower to ptlerevnt at Mob or Riot, and to pre.serve the Peace
Om Ode, (,t tihe City, lli ill o() iloinlg, ill Case it 1be requisite? I shlll give
i~yOl all thlle assista'le ill n-m  PJower to( maintain the Pea. ee.
I am    ithl gre.t Regard   e.
To Johin Ci(rger, Esq,                    (CADT.ALLADER    COLDE-'.
M5ayor of the City of New York."




85
Britain," was held at the City Arms  Tavern, kept by
George Burns,-lnow  the well-known "Atlantic Gar-'den," in Brooadwa(y,-"to consider what was necessary
to be dlone in the ~present Situation of Aftlirs, Awith lRespect to the STArl.  ACT, andcl  the nmelancholy St-ate of
the N. A'llerican Commerce, so greatly  restricteld 1)yT
the Impositions ancd Duties established b)v the late Acts
of Tradl(e.   After due consideration the ineeeting resolved,';'Firsf:  That iln  all Orders t. hey  sent out to
(Great Britainl, f)r (-oods or M lercnll;ldise, of a:ly Natr-e, kIindl, or Quality whatsoever, usutlly  ill!)orted
from Great Britain, they would direct their Correspollents not to ship them, unless the STAMP AcT.  w(as _repealed.  It was nevertheless. agreed, thallt all such
A'elrchants as were owners of, and had vessels already
(gone, and cleared out for Glreat Britalin, should lbe at
liberty to bring b)ack in them, on their own Accounts,
Crlates and Cask]s of Earthenwarel (-rindstones, Pipes,
and stuch other bulllky articles as Owners usually filled
up  their Vessels with.   Secoxadly,  t was furthellr,
unanimously, agreed that all Orders already sent t1omine,
should be countermandedl -by the very  first Conve}vanlce; ahd the Goods and Merc(handise thereby ordered
not, to b)e sent, unless upon tl-e (Condition mentioned ii
the foregoing Riesollution     Th'. -dicy, It was flirther,
unanimoustl,   agreed that nlo AEerchant would vTen
alny Goods or iMerchandise sent upon Commission t;oim
Great Britain, that should lbe shipped from thence after
the first Day of January next ensuing, unless upoll the
Condition in the first Resolution  and, oln.tly/,,l, It
was further unanimously agreed, that the forefgoing
RPesolutions  should be binding until the same were
abrogated at a general Meeting thereafter to be held
for that purpose."  These Ruesolutions were immediately signed by  "upwardls  of Two hundred  principal




86
Merchants"; and an inter-colonial COMMITTEE OF COR:
RESPONDENCE of  five Sons of Liberty —Isaac  Sears,
John Lamb, Gershom Mott, William Wiley, and Thomas
Robinson-was appointed to secure the co-operation of
the merchants, in other parts of the country, in this
novel crusade against the Home Government.1  I may
be permitted, in passing, to invite the attention of the
Society to the date when, and the place where, THIS
SECOND COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE waS aCplpointed;
and to remind it that the pretensions of Massachusetts
and Virginia to the honor of originating  these  wellknown bodies, are based on appointments m-ade many
years afterwards-the one in 1770, the other in 1.773.
Leaving this subject in the hands of the historians of
New York, who  are now  before  me, I trust this
city will receive  at their  hands, hereafter, what
she has never yet received-the honor which properly
belongs to the originators and sustainers of the great
system  of intercolonial correspondence, through  the
medium of regularly constituted Committees.
But to return.  The Merchants of New York having
enteredinto an agreement of Non-Importation, as just
stated, the Retailers, also, entered the field, and subscribed the  following  pledge:  "We  the.'tunderwritten,
Retailers of Goods, do hereby promise and oblige ourselves not to buy any Goods, Wares, or iMerchandise,
of any Person or Persons  whatsoever,  that shall be
shippled from  Great Britain, after the first cday  of
January next, unless the STAMP AcT shall be repealed.   As  Witness our Hands,  October 31, 1765." "
1. HOLT'S New York Gazette or Weekly Postboy, No. 1192, Thursday,
Nov. 7, 1765; Boston Postboy and Advertiser, Nov. 11, 1765; EDES &i
GILL'S Boston Gazette land Country Journal, Nov. 11, 1765; LEA XE'S
Life and Times of Gen. John Lamb, pp. 14, 15; DUNLAVPS History of New
York, I., p, 419: BhNCPNoFT's History of the United States, V., pp. 951-2.
2 Ibid,




87
Thus  was  all trade with  the mother country  provisionally  cut  off'; thus, in the wrords of one of our Tnumber,  "a city, built on the ocean  side, the chosen home
of navigation, renounced all commerce;.a people, mwho,
as yet, had  no manufi-actures,  gave  up   every   coimftort
firom    abroad, rather than  continue trade  at  the peril
of freedom." 2   It was the first blow   -which was.struck
at the trade and industry  of Great Britain;   and well
might Benjamin Edes  appeal  to the people of'Massachusetts, through  the  columns of the Bo'tonGt azette:,
B1 Bancroft's United States,.,  p. 352.
12 It nmay interest the reader, and serve a- useful purpose,  y illlquiring in
this place, how this "Non _Imottation zt-givee'ment" was's observed bly the
respective Colonies, in order thlat bv (ComlParisoll, it mntay be seen how New
York has fiared in the hands of those historianls whose works have tended
to throw all the honor of thle Revolutionary striuggle  on otlheir, and less
faithful, Colonies.  For this purpose the followirin  table has been ext-racted from officiall sources, and the attention of the reader is invited thereto.
IMPORTS into the Colonies from England dunrio  the years 1764, 1765 anid 1766, with
the relative decrease, per centum, daring ttOat period.
1766.             De(. Iroen
COLONIES.     1764.        1765.
F'rm ]England.  F'm. Scotland. 1]764  1765
_ew-,ogliand...  ~459,765 0 11 ~451,299 14 7 ~409,642  7 6   ~9,773 6 1  8.75  7.06
New-York......  515,416 12 1   382,319 11 11  330,829 15 8    2,088 11 5 35.40 12.92
Pennsylvania;.. 1 435,191 14 0   363,868 17 5   327.314 5 3    6 854 7 4 23.21  d.03
Mary'd &'Virg'a  515,192 10 6   383,224 13 0   372,548 16 1   147,180 11 10 Inc.  Inc.
N, C'a. &S. C'a.  305,808 1 6   334,709.12 8   296,732 1 4    11,770 15 0 Inc.  7,08
Georgia........    8,338 2 11   29,165 16 9   67,268 5 5        Inc.  Inc.
From this it will be seen that, while the intercourse with England was
interrupted, some traded, indirectly, with her thlrotgh k8cot.land, andl some
even throug'h Ielacand.  The returns of the latler I have not foundl: those
of England and Scotland convey imnportant infoIr2ation, howex el'v of w lhich
New Yolrk has nio reason to be ashamed, even in the silence, concerning
her mnerits, with vwhich the historians of tile Revolution have passed her.
3 "To THE PUXNTErI.  Thie patriotic Conduct of the Gentlemen in Tr1ade
at New York, from  the beginning of our Troubles, llore especially in thce
late Agreenment to Counterliand any Orders for Sprhin Goods fionll Bitai, l
and not to forward others, but conditioned, that the Stamlp.Act is epealed,
cannot be too much admired.  May the Melechlants iand Traders of the
Massachusetts Bay proceed in the Prosecution of so judicious a plan, mand
thus evince to the World that they are as disinterlested  nid wvise as their
Neighbors-A beginning being made, the Spirit will Ketcl-h fiom Town to
Town and Province to Province, than which notling  cai   cllt ib ute  ol'e
to a speedy Redress of oUri Grievances."  (.om.mn,?ivnmi. tion itn  E0 )E    - & GT-TI,.'s
"'oston G-azette,".Nrov, 25, 1765.




-8
nearly four weeks afterwards, to incite them to second
the effort.
The Merchants  of  the  city  of Philadelphia,
prompted by the example of those in New York,
adopted  the Agreement on the  14th November;
and those of Boston, urged forward by the Liberty
Boys in that town, reluctantly fell into the measure, on
the 9th of December.'
On the sanme evening, (Oct. 31, 1765,) while the
Merchants "trading to Great Britain" were thus "pointing to Independence," at the City Arms Tavern, the
people-tradesmen, mechanics, seamen,. and workingmen —assembled in mass on that true "cradle of American liberty," the Common-now the well known ParkA
— for the purpose of expressing their sympathy with
the common cause.  It was, evidently, a spontaneous
outpouring of the masses of the people; but as their
great leaders were mostly attending the meeting of'
Merchants at Burns', they contented themselves, notnotwithstanding the opposition of the Magistrates, with
marching in procession down the Broadway to -the
gates of the Fort-near which the City Arms Tavern
stood-and thence, through other principal streets of
the city, to their place of meeting, when they quietly
separated and returned to their respective homes. Notwithstanding the demonstration was, undoubtedly, intended to give countenance to the movements of the
Mercha.nts, by passing in front of their place of meeting,
while it was in session, the government was thrown into
considerable consternation, and expected an attack on
1 Holt's "New York Gazette or Weekly Postboy," No. 1194,.Nov.
21, 176 5.
2 Holt's "'iNew York G-a-zette or Weekly Postbov," (Extra,) No. 1195,
Dec. 27, 1765.




89
the Fort-an  idea which, probably, never entered  the
minci  of any who were outside its walls.'
The next day  was the  never-to-be-forgotten first of
Noveramber; and, in New York —which bhad become
"the most refiractory  city on  the continent," "- "the
whole city rose  up   as one man iin  opposition to the
Stamp Act."    The obnoxious papers had been landed
some days before, and lodged  for safety in the Governor's house, within the Folrt;' manuscript Placards had
been posted on the doors of' every  public  office in the
city, and at the corners of the streets;5 incendiary essays filled every newspaper which was printed there;6
and threats of violence, previously circulated, had been
confirmed by  the prepkarations  for the occasioll, which
were every where apparent.7   The seamlen  abalndoned
the shipping, for the day, to  join hands with the peopie, on  shore,  notwithstanding  the Non-Inportation
league, into which  the  latter had  entered, would destroy  the commerce throug'h which the former earnedl
their support.8   The i)eople firom  the country, "flocked
in by thousands," also, like  the children  of Israel toward the temple of Jerusalem, to lay, on  the altar of
the nation, their offerings to the Lord.9  As the day ad1 "That evening a large Company suddenly assemibled and marched to
the Walls of Fort George; and fr'om thence tlllhro' sevcer.l Streets in the
City. Thle Magistrates appeared, -lrnd endeavour'ed to disperse thenl, but in
vain. After a short Time they suddenly disl)elsed of themselves, witlout doing any mlisclhief." IHoLT'S V JYI. Gaze;te,.No. 1192, Nov. 7, 176f5.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
S Holt's 1i Y;. Gazette or J ost.boy, No(. 112, (Nov. 7. 17(i5.
9 Gen. Gage, cited by Mr. Bancroft, (     (isitoy1/ qf tre United Stattes, V.,
p.:355; HTolt's  r  (IY. rettle No. 19!2, Nov. 7, 1765.




90
vanced the authorities began to entertain fears of their
own safety; and Lieut. (-ov. Colden solicited, fiom
Captain Kennedy,   a file of Marines firom  the ((Coventry,
to strengthen the Garrison,' while other ext-raordinary
measures, for the defence of the Fort, were adopted,
under the direction of Major James.
"During the Day," in  the  language  of one of the
chronicles of the timnes,2 "many Letters were sent and
found, and Papers stuck up all over the Town, some of
them  in a good Stile, threatening Destruction to every
Person and his Property, who should apply foi0r, deliver
out, receive, or use a Stamp, or should  delay the Execution of any customary public Business without them."
One of these, which was posted in the Merchants' Coffee House, and, "after remaining  there  good  part of'
the da) was deliver'd at the Fort Gate in the Evehing
by an unknown hand," will show  the character of all
of them, and I submit a copy of' it for the information
of the Society:"To the Honl'e Cadwallader Colden Esqr. I'ieutenantgovernor of the City of New York:
Sir: The People of the City  and  IProvince vof' New
York have  been  informed  that vou bound Yourself
under an Oath to be the Chief Murderer of their Rights
and Privileges, by acting as an Eneumy to Your King
and Country, to Liberty and Mtankind, in  the enforce1                                "FORiT GXEoI  iNFOV. 1Srt,:o,1765.
"Sir-The Maogistrates of this City hlave Ilnforlil'd mAe thiit they are a)pprehensive of a M[fob this night. As we have not 10   s ufficient nnIler of
the Regular Troops to secure thle Fo'rt, & at the sam.le thne to suppress
any Sedition, I nmust beg the favour of your sendling the 3arines on board
his Majesty's Ships to reinfbrlee the Troops in the Fort.
I hnave the honor to be,  CADWALLAI)ERI COL)EN."
(.ol7deni _S.i a  1ia._Yis.. HiFst..Sials'c,i.y'2 iolt's N. Y. dGzette or Postbhoy, No. 1192, Nov. 7, 1765 ientit. Go —.
Colden to Sec'y ConrbAy, Nov. 9),.1.76t5.




91
ment of the Stamp Act, wlich we are unanimously determined shall never take place among us so long as a'Man has life to defend his inju-red Country.  Thus
wicked Men of old conspired ag' Paul an Appostle of'
J. Christ and bound themselves under a curse that they
would neither eat nor drink till they hadcl killed him;
-but God defeated their bloody purposes, as we trust
he'll do Yours, and Saul was delivered.  How  it fared
with his intended assassins history does not certainly
inform us;, but we can with certainty assure you of
your fate, if you do not this Night solemnly make Oath
before a Magistrate &  publish to the People, that
you never will directly nor indirectly by any Act of
yours or any person under Your influence, endeavour
to introduce or execute the Stamp Act, or any part of
it, and that you will to the utmost of Your power prevent its takeing effect here, and endeavour to obtain a
Repeal of it in England.  So help you God.
We have heard of your Design or -Menace, to fire
upon the Town in case of disturbance, but assure yourself that if you dare to perpetrate any such murderous
Act, you'll bring your grey hairs with sorrow  to the
grave, You'll (die a -mtartir to your own villainy, and
be hanged, like Porteis upon a Sign Post, as a mlemento to all wicked Governors, and that every man that
assists you shall surely be put to death.  NEw YoIK."'
The effect of this paper on the Lieutenant-governor's
mind, after its delivery'at the G(ate of the Fort, in the
evening, will be noticed hereafter; and I pass to an
examination of the events of the evening.
I hold in my hand a relic of' that period —aL letter fi'oml a
young mechanic in this city, to a, friend in the country,
1 Enclosed in Lieut. Goc. Colden's despratcll to See'y Con-ray Nov. 9,
1 7'6,u.




92
dated "New York,. November 2, 1765," — which  has
been loaned to me for this purpose, by our friend?, MIr.
Abrahnam  Tomlinson, frolm  which  it appea.rs that the
request which Lieutenant-Goverluor Colden had m-ade to
General Gage, on the 2cl September,1 for reinfobrcements
of -troops from  the ileiglboring posts, had been comlplied with, and a detachment froi-om Turtle B3ay had been
added to t.he Garrison.  The cannon of' the Fort had
been t1urned onl the town, and loa(led with Inusket-bhalls
-two  of the nunmber havijng  been   pllced  near
the gates,  to protect themlet friolt the threa,ttened assault; the canlon which belongedt to the 1Melrchaltlts, and
which, as at the present dayv, gra ced thie entrances -to
their counting-rooms or the decks of' their vessels, had
been spiked by the Lieut. Governor's orders, to prevent
the people from. using theml against the IFort; g'uards
were planted around the Jail, under the supposition
that the fileemen of the city would seelk thle taid of' flons to secure the rights of America; and Malfjor Janmes'
residence also was protected by a gtuard of' fifteen artillerists.2
These imposing preparations, on the part of tlhe
Government, however', did not, inll any way, intimidate
the people; and, at an early. hour in the evening, they
assembled, in great numbers, on the Common:l, or, as
we would say at the present daly, "in the Park."  It
was a lovely night, althoungh  it was very (darll;  and
lnot a breath of wind disturbed' the  torlches.or the
candles with  whiclhl the Colinlon was    n ill.umiated.
The assemblage, unlike that which. hald  met at the
samne place, on th'e preceding, evening, was now accom1 Liemt. Lie -t.. (Coldell  to G-cil -ne. Ga ep. S ).2, 17(i5.
2 Holt's N. Y. Gazette or Weekly i'ostboy,. No.: N 1122, Noo. 7, 176i5'
M Iluscript Jettel.frolm;'e;,i  1orZ:, rAoi,-. 2, 17;i5."'




93
palied by the  popular leaders; and the  most active
preparations were made, under their directions, to secure for the meeting that attention  which the  importance of the occasion  demanded.  In  this object, the
most complete success attended their efforts; and from
that time to the present this meeting —considered  in
itself as well as in its results —has never failed to arrest
the attention of' the student of American history.
One of' the faithftul chr:onicles of' the times,' conltemporary with the event, thus describes the meeting; and
nothing which- I cart say iwill add to th.e interest it will
excite:
"About 7 o'Clock in the Evening two Companies appeared, one of them  in  the Fields, when  a, moveable
Gallows was erected, on which was suspended  the Effigy of a Man who had  been honoured by his Country
with an  elevated Station, but  whose  public Conduct
(supposed to  aim  at  the  Introduction  of arbitrary
Power, and especially in his officiously endeavottring to
enforce the Stamp Act, universally  held  by his Majesty's faithful and loyal Subjects in Amierica, to  be unconstitutional and  oppressive,) has unhappily  drawnl
upon himself the general Resentment of his Country.2
The Figure was made much to resemble the Person it
was intended to represent.  In his Handc was a stamped Paper, which he seem'd to court the People  to  re1 HIolt's N.Y. Gazette or Weekly Postboy,' No. 1192, Nov. 7, 1.765.
For other accounts of this affhir, see Lieut;. Gov. Colden's despatch to Sec'y
Conway, Tov.5, No  1765); thle snlne to the Lords of Trade, Dec. 6, 1765;
Edes & Gill's IBostonI Gazette, Nov. 11, 17T6; The Boston Postboy and
Advertiser, Nov. 11, 1765; Dunlap's I-story of New York, I., p. 419;
Bmncroft's History of the'United States, V., pp. 35,5-6; Grahallm's History
of' America., (London Edit.,) IV., pp. 223-4; Ramsasny's American Revolution, I., pp. 65-6; Booth's History of New York, pp. 418-420.
2 "The Governor in his grey hairs."  Lieut. Gov. Colcden to,See'y ConWoay, Nov. 5, 1765.




94
ceive;... at his Back hung  a Drumn;  on  his Breast
aLabel, supposed to  allude  tI;o  some  former  Circumstances of his Life.2   By his Side hung, with a Boot in
his Hand,3 the grand Deceiver of Mankind, seeming to
urge  him  to Perseverance  in  the  Cause  of Slavery.4
While the Multitude gathered round these Figures, the
other Party with another Figure representing the same
Person,  seated  in  a Chair, and.carried  by Men, preceded and attended by a  great Number of Lights, paraded through most of the  public Streets  in the City,
increasing as they went, but without doing  the  least
Injury to any House or Person.5   They  proceeded  in
this Order to the Coach-House at the Fort, from  whence
they took the Lieutenant-governor's Coach, and fixing
the Effigy upon the Top of it they proceeded6 with
great Rapidity towards the Fields.7
About the same Time the other. Party was preparing
to move to the Fort, with the Gallows as it stood erect
1 Referring to the supposition that he had been a drumner in the Pretender's army, in Scotland, many years before.
2'"The Rebel Drummer in the year 1745."
3 In allusion to the Earl of Bute, to whose instigations the Act was said
to have owed its enactment.
4 "One representg their old grey-haired Governor, the other the Devil
whispering him in the ear." Lieut. Gov. Colden'sAccount o thie State qf the
P rosince of NAXew York. New York, Dec. 6, 1765.
5 The MS. letter referred to, states that this procession moved "down
the Fly, buzzaing at every corner," until it came opposite to the residence
of the late Stamp-master McEvers-the site of which is now' occupied by
No. 50 Wall-street-when it saluted that gentleman with three cheers;
that from thence it proceeded to the Fort. "That the Gcvernor might see
his Effigy, if he dare show his face"; and that it saluted the garrison with
sneers and huzzas.
6 This name was frequently applied to "The Common," or what is now
known as " The Pcar7k."
7 The MS. letter states that the procession, while returning, moved
through the principal streets of the city; and that,'when near the CoffeetHouse, "the Merchants were Exceedingly Pleas'd."




95
on its FItme, and Lanthorns fix'd on various Parts of
it.  Whelt the two parties met, and every Thing was
in order, a general Silence ensued, Proclamation  was
made that no Stones should be thrown, no Windows
broken, and no inljry offered to any one,... and all
this was punctually observed.  The whole Multitude
then returned to the Fort,' and though they Knew the
Guns were charged, and saw the Ramparts lined with
Soldiers, they intrepidly  marched  with, the Gallows,
Coach, &c. up to the very Gate, where they knocked
and  demanded Adc7mittance,2 and if they had not been
restrained by some humane Persons, who had Influence
over ther, would doubtless have taken the Fort, as I
hear there were  4 or 500 Seamen, and many others
equally intrepid, and acquainted with military Affairs.
But as it seems no such Extremities were intended, after they hdcl shown many Insults to  the Effigy, they
retired from the Fort Gate to the Bowling Green, the
Pallisacles of'vhich they instantly tore away, mnarched
with the Gallows, &c. into the Middle of the Green,
(still uuder the AM-uzzles of the Fort Guns,") where with
the Pallisades and Planks of the Fort Fence, and *a
Chaise and two Sleys, taken from the Governor's Coach
House, they soon reared a large Pile, to which setting
Fire, it soon kindled to a great Flame, and reduced the
Coach, Gallows, Alan, Devil, and all to Ashes.3
it is probable the Conductors of this Expedition intended the whole Affair should have ended here; but
while many of them were attending the Fire,' a large
1 i'r hztundred candles are said to have been used to light the procession.
2 The MIS. letter says the crowd shouted defiance to the Governor and
to the troops in the garrison, bidding them "Tell the Rebel Drummer -or
Major James to give orders to fire.'
3l The Lienutenanlt-governor's 10ss, aneunting to 2195 gs. Od., was.
never restorocl by the Government.




96
Detachmeut of' Volunteers making  their Passage thro'
the other Side of the Palisades, went on another Expeclition,' and repailed to the House (lately known by
the Name of Vaux-Hall,2) and now in the Occupation
of Major James, of the Royal Regiment of Artillery...  This Gentleman was one of those who  had unfortunately incurred the Resentment of the Public by
Expressions imputed  to him.3  It is said he had taken
a Lease of the House for three years, and had obliged
himself to return it in the like good Order as he received it; it had been lately fitted up  in an  elegant
Manner, and had adjoining  a large handsome Garden
stored with Necessaries and Curiosities, and had in it
several Summer Houses; The House was genteely furnished with good Furniture; contained a valuable Library of choice Books, Papers, Accounts, Mathematical
Instruments. Draughts, rich Clothes, Linen, &c. and  a
considerable Quantity of Wine and other Liquors.
The Multitude bursting open the Doors,4 proceeded to
destroy every individual Article the House contain'd,... the  Beds they  cut open  and  threw  Feathers
abiroad, broke all the Glasses: China, Tables, Chairs,
Desks, Trunks, Chests, and making a large Fire at a little
Distance, threw  in  every Thing  that would  burn —
Drank or destroy'd all the Liquor... and left not the
least Article in the House which they did not entirely
1 The MS. letter says that before they left the Bowling Green they called
to the garrison, telling it they were goingto Major James' house, "to knock
it down, & if he was a 1man he should )go and defend it."
2 It was sometimies called PRaqcleigh, and stood near the bank of the
river, surrounded by tastefully arrayed grounds, on the block formed by
Warren, Chamlbers ailnd Greenwich streets, Ald West Broadway.
3'Vide page -.
4 The MS. letter says that a detachment of artillery guarded the property; but the soldiers were driven through the back door, by the mob, arnd
escaped without injury.




97
destroy- after which they also beat to Pieces all the
Doors, Sashes, Window Frames and Partitions in the
House, leaving it a mere Shell; also destroyed the
Summer Houses, and tore up and spoiled the Garden.
All this Destruction was completed by about 2 o'clock'.
The imagined Cause of Resentment, operated so powerfully, that every Act of Devastation on the Goods of
this unhappy Gentleman was consider'd as a Sacrifice
to Liberty. Many Military Trophies, even the Colours
of the Royal Regiment, were taken out and carried
off triumphantly.
The Spirit of the People, not only of this City and
Colony, but of the Neighbouring Colonies, knowing
how much depended upon our Behaviour, was highly
raised; and great Numbers came from the Country,
and Parts adjacent, to attend the important Crisis:
Some returned Home satisfied with our Firmness, and
determin'd to maintain their Freedom in their respective Places of Residence, and assist us, if their Assistance should be necessary. But many who came from
distant Parts, chose to stay till our Affairs were settled
into something of Calmness and Security-We had Notice from all the Country round, that upon the least
Requisition, they would come by Thousands to our
Assistance; every one was anxious to be secured against
the Imposition of the Stamp-Duties."
There is nothing in these riotous proceedings which
is calculated to arrest either our admiration or our sympathy; yet it cannot be denied that they clearly indicate the determination of the people, in their opposition to the government; and their willingness to resort,
1 As a partial compensation for this loss, Major James received four
hundred guineas in England; and, in December, 1766, the Assembly of
N'ew York voted him a gratuity of ~1745, 15s. 2dl., as a further compensation.
7




if need be, to the most violent measures, in defence of
their political rights, and in resenting any insult which
might be offered to their persons or characters.
It was this evidence of the popular will which added
weight to the "letters and Messages" which, on the
day following the riot, were sent in to the Lieutenantgovernor, "threatning his Life, if he did not deliver up
stamped papers";' and when, on that day, (November
2, 1765,) "the People grew furious, and the Magistrates were alarm'd";2 when these  same Magistrates,
afterwards, "waited on the Governor, as did many
other principal Gentlemen," to remonstrate and urge
the Government to suspend the execution of the Act3;
and, especially, in the evening, when the masses of the
people began, a second time, to assemble in "the
Fields," with the avowed intention of attacking the
Fort, and seizing the obnoxious papers,4 the zealous
Chief Magistrate was constrained to submit; and, for
that purpose, with the unanimous advice of the Council,5 "he delivered and publish'd in writing by the Secretary, that he would not distribute nor meddle with
the Stamps, but reserve them till the arrival of Sir
Henry Moore, and deliver them to him. This did
not satisfy the People-They  fear'd some Deception,
and were hardly restrained by the Magistrates" 6; yet
they appear to have dispersed without resorting to any
serious measures.
1 Lient. Gov. Colden to the Lords of Trade, 6th Dec., 1765.
2 Holt's N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Postboy, No. 1192, Nov. 7, 1765.
3 Ibid.
4 MS. letter from "V. Yorkc, Noveber 2, 1765."
5 Lient. Gov. Colden to Lords of Trade, Dec. 6, 1765; The same to
Sec'y Conway, Feb. 21, and March 28, 1766.
6 HIolt's N. Y. Gazette, No. 1192, Nov. 7, 1765. See also Bancroft's
History of the United States, V., pp. 356-7; Eddis' & Gill's Boston Gazette, Nov. 11, 1765; Boston PostBoy & Advertiser, Nov. 11, 1765.




99
The next day was the Lord's Day, and, although no
public  movements were  made, it is probable that it
served to increase the intensity of the suspicions that
the Colonial Government would still attempt to enforce
the circulation of the Stamps.  Being unemployed in
their several daily occupations, the popular leaders and
the populace were enabled to compare their opinions,
and, thereby, to strengthen their jealousy; and so apparent was the discontent which pervaded the city,
and so thoroughly impressed was the Lieutenant-governor with the necessity for prompt and efficient action, that early the next day (ionday, November 4) he
invited the attendance, at the Fort, of the Mayor of the
city, and of some of the most respectable citizens, when
he renewed his promise that "he would not issue, nor
suffer to be issued, any of the Stamps in Fort George."
After embodying this declaration in a certificate, over
the attesting signatures of Robert R. Livingston, Beverly Robinson, John Stevens, and  the Mayor, (John
Cruger,) it was published, under the original declaration which had been published on Saturday  evening,
in hand-bills, and circulated throughout the city.1
But, in the language of the chronicles of the times,
"still the Populace were dissatisfied, and declared  the
Stamps should either be delivered out of the Fort, or
they would take them away by Force, which would
I From one of these placards, in the Library of the N. Y. Hist. Society,
I have made the following copy, in order to show the progress of these
concessions, and to correct some errors into which more recent writers
have fallen:'"TiE LIEUTENANT GovERNoE declares he will do nothing in Relation
to the STAMPS, but leave it to Sir HENRY MOORE, to do as he pleases, on
his Arrival. Council Chamber, New York, Nov. 2, 1765.
By Order of his Honour,
G. W. BANYER, D. C1. Con.
The Governor acquainted Judge Livingston, the Mayor, Mr. Bever71ly
Robinson, and Mr. John Stevens, this Morning, being Monday the 4th of




100
have been attendl ed probably with much Bloodshed"'.
It appears that a proposition was made at this time,
by the popular leaders, that the Stamps shoul-l be reimoved to the  Covenbty sloop of war, in order that they
might  not suddenly  be pushed  into  circulation;2 and
that the Council unanimously  united  in  the  request3.
The  Lieutenant-governor,  however,  did   not concur,
notwithstanding he wrote to the Captain;4 but the latter, while he did not absolutely refuse to receive them5,
gave reasons why he thought it unnecessary,  and  the
proposition  fell to the ground.
While these proceedings  occupied  the  attention of
the  authorities and the merchants, neither the dissatisfaction of the people or their determination to employ
November, that he would not issue, 1nor sufflel to be issued, any of the
STAILIPS no-w in Fort Geoorge.
]Robert R. Livingston,
John  Cruger,
Beverly Robinson,
John Stevens.
The Freemen, Freeholders, anlld Inllhabitants of this City, being satisfied
that the STAMPS are not to be issued, are determined to keep the Peace
of the City, at all Events, except they should have other Cause of Conpliaint.'"
1 H-olt's N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Postboy, No. 1192, Nov. 7, 1765.
2 Lieut. Gov. Colden to Lords ot Trade, Dec. 6, 1765.
8 Licnt. Gov. GColden to Sec'y Conway, March 28, 1766.
4 "This I did not oppose."  (Lieut. Goy. Colden to Lords of Tr'ade
)ec. 6, 1765.)  "I did not at any time join in desiring him to take theim"i
(Lient. Govy. Colden to,ec'y Coniway, MarchL 28, 1766.)
5' "Capt. Kennedy in his answer dicd not absolutely refuse to take, the
Stcaln]s on bhOC'rd, but gave reasons," &c,' (Lieut. Coy. Colden to Sec'y
Conjwadcy, iarclh 28, 1766.)  It is proper to remark, however, that Gov.
C olden, in his despatch to the Lords of Trade, Dec. 6, 1765, had said,
CLasptun Kennedy absohltely rteftised to receive them, and with good rea-:lonis,"  &c.; while no reason is shown for this instance of theinconsistency of
-tlhe venerable Lieutenanlt-governor-by no means an isolated case-beyond
lnis wonted desire to throw upon others the blame which properly belonged
to h]imself.




101
forcible means to obtain  the Stamped Paper,  were, in
the least, concealed; and, with the utmost coolness, onl
Sunday and Monday, placards were posted around the
city, inviting  a meeting, in  the  Fields,  on  Tuesdayc
evening, (NVov. 5, 1765,) and  requesting  the  citizens
to  appear,  armed,  for  the  purpose  of storming  the
Fort. 1
This public  defiance  of the  power  of the Government, by  the popular leaders-for all these movements
were guided by the Committee of the Sons of Liberty,
who had been appointed  at the  City  Arm's Taverin -
and the certainty that, at the appointed time, the relative strength of the garrison and the  people would be
tested,3  at length compelled  the obstinate Chief Magistrate to listen  to  the  appeals  of the  Merchants, who
waited  on  him,4  or  to  the  advice  of his  Council,5
1 "They appointed Tuesday Evening for that Purpose, posting up, on
Sunday and Monday, Advertisements in different Parts of the City, inviting all Friends of Liberty to join them, as they were determined to
storm the Fort."  (Boston, Post Boy and Aclvertiselr, Nov. 11, 1765.)  See
also Edes & Gill's Boston Gazette, Nov. 11, 1765; Grahame's United States,
(London Ed.,) IV., p. 224; Reminiscenses of the Park and its Vicinity, (Neo
York, 1855,) pp. 11, 12; Lieut. Gov. Colden to the Marquis of Granby, Nov.
5, 1765; The same to Gen. Gage, Nov. 5, 1765; The same to Sec'y Conway, Nov. 5 and 9, 1765; The same to the Lords of Trade, Dec. 6, 1765.
2  Leake's Life of Lamb, p. 16.
3 "I expect the Fort will be Storln'd this Night-every thing is done in
my power to give them a warmn reception.  I hope not to dishonor the
Commission I have the honor to bear & that I nmay'merit some share of
your Lordship's Regard."  (Lieut. Gov. Colden to Jicfrquevis of Granby,
N7ov. 5, 1765.  Colden papers.)
4 "On Tuesday the 5th Instant I received a t Deputation froml the Mel'
chants in this City, by a considerable- number of them.  (Lient. Gov. Colden to Sec'y ConUway, "'Net York, 9th Nov., 1765.")
5 "At length I consented to deliver up the stamped papers to the ~Mayor
and Corporation of the City, as ap2ear's by the Minttes of the Counzcil."
(Lieut. Gov. (olden to Lolds of Trqade, 2Dec. 6, 1765)  See also next note.,




102
and of General Gage,l and he accepted a proposal
which he had received from the Corporation of the
city of New York,2 for the delivery, into the custody of
1  -" in Consequence of the unanimous Advice of his Majesty's Council; and  the concurrence of the Commander in Chief of the King's
Forces,"         * * *    *  "I now  deliver to you," &c. (Lieut. Gov.
Colden to thie Coiworation of Vewo York, 2Nov. 5, 1765.)   Vide Note 2.
"'I would not be satisfied on so extraordinary an occasion with adopting
the advice and opinion of Gen. Gage, which concurring with that of the
Council, I could not stand single, and last Evening I deliver'd the Packages," &c. (Lieut. Gov. Colden to lMajor Thos. James, Fort George,
Vov. 6, 1765.   Colden Papers, IV. Y. Hist. Society's Library.)
2 The follokwing extracts from the Minutes of the Common Council of
the City of New York, furnished by my esteemed friend, D. T. Valentine,
Esq., the Clerk of that body, will show exactly what this proposal was;
how it was received by Lieutenant-governor Colden; and what was done,
subsequently, in the premises:
CI T'Y OF NEW-YORK —ss:
At a Commlllon Council held at the City hall of said
City on Tuesday the Fifth day of Novelmber anno: Dom: 1765,Present Johll Cruger Esqr Mayor.
Simon Johnson Esqr Recorder
Francis Filkin 
Nicholas Roosevelt
George Brewerton          Esqrs Aldermen
Corneilus Roosevelt
Delick Brinckerhoof    J
Abraham Lott
Peter Binauck
Michael Thodey         i  Assistants
Anthony Rutgers        I
Andrew Gotier          J
This Bond taking into serious Consideration the Intimation that his
honour the Lieutenant Governor was willing to Deliver the stamped paper
now in Fort George to Captain Kennedy or any other of the Commanders
of the King's Ships in the harbour and that Captain Kennedy in answer
to this Earnest Request Signified to him Last night. Informs that lihe
Cannot and will not Receive the Stamped paper. It is Therefore Resolved
that it appears to this Board Absolutely Requisite to Remove the present
Dissatisfaction and save the City from the most Distressing Confusion;
That a Committee Immediately wait upon his honour and in the most Respectfull manner acquaint him of the present dangerous State of Things
and Request that for the peace of the City and the preventing of an Effusion of Blood, he would please to Direct that the Stamped Paper, Be de



103
that body, of the Stamps which were still within the Fort.
Accordingly, notwithstanding "the delivering the
Stamp'd Papers on the threats of a Mob, who might
livered into the Care of the Corporation, to be deposited in the City hall
and Guarded by the City watch; and this Board Do Further Resolve and
Engage to make Good all such sums of money as might Be raised By the
distribution of such of the said Stamps as Shall Be Lost destroyed or
Carried out of the province, and the said Committee having waited on his
said honour with the above Resolve-Reported that his honour Accepted
of the same and Returned for answer in the following words,
FOnT GEOnRGE November the 5th 1765
Mr Mayor & Gentlemen of the Corporation,
In Consequence of Your Earnest Request and Engaging to
make Good all such sum and sums of money as might Be Raised By the
distribution of such of the Stamps Sent over for the use of this province
as shall Be Lost Destroyed or Carried out of the province and in Consequence of the unanimous advice of his Majesty's Council & the Conlcurrence of the Commander in Chief of the King's Forces and to Prevent the
Efusion of Blood and the Calamities of a Civil War, which might Ensue
By my with-holding them from You I Now Deliver to You the Packages
of Stamped Paper and Parchment that were deposited in my hands in
this his Majesty's Fort and I Doubt not You will Take the Charge and
Care of Them Conformable to your Engagement to me
I am, with Great Regard
Gentlemen your most Obedient humi Servt
CADWALLADER COLDEN
At Which Time his honour Requested that the mayor would give him a
Receipt in the Words Following (Which The mayor Executed accordingly
in Behalf of this Corporation) Viz:
Received of the Honorable Cadwallader Colden Esqr,, his Majesty's
Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the province of NewYork Seven Packages Containing Stamped paper and parchment, all
marked No. 1 I: M: E Newyork Which I Promise in Behalf of the
Corporation of the City of Newyork to take Charge and Care of, and to
be accountable in Case they Shall Be destroy'd or Carry'd out of the
province as Particularly set Forth in the Minutes of the Common Council,
of the said Corporation of this day
Witness my hand in the City of Newyork this first day of November
One Thousand seven hundred and sixty-five
Witness                               JOHN CRUGER mayor.
L. F Cary Major to the 60th
James Farquhar.
Dec. 6th, 1859.
I hereby certify the preceding to be true extracts from the original
minutes on file in my office.       D. T. VALENTINE, Clk. C. C.




104
still make farther Demands, greatly affected the dignity
of his Majesty's Government; and might have a tendency
to encourage perpetual mobish proceedings hereafter;'"~
and filled the anxious mind  of the  venerable  Lieutenant-governor  with  the greatest alarm,2  "the Governor
inform'd the Mayor and Aldermen, that if they would
attend at the Fort Gate the Paper should be delivered
them; they accordingly, soon after, accompanied with
a Prodigious Concourse of People of all Ranks, attended at the Gate of the Fort, when the Governor ordered
the Paper to be given up  to  them:3 and upon the Reception of it, gave three Cheers, carried  it to the City
1-Iall and  dispersed,4  after  which  tranquility was restored to the City."5
i Lieut. Gov. Colden to Gen. Gage, "Fort George, Nov. 5, 1765."
2 "I introducecl this matter (the delivery of the Stamqns to the Corpolration,) to the Council, by observing to them that if the power of the Corporationl alone was sufficient to preserve the Stamps, it llust be much more
effectual when added to the strength of this Garrison. That yielding to tie
Demands of the populace would draw the Government into still greater
Contempt, & encourage them in repeated Demands."  (Lieut. Gov. Colden
to 3lajor J/ames, Fort George, lVov. 6, 1765.  Colden Palpers.)
3 Vide Note 2, Page 102.  See also the several authorities referred to
in Note 5, Page 101.
4 Lieut. Gov. Colden (Letter to Sec'y Co ncay, 9th Nov., 1765,) gravely
intimates, in the following words, who were the originators of these proceedings; and he furnishes a very important guide to the historical student,
in his inquiry concerning the leaders of the American Revolution and the
motives which actuated them.  "It evidently appears nolo,'" le says, "who
were the Conductors of the Mob by its immediately ceasing in every appearance as soon as the Packages were delivered to the Mayor and Corporation."  I leave the subject, for the present, for the consideration of
m'ny readers.
5 "After which the Mob entirely dispersed, aill' tile City remainel  in.perfect tranquility, till I delivered up the Administration to Sir Henry
Moore."  (Lieut. CGo. Colden to Lords oqf Trade, Dec. 6, 1765.)  See
a uthorities referred to in Note 1, Page 102.




105
It was during this stormy period that the former
leaders of the people were, to some extent, superseded
by other, but not less active or determined men.
While John Morin Scott, and William  Smith, Jr., Iand
William Livingston, continued to be recognized as the
great moving spirits of the people, in their theoretical
opposition to the Government and its policy, the
younger "Sons of Liberty-Alexander McDougal, Isaac
Sears, John Lamb, Marinus Willett, Gershom  Mott,
and their associates-led in the p)racticacl opposition to
the Ministry and its measures, and "dared to lead
where any dared to follow."  The latter may be said
to have led in the field, while the former led in council; and both, united, like "the sword of Jehovah and
of Gideon," were effectual whenever they were directed
against the Midianites who oppressed the people.
It may not be improper to inquire, in this place, to
what extent the people of New York had opposed the
measures of the Government; and let it not be supposed, Mr. President, that from the beginning, the entire
population had moved and acted as with the mind of'
one man, throughout all the phases of the opposition.
Such was not the' case. As I have before remarked,
the constant agitation of great political questions, for
nearly a century, had familiarized the subject to every
New Yorker; and fromn his birth he had lived and associated, constantly, with a race of hereditary politicians.  At the same time the freedom  of the press,
which the trial and acquittal of Zenger had secured,
had not only carried intelligence to every man's door,
and informed him of the current events of the day;
but the arguments of all parties, pIro and con., on every
question of public interest, had been canvassed in the
columns of the newspaper press, in broadsides, and in
pamphlets, with the most elaborate minuteness and the




106
greatest ability. Every New Yorker, therefore, was,
necessarily, a theoretical politician, and thoroughly acquainted with the fundamental principles of government, and their applicability to the measures of the
Ministry, as well as to those of the Provincial authorities; while, practically, in fact as well as under the
common law of England,' he was one of a conquered
people, whose every privilege was a monument of the
King's grace, even when it had been wrung from the
government by a course of the most determined opposition. Well informed on all questions concerning the
affairs of the Province and the Nation, but few of the
inhabitants of New York had any share in the management of the former, and none in that of the latter:
maintaining a vigilant watchfulness over the Provincial
authorities as well as over those in the "Mother Country," none could legitimately exercise the least control
over either: subjects of the King, and legally and practically liable to all the duties of Englishmen, all were
denied the rights and privileges which Englishmen
everywhere else enjoyed: without possessing the privilege of regulating even the local affairs of their own immediate neighborhood, by means of that stronghold of
New England's independence, a legal "town meeting,"
all were, nevertheless, subject to a rigorous code, in
the most minute details of which the aggrandizement
of the government, rather than the convenience or
advantage of the people, was the prevailing spirit.
Peculiarly cosmopolitan in character; eminently a people devoted to business; no other colony witnessed so
little concert of action, on all ordinary occasions, among
themasses of the people; in none was the accountability of the individual less frequently shifted to the
1 In the case of Calvin, already referred to, this subject has been fully
set forth.




107
body politic; and, in none, therefore, were the "agreements" considered so obligatory on the individual, or
fulfilled with such stern integrity, as in New York.
Chafing under these political disabilities, and contrasting their own with the more extended privileges
enjoyed by the neighboring Colonists, on either hand,
the people of New York were ever ready to sympathize and join hands, as far as they could do so, with
any person or party who professed, for the time being,
to contend for the true principles of government; and,
not unfrequently, as is often the case in our own times,
they were used only for the accomplishment of selfish
purposes or individual aggrandizement.:When a series of threadbare and needy Court
favorites  had %been vested  with  the powers of
government, in the Colony, and had sought to
control the revenues  and  the appropriations, in
order that their  families might be  enriched at
the expense of the  Colonies, the great landed  interests took the alarm, and resisted the aggression.
In this movement, which did not directly concern the
great body of the people, not only the Freeholders,
and the Freemen, but the masses of the people, were
appealed to by the Van Rensselaers and the Livingstons, the Van Cortlandts and the Phillipses; and the
provisions of Magna Charta, and the great fundamental
principles of government, were brought forward and
enforced, as evidences of the rights of the people, as
Englishmen and as members of the body politic,the Manorial Landholders, by these means, finally, triumphing over the assumptions of the government, and,
as quickly, forgetting the rights of the great body of
the people.
When a learned  and venerable Lieutenant-governor, by his zealous defence of the abstract rights




108
of the King, endeavored to secure the favor and
the patronage of the Ministry; and, to this end, attempted to control the Judiciary of the Province, by
entertaining Appeals from  its Judgments, and by
changing the tenure of its authority, THE BENCH AND
THE BAn, following the example of the Landholders,
appealed to the people for countenance and support,
in resisting this aggression of the government against
their privileges and prerogatives.  Again, the relative
rights of the government and the governed were discussed with all the pedantic learning of thle times; and
from the pens of the Smiths and the Scotts, the Livingstons and the Horsmandens, of the day, the Colony
was flooded with appeals and with arguments, enforcing the independence of the Judiciary, and deprecating the attempt which had been made to subject it
to the control of the government.
When the Home Government, struggling  under
the weight of its burdens, in  its  anxiety  for
relief, sought to check the illicit trade on which
the Hancocks and  the Jaunceys  had  been accumulating wealth and influence, or to  establish a
Stamp Act which, in its operations, would chiefly
affect the Mercantile community, the MERCHANTS, also,
according to custom, turned to the masses of the peojple, and, like the Landholders, and the Lawyers who
hald preceded them, solicited their co-operation and
Iassistance in resisting the innovation.
In this delicate undertaking, however, with singular and fatal forgetfulness, the Merchants, and
many of those who sympathized with them, never
considered either the intelligence of the Colonists
or their status in the government of the Colony.
Arousing the sympathy of the people, in every
conceivable manner, and  urging  them  to action




109
under the  banner of  " to taxation  without r'epresentation," they forgot that not one-third of the
people were freeholders or possessed the right of suffrage, even for representatives in the General Assembly; that "Taxation without Representation," therefore, was an abuse which required correction beyond
the limit desired by the few "merchants who traded
with Great Britain," and the occasion which the Stamp
Act had produced; and that an element such as this,
while it operated for the correction of the abuse of
which the merchants complained, mnight, without the
consent of the latter, extend the sphere of its operations, and break down the constitutional landmarks
which, from time immemorial, had separated the few
from the many by whom  they had been surrounded.
Under these circumstances, what wonder need there
be, that the manorial tenantry "flocked in, by thousands, from the country,' or that the seamen, from the
shipping in the harbor, and the mechanics from  the
workshops in the city, arose, "as one man,"2 and declared that Stamped Paper should not pollute the soil
of the Colony-that there  should be "NTh  taxation
without representation."  And, since their' ow)n mercantile profits, rather than a desire to meliorate the
mnasses of the people, had influenced their action, well
might the De Lanceys and the Waltons, the Wattses
and the Alsops, hesitate to approve the appointment
of "a Committee of Correspondence"-the object of
which was to consolidate the divided masses of the
1 Gem. Gage, cited by Mr. Bancroft, (Hi.gst. Uzited rStates, First; Ed..,
V., p. 355.)
2 Ibido




110
people, and to secure harmonious action among them1
-and well might they wait upon the Lieutenant-governor, "imploring his  compassion," when an armed
populace threatened to storm the Fort,2 since they no
longer possessed the means of controlling the power
which they had called into existence, or of limiting the
application, to themselves, of those principles  which
for their own purposes only, they had inscribed on
the banners of the people.
From that time forth, Mr. President, "The Sons of
Liberty in New York" had a twofold enemy to oppose-the Government and  its officers, on the one
hand; and, on the other, that portion of the people of
2New York, whose timidity, or personal interests, or
supposed duty to the Crown, induced them to act as
Conservatives; and, indirectly, to render the most important services to the enemies of their country.
The first of these-the Government and its officers
— was at all times and under all circumstances, legitimately, unequivocally, and entirely, an enemy to the
political amelioration of the  people;  and  from  it
"The Sons of Liberty" neither received, nor expected to receive, the least sympathy or respect.
The second, on the contrary, professed to sympathize, to some extent, with the people; and, many of
those composing it thrust themselves in, wherever ain
opportunity offered, to  divide the popular sentiment,
and, while divided, to conquer it.  Professing to be
enemies of the Government, they were, in fact, among
1 "A committee of' intercolonial correspondence was raised, and while
James -De Lancey and others hesitated, the unflinching Isaac Sears, with
Lamb, Mott, Wiley, and Robinson, assumed the post of danger. (Bancroft's History of United States, First Ed,, V., p. 352.)
2'Liet. Gov. CGolden to Sec'y CwGnway, 9 November, 1765.




111
its warmest and best friends; and, by their political
duplicity, not unfrequently, they were successful in
making inroads upon the ranks and the sentiments
of the people, while the more honest and manly of
their party would have been driven back in contumely
and disgrace. It was thus, clandestinely, that James
Jauncey, Whitehead Hicks, James De Lancey, and
their associates, overturned the purposes of "the Cornmittees of Correspondence" and  of the people, at the
great meeting at the City Arms Tavern, on the twentysixth of November, 1765'; it was thus, by bad faith,
Isaac Low, and Miles Sherbrook, and William  Bayard,
and their associates in the Committee of Fifty One;
and  Isaac Low  and  John  Jay,  and   Abraham  Walton, and  their associates,  in the  Committee  of One
Hundred,  at  a  later  date,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter, divided and distracted the people, and gave
comfort and assistance to the Government.
[That portion of the paper which relates to the subsequent movements of
"The Sons of Liberty," in watching the vessels which arrived from Europe;
in taking possession of the stamps which.they brought over; in the organization of the great meeting at Burns' City Arms Tavern on the 26th November, 1765, and in resenting the duplicity of many of those who had
acted with them at the former meeting, at the same place; in their demand
on the Assembly to deduct from the salary of Lieut. Gov. Colden the expense of drilling out the spikes which had been driven into the cannon by
his orders; on their action on the first appearance of a stamped paper in
New York; on the repeal of the Stamp Act; on the King's Birth-day,
June 4, 1776; on the erection and destruction of the first. second, third,
and fourth Liberty-poles in the city of New York; at the meeting in the
Fields on the 17th of December, 1769; on the action by the Assembly for
1 The entire proceedings, at this meeting, (as well as the conduct of
i"the emissaries of those who, not being consulted, endeavored to lrevent
it,") afford an amusing comment on the pretensions of many of the older
families of this city and its vicinity; and they furnish a fruitful field for
the laborious investigations of the student of our earlier Revoluiionary
History.




112
the discovery of the author of the handbill calling the people together on
that occasion; on the arrest, by order of the House, of General Lamb,
(who addressed the meeting,) of James Parker, (who printed the placard,)
and of Alexander McDougal, (its supposed author); and on the "Infraction
of the Non-importation agreement" by Simon Cameron, in July, 1769; and
to other, minor, topics incidental thereto,-for want of time were omitted,
when the paper was read before the Society. After referring to the illfeeling which had arisen between the Colonial Government and its auxiliaries, on the one side, and the people on the other, and to the repeated
attempts of the soldiery to cut down the Liberty-pole which had graced
"the Comnmon" for several years, the speaker remarked that: —]
On the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th of January, 1770,
the soldiers repeated their attempts to destroy the Liberty-pole.   The  last of these was successful; and  the
rancor of the assailants was so far carried out, that they
were not satisfied until they  had  sawed  the  pole into
pieces, and piled  it  up  in  front  of Montanye's-the
head-quarters of the "Sons of Liberty."'
It appears that the Sons of Liberty had raised objeetions to the employment of the soldiers by the inhabitants, as destructive of the interests of the laboring
classes; and there  is but little doubt that this was intended as a retaliatory measure.   To take all the matters into consideration, a meeting was called; and on
the 17th of January, upward  of three thousand assembled at the stump of the Liberty-pole;  at which measures were adopted to erect another pole, to compel the
soldiers to remain within their barracks  after roll-call,
and to prevent the employment of them by the inhabitants.2   On the  following day, (January  18,  1770,)
I-Iolt's N. Y. Journal, No. 1411, Jan. 18, 1770; Leake's Life of
Lamb, pp. 54, 55; Dunlap's Hist. of NewYork, I., p. 436; Gordon's Amll-i
Revolutionl I., p. 300.
2 IIolt's N. Y. Journal, No. 1412, Jan. 25, 1770; Leake's Life of Lamb,
po 55; Dunlap's Hlist. of New York, I., pp. 436-7; Hamilton's Hamilton,
I., p. 19; Bancroft's U1nited States, 6, pp. 331-2.




113
scurrilous  handbills  signeid   "S I XTEE rTH  Rl.EG EINTE T
were posted throughout the city, casting  reflections  on
the  Sons of Liberty,  and'putting  at defiance the authority- of the citizens, as well as their wxishes, expressed
in the resolutions passed on the pleceding day-.   Three
soldiers, who were engaged  in  postimno these plactards,
Aere  seized  by Isaac  Sears, Walter  Quatckenbos, (mid
some other   enmbers of the Sons of Liberty; and, after
a sharp contest, they were  conveyed  to  the Mia!or' s
office.   An attempt having  been  made  to  rescue  the
prisoners,  Captain   Sears ktept thenm  at bay, until a  reinforcement of twelity men  froml  the  lower   barracks
1 The following copy of this placa.n ld, taken firoml an original, inl the Librarv of the New York HIistorical Society, -\\ill interest the rea(lder:'God and.1(  Sohlier, all Men dothl a ldore.
In Time of Aar, uand not before;
When the WVar is over, and all Thinlgs rigltedl
God is forgotten, and the Soldier slightecl.
WVIIrEREAS,   an uncomtmon aI'd riottorls disturbanllcee lrevails thronighout
this city, by some of its inha.bitnlts -who stile thlemselve the S -  of L    y,
but r1ather may more t properly be cl(led real enies to Socicty; 0and
wbhereas thle 1army1, nlow (tIartered in New York, ame represented in a. heinous light, to their officers and others, for lhaving'r op)alted  tl distLurbance
in this city, by attempting to destroy their Liberty Pole, in the Fields 
Avwhich being now completed withont the assistnll e otf the armlr we have
reason to laugh at themn, ad mi beg the public only to observe, how chagrinled
these pretended S — of L         look as t      s hel  pss thro' the streets; especially as these great heroes thought thleir fireediom depended in IL piece of
woodl, adl aho lmay Awell be compared to I'sau, w\ho sold his birthllr i tt for
a miess of pottage. And altho' those shi:ning S —  of 1.. —-.  have boasted
of their freedon, surely they have lio riglt to toh hrow aln aspe.rsion upOl
the armly, since it is out of the power of militari  discipline. to deprive'
theml of theirfireedoil: However.lotwitstatnding we mrem  p roud to see
those elevated gelius's reduced(.l to the low degree of hl'ving their pllace of
general rendevous, nmade (a. Gallow s Green) a vulgar ]phrase for a common
place of execution, fio mulrm derers, robbers, traitors and r sa, [lcascals] to
the latter of -which    me   compare, those famous 1f       3 s -.LTiber/t;/
Boys] who 1hate nothlin  tc bhoast of but the flippanlcy   of tongue, althol ill
defiance of t.he haws'and good government. off ur' most oracious sovereignl
they openly r      y [n.iotolsiy] assemblle ill multitudes, to stirl ur tihe
minds of his Moaiestyvs good subjects to sedition -th ey have  iJi tlleir late
$




mna(Ie their app]eal;llralce; an1.1(l, w'itll eutlasses and bayonlets, appeared  (-leterll'.ii: ed to resele t1h e prisoners. b'hje
citizens in the  vicinlity were elti ely          nar  ed, lbut perceiving the  natture of the conflict and  the character of
the  combatants,  they  immnedi  ately  seiy zed  uipo(:I such
means  of  defence  ats were  Aw-ithill  theitr  rea:tch, an1d
wrenlching the stakes ftrom   the  carts  anld leigls about
them, they stood oa  the defensive.'I'The  Aayor  now
ordered the soldiers to  ttheir  barracks, wvhen  they  reluctantly retre(\ated towards Goldenr THill.1  -At this place
seditious libel, signed BlRUTeU, expressed the most villainous falsehoods
against the soldierls: But as ungrateful as they ale counted, it is well known
since their arrival in New York, they hare w a-tchehd nihlt and day, for the
safety and protection of the city and its inhabitaunts; —x ho have suffered
the rays of the scorching sun, in sunimnnmer, anad the se-3ere colds of freezing
snowy nights, in winter, which must be the case,  and fifty times worse,
had there been a war: wrhich we sincerel pl'ay for, in hopes those S-s of
L —      [Sons of Libertyj may feel the effects of it, with fiumine and destruction pouring on their heads.'Tis well lknown by the officers of the
1G6th regiment, as we.].l as by several others, that the soldiers of the sixteenth
always gained the esteem and good will of the inhabitants, in whatever
quarters they lay, and was never counted neither insolent or ungrateful, except in this cil;y. And likeiwise the Royal regiment of Artillery, who always
behaved with gratitude and respect to every one. But the m1eans of making
your famous city, which you So mnuch boast ofl, a  impoverished one, is
your acting in violation to the laiws of the British Governmenit; but take
heed lest you repent too late, —!or if von boast so mightily of your famous
exploits, as you have heretofore dotne, (witness the late stamp act) we may
allow you to be all ALEXANDERSP, a-Cnd lie under your feet, to be trodden upon
with contempt and disdain; but before   we so tamely sublmit, be assured
we will stand in defence of the lights aind privileges due to a soldier, and
no farther; but w, e hope, whhile we have officers of conduct to act for us,
they'11 do so, as we sha1.ll leave it to their discretion, to act impartially for
us, in hopes they and every honest heart, wi ill support the soldiers wives
and children, and not whores and bastards, as has been so maliciously, falsely,
and audaciously inserted in their imrpertilnent libel, ad.dressed to the public;
for which, ma1,y the shalme tlley mean  to brandl our nalmes with, stick on
theirs.
Signed by the 16t]h Regi:tent of IFoot.
1 That portion of Jolll-street whilch is betweell (liff-street atnd Burling
Slip.




115
they met another reinforcement of regulars, led by one
who is supposed to  haAve been tniL officer in disguise;
and, by his orders, the united parties made a furious
attack on the people who had ifollowed them.  An attempt at defence was made by those who had secured
weapons; but they presented  but a sorry opposition
to the bayonets and cutlasses of the regulars, and manv
of them  speedily  retired.  Pursuing those who ran,
they were, themselves, soon pursued by those who had
reached the ground in response to the summons which
had flown into every shop and store in the city; and
the Sons of Liberty speedily surrounded the assailants,
dealing such blows upon them as their homely weapons
permitted, and quietly disarming them, to prevent the
spread of mischief   Another reinforcement of soldiery
attempted, in vain, to reach and rescue their comrades.
and simultaneous  attacks on  the front and rear of
the people were now threatened.  At this moment a
party of officers interfered, and the military were ordered to their ibarracks, and the "BATTLE OF GOLDEN HILL"
ended.'
In this first confii'ct oqf the  Wa,,r of the AmnerPicoa
Revolution, both the military and the citizens suffered
severely.  Francis Field, a Friend, was wounded in the
cheek while standing in his own, door.  Three other
citizens were wounded, one was killed with a bayonet,
and a sailor was cut down.  The soldiers also were severely handled, and some of them were badly beaten..
Massachusetts may refer, with honlest pride, to her
early sacrifice at Lexingtol, and  to the massacre in:1 See also Leake's Life of Lamb), 1pp. -58; )Dunlap's Iistory of Nemw
o01, I., p. 4   Gordon's IHistory of the Aim. Revolutionl I., p. o00;
I-lcroft's History of'United Sta.te~ VTI., p. 38 2; Davis's Sketch of the Old
)Bridew  clli (}J   inis.   qoT  tihe P?7, 1  I)'. 60-O2).
2 l ca';ke's ife of LaLb, pp. )(56- T;  1 )alvis's SketCh, &(I.




116.Kinog-street, in AMarch, 1770; but to the city of New
York justly  belongrs the honor of laying the first offering on the altar of her country.
Amn11o3no those who responded to the eall of his coutntLry  mld st-ugo'dTed for the mastery with the armued soldiery ( o:n (-olden Hill, was a chairimakter's apprentice.
namned  Michael Smith.  Smalll in stature  and a minor,
hie vas, nievertheless, every inch a man; and whenl the
mnessenogers fiom the Hill reached  his shop  in Broadstreet, hle seized the turned leg of' a  chair, and with
that as his only weapon}, h]e ran  to the scene of strife.
A:ative oif this cit-, the story of her wrongs was fitmnili(;ar to his ears';;and he hlad expressed his sy-mpatvhy
for her caulse bvy ultinl   with  one of the train-bands
which had been  org'anized  for ler defence.  With a
d.egeteof'  Ceof'Ltr'e which did himt honor, he had no
sooner reached the field thllan le attacked a grenadier
with lis club;  and with sIuch success didl he wield his
clhair-lecg, that his victim  speedily  surrendered.  The
musket, belts, b)layonet, canci cartridge-box o-f the grenaliert Avere his trophies; anlld whenll the close of the atfi'(,y aillowed  his return to  hlis home, the accoutremenl1ts whichll He wore dragged   oil the floor of the dwellimg.  Fronl tIhat; imoment lie ceased to be an  apprentice    l and whenl the Colony organized its First regiment,,Uithou?!t bo:;tCy  or tpersuas.w-lno, lie entered the ser'vwce
of' hIos coirtitr./.    The trusty musket and bayonet which
he had tatken fiori the British  glrenadier, becamle  his
constant eompanions;. and when peace aind the independence of his countl''y w ere secured, lie returned to
the mwalks of iprivate life.  Ninety-six  years were the
n:measure of' his days; and lat a, recent date,' surrounded
1 He'v\ws born in Beaver-str'eet, N'ewi York, May;3, 1750, and lie. ied
il Grand-street, in this city, April 24, 1846. It will be seen that tile  apprentice wavs twentty- years old at the tilbne of this a'li'.




117
by his grandchildren  and their children -the last of
the Sons of Liberty in New York-lhe surlrendered his
spirit into the hands of his AMaker.  The old musketthe trophy of his boyish  gallantry, the companion  of
his manhood, the friend  of his old  age-still lingers
am'oiig his great-grandchildren; anld  the privilege hlas
been given to mle, 1Mr. President, to exhibit it to  the
Society.  Like most of the veterans of the War of' the
-Rfevolution, who are still spared  as memnentoes of the
past, if not like all of theml, it is quite  rusty, and
nmuch the worse for wear; but, as it is, undoubtedly,
the first trophy of the war, it merits your respectful
consideration.
A1boult noo0011  the  nlext day, (Jacl. 190, 1770,) the
troubles were renewed; and a party of sailors, and one
of soldiers, joined in the affray.  One of the  seamen
was runL through with a bayonet; and when the Mlayor
canme on the ground, and ordered the troops to disperse,
his order was entirely disreguarded.  Again the  suummons passed through the streets, and, once  more, the
Sons of Liberty hastened to  the rescue; but the  soldiers recollectinlg the reception they had met with on
the preceding' day, hastily retired.  In  the  afternoon
of the sazne day, a party of troops attacked a number
of citizens who had assenmbled onl  the Common, opposite the New  Jail;  and at desperate  conflict ensued.
[Heavy blows were given and received: some  of the
assailants vwere disanrmed, and all were driven  back to
their quarters.'
1 "We are all in Confision in tis City; the Soldiers have cut acld
blowed up Liberty-Pole,    and have caused much T1rouble betw-een thle
Tahltabitants: On Fridasv l1tst betAweenl B13ling Slip anmd lty  Mfarket, Awas
at Elngtgemeunt betw-en  tlic fhlll nbitallts and tile Soldiers, A\11I1 muchl
1Blood was spilt; One Sailor got run throullh the lodl, who silce diedl:
One m1ian got ilis SkIll ct ii the mlost cruel manner. On Satlurday tlhe
Hall Btl rang ft'r an -tin',  whent  was,,motherl Battle betweenl tile Inhlab.
italnlts anld Soldiers; but tlme SOlliie-rs met witl 1-tubbers, tle clliefest. Part




118
[The narrative of all the subsequent movements of tile "Sons of Liborty,`
embracing the purchasse of land on A-hich to erect the fifth Liberty-Pole'
the purchase of Bicker's Hlampden H-Iall, for af place of mleeting; the attack
on the fifth Liberty-Pole, by the soldiers, and its defence by the citizens;
the "dealing" with nathan Rogers, for violating the agrcleement, May 10,
1770; the conIltest of the Sons -iwith the Comlmittee of One Hundred, 3Nfay
and June, 1770; the Tea troubles in New York, and the Destruction of
the tea, on the "London,"' by the Sons of Liberty; the renewal of thec
Agreement, May 16, 1774; the appointment of the Committee of Fiftyone, May 19, 1774, its treachery to the popular cause, and "the great meeting in the Fields," July 6, 1774, at which the people condemned its conduct; the election of Delegates to the General Congress, April 20, 1775;
their  "dealingl"  with Cunningllanm,   subsequently Proost-N:farshal under the Britishl; the seizure of the sloop ladeni1 with lIluober, intended
for the troops at Bostonl  and of the stores at Turtle Bay; the establishlent of a provisional government in this city, the seizure of the arms and
of the Customl-house,   and the action ill Broad-street, April, 1775; and
several other minor mlatters, were omlitted, Awhren thle papoer was read, for
Avant of timne.fI
being Sailors with Clubs to revenge the Death of their Brother, which
they did with Courage, and made them all 1un  to their Balracks.  What
will be the end of this, God knows." —Leter jifron "'Vewo York, Jran. 22,
1770," published in "Thle St. Jclnes Chronicle, or British Ev)ening  Post,"
No. 1412, London, March 15, 1770.
"'Al ill-humor has been artfully worked up between the Towns-people
and soldiers, which produced several affrays, and daily, by means of wicked
incendiaries, grew more serious.  At last some Towns-people began to
arm, and the Soldiers rushed friom their Barracks to support their fellow
Soldiers.  Had it not been for the interposition of the magistrates, and of
the most respectable inhabitants, and of the Officers of the Army, it had
become a very (langerous affair — as it was, only a few wounds and bruises
were received on botll sides."-Lieut. Goy,. Coldcen's Despatch to the Home
Govcrnetlze t, No.  New York, 21 Feb., 1770.
ERRATA,
Th'lle distlance. bot\\-ell tie residence of the.author of this trat,, andu  tlhe
place mwhere it has been printed, added to cautses over mwhich the author
has had lno controll, bs rendered it probable that, here and there, especially in the, foot-notes, there  llmay be typographical errorsl in the preceding'
pages
To thati  pmotioll of thlle -Awork emlbraced betw een pliges 81 nact 9nd0, bothl
inclusive hlowever, the above remallrks (o ilot, ill tile leilst, apply.  rTlhe
printers assunied the r esponsibility of sprinkling ";id'" ioer the ifot-llotes
in that portion of the \ork, ol,it/lolt con)suti/n'2 the ca./rleor, auld of' sending
the entire ftrm to press0,'ittho/t/ hiS co)r'eetiol,i; and. as they have refused
to correct the injustice  lwichl they lhave thus illflicted, anull as tlhe aLthllol
]has no control ov-er tIhe suljlect, to scurel the corre1tions, lihe thus  cautionis
the reader a( ainst /ihe (/hetorties wlivche  1he piieinlhaie thuls cited iut
slupport of his staltomcnts.
\forrisnimIi? Nov. 14.21;0.                ]iENIY. 1)A SON.




REPORT
OF TlHE
IPROCEEDINGS,
ON TIlE OCCA'SION''IlEF
I $ctp3tionofifeb            ls of  Thelubilt prtX
R E S I D E N T   AB R  ) A1.I-;
JULY 4th, 1854,
BY THIE
OITY HTORiTiE8 AND THE CITIZENS OF NEWBURYPORT,
COMPILED,ND RI'PORTED
BY JOSEPIt H. BFRA(DON,
I
Published by Order of the City Government
NEWBURYPORT: 
MOSES H. SARGENT, PUBLISHER,
MORSS BREWSTER & IUSE, PRINTERS,
1854.,








A
REPORT
OF THE
PROCEEDING S
ON THE OCCASION OF THE
Seqtiannt nf tc $nns gf Xnrqi
RESIDENT  AB R O A D,
JULY 4th, 1854,
BY THE
CITY AUTHORITIES AND THE CITIZENS OF NEWBURYPORT.
COMPILED AND REPORTED
BY JOSEPH H. BRAGDON.
Published by Order of the City Government,
NEWBURYPORT 
MOSES H. SARGENT, PUBLISHER.
MORSS,' BREWSTER & HUSE, PRINTERS,
1854.




NOTE. It was the purpose of the compiler, at the commencement of this re
port, to give a sketch of the proceedings of the various meetings held in this and
other places, and additional incidents of interest. Also, to give in detail the labors of the various committees from the city government and the citizens, and the
names of individuals who contributed to produce so laudable a result, that those
who performed the service might receive the credit due them; but it was found
to increase the matter to such an extent, that it was thought best to abandon the
plan, and condense the account as much as possible.




INTRODUCTORY.
A re-union in their native town, of sons and daughters, resi.
dent abroad! There is something partaking of grandeur in the
thought. The natural attachment which exists within the
breast of man for the place of his birth, is not merely a sentiment, but an affection, purified and strengthened by association. It was implanted within us ere we commenced the
struggle of life, and it becomes so indellibly impressed that
time cannot efface it. It clings to us through age with all the
tenacity of early recollections. This love for the land of our
birth begets in us a love for those who inhabit it, who become,
as it were, a part of the land itself; and the part which brings
it most immediately home to the affections. Imperceptible as
is this bond of brotherhood to those whose days are passed at
home, it is fully known to the resident abroad. When we
meet in distant lands a fellow townsman, a native of the place
of our birth, stranger though he may be to us, there is an uprising of emotion that we cannot suppress, and the power of
this bond is manifest.  Instinctively we yearn to grasp him in
a cordial embrace, and hear from his own lips a word from our
old home. Through the plastic power of the imagination, the
joys of a thousand hours are in one moment brought up before
us. There is a charm in his very voice that fascinates our




4            THE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATION.
senses. lHe has breathed the same air, he has trod the same
soil, he has lent vigor to the same social institutions, and we
feel that he is our brother. The warmth of the attachment of
the untamed heart of youth is experienced, and the cup of
youthful joy is once more at our lips. The heart expands and
enjoyment is realized.
But how much greater the happiness the occasion of the'
gathering of thousands of our townsmen, who have been separated by distance, and almost forgotten through time, of early
associates and playmates, whose forms memory would ever retain, amid the very scenes of early days, in the places where
association commenced, and in sight of the play-ground of our
youth.  There is magic in the thought.  It is passing to youth
again.  The blood courses quicker through our veins; and the:fervid delight of boyhood is felt. Caste is forgotten-diplomatic fame, academic honor, legal renown, ministerial eminence, professional celebrity, mercantile distinction, and
mechanical achievement, all are forgotten and lost, or bent to
this superior force of companionship. The ground whereon we
tread is holy ground-we are inspired by the scenes around
us-early days once more are ours. The reminiscences of
youth, long treasured in the brain, come crowding thickly up,
forming a panorama of the brightest period of our existence.
The occasion is one of profit as well as of pleasure. We
throw aside the conventionalities of life, the mantle of official
dignity and badge of power, and gather ourselves together, to
talk over, with the unfeigned simplicity of brotherly intercourse, the incidents of our career.  The fortunes and misfortunes, the trials of fortitude and steady prosperity which make
up the sum of our lives, since we left our native soil, are rehearsed, and in the rehearsal there is a pleasure that cannot
be estimated, and a profit of incalculable worth to future experience. It is gratifying and ennobling thus to pause in the
course of an active life, and be permitted to enjoy such a
season; to meet our friends, and face to face review  our




INTRODUCTORY.                      5
labors and our struggles.  Though classmates in school and
companions in childhood's sports, the parts we have played in
the great drama of life are as diversified as character itself.
The history of the progress of each individual is a distinct volume wherein there is much for reflection, much for study and
deep abiding thought. The union of such fragmentary parts
forms an integral body, to contemplate which is the highest
pleasure of the human mind, and leads to heroic action, to the
foundation of lofty virtues.
But the occasion has another aspect.  It invites us to the
performance of a sad duty. The graves of our friends speak
to us in a language that cannot be misinterpreted. From the
the scenes of our childhood we went forth into the busy world.
to fulfil a destiny which our young ambition had marked out,
we sought broader fields for our enterprise, and among a
strange people struggled for distinction and power.  We have
come back to drop the tear of affection upon the soil in which
is mingled the dust of our ancestors. Whatever may have
been our course-how great soever the rewards of our toilthese stones which rise above the ashes of our early friends,
point us to a higher -destiny, and show us the worthlessness of
earthly aggrandizement unaccompanied by that moral excellence that can secure for us a more enduring hope'. We turn
from them with a purer faith, and feel that when we have gone
from hence, and again mingled ourselves with our fellow-men
in the active labors of our vocation, it will afford us a gleam of
cheer to concentrate our thoughts upon the lessons suggested
by these silent monitors, and purify the heart with their
teachings.
There is a broader view to take of this subject. Individual
interest must give way to national prosperity. It is through
these great moral principles, these high social aims, which first
spring into life through local influences that the lofty patriotism
which characterizes our nation is nourished, and its stalwart
strength supported.  It is this which imparts that national




THE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATION.
impulse which gives unity to the actions of men, and makes
the good of the whole a private aspiration. It is this culture
of the highest social faculties that unites individuals as members
of one family. It is this that gives harmony to our municipal
affairs, that sustains the authority of legislative enactments,
that gives permanency to our institutions, that binds together
this great confederacy, that renders indissoluble- our glorious
Union.




PRELIMINARIES.
Early in April an order was introduced into the City Council providing for the celebration of the then approaching anniversary of our National Independence.  The manner of celebrating was considered during several sessions in both branches
of the city government, and it was finally con6luded to make
it the occasion of a great family jubilee, by extending to the
sons and daughters of Newburyport and " Ould Newberry,"
resident abroad, an invitation to come home and join with us
in the festivities of such a season.  An order was passed, a
committee was chosen, arrangements were laid out and the
different departments of the order placed in the hands of subcommittees, with instructions to speedily and effectively carry
the same into operation. NTor were the citizens generally
backward in the movement. Indeed, before the order passed
through the two branches of the city government, several
meetings of the citizens were held, and resolutions passed in
favor of such a re-union and embodied in the strongest terms.
The feeling was general, and measures were taken to assist
the city authorities in carrying out the programme to the satisfaction. of all. Private individuals contributed generously,
and every circumstance promised a happy and glorious occasion.
The publication of the invitation was met with a hearty re



8            THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
sponse from all sections of our country.  The press echoed
the call from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast; from Texas to
Maine; and meetings were called in every place where the
sons of Newburyport and: Ould Newbury" could be found
in sufficient numbers to form an organization.  In New York,
Boston, Bangor and other cities, preparations were made to
visit the old homestead with full ranks.  Letters and communications were received in great numbers, not only signifying
an acceptance of the invitation, but expressing the liveliest
gratification for an occasion which would afford them  an opportunity to visit the haunts of their childhood, to pay their
devotion to the memories of their fathers, and to exchange
congratulations with the friends of their youth.
The arrangements were seasonably completed, through the
the indefatigable labors of members of the various committees.
The appropriations were judicious and liberal, and everything
was conducted upon a scale in harmony with the magnitude of
the occasion. The following programme was adopted:
PROGRAMMBE.
The several Church and Factory Bells will be rung, and National Salutes
fired at sunrise and sunset.
At 9 1-2 o'clock, A. M., a Procession will be formed on the Mall, the right.
resting on the southeast end, and moved at 10 o'clock, under the direction of
the Chief Marshal, Col. AMos TAPPAN, in the following order:
Military Escort, (Band) Cushing Guard, commanded by
Capt. Jabez L. Pearson.
Past members of the Newburyport Artillery Company, commanded by
Major Ebenezer Bradbury.
Aid.                    CHIEF MAiRSHAL.                     Aid.
His Honor the Mayor, Orator, Officiating Clergyman, Reader of the
Declaration of Independence.
City Government.
Committee of Arrangements.
City Clerk, Treasurer, Assessors,
Assistant Assessors, Clerk Common Council.
School Committee.
Overseers of the Poor.




PRELIMINARIES.
Selectmen of Newbury and West Newbury.'Town Clerks of Newbury and West Newbury.
Instructors of ~Public Schools.
Reverend Clergy of the City.
Revolutionary Soldiers.
United States Officers-Civil, Military and Navalo
State and County Oficers.
Band.
Invited Sons and Former Residents rdf Newburyport.'
$Citizens of Newburyport, Newbury and West Newbury.
SECOND  DIVISION,
Band.
Aid:o                Marshal                   Aid,
FLORAL  PRO CESSION.o
No.:i-Flora.
-No. 2-Landing of Pilgrims.
No.  3-May Flower.
No. 4-Goddess of Liberty.
No. 5-Ages.: —Childhood, Youth, Manhood, Old Ageo
No. 6-Naiads.
~No. 7-Dryads,
No. 8-Morning.
No. 9-Night.
No. lo-Spring.
No. 11-Summer.
-No. 12-Autumn.
No. 13-Winter.
No. 14-Old Lady }n -he Shoe.'THIRD DIVISIONT
Aid.                         Marshal.                         Aid.
Engineers of the Fire Department.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
With their Machines, in the following order:
Band.
"' Deluge" Company, No. 1,
With their invited guests,
"Cen. Washington" Company, No. 3, of Milford.
"' Mechanic" Company, No. 2.




10            TTHE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
Band.
"Protector" Company, No. 3, with their invited guests,
"Tiger," No. 1, of Haverhill.
"Tiger" Company, No. 4.
"Eagle" Company, No. 5.
"Agile" Company, No 6.
"Torrent" Company, No. 7.
Band.
"Neptune" Company, No. 8.
"Warren" Company, Hook and Ladder.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Aid.                         Marshal.                         Aid,
Band.
T R.A D E S.
Mr. John Emery with his Vessel.
FIFTH DIVISION.
Aid.                         Marshal.                         Aid.
Marrine Society.
Howard Benevolent Society.
St. Mark's Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons.
St. JoBn's Lodge.
Quascacunquen Lodge of Odd Fellows.
Strangers and Citizens generally.
SIXTH DIVISION.
Aid,                         Marshal.                         Aid.
Cavalcade,
ROUTE OF PROCESSION.
The Procession will move precisely at 10 o'clock, A. M., through the foIl!wing streets:
Down High street to Federal, down Federal to Water, counter-march up
Federal to Orange, through Orange to, Fair, down Fair to Essex, through
Essex to State, up State to High, up High to Kent, counter-march down
High to Market, down Market to Washington, through Washington to
Green, down Green to Merrimack, through Merrimack, Market Square, State
and Pleasant streets, to the Church.




PRELIMINARIES.                         11
ORDER OF EXERCISES AT THE PLEASANT STREET CHURCH.
1. Voluntary on the Organ.
2. Chorus-" Praise the Lord, ye Nations all "-from Mozart's 12th Mass,
3. Reading of the Scriptures and Invocation, by Rev. D. M. Reed.
4. " Song of Welcome," by Hon. George Lunt, music by M. D. Randall.
5. Reading Declaration of Independence, by Hiram B. Haskell.
6. Ode, by Jacob Haskell, music " Star Spangled Banner."
7. Oration, by Rev. George D. Wildes.
8. Chorus, " Hallelujah," from the Oratorio of the Messiah.
9. Benediction, by Daniel Dana, D. D.
The music will beperformed by a select choir, under the direction of M.
D. Randall, Esq. Organists, Messrs J. W. Cheney and R. P. Morse.
PUBLIC  DINNER.
After the services at the church, the procession will be formed anew, and
proceeded to the PAVILLION, erected on Congress street, and partake of a
DINNER provided by Horace Hamblet, Esq., Landlord of the Ocean
House.
PROGRAMME OF FIREWORKS.
From Chickering street, west of Frog Pond.
Signal and Colored Rockets will be fired from sunset until 9 o'clock, when
the exhibition will commence with
No. 1. A GRAND ILLUMINATION-Of Indian White Fires, intermingled
with crimson and green.
Rockets, Gold Rain.
2. CANDLES AND JETS-A battery of Roman Candles, with silver and
colored Stars, mutate to jots of Mexican Fire, with heavy reports.
Mines and Shells.
3. DOUBLE CHAPLETS-Horizontal Wheels of Chinese and Jessamine
Fire, mutate to cluster of Stars and explosion of Bees.
Rockets, Colored Stars.
4. CONSTELLATION-A Circle of Stars in Crimson, blue and purple lance
extend to jets of Sun Fires, with reports.
Torbillons.
5. A GREETING TO VISITING FRIENDS-A highly ornamental and unique
piece, silver and colored.
Flight of Rockets.
6. EGYPTIAN PYRAMIDS-Vertical Wheels of purple and blue Fires form
the ball of pyramids of Colored Stars, and centres Mf contra revolving polkas.
-  Mines.
7. THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.-The motto "July 4," in letters of Fire,
is surmounted by the American Eagle and Arms, from which extend a Glory
of Sun Fires.
Rockets.




12              TETE  NEWBU1RYPORT  CELEBRATION.
8. MOSAIC BATTERY-A Fanciful Design in lance, mutates to a Battery
of Mines, Shells and Marrons.
Torbillons.
9. PERuviAx CRoss-Decorated with crimson and purple lance, withi
revolving centre, mutating to gerbs of Jessamine Fires with petards.
Floral Shells.
10-COURANTINES. Or Messengers,traversing a wire sever l hundred feet..
Rocket, Silver Stars.
11. QUADRUPLE STAR AND PALMS-A gorgeous Star, in blue, white,
crimson and green,, lance mutate to Palm Trees,, tinged with green.
Diamond Battery.
12. THE UNION-The American Eagle and Arms are supported by thirteen Stars, above which appear in letters of fiHe, the word, "'UNIo."
Rocketso.
13. Mo.Rn1NG GLoRY.-A large Piece, composed of Wheels of variegated
colors, revolving around a solar eentre, and extending to Sun Fires, with
reports.
Torbillonso
14. GIRANDOLE-& superb Piece of Pyrotechib, formed of variegated,
lance work, representing an immense Girandole, or Candelabra, with crystal
Pendants of purple, blue, violet and crimson lance; the arms are decorated.
with Candles of Silver and Colored Stars.
Mines of Serpents.
15. SHIELD OF IRIS —A large revolving Disc of Jessamine and Chinese
Fires, displays a triple contra revolving centre of Polkas, Saxons and Flyers.,
tinged with purple, crimson and green.
Rocketa.
1.6  THE LYRE-A representation of the'"Lyre,' in silver and colored
lance, partially encircled with a Wreath of. Laurel, and surmounted by a,
Floral base.
Floral Shells.
170 FLOrENTNr E VWHErEL PIE~CE-A Pyramidical arrangement of Wheels
and Flyers, with a centre of Polkas and Saxons, ending with a discharge of'
Italian Streamers..
Mines.
18. FINAL- -The Seal of the City of Newbury.eot is supported by twc
ornamental columns enwreathed with fillets, and bearing upon the capitals
the mottoes, in silver and colored lance, "July, 1854." The American Eagle,
rests upon the City Seal, and is adorned with a halo of radiating Sun Fires;
the whole forming a brilliant centre, from which extend jets and batteries og'
Mines,. Stars and Shells, which, with a heavy flight of rockets arching h
Seal,. forms a grand Tableau de Fu.o




PRELIMINARIES.                   18
For several days before the Fourth the return of sons commenced, and ere its arrival, our streets were filled with the
familiar forms of those whose early days were passed in our
midst. Never before have we known such stirring times,everything in the shape of a team for miles around, was
pouring in with supplies for the anticipated crowd, and every
room that could be Found unoccupied, was converted into a
saloon for the sale of refreshments. Everybody was at work,
families in laying in an abundance, and others in preparations
of an ornamental nature.
The setting of the sun on the third, found everything ready,
and the crowds of strangers already present, showed that no
dissatisfaction would be felt. The trains through the day
from every quarter were heavily laden with returned sons and
daughters from the most distant sections of the country.
2




THE JUBILEE.
The booming of cannon, the ringing of bells, the sharp
rattle of musketry, together with blasts of horns and the harsh
discord of a thousand instruments of clamor, in the hands of
juveniles, announced that the long anticipated day had arrived. The sun rose in all its majesty upon a city whose people were jubilant with anticipation.  One thing was evidenta warm reception was to be experienced, to prepare for which
our city authorities had wisely set the sprinkling machine over
the route of procession. Never have we witnessed a more
cheering spectacle than that presented throughout the entire
route. Our city was in a holiday dress-a dress that was
significant of the intense feeling of the' people. There was no
laborious formality displayed-no garb of vanity adopted. Every decoration, every motto, every design, spoke to the heart
of a patriotism and hospitality that was as pure as the spotless
surface which reflected them; and the cheerful countenances,
everywhere met, were but the index of hearts overrunning with
joy and gratitude.
At an early hour the several divisions commenced forming
at the places assigned them, in and around the Bartlett Mall.
The Chief Marshal, with the military escort, proceeded to the
depot of the Eastern Railroad, where an immense crowd of
citizens had assembled, to receive the various delegations.Owing to the length of the train the cars were behind their




THE   RECEPTION.                        15
usual time, and the train containing the Boston delegation did
not reach here until half past nine o'clock; they were received by the Chief Marshal and escorted to the City Hall.Owing to the irregularity in the arrival of the delegations from
other cities, there was no formal reception at the depot, though
they came from several cities and towns in large numbers.
The last of the delegations having been received, the invited
sons and former residents were escorted to the City Hall, where
the Mayor and City Council were in readiness to receive
them, and proceeded to High street for the formation of the
procession.  Upon reaching the Hall, an immense crowd was
collected there, and  in Brown's Square, numbering many
thousands. Col. Tappan, in brief and appropriate terms, introduced the guests to the Mayor, who received them with
these remarks:
SONS AND FORMER RESIDENTS OF NEWBURYPORTOn this occasion, the anniversary of our National Independence, in behalf
of the City, I bid you a cordial and heartfelt welcome to the place of your
birth and former residence. Never has an event been looked for by our citizens with so much joy and satisfaction as this, the return of her sons; and I
express but the feelings of all, when I say-Welcome, Sons of Newburyport,
to the place that must be dear to the hearts of every one of you.
This is an pccasion of no ordinary interest. Many, to-day, that have so
readily responded to our invitation, have long been absent from the home of
their nativity, and will see many and great changes. Many with whom they
had sweet and social converse, in former times, have long since passed from
earth. The graves of your fathers, the graves of your friends, are ties strong
enough. to bring back the recollections of former days.
It is with pride the citizens of this city contemplate the position which the
sons of Newbaryport abroad have attained, in whatever calling Providence
has seen fit to place them. In the professions, in mercantile life, in the mechanic arts, they have attained that high and honorable position, which we,
your friends and brothers, contemplate with the deepest satisfaction. Well
-may this ancient town and new city be proud'of her absent sons.
We have made no extended preparations on this occasion. We have
given you no cold and formal invitation to come to your old and venerated
birthplace and former residence. But we have given you a cordial welcome
to the scenes of your childhood and the home of your early associations.



16              THE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
And this morning, with open arms and warm hearts, we are ready and happy
to receive you.
Friends and brothers-in coming at our request to greet us to-day, you
come amongst a prosperous, happy and intelligent people. A people -that
are mutually ambitious, and doing all in their power to make this a community moral in its character, industrious in its habits, and independent in alD
its actions.                                                   e
Once more,. in behalf of our city, I bid you an earnest welcome home-;
and may this meeting be such, that in after years, we shall say that friendships have been renewed, and formed, which nothing shall ever sever.
The Mayor was replied to by Warren  TBlton, Esq., Chief
Marshal of the Boston delegation, as follows:
MR. MAYOR, AND GENTLEMEN:
We return your greeting, one and all! For this most warm reception, it
is needless to say we are grateful. For these eager salutations, these enthusiastic cheerings, these involuntary and unmistakable evidences of rejoicings
at our presence, we cannot fully thank you.
Such words as mine will indicate but poorly the character of the emotions
which, struggling within our souls, have no voices for their utterance. Language cannot enunciate them, for we know how limited is the power of language; and the joyousness and happiness of an occasion like this are not to
be described  they can only be experiencedl-felt.
There is something in that word'" feeling " we can all appreciate, and I
assure you I can add no emphasis to the declaration which I make in behalf
of myself, and every one in our ranks, that wefeel glad that we are here.
You tell me that, on this, the day of our National Jubilee, you have summoned us hither as the sons of Newburyport. Like eager children we have
obeyed your summons-judge you with what measure of alacrity. All is
pleasant and joyous around us. It is a joyous day and a joyous occasion-,
but our thoughts of the occasion and the day are, well nigh merged in those
of the place-old, stately Newburyport, God bless her!-the place of our
birth, the home of our childhood.
We have come with full numbers, and fuller hearts. From all ranks and
professions in life, with whatever of credit and reputation we have won for
ourselves, laying aside all our cares and anxieties for a season, forgetting all
distinctions of position, and putting away all differences of faith and habit,
we have come hither, in a common brotherhood, at your bidding, to enjoy a
pleasant re-union, to revive old memories, to re-visit old haunts, and be boys,' at home again," together.
We have the young among us, who, in the morning of their years, hav&
yet scarcely tasted the trials of life i we have those who have toiled past it;




THE PROCESSION.                          17
noon; we have those whose brows have become wrinkled, and whose limbs
have grown weary in its dusty pilgrimage; but, to-day, we are, one and all
of us, resolved to be young again together.
Wherever we look-everything about us,-the churches and the schoolhouses, (those earliest, noblest, best monuments of the fame of Newburyport)
the streets, the trees, the dwellings, the hills, the river-the placid and beautiful Merriminack-all recall the days of our youth, and to-day we shall be
young again together.
We shall, indeed, sir, be impressed with the changes you have alluded to.
We shall revisit the old church-yards, stand over the old graves, spell over
the old epitaphs, muse over old friends and companions now translated, live
over old affections, dream over old happinesses, shed anew old tears we
thought forever quenched, and thus, with the sweet, sad memories of "Long
ago " addressing the-better part of our nature, we shall, at least,. to-day, be
young again together.
But it is time these words of mine were spoken. This is neither the hour
nor the place for extended remarks. Once more be assured of our gratitude
for the kindness of this reception. We do indeed believe that you are glad
to see us here; and we know that we are glad to have come. Our pulses
beat and our hearts leap at your words of cheer and commendation. We
rejoice in the evidences of your prosperity, but when we contemplate its
sources, there is no room for surprise. Character implies prosperity, and enterprise impels progress, with communities as with individuals.
Our visit must be, of necessity, a brief one-but a Hail! and a Farewell!
Happiness, however, has no limit of time, and we trust we shall return to
our adopted home from this, the home of our boyhood, with hearts refreshed
and purified; with some of the rust and earthliness of our natures refined
away; with higher hopes and nobler courage; and with a fixed and resolute
purpose never to prove ourselves so little worthy as that any man should ever
be sorry to acknowledge us (what we are proud this day to be, every one of
us,) sons of Newburyport.
After the services of reception were ended, the  company
formed into line and marched to the  south  east end of the
Mall, where the various divisions of the procession  were in
waiting. The procession then formed in the following order.
First
THE CUSHING GUARD,
With full ranks, preceded by a band, performed the escort
for the occasion. More than a passing notice is due this corps,
which appeared for the first time under their new commander.
2*




8t         STHE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATION
Capt. Jabez L. Pearson. In drill and in all their evolutie;s
the highest perfection was manifested. In appearance the
company has few equals, and the praise bestowed by visitors
must have lightened the fatigues they endured.
Next was the
NEWBURYPORT ARTILLERY.
This veteran corps, now lost in the Cushing Guard, whose
roll dates back to 1777, and whose service was required in
war of the revolution, one of the oldest companies in the New
England States, was represented by some fifty or sixty of the
past members, under the command of Major Ebenezer Bradbury, the veteran soldier as well as statesman. In the ranks
we discovered quite a number of distinguished men, who once
constituted the pride of this renowed company. They wore
chapeaus, dark dress and side arms, and took charge of the
field pieces of the Cushing Guard. In their march and movements they showed that their knowledge of military tactics
was fresh, and that the patriotism  which distinguished their
iearly days was still alive.
FIRST  DIVISION.
AMOS TAPPAN, CHIEF MARSHAL.
ASSISTArTS.-D, S. Blake, Edmund Bartlett, George Noyes, Robert Bayley, Jr.
The Chief Marshal and his Assistants were mounted upon
noble looking animals, richly dressed for the occasion.
The Division was comprised of His Honor the Mayor, Orator, Officiating Clergyman, Reader of the Declaration of Independence, the Board of Aldermen, Board of Common Council, Committee of Arrangements, City Clerk, Treasurer, Assessors, Clerk of Common Council, School Committee, Overseers of the Poor, Ward Officers, Selectmen and Town Clerks
of Newbury and West Newbury, Instructors of Public Schools,
Reverend Clergy, Revolutionary Soldiers, United States Offi



THE  PROCESSION.                        19
eers-c-ivil, Military and  Naval; State and County Officers.
Next came the Boston delegation, as follows:
BAND.
WARREN TILTON, ESQ., Chief Marshal,
AID —William P. Pierce, Caleb S. Marshall.
ASSISTANT MARSHALS.-Stephen Tilton, Jr., J. Haskell Long, Nathaniel Donnels, John H. Bradbury, Charles G. Wood, Nathaniel Foster, Jr., Charles L.
Knapp, George Butler, Seth K. Sweetser.
CAPT. SAM'L G. ADAMS, Standard Bearer.
This delegation, in which were many distinguished menclergymen, lawyers, editors, physicians, merchants and mechanics, numbered about 500, each wearing a badge enstamped
with the seals of the two cities. They had a splendid silken
banner, prepared by " Cymon," of the Post, that attracted all
eyes. It bore on one side the simple inscription " Boston;"
on the other, "Returned Home, 1854," and was left at the
City Hall as a memento of the occasion.  Other banners were
carried, with the following mottoes,:
"There is no place like home."
"Where'er we roam, whatever place we see,
Our hearts untravelled fondly turns to thee."
" Shuuld old acquaintance be forgot."
"No soil upon earth so dear to our eyes,
As the soil we first stirred in terrestrial pies."
" There is a spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter land than all the rest,
And thou shalt find where'er thy footsteps roam,
That land thy country, and that spot thy home."'
Next were the Invited Sons, who represented perhaps one
half of the States of the Union and nearly all the principal
cities. We noticed them from all the New England States,
Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, District of Columbia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas,
Mississippi, California and  Oregon, and there were others
whose local residence we did not learn.
It were invidious, perhaps, to single out particular delegations, but Maine came strong from her sea-shore and inland
districts, and from Bangor, Bath and Portland they attracted




20           TTHE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
particular attention.  The largest number from any one place
in New Ilampshire came from Portsmouth, and conspicuous
among them was the venerable Abner Greenleaf, the first
mayor of our sister city. In this State many places were
represented-Lowell, Haverhill, Ipswich, Boston, Worcester,
&c., &c.
SECOND DIVISION.
Floral Procession.
This was the grandest display of its kind we have ever had
in this city, nor have we heretofore been behind any place
within our knowledge in these exhibitions. Throughout was
the evidence of refined taste and great iridustry, which was
highly creditable to all the parties concerned.  So numerous
were the persons engaged in these preparations, that we forbear to give names that nevertheless deserve grateful recollection. The sections appeared as follows:
RUFUS GRIFFITH, Chief Marshal.
AIDS. —Thomas Makinnev, James C. Colman.
The marshals were mounted, and the rich trimmings upon
their noble looking studs, attracted universal attention.
SECTION I,
FL OR A.
Ilora's group leads the procession, and was represented by a young lady
dressed in white lace, with a profusion of pink drapery and flowers. Her
four winged attendants, in pink and white, surrounded her, scattering flowers,
emblematical of the bright and beautiful gifts she is so constantly showering
upon us.!Her exquisitely designed car, tastefully decorated with evergreen,
was drawn by two gray horses, and canopied with tri-colored cloth, upon
which were the mottoes, " Hail, lovely Flora!" " Flowers, bright flowers,
sweet messengers of love." " We are the sweet flowers, born of sunny showers." Following her car were thirty children, bearing flowers and banners,
with these mottoes: "Flowers are the smiles of Ndture, and earth would
seem a desert withou t them."
" Flowers bloom by the lowliest cot,
To gladden, anvd brighten, and bless our lot."
"Flora comes from her sunny bowers,
And decks the earth with her gift of flowers."




THE  PROCESSION.                          21
SECTION II.
LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS.
The design of this group although suggested previous to any knowledge
of the existence of such as the one recently on exhibition in Boston, was
afterwards executed with strict reference to that picture, and was found to
be a truthful transfer of its pecularities in point of coloring and style of dress.
This cluster composed the first party who left the Mayflower, and landed
from the boat on Plymouth Rock.
Prominent among these is Gov. Carver, whose tall figure and manly
appearance indicates his character and dignity. His suit is of black, the
body plain, and tight fitting-sleeves large and open in front, disclosing the
shirt sleeves, while a tunic of the same material falls from the waist. The
small clothes are very full, secured at the knee with buckles, and the dress is
finished by long black hose and low shoes. Miles Standish claims a second
place in point of conspicuousness. His dress was military; composed of a
jacket of blue, with buff sleeves and tunic, black small clothes, and buff
boots. His hat was black, ornamented with a red feather. Edward Winslow
stands near Carver, and wears a dark suit of the olden time. By his side
was Mrs. Winslow, wearing a purple dress and blue hood. Mrs. Allerton
was kneeling on the rock and wore a crimson silk skirt, supposed to be a relic
of former days, beneath a blue dress. Over all was thrown a drab cloak,
and a green shawl was tied over the head. Leaning upon her shoulder was
Mrs. Standish, in a red hood, maroon colored sack trimmed with fur, and
dark green dress. Elder Brewster was personated in a tall, thin figure,
whose long grey beard, black skull cap, and grey, bushy hair, suggested his
clerical character. His dress added to the effect. It consisted of a black,
loose gown, black small clothes, stockings, &c. Mrs. Brewster stood near
him, supporting her aged form  upon a staff. Her dress was dark, and
becoming an old lady. Mrs. Hopkins, with her infant child in her arms
wore a dress of gray, and over her head was thrown a shawl of the same
color. Mrs. Carver's place was at the left of her husband; on one arm she
supported her little infant, and with the other hand led a little child, whose
caresses are bestowed upon a favorite dog. Behind these appeared William
Bradford and John Howland, the former dressed in a dark suit, and the latter
in a suit of blue, bearing on his shoulder a pickaxe and shovel. This group
was preceded by a banner bearing a representation of Plymouth Rock, carried
by a person in the costume of primitive times, and followed by the May
Flower, rigged as if moored in the bay. A procession of boys, headed by the
motto, "'The Pilgrim spirit is not fled," each carrying some implement of
agriculture, and dressed in uniform, brought up the rear.
SECTION III.
THE MAY FLOWER.
The May Flower was represented by a boat of about two tons burthen,
rigged in polacre style, to imitate the example of those days. In her whole




22             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
arrangement, she was a perfect picture of our idea of her. model. Her
commander, Master George Bray, and a full complement of lads for a crew,
with a young negro lad as steward, were in full sailor rig, and performed
their part like experienced seamen. The MIessrs. Pritchard, riggers, are
entitled to much praise for the effective manner in which they contributed to
the perfection of this part of the programme.
SECTION IV.
THE GODDESS OF LIBERTY.
Was represented by a young lady, dressed in a free flowing robe of red,
white and blue, leaning upon a shield, and holding in her hand the liberty
pole and cap; on her head was a helmet of silver. The temple in which she
stood was hexagonal, and on its sides were the names of the six first
Presidents of the Republic. The American flag floated over her. Her
followers, symbolical of the States of the Union, thirty-one in number, are
dressed in the American colors, having each a star on the left shoulder; each
boy bore a banner with the name of the State he represented. Some of the
mottoes in this group were, "Glory's wreath never fades."  "The States of
the Union-distinct as the billows, and one like the sea."  "With the shout
of freedom, round thy brow, Columbia, we fresh laurels twine."
SECTION V.
AGE.
Representation of the four stages of Life, viz:-Childhood, Youth, Manhood,
and Old Age.
This car was overhung by a white canopy, enscalloped with green, which
hung over the four sides of the vehicle, and bore in evergreen letters these
mottoes: —"Our lot on earth is but continual change." "So flourishes and
and fades majestic man." "Time brings not back the Past." "Life is onward." The frame of the car was ornamented with trimmings of evergreen,
the interior hung with scarlet drapery.
Childhood was portrayed by three children, simply attired in white and
blue, reclining among flowers, one blowing soap bubbles, one caressing a favorite spaniel, and one trundling a hoop.. Youth was represented by a lad,
attired as an archer, in a tunic of green, with rose-colored sash, white trowsers, &c.; he bore upon his shoulders a quiver of arrows and stood leaning upon his bow; the young lady, his companion, wore a rose-colored bodice and
white skirt, with green trimmings; she held a guitar fancifully.wreathed with
evergreen. "Manhood" was personated by a gentleman, engaged in mercantile pursuits, seated athis desk, surrounded by the insignia of his calling
on every side; a lady dressed with the simple el6gance befitting a matron,
busied herself with needle work. In "Age " we had a glimpse of home-life
at the time of the Revolution, and one might almost fancy that his great




THE  PROCESSION.                         23
grand-parents strode before him  in the cocked hat, small clothes, and knee
buckles which the gentlemen wore, and the mob-cap, brocade dress and trim
ruff of the lady. The devotional and industrious habits of that period were
portrayed by the open Bible on the old man's knees, and the spinning-wheel
near the old lady.
Two young gentlemen in antique costume preceded this car, bearing scarlet banners, with blue centres, on which, in golden letters, appeared these
inscriptions:
TIME'S CHANGES.
"Careless childhood, crowned with flowers,
Ushers in life's summer glory,
And brave manhood's golden hours,
Yield to Age, the wise and hoary."
HUMAN LIFE.
"Time and change, alike unheeding,
Haste we onward day by day,
Angel-guides our footsteps leading,
Safely o'er the unknown way."
At the corners of the car were four small banners of green with bronze
centres, on which in letters of gold, were seen these mottoes, referring to the
different eras of our existence. Childhood: "Heaven lies about us in our
infancy."  Youth: "The years to come are ours."  Manhood: "Touch us
gently, time." Age: "Fhe shadows lengthen on our paths."  These were
carried by four lads, dressed in white with green trimmings; four marshals
also attended the car, wearing black velvet jockeys, dark jackets and white
pants. The followers to this group were twenty-four in number, dressed in
uniform of white pants and grass-green sacks, and having their hats wreathed
with oak leaves; the marshals for these were attired in the costume of 1776.
Immediately following them was a country wagon, in which was seated a
thrifty farmer and his buxom wife, surrounded by the produce of their farm,
being a true picture of "going to market" in the time of the "embargo."Next a young gentleman carried a white standard, with these words upon it:
"Fashion is a capricious dame."  Then a procession of young ladies wearing
the identical dresses which were in vogue when "Independenee was declared,'" and who formed a very interesting feature in the programme.
Following which was the old sulky once owned by Mr. Bartlett, decorated
with evergreen, with a motto upon the back "1776," harnessed to which was
a nag, apparently as old as the vehicle. This contained two ladies dressed
in costume, the very extravagance of the antique. The horse was led by Mr.
Albert Tilton, in ancient costume, powdered wig, &c.
SECTION VI.
NA I AD S.
These were represented by three maids, reclining in a grotto, shaded by
vines and adorned by shells. The Naiads were dressed in white flowing
robes, with mantles of green-trimmings of water-lilies, corals and shells.



24             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
They were preceded by a banner representing Neptune, their King; and
followed by eighteen lads-a band of sailors dressed as such, white pants,
and white shirts with blue collars, the corners starred as in the navy, without
jackets, and with hats banded by wide ribbons. These supported a bannermottoes, " We are vassals, willing vassals of ocean's restless tide."  " The
world of waters is our home."
SECTION VII.
D RYAD S.
Next in order came the Dryads, represented by three maidens grouped
around a youth, representing the rural god, Pan. They were gracefully
dressed in white, with scarfs of green thrown carelessly over the shoulders.They also wore wreaths of evergreen on their heads, and oak-leaf trimmings on their dresses. Two farmers followed this group, the first bearing
the motto"While universal Pan,
Knit with the graces and the hours in dance,
Led in the eternal spring."
On the second was the following:
"Airs, vernal airs,
Breathing the smell of field and grove,
Attune the trembling leaves."
SECTIONS VIII AND IX.
MORNING AND NIGHT.
Morning and night came next in order, in a car tastefully deeorated with
evergreen garlands. Morn was represented by a young lady and four attendants, dressed in illusion robes with rose-colored mantles, with a wreath of
flowers around their heads. Motto, " First Morn with rosy light appears."
Night was represented by a young lady and attendants wearing a starry
crown, and veil and flowing robe. Motto, " Then Night with starry crown."
The appearance of this group was imposing and interesting, and evinced a
taste in its design and execution highly creditable to the young ladies under
whose supervision it was produced.
SECTION X.
S P RI N G.
Spring, the first of the Seasons, was represented with particular reference
to its most beautiful month-May. In the centre of the platform was a May
Pole, tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreen. Upon a mossy throne
raised at its foot, was seated a beautiful girl-the May Queen-dressed in
green, a mantle of white fastened carelessly-with yellow flowers floating
about her. By her side was the May King, placing a flowery crown upon
her head. His dress was of green and white, and upon his head was an oaken
crown. The group was completed by two children, one with a flowery crook




TSHE  PROCESSION.                         25,And littie basket, readily recognized as a young shepherdess, detained by a
youth to peep into a bird's nest, Spring's constant harbinger.
Following this platform were twelve boys dressed in green and white, with
a banner-motto, "Welcome! flowery huntress, Spring."  Other mottoes,ead,'' The rosy-footed May sails blushing onw".. Welcome, Spring, birth-,day of the flowers."
SECTION Xro
S U M M E R. 
Summer is represented by a hay-making group, consisting of five; three of
xwhom carried rakes, the fourth a sickle, while the fifth apparently warm and
weary, was carelessly lying in repose, regardless of the playful hint above
him —"Make hay while the sun shines."  A pleasing variety was displayed
5dn their dress-one wore a pink skirt and green bodice; another a white
~skirt with a lavender bodice, and the third was in corn-colored and blue.The car, canopied in blue and white, bore this motto-"Child of the sun, reFulgent summer comes;" and was followed by fourteen boys dressed in
white with flowers, carrying banners, bearing these mottoes.:
64I bring you orchard fruits, your garden flowers,
Fresh as the air, and new as are the hours."
"'Summer looks out! how green and gay
Is earth, how bright her towers,'Tis nature's merry holiday,
And these her white-winged hours."
SECTION XrI.
A U T 1U M1 N
This group was represented by three goddesses, appropriate to the seasoEn
drawn in an elegant car, richly ornamented. Pomona, the goddess of fruit,'bore a cornucopia of graceful and elegant design, and her dress was decorated
3with clusters of grapes and other fruits. At her feet lay another cornucopia,;as elegant, though much larger than that she bore in her arms. Ceres, the
presiding deity of the harvest, bore in one hand the ripened grain, and in the'other the sickle, a symbol of her vocation. Her banner was bordered with
leaves, and exhibited her name. Diana appeared in her hunting dress,
bearing on her brow the crescent harvest moon. Motto.:
"Diana, goddess of the chase,
Ceres with her ripened train,
Pomona, lad-en with her fruit,
Stakes brilliant autumn reigr.."
SECTION XIII.
W I N T HE R.
This was figured by the old and new years-the former as an old'nEn,'dressed in a long furred robe, a hood'drawn over the head, partly concealing
the long white beard that descended to the waist. He stood leaning upon an
arn that contained the ashes of the past seasons; and was about handing the




26             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
records of the past to the New Year, who full of life and hope stood ready
to receive it. His dress was of white and silver, a crown was upon his head;
and nothing was seen but snow and ice, varied by the red winter berries.
The mottoes upon the canopy were-"Throned in his palace of cerulean ice,
here winter holds his court." On the banner were, "The fields put on their
wintry robes of pleasant white." "Pale concluding winter comes at last and.
shuts the scene."  The whole representation was true to winter, and
beautifully done.
SECTION XIV.
OLD WVOMAN IN THE SHOE.
This unique group, illustrative of the well remembered melody, by Mother
Goose, was drawn in a car made in the shape of a shoe. The'Old Woman'
sat in her chair of state, with a'bowl of soup' in her hand, feeding her
children, some six or eight little bipeds, who regardless of the absence of
bread, eagerly devoured the unsavory liquid. The car was followed by a
group of twelve children in straw hats and high'tires,' apparently well fed,
and sumptuously provided with dainties, presenting a strong contrast to the
half starved progeny of the Old Woman. This idea, so diverting, was well
presented, and formed the most amusing feature of the procession.
THIRD DIVISION.
Fire Depart ent.
These guardians of life and property  from  the  dangers of
fire, with their invited guests, and an abundance of sweet and
stirring music, were out with full ranks, and presented a fine
appearance. Never were better looking men banded together;
and seldom better drilled corps.  They marched with the precision of soldiers, and evinced good discipline, that was highly
complimentary to the Chief Engineer, MOSES M. Ross, Esq.,
under whom they were out for the first time-and his associate
assistants.  We doubt whether any city in the  Commonwealth
could have presented a superior department.  We name the
companies in their order.
M. M. Ross, Chief Engineer.
AIDs-J. B. Pritchard, J. P. McQuillen.
DELUG-1, No. 1,
Uniform consisted of red jackets trimmed with blue, ornamented fire
caps, black pants with buff stripe. Engine trimmed with an octagon dome




THE  PROCESSION.                          27
covered with evergreen and flowers, surmounted by a large eagle. This
company was accompanied by the Newburyport Brass Band, 16 pieces, led
by Mr John Knight, who took our citizens by surprise by the excellent manner in which they performed their music-not unfavorably comparing with
any band in the procession.
GEN. WASHIINGTON, No. 3, of Medford,
Invited guests of No 1-with Medford Brass Band. This company brought
their machine with them, which was very handsomely trimmed. Their uniform was red jackets, black caps trimmed with gold lace, and black pants
with leather bottoms. This company are a fine looking set of men, mostly
ship carpenters, and endured the excessive heat, as well as all the firemen,
like martyrs.
MECHANIC, No. 2.
Uniform very neat —blue jackets trimmed with red, and two stars on
the collars; cloth cap-a very pretty pattern-red quarters, black top, gold
band-" Mechanic," in silver metal letters in front, encircling a figure " 2"
-black pants, red stripe. Engine trimmed with flowers, evergreen, spruce
trees and flags. This is the first time this company has paraded for many
years, but in their new and very handsome uniform, they made a grand display. They turned out as large, if not the largest number of any company,
and their appearance was quite complimentary to their officers. They were
accompanied with excellent music from the Navy Yard, at Portsmouth, N. H.
PROTECTOR, No. 3.
Uniform —red coats trimmed with buff and green; white pants
with patent leather bottoms; green belts, with i" Protector" in silver
letters; caps-red tops, quarters of green, red band trimmed with silver lace,
metals letters in front in shape of a diamond, in the centre of which is figure
3. Engine trimmed very handsomely with flowers, evergreen and flags.This company marched with precision and showed they had been well drilled.
THE TIGER, No. 1, of Haverhill.
The guests of No. 3, were accompanied by the Union Brass Band of the
same place. Their uniform was blue coats trimmed with red and white;
black pants red stripe; red belts on which was "No. 1, Haverhill," in gold
letters; red caps with the word "Tiger" in silver letters in front. They
brought their engine with them-one of Jeffers' "double deckers," which
plays four streams, has two suctions, and in 10 1-2 inch cylinder. It is a
most powerful machine, and was trimmed in magnificent style. The company and machine are an honor to the place from which they come. In the
afternoon they had a trial of its power, which was quite satisfactory. Though
not throwing water to a greater height than either Lesley's or Hunneman's
tubs, yet it is in the quantity of water which it throws that it excels,




28             UTiE, NEWBURYPORT  CbELEBIRATION..
EAGLE, INo. 5..
Uniform  consisted, of white coats trimmed with blue; black pants withi~
white stripe;.: black glazed cap with white band, figure 5. in front. Engine
prettily trimmed with evergreen. flowers and flags. The uniform of this
company, though out of the usual style, looked exceedingly well, and attracted a good deal of attention..
TORERENT; No. 7.
Uniform consisted: of red jackets trimmed with blue and silver lace;:
silver star on both sides of ihe breast; blue cloth caps trimmed; with red and
silver lace, figure 7 encircled by a wreath; black pants with silver stripe r
patent leather belt trimmed with red, on which is inserted " Torrent" inr
white letters. This is an elegant uniform, the belt alone costing. $3a Engine
trimmed with four arches of evergreen and flowers,, and an arch. on the hose,
carriage, all making a fine display.
NEPTUMNE, No. 80.
Appeared in full ranks, with blue coats trimmed with red and white, browL,
pants with red stripes; glazed belt with the, gilded letters "'Neptune," on,
the back, and the figure 8 in front; caps, top blue glazed, and blue quarters,
ornamented with silver lace and red stripes, bearing the figure 8 and a star
on front. The banner borne' by the company was as very tasteful and neatly'
executed representation of the sea god, Neptune, with the companyrs motto,
surmounted on his fork-" Douse the Glim "-two boys neatly dressed in seamen's rig, carrying the lanyards of the same. The engine was drawn by
two beautiful bay horses, and was trimmed in a very neat and tasteful manner; on the top sat Neptune, or the water god, with long streaming beard,
and cap made of shells, with a tar pot in one hand, and a piece of iron hoop,
in the other, as described by seamen on board ships,. on crossing the line, to,
initiate all new. sailors who. may be on board.
I@OUR TH  DIVISIOlN.
Trades' Procession.
The' trades were not fully represented, but so far as they
went, they made a magnificent display. We noticed among
them, particuly, those relating to ship-building and finishing
-the  carpenters  and  caulkers, the  ship joiners and ship
painters.' Combined they are the most numerous aand impor



THE PROCESSION.                         29
tant of the mechanical pursuits, and from the earliest history
of the place have been famed for superior workmanship.
SHIPWRIGHTS.
ELISHA STOREY, Chief Marshal.
AIDs —Frederick Cheever, J. P. L. Westcott, Dustan Coffin, Sprague Chase.
The Shipwrights led the trades, numbering full three hundred-strong,
sturdy, vigorous men-the real bone and sinew-who attracted general
attention by their manly appearance. They had a banner with these mottoes
— "Honor to whom honor is due. The aged mechanics-truly they are
God's noblemen. The works of their hands have covered every sea." Reversed it read —"How dignified and worthy-full of knowledge and happiness-standeth in majestic independence, the self-ennobled mechanic."  The
carpenters followed a platform, drawn by six beautiful, finely decorated
horses, in a line, on which was their "model ship," more than twenty feet in
length-taken one inch to the foot of a clipper, sharper than was ever built
on the river, and as much so as any one that ever spread canvas on the
seas: from the plan of a ship 232 feet long on deck, 46 feet beam, and 23
feet deep. She was designed by Mr. Townsend, of the firm of Currier &
Townsend, who ranks among the first draftsmen of the country, and was
built under his direction. She was pronounced on all hands, a perfect specimen of naval architecture; and as the hull was finished upon the ways,
ready to launch, she represented all the various kinds of mechanical work in
ship building, showing the taste and skill of the different artizans, and would
maintain the character they have always supported in this branch of industry.
She was painted by John Burrill & Co., to light water, copper colored, and
above entirely black, with the exception of a gilded streak; and on deck,
light. The iron work-chains, &c., were by Mr. Abner Kenniston, and the
anchors by Mr. Henry T.. Moody. She had a carved prow-an eagle's
head-gilded, on each side of which was her name-INDEPENDENcE-and
upon her rounded stern a beautiful spread eagle, holding in his talons a scroll,
inscribed-"The Declaration of Independence —1776." The carving was
done-most admirably too-by Mr. Joseph Wilson & Son. The windlass,
capstan and wheel were by Mr. Michael Pearson, turner and wheel-maker,
and the joiners' work by the Messrs Choate. Over her floated a pennant
and three flags-a burgee, an ensign, and a union-jack, which were contributed by the patriotic ladies of Belleville. The flags and all she wore bore a
just proportion, so that there was a perfectness in the view, as much so as in
looking upon a large ship. On the platform around her, were numerous
models, in use for the last two hundred years, in striking contrast with herself, and showing the progress of the art since the first vessels were built on
the Merrimack.
In the procession the oldest carpenters rode in a vehicle in the form of a
boat, called the'-Bonny Boat;" and from their advanced age, grey hairs,
and many evidences of having reached or passed the last of their labors, were
3$




30              TIIE  NEWBURYPORT  CEJLEBRATI0N.
in striking contrast with the athletic men around them. Their opinions and
experience were on the banners they presented: "In ourselves ambition is~
dead, but it hath a resurrection in our children." By culture man may do:
anything short of a miracIle"  "We only arrange and combine the ancient
elements of all things." "To improve and expand is our aim, but nothing
of the past has been forgotten."  "Invention is activity of mind."  "Thero
i~s a moral magnitude living in the light of example."
SHIP  JOINtERS.,
The Ship Joiners were from  the workshop of Messrs T. & E. Choate.
The principal feature of this division, was the exhibition of a beautiful cabin
in miniature form, 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 7 feet high, reversed inside
out so as to show more fully the style of finish, which was gothic frame work.
The cabin was placed on a body wagon, neatly trimmed and decorated, and
drawn by a splendid span of horses. The aft end represented a state room
finished, berths, sides, arch, &c. The inside was used for a joiners' shop, the
men finishing their parts of the work, tools hanging around, &-c. This was
arranged expressly for the occasion, and throughout evinced taste and genius
on the part of the designers. The whole affair was highly creditable to the
parties, and was another proof of that genius which has placed the Merrimack
ship-joiners in the front rank of nautical architects and skillful mechanics.
The mottoes upon the sides of the cabin were: "Industry is life.'" No pain4,
nb gains." "Hope is a workman's dream." "Play not with edge tools."
Banner in the shape of a topsail-motto, "Ship Joiners-Excelsior."
PAIL TERS.
The extensive establishment of Messrs John Burrill &c., was represented
upon a platform 21 feet long by 8 1-2 wide, drawn by a span of horses. On
the forward part was a ship's billet head; on the front end, specimens of
graining for ships' cabins, &c.,-and above a fancy sign,'John Burrill,' upon
one end, and'S. S. Blake' on the other, in the centre'Paints, Oil and Glass.'
On each side specimens of ornamental work, door plates, &c.; at the top
"John Burrill & Co., 40 Merrimack street,' Back end, a beautiful ornamental
painting, 9 feet by 6 1-2, gilt frame, shield in the centre; above and below,
in a scroll, were these words:-"The Union and the Constitution-with these
we are safe."
The interior was divided into four separate departments, representing the
various branches of their business. [First, a man at work on burnished gilding-another making composition ornaments-another making door plates,
and a clerk writing at a desk. Second, two men employed in ornamental
painting and graining, and specimens of work in this department.' Third,
two persons glazing and painting blinds. Fourth, men grinding and preparing paints. Hanging on each side of this apartment were the various
tools usually kept in a pairting establishmento




THE  PROCESSION.                         31
THE hIMERY BOAT.
After the painters followed a beautiful little boat,, schooner rigged, belonging
-to Mr. John Emery, of Georgetown. She was covered with flags and other:decorations, and had as mottoes, on one side, "Welcome, Sons of Newburyport;" and on the other, "Washington's fame never to be forgot."  She was
manned by three lads in navy dress.
THE  OLD  STAGE.
As the procession was passing the Turnpike, one of the stages, formerly
in the employ of the old Eastern Stage Company, drove up, the driver, Mr.
Edmund Knight, one of the oldest drivers, formerly in the employ of that
company, blowing the horn, &c. Upon the top was the baggage, valises, &c..
marked Hon. George Lunt, D. N. Haskell, Esq., and the whole looked like
the times when the Wolfe Tavern was in place of the depot.
FIFTH  DIVISION.
The oppressiveness of the heat created quite a paucity of numbers in the
fifth division, which, as will be observed by the programme, was to be made
up of the various Benevolent Associations of this and other places. Had the
day been more favorable, the societies would have turned out in large numbers. Quite a demonstration was made by the Masons at a meeting held the
evening before, and somewhat extensive arrangements were made for a display in the procession, by most of the societies mentioned in the programme,
but the oppressive state of the atmosphere, the mercury standing near 100~,
during the time consumed in the march, that it was thought inexpedient to
join the procession.
SIXTH DIVISION.
The sixth division, to be composed' of the cavalcade, was likewise meagre'in appearance. This was to be accounted for in the fact that every horse
that could be procured, was in active service where the labor was not only,more profitable to its owner, but to the people generally.
Owing to the tardiness of the trains, the procession did not move till nearly'11 o'clock. It marched down High street to Federal, down Federal to Water, counter march up Federal to Orange, through Orange to Fair, down Fair
to Essex, through Essex to State, up State to High, up High to Kent, counmnarch down High to Market. down Market to Washington, through




32             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
Washington to Green, down Green to Pleasant, through Pleasant to the
Church.
Owing to the extreme heat of the day a short distance of the route was
cut off. The procession was'the largest ever formed in Newburyport, and
presented an imposing appearanee. The streets through the whole route
were lined with people, and every window commanding a view was filled
with faces.
CHILDREN'S  COLLATION.
After the procession was over, the children engaged in it, were regaled
with a fine collation in the City Hall, which was finely decorated for that
occasion. The windows were hung with festoons of bunting, while from the
centre of the ceiling, streamers were carried to all parts of the hall. The
back of the rostrum was handsomely trimmed with American flags, and a
fine full length'portrait of Washington, furnished for the occasion by the
Quascacunquen Lodge of Odd Fellows. At the opposite end of the hall was
three arches of evergreen, the centre one bearing a pair of clasped hands, and
the inscription"'Tis the same cordial, hearty grasp
I loved so long ago."
The children enjoyed themselves highly, as may well be supposed, after
the long and dusty march.
Street Decorations.
We merely give those decorations along the route of the
procession, though many other residences than those mentioned were ornamented. We give in the order.
MARKET  STREET.
In front of the residence of Nathaniel Horton, Esq., three arches trimmed
with evergreen and spruce; upon one,'1645-1764;' the centre arch,'We
forget not the Absent;' the next,'1851-1854'-the whole surmounted with
American flags.
Residence of Charles H. Hudson, Esq., an arch over gateway composed of
evergreen, motto,'Come again soon.'
HIGH STREET.
From D. W. Bayley's house was stretched a line from  which hung the
American ensign.
From the front of H. Bartlett's residence was hung flags and streamers.
At the head of Toppan's lane, the house of D. T. Colman was ornamented
with floral arches and flags in front bearing the motto,'Union,' surmounted




STREET DBCORATIONS.                       33
by two hands clasped-festoons were hung from the flag by floral wreaths,
with motto,'Newburyport,''Newbury.'
In front of the block at the head of Market street, occupied by the Messrs
Creasey, Lander and Noyes,-flags and banners stretching across the streeta representation of'Ye old Morse house, 1645,' and' and a spread eagle
bearing a shield, upon which appeared'1776,' and in his beak a streamer,
upon which was'Success to Newburyport.'
Over the gateway at the residence of Mr H. T. Crofoot, an arch decorated
with evergreen and flowers, with the motto in golden letters,'Home Again!'
under which was suspended an elegant wreath.
At the house of Rev. Mr. Vermilye, an arch over the gateway, with the
motto,'Let Brotherly Love continue.'
The house of Mayor Davenport was decorated by arches and the American
flag, with the motto,'Welcome, Returned Sons.'
At the residence of Messrs Osgood and Brockway an arch was thrown over
the gateway, upon which was the motto,'Withjoy we greet thee-'
FEDERAL STREET.
The house of Rufus Smith was elegantly decorated with arches of evergreen and flowers, and the entire front and side of the walk hung with festoons trimmed with American flags and evergreen, mottoes-'All hail
Columbia, Washington, Lafayette, Carver, Hancock, Winthrop, Jay, Carroll
-Welcome home sons and daughters-Free speech-free press-religious
liberty guided by truth will perpetuate our national prosperity.' A large gilt
Bible was hung under the word truth.
John G. Tilton's house was decorated by an arch in front composed of evergreen, with the motto, " Fond memory brings the light of other days around
us."
John Porter-Portico surmounted with a large carved eagle, the pillars
festooned with variegated colors of cambric entwined with wreaths of flowers,
and a floral arch thrown in front. Motto,'The Union, it must be preserved.'
From the Globe Mill to the residence of Capt. Symons was a line of American and British flags-Porch of house festooned.
ORANGE STREET.
Residence of J. R. Ireland-Floral arch surmounted with motto,'We
greet you?
Col. Amos Tappan's residence was beautifully arranged-streamers were
hung in front bearing the word'Welcome,' and ornamented with festoons.
The Porch was wreathed with flowers and bore the mottoes,'Welcome the
present-remember the absent.''Home again, home again, we joy to greet
thee.' A highly ornamented arch was thrown over the sidewalk upon Fair
street, and in letters of white in the evergreen appeared'Welcome home,'
beneath which was the motto'Early friends again united.'
FAIR STREET.
Residence of Mr Johnson-American flag bearing the motto,'We hail
the day and greet our friends from far.'




34             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
ESSEX STREET.
In front of Mr S. T. Payson's residence was hung the American flag,
motto,'Man shall not live by bread alone.'
STATE STREET.
Three arches were thrown over the street at equal distances, the pillars of
which were trimmed with spruce, and the mottoes worked in evergreen.
The mottoes were1st. " The spirit of'76-May it ever inspire us."
Reverse-" To love one's country is to love one's home."
2d. "A Re-union To-day and the Union Forever.:'
Reverse-"A Glorious Day in our City's History."
3d. " We are proud of our Sons and Daughters."
Reverse. " Welcome to Ould Newberry."
The store of Mr Tilton presented the motto,'Welcome home, Boston
Sons,' enclosed by a wreath of flowers.
The Club Room over Mr Jaques' store was decorated with a shield lettered'Union,' surmounted by the cap of liberty, and the American flag and
jack hung from the centre in festoons.
The St. Charles was appropriately dressed with evergreens, &c.
The shop of T. H. & A. W. Lord, Market Square, was most magnificently
dressed. The lower part was decorated with fir trees, and from the balustrade over the door was thrown an evergreen arch, in the centre of which,
closed in a magnificent floral wreath, was a plaster bust of Washington in a
military undress.
From the front of M. H. Sargent's store was hung the American flag.
BROWN'S SQUARE.
The American flag floated in the breeze in front of the City Hall.
The residence of Moses Sweetser, in the Square, presented a fine appearance. An arch of variegated flowers was erected upon the front, and richly
ornamented with flags. A large stuffed eagle with outstretched wings, standing upon the union and shield, helding in his talons the motto,'Liberty and
Equality,' the whole resting upon a base with the motto,'Our march is
onward.' At the base of the column was a seventy four gun-ship, dressed
with the flags of all nations.
PLEASANT STREET.
The house of Engine Co. 5 was wreathed and hung with flowers and
evergreen.
Mr Sumner's store was highly decorated with evergreen-motto,'Industry
the main cause of success.' Also the sto res of Messrs Johnson and Flanders,
the latter was ornamented with flags, surmounting a motto,'There is no
place like home.'
Mr Badger's store was appropriately dressed.




CHURCH EXERCISES.                          35
The Exercises at the Church
Were well performed and of a high order, The music which filled the house
with strains now sweet and melodious —now bold and startling, that moved
all hearts-that excited the best and noblest feelings of our natures, was
performed by a select choir of fifty musicians of the highest musical talent of
the city, under the direction of M. D. Randall, Esq., whose long experience
in this department places him at the head of the catalogue of teachers in his
profession. The Voluntary on the organ by Mr. R. P. Morss, of this city,
was played in the most exquisite manner. He commenced with the national
song, "Hail Columbia," with the full organ, followed by the full strain of
"Should Old Acquaintance be Forgot," and closed with] "Home, Sweet
Home," upon the swell organ, so soft and sweet that the almost breathless
silence of the audience became necessary to hear it. The finale chorus cf
the Messiah, by Handel, was sung with wonderful effect; its lofty and sublime strains, sustained by so many flexible, yet full voices, were truly
inspiring, particularly in the passage, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
The other chorus, from Mozart's 12th Mass, "Praise the Lord the nations
all," was no l ss grand in its performance than the one alluded to above.
The "Song of Welcome," by Hon. George Lunt, is one of his best;productions, and will speak for itself in thrilling tones. The music for this hymn
was composed by AM. D. Randall, and was listened to with delight, and is
another of the many gems of his compositions. The patriotic Ode, by Jacob
Haskell, Esq., is replete with meaning, and its performance by the choir to
the old tune of "The Star Spangled Banner," seemed to carry the minds of
the audience back to days long since passed, when its strains were as familiar
to all as household words. The tenor solo in this piece was sung by Mr.
George W. Hale, who possesses in the fullest extent all the elements which
make a public singer. The organ accompaniments to the choir were performed by Mr. J. W. Cheney, in a style far surpassing any of his former
efforts. IHis masterly touch upon this grand and powerful instrument in the
sublime strains of Handel and Mozart, were truly inspiring.
Following the Reading from the Scriptures, by the Rev. Thomas M.
Clark, of Hartford, Conn., and a fervent, eloquent prayer by Rev. D. M.
Reed, came the following
SONG OF WELCOME.
BY GFOREGE LUNT.
Welcome! a thousand times welcome home!
Joy to their paths, —the wanderers come.;
For childhood's scenes they have pined so long,
Welcome them back with the festal song!
In busy cities, when crowds were gone,
Through solemn depths of the forest lone,
By distant plains, and where Ocean rolls,
Homeward dreams have come over their souls.




336             THE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATION.
They come,-they gather to greet once more
The kindred form, with its heart's full store,
The clasping hand and the speaking eye,
Beloved so well in the years gone by.
Oh, some will tread with ready feet,
Where love sits smiling and home is sweet,And others have passed through stormy waves,
Only to look on their father s' graves.
They come, —for their streams of soul run back,
From Life's wild sea, over childhsod's track,
And own, for the dearest joy of earth,
A mother's kiss, by a father's eearth.
Welcome them,- welcome' their hearts are true,
On their souls are drops of youth's first dew;
Joy, oh, joy! let the wanderers come,Welcome! a thousand times welcome home!
The Declaration of Independence was well recited by MR. HIRAMI B.
HASKELL. After that came the following patriotic Ode by MR. JACOB
LIASKELL.
O DE.
MUSIC-"STAR SPANGLED BANNER."
All hail to the past-to the dark trying hour
Which tell of our Fathers- their struggles, their glory;
How nobly they strove with the world's haughty power,
Surpassing in deed all that's written in story.
In the'" perilous fight "-by the camp-fire at night,
They were true to their purpose of freedom and right;
For theirs were the virtues that ever impart
Boundless hope to the soul, and resolve to the heart.
0! list we again to the deep thrilling tone
That so loudly was uttered, ere liberty's dawning
Revealed to the world that, unaided, alone,
They resolved to be free-that entreaty and fawning
Should be things of the past —that the clarion blast
Should ring o'er the vale-and our flag crown the mast;
For theirs were the virtues that ever impart
Boundless hope to the soul, and resolve to the heart.
O! list we again to the PATRIOT'S voice,
As he gloriously spake in the days of our trial,
"Give us freedom or death-the first is our choice,
But for life without freedom we fling back denial.
Then bright deed followed deed under Waslhinton's lean,
Until from the tyrant our country was freed;
For theirs were the virtues that ever impart
Boundless hope to the soul, and resolve to the heart.




THE  ORATION.                          37
The FATTIERS are gone, but their memories still
Are lingering around us like sunlight at even,
Imparting the firm and the resolute will;
To sacredly cherish the blessings they've given.
Then let us be strong, and battle the wrong,
Till freedom shall gather the world in her throng;
And 0! mav the blessings around us impart
Higher hopes to the soul, and resolves to the heart.
The oration by REV. GEORaE D. WILDES, was elegantly
A.~livered, and in the matter of the address and the manner of
ts delivery, was worthy of one of Newburyport's most promIsing sons.  But no circumstance excited more attention than
t-he appearance of the venerable DR. DANA, now more than fourscore years old, to pronounce the Benediction.  The eves of
hundreds who themselves had  grown gray and old since last
they listened to him, were fixed upon his thin form, and placid,
ntelligent countenance; and hundreds hung upon his words,
probably to be heard no more by most of them this side the
grave, who felt they were amply repaid for all the trouble and
cost of their visit, in the reception of his solemn blessing.
ORiAT ION.
There is one word in our language, which of all others, best demonstrates
what may be termed the intrinsic power of words. By this I mean, power,
irrelative of association of ideas or connection of thought; a something almost
electric, which charges as it were the simple combination of letters, and at
the utterance, causes the whole range of the emotional susceptibilities to thrill
and heave with unwonted activity. I know not whether it finds its kindred
in this intrinsic element of power, in the great family of languages: the idea
which it represents, is indeed a universal one; but this I know, that wherever
the great language of sturdy thought, of lofty sentiment and of patriotic
action is spoken; to whomsoever England has bequeathed the rich inheritance of her religion, her liberty, her literature and her genius, there, and to
these, the word can never fail to be an household and a blessed word. Home!
Home! whose soul is not stirred again at its sound; whose heart does not
love the enchantment of its spell; whose whole being does not throb the
more joyously, under the sweet constraint of its charm? Who of us, now
gathered again amid its endearments and associations, has not experienced,
la-ays and everywhere, its cheering coanseling and consoling influence T




38             THE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
Our Home! we can never forget thee! The hearth-stone and its welcomes,
the grave and its memories, the living and the loved, the loved and the
departed alike forbid it: the household and the silent land all are to-day
voiceful, in bidding thee but the more surely to our embraces and our love.
We are gathered at home, and in this sacred temple, to-day, under circumstances at once interesting and novel. Under ordinary aspects, the recurrence
of this birth-day of Freedom is the occasion of high and pure emotion. The
event which it commemorates, gave energy to the young life of Liberty, and
rallied the strong will, and the earnest desire, to the furtherance of noble and
holy purpose. It was an event, whose memory, by each recurring anniversary,
has become interwoven into the very fibre of association, and thus has knit
together our political and domestic attachments in compact and beautiful
order.  There are other occasions indeed, which in a degree serve to
concentrate our political and local affinities. The ancient fasting time of
the Puritan; the thrice welcome Thanksgiving season, both these are
pregnant with singular power-to link the memories of the early state and
the early home. No other anniversary however, so readily identifies the
National with the domestic associations i; none so surely unites in chaste and
graceful wedlock the love of country and of home, as the holiday of Liberty.
Who of us, has not to-day experienced something of the truth of this
sentimentl Who of us, as the well remembered bells have pealed their
welcomes, and the jubilee cannon has rolled its.-peaceful thunder over the
graves of our fathers' rest, who of us has not recognized the early throb and
the jubilant voice of our youthful days, as the undefined germ of what we
now know to be the expanded idea of country and home? And I hold it as an
axiom, that every genuine emotion of nationality is twin-born with the
domestic relation.  Need I illustrate the position?   France, with the
domestic relation an undefined, or at least wrongly estimated one, has ever
needed the might of individual genius, or the glory of individual exploit to
rouse her children to high enterprise. England on the contrary, whose very
name " is a word victorious," England, in whose stalwart Saxon soul we
must glory, as that which enabled our fathers rightly to discriminate and
defend the inherited blessings of her constitutional liberty, England stands,
and has ever stood and conquered, because the birth-place of her honor and
manliness was the Christian household. If there be one element rather
than another, which gives endurance to her embattled line, or flashes from
her bayonet in the shock of war, it is that which symbolized by the Greek in
bowing to his mother earth, has become a sanctified principle under the cross
erowned spires and amid England's home-life scenes. And it is this, which
migrating with the Saxon from his fatherland, has come down through
English hearts to us her children. Gathering new energies as it sprang
forth upon the pilgrim shores; cherished and invigorated amid the storms of
adversity; it flashed in radiant glory amid the fires of the Revolution. In
our later contests it nerved the arms of our countrymen to resist aggression.
In our domestic politics it has ever been the secret of that true conservatism




THE  ORATION.                          39
which controls a licentious radicalism with the right arm of constitutional
restraint, and points the eye of an honest, yet mistaken policy, to the right,
while it invokes the blessing of freedom and equality for universal man.Upon the same base, then, let the national and domestic altar stand, —
"Long, long in hut and hall,
May hearts of native proof be found,
To guard each hallowed wall:
And green forever be the graves,
And bright the flowery sod,
Where first, the child's glad spirit loves
Its country and its God."
I have thus spoken, my friends, for two reasons. First, because the two
ideas which I have named, are peculiarly identified with our gathering to-day;
and secondly, because the patriotic element is strikingly manifest in the early
history of our home. I say again our home; for whatever our present social
relations, in whatsoever climes we may dwell, here around the hearth-stones of
our youth, and the graves of the departed, must forever be the true home of
our hearts. On this day then, consecrated to the united memories of Freedom's birth-time and our own birth-place, it cannot be an unpleasing task if
we review, somewhat at length, some of the causes which have rendered both
dear to our best affections. Identified as was our town with the earliest
manifestations of the revolutionary principle, I shall be pardoned, if in
reviewing some perhaps familiar aspects of our town history, I endeavor to
indicate the lineaments of that resolute spirit which fired the souls of our
fathers, and still marks the character and enterprise of the sons.
It is Burke, I believe, who says that, "it may be doubted whether the
history of mankind is yet complete enough to furnish grounds for a sure
theory on the causes which necessarily affect the fortunes of a people. I am
far," says he, "from  denying the operation of such causes, but they are
infinitely uncertain, and much more obscure, and much more difficult to
trace, than the foreign causes that tend to raise, to depress, and sometimes,
to overwhelm a community. It is often imposqible to find any proportion
between the apparent force of any moral causes we may assign, and their
known operation. We are therefore obliged to deliver up that operation to
mere chance, or more piously, perhaps, more rationally to the occasional
interposition and irresistible hand of the Great Disposer." In the spirit of
this latter proposition, and quite in accordance with the general laws of
Providence, the distinguished Arch-deacon Hare remarks, that, "if any
persons are to be selected by preference for the peopling of a new country,
they ought rather to be the most temperate, the most energetic, the most
prudent and the most virtuous in the whole nation: for their task is the most
arduous, requiring wisdom to put forth all her strength, and all her craft for
its worthy execution. Their responsibility is the most weighty, seeing that
upon them, the character qf a whole people will depend for ages."  A sentiment so just, may, at first sight, seem inapplicable to the history and charac



40              ~THE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
teristics ofa limited locality, and yet I cannot but think that no truth io
susceptible of clearer proof, than that the true secret of our nation's progress,
is to be found in its truest proportions in our New England town histories.Indeed, is it not true, that that mighty power which reformed and re-instated
the English Constitution in the times of the Commonwealth, drew  its
freshest and healthiest life from the limited localities of the English towns?
It may be said, that an indiscriminate and disproportionate taxation laid its
hand heaviest upon these minor parts of the body politic; but in the face of
overwhelming influences from the great centres of political actionresistance on
the part of village and hamlet, argues a better and higher life, a power of;right
perception inversely proportionate sometimes, to the obscurity of its sources.
In these views I am happy to be sustained by an authority,. certainly not
to be disputed here amid the scenes of his early distinction. Says the:
distinguished Attorney-General of the United States, in the preface to his
well condensed history of Newburyport, " in many countries, and no where
more remarkably than here, the history of towns is a very important part in
the history of the nation;" and in another connection he remarks that " towns
are nothing but the elements of nations,. and whatever a-icts the latter;
affects the former in the same degree." Pursuing the idea then, I remark,
that the conditions incident to the proper peopling of a new country, seem
to have been most fully met in the character of the settlers of our New'
England towns; pardon me if I say, that in an etlinent degree do they seem
to have marked the founders of the ancient town of Newbury. I have read)
the humble records of their corporate life from the first settlement in 1635 to
but little purpose, if the impression of their temperance,. their prudence, their'
virtue and energy, has not been a most clear and decided one. Originally
of the class in the main, at home termed " landed proprietors," they meStthat other condition essential to the permanent condition of a state; - for the
strength of a state, humanly speaking, consists not in its. population, orwealth, or knowledge, or in any other such heartless and merely scientific:
elements, but in the number of its landed proprietors," " All ancient
legislators, says Niebuhr when speaking of Numa,. and above all Moses,.
rested the. result of their ordinances for virtue, civil order and good manners,
on securing landed property, or at least the hereditary possession of land to.
the greatest possible number of citizens2" It is reasonable to presume then,.
that habits acquired in the care and disposition of property in England, and,
applied to the allotments made to the early settlements, exhibited their
influence in a marked degree in a settlement so distinguished for the number,
of such proprietors as that of Newbury. In reviewing the records of thetown, it is quite easy to see how soon the idea and rights of property were.
developed. Passing along those records until the period of the incorporation
of Newburyport, the operation of this fact of property upon every town:
ordinance for the public good is constantly evident. Especially is it manifest
in its relation to that spirit of enterprise which has always eminentljy
characterized the inhabitants of both towns,.




TEE  ORATION.                             41
It must not be forgotten, however, that there were elements of piety and
culture by which the fathers of our town were largely distinguished. In
every estimate of the causes of the prosperity of New England, the argument
from proprietorship acquires overwhelming force when viewed in the light,of that practical piety and consequent mental discrimination, which as it was
the chiefest glory of our fathers, will hereafter prove their crown. In these
later days We are quite too much in the habit of identifying religion only
with the sentiments and tastes. We practically dissociate it from its political
and social relations; we isolate its influences from those connections, in
which in the wisdom of God it was intended to exert some of its highest
and holiest benefactions. But we much mistake the secret of that energy of
will and purpose, that activity in deed, that early respectability which we are
proud to commemorate in our local history. I say we much mistake the
secret power of these, if after all, they were not the product of the Puritan
piety. When Macaulay depicts the grand lineaments of the Puritan in the
political strifes of the seventeenth century, he draws the features of that same
spirit as the vital ingredient of success in every other relation. When in
burning and glowing rhetoric he says of them, that "they were men whose
minds had derived a peculiar character from the daily contemplation of
superior beings and eternal interests," he no more surely touches the key
note of their triumph over despotism at home, than he traces out the peculiar
source of the success of like minds in more peaceful walks. That same eye
which could look calmly upon the sto'rmy battle, because it had first looked
upward to God; that same heart which quailed not amid the hurricane of the
charge, because it was at peace with its Maker, these were the same, which
in civil and social aspects, were distinguished for a precision of view, a coolness of judgment, and an inmutability of purpose " which some have thought
inconsistent with religion, but Which were in fact the necessary effects of it."
And although we may not always be able to connect our own ancestry
directly with the Puritan of the commonwealth, yet there is a marvellous
likeness stamped upon their character and habits. There is the same
acknowledgement of God in the ascription of every event to His will; there
is the same subjection of every impulse of mind and heart, to the one overpowering sentiment of God, and duty to him; there is the same idea of a
practical, present, ever-judging God as the grand arbiter of every act, and the
truest bond of every social and domestic institution.
I combine then these characteristics of the early inhabitants of our town as
among the chief causes, at least, of their succeeding social and commercial
distinction; I unhesitatingly affirm my belief, that in these combined, heavenward and temporal aspects of the history of our New England towns, early
distinguished for stable and uniform growth, respectability and social importance, will be found the talisman of any real prosperity or progress in any
community, however humble and limited its locality. When then I read the
homely records of Newbury, (and it is to these that we must resort in any
AV




4ff             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELERRATIOK.
analysis of the prosperity and enterprise of our own town)' when I mark a
intervals, the quick perception of local advantages, for various and useful
pursuits; when I see the forest bending its burthen to the sturdy stroke of'
the artificer, and the broad stream along whose banks our boyhood revelled,
lifting upon its breast the graceful results of' his handiwork;a when shortly I
read that the skill of the early mechanic, gave a name and a fame to the
naval architecture of those periods, connecting our birth-place, even with the'
interests of the mother-land by these tokens of its industry; when I find the'
ocean made' tributary to its enterprise, and that important fishing interest
developing its energies, which in later times has become an object of national
concernment; when to these I add the diligent cultivation of the soil, making'
it to rival from the remotest periods, even the rural homes of England, I
must class all these as the legitimate result of faith in God, combined with'
its genuine offspring, honest and earnest diligence amid the works and gifts
of His hand.
In entering thus far upon the causes, of that importance which has already'
attached to the social and commercial aspects of the place of our nativity, I
have passed behind the record of its own separate municipal existence. I
have done thus because I believe that in any estimate of social as of individual
character, the influence of maternity, so to speak, must always largely enter.
We who are gathered here to-day, must not forget our Grandmother, "OulY
Newberry," in honoring her daughter and our mother. As those of us of
maturer years have to-day either embraced our mothers, or, alas! lingered
at their graves, how has the memory fastened upon one in that charmed
circle of home, whose departure has reminded us
"4How grows iun Paradise our store."
IHow has recollection identified one venerable form, and one gentle and loving'
countenance, to whose presence and counsels in our youth, we must ascribe
quite as much as to any other, whatever of pious and manly stature we have
attained. A  godly grandmother! Oh,. it is one of the choicest gifts of
heaven! May we go hence to the strife of life, inspired by the memory, and
invigorated in heart, by the tearfal, yet sweet remembrance of those holy
ones in glory!
When I come then to a brief review of the history of our own town, I must
turn again to Newbury for the formative influences in some degree, of that
culture and refinement which early distinguished the inhabitants of our own
town. The Act for the incorportion of Newburyport passed in 1764, in part
reads thus.  "Whereas the town of Newbury is very large, and the inhabitants of that part of it who dwell by the water-side there, are mostly
merchants, traders and artificers; and the inhabitants of the other parts are
chiefly husbandmen, by means whereof many difficulties and disputes have
arisen in managing their public affairs; be it enacted, &c."  In his "Pickle
for the Knowing Ones," that erudite and classical scholar, the late Lords
Timothy  Dexter presents us with the interpretation of some of these.




TIHE  ORATION                            3
difficulties.  With that felicity of idea which marked his speculations, whether
in trade or literature, quite as much as the absence of punctuation distinguishes the latter, he elegantly remarks, that "Noubry peopel groud strong,
the farmers was 12 out of 20, thay wanted to have the offesers in the contry,
the larned in seeport wanted to have them there, fite thay wood, in Law they
went to Jinral Cort to be sot of, *   * *   So much for mad people
of Larning makes them mad." At the expense of disturbing the gravity of'
this occasion, I have introduced this extract, because like all the theories of
that sage writer, it undoubtedly contains a germ of truth. Industry and civil
order upon a religious basis, create intellectual necessities. No people are so
sure to attain to the highest and most discriminating culture as a godly
people. The education of the morals involves as a grand sequence, the
highest scale of mental and social refinement. I hold then to the practical
Bible philosophy of our fathers of Newbury as one antecedent at least of
those marked intellectual features early discoverable in the inhabitants of
Newburyport; and I regard it, as before intimated, as the basis of that
distinction in political far-sightedness and honesty in literary eminence, in
commercial and social position, which rears New England to-day to the very
cap-stone of the social structure. The New England mind! my friends, if
you would find its source, you must look heavenward. Its ancestry is above;
its fathers are in the skies; and as to-day, you look abroad upon its splendid
triumphs in the great names which adorn its history; you must look upon
them only as the reflected glories of those godly souls who now "shine, as
the stars forever and ever."
To that already mentioned must be added that other element derived from
the contact of the early commerce of our town with foreign countries. An
enterprising commerce, while it must be classed among the offspring of an
enlarged moral and intellectual progress, is also possessed of a most powerful.
reactive energy. Upon its refluent wave, it bears back from older and more
cultivated shores, somewhat of the spoil of its advancing tide; and I cannot
but think that the philosophy of the high reputation which our town has
always sustained, in the particulars mentioned, is very directly to be sought
in the extent of its early commercial connections. In such a presence as this
it were superfluous indeed to cite proofs of this relation of commerce to
culture. The world is girdled to-day by the golden cincture of a splendid
commerce, and from the clasping of Christianity with the minor results of
Eastern and ancient trade down to the era of discovery, and from that period
to their present reunion upon the shores of Japan, it is radiant with the
clustering jewels of literature and art. It can be no wonder, then, to paraphrase the language of the local authority before quoted, that the sea-port of
Newbury became the cultivated and refined municipality of ZNewburyport.
And while all engaged in that foreign intercourse may not thus early have
partaken of these influences, yet I venture to affirm, that in this theory may
be found the solution of that intelligence, that practical skill, that large




44              THlE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
information and those generous qualities of heart, which have everywhere
and always placed the merchants and navigators of our native town in the
very foremost rank in their several professions.
In entire accordance with my position, then, is the gratifying fact that
almost the first act of our town after its incorporation, was the establishment
of three large public schools; and the committee report, "that as the inhabitants have now the long desired privilege of being well served with schools,
and as they have been heretofore liberal in the support of private ones, we
think it proper that the public schols should be honorably supported."
fIonorably supported! the term itself argues that high estimate of education
which is the legitimate effect of causes hitherto adduced. Let that record
never be blotted out from the annals of our town. Let it go down tothe
generations to come, that the two earliest acts of its corporate life, were its
protest against tyranny, and its pledge to the free and equal education of
its children. Blessed be God, that to this hour its voice and its acts have
been for the honorable educational support of its sons and daughters; and
thrice blessed the fact, that its fruits are gathered in all lands, in the
intelligence, the usefulness, and the honor of the successive recipients of its
liberal benefactions. "It is believed by competent judges," says Coffin in his
valuable history, " that no town has done more for the cause of education, in
proportion to its means, than the town of Newburyport."
There is a brilliant page in our local history, my friends, which may
perhaps, find its philosophical connections best developed at this point in my
subject. I have endeavored to show that the character of refinement and
culture which marked our town among others of the old commercial ones of
New England, was the product of intellectual conditions and commercial
relations, themselves begotten by the God-directed energies of our ancestors
of Newbury. So far as certain departments of mere professional life are
concerned, it is quite easy to see, that an active and stirring seaport creates
other necessities which attract the professional supply. The legal profession,
for instance, finds its largest exercise in the variety of contested interests
ever incident to the business relations of such a locality. The medical, must
of course find its largest field in the great centres of population and trade:
while that other, which from the earliest periods has interwoven its influences
into the fabric of the policy and training of New England, will always be
identified with the character and growth of a high moral and social condition.
But there must be something inherently peculiar in that society, which finds
its affinities in the very highest order of ability in these several departments.
Mere business necessities fraternize mainly with business tact; the supply
and the demand are co-relative. Professional eminence, however, is the
product of a cultivated soil, or suffers transplantation, only as the soil to
which it is transferred, is adapted to its proper nutriment and growth. If
this position then be correct, I find in it, the secret of that intellectual an d
professional character of our town, in which great names stand as a proud




THE  ORATION.                           45
part of our social inheritance. It is this chemistry of causes to which I have
referred, which has diffused honored hand honorable names along the tablets
of our local history. Sewall, Bradbury, Parsons, Jackson, the Lowells, and
Greenleaf among our native born, of the legal profession. Adams, "the
old man eloquent," Paine, the brilliant eulogist, King, the polished ambassador at St. James's, and Thatcher, among our adopted ones, and Wilde, the
eminent jurist, of the living, Sawyer, and Swett, "the physician, the scholar
and the gentleman," and Noyes, the sage and shrewd, of the same profession,
among our native born, and Bradstreet the honest and self-sacraficing, Vergnies and Prescott among the adopted, and Jackson, among the living of that
profession. Barnard and Cary, and Webber and Bass, Pearson and Spring,
and one known wherever a pure faith extends its influences, and who to-day
survives among you. MIay I not name him-Dana-whose venerable form and
features it yet delights us to behold.
"Doctus et expertus in religione, et arbiter elegantiarum."  These are
among our treasures, and these among the honored names in whom we to-day
glory. And to these may I not add the names of Cross and Dalton, Stocher
and Farris; of Greenleaf and Titcomb, Tracy, Brown and Bartlett; the
Johnsons and Wheelwrights, and Cushing, Wills, Clark and Story, among
our merchants. Perkins and Pike and Knapp —nay of many another
departed one in various walks, whose fame in these is matter not simply of
local, but of world-wide relations. And in our own times upon what a harvest
of commercial, literary and professional results can we not look. Law, the
"mother of peace and joy," has chosen hence some of- the truest and most
fearless interpreters of her own majestic utterances. Science has here trained
up some of the noblest craftsmen amid her enegies and her adaptations.
Poetry, amid our green slopes, and from the margin of our own silver
Merrimack, has bid some of her own sweetest rivulets to glide; while over
the wide earth are diffused radii of intellectual and moral light, illuminating
and blessing others, yet finding the central source of their usefulness and
distinction in this the home of the warm and grateful heart. Beloved
Mother!
" Gratum est quod patriae cives populosque dedisti."
It is with singular and generous pride, that on this national jubilee, we, the
sons and daughters of Newburyport, can regard her birth-timne as identified
with that of the nation. Newburyport was emphatically cradled amid the
political storms which immediately preceded the Revolution. Her earliest
inspirations were amid that atmosphere of self-denying and lofty resistance to
injustice, which, charged with power under the attrition of the Stamp-act and
its succeeding impositions, developed its lightnings in the battle fires of the
Revolution. Her earliest words were the manly and true utterances of that
older spirit of freedom, which found its occasion, rather than its origin, in the
measures of the Royal Government. Her first writing-book, the town record,
had for its copies, Loyalty and Liberty; but liberty at all hazards. Her first.
reading-book was that. immortal Declaration of Independence, which is




46             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
sounded to-day in the ears of more than twenty-five millions of men. Her
first school was one of peculiar and trying discipline, but the scholar stands
forth at this hour the mature and honored matron, and " her children rise up
and call her blessed." It was my pleasing duty, some years since, to
transcribe from the town records, the proceedings of'the various meetings
preceding and during the revolutionary contest; and I well remember at that
time, while as yet the causes and relations of that contest were somewhat
undefined to my mind, the thrill and throb which accompanied the transcription.  I believe that no nobler sentiments were uttered, and no greater
sacrifices made in any quarter of our land, during that stirring period, than
in this our own town. From the copy of instructions given to Dudley Atkins,
the representative in 1765 to the General Court of the Province, down through
the letter of advice to the citizens of Boston, from the pen of John Lowell,
upon the non-importation agreement; and from this, and the agreement to
that act, throughout every town document bearing upon the principles and
duties involved, there is ever to be heard the grand roll of that sub bass of
freedom, which from the times of Milton, and Hampden, and Russell, and
Sidney, has given tone and accompanyment to the voices of the free. And
adequately to conceive of the value of these sentiments, we must learn
something of the corresponding sacrifices. No strain soars so high towards
heaven, none has such power over the heart, as that of resolution and praise
under affliction.' No prayer so directly enters heaven, none partakes so much
of the heavenly spirit as that which rises amid the depression of temporal
circumstances; and so with the voices and invocations of patriotism; their
genuineness and worth are only properly estimated, when she herself is seen
tearful, yet erect and graceful, amid the ruins of commercial and social
prosperity. "We have not always done justice," says Mr. Webster, "to the
merits and sufferings of those who sustained on their property and means of
subsistence the great burthen of the war. Nobler records of patriotism exist
no where than in those of the New England towns. No where can be found
higher proofs of a spirit that was ready to pledge all, to hazard all, to sacrifice
all in the cause of the country. The voice of Otis and of Adams in Faneuil
Hall, found its full and true echo in the little councils of the interior towns;
and if within the Continental Congress, patriotism shone more conspicuously,
it did not there exist more truly, nor burn more fervently; it did not render
the day more anxious, nor the night more sleepless, it sent up no more ardent
prayer to God for succor, and it put forth in no greater degree the fulness of
its effort, and the energy of its whole soul and spirit in the common cause,
than in the small assemblies of the towns."
It is peculiarly true, that every record of our town, from the inception to
the close of the Revolution, is nobly in keeping with the sentiments of
Webster. Listen to the vote of August 3, 1774, "Voted, That the town will
stand by the result of the Congress, even if it be to the stopping of all
trade;" and this too in a town whose very life blood must be drained by the
passage of such act. Listen to the modest journal of Lieut. Paul Lunt:



THE  ORATION.                         47
"' May, 1775, marched from Newburyport with sixty men; Ezra Lunt, commander. June 16, our men intrenched on a hill beyond Bunker's hill. June
17, the Regulars landed troops, and we engaged them." Sixty men in one
company from Newburyport at Bunker hill! Listen to the record of 1776.
" Yoted, That if the honorable Congress should, for the safety of the United
Colonies, declare them independent of the kingdom of Great Britain, this
town will, with their lives and fortunes, support them in the measure." Sons
and daughters! our mother anticipated the Declaration of Independence, and
practically avowed her devotion to freedom, and that almost in the very words
of the Declaration, on May 31st, 1776. And let me add, that as she was
among the first to strike the blow which severed the States from their mother
land, so was she the very first to give the token of their re-union in a mighty
mercantile bond, which, let us trust, may be one of prosperity and peace
forever. The first American flag which floated in the British waters, after
the cessation of hostilities, was displayed in the river Thames from the Comte
de Grasse, Capt. Nicholas Johnson, of Newburyport.
These records form but a meagre portion of what might be adduced as
illustrative of the spirit and acts of our fathers in the sacred cause of liberty.
Nobly did the town second her votes by means and men. It contributed
largely to all levies and supplies. On almost every battle-field was the blood
of her children shed; and their bones are in the keeping of the hallowed
monuments of their glory. In the naval contests of that period, her sons are
distinguished among the bravest of the brave. The eagle eye of Paul Jones
fastened upon two of her children for his chief officers. Henry and Cutting
Lunt, (the son of one of whom we hope is here present) stood with him amid
the battle and the wreck; while in private enterprize, none displayed more of
gallant daring than the hardy seamen of Newbury and Newburyport. Some
estimate may be formed of the numbers from our own town, engaged in what
was practically the navy of the Revolution, from the fact that twenty-two
vessels and nearly one thousand men, from the towns of Newbury and Newburyport, were lost at sea during the war. And it was not the-hope of gain
alone which prompted these enterprizes of our fathers: nay, rather it was the
determination to supply the deficiencies of the State by individual exertion,
which made the seamen of our town the peers of the disciplined navy of
England, in many a bloody and triumphant battle upon the deep.
But I trespass upon your patience upon this point. Let me only add, that
upon the interests of no town in our country did the burthen of the political
difficuities of our national history press more heavily than upon those of
Newburyport. Shall I say that these were endured with resignation?  Shall
I not rather say that they served only to compact and mould but the more
beautifully and firmly the bonds of patriotic devotion to the country? With
her commerce hampered by the troubles with France in'98, a number of the
inhabitants agreed to build and equip a twenty-gun ship, and to offer her to
the Government of the United States. In their letter to the Government they
say, " They heartily wish their abilities extended beyond their present offer.




48             THE NEWBUJYPORT  CELEBRATION.
but the immense ravages which have been committed on their property by
sea, and the great proportion of the remnant still at risk, forbid them further
indulgence of their inclinations."  With the cessation of these difficulties,
came the season of prosperity. With new commercial ties binding her to the
prominent ports of the WGest Indies and Europe, the counting rooms of our
town were the commercial schools, as they long had been, to which came the
youth of the now great cities of the Northern States for their mercantile
education.  Newburyport, Portsmouth, and Salem were the ports whose
business interests and facilities gathered together the clerks of 1790, and from
that time to 1810, from the metropolis of our own State. Those with whose
interests many of the young before me are identified in Boston and New
York, came hither, in their early days, for the training which they have
imparted to you. In faithfulness to those interests, in your various stations,
remember that you honor those elder merchants of our own town, to whose
practical mercantile skill many of the most prominent of your employers are
indebted for their success.
Adversity followed hard, however, upon prosperity. Aggressions upon
our mercantile inierests from the great belligerents of Europe; the depressing
embargo; the fire of 1811; the war of 1812-14-all these contracted the mercantile energies of the town. Nature too, seemed to combine her forces to
obstructing, not to say destroying, the sources of her fortune and happiness.
Through all these adverse circumstances, however, the spirit of the fathers in
prosperity, manifested itself in the sons. Endurance, fortitude, hope-these
were but the minor virtues which were radiant in every trial. Business
energy still floated on the bosom of the whelming wave, and was borne along
into other channels of activity and success. While during the days of our
youth, our*mother wore the weeds of mourning for her departed glory, she
now rejoices in the alliances of her children with the offspring of her own
former days of commercial and industrial distinction. Her ships, graceful
and unsurpassed under the moulding hand of a McKay, a Currier, a Jackman, and their compeers, still attract the eye and command the purse of the
merchant princes of our own and other lands. Her manufacturers, interwoven with the golden threads of her well improved afflictions, find " a name
and a praise in the very ends of the earth." Her fisheries, still find in the deep
sea line, as it goes down amid the storm and the wave, this emblem of their
own hardy endurance and perseverance amid difficulties. Her schools still
disseminate and enlarge in the character and standing of her sons, the fruits
of her early culture and literary distinction. Her sons, some of the most
distinguished of whom to-day lay their laurels at her feet, challenge their
country's admiration in their various walks, and her daughters are still the
same graceful and fair ones who have ever adorned the households and
inspired the best affections and deeds of her sons. May we not apply the
words of the immortal bard then, to the varied fortunes of our beloved birthplace"Why then,
Should we with cheeks abashed behold our works,




THE   ORATION.                           49
UAnd think them shames, which were indeed naught else.But the protracted trials of great Jove,
To find persistive constancy in men?
The fineness of which metal is not found
In fortune's love. For the bold, and coward,
The wise and fool, the artist and unread,
The hard and soft, seem all afflinect and kin:
But in the wind and tempest of her frown,
Distinction with a broad and powerful hand,
Puffing at all, winnows the light away,
And what hath mass and matter, by itself,
Lies rich in virbtue, and uimingled.'
I could wish that there were time to dwell upon other aspects of my subject.
The hour, and the delightful features of this occasion, warn me that I must
<close. I have endeavored, very imperfectly, to trace out some of the sources
orf that marked stability of character, and that onward and earnest spirit of
progress, which, whether in prosperity or adversity, have wrested the circum-:stances of both to the credit and honor of our native town. Knowledge and
culture combined withf industry, on the basis of Christian principles and
affections, form a bond of stable union and progress more firm and more
permanent than that which unites princes and statesmen. They give rise to
considerations which tend to the constant production of those social features,
and those enlarged general results which I have delineated as connected with
our own municipal history. They.tend to the conviction on the part of any
population, that " all are capable of performing noble achievements, heroic
exploits' and sterling enterprizes."  That this latter has been their product
here, let the pages from our Revolutionary and later history prove. Nay, that
that they subject and ally even the forces of ill fortune to their own reproduction and more extensive influence, let the history of our mother and her sons
to-day demonstrate.  When tenty-eight years ago, your former historian
znade the statement, that Newburyport " had never yet regained her pristine
elevation in prosperity and wealth," he saw before him only the mother in her
tears, and her children unbefriended, save by her memory and her principles,
going forth from her gates to the battle with fortune.  To-day, in her second
marriage with noble manufacturing industry, she sits queenly in the sisterhood
of cities, and welcomes the children of her former and her later bridal to the
affections and the hospitalities of ber home.
Sons and daughters of Newburyport, you who have been long separated
from that revered mother, your character- (and blessed be God, that wherever
it is found, it'is unsurpassed in all that renders men honorable,) your character
is the legitimate result of this machinery of change and chance, whose working
has been described to you in her history. If under the exigencies of her
depression, she placed you in other hands for the completion of her well begun
training, remember that she sent you forth with the memory of a mother's
trials in your minds, and the principles and example of a noble ancestry in
your hearts. Wherever your lot in life has been cast, hers was the moulding
is




50             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
energy which imparted the capacity for whatever distinguishes you among
men. You may read the wisdom and blessings of their training in the names
of the earnest minded, the generous, the refined, and the successful ones,
standing out in glittering constellation from the face of her time-honored
record. If many of these enjoyed the blessings of her prosperity, yours have
seen the uses and fruits of her adversity. He of whom Burke remarks, that
"he possessed everything of discovery the most penetrating, everthing of
observation on hurnman life the most distinguishing," Lord Bacon, has well
said, that " Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament, adversity of the
New." Let us crown our mother to-day, with a garland of flowers of her
own planting. Let us minister unto her happiness from the blessings which
a good Providence has bestowed upon her own transplanted energies in our
persons and character. Let us to-day drink at the fountain of her patriotism,
let us scan well those features of our ancestry which are reflected from its
own pure and placid face. Let the vision teach us to look well to the sources
and the care of our domestic, social, and political happiness; let the draught
invigorate us for high and holy activities in all that concerns the well being
and perpetuity of our institutions and our Union. Nowhere can we better
kneel in prayer for God's blessing upon these, than in the home of our fathers;
from no place can we better take our new departure for any new contest in
their support, than from this hallowed centre of their affections and inspirations. Let us turn from the voices of party to the clearer voices and teachings
of home. Then shall we go forth again to the duties and trials of our every
relation in life, blessed with a higher view of our responsibilities, inspired by
a purer sentiment of national interest, and actuated by a nobler and more
expansive desire and endeavor for the truest and most permanent happiness
and glory of our country.




THE DINNER.
After the exercises at the Church the procession formed in
the order in which it was to enter the pavilion, and took up its
line of march. The tent was a spacious one capable of accommodating two thousand persons, and was erected upon the
beautiful and level lot of land on the corner of Olive and Congress streets. Tables were here spread for nearly six hundred
guests, invited by the city, comprising speakers of distinction,
the military, engine companies and others; and accommodations were reserved for such as were disposed to purchase
tickets. Rows of tables were laid the entire length of this
huge pavilion, with a raised cross table at the head of the tent
for distinguished speakers, and the President, Vice Presidents,
Toast Master, &c.  The gentlemanly caterer had not forgotten that important and somewhat notable corps, the reporters,
to whom, in his generosity, he assigned the best seats in the
arena.  It was a pleasant sight to gaze upon.  The long rows
of white dishes, alternately relieved by vases of flowers and
dishes of fruit, was enough to drive to madness, appetites
sharpened by such labor and such fasting. However, every
plate that was filled was not emptied, for after the company
had thoroughly satisfied their hunger there appeared enough
and to spare for another such company.  All praise falls short
of doing justice to that popular caterer, HORACE HAMBLET,
EsQ., the landlord of the Ocean House, who provided for the
occasion.




g52-          TEE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATTION.
Everythinlg substantial, fanciful, luxuriant, dainty-all that
appetite could crave or taste desire, was spread in sumptuous
magnificence upon the boards; and the way in which the multitude partook was more complimentary to Mr. H. than anything we could write.  The organization of the company wa.
as follows:
PRESIDENT —MOSES DAVENPORT.
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
Josiah Little,                  Edward Burrill,
Samuel T. DeFord,               David T. Woodwell,
Moses. Newell, West Newbly,     Mark Symons,
George W. Jackman, Jr.,         D. Noyes, West Newbury,,
Joseph B. Morss,                Moses Pettingell,
Moses Hale,                     William E. Currier,
John Porter,                    Eben F. Stone,
James Blood,                    Stephen Tilton, Boston,
Frederick J. Coffin,            William H. Tyler, Calaia,$
Henry C. Perkins,               William H. Huse,
John H. Smith,                  Stephen W. Marston,
Charles J. Brockway,            Richard S. Spofior&,
William Graves,                 Nathaniel Hills.
TOASeT-MAST. x-P. K. EHILLS.
After the company had entered the tent, and all were seateed
at the table, the President rose and made the following remarks:.
SONS OF NEWBURYPORTPermit me to congratulate yoa on this interssting meeting of the Sons and
former residents with the citizens of this beautiful city. This meeting of
friends and brothers has been anticipated by our citizens for the past few
weeks with the most intense interest; and I express but the sentiments of
all, when I say, Welcome, thrice welcome to the home of your earliest
associations.
This is a meeting in which we should all feel the deepest interest and the
most profound sympathy. A gathering like this, that brother may mee~
brother, and friend meet friend, cannot but result in lasting good.
I will now ask your attention while the Divine blessing is invoked by the
chaplain of the day.
The chaplain of the occasion, Rev. Samuel Clark, of Phil
adelphia, then invoked divinlp grace upon the repast; when
the company began to satisfy a hunger which a long ana
arduous march, had sharpened.




THE   DINNER.                         53
After the company had thoroughly refreshed the physical
man, the President called them to order by the annexed brief
speech:
FRIENDS AND SONS FROM ABROADThe citizens of the place of your birth and former home, are most happy to
meet you on this the anniversary of our National Independence, and we
bid you welcome to the hospitalities of our city.
In looking round this assembly, and seeing so many of our sons here, gifted
with the highest order of talent and eloquence, well may we your friends and
brothers, expect a rich intellectual treat; and for the purpose of calling out
some of the talent and eloquence of some of our sons and former residents, I
will call upon the toast-master for the first -regular toast.
His speech having terminated amid the cheering of the
multitude, he proceeded to announce the toast-master, Philip
K. Hills, Esq., who read the regular toasts in a loud and distinct voice, which were responded to by persons in the manner
given below.
The Returned Sons of Newburyqport-who by their talents, character and
attainments, have made her name so honorably known throughout the length
and breadth of the land.
The President called upon Hon. George Lunt, of Boston,
late U. S. Attorney, who responded as follows:
MR. MAYOR, GENTLEMiEN AND FRIENDS: I gladly fulfil the duty which
has devolved upon me by the arrangements of the occasion, of responding to
the sentiment which has just been announced. I congratulate you upon the
auspicious arrival of this great and happy day. I congratulate you upon
those feelings, so honorable to the authorities and inhabitants of our ancient
and beautiful town, which has prompted this call for the return of its sons
and daughters to the place of their birth-and upon those kindling emotions
which have caught the same impulse from city to city and from town to town,
and uniting in one common current have borne the returning pilgrims home
from many a distant shrine, to mingle their hearts upon the altar of a common and sacred devotion.
It is thus that this gathering affords the most gratifying evidence, that the
young have been unseduced by newer scenes into forgetfulness of what should
be most dear to them, that the lapse of time has not been able to obliterate
in those of maturer years the memory of early and valued impressions. And
I hold this to be most honorable and true to the better instincts of our nature,
and those higher motives and principles of our being, which reason and
reflection and experience confirm. For whoever is not true, if there be any
50




54                THE  NEWBURYPOT{T  CELEBRATIONo
such, to those dear and sacred associations, which in all ages and countries.~
have bound the hearts of men to the place of their father's graves and oftheirown boyish sports-to the scenes among- which their first ties of friendship
and earliest domestic and religious impressions were formed —muset be dead
to whatever raises human nature above the degradations of more animal
existence.
Happy is it for us and for you, that this day affords such proof that these
ties have not been forgotten or disregarded by those who claim  origin here,
that arnmidst the cares and- vicissitudes of life, their hearts have still been at,home; that the boy who went out from you burning with the ardor of youthfall
enterprise, to face the struggles of a more distant world, has come back to-day
with his early feelings grown stronger and deeper amidst the settled purposes
of manhocd; that if there be any-and well we know thiat there are many
such-who in the language of your sentiment, "by their talentsscharacter
and attainments," have contributed- to the honor of their native town-be
sure, that their successes  are only more dear to thlem, that some warm
hand here will clasp their own more warmlyiv that some kind heart at home
will beat more proudly for their triumhnn s —and be sure that whatever m9nument they may rear to fortune o- to fi-me hans a deeper foundation than that:
built outwardly, a.mongst the graves and ashes oe' their kindred.
We come amongst you then not as stranerse,   rlot even as guests, merely,.
but as children of a common parent. W"  thank yiou for your hospitality,,
but it is as a son welcomes the liberal gifts of his father. We gladly take
what you generously bestow, but we cannot help receiving it as a portion ancd
a birthright.
And yet, sir, be thanked! For us all, ccnd I spe'k for all-accept we pray
you, our iwarmest and most filial acknowledgments; for without this maternal
recall, many of us to-day would be minugling in distant scenes from which our
hearts were far, fai away.
Not for this day or hour only are we come o;ce        other. rot witn this day or'
this occasion will cease those emotions withh have swelled within our hearts.
Not here shall we leave the glover of those swveet -ad holy re.mem;brances,
which have led us to the embraces of horoe.  \n hereve ol e ture years may
be passed, the memory of the events of th;s day Nwill be with us. By themwe shall be cheered and soothed and blesse'd.  1e shall feel that they have
drawn more closely the ties which bind us to our native soil.  We cannot
f6rget-we will not forget, things and scenes so dear to us; and if it shouldC
not be permitted that our dust should here mingle with the ashes of our kindred — like the Greek, who dyin   remembered his lovely Argos-wiike the
Hebrew, who seeks the la.nd of his fathers for his place of supulture —we too,
will desire at least that som e of this beloved earth may be sprinkled on our
insensible bosoms.
I have read somewhere that an eminent English a-thor, not long since,
in addressing some association for mental improvement, congratulated its
members that such socieies tended to break down the fictitious distinctione



THE   DINNER.                           5
of life and to bring human beings nearer to each other by a common motive
and interest. Let us trust that such may prove one of the happy results of'
our gathering to-day; and allow me to give you, in conclusion, an illustration of the doctrine I would inculcate in the old and bright history of our
native town. In the days of her former pride, and of a prosperity, which I
trust, she will one day far surpass-more than sixty years ago-the first
President of the United States-that great and venerated personage, whom I
cannot help regarding as the noblest and happiest of mankind, since he rendered unequalled services to his country, and went to his grave without a
stain upon his public or private fame-was here entertained by the authorities of the town, in the house of that eminent and patriotic merchant, Mr.
Tracy.  On the morning following his arrival, he was received by I-r.
Dalton, who was, as you well know, a member of the first Senate of the
United States; and in both instances in a mansion yet standing conspicuously in our streets.
The most noted people of the town were present, and among them  one
eminent divine,@t long since deceased, with whom Washington was engaged
in conversation, after brea'kfast, upon publie affairs, in the midst of a distin.nguished circle of guests. This gentleman ventured the assertion that in
"twenty years there would not be a crowned head in Europe"-from  which
opinion Washington, with a more far-seeing sagacity, dissented, and while
givino his viebds upon this important topic, a messenger came in to inform
him that some person at the door insisted on seeing the President. Mr.
Dalton directed him to be sent away, but the ear of Washington had caught
somne intimation of the request, and learning, upon enquiry that a poor man
wished to speak with him, he requested him to be introduced. As he entered, he rushed to the President with the cry, "God bless you, Major
Washington! God bless you, Major Washington!"  The President recognized him at once, and calling him " Cotton," shook him kindly by the hand.
It was indeed a person well known to the last generation under the popular
name of'"Colonel" Cotton, who had been Washington's servant in the old
French war, and attended him at Braddock's defeat, that bloody and disastrous day, when the young Virginian officer saved the army from  utter
destruction, and grasped those first laurels which grew and flourished until
they became immortal as the records of his country's history. This man
was cordially received and dismissed with a liberal present in the golden
currency of the day-when gold really had a value-which the broken down
old soldier wore afterwards suspended about his neck. And I assure you
that among many brilliant incidents of his progress through this town and
vicinity, nothing of the good and great President's visit has given me more
pleasure than reflection upon the kind and gentle feeling thus exhibited, and
which the events of this day are so well calculated to promote, and, I trnst
perpetuate to the latest generation.
4lRev. M3r. Murray.




56             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
The Day wte Celebrate.
Rev. Samuel L. Caldwell, of Bangor, was called upon, and
spoke as follows:MR. MAYOR, and to follow my professional fashion, BRETHRENIt is a trick of my profession to take a text, and say under it what we
choose; to have the text one thing, and the discourse another. It will not
be strange, sir, if I do not stick to the text you give me, for the fact is, the
Fourth of July is down —" The day we celebrate" is in the shade. The
great Republic sinks into the little municipality, and Newburyport takes
possession of our memory and our love. Our heroes are not of'76-not
of Bunker Hill and Saratoga-but those who plunged into the "imminent
deadly breach" between "Up-alongers" and " Down alongers."  Our memories are not with Hancock and Adams, Jefferson and Lee, but with our old
schoolmasters-with the antiquities, the human curiosities with'which this
blessed old town used to so abound.
Mr C. said he felt at home. He, was a boy again:
"My foot on is my native heath, and my name is McGregor."
He loved Newburyport-he loved her sons-he loved one of her daughters —
he loved some of her grandsons, and he hoped one of these days to love some
of her grand-daughters. And yet, he said, he must confess, that the Newburyport of the present was not exactly the Newburyport that filled his
memory and his imagination and his love. He was a boy here in that quiet
interval when she had nothing for her boys to do; when she only taught and
trained them and let them go. He confessed, he thought the locomotive an
intruder-the steam mill an impertinence. Improvement and progress did
not belong here. He wanted the old place kept as a relic, and a refuge from
a hurrying and working-day world, to find here a Sabbath and a rest. He
loved to come here in the Indian Summer, when the year was sleeping toward
its death; when the brown and slumbrous air lay soft and loving. over
"Turkey Hill " and " Old Maids' Hall" and the "Devil's Den;" when, on
the old boy haunts, there was
" a glory and a gleam
That never was on land and sea:
The consecration and tile poet's dream."
Then it seemed most like the old time. He could sleep and he could dream.
But sir, said Mr. C., I retract, I retract. It is not so. The day is great.
The love of liberty is superior to the love of place. Liberty, and country
assert their old and just supremacy. The Republic expands again-the little
town, the dear old home cannot fill our love. The Day and the Deed we
celebrate, and not these onlySbut liberty, the principles of liberty which on
this day were inaugurated; for which Newburyport made patriotic and generous contribution, the memory of which makes her dearer; liberty-greater
than home or country, without which they are worthless; the principles of




THE  DINNER.                           57
it, the love of it; if in any measure they are quenched or dying —let us here
at the old altar, among those churches and schools by whose discipline and
love of liberty, the reverent memory of the fathers who stood by it and for it
were nurtured, let us here and now revive and re-kindle it. After a few
words of the same tenor about cherishing the spirit of Freedom, impartial
and universal, Mr C. closed with the hope and the prayer that no son of
Newburyport, heir of her memories, trained in her schools and churches,
filial and faithful to her, would ever be recreant to the principles of Liberty of'
which this day was the inauguration.
The Orator of the Day.
Rev. George D. Wildes was called upon. He remarked that he belonged to
a church of some authoritative pretensions, but he placed these below those
of his brother who had preceded him, and was willing to stand with him. If
he had been called upon to respond to " Hail Columbia," or " The Day we
Celebrate," he might have said something; but " The Orator of the Day,'
was decidedly beneath his powers. He had already had his turn at the
church. In his feeble manner he had placed his wreath upon the altar of
liberty, and should sit down and hold his peace. As for toasting, he had
been toasted by the scorching rays of the sun until he was perfectly satisfied.
In M2emory of Rufus King-For many years a resident of Newburyport, and
one of the brightest jewels in her crown.
The venerable Doctor Dana responded to this sentiment, and
we regret that his voice was so feeble that but few could catch
his words.
*MIIR. PRESIDENTOn this great occasion, and surrounded as I am by not a few who have
far superior claims to be heard, I might well content myself to be a mere
listener.
But the name of Rufas King. has a c/harm which will not suffer me to
remain wholly silent-especially as it is probable few are present who have
had equal advantages for a personal knowledge of this great man.
Mr. King was not a native of Newburyport, but was early an adopted and
favorite son. He pursued his legal studies under the auspices of another
great man, Theophilus Parsons, who for many years was a distinguished
jurist and pleader at the bar, and who in later life was no less distinguished
as Chief Judge of our Supreme Court.
It is a remarkable. fact, that in two years after Mr. King had closed his
studies, he was occasionally called to plead causes, in which Mr. Parsons was
his opponent. It was thought by many in Ipswich-the place where the court
was sometimes held-that the  pupil sustained a fair competition with his
preceptor. It was about that time, that being a boy of ten or twelve years
old, I was repeatedly feasted with his eloquence.




'58            THE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATION.
It may seem strange, but it is a fact, that at the distance of more than
seventy years I have as vivid an impression of his person, his air, his voice,
his affluence of ideas and language, as if these were affairs of yesterday. It
so happened that at that time I was studying the orations of Cicero, and it
often occurred to my mind that if there was any living man who resembled
the great Roman orator, it was Rufus King.
Mr. King early represented the town in the General Court. But he soon
after received a more emphatic expression of public approbation and confidence.  Though little more than thirty, he was selected as a member of the
Convenlion in 1787, which was appointed to prepare a Constitution of the
United States. In that assembly of great and distinguished men, collected
from all parts of the country, he aided in framing a constitution which has
been the admiration of the world, and which has been, under God, the
principal source of peace and order, the wealth and happiness of our
country.
But a new and arduous duty awaited him. He was chosen by his townsmen a member of the convention in Massachusetts, which was called to ratify
the Federal Constitution. It is well known, that before the assembling of this
convention, the most formidable objections were raised against the adoption
of the Constitution. Had the vote been taken at its first meeting, it would
doubtless have passed in the' negative.  But there were giants in those
days. The sound reasonings and powerful eloquence of Parsons, King,.maies, and odiers or siutiar stamp, triumphantly refuted every objection, and
the constitution was adopted.
Soon after this Mr. King removed into the State of New York. But his
reputation had preceded him, and he was selected, with Gen. Schuyler, to
attend the first Congressional Senate, which met under the new constitution.
In that august body, his vigorous mind, his splendid eloquence, and his stores
of political information were called into requisition, and displayed to the
highest advantage. His course was undeviatingly firm and decisive; but he
was no violent partizan. He generously cultivated acquaintance, and friendship with gentlemen of sentiments opposed to his own. Of this trait in his
character, Mr. Benton, a well known political opponett, has furnished a
remarkable instance. He had himself uttered a speech in which, under some
excitement, he had uttered expressions somewhat harsh and severe. Mr. King
saw him soon afterward, and taking his hand, spoke well of his talents, and
expressed the kindest wishes for his success in public life. But like a true
friend, he uttered the voice of warning, against those asperities to which an
excited state of mind sometimes exposed him. The reproof was gratefully
received, and Mr. Benton, in pure deference to Mr. King, suppressed the
speech which he would otherNwise have published.
But Mr. King was destined to a still higher elevation. By President
Washington, whose discernment of character, and skill in assigning public
men to the stations for which they seem best fitted, was proverbial, he was
uent as Envoy to the Court of Great Britain. It is remarkable that, thirty




THE   DINNER.                           59
years afterwards, he was invested with the same office by President John Q.
Adams. In this highly interesting station, he sustained with great ability,
faithfulness and success, the rights and interests of his country; while, by the
mingled dignity and elegance of his manners, he secured the admiration of all
who knew him.
I add in conclusion, that Mr. King gave an ardent and unwavering support
to the policy and measures of the Father of his country.  This he did under
the deep conviction that in that policy and those measures, were involved the
dearest interests of our nation. And was not his judgment in this grand
point correct?  Will any one deny that so far as the principles and views of
Washington have been carried out, our nation has prospered?  Will any one
deny that when this path has been abandoned, we have unfailingly smarted
for it? I can form, then, no kinder wish for my country, than that in each
of its future Presidents, it may find-not a Washington- the wish would be
extravagant-the age of miracles has ceased-but one who will follow in the
same path. Let me wish, too, that every such follower of Washington may
have the vigorous and efficient support of a Rufus King.
The Mernory of John Barnard Swett, M1. D, who fell a victim to the yellow
fever in 1796, while in the discharge of his duty. The virtues and selfsacrificing zeal of the Father, endears to us the Son.
Colonel Samuel Swett, of Boston, was called up, and replied
as follows:
MR. PRESIDENTMy old age is an all-sufficient apology for not making a speech on the present occasion, especially as I made and published a speech on the subject of our
native place, at our last Centennial, twenty years ago. Another one of mine
on the subject would be a twice told tale. I pleaded then my inability to
speak from my long disuse of public speaking, and that apology has become
twenty times more cogent now. I have since that, made a pilgrimage to the
birth-place of our adored and beautiful Merrimack, and seen the infant rivulet
nourished by the bosoms fair and beautiful of Squam and Winnepisseoge
lakes. Soon afterwards he puts on the sport of boyhood, joyously leaping
and bounding, like a feathered mercury, over the wild and romantic falls he
encounters, and sporting in lovely dalliance with the fair streams that unite
with him on the way, and especially the loveliest of them all our own sweet
Artichoke. Arrived here in our own town at lqst, in his full maturity of
magnitude and grandeur, he enters into bans of marriage with the magnificent
Ocean. When the united beauty of the two, become one, appears to belong
to some brighter region than our terrestrial globe.
It occurs to me also, on the present occasion, that the most ingenious
passage of Pope, the greatest poet of our language, except the bard of Avon,
is directly applicable to our connection as townsmen. He compares the
various circles of mankind with whom we are connected, to the circular waves




60             TEE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
formed by a pebble dropped on the bosom of a lake. And the very first and
most prominent circle he represents as embracing, together with our parents
and friends, our neighbors, which is, in other words, our townsmen. And we
are commanded by the Almighty, to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In my early days, long time ago, two generations have passed away since,
it was the custom on convivial occasions like the present, to " drink healths
five fathoms deep," and the imperative law of the table was, that every one
should give his song, tell his story, or drink a bottle of wine. As to wine, sir
I am  a sworn temperance man. My story is already anticipated, and my
only remaining alternative is to give you my ode or song. Nelson, on his
last victorious engagement, telegraphed his fleet, "England expects every
man to do his duty."  And Newbury dernands the same of every son of hers
to-day. I yield to no man living in my devoted affection for my native place;
I do love the very stones in the streets of Newburyport. Though no poet, I
will do my best. My theme is
1NEWBURY.
Here Parker prayed on our Forefathers' landingWomen and children pale around him standing,
While tomahawks and scalping knives were gleaming,
And fierce war-whoops fell savages were screaming.
Dark pathless woods were -lowering around;
IIowlings of wild, blood-thirsty beast resound;
Foul and venomous reptiles strow the ground;
Insatiate disease and death abound.
His prayer was heard: and God dispelled the gloom,
Our native town we see an Eden bloom.
Our forest trees are changed to lofty spires,
Or to proud galleons, wafting naval fires,
Or our rich produce over all the world;
Our friendly greeting borne, or vengeance hurled,
Our pallid female's now the blooming maid,
To whom the homage of all hearts is paid;
Well versed in letters and refined in taste,
As Venus beautiful, as Dian chaste.
On Oldtown, Indian, Turkey, Pipestave hills,
The murderous beast our race no longer kills.
But fiocl s and herds embellish all the land,
A beauteous garden, decked by nature's hand,
The lurking, fiendlike Indian's stfalthy pace
Yielded to Anglo Saxon's lordly race.
Of patriots, statesmen, warriors, noble band,
We've given our quota to our native land.
Lowells, Jacksons, Parsons, Perkins, Tracy, Bartlett, Brown,
Immortalized their names and native town.
A longer list of other names as dear,
Our time restricted wont suffice to hear.




THE  DINNER. 6[
But though compelled'to name so small a part,
Their worth's recorded ever on the heart.
Our floral youth with joyous hearts we see
Who will transmit our race to our posterity.
He concluded by offering the following:
Josiah Little —The accomplished scholar and gentleman, and the benevolent,man.  His noble and munificent donation for a Newburyport Library,
demonstrates to future ages, that though his name is Little, his soul is great,
Judge Jacoson-The worthy son of a noble sire-our native town or the
Commonwealth has never produced a more eminent lawyer and judge, a
purer patriot, or a more honorable man.
The following was then handed to the toast-master:
James Jalcson, K. D. of Boston, a native of Newburyport —the model,hysician and universally loved man.
The President of the United States and his Cabinet.
Attorney General Cushing responded to this in a powerful:and eloquent speech.  Relying upon Mr. Cushing  to furnish
us with a copy of his remarks, which for want of time he was,
uanable to do, we failed to take notes, and our readers will be
-obliged to bear with us the disappointment in seeing  but a
sketch of his able remarks, and that taken from  memory:
Hon. Caleb Cushing arose amid unbounded applause and said in substance,
that it was a great pleasure to meet his friends upon this occasion. But he
wished to throw off the robes of office, which were an encumbrance, and
stand before them untrammelled by party distinctions, to return his acknowl-,edgments for the occasion; but before doing so he could not forbear, in behalf,of the President, in behalf of his executive advisers, and in behalf of himself,
to return his and their thanks for the honorable remembrance of them.
Though the President is not a son of Newburypert, yet his blood is of old New-,bury, and his relation to us was near. His design in addressing this assembly
was to.present his sympathies, to lay upon the altar of dear reminiscences,
his heartfelt respect for Newburyport, to desire its highest prosperity and to
dwell on' the pleasant recollections of the past. He referred feelingly to Rev
ODr. Dana, whose voice had been heard, and whose venerable presence graced
the festive board. He wished to dwell on familiar topics, on home and home
scenes, those things s:o dear to us, but he must be allowed to refer to that
more enlarged and elevated subject, our country, which is the more endeared
to us in proportion to our love of home. We must remember that we celebrate the day that inaugurated the freedom, the power, and the greatness of,our country.
When we look back upon its history, we can but draw the moral, that we
-should all have faith in the success and prosperity of this union. We must
6




62             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
take courage, notwithstanding the perils through which we are now passing,
when we look back to the days of our Pilgrim fathers. Through all the difficulties we will stand, and the country is ready to impose its principles, if not
itself, on the crumbling nations of Europe.
The Constitution is not destined to go down in our day. Ere the day
comes to destroy the Union, many disasters must come. The seventh seal
must be broken-thefirst seal is not yet opened. Before we cease to be canopied by the Constitution of the United States, our cities will be filled with
the blood of civil war, and then some successful soldier; some mighty hero,
may arise from the smoke of the battle, to rescue us from an oblivious future.
Far is it from me to distrust, to waver, and on this 78th anniversary of Indepcndence, we should feel that this is one country-that our interests are
indivisible.
William  E. Currier, Esq., being called on by the President,
arose and said:
3Ma. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMENIn that country of fame, where Liberty dwells, there is my Home! That
is the sentiment of every American this day, the anniversary of our National
Independence, whether they are on the soil of these United States, on the
southern arm of this western continent, sailing over the wild ocean waves, or
on the continents in other sections of the globe. This day we celebrate. It
is well. By this demonstration, this celebration, we show to the rising generation, aye to. the world, that we appreciate the independence we enjoy, that independence so nobly achieved by the heroes and patriots of the
American Revolution, and transmitted to us to foster and defend.  The
spirit manifested July 4th, 1776, at Philadelphia, when that sacred instrument
-the Declaration of American Independence-was signed, has gone out
from that central point like the rays of a meridian sun, shedding its genial
influence over the broad. surface of the earth. That influence-a mighty
power, destined to crush the monarchy and aristocracy of the old world; and
(I predict) before the close of the 19th century, will establish a Republican
Government over that vast eastern continent. The continent of, New Holland, now being rapidly peopled by citizens from every section of the globe,
feel the influence, and will establish an independent republican government
there. And, that there should be but three General Governments on the face
of the earth, I propose this sentimentThe Western Continent and the Adjacent Islands —To be the United States of
America. E. Pluribus Unum! with equal judicial, legislative and executive
powers. Independence forever!! God protect the American Union!! 
Massachusetts-Our native State. The birth place of our country's liberty
-whose escutcheon remains. as bright and untarnished as the ocean that laves
its shores.
Warren Tilton, Esq., Chief Marshal of the Boston Delega



THE  DINNER.                           6 
tion, being called upon to respond, remarked as follows:MR. MAYOR AND GENTLEMENIt were better, perhaps, that some one older and abler than myself should
respond to the sentiment just read. But no son of the Bay State, however
humble, ought, in my judgment, ever to hesitate when called upon to acknowledge the honorable mention of her name.
I need say nothing of her history, for as her great statesman whose ashes
are at Marshfield, but whose name and fame have extended wherever our
language is spoken, once said, and said truly, " The world knows it by
heart."  She is small in territorial extent, but in nothing else. She is rich
in mere material wealth, but she is richer in intellectual and moral wealth,which is far better. "Who reads an American book?" is the flippant interrogatory over the water. She can refer you to William H. Prescott as merely
one of her sons who can answer that question.  And again, "Where
was ever produced an American Jurist?" She can point you, in reply, to
Daniel Webster, Joseph Story, Theophilus Parsons and Lemuel Shaw; and
so on to the end of the chapter.
Would you know something of her sentiments? They were fitly enough
expressed on Bunker Hill, and as for her notions of all sorts, they are pretty
well known wherever politics, religion, letters, arts, sciences, trading and
speculating are recognized, the world over. Her character and her disposition
are a study for the quid nuncs. You can scarcely name a subject she hasn't
discussed and considered. You can't name a principle she hasn't looked into
and weighed; you can't name a virtue she hasn't espoused; you can't name
an ism she hasn't flirted with. She combines the staidness of the matron
with the pert affectation and charming and attractive nonsense of the maiden
in her teens. In a word, with some foibles-nay, faults if you please-so
many are her noble points, that no one of her sons who believes there is any
thing in the world to thank God for, can ever cease to be grateful that he was
born on her soil, and educated in her habits-political, moral and intellectual.
It has been said, and with some degree of emphasis, that the American
people, as a class, have no idea of local attachment. -  ow far the fact that
we have no law of primogeniture has furnished a cause for such a chltrge, I
will not stop now to consider; but, sir, migratory, restless, and adventurous
as we are, who believes there is a class of men living who have more interest
in the place of their birth than the sons of Massachusetts?
They may be toiling in the mines of California; they may be penetrating
the forests of the far West; they may be tempting the dangers of distant
seas, or walking in strange countries and listening to stranger tongues; but,
wherever they are, their " heart'untravelled  fondly turns " homeward, for,
they can find, they will tell you, no freer, nobler, happier land than the Old
Bay State, God bless her! A goodly state is Massachusetts to be born ina goodly state to die and be buried in I
To-day, sir, it is natural to look back upon the early struggle of the Rero



6-4              THE  NEWBURYPGRT' CELEBRATIOh,.
lution, and consider the steps Massachusetts took therein, and it were- a
grateful task to pass them- all in review; but, on such' an occasion, and atsuch a gathering as this the mind turns,involutarily, to that particular spot in
Massachusetts which is of peculiar interest to all of us, from  having been
the place of our nativity.. And well may you be proud, sir —(You — we, for,
are we not, every one of us, her children,) for the part she played in that
eventful struggle. She took her stand early, and I have read somewhere, —
probably in the History of Mrs,. Smith, which has just been published, (and,
here let me remark, parenthetically, that, for perspicuity of style, felicicity'
and elegance of diction and occasional passages of simple and nervous.
eloquence, that work Is in my judgment, comparable to many historical
works of far higher pretensions,)' I have read, I say, that during the existence
of the Stamp Act, not a stamp was over paid for or used in iewburyporto
At Bunker Hill, as you know, she was nobly represented, as she was, also,.
in every battle, probably, up to the surrender at Yorktown. In fact, no;
place in New England, not even Boston excepted, was readier in the Council
or the field. She volunteered her opinion on the subject of our National
Independence, in advance of the Declaration, her citizens voting in fall and'
open town meeting that, if Congress should declare the colonies independent,..
they would support them in the measures with their lives, and their fortunes.
She levied her volunteer companies in the broad aisles of her churches, —on
the Lord's day,-in the very presence of the God of battles, and the arbiter,
of the fate of nations.. HEer ministers of'the Gospel; inspired with' the love of.
liberty, left the pulpit and the desk to join the army-to pray, and if need be,
to fight.
As I have walked through these streets to-day, I have thought Newburyport was no mean town to claim as one's birth-place.. I have never'yet seen,.
and I never yet expect to see; the man ashamed to acknowledge his allegiance.
to her. As freshly, as if it- were but yesterday, though it is eighteen years
ago, this very month-, do I remember the feelings I experienced when I took.
my leave of Newburyport for a- new home in Boston. If a boy can suffer, I
suffered then. My school companions bade. me a God speed, and' with a
heart full almost to bursting,, as it seemed to. me, I'-urned my face towards
new scenes and new experiences. It was: a bright and sunny day, and I am
by no means near-sighted, but as we passed by Merrill's on the Turnpike,.
and I looked out from the window of the old stage- coach,, it was so misty L
could not see the flags and play-grounds where we had gathered the "bread
and cheeses" so often.
My esteemed friend of the Transcript says. that he has heard the chargemade in Boston that Newburyport people' are continually " bragging of their
town," and he has always replied. to it that they had very goods reasons for sc,
doing. However that may be, I don't pretend to know, but I certainly know'
that for a year or more at school, after we had moved to Boston, I was nieknamed "Newburyport " by my companions, because what was always mn miy




THE   DINNER.                         65
heart was always on my lips. I told them then, and I believe it now, that
there was no place for swimming like the Merrimack river and the "Four
Rocks" or " Fur Rock" as we boys used euphoniously to call it,-no place to
skate on like "Little River" and "the Pond "-and no candy in all the
confectionery shops in Boston, which had or could have the flavor of George
Tappan's in Middle street, Newburyport. Speaking of George Tappan's
candy, sir, forcibly reminds me of an incident which I cannot forbear
relating, but I trust that the Attorney General of the United States whom
we have with us to-day, and who, I perceive, has his sharp eye upon me,
won't go home to Washington and procure a cabinet meeting to be summoned on account of it. It so happened that the younger brother of the
Attorney General and myself were very intimate friends, and being one day
upon a voyage of discovery, amongst his affairs, we found a box of coins
which in his travels through the various countries of Europe he had collated
with that same degree of industry, probably, which has distinguished his career from its very inception to the present day. Many of them, doubtless,
were of considerable value, but looking upon them as " brumagers " which
our distinguished guest could not pass, we did him an act of charity by prevailing on George Tappan, from time to time, after we had discovered them,
to "take'em."  By degrees, as we thinned them out, and they began to
look less and less like cents, Mr. Tappan examined them more carefully,
and finally, on a certain occasion, when we had offered him a " brumager"
indeed, he was obdurate hearted, and said to us, substantially, what Nat.
Willis said to the boy who asked him for a penny, " individual, I know not
the coin!
I perceive, Mr. Mayor, and I felicitate you upon it, that you have re-modelled your Court House,-doubtless at a large and considerable expense.
You have now, certainly, a very fine and commodious building, and one far
handsomer than the old one; but what, I pray you, has been done with that
splendid wooden figure of Justice (which adoined the old one and in which the
old one so many years rejoiced) holding aloft those dreadful scales which
were a terror to evil doers? I have seen sir, and have studied, somewhat,
many specimens of ancient and modern statuary, but none which ever excited my wonder and provoked my awe like that; none so noble, majestic,
awful, dire. I can never forget it.
Nor can I forget, sir, the little brick school house in the Mall, and the kind
teachers who there initiated me in the rudiments of application and study.
Least of all can I forget the Sunday School of the Federal street church, and
the disinterested men who taught me (which is, after all, the " chiefest thing"
in the world) how to strive with God's grace, to win-by possibility-a place
in heaven. I thank them now and here for their kindness, and I assure
them their names are graven on my memory and my heart forever.
But, sir, it is time I had said my say. I rejoice in the prosperity of your
city. We read in the Gazetteers no longer that "Newburyport is a seaport
town delightfully situated on the banks of the Merrimack."  I congratulate




66              THE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATIOY.
you on your cktendecl influence. I congrratulate you on your rapi dly irnre-res
ing facilities for intellectual and moral culture; on tile enterprise and thrift,
of your sons, and the refinement of your mothers, wives and danuhters'.
NlIewburyport is in advance of BR3ton in the education of her dlUleauhters.
Sheknowvs full well' that the culture of her dauZghters implies the virtue andi
stability of her sins, and that thereby on her part, the salvation of the state is.
secured.
I will give you, in cncmlusionr, he re!l 0  ing se It.i.ent 
Tile Pcatriotic Dauqghters of a\ewitrlzri:yoi  wairnly attachied to the a.'dent'
spirits of tile Revolutionary ti-mes and strongly opposed to tea; but neow, (asit is captiously stated) bitterly hostile to ardent spirits and (qualety fond of
tea; and better still every one of thezm to a moan in ftal or of hee Union.
The Professions-None more erninent in Divinity, Physic, and Law, than
those who were first ushered intu existence en the greeni and lovely banpks of'
the Merrimack.
C. C. Felton, Gieeik. Professor of Harvard  University, a
native of'old Newbury, replied as follows:'
MR. MAYOR —
I did not know until lately, that I had a right to participate in these
festivities.  The orator of the day, in his elegant and interesting discov-rse,
to which I listened with unbroken attention, rotwithstanding the fervors of
this July sun, described the early feuds between the inla-nd parts of the ancient
town of Newbury, and the more cultivated region of the sea-board. I belong,
sir, to the "rural districts," and not to the comamercial and refined quarter of
the town by the sea.  The orator ihowever went on to show that Newburywas the mother of Newburyport.  I am a son of Newbury, and consequently
may boast to be the uncle of the sons of Newbrlyport-of the greater part,,
therefore, of this most respeoctable assembly; and by virtue of this dignified
relationship, as well as by the cordial invitation with which I ha-ve beeln
honored, may claim  the right of a seat at this board, among the returning
children of this hospitable town.
And, Mr. Mayor, I can truly saTy that I am  happy to be rhere to-day, to,
meet the gathered sons of Newbury, on this men.orable but somewhat
scorching anniversary. It is now nearly forty years-" how rny heart trembles
while my tongue relates"-since, in early childhood, I was borne away fromn
the place of my birth, caring little and knowing nothiing, to lwhat distant
shores the currents of life were drifting me.  I have but seldom visited Newbury since; but the scenes which first met ray eye were irnpressed on my
memory, too deeplyto be forgotten. The old training field, where an ancestor
of mine distinguished himself as sergeant in a militia company, was to me
another Campus Martins; the beautiful Merrimack flowed, in my imagination,
like the broad and boundless Heilespont of Homer; and Pipestaff Hill rose,.
like the Grecian Olympus to the sky. Indeed, when recently I had the rare
pleasure of dashing, on board a British steamer, thmough the allied fleets of
France and England-as they stretched in double line, from  Tenedos to,




THE   DTINNER.                            6 
Troy —the most magnificent spectacle th'e eye of man eover gazed upon — t
seemed to me the renowned Hellespont was hardly so broad and boundless as
my native river, inl the memories of my childhood.
I listened with great satisfaction to. the manly, eloquent, patriotic speech of
the distlnguished citizen, (Mtr. Attornley General Cushing,) who holds a high
place in the councils' of the nation.  To every word of that speech, I say a
hearty Amen! He aelluded, in forcible terms, to the su-ferings inflicted or.
the country, and on this town, by the last war with England.  Sir, his words
brought back to me the circumrstances of the time, when I, a mere child, left
the place of my birth. -Pardon me for dwelling a single moment on the
events the honorable gentlenman so eloquently touched upon, and so vividly
brought back to) me.
The date of my departure from  Newbury-it was one of the coldest days
of the winter of 1815-is fixed in my memory by the circumstance, that the
news of the peace with England was shouted along the road by the stage
drivers.  Child as I weas, I hadc known somnething of the distress the war had
brought upon our people; of the poverty it had deepened and aggravated;
of the despair that darkened the poor man's firesiode. I ilave never forgotten
the sudden joy the blessed announcement of peace thrilled through every
poor man's heart. It was like the outburst of Soiin, with the green leaves,
its very perfumes, its soft vernual breezes, annd the song of birds, after the snow
and ice, and frozen silence of winler.  God forbid —anid I call upon jour
distinrguished guest to join me in the prayer —God forbid that th-is prosperous
city, and the smilinfg country airound it, sihould again Gfel as it did then, the
blightinug breath of war.
I am called upon to respond  to the toast in honor of the professional men
who have gone forth from Newbury. I am not, mryself, a professional man,
in the moral acceptation of that term. But I may claiml the honor of having
had sometlling to do with making a great many professional 1menl-of letting
loose upon society, a great many lawyers, physicians, and clergymen; like
the fat knight in the play, who, though not vwitty himself, -as the caus;e of wit
in others. It is just a quarter of' a century since I wa.s called by President
Quincy, to an offiie of inst,;eruction in Cambridge, and durinrg that long period,
nearly two thousand graduates have passed out flrom  Harvard, into the professional and practical walks of life. As I have witnessed the frequent and
brilliant successes of these boys of mine, I have been tempted to exclaim,
with good old master Cradock, in Mfiss Sedgwick's charming novel of Hope
Leslie, "Did I not teach them the tongues?"
In the course of rmy busy life, it has been my fortune to meet with many
leading persons in all the professions, who have spruang from l ewbury. Bua I
was not aware, until the call for this re-union was sent out, to summon them
home to the altars atid household gods of their childhood, how justly our
native town may pride herself on the aggregate number of her distinguished
sons; what large support religion and morals have drawn from the learning
and piety of those who have occupied the sacred desk; how deeply the




68           THE NEWBUtRYPORT CELEBRATION.
administration of justice has been indebted to the integrity and ability of
those who have sat in the tribunals, or pleaded the cause of the innocent at
the bar; and how much the legislation of the country has been benefitted by
the wisdom and patriotism of those lawgivers who trace their origin to this
town.
This is not the occasion, nor am I the person, to enlarge on the merits of
the great and good men, among the living and the dead, who, born here, have
consecrated themselves to justice, their country, and their God. But you will
indulge me in speaking briefly of one, who but a few months ago, closed a
long and eminent professional career. I allude to the late Professor Greenleaf.
I had not the pleasure and honor of a personal acquaintance with this
respected son of Newbury, until he became Royal Professor of Law in the
School at Cambridge, then illustrated by the learning and eloquence of Story..
On that occasion I first knew him. He and I were inaugurated as Professorshe of Law, and I of Greek, on the same day. From that time I enjoyed his
unbroken friendship, as long as he lived. Of his course and character as a
boy in your public schools; of his struggles as a young man, with poverty;
of his Christian submission to the bitter lot of sorrow and bereavement that
fell heavily upon the early periods of his domestic life; of the success which
crowned with triumph these brave conflicts; many, probably, here have more
personal knowledge than I; but I am sure no one can have a deeper impression of the purity and nobleness of character, which came forth tried like gold
from the heat of the contest.
Mr. Greenleaf was one of those men, who know how to make the most of
time. No client ever suffered wrong from feebleness or neglect, at his hand;
for he spared no effort and shrunk from no study that could throw light upon
the cause he had undertaken to conduct. As a teacher, he shone with peculiar
lustre. The large body of intelligent young men who sat under his instructions valued them beyond all price.  Calm in his manners; with the dignity
of superior intellect and extensive knowledge; with the blandness and
courtesy of a Christian gentleman; considerate of the feelings of all who
stood to him in the relation of scholar to master; conscious of his responsi-'bilities to them, and through them to his country-he commanded in an
extraordinary measure, their love and veneration.
Mr. Greenleaf's contributions to the literature of his profession, I cannot,
of course, professionally speak of. His studies lay in a province far remote
from mine. Of his work on Evidence, however, I may say, that besides
taking the very highest rank among the text books of legal science, it is one
which any educated gentleman may read with pleasure and profit. Of another
work, the ingenious application of the rules of legal evidence to the testimony
of the Evangelists-I may say that it is a striking illustration of the earnest
interest he felt in the establishment of the Christian Faith on the foundation
of the most rigorous argument, while the daily beauty of his life proved with
what fidelity he made the precepts of Christianity his rule of conduct.
Mr. Greenleaf was not, technically speaking, a literary man. In his youth




THE   DINNER.                           69
he did not share the advantages of a liberal education. While other young
men were cultivating their tastes, and furnishing their minds "in the still air
of delightful studies"-with the leisure and exemption from care secured to
the favored scholar beneath the shades of academic groves-he was already
fighting hand to hand on the battle-field of life. And yet his mind acquired
an exquisite culture. When I have heard him speak, I have admired the
chaste simplicity and attic beauty of his eloquence, and I think no one can
read his public discourses-his Inaugural Address, for example - or his
Eulogy on Story-without experiencing in his written style the charm of the
easily flowing language, of the sparing but tasteful ornament, and of the
clearness and logical accuracy of the thought.
In social intercourse, Mr. Greenleaf's manners were maked by a serene
gravity, equally remote from lightness and asceticism. I think we saw the
traces of sorrow still lingering about him —fond memories, not painful
perhaps, but tempering the joy and exultation of the' present, with the reflected
sadness of the past.  His voice was gentle and low; his countenance
thoughtful, but placid, and often lighted with the sunshine of a genial smile.
His conversation was ready and friendly, and though habitually serious, not
averse to decent wit, and a becoming hilarity. His quiet tastes and constant
occupations had in a measure withdrawn him from general intercourse, and
concentrated his social joys in the sanctuary of home; but he was no stranger
to the delights of intellectual converse, and when the occasion found him out
he contributed more than an equal share to the common fund.
At the close of three score years and ten, after a day of crowded duty and
labor, and closed by the worship of God at the household altar, he lay down,
by a peaceful euthanasia, and slept the sleep of death,
" Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him and lies down to pleasant dreams."
But he has left us his example of Christian fortitude, wvhich should nerve our
hearts when we too are called to practice its lessons; of perseverance under
discouragements, which should strengthen us in overcoming the difficulties
we too may have to encounter; of intellectual improvement in youth, with
few opportunities and scanty means; of high moral principle, and religious
faith, in the midst of no conrmon perplexities, and under trials of no ordinary
severity; of the faithful discharge of every duty, in every public and every
private relation.
I feel that I cannot portray the character of Prof. Greenleaf, as it ought to
be portrayed here, and as it has been portrayed elsewhere by his genial and
eloquent colleague-Prof. Parsons-also a son of Newbury, but unfortunately
not present with us to-day. I could not hesitate, however, to bear my testimony on this occasion to his eminent claims to be remembered, in any
assembly of the men of Newbury; I could not hesitate,. especially as my
absence in a foreign land, deprived me of the melancholy satisfaction of witnessing the last honors with which all that was mortal of him was committed
to the bosom of our common mother earth. Returning from abroad, and




70            THE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
finding his place vacant, it seemed to me that one of the old landmarks had
been swept away-one of the solid pillars, on which the temple of.justice,
virtue and religion reposes, had been overthrown.
In former ages, a statue would have been raised to commemorate the
excellence of such a citizen, that the coming generations might be incited to
lofty duties and generous deeds. If we erect no statue to eternize his outward
semblance, let us at least set up in our own souls the image of his virtues,
and honor his memory, by making those virtues our own.
The Past Captain of the Newburyport Juvenile Artlllery Company.
Rev. T. MI. Clark, of Hartford, Conn., the identical Captain of that well remembered corps, was called upon, and
responded as follows:
MR. MAYOR AND FELLOW CITIZENSThis will hardly do-it seems rather formal, and I have no intention of
making a regular speech. You have already had speeches enough and far
more able than I could make. I wish just to have a talk with you about old
times, and in remembrance of the Juvenile Artillery Company, would rather
address you as
MR. MAYOR AND FELLOW SOLDIERSBut this will not do. There is not enough left of that distinguished corps
which was disbanded some thirty years ago, to form a Corporal's Guard.. Let me therefore say
MeR. MAYOR AND FELLOW BOYSWe have come together to revive the reminiscences of our early days, to
recall the scenes, the thoughts, the associations which belong to our childhood. What were the influences which determinned your character? How
were you taught your first lessons of the discipline of life? What was the
first chapter in your daily morning and evening experience, which prepared
you for the wearisome routine of this earthly existence? It was when you
drove the cows at sunrise and sunset, to and from the " old Comn:on Pasture."  I remember often, to have met you on the Guinea thoroughfare, and
I can readily recall the expression of sadness and anxiety which clouded
your face, when as night drew on, the cow was not to be found. Can you
ever forget your tiresome tramps,to the distant slough, around which the
cow would sometimes obstinately linger; that slough of despond, which we
supposed to be the veritable spot of Bunyan's pilgrim's troubles, with Turkey Hill in the rear, where the interpreter's house stood in ancient days.
How many such associations cluster around that somewhat sterile region,
which in some strange way furnished summer food to nearly all the cows in
Newburyport. When we used to read of lazarettos, quarantines, hospitals,
and asylums for plague spotted patients, it was the black wooden "PestHouse," in Common Pasture, with its horrid charcoal sketches, said to be:




THE   DINNEB.                          71
drawn upon the walls by delirious inmates, which gave body and pith to our
conceptions.
Where did you learn your first lessons in botanizing? It was on that
sultry, drowsy Saturday afternoon, when you went a "penny-royaling up to
Common Pasture." And where did you get your first notions of mineralogy? In knocking off serpentine and rag-stone from the walls of the
"Devil's Den." That, too, was the spot to which our minds instinctively
reverted, whenever we read any German tale of diablerie; for there were
authentic traditions connected with that heap of rocks which often made us
shudder. There stood the Devil's Pulpit, from which it was said, he preached
at midnight, to an infernal crew, gathered around its base; and there was
the name cut in the ground, past which it was reported, no creature had ever
returned alive.
And when we read of the tented field, of the crash of war, of embattled
hosts with their white tents and streaming banners, with nodding plumes
and pealing trumpets,-where did our thoughts fasten themselves? What
was the actual scene which rose up before our minds, And gave reality to all
this splendid description? It was the Fall muster on Grasshopper Plains,
with the old gallows stretching out its wooden arm at the summit, and the
huckleberry bushes skirting the borders of the field.
And when you heard of sylvan retreats, of dell and dale, of lovers' walks
and sweet retirements in the shade, could you think -of anything else than
"Bartlett's Springs," and the " Laurels?"
When you were told of foreign lands beyond the sea, could you ever think
of anything more remote than the mysterious and unexplored regions, which
lay "over the river?"  There was no bridge then to bring that hazy and
distant locality into near contact with us; but there were solemn ferry-men
who blew the horn at intervals from the " ferry-ways," as a signal that the
boat was about to move. None knew where these grave men came from;
none knew where they slept at night, if indeed they ever slept; but there at
their post, they were always to be found, until the shades of evening had
descended, and the merchant-women from " over the river," had returned
with empty baskets, to the bosom of their anxious families.
What can even obliterate the memory of Plum Island, and the Piers, and
Black Rocks, and Salisbury Beach? Can you ever forget that low, moaning
roar of the ocean, which you used to hear in the cold winter nights? Is there
a Newburyport boy who cannot feel and appreciate the poetry of the sea?
I might go on for hours, reviving these early reminiscences, and showing
how your character and feelings have been moulded by the scenery, the traditions, and all the various surroundings of yonr childhood. Every thing
with which we came in contact then, has left its mark upon us. Our thoughts
run in the moulds that were grooved in early years. And there must have
been something peculiar in the influences of our venerable mother town, to
have produced such an assemblage of men as are here gathered together.




72             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
The City of Boston.-As we look around this day, we involuntarily ask
what would she have been without Newburyport.
Stephen Tilton, Jr., replied:
MR. MAYOR AND FELLOW CITIZENSI regret exceedingly that my friends here have called upon me to respond
to the complimentary toast just given to the city of Bostoni. I am conscious
of my inability to do her justice, and particularly on this occasion, when
memory has engrossed my mind with the things of the past, and dispelled
every other thought but of Newburyport, the home of my boyhood. The
occasion which calls us together is one of no ordinary interest. It is a family
gathering, the return of the sons of the old homestead, when hands join and
hearts speak and the soul overflows with feelings of gratitude and reverence.
Besides the day, which is sure to bring up the past to the mind of every true
son of Newburyport, the occasion revives the memories of youth, and both
combine to banish the present, and for the time being we exist in the past.
This morning as we traversed your streets, the scenes of youth were unrolled
to our view, and every object which our eyes rested upon had its particular
association and peculiar interest; we saw the old school house and the old
play grounds; we looked in the faces of old friends and were reminded of
the absent, and of others departed,. and fancied we heard their voices; every
thing addressed our feelings and awakened the associations of youth, and we
feel that our natures have been refreshed at the fountain of joy.
Among the many objects which recalled the past, nothing, not even the
house in which I was born, more forcibly touched my feelings than the sight
of the old stage coach in the procession, perhaps the identical vehicle in which
I was seated some twenty years since, slowly wending my way to the old
Eastern Stage Office, in Boston. It awakened the feelings experienced at
leaving my native town, my home, and my friends of youth; and it reminded
me of the resolves made and the hopes cherished when with a Newburyport
boy's fortune-a common school education, a fatller's counsels and a mother's
blessing-I entered upon the untried duties of life in a new home surrounde d
by strangers.
Since that'period years have elapsed, new interests have been created and
new connections formed; and while to-day I bring my tribute of gratitude to
old Newburyport for the education she furnished to, and the salutary influ.
ences she exerted over, her sons; and while I rejoice at the unmistakable
evidences of thrift I have observed at every turning, I believe, sir, were the
questions put by you to the sons of Newburyport, resident in Boston, which
home do you love best?-the answer would be, as children say to parents,
"we love both best."  Yes, we love the home of our birth and the home of
our adoption. We can testify that the city of Boston stands with extended
arms and open hands to receive all who may come to reside within her
borders. Her influence and treasury of good gifts are dispensed equally
among all her sons, and she hesitates not to acknowledge her indebtedness to
the cities and towns of the "old Bay State," for the sons (and daughters too)




THE  DINNER.                            73
nhich they have furnished her, and she withholds not her gratitude to all the,New England States for their aid in rendering her a good specimen of a true
American city'.
While, sir, the interests of Boston are so closely identified with the interests
cdf the State, they are peculiarly so with the city of Newburyport. You have
liberally contributed your sons to her, and they have advanced all professions
and honored all employments.; they have refected honor to Newburyport,while assisting in creating and preserving the reputation of Boston the world,ver. Boston, then, freely awards to you your share of establishing her
nfiluence, which extends to every isle of the sea, and to every shore -where,where religion, education, thejust administration of law, honor and integrity
are appreciated. Gentlemen, I close by giving the following sentimentThe City qf Newbuerypert.-Her influence cannot be lessened while she
obllows the example of the fathers in educating the sons.
The Mayor in response to the compliment to Newburyport,:said he would not occupy much more  time, and instead of:making a formal reply, would submit a few facts, which, per~haps, better than any remarks, convey an idea.of our prosperSty.  He then spoke as follows:
I will say a few words in regard. to old' Newbaryport, for I know of no
~opic more appropriate on this occasion. And I have the pleasure to say,
~that at no time during the past thirty years, has our old town been in so
prosperous a condition, in point of business, as she is at this present day.
AIt may strike many of you as strange'hat I should make such a statement
But in proof of what I would say, I should like to have you prolong your
~tay a few days, and take a course with me to the north part of the city,
where I will introduce you to a thousand or more intelligent, industrious and'happy ship-carpenters, many of whom you have seen in the procession to -day
-the very bone and muscle of our community.- men whom we feel proud to
elaim as among our most worthy citizens-all of whom are constantly employed, and are receiving a fair and just equivalent for their valuable services.
I will also introduce you to some of the most intelligent, ingenious and
high-minded master ship-builders that this country can boast of-men that
would be an honor and valuable acquisition to any community.
And as a further evidence of the prosperity of this portion of our city, I
will show you hundreds of new and neat dwellings, built within the past few:years, from the earnings of our worthy and industrious ship-carpenters. I
will also state that during the present year more than twenty thousand tons of
shipping will be built at this part of the city-scattering some million and a
half of dollars in their csustruction.
After having introduced yoa to this portion of'our citizens, I should be




74              THE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
most happy to take you to the south part of the city, and make you
acquainted with the hardy fishermen, who mostly reside there; and you will
find them an intelligent, industrious and successful people. You will find
the place entirely changed from what it was thirty years ago. The whole
face of things wears a different aspect. The streets and houses all indicate
prosperity, brought about by the industrious habits of the people, most of
whom are happy and contented. This part of our city and citizens we have
reason to be proud of.
I will then call your attention to other portions of your old home and
ormer residence, and you will find our merchants and mechanics, in their
various branches, doing a prosperous and healthy business. I would ask you
to visit our schools, all of which are in a high state of perfection. The city
government being liberal-as they always should be with this interesting and
important department-I believe we can challenge comparison with any city
or town in the commonwealth.
I would invite you to look through the whole length and breadth of our
city, and talk with your friends and the citizens generally, and see if the
universal opinion is not that we are ranging ahead.
It is not probable that we shall ever become a very large city, but I honestly believe that we are, comparatively speaking, doing as healthy and profitable a business as any city or town ia Massachusetts. And now, my friends,
I will say, this is a proud day for Newburyport, and one that will not soon
be forgotten by us.
When we look around and see so many of the sons and friends come at.our call to visit the scenes of their early days, we cannot but feel deeply
interested in this gathering. Hardly a friend that has come amongst us
to-day, but what happiness is seen depicted in his countenance. We are all,
thank God, happy to-day; and such a family gathering as this can produce
no other result. My only prayer and wish is, that in this union of friends
to-day, our friendships shall be so strongly cemented that nothing on earth
shall ever sunder them.
In conclusion the Mayor offered the following toast:
The Union of these United States-It must be preserved although our best
blood be the sacrifice.
The City of New York-Destined to be the Commercial Emporium of the
world.
Robert G. Pike, Esq., of New  York, was called upon, and
replied:
MR. MAYOR AND FELLOW CITIZENSCalled upon suddenly and unexpectedly at a late hour last evening, and
consequently somewhat unprepared, I rise with no little diffidence to respond
to the sentiment just offered in compliment to the New York delegation.
Agreeable as the duty is, I feel there are many among us who can acknowl



THE   DINNER.                            75
your kindness far more gracefully, and who can do more complete justice to
the sentiments which I know animate each one of us on this happy occasion.
And then too, what can I say which has not already been most eloquently
said? Our only thoughts today are our country and our home-and what
words are holier, what words are dearer to' every one of us than these?
What can awaken more pleasing reflections, or kindle more earnest aspira,
tions? Yes, the same mingled emotions of joy and pride animate us all
alike to-day; and as kindred sentiments beget kindred words, the same
expressions, ere we know it, are leaping from our lips which but a moment
before were ringing in our ears.
But, Mr. Mayor, I will not sit down without thanking you for this glorious
reception. When your summons reached us in New York we hailed it with
delight-our hearts beat warm at the very thought of coming home again-to
our boyhood's home! where we first tasted the sweet pleasures of existencewhere our life plans had their beginning, and our ambition first plumed its
wing. To come home, not alone, but with'all the truants and wanderers of
the family-to grasp the hands of old friends, companions and schoolmasters
-to visit once more together the old haunts and play-places of youth,
L"'    to memory so dear,
All rich with events of life's early career."
To gather around us once more old familiar faces, to go back as it were, and
with all our old mates to become boys again-to recall, and talk over the
hopes and aspirations of youth with which we started in life together-to
visit the old brick school-house, to sit down upon its steps, to loiter upon the
green banks around it-to linger by the shores of old frog pond-frog pond
that fills so large, so bright a space in our boyhood's history-to sit beneath
the old echo tree, and to muse on those by-gone days whose memory is like
the dying cadence of some sad, sweet tune. Yes, we wanted to see all the
school-boys of our day, the "upper'longers," and the " downer'longers," as
we used to call them-the boys that whipped us and the boys that we
whipped-we wished to see him who stood first in school, and inquire if he
maintained that position in the world-we wished to gaze on faces that we
remembered only fresh and fair in the bloom of youth, curious to see how
they looked as men. These and a thousand other kindred thoughts crowded
upon us and made us impatient for the gathering.
Yes, Mr. Mayor, we were right glad to come home to the old town and
meet our old townsmen. I say " town and townsmen," for these sound more
homelike and grateful to the ear. I do not forget you have become a citynay, I am proud of it, I rejoice at it. Newburyport boys have no other
feeling than that of pride and love for the old town. I repeat, sir, I am
proud to see her a city; renewing again her old strength and glory. It is
good to see her factories multiplying-her ship yards crowded-her machine
shops like bee hives. While these speak of the industry and thrift of her
people; her new churches and school houses springing up on every side tell
of still higher and holier purposes and aims. They tell of the promulgation




TH:E IQEW'BTURYPOIT, CELEBRATION.
of intelligence, morality and religion to all alike; leaving no soul uncultivated~.
no talents- undeveloped. You and I can remember the time whent a deep
slumber rested upon her for years, from which she seemingly never would
awaken. Time was, when it seemed as if the patron-God of the merchant
had frowned upon the place-as if in his anger he had set a curse upon her
wharves,, and with his. serpent-twined wand had locked up ail her storehouses, closed all her avenues of prosperity, and turned his back upon the
place forever. No more business was done than barely sufficed to keep thee
people alive. Mechanics sought employment elsewhere-the young left school,
and hastened to the larger towns and cities-grass upon, the wharves and in
the streets, and wherever you turned stagnation and decay stared you in the
face. But, thanks to God! a change has come over the spirit of her long:
dream-her lethargy has passed, and she has once more taken up her march
on the high road of improvement-and the voices of her laborers, the clang:
of her workshops, the busy hum of her machinery, seem to, mingle togetherin the harmonious song of progress. and:, prosperity.
And do we not see a providence in all. this? Her young men whose enter —
prising spirit for so many years led them truants from home,carried with them,
energy,. industry and talent-and what was the town's loss was our whole:
country's. gain;; for wherever they went they carried' with them. the good seed:
they had garnered here at home; and by their wholesome influence, theirexample and teaching, they have contributed no little to the advancement and'
prosperity of their adopted homes. It is not boasting to say that Newburyport boys are always first and foremost in their calling; wherever they wander'
they are sure to. make their mark, and, that too a- broadc and bright one. ]S
need. not mention the names of her clergymen, her poets, her statesmen, her,
lawyers and physicians, which are familiar to us all, and a bright constel-~.
lation of whom are now gathered within the sound. of my voice; but I will
simply allude to New York as an illustration of'what I have asserted.
It is estimated: that there are about three hundred persons, natives of New-.
buryport, now resident in New York. Of this small number we can point to
that venerable son of a noble sire, the Rev. Gardner Spring, who- stands first.
among the clergy of his denomination —to the Rev. Dr. Tyng the acknowl —
edged chief of the Episcopal diocese; to the Hales,, whose talents,. industry
and integrity, have founded one of the largest and most successful Mutual.
Insurance Compt-nies in the world-to N. Bowditch Blunt, Esq., the present.
efficient District Attorney of New York —to Jacob Little,; the Napoleon of'
Wall street-to Schtoof the artist, whose productions are unrivalled-to Huse,
the machinist, whose inventions rank. him among the first of practical scienfific men-and last, but not least, to that prince of landlords, Charles A.
Stetson, Esq. Mr. Mayor, have I not named enough to satisfy you that the.
sons of Newburyport make no mean mark among their fellows?Once more, Mr Mayor, I thank you in behalf of the Tew York delegation;
for the handsome manner we have been entertained. We can never forget
this day.. We shall go home with hearts crowded with pleasant memories —




THE   DINNER.                           77:and if possible shall entertain more affection for the good old town,, and the
good old stock she has produced, than ever-we shall go back confident that
although much of her energy and talent has been scattered broadcast through
the land, there is abundance left yet, to keep up the old stock, and to preserve unsullied, unimpaired, her ancient glory and renown.
The Pen andt?  the Press-Guided by wisdom and true patriotism, powerful
engines in aid of a nation's prosperity-in the hands of unprincipled demaagogues, infernal machines.
D. N. Haskell, Esq., editor of the Boston Transcript,
responded.
The sentiment that I am called to respond to, expresses the idea which it
contains, in language that has the directness of a cannon-ball. It affirms that
the Pen and the Press are powerful agencies for good or for evil. The Pen
has been called the silent mouth-piece of the mind, which gives ubiquity and
permanence to the evanescent thought of a moment.  The Press is the
steam-engine of moral power in an intelligent community; and the liberty
of the press is the true measure of all other liberty; for all freedom without
this must be merely nominal. It is a singular circumstance, that a larger per
centage of the Sons of Newburyport, resident in Boston, are connected with
the press in various ways than are to be found in any other department of
business. One of the number edits a daily morning paper, another a daily
evening paper, a third one of the weeklies, besides others that are proprietors,
reporters, amateur writers, or printers. Not to mention others still, whose
ancestry resided here, or those whose children come to Newburyport to visit
their grandmother on their mnother's side.
When Isaiah Thomas, with whose name the press in this country is so
closely identified, came to Newburyport some eighty years ago, to start' The
Essex Journal and Merrimack Packet, and New Hampshire General Advertiser,' he made an address to the citizens, which appeared as the first article
in the first number. Allow me to quote a sentence from this address, which
the paper states was printed' opposite the Rev. Mr. Parsons' Meeting-HIouse.'
It reads thus:'Many respectable Gentlemen, Friends to Literature, having
expressed their earnest desire that a printing-office might be established in
this populous town, the inhabitants in general being sensible of the great
want thereof, and the patronage and assistance they have kindly promised to
give, has encouraged me to procure the necessary apparatus for carrying on
the printing business, and opening here, and animates me to hope that every
public spirited gentleman in this and the places adjacent, will promote so
useful an undertaking.'
The public spirited gentlemen of Newburyport responded to this appeal,
and the printer was sustained. It may be of interest for me to state a fact
furnished by my esteemed friend, the editor of the Newburyport Herald, that
the editors of no less than ten newspapers in the United States are graduates
from the Herald office.  These persons, with others who have graduated at
7*




TO              ETHE NEWBtJRYPORT  CELEBRATI0OY
your common schools, are scattered over the Union, and connected'with ffi
press, from  Bangor on the east, to San Francisco on the west; fiom NewOrleans on the south, to Oregon son the Niorth. If they heed the lessons of"
their youth, and are true to the principles of their fathers, they guide bothl
Pen and Press by wisdom and' true patriotinsm, and make them' powerful
engines in aid of the prosperity of the nation.
The Pen and the Press!'Who can estimate the full extent of their powers.
or take the exact guage of their influence?  The great gathering of this day
and hour illustrates the power of the press, as by its agency these multitudes
hiave been collected here fiom all sections of the country. And this dbuble
jubilee, this new method of joining to the ordinary celebration of National
Ihnependence, the novel feature of a home festival-thus adding much of the
peculiar glory of Thanksgiving day to old' John Ada rs's noisy mode of
celebrating the Fourth of jtly-this is a new and: striking illustration of the
potency of the press, for it is the invention of a printer, and was conceived
in the fertile brain of' the fertile and genial man who indites the quaint saying&
and fills the snuff box of the widow Ruth Partington.
The allusion in the sentiment to'Infernal Machines,' reminds me of the
effect of modern machinery in a printing-office.  it has fairly driven out that
personage formerly known as the'Printer's Devil.' His occupation is gone-.
and those familliar with tile phrases of the craft will understand me when I
state, that since the devil was banished from  the press-room, those two
annoyences,' Monks and Friars,' have rarely made their appearance on the
sheets.  If, therefore, those connected'with the press show any indicatiorthat his Satanic majesty yet exerts an influence over them, it must be attributed to external agencies, and probably arises from the immense quantity of'
worthless contributions, some of them in bad grammar, and others filled withmalignant personalities, which they receive continually, and which have the,
effect predicted by the Apostle, when he said that
"'Evil communications corlrupt good llanners."
Let us hope that those who are connected by the Pen to the Press, may be
guided by'wisdom  and true patriotism.' —that the hands of'unprincipled
demagogues' may never, in New England at least, convert'this powerful
engine'into an'infernal machine/' Let us trust that all the Sons of'Newbury —
port, that shall bear the labors, honors and responsibilities which belong tao
the editorial position, may adopt that glorious Essexs county motto, written.
more than half a century ago for the Salem  Register, by the late Judge
Story:'Here shall the' Press the People's  llights maintain,
Unaw'd by Influence, and unbribed by Gain:'
Here patriot Truth her glorious precepts draw,
Pledged to Religion, Liberty and Law."
It now appears that your city is soon to have a Public Library, and that
the Pen and the Press are thus to exert a new influence upon your citizens.
Books have been termed " the monuments of. vanished minds," and a circu.




THE  DINNER.                           F9
lating library pronounced "an evergreen tree of knowledge, which blossornm
all the year."  Allow me, Mr. Mayor, to congratulate you upon the fine
auspices which this public institution now enjoys, and to express the hope
that its permanent establishment will be commenced under your administration,.
The Pen and the Press can only have influence where the community is
educated. As men rise in the social scale, and mental culture becomes
universal, the printed word has added power, and ihe influence of the writer'
is increased. If a speaker addresses a thousand persons, he is said to have a
large audience; but the editor, whose words go to thousands of homes, and
reach tens of thousands of individuals, what a powerful engine does he
wield, and when a man or wonman writes a book, to what a throng of persons
do they appeal!
My former relations to the honored Chairman of the Boston delegation,
when I was his pupil in the town school here, during the time that he had
for his assistant our absent friend, I mean the Hon. Albert Pike of Arkansas,
together with the suggestions made to the mind by the sentiment to which I
am responding, and the cherished associations of my boyhood, in connection
with so many of these familiar faces that now meet my eye, and the remem.
brance of others whose memories are inscribed in marble in yonder cemetery,
these things unite in inducing me to close my remarks with an allusion to the
common schools of New England.  The theme is an old one, but it is
seemingly inexhaustible. In the establishment of the Common School, the
fathers of New England atoned for their short-coming in many respects. The
boy who has gone abroad from your town to seek his fortune, and to attain a
position in society, if he took with him the best education your public schools
afforded, had a passport which would admit him to any station requiring
knowledge and intelligence; and he was already on the high road to honorable
place among his fellow-citizens. Sir, it must have been gratifying to the
gentleman who has so eloquently and felicitously responded here in behalf
of the returning Sons, to have his former pupils select him as their organ on
this occasion; and sir, last night at early evening, had you been in yonder
cemetery, you would have seen many pilgrims to the grave of the lamented
PAGE, who turned from that monument,'"erected by his pupils," with feelings
of respect to the honored memory of their early friend and teacher. In
conclusion, allow me to offer as a sentiment,
The Conmmon Schools of Aezw Englaid — The'peculiar institution' of on't
fathers; may the sons complete the educational system by adding public
libraries for adults to public schools for children.
Edward H. Brainard, Esq., of Boston, wa,3 called upon, who
gave an offhand speech, which we feel is doing injustice to the
speaker to attempt to report.  It needs his voice and manner
to give to each sentence  that point and  force imparted by




80             THE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATION.
action.  However, asking his indulgence, we have ventured
to give it in substance:
MR. MAYORAfter listening with great pleasure to the able and eloquent remarks of the
gentlemen who have preceded me, and who have covered every point of
interest, I feel embarrassed at being called upon to address you, fearing that
anything I can say, will be like blowing one of those cent fifes with which
the boys of yore were wont to discourse such unearthly strains, upon anniversaries of the day which we are here to celebrate; but the interest I feel in
anything that relates to the home of my boyhood, must be my apology for
fifing on this occasion.
Everything to-day seems bright and joyous; but arriving in town yesterday and meeting so few familiar faces, and when later in company of a friend
we wandered among the graves of our ancestors and read so many of the
memorials of those we once knew and honored, I could but exclaim, " It is
here that we find our friends;" and amid the shadows cast by the descending
sun across their graves, I sighed that I had not some magic power that I
might call them up before you, that the light of their countenances might
give us more joy than the recollection of their virtues and peculiarities.
The men of this place who were the companions of our grandmothers,
possessed that strong individuality which bordered upon eccentricity-their
personal appearance even, indicating their occupation; thus, the ministers
looked like ministers, were clothed like ministers, talked and acted like ministers, and were never mistaken for anything but ministers, and had those
strong peculiarities which., caused the cloth to be held in so much respect in
years gone by.
You remember one of this profession whose best portrait is found in those
publications called books, (in hotels and drinking houses, although it is to be
hoped that the rising generation do not read such literature) which are published in Milton, Mass. I suppose the town must be named for the man
with whose pictures it has flooded the world; at any rate the name of the
town and the Parson are synonymous; a painting of whose phiz by a skillful
artist of our town was deemed comparatively valueless, as being a less correct
representation of the original than the "Jack of Clubs " as drawn by Thomas
Crehore, for while the likenesses of the face are very similar, yet Cole omits
the breeches and shoe buckles which the Crehorean artist retains.
Mr. Mayor, I suppose it would be considered an insult to this moral city,
for one to intimate that her chief magistrate ever played cards, but if you
have ever happened in your travels to see a pack, you will bear me witness
that I am correct in regard to the likeness.
Bless his memory! "I see him still," with his broad brimmed hat, his
cut-away coat, his peculiar shaped waistcoat, which allowed in warm days a
yard of linen to protrude in the form, and for the same purpose of a ventilator
(a comfortable arrangement in a hot day,) with his fist in the gills of a mam



THE   DINNER.                          81
moth cod whose tail dragged in the dust, and whose weight caused him to
linger on his way to crack jokes and spin yarns.
All who knew him will bear witness to his ready wit and genial spirit, his
earnest eloquence, his zealous patriotism, his patience under trials, his warm
sympathies and catholic liberality of opinion which thought a man might
reach heaven without going through his church, and lastly, to his stentorian
voice and independence of manner.
"We ne'er shall see his like again."
Another member of the same profession was remarkable for his gentlemanly deportment and polite address, which caused him to be respected by
all, though differing with him in theological opinions, of whom it is related
that, when a Seabrook clam merchant gave him a spurious coin, returned it
with the request, "' I shall be very much obliged to you, sir, if you will give
me a four pence ha'penny upon which the pillars are a little more legible."
I need hardly advert to the venerable clergyman, (Dr. Dana) who sits
near you, and to whom so frequent allusion has been made to-day, except to
state that he once told me I was a good boy, and I have always entertained
a high opinion of his penetration; but there is one who is still performing
active duty, whose originality of thought and fearlessness of expression, commend him to all lovers of back bone. I well remember that, about the time
I was put into jacket and trowsers, of attending his church in company with
an elder brother, and in his sermon that evening, he alluded in strong terms to
the absence of the young married ladies from the services of the sanctuary
and although then unaware of his meaning, I have since very reluctantly
concluded, that there were some in his parish who were not worthy successors
of Joseph or Susannah.
There was the sexton of the same parish, that. "old, grey-headed chronicle," whose familiarities with death seemed to give him a lease of life, unwilling to relinquish his post after fifty years service, whose prodigious'" beak"
resembled the figure-head of a clipper ship, showing up the man as a lighthouse does the coast, creating a shadow seen at a greater distance than himself, and rendering him but an appendage.
Another "sexton of the old school" whose out-works resembled his just
mentioned, though upon a smaller scale, was remarkable among the boys for
his enmity to the mechanical operations which were wont to be carried on
during service, in the pews and seats in the rear of the singers, following up
the young artizans with an unsleeping vigilance, and rendering comparatively insecure the office of Reed the tythingman, who with his long pole poised
in majesty.before him, dozed the hours away, and let the boys alone.
I visited, this morning, my first and last school-teachers, the former a venerable lady who is still engaged, enriched with the results of forty-four years
experience, in teaching the young ideas how to fire at B. C. and A. B. At
the latter, the honorable gentleman who sits behind me, and whose praise is
in the mouths of all who were benefitted by his instructions, but whom we,
do not think of so feelingly as we have reason to of another who taught school




82             TElE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
at the south part of the (then) town, a part of whose system of instruction
carried with it great weight. His mode of getting wit in, was similar to that
of getting a cork out of a champagne bottle, which all who are not temperance men are aware, is by thumping on the bottom-of the bottle, consequently all his scholars remembered him  feelingly when they sat down.Physically, this mode oft instruction had its advantages, enabling the recipient to despise the use of cushions, and to ride without a saddle.,Notwithstanding the great love of learning and other things which this teacher displayed, he had a kind heart.
Another pedagogue who was located in another part of the town, practised
a milder and peculiar mode of discipline, consisting merely in placing his
finger to his nose, which act was construed as meaning, that, if the boys did
not behave, they would smell something, but the scent was never ascertained.
And still another, long since dead, whose most terrible punishment consisted in sending the offender to'borrow Master Wildes' ferule.
I might here allude, in connection with these men of literary labors, to
those poets whose names have not been blazoned on the record of fame, but
whose ready wit and local allusions, afforded a fund of amusement to the
juveniles. One a pump and block maker, who could make a rhyme when he
had-occasion. His works are so familiar to you that I need not quote from
them, but pass on to the author of those beautiful lines, the scene of which in
laid by the sea-side, where they catch fish and dig clams.
"Joppa for a little place,
I think has doctors many,
There's old aunt T. with her three sons,
Besides one doctor Cheney.
Cheney,'tis said, has got some skill
In beasts both wild and tame;
But all the other doctors there,
An't worthy of the name.
One of the sons as I am told," &c., &c.
The least said about this poet the better. But there was another one who
ived down in Water street, who evinced decided talent-the author of
"Some time ago as you must know,
We had a botheration;
The people came to Silver lane
To see the dedication.
A pedlar came-S. was his name,
In hopes to sell his stores,
With joyful heart, he set his cart
Just opposite the doors, &c., &c."
I have also in my pocket some lines alluding to the truckmen, written by
one whom I hope is here to-day, of equal merit to those already read; and I




THE   DINNER.                          83
am reminded by them of the Kezers, Curriers, Beans, Gilmans, Pages and
Jaques of that occupation, all of whom were willing to give a boy a ride on
the tail of their trucks, but I particularly remember with pleasure a kindhearted man who drove the horse "Labrador," whose potato bin used to suffer
when, in stormy weather we were obliged to carry our dinners to school. As
I passed by his house last night, I involuntarily doffed my hat in remembrance of the roast potatoes, and regretted that he were not still living that I
might thank him in person.
Near the same locality, (Guinea) lived the race of colored men now nearly
extinct, whose little darkeys used to show us the white of their eyes and teeth,
and when children of larger growth attended the public schools, one of whom
sat by my side, whose success in after life has demonstrated the fact, that a
black skin is not always "fatal."  There was " Uncle Tite Pickering" too,
who owned a prodigious bull's eye watch that went when it was carried, and
whose big peepers, which were a match in size with the old chronometer,
used to be about, lest some urchin whose cow was the other side Jordan,
should take one of the male cows from the pen, to ride after her-these animals from training being very docile, made very comfortable if not speedy
nags-a ride being desirable not only for ease, but as a means of avoiding
the blood suckers in the slough, who held on like a curb stone broker and
stretch a couple of yards or so before they would give up.
Who does not remember those old maids who sold cocoa nut and tamarinds
by the cent's worth, and long sticks of candy with nubs, the size of a decent
fist, so large indeed that it was a matter of doubt whether they bought the
molasses or got it somewhere else; and also those ancient dames who brought
berries and herbs from Dogtown, driving twenty-shilling nags that were never
known to trot.
Time would fail should I allude at length to the inhabitants of Oldtown,
West Newbury, Pilfershire, Salisbury and Seabrook, whose locality was as
well known by their looks as a Jersey man by the mud on his boots. You
remember all about them, and even in our own town such were the marked
characteristics of families and localities that one could seem'to designate the
locality and name of an individual by his personal appearance. Thus, do
you see that man standing against the post in front of me; he is unknown to
me, but I feel sure his name is P-, because he has a strong Pi —  look.
He laughs;-I am right, and I think I could designate many more in the
same manner.                           H
But I fear I am wearying your patience, and in conclusion would express
a heartfelt and abiding interest in all that concerns the welfare and prosperity
of our old mother, Newburyport, and I but reiterate the sentiments of every
loyal son of her when I say, that whatever of worldly prosperity, whatever of
social, political, moral or religious influence we may have acquired, is owing
to the intellectual, moral and social advantages which she conferred upon us;
and we rejoice that the area of these good deeds of hers is now expanded;
we do not want her fenced in as does the Reverend gentleman from Bangor,




84             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
having no fear that her virtue is in danger, but that she is able to counteract
all designs upon it, and that when her arms embrace these children of her
adoption she is able to bestow upon them the same nursing care and the same
inestimable privileges for which we come here to-day to thank her.
Allusions have been made relative to the importance of the preservation of
the Union of the United States, and believing that love of freedom, and not
slavery, reverence for the laws of God as revealed in his word, love of order,
and obedience to constitutional enactments, form the cement of the Union,, and
that not clam shells and tar, but a mutual regard for the rights of each section
of this new city, and above all, that the stern regard for the great principles
of morals, religion, and intellectual culture, which actuated our fathers, must
constitute the bond of union between this old town and the adjacent parishes,
and give her such a degree of prosperity and influence among the cities of the
land, that every son filled with enthusiasm at the mention of her name and
fame, may point to himself with pride, and say"This man was born in her."
give you, thereforeJoppaand Belleville-Their Union, it must be preserved.
Philip K. Hills, Esq. was called upon, but declined speaking,
and offered the following sentiment:
The Sons-They cannot better compliment the fathers than by becoming
such.  They cannot find better material for mothers than among the
daughters.
Maine —Her enterprise has not exhausted her resources.
John S. Sayward, Esq. editor of the Bangor Whig and
Courier, responded to this sentiment:;MR. MAYORThe lateness.of the hour, the numerous eloquent addresses to which you
have listened with so much pleasure, and the hard tasks which the prolonged
and exhausting services of the day have imposed upon you, cause me to feel
greatly embarrassed in responding to the sentiment for my adopted State, and
in whose honor and welfare I feel a deep and abiding interest. Your have
listened to-day to the orators of whom you are so justly proud-men of high
culture in your public institutions of learning, and whose words pass any
where as current coin. I claim no title to such honor and confidence, but
must submit every thought to be weighed in the balance, and to pass for only
what the test may prove it to be worth. I represent the ocean masses of
t:ese whose lot was cast amidst the difficulties and discouragements of
poverty, and whom a private, and I may almost say, a public necessity, made
it necessary that they should leave the home circle of family and town, and
go forth to labor with their hends in the battle and struggle of life. But I




TIE  DINNER.                            $5
feel a lively interest in the State of Maine, and since your partiality has
solicited me from among more gifted sons of Newburyport, to speak in her
behalf, I will trust to the heart to answer, where the head may fail to
suggest.
Your sentiment, sir, is right, in saying that the enterprise of the citizens of
Maine has not exhausted her resources. Indeed, so far from this is the fact,
that it may in truth be said, that the great natural resources and business
capabilities of the State, in their abundance and variety, serve to quicken the
enterprise of her citizens and to invite the attention of skilful, industrious
and sagacious men of other States and communities. Maine has a treasure
of natural wealth upon the surface of her soil, accessible by numerous and
noble rivers and streams and lakes; while her mineral and other resources of
art and commerce are thickly scattered over the State, and their unfolding
has but just commenced.
Maine has stood, and still stands, with open arms to give a cordial greeting
to citizens of other States. She has selected many able men in all the
departments of learning, and given them honorable employment, and thus
received them as her own citizens. Among these, of men who are an honor
to the professions and to the race, may be found many sons of Newburyport.
Our orator to-day, while dwelling with so much eloquence and force upon
the men and the influence which Newbaryport has sent out into the world,
referred to the moral and educational elements which early brought into
activity by our fathers, and which all along have marked the path of her
history. There has long been a potent influence exerted in the family circle
and at the domestic hearth-stone. It has ever been a part of the social life
and home religion of Newburyport mothers to implant in the minds and
hearts of their sons and their daughters the principles of honor, sobriety and
chastity, and to furnish them with motives of an honorable ambition to make
their mark in the world, and to feel that upon their conduct, in some measure,
rested the honor of the place of their birth and the homes of their childhood
and youth.
This home culture in moral principles and in personal honor and ambition,
has been met with a new and corresponding force, in the excellent character
and activities of the public schools. These schools have long since brought
honor to the town, and been esteemed as among her rarest and richest gems.
However adverse may have been the general social state of the people, the
influence of the public schools has been eminently and uniformly in favor of
the idea of an essential, original equality among mankind.
Under these circumstances many sons of Newburyport have been sent
forth from the humblest dwellings of the poor, with no treasures for a
reliance but the treasures of mind, with a discipline already began, a heart':
unstained with love of evil, a mother's faithful teachings and prayers, and the
Bible tied in the bundle containing the wardrobe. They have gone out into
the world, to meet its battle and its strife, nerved most strongly in the severest
conflicts, with the thought that a fond mother at home might be gladdened
Q




86             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
with their success, or pained at their defeat, or die at their disgrace. And
wherever Newburyport boys have thus gone, they have made their mark, and
acquired a good name, and exerted a good influence. They have labored
often amidst discouragements and difficulties, and found it hard to creep,
where others, from superior advantages, could easily run; but nerved to the
purpose and motive so often and so strongly impressed upon Newburyport
boys to be something, whatever their calling and however hard the conditions,
they succeeded in improving their lot, in establishing an influence-generally
a good influence —among men, and sometimes to cause their deeds to be
honorably known beyond the limits of their acquaintances, and their good
name to be cherished in their old town, by those who had never seen them.
There is something hopeful and cheering in this to the young men of our
times. It has ceased to be a necessity for a man to be a warrior or connected
with the professions in order to distinguish himself. The world is full of
want, and every true hearted man my serve a use among men. The demand
is more and more for the practical men, they of the directing head and the
skilful hand. For the reliable shipbuilder, the able mechanic, the thorough
workman in all branches of labor and art, the capital of the world is seeking.
These are the omen most needed; and the activities of the world in material
and mechanical contrivances-in the union of science and art, will cause the
demand to increase, and the reward enlarged, until the engineer shall become
the hero of the not distant future of our country and our age, and receive
the richest material reward, because requiring the largest abilities. There is
a bright hope then in the future, to the poor boys of Newburyport and of the
country, in the present shaping of the public mind. The intelligent laborer,
-with a head enlightened by science, and hands made skilful by art, does not
now, and will still less in the future, be compelled to kneel at the foot of
capital to be furnished with work, for capital now eagerly seeks for such men,
and is glad when it has secured their services on terms of an equitable
division of the profits.
The boys, then, that are now in the ship-yards and mechanic shops, in the
mills, and on board your vessels, have the encouragement offered them to
task all their energies for the new condition of things. Labor has at length
come to be honored in our country, and the laborer to be met on terms of
equality and to receive the respect due to men who are engaged in performing
the highest uses to mLankind.
Did time admit, and your patience allow, I should be glad to lead you
forward to a special contemplation of the probable unfoldings of the future;
but I must close.
A word however may be due to the State of my adoption, suggested by the
sentiment you have offered to her. lMaine is eminently a working State, with
a population enlightened, moral and patriotic.  Her great interests are
intimately connected with the peace, welfare, and prosperity of the whole
country. Her interests and feelings, her opinions and actions, are a fact and,a prophecy of the whole people; at least the industrial and business people




THE   DINNER.                           87
ef the free States, and of that prophetic and hopeful future to the individual
sons of toil. Her position to-day, and the progress of her people prophesy
and prove that in the not distant fature, the hod-carrier and the ship-ownerthe mechanic and the professional man-the clam-digger and the merchant,
and men of all colors and professions -the lowly and the lofty, shall meet in
fraternal intercourse, united by a common bond of equality, and enjoying
the blessings of a common culture, and animated by the same hopes, and
seeking the same great ends-the uplifting and improvement of the race. I
have an abiding confidence in the future for man, for labor and for my
country. But my hopes for the success of my country in her, as yet, experiment for promoting liberty, and for her progress and her glory, is not in the
fact that reckless and ambitious men may try their hazardous experiments
upon her honor and strength, or in changing her general direction towards
the point of freedom, but rather in the intelligence, right-heartedness, and
patriotism  of the masses of the people, who having only honest ends to
accomplish, shall labor to establish the government upon the everlasting
foundations of right, of truth, and moral principles, and who, when bad men
attempt experiments of evil, shall resolve in their inmost souls that the evil
shall be overcome by good-by their own resolve to do and to determine
what shall be done.
Old Newbury.
Joshua Coffin, Esq., of Newbury, spoke in substance as follows:
MR. PRESIDENTOn an occasion like the present, when memory with its reminiscences
and the heart with its affections are laboring for utterance, it is exceedingly
difficult, nay impossible to select what is appropriate, and condense it into a
sufficiently narrow compass. The poet, who was required to express his
sentiments
".n twelve packed lines, rich, luscious, juicy, sweet,
No bone or trimmings, nothing there but meat,"
could not possibly have succeeded, had his theme been " Old Newbury."He would have saidin the language of Scotland's favorite bard,
"Oh how that name inwpires my style,
My words come skelpin rank and file,
Almost before I kefl;
The ready measure runs as fine,
As Phcebus and the tuneful Nine,
Were glowing o'er my pen."
He would have needed the power to compress an ocean of matter in a
drop of words. But what can I do, who have not that power? I find myself somewhat in the situation of the celebrated shipwright who built the
frigate Alliance, in the Revolutionary war. On reviewing a treatise that he




T88  E NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRA'TII0...
had written on naval architecture he was so dissatisfied with the work tha';
he tore out leaf after leaf till nothing was left but the index. That, gentlemen, is just my case.,have nothing left but the index, and I can give you
only an abstract of that. But what is there in Old Newbu.ry that is so sugo
gestive and inspiring? It is the place of our nativity. It is: the place of our
boyish days, and is associated- wth all our earliest recollectionso. In one word,
which is the most co'nprehensiv.e in any language,.it is or was our " home.'"
Of this brighter, sweeter spo., than all the rest, all of t-s who have ever left it
can say
"Where'er I roam,, whatever laid: I see'
My heart untravelled f6ndly turns to, thee.'
There a-re other reasons also which. strengthen our- love of home. We are,
descended from an ancestry of whose names and deeds, we are not ashamed,,
who have left behind them enduring memorials of their sagacity,. their forti —
tude and their moral worth; and we are this day assembled to pay due
homage to.the memory of khose who in the times that tried men's souls,
either in the struggles of their colonial dependence or in the later'days of the,
Revolution, were tried and not found wanting.  When in addition to, all these
considerations, we add that some of the most beautiful scenery to be found
anywhere, is within the,limts of Old Newbury, who. can wonder at ou:r'
peculiar love of'home?  Good old Judge Sewall, who spent his early daysin,
Newbury, till he removed, as m any of those whom  I see around me have,
done for a wider sphere of usefulness, in Boston, who was a diligent student
of the prophecies,.expressed it as his opinion that the millennmim, would com-e.
mence somewhere in, the vicinity of Old Tbwn Meeting.' House. I usedi
to think such an opinion a strange one, but I should not now so much wonder if after all the old gentleman was correct. His father was one of the
founders and first settlers of Old Newbury, -whol were a remarkable race of'
men,. of great mental and physical' energy;. of'a faith that would remove,
mountains, and of a practice corresponding to their belief; and however the
winds might blow or the storm beat on their devoted" heads, they, in the lan —
guage of Cromwell, put their trust-in God and kept their powder dry. An&
while Milton, and S:ydney,.and Russell, and Banyan, and hiampdert werebattling the tyrannies of the old world, were doing in another o0rm  an,
equally effective service in this wilderness of the new.. God, says Gov.
Slaughton, sifted three nations to bring some of the finest wheat into New'
England. That some of the choicest of. that wheat was sown: broadcast in,
Old Newbury, we have abundant evidence, not only from what has been, but.
what now is, We have the evidence ll around usr  Grapes, d not grow onr
thorn bushes, nor figs on Canada thistles.  Of the ninety-one grantees of this
ancient and, beautiful town, from whom  it received its character and who,
shaped its destiny, nearly every one could read and write~. They therefored
felt themselves competent to judge for themselves, and believing that the Bible'
and the Bible only was their rule of faith and practice, they swept away with
one dash of the pen every holiday from. their calendar with the exception, ol




THE  DINNER.                            89
the Sabbath, which was to them emphatically a holy day, a day of sacred
rest, an entire cessation from sport as well as labor. Everything that looked
like popery was to them an abomination, and things in themselves trifling
became important in connection with other things. Thus, for instance, long
hair was not to be endured. It was mentioned in wills; laws were enacted
against wearing the hair in the manner of ruffians and barberous Indians; and
in one of the town records of this county we find this record: "Samuel
Getchell is fined ~10  for building a house on the town land without
permission, but "in case" he cut off the long hair of his head into a civil
frame he is to be forgiven ~5, and in the meantime he may go on with his
house." These, however, were trifles in comparison with the great and varied
excellencies of their character. A single instance of the firmness and decision
as well as the gentleness of their character, deserves honorable mention, and
with this I conclude.
Having arrived on the banks of the river Quascacunquen,' they assembled
under the spreading branches of a majestic oak, and having entered into covenant with each other, and then chose the Rev. Thomas Parker to be their
ruling elder; after hearing an exposition of his views in respect to church
government, they entered into a solemn covenant and compact with Messrs
Parker and Noyes to be their teacher and pastor. Believing that every church
halt a right to choose their own spiritual guides, it follows as an absolute
necessity, that every man should know how to read the Bible. They had no
faith in the dogma that " ignorance is the mother of devotion, and that the
efficacy of laws depended on their not being understood."  Free schools,
therefore, have been everywhere established, and are the pride and glory of
New England. Our fathers chose their spiritual guides somewhat after the
manner of the ancient Spartans in choosing their rulers. "We that are as
good as you, choose you to be our king; if you use us well, we will use you
well; and if not, not."  One of these "I nots," which canL neither be untied nor
cut, was made by Mr Parker in about ten years after his settlement, by a
change of views respecting church government. They adhered to the original
compact, that he should be prinius interpares. He, on the other hand, was
determined to be primas. Both parties were unyielding and uncompromising.
The word compromise was not in their vocabulary. The church accordingly
wrote him a letter, in which among other things they say, " we are enforced,
though with great grief of heart, to suspend you from acting anything that
doth appertain to your office,-and in the mean time, as a'gifted brother,'
you may preach for the edification of the church, if you please."  He was
pleased to preach, and they were pleased to hear, regularly attended public
worship for twenty-five years, and regularly paid him his salary, held him in
high esteem, and after his death ordered the river Quascacunquen to be called
the river Parker, in remembrance of the worthy, learned and reverend Mr.
Thomas Parker. Here was a remarkable instance of mildness and firmness,
which, unless I greatly mistake, has been one of the predominant traits in the
character of their descendants, to the present day. The next "not" which
8*




90             TIlE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATI01N.
came in their way, was the usurpation of Andros, which they untied by
seizing and sending him to England. The last "not" was a gordian one,
which the whole country distinctly intimated their purpose to cut on July 4th,
1776. One consequence of this declaration, is the present assemblage, who
have come once more to visit the homes of their childhood, and do honor to,
the memory of their fathers. In the name, therefore, of old Newbury, and of'
all the associations that cluster around that time-honored name, I bid you all
welcome thrice, to this green oasis in the world-wide wilderness. I close
with the following sentiment:
Old NezXwbury, with her two Blooming Daughters, Port and West-In interest
and affection, now and forever, one and inseparable.
Rev. Paul Couch, of North Bridgewater, Mass., was next
called upon and spoke as follows:
Mit.'MAYORIndulge me one moment. Forty years ago t attended the public school
kept by Dea. Long, or as we called him, Master Long. One of the quaint
usages of the eccentric disciplinarian was to resolve the whole school into a committee of vigilance, under the general instruction " to seize a talker, and go."
Now I do not intend at this late hour to incur the risk of being seized as a talker
but I wish, in the briefest manner, to give utterance to feelings which it is
hard to suppress, at this time and in this place.
Your note of invitation to the sons and daughters of Newburyport, scattered to the four winds, to come home to a family festival on the fourth ofJuly, I read with gladness of boyhood revived, and in the fulness of crowding
recollections. and gushing feelings,, I said, I will go up to that feast, One of
my strongest desires was that of ascertaining what meaning you would give to,
the fourth of July; to learn by observation and sympathy what interpretation
you would give to the declaration of independence;. tolearn whether at this,
ominous hour Newburyport was right side up, careening, or capsized.
Within the first two hours after my arrival, happening in conversation with
an old acquaintance, to allude to the subject which just now takes the lead
of all others, I was confounded, saddened, (not to say maddened), to hear the
avowal that the late act of Congress, which is a violation of public faith and
honor, and opens wide territories to the curse and blight of slavery, would be
sustained by a majority of your citizens. I instantly replied, it can't be so 
if I believed it weret I should take the next train of cars and be off.
Mr. Mayor, I did not believe the words of my friend. I considered them,
in meaning, though not in design, an aspersion on the fair fame of my native
town.
I do not, I cannot believe such words. Were conviction of their truth
forced upon me, I would turn in sadness from the home of my boyhood, the
scenes of early joys and privileges, and trials and hopes, from the graves of'
my parents, (seeking other dust to cover mine) and in deepest sorrow and(




THE   DINNEE.                           91
solemnity of spirit, I would go forth from your city, shaking the dust from my
feet as a testimony against you. But, Mr. Mayor, that cannot be; Newburyport, true to herself, will be steadfast in defence of freedom, justice and
humanity.
The following  speeches were  prepared  for the occasion,
by those who were to represent various delegations and bodies,
but the lateness of the hour prevented the reading of the regular toasts, in response to which the gentlemen were to speak.
By particular request of the Committee on Publication, those
gentlemen have kindly furnished us with a copy of their
anticipated remarks, which are here inserted to complete the
feast of intellect intended to be enjoyed.
The Citizzen Soldiery-The safeguard of our liberties.
Speech of the Hon. Ebenezer Bradbury, of Auburndale,
formerly commander of the Newburyport Artillery Company,.
which position he filled upon the reappearance of that corps on
this occasion.
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERSThe sentiment just announced is suggestive of topics commonly forming
the warp and woof of Fourth of July speeches. To such a sentiment, a
response could be given, exceedingly general, or particular and studied. My
privilege to respond is a compliment to the position assigned to me on this
occasion, by my old military comrades, and I think I do not misinterpret their
views, in substituting, in some degree, the concrete for the abstract, the historic
for the speculative. I am quite inclined to adopt the sentiment, and follow
the example of our reverend fellow townsman, now of Bangor. To study
for a speech on such an occasion is like exercising in attitude and gesture
preliminary to a filial visit to the paternal homestead. This, of all occasions,
is one surely for congratulation, for friendly interchanges, for the revival of
fading reminiscences, and the indulgence of local pride and affection.
Who covets disquisitions on the idea of the citizen soldier? To be a citizen
is one thing, to be a soldier is another, and the easier. And then, too, if every




92              THE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
body was a good citizen we should need no soldiers, and that fact casts a
shadow on this topic. And besides, in discussing this compound character,
we are in danger of landing on debatable ground. The economist deems it
an expensive mode of defending the right, and the scientic professional
warrior deems it an inefficient mode. Models of intrepid patriotism, and
military excellence, from provincial and pure revolutionary history, could
be arrayed before you. But who would listen to the question, whether Miles
Standish acquired tactics in the armies of James, or on the heaths of James'
native land, amid the clansmen of the highlands. Of what value is the
question whether Gates, trained in the regular camp, or Greene, from the
militia parade, were the greatest generals. And later wars are pregnant with
questions not to be discussed, as to the best personel of armies.
We came here to-day as soldiers from a long furlough of a quarter of a
century, to parade ourselves as models of "citizen soldiers," who in their
day, and in this day, present fair illustrations of the meaning of the character
complimented in the toast. This corps, enjoying the honored historic name
of the "Newburyport Artillery Company," commenced its career during the
Revolution, and volunteered, with full ranks, to serve under Lafayette in the
Rhode Island expedition. It has from that day to this been a school of
patriotism, of public spirit, of social order, and often of military science. It
has ever been composed of men who knew their rights, and dared maintain
them. Frorn its ranks many have been called, by popular suffrage, into civil
service, presumptively proving a partial title at least to the honor of the
appellation of "citizen soldiers."
The gratification afforded in this re-assembling of old associates from
various districts of the country, has been, to them, greatly heightened by
witnessing the beautiful and disciplined condition of their successors, the
present corps who have so well performed your escort duty to-day. May
they never see a darker day, and may they, as have their predecessors in all.past time, deem all their tactics, and training, and sacrifices, as instrumental
and subordinate to the great purpose of securing the civil rights of the community of which they form a part.
iVew Hampshire —The fame of her statesmen as everlasting as her granite
hills.
Speech of Hon. Abner Greenleaf, the first Mayor of Portsmouth, N. H. in behalf of the Pdrtsmouth delegation.
MR. MAYOR AND GENTLE3IENThe annual return of this day, even under ordinary circumstances, is of
itself deeply interesting to every American, and always tends to awaken the
most ardent patriotic feelings. The anniversary of an event by which the old
thirteen United States or Colonies became free and independent sovereignties,
can never recur to an American heart witho'ut calling forth some of the




THE   DINNER.                           93
noblest sentiments of national pride. We naturally, on these occasions, look
back to the facts and circumstances that were instrumental in bringing about
this state of things, and especially to that Declaration of Independence which
so signally marked that great event, and which appears on record as the first
page of our national history. It is now, and has been, from time-honored
usage, the practice, on the return of this anniversary, to read that TDeclaration, containing as it does the bill of wrongs and oppressions that gave the
impetus to our separation from the parent country, but not because we are
still harboring or cherishing in our bosoms an old grudge against the people
of that nation to which the States of North America were once subject. We
can have no personal animosity now to cherish-certainly not against the
people of Great Britain in those times, for that generation has long since
passed to its last account; nor can we be disposed to transfer to the present
generation of Englishmen any hereditary national malevolence that may
have been entertained by our progenitors against the past, for that would be
visiting the sins of the fathers upon the children; but wo nowv annually recur
to that instrument as an item of the deepest interest in our early history,
inasmuch as it defines the causes that impelled our fathers to the separationshows that our cause was just, and exhibits to the world the fairness of our
origin as a people.
It was happily remarked by a cogent and powerful writer of our Revolution, that " never had a country so many openings to happiness as this. IIer
setting out in life, like the rising of a fair morning, was unclouded and
promising. Her cause was good. Her principles just and liberal. Her temper
serene and firm. Her conduct regulated by the nicest steps, and everything
about her wore the mark of honor. It is not every country, perhaps there is
not another in the world, that can boast so fair an origin. Even the first
settlement of America corresponds with the character of the Revolution.
Rome, once the proud mistress of the universe, was originally a band of
ruffians. Plunder and rapine made her rich, and the oppression of millions
made her great. But America needs never be ashamed to tell her birth, nor
relate the stages by which she rose to empire."
Such was the true and faithful delineation of our position and national
character, drawn by a master spirit of our Revolution, at the close of the
great struggle for independence, and at the very moment when " the times
that tried men's souls " were over, and the tumult of war had given place to
the tranquility of peace. And now, after a lapse of more than three score
years and ten, we trust we may safely felicitate ourselves in looking back on
the intervening pages of our history, without a pang of regret to mar the fair
fame that was then so nobly won. This of itself, as I have already intimated,
is a cause of joy and festivity on the annual return of this day, under any and
all circumstances; But the present occasion, to this numerous assemblage, is
of far more than ordinary interest-made so by the -return of so many of the
sons and daughters of Newbury and Newburyport to the spot of their nativity,
from which they have, many of them for a long period of time, been volun.




94              THE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATION.
tary exiles, to join with you in celebrating the nativity of their country's birth
on the spot where they first inhaled the atmosphere of freedom.  There is a
peculiar charm  in revisiting the place of one's nativity, however humble it
may be, that has a strong hold on evers heart; for there we imbibe impressiotns that endure through life, and to which we are wont to recur with a
lively sati3faction and even reverence.  How touchingly and beautifully has
one of our poets alluded to this innate attachment to the loved scenery of
our early homes.
"How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view;
The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangl d wildwood,
And every loved spot that my infancy knew."
Sir, we have ahbuidant evidence to day of the universality of this feeling,
in the present demonstration of the sons and daughters of this ancient town,
who with so great a rush, -have responded to the invitation of your city
authorities, to revisit the scenes of their nativity and early life-to roam
through your regularly laid out streets-to view  once more your public
buildings —your picturesque landscape:s-the Fj og Pond and Mall-the shores
of the Merrimack-to visit perhaps Black Rocks, where we used to fish for
"tom  cods." and the sandy, sea-beaten shores of Plum  Island, where, long
before a bridge across Plum  Island river was thought of; we used to make
our periodical excursions, picking beach plums, gathering bron.m  stuff to
make Plumn Island brooms, with which the girls would sweep ard streak our
sanded floors, (for there were comparatively few carpeted floors in those
days,)-there too we would shoot plovers and snipes, and roll (own the steep
sand hills.  Finally, to look once more upon your verdart hills and valleys
and all the fine scenery around you, not forgetting the old Cot:mmon Pasture
where we used to drive our cows; and above all, sir, to take by the hand
their fathers, their mothers, their sisters, and their brothers, and all their early
associates and connections, to indulge once more in the luxury of mutual
greetings, and join in the rtjoicings and festivities of our country's natal
day.  This, my friends, is an occasion that reaches every family, every heart.
I knowv something of this from a similar gathering at my adopted city, on the
anniversary of Independence, one year since, and I doubt if an occasi.on had
ever before occurred in that city, that imparted to the hearts of our cummunity an equal amount of joy.
Sir, I repeat, the place of our birth, has, I believe, stromn  attractions for
all hearts; and those who leave it, whether for permanent residences abroad,
or only for a time, still love it, like " the old arm chair" of their mothers.
Our sons travel abroad and locate themselves in distant cities, not always
because they like them better than the place of their nativity, hut oftener for
purposes of gain.  They think, perhaps, they can accumulate mere property
elsewhere, and no doubt many of them do; but their hearts untravelled, still,
at intervals, return to their native home.  Some leave their birth-place only
for a season, not intending to locate abroad.  Such are your weather-hbeatea




THE   DINNER.                             95
mariners; thev cross every ocean-every sea-sail to all parts of the worldwend their way up every river, but leave their wives and all their loved ones
at the old home.  They only go to sea to increase their means-" to make
the crown a pound," and the "crown and the pound are both for " their
"sweet-hearts and wives " at home.
It has sometimes been said of' Portsmouth, my adopted city, that though
it confessedly owes much to the handicraft of nature, it owes little to the
enterprising efforts of its inhabitants in the improvements of art, and that
hence its population has comparatively increased but slowly, and I do not
know but some such remark, has at particular times been applied to this city.
I had supposed, however, that in the race of business and improvements, we
were getting along about alike, in a safe, business-like, quiet way, and pretty
much upon home capital. I have heard the remark from  old sailors, that
those who make the most spattering in the water with their oars, are not
always making the best headway. I think, on the whole, if I may judge
from a general view, you are doing well; not always taking it ior granted
that improvement consists in a mere change of things; and as to the increase
of population, I trust that, like l'ortsmouth, you are not so much indebted as
many other cities, to a current of foreign immnigration, setting in upon your
shores like the mountain torrent, threatening to overwheimn you-and it is
doubtful if you would be the happier for such an influx.  You nevertheless
appear to be progressing, increasing your population steadily, step by stepmostly in the old fashioned vway, perhaps-but American mothers, Gcd bless
them, are the best mothl-ers in the world; and from the specimens afforded in
the delegation from your sons abroad, now come back to greet you, we have
a pretty plain demonstration of the goodly numbers of your progeny that have
from time to time swarmed from the old hive. I have been thinking, since I
have seen them pouring in upon you in such large numbers, that there would
have been no lack of population if all had remained at home.
But it is more than questionable after all, whether it ought to be deemed a
matter of complaint or regret that our sons go abroad, though I have often
thought if they would make the same effort, and submit to the saime priva- 
tions at home as they necessarily do abroad, they might often do quite as
well at home, and enjoy quite as much of life; but there is a proper time for
them to enter upon the stage life, and assume, among the people of the earth,
their appropriate station as men and citizens, and if they go abroad they
sometimes better their condition; at all events they better learn to rely upon
their own energies. I speak now, not as a son, but as a father, for being an'old man it is in that relation that I can best assimilate rny own feelings with
yours. It is true that if our sons leave their parental roof and go forth upon
the wide world, we are ever anxious for their welfare, an; often brood over
numerous imaginary ills, that we are apprehensive may lie in wait to cut off
their enjoyment of life and mar their prosperity, (and to our sorrow, such
apprehensions are not always groundless.)  Yet, the joy in which we luxuriate on their occasional return to us, is one of the great "sweeteners of life,'"




96             THE NEWBURYPORtT CELEBRATION.
and seems to make ample amends for the anxious hours we have passed in
their absence. Why, sir, even the prodigal son, especially when resolutely
bent on amendment of life, finds a warm welcome in the home of his childhood; the parental bosom nurses no' "accusing spirit" to frown on his
approach,-compassion alone bears sway-the father even runs and falls on
the neck of the repentant son-they embrace-heart beats to heart,-a tear is
dropped upon the record of his errors-they are blotted out forever,-wiped
away as with a sponge, and remembered no more against him. Even the
best robe is ordered to be brought forth,-the fatted calf is killed, and joy
and festivity resound among the inmates of the old domicil. Indeed, the
pangs and regrets of parting with our friends are in themselves sources of
heartfelt felicity —they do but prepare the way for the alternate joys of meeting, and both are but specimens of the alternate lights and shadows of which
this life is made up, and which are in fact necessary to complete the picture;
for, if there were no shadows, we would not appreciate the light. How, for
instance, could we have realized the joy of this great jubilee, this heartfelt
greeting, if we had never parted? Despairingly, indeed, might we look upon
the "black lettered list" of " ills that flesh is heir to," were it not that the
"kind relenting angel," in making it up, has " slipped in," here and there, a
"blessing." How consoling then the thought,Fthat, amid tears of sorrow, tears
of regiet and tears of woe, we are sometimes also permitted to indulge in
dropping a tear of joy.
Sir, I ought not to take up the time of this numerous auditory in speaking
of myself, although Cicero, in his discourse on old age, which he puts into
the mouth of the elder Cato, tells us that it is the peculiar privilege of old
men to talk of themselves. But, sir, allow me to say that this scene of festivity is to me, in a peculiar manner, a sort of jubilee, not to be viewed in
the light of a common festival, but to some extent like the solemn festival of
the ancient Hebrews, that was kept every fiftieth year; for, in a few months,
if my life be spared, I will have entered on the fiftieth year since I left this
place of my nativity, to take up my abode in a neighboring city. I was then
a young man of twenty-one. Hence, in that city, I can look back on the
scenes of my early manhood, there I commenced my duties as the head of a
family. There I have reared and brought up children. There a portion of
them rest in their last sleep, and although much the larger portion of the
remainder of my progeny are located in distant cities, I must be presumed
to have strong attachments to the city of my adoption, and having lived a
citizen of " Old Strawberry Bank" for a term verging upon half of a century,
I begin to think I may almost claim the consideration of a native.
[But to this, my native town, though my attachments are of course of a
different character' they are nevertheless strong. Sir, my heart is large
enough for both. Here the general ancestor of my family first located himself and his family with him, some two hundred and twenty years ago, as
emigrants from the county of Devonshire, in England. They were of the




THE  DINNER.                           97
sect of Protestants in France, contemptuously termed Huguenots, who fled to
England to escape persecution, and finally emigrated to this country and
located themselves in Newbury, (nowv Newburyport) in or about tie year
1635. So says the tradition which I have often heard re eated by my honored grandmother, and so says the historian who has compiled and is about
publishing (or has publish ed) a genealogical history of the family. I have
already alluded to the luxury of mutual greetings between the sons of Newburyport and their fathers, their mothers, their sisters and brothers, and all
their early associations; and I most heartily rejoice in the occasion. But
alas, sir, although I am a son of Newburyport, I have no father, no mother,
no sister, no brother now, to take by the hand. I am the only survivor of
twelve children of the same father, and I find there are few left among
other connections of my generation, and few of my early'associates and
friends.  There was a time, sir, when I thought I knew and could call by
name nearly every family man in this place, and of-course most of the boys;
but now there is not one probably in a hundred with whom I have had the
pleasure of an acquaintance. Yet here I love occasionally to return, to roam
through your city and its environs,-to view the scenes of my infant days,-.
more particularly among those localities which have most retained the aspect of former times, —to look upon the house in which I was born, erected
by my honored father, and in which my excellent mother died, too early,
alas, for me to recollect her, but of whom I have heard so much, that the sight
of this unpretending mansion ever calls forth emotions of filial reverence
and veneration. Honor thy father and thy mother is said to be the first commandment with promise, but where is the son or the daughter claiming the
respect of society, who does not esteem it among the higher order of privileges, to love the immediate authors of their being, while living, and to reverence their memories when no more.
But as a large portion of my associates and connections here, of my generation, have passed to their long home, I have only the melancholy pleasure
of re-visiting their graves. Ret even then I find subjects of contemplation,
that are neither unpleasant nor unprofitable. I have nevertheless, on this
occasion, met with a goodly number of old acquaintances, still residents of
this city, with whom I have been happy to meet, and others, who like myself, have been long abroad, some living at a great distance, with whom I
should probably never again have exchanged salutations, but for the peculiar
occasion that has now drawn us together.
There is much more that I would like to say, for the variety of matter that
I would deem applicable to this occasion, is by no means exhausted. I did
intend to have given a few hasty sketches of some of the men who occupied
prominent stations in your community, when I was young, and had, in fact,
committed some of them to writing; but I am admonished that I have
already extended my remarks beyond a reasonable length. I will, therefore,
close by tendering my thanks, both in behalf of myself and my colleagues
composing the delegation from  Portsmouth, for the invitation you have
9




98             THE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATION.
extended to us, in common with your sons from the various cities throu ghout
the Union, and for the cordial welcome with which we have been met-a
welcome that has thrilled our hearts,-not because we have seen it written
upon your banners- upon the borders of your streets, or upon your housetops, but because we feel that it is more legibly written upon your hearts.
I now offer you the following sentiment:
The Citizens of NVewburyport and their amiable Wives and Daughters-A
community of a highly moral character-intelligent, well educated, liberal
and hospitable; may her prosperity and happiness ever attend them.
Viryinia-The birth-place of the most distinguished son in our nation's
history.
Speech of S. B. T. Caldwell, Esq., of [Wheatland, Va.:
MR. MAYOR AND FELLOW  CITIZENS OF NTEWBURYPORTIs it possible I stand here the sole representative of the good Old Dominion 2  Is there no one here to respond to the sentiment just offered? If so, I
am sorry she is no more ably represented. Yet something must be said;
although it is not my intention to inflict a speech upon you, I must say something. I owe it to you, whose hospitality I enjoy-I owoit to myself and
to my adopted state to say a word or two.
I claim not the high honor of being a native son of Newburyport-No! I
was born among the granite hills of New Hampshire, but much of my time
was spent in this model town. It was here, with unfortunate "Master
Coffin," and your highly esteemed and much lamented Banister, that I
passed pleasantly, and I trust profitably, the latter years of my boyhood. It
was here that I first learned the great and important lesson of self-dependence, and it was here that I first felt the full force of that curse pronounced
upon all the descendants of Adam, that I was to " eat my bread by the
sweat of my brow." I saw too, that this devoted town was withering, literally, under the seething effects of fire and sword. The fire of 1811 had
crippled, and thewar of'12 had prostrated, her commercial prosperity, and
that there was then poor encouragement for a pennyless dependent upon any
profession or calling. But a change has come over the spirit of her dream.
With these facts before me, I left the loved home of my youth and wandered forth under the guidance of that superintending providence,
" Who sees with equal eyes as God of all,
A hero perish, or a sparrow fall."
That Providence directed my footsteps into Virginia, and by a singular'fatality kept me there and gave entirely a new direction to my business pursuits. For years I felt myself a temporary sojourner there. I did not like
her political institutions, among other reasons, because she disfranchised medid not allow me the poor privilege of voting, although she taxed me heavily.
But I did like the salubrity of her climate-the fertility of her soil-the hospitality of her people, and the fascinating charms of at least one of her fair,daughters.




THE   DINNER.                           99
gBut in 1830 it pleased the people of that state to revise their constitution,
and by so doing they took me into full political communion; still many
deserving citizens were without the pale of the constitution, and many glaring
defects in their organic law still existed. In due time, after two decades, she
again, in 1850, adopted another constitution, more republican in all its
features-some think a leetle too much  so.  Under it, however, she is
arousing fromher lethargy- -following the example of her sister states, by
improving her fair domain-making her railroads and canals, and developing
her almost inexhaustible resources. No state in this great and glorious confederacy possesses greater natural advantages than my good old step-mother.
It is true she has her faults, and where is the community that has not. If
left to herself she will correct them as readily as any other people. But
"With all her faults I love her still."
I am proud of my native state, and rejoice in her prosperity. Proud of this,
my alma mater, and rejoice to meet so many of her accomplished (not prodigal) sons to-day —proud of my adopted state, and rejoice to see her profiting
by good examples; and proud that I stand before you a citizen of the American Union, feeling no prejudice —knowing no sectional interest. Proud of
my country, my whole country, and nothing but my country. But my affections are centred in Virginia. In her bosom repose the ashes of my sainted
mother, my beloved wife, and three of my affectionate children. Her soil is
consecrated ground, and I see infused into her institutions a little more of
that spirit which so signally marks the counsels of this and my native state,
and which is the brightest gem on the fair escutcheon of this enchanting town
-I mean that noble spirit which liberally provides for the education of your
sons and your daughters by the diffusion of free schools among your thriving
population, I should be prouder still.
Your town has been, time immemorial, proverbial for the excellence of her
educational facilities, throwing the door of knowledge wide open to all your
children, inviting them to enter and partake "without money and without
price." But not satisfied with that, your Putnam has raised a monument to
his memory more lasting than granite, by establishing a school of high grade,
which, if I understand aright, is open and free to the whole country. Would
to God the whole union had free access to such schools. They are what
makes Newburyport proud of her sons, and her sons proud of her. I will
close by submitting the following sentiment:
Newburo/port-Her churches and her school-houses are lasting monuments
of her moral and mental culture; her physical and pecuniary abilities are
seen all around and about us.
T/le Merchant and the Artisan n-By whose enterprise and skill our cities
are founded, our rivers dammed, earth's ocean traversed, and the desert made
to bloom and bud like the rose.
Speech of Thomas Woodman, Esq., of the Lowell delegation.
MR. PRESIDENTThere are heads fuller charged with acceptable thoughts than mine, and




100'          TTHEE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATIiON
better disciplined tongues to give them utterance among the small deleg aion
from Lowell to-day, who might speak to the edification and interest of this
large and intelligent group of children who are now assembled around the
family table;. but as they seem inclined to an "expressive silence," I will, in
a few words, try to unburden a heart almost ready to burst with strong and
varied emotions. I congratulate myself that I am permitted to be here to-days
where there can be no cold shoulders, but where nature seems most cordially
to unite with "the old folks at home" in giving the returning children as
warm a reception as could reasonably be wished. But sir, intense as the heat
has been, I have escaped a sun-stroke, yet I must own up to being powerfully
struck by the beautiful and intelligent countenances of your daughters, and, to;
quote an old native bard, whose epitaph was written many years before he
died, by a sister bard still living, I have vividly felt that "' there was music,
in beauty," and could
--— ":HIardly control
The wild dance of the soul,
With dimples and smiles singing by."
I am not'a man with soul so dead" as not to love th e spot where I first
saw the bright green of earth and the calm blue of heaven; and I have
reason to love it, sir. One of its beautiful gardens of graves is the restingplace of my honored parents, who, when living, " None knew but to love,"
and whom, now dead, " None name but to praise.'"  True, my father was a
rank and file man, he was a baker, but nothing would make me more crusty,
to find the man who dared to call him  slack-baked, doulg/-faced or dbugk-.
headed.'He was one of the noblest works of God-an honest man.
Some of my own bones lie here too, sir. It seems to be my lot to pay
the great debt of nature by installments. I lost part of a finger here some
thirty years since, and but four years ago a part of my right arm, in Lowell a
and although I felt rather modest about saying any thing on this occasion,
who is there better qualified to take the stump, or make an offhand speech,
than myself. I lived in this town nearly twentytwo years before I left it,
and after an absence of eight year s returned again and sojourned here a fevw
years longer, then again bid it good-bye, and in the expressive language of
Goldsmith, I can truly say, that
" I dragg'd at each remove a lengthening chain."
I had long thought Newburyport wss rather small of her age, but I am happy
to see that she has grown fast since I was here last, and I honor those who,
l.ed in the movement thus to "lengthen her cords," although I frankly
)wn th:t t.m no annexationist, in the present wide sense of the term.
It gladdens my heart that I am again permitted to behold this goodly town,,
like Mount Zion of old, so " beautiful for situation," the "joy" of all herchildren, and the admiration of all who have ever "stood within her gates.'"
She has been " a fruitful vine," and "' her children" to day have been " like
olive plants round about her table."' To borrow still farther the language of
the Bard of Israel, "May her sons ever be as plants grown up in their youthl




THE   DINNER.                         101
End her daughters be as corner-stones polished after the similitude of a
palace."
There are many little, but to me interesting localities, the original features
of which have been nearly obliterated by the rapid march of public improvement, which I need not name, yet around them all
"Each wish of my heart
Entwines itself verdantly still."
But there are others still left. Frog Pond is not yet dry. Precious old spot!
May its boundaries never be less. I have been glad to see to-day that there
still " Green grow the rushes O." But where are those wide-spreading
willows that shaded the spot where I once went to school, under which I
have made the only whistles that I have not paid " too dear" for. I passed
that spot this morning but they were gone, " root and branch." They have
mrde their last bows and taken their last leaves, and it made me sad to think
that I should never sit under their shadows again. That old wooden schoolhouse is gone too. I shall never forget that. I have been " clapped" there
many times; but clapping in those days meant most anything but
applause.
Turkey Hill I believe yet stands firm, and other places where shag-barks
could be obtained, that I tused to visit in Autumn, when the frost-king had
been over them and left his tokens there. And here, Mr. President, bear
with me if I introduce a few lines of my own, published some dozen years
since, descriptive of a nutting enterprise.
How often through those woodlands, with some adventurous band
Of hardy schoolmates, would I roam with club and pole in hand;
And with our sturdy missiles some towering tree assail,
T'ill the armor'd nuts were beaten off and rattled down like hail.
And there we linger'd till the sun shed his expiring ray,
Then swung our burdens on our backs and homeward urg'd our way,
And lucky wights we thought ourselves if when ouir toil was o'er
No ruthlesss " lawful owners" came to rob us of our store.
I might allude to many other spots, Mr. President, each possessing a
charm, but I forbear. My design was, in a few words, to empty a full heart,
but the tide of strong emotion rushes in much faster than I can free myself
of it in language, and I shall relieve the company, if I do not myself, by
sitting down. Be assured, sir, that this glad meeting to-day has invested the
place of my birth with new endearments, and I shall hereafter love it with a
firmer, fonder, heartier and holier affection. Permit'me to offer as my
Concluding sentimentThe Beautlful City of Newburyport —"Peace be within thy walls, and
prosperity within thy palaces, for my brethren and companions sake." I
will now say, PEACE BE WITIIIN THEE.
The Early'leminiscences of the Old Revisiting Sons.
Speech of John Merrill, Esq., of New  York:
MR. PRESIDENTAs one of those old sons, (though somewhat the junior of one of the family
9*




102             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATI0,
of a previous generation, who has actively participated in the celebratio,~
while I have witnessed the very cordial and in! more senses than one the verye
warm reception, accorded to us, and which receives, as it demands; our most.
grateful acknowledgments,.,I naturally recur to my early associations and
early associates, What I say on this subject is not the result of much reflection, being unexpectedly here, and necessarily referring to mnyself in this
connection may savor ofiegotism'i  Of my brief reference to associates I' shall
deal in generalities, as it would' be invidious to attempt to particularize.  X
am fully aware, too, of' the impracticability of preparing any suggestions,.
which would be appropriate both to an hilarious meeting and to the occasion
of grave contemplation.. Among my earliest recollections of any generall
interest, was' the launch, from  the ship-yard, near IE-ackleberry Pasture, (to.
adopt the popular pronunciation,)?in which I first gave evidence of possessing
Idngs. and vitality;: say the launch.' of a monster merchant ship,,which attractedi
a vast concourse of people, about 55. years ago. and about 5 years after the'
invention, by the buildeir, of the mode of building by models,. Why, sir, she
was about 600 tons, and called, I think, the, "i' Assachusettso'f   That inven —
tion of the model, with little or noalteration..,has been gratuitously used by'
individuals and the U' S. Government ever since.
Then sir, we were pupils of the schools in Pillsbury's lane-Amos Whit —
more,. master, and a very good one, though- he made no great pretensions to,
high literary attainments; afterwards lon gan cficer of the'customs, There!
was announced the decease of the " Father of' his Country," and in honor of'
his memory, we boys of some half a dozen years of age, attempted on a very
small scale what we called a military celebration.
Soon after the family removerdto what the flow streeters coaled'; Tiptoe,''
as I suppose they thought that our, streets looked dawn upon them.  This,
too, was in or near the place knowsr by the euphonious name of Pilfershire,
the boundaries of which I did.not know, cr have forgotten. Then too, the,
church on Grasshopper Plains having passed the stage of occupancy-there'
being no minister —we went down to town to meeting, many of us to the iron,
works, (I intend no disrespect) near Brown's Square on Saturday after —
noons to recite the shorter'Westminster Catechism, and when proprietors"
children, had the privilege of selecting a " choice " book froni the old, North
Library; and on Sundays wer.,"privileged with two long services, when gener-.ally the legitimate doctrines of that Catechism —-as total depravity, final'
perseverance, election, &c., were discussed and "proved ~" and now thought
the foundation, remains, the superstructure has entirely disappeared.  Then'
houses of worship were unwarmed'. What think you our modern people
would say to such a service, in such a house, on one of our cold winter days,
or especially how would our fashionable belles fare, with theirthyi shoes and
thinner dresses. But here I would say in all seriousness, that the prepcher,
whose subsequent preaching of politics, as a federalist, would not have pre-'udged me in his favor, was highly talented-a powerful arguer aind an
accomplished gentleman, and has eft a very worthy representative of deserv



THE   DINNERT.                  1-     O
edly very high standing, in the person of his son, the oldest clergyman of oura
largest city.
But let this kind of remark suffice. I have introduced this trifling pzrtIy
that the announcement of my sentiment should not too much sadden the
pleasant feelings of our company, but principally to illustrate a practice then
and previously prevalent, of calling persons and places by ludicrous or reproachful names, but which happily has become nearly obsolete. But I
must pass rapidly along or trespass on others' time, The schools, academy
and college, brought up to the, time of the great fire, which had a blighting
influence on the tcwii,J, in connection with the embargoes, non-drKe course and
war,) and thence to seeking,. a living by business occupation'., in which I
remained in town longer than many of my associatc. In the mean time
taking a very active interest in politics, in a small minority, and without the
most remote idea that my services gave any claim to a reward, except the
satisfaction resulting from a conscientious discharge of duty. Were I in a
modern political assembly, I should not make the statement with any expectation of being believed. Pbssibly, some of us were not considered so greepn
afterwards. These disasters aided in the removal of our young men. And
what should be our reflections   Why, sir, they have met with varied results.
A few have stepped high on the ladder of ambition; many have become
distinguished in the liberal professions, and, many more as merchants; some
of us here, a promiscuous meeting of old and young-of the associates of the
former, a large proportion have almost imperceptibly dropped off by the way,.
and the residue, by a wise provision of providence, are being shoved aside by
those more energetic and enterprising. Is this a matter of complaint? I
think not; and as on the list of the aged, and having some experience, permit me to give a word of advice in regard to those who are just entering upon.
the race. If our boys, (and by the way, I believe there are no boys now.)
Well, if your sons are content to live pleasantly and happily on small means,.
let them, stay. If they are, tired of the restraints of home, and determined to
enjoy the pleasures of the cities as many view them, bid them farewell, but
with the hope, not reasonable expectation, without charge, that they will add
to your comfort, or their own reputation. But if you have boys, who have
brains, and who regard the prayers, the anxieties, the advice, of pious mothers
or parents; who are determined to apply themselves with industry to the
object for which they quit the endeared home of their infancy and youth; especially, if they possess that firmness of purpose, that independence of character, those principles of morality which will enable them to resist the fascinations, temptations, fashionable follies and vices with which they will come
in contact, let them go to our large cities, without repining, and with a feeling
of confidence~that your declining. years will not be embittered by their direlictions. Let them keep up with the rail-road speed of progress. Let them
devote their untiring energies on just principles to the object they have in,
view, though the sky of their prosperity may temporarily be overcast, they
will eventually succeed. Let them  go' cheerfully on your part, and a fie&c




104             THE  NEW]3URYPORT  CELEBRATION.
purpose on their's to accomplish the object of their mission. Let them take
little or no interest in the fanatical movements and the numerous humbugs of
the day. Especially, let them avoid political office, or at any rate the desire
of it. Having reasonably succeeded, let them return, if they will, and add to
the enjoyment of those who have been the constantly attractive objects of
their meditations in their occasional hours of retirement from the bustle and
cares of business. At least they may occasionally return temporarily, as we
have done, to receive the cordial welcome of old acquaintances, if not the
public welcome, which the city and its citizens have so freely and liberally
extended this day, to their returned sons and daughters.
The Pulpit-The foundation and support of those virtues which so eminently adorn the New England character.
Speech of Rev. Ephraim W. Allen, of Salem.
MR. MAYOR AND FRIrENDSThe chief value of a gathering like this, is not that we who have been
separated from each other by longer or shorter intervals of time or space, are
brought together among these scenes of our childhood, that we may see each
other's faces-hear each other's yoices-grasp each other's hands, and speak of
the incidents of our earlier days-of our studies and our sports, and dwell for
a day upon the experiences of the periods that have fled; but it is that we
may cherish the sentiment of union, which, by binding us to the place of our
birth shall also bind us more firmly to the country which is but the aggregate
of its several municipalities. The best son is the best citizen, and the best
citizen is the best patriot. Where the feeling of nationality is feeble, there
we may be pretty sure to find an almost total want of attachment to the place
of one's birth. But, met as we are to-day, under auspices so happy-with
words of welcome so cordial, and with demonstrations of respect and affection everywhere so abundant-how can we fail of bearing away with us to
our new places of abode, a love for our old home more intense than ever, and
which shall, for her sake, make more dear the greater home we call our country.
No son of Newburyport can read her history without being thrilled by the
story of her devotion to our native land. Nowhere has patriotism had a holier shrine-nowhere has she had more devoted worshipers. And when, today, we listened anew to the voice of her resolves, and were summoned again
to think of the sacrifices of her sons-of her sons given cheerfully to the con-.flicts and perils of the land and sea, I felt that if ever liberty died from the
land, it could not be, until we had forgotten the virtues of the deeds of our
fathers.
Sir, every patriotic recollection of the past, must inspirit every son of
Newburyport to fidelity, to freedom-now,-seriously and sadly we say. itnow imperiled. The free spirit of the land entered long since upon a contest
which has had various fortunes, but which has never presented a more inm



THE   DINNER.                          105
posing, a more impressive aspect than it presents to-day. The issue of the
contest cannot be doubtful- it will be prosperous-glorious-if there shall
only be no waverings-  He will best deserve the title, "Son of Newburyport,"
who will be most satisfied, most persistent, most determined. Allow me,
then, sir, in the spirit of these remarks, to offer the following, sentiment:
The Sons of Nlewbtryport —Faithful and earnest in their defence of liberty
during the Revolution;-may they be as faithful and earnest in the present
great crisis of our national history.
"Then let us be strong cind battle the wrong
Till freedom shall gather the world in ler throng.'?
Trle Plough, the Loom, and the Anuvil-Matuaally dependent upon each
other.
Speech of lion. Allen W. Dodgye of  I1amilton.
MiRi. MAYORI ass-ure you that I (nter folly into the spirit of this gathering to the old
homestead of the Sons of NO ewburyport. It is the first, and probably the lasts
of the kind that most of us will ever attend.  There is somethinug of a
melancholy interest in tlnis meeting of old friends, to witness the changes that
time and care have wrought in faces and forms once so femilis-r, or to be
reminded of those who started with us in life, but one after another have
passed away, to be seen among us no more. And then the effort to renew
our youth, and to be boys again as in days of yore, cannot but impress every
reflecting mind that the effort must cease with the occasion, and that tolmorrow we must join in the lock-step march of life, in the very ranks which our
years have inexorably assigned to us.
The men of former years —those representative men, whom  we were
accustomed to look upon with reverence and awe-how sadly we miss them
from their accustomed haunts.  The eye looks in vain for the weil-krown
forms of a Spring or an Andrews, of Vergnics and Bradstreet, of Fitz and
Weoart, of Bartlet and Brown, of Walcth and M fcPhail.  Here and there we
cman see one whom we recognize as belonging to tlat list of worthies, associated. in our memory with the former glory of NTcwburyport. B ut the chain
that linked us to them is broken.
If sad thoughts steal over theo mind, there are pleasant ones too. As we
walked in the procession through the streets, the very air was redolent of the
good old place, and the scene suggestive of the good old times. There were
the same lofty elms and limes — their shade never more grateful than when we
halted under it now. There was the old coturt house, rejuvenated like ourselves, but Justice, with her even scales, alas, was fled.  lhere was the self
same mall, flanked on either side by the two brick school-houses-and there
the pond, just as we left it, when our little craft sailed its last trip upon its
waters. Beyond, were the heights, now so gracefully terraced, studded as
thickly as ever with monuments to the dead, but with the lonely powder house
no longer standing sentinel over them. There were the over-arlching trees ia7




106             THE NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
the road leading so pleasantly up from Guinea and common pasture, whence
the cows and boys came trooping home at sundown.
We could see: the familiar old steeples, with their faithful vanes-the only
ones we could ever trust; the flaming face, and the still more flaming coat of
General Wolfe, on the old stage tavern sign —and we seemed to see, aye, we
really did see, the identical old stage coach, lumbered up with trunks and
band-boxes, as in the days of sounding horn and rattling wheels; and as we
thought of all the merry times we used to have in that old stage-coach, it
seemed to us a pity that railroads were ever invented.
But many of the ancient land-marks, by which the town was mapped on our
memory, had disappeared.  T"he lofty statues-to our young eyes the perfection of art —that once filled the grounds around the mansion of Lord Dexter,
even the three last survivors, who for so many years lingered at their posts
over the door-way —were all, all gone. The town pump, that rose so majestically in the centre of' the market-square, and imparted to us boys, as we
gazed up while imbibing its waters, our first ideas of monumental architecture,
had dwindled into most woful insignificance; and the whole region of the
"' ruins," with its mysterious arches and dismal piles of brick-dust and ashes,
where our lecture-day diggings were often rewarded with pockets fall of old
iron and copper, was all built upon, and not a solitary vestige of the ravages
of the Great Fire was any where to be seen.
But I forbear alluding further to the men and scenes of the days of old, in
the place of our birth and education. It is pleasant to refresh our memories
of them, by revisiting, so many of us together, the good old homestead. The
day will not soon be forgotten by us. We all owe a debt of gratitude to you,
Mr. Mayor and citizens, for affording us the opportunity to meet together
under such pleasant auspices. Surely the ardent prayer of us all must be for
her continued prosperity. May her moral and educational atmosphere ever
remain as pure and invigorating as when we breathed it; and may religion
exert the same benign influence within her gates, as has made her a name of
praise thr'oughout the land.
Newb-ytport-From the East and West, North and South, her long absent
children tind this day, a deiightful home in her arms and her heart.
Speech of Col. Amos Tappan, Chief Marshal of the procession.
MR. MAYORIn response to your invitation to come home, they have from their various
and distant dispersions, with warm and affectionate hearts, found their way
to their ancient home, and with kindred and friends, former residents and
neighbors, we are gathered on this ever memorable and glorious birthday of
our national independence, to revive the affec.tions of early days, to gaze upon
familiar but changed countenances, to speak of things that were, to bring to
mind the men of other days, so eminent in their stations of life, as ministers




TIHE   DINNER.                           107
of the gospel, as judges and jurists, as teachers of youth, as physicians, as
lawyers, as men of business by sea and by land; to have our minds reireshed
with the deeds of the heroes and statesmen of Revolutionary times; to speak
of the past, the present, and the future; to mingle in the joys, and festivities
and greetings of this auspicious day, so calculated to inspire and animate
every American heart with feelings of delight, to strengthen and entwine
more fully those affections which bind the heart of man to man.
For a long period of time, our little spot has poured out numbers who have
been ornaments and blessings of society in others regions. Their departure
did not impoverish us, but we feel enriched by their return; they went out
from us, not that they were not of us, but that the place was too straight for
the expansion and successful operation of their talents, energy and enterprise. They return to the place and find an incorporated city, enlarged in
its territory, increased in its population, in its churches, schools and manufactures, they return sons and daughters, to gladden every heart, and delight
every eye, and with the ancient matron we can cordially say, " these are our
jewels."
Amid the joys of the day, there is saddening thoughts which almost necessarily intrude; as our visitors and ourselves are reminded of vacancies once
filled by fond ones never more to be seen on earth. Such is the irreversable
order of Providence. Still let us rejoice that above is a Father's house and
home, where inmates meet and mingle without the fear or possibility of a
separation; nor let us amid these festivities, forget that the proper business
of life is to prepare for that delightful and happy home.
Mr. Mayor-I will close with the following sentiment:
The early Fathers of Newburyport-Peace to their ashes, and perpetuity to'their principles.
May the meeting and the greetings of this auspicious day, be renewed in a
better world.
Thle Reader of the Declaratioz-n-The poet and artist-equally successful with
pen and brush -may he reap that reward which his genius merits.
Remarks of Hiram  B. Haskell, Esq., of Newburyport.
MR. MAYOR AND FRIENDSFor so obscure and unimportant an individual as myself, I think I have
to-day contributed my share of public personal sacrifice-and although the
matter I delivered was not original, it was as good as anything I could get off
myself; as I shall presently illustrate. My inate and ineradicable modesty,
and my lack of the right kind of talent and knowledge-utterly disqualify
me for an extempore speaker. However, having been suspicious that some
mischievous friend would call me out-I availed myself of the aid of a slight
stimulus, and produced the effusion which I will now inflict upon your patient hearing.
Most welcome, Sons! What magic reveille
Hath called you hither from abroad to-day?




108             TIHE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
What mightier summons than the rattling drum
Gives forth, commanded you to come?
Freedom and Home, twin words of sweetest sway,
Beat in your breasts the potent reveille.
Your natal place-day of our country's birth —
Best d ay in tilne, the dearest spot on earthOur glorious country-(let the country go!)
Vly loving muse is warm with friendship's glow,
And on these gallant " sons " would rather dwell,
Throughl a few lines of humble doggerell.
From the near East and the far West you've come,
From yonder pole, just by the northern star,
And from the South, I cannot say how fir;
Friends, brothers, gentlelmen, you're welcome home.
Oh dear old, beautiful old Newburyport;
Your fountain head of wisdcom, work, and sportIn this I wish not to disparage you,
But I would give the dear old town its due.
Is it not true, as Pope hath said my friends,
" The stream no higher than the source ascends?"
Ye poets, favorites of the sisters nine,
Last in the wo.ld's reward, first in my line,
From the most glorious Parnassian climber,
Down to the humblest namby-pamby rhymer,
Say, in your loftiest celestial track,
Do not your thoughts instinctive wander back
To the fair borders of the Merrimack?
Is not this river-fairest among streamsTh' inspiring Helicon of your noblest themes?
Ye in rchants, ye who send your ships abroad,
To new Australia or the old Cape Cod,
To France, and England, and the far Japan,
And all the countries visited by man,
Say, as you stole molasses on yon wharf,
Did there not come to you (confound this cough! )
The first sweet dreamings, like a hogshead's roll,
Of foreign countries, o'er each boyish soul?
Masters, yet servants of the potent press,
Ye editors, be honest now, confessI will not urge you, for I know that you
Your soundest wisdom from the Herald drewAnd ye who deal in party politics,
What but the stones, -the snowballs and the sticks,
The weapons juvenile, that made you brave,
Your earliest lessons in contention gave?
When upalong and downalong opposed,
Too oft in fierce and wintry warfare closed.
Ye lawyers, champions of the poor man's right,
What first awoke your infantile delight




ODE   DINNER.              i09Por justice; say the first time that you heard
Of any bar, can it not be referred
To Salisbury and Plum Island's sandy bar?
Or such as may be found at the "Lone Star?"
Ye learned.men of Boston and New York,
So famous for your scientific talk,
What made apparent first your boyish bent
For solid logic and sound argument?
Ere yet your " ergos" grew to be so great,
Did not your reason learn to demonstrate,
When with the grand old " Ciceronian Club,"
You here drove home the'" question " to the hub?
Ye pedlars, artizans and mariners,
Ye farmers, authors, and ye reverend sirs,
Ye young. apprentices of every trade,
Ye men of every calling, every grade,
Professor, loafer, speculator, clerk,
Whether you live by wit, or wealth, or' Work,'Twould give me pleasure to address you all,
But time is precious, and my talent small;
I'd ask you in a gentlemanly way,
If any conscientiously could say,
That the first helps to all the good you've got,
Did not originate in this very spot?
My strain is dying out, but ere it ends.
Once more I bid you welcome home, my friends;
You're welcome here, as long as you remain,
But when you leave, I charge you to sustain
The ancient honor of your native townBy growing smarter, add to her renownAnd by your eloquent, well spoken praise,
Still more her glorious reputation raise;
Say, will you say that you were never in a
Prettier place, or had a better dinner?
V'OLUNTEER TOASTS'
1By Edward Burrill, Esq., of Newburyport.
The Sons of Newoburyport —Representatives of true and well tried AmeriCans; may they see to it that the liberty bought by the blood of their ancestors remains secure in all coming time.
By George W. Jackman, Jr., Esq.
Our Returned Sons and Daughters, and all others who are with us on this
occasion-May the re-union this day formed between them and us, be lasting
10




110            THE  NEWBURYPORT  CELEBRATION.
and long remembered, and as inseparable as the hills; and if any " other
union" should be formed between any of the sons and daughters, from abroad
or at home, may it be an agreeable one through life, and signalized by all
the " events" that are accustomed to occur in such unions.
The Attorney General of the United States-His untiring industry and
indomitable energy, do honor to his early nurture, and afford a bright example for the young.
The M3emory of Oliver Putnam —Tho has left a monument of his wisdom,
benevolence and love of home and of mankind, as prominent and enduring
as the everlasting hills.
Appended to a letter from Winm. i. Tyler, Esq., Mayor of
Calais, was the following sentiment:
Our Native Home-We love it, and are happy once more to breathe its air 
its moral atmosphere we have taken to our adopted home.
By Frank W. Miller, of the Portsmouth Chronicle.
Benj. P. Shillaber, Esq., of the Boston Post —Tle printer, the poet, the philosopher, and the inimitable humorist:-So long as the sayings of " Mrs. Partington" shall be treasured up in the memory of mirth or deep sensibility, may
we remember, with gratitude, that to him are we indebted for these glorious
reunions. And while we of the slow old Granite State are proud that
Portsmouth established the precedent in these heart-festivals, we are no less
happy to aid you in enjoying a design conceived in so much.grandeur and
carried out to such perfection.
By Col. Swett, of Boston.
Rev. Dr. Dana-His actions speak louder than words; for while he attempts
to convince us of original sin, he shows by his life that he is free from it.
The lateness of the hour, (it being nearly eight o'clock when
the company retired from the pavilion,) prevented the reading
of numerous toasts which were prepared for the occasion.
The following letter, from the Hon. Albert Pike of Arkansas, in reply to an invitation to speak to the citizens of Newburyport upon this occasion, we insert, as deserving a place in
this report.
LITTLE ROCax, Arkansas, June 7, 1854.
My dear Sir:
I fear that you will imagine I have been guilty of neglect, and wanting in,
courtesy. Although I reached here from the East more than three weeks'
since, I was immediately compelled to visit a distant part of the State t,




LETTERS.                           111
attend a case, and it was only yesterday that I again reached home, you will
therefore please pardon the unavoidable delay of answer to your letter.
When I left the East, late in April, it was my full expectation and intention
again to be there in the latter part of the present month, but since my return,
circumstances have occurred that render it utterly impossible, I must very
reluctantly forego the pleasure of once more visiting the old town, walking
its well-remembered streets, being greeted by the pleasant smiles of old
familiar faces, and welcomed to my old home with the old hearty good
humor and kindness.
And I will not deny, but frankly admit that it would afford me the greatest
pleasure, before I die, to address the people among whom I was born and
reared, upon such an occasion as that of our National Anniversary. It would
be the proudest day of my life. I thank the City Council and Committee for
the invitation they have extended, and you for the very flattering terms in
which it has been conveyed.
Respectfully your servant,
ALBERT PIKE.
The annexed letters from absent sons of Newburyport, were
received by the Mayor, and announced, but for want of time,
not read.
NEW ORLEANS, June 24, 1854.
To his Honor, the Malqr of Newburyport:
Sir: As a son of Newburyport, it was my purpose to accept your invitation to return to the place of my nativity, and join with you in the celebration
of the day of our nation's independence.
A re-union of this kind has often suggested itself to my mind, and last
year I indulged the hope it might be brought about, towards the close of the
summer. Being at that time a resident of New York, I found many natives
and former inhabitants of the "good old town," who expressed themselves
warmly in favor of such a plan as that which promises now to be carried
through, with the most gratifying success. It was found, however, to be too
late in the season to perfect the arrangements, for that year, and the idea was
relinquished, with the understanding that it should be revived the next
Spring.
Since that time, my lot has been cast in a part of our common country still
more remote from my native home. But the chain that binds me to it, though
lengthened by many added links, is still unbroken. It is an electric chain,
and sensitive to the slightest touch of memory and association. I thank you,
sir, and those you represent, for the test you have made of its integrity and
power; and assure you most sincerely that no one of all the hearts to which
your affectionate appeal has been made, beats with a truer and more cordial




112             THE  NEWBUIRYPORT  CELEB3RATION.
response than my own; though I am prevented, by circumstances beyond my
control, from telling you so in person.
Sir, one half of my life was spent in your beautiful city. That term
included my childhood, my youth, and my early manhood. Connected by
blood with more than one family there, and by intimate association with many
others-and by all, I feel an excusable pride, I trust, in saying, still honorably
remembered among you-there is a store of old recollections of those early
years laid up in my memory, which such an invitation as yours was sure to
awaken, and that an acceptance of it, were that possible, would greatly deepen
and intensify.
"The house were I was born," and many a house that was its neighborthe home fireside, the fields through which, and the companions with whom I
roamed atwill; the trees, whose venerable trunks were as well known to me
as the forms of men, and out of whose fantastically grouped foliage fancy
used to form familiar faces; the blue and sparkling river, to cross which, on
a holiday, was one of the joyous incidents of my childhood's days; "the
sound of the church-going bell;" the message and the messenger its chime
invited me to hear: the grassy grave without, the bridal altar within that little
church; these, and many, many more than these, are the associations which
your affectionate bidding home have awakened.
Be assured, sir, and do me the favor to assure those whom you represent,
that, far wanderer from the cherished scenes of my childhood and my youth,
as my lot in life has made me, I am yet, and feel that I ever shall be, a loyal' Son of Newburyport."
And as such, sir, permit me to subscribe myself,
Your friend and brother,
JAMES F. OTIS.
Accompanying the above was the following sentiment:
Vewburyport-" Her children rise up and call her blessed." May their
children's children, to the latest generation, repeat the filial benediction.
BALLARDSVILLE, Oldham Co. Ky. June 20, 1854.
Dear Sir:
Having in the week past received the Herald of the 16th inst. containing
the card of your committee, kindly inviting the absent Sons and Daughters
and former residents to return and participate in the celebration of the glorious Fourth, and having had a pressing request from my relatives, to the
same effect, I feel that I ought to send some acknowledgement meet for it.
The call, I can assure you, made my bosom thrill with lively enthusiasm,
awakened feelings long dormant, and aroused an almost irrepressible desire.to visit the home of my birth and my childhood, and the last resting place of




LETTERS.                          113
amy ancestors of generations past; but ties not to be severed hold me back
for a time. Yet absent in person, my heart and soul shall be with you on the
occasion. Permit me to submit this sentiment.
The first great Family Festival-May the gratulations and affiliations of this
day raise a pyramid of grateful emotions and kind affections, whose base
shall be as broad as the earth, and whose apex shall reach up to Heavenmay the rich and the poor, the high and the lowly, without rank or distinction, link in one common bond to make it a day to be remembered by all,
and registered in the annals of ages.
Yours in friendship and esteem,
JOHN SWAIN, M. D.
The subjoined letter from the Committee from the City Government, and reply of Hon. George Lunt, we insert as matters
connected with the occasion.
CITY HALL, NEWBURYPORT, July 11, 1854.
Rev. Geo D. Wildes:
Dear Sir: At a meeting of the City Council, held last evening, the undersigned were appointed a "joint special committee," to present to you the,thanks of the City Government, for the able and patriotic Oration delivered
before the Sons and Daughters of Newburyport, on the late anniversary of
American Independence, and to request a copy of the same for the press.
F. J. COFFIN,         ]
IWM. GRAVES,          I
HENRY BARTLETT,  Committee.
D. S. BLAKE,          I
EDWARD BURRILL, J
BOSTON, July 15, 1854.
Gentlemen: Your note, addressed to my kinsman, Rev. Geo. D. Wildes,
requesting for the press a copy of the Oration delivered by him, before the
Sons and Daughters of Newburyport, on the 4th instant, has been received
by me.
Mr. Wildes sailed for Europe on the day following that of the Anniversary,
He had previously placed the manuscript in my hands, to be disposed of as
circumstances might warrant. I gladly transmit it to you, rejoicing in your
desire to give permanent form to whatever may tend to illustrate that happy
meeting " at home," long to be recurred to with deep and gratified feelings,
by all who have any concern in the welfare of our native town.
I am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your friend and servant,
GEORGE LUNT.
Messrs. F. J. Coffin, Winm. Graves, Henry Bartlett, D. S. Blake, Edward
-Burrill, Committee.




CONCLUSION.
LEVEE AT CITY HALL.
This was a glorious re-union, in which the old and the young,
the grave and gay, mingled, filling the entire building. Among
the distinguished personages we noticed the Attorney General
of the United States.  The hall had been specially fitted for
the occasion, and was magnificently decorated.  Strips of
buntin run from the centre to the corners of the hall, the sides
were hung with festoons of the same material; behind the
rostrum was a very large and beautiful portrait of Washington,
enclosed by two American flags, over which an arch of evergreen, intermingled with silver stars. At the entrance was a
large arch, trimmed with evergreen, enclosed by two smaller
ones. Round the large one, and enclosing two hands united,
was the motto, " The same cordial grasp I loved so long ago."
Also other decorations, which served to make the appearance
of the hall really enchanting. Here, in promenading, waltzing,
and conversation, much of the night was whiled away, and
the concluding of this great city party ended a day that will
ever be remembered in the history of Newburyport.
EVENING PERFORMANCES.
The thousands of strangers in the city-most of whom remained over night, though the cars went out in all directions,
crowded, and not less than one thousand persons were waiting
the outward trains at the Eastern Depot, at 12 o'clock Tuesday night-who  sought acquaintance, entertainment and




CON0LUSION.                    115
amusement, at the private dwellings of our citizens, that were
liberally thrown open —a t the public Hall, and on the ground,
in the vicinity of the Mall; and never were happiness and joy
more universal.
THE ENVIRONS.
As night set in, brilliant bonfires marked the position of the
various eminences in the vicinity, while "' the rockets bright
glare " on every hand showed that the country was determined
not be entirely outdone by the city in patriotic display.
The "' Andrews Sharp-shooters " turned out in the morning
in fatigue uniform, and erected a large bonfire on Indian Hill,
where there was the customary display of fire-works.
MASONIC RE-UNION 
St. John's Lodge, which was originally chartered in 177I6
and has recently been re-organized under the most encouraging
circumstances, received the " Brethren of the Mystic Tie".on
Monday evening. The hall was decorated for the occasion
with evergreen, flowers, and devices-a masonic arch standing
in the East, on which was inscribed "Welcome to St. John's.'"
The ceremonies of t'he evening were not, of course, communicated to the uninitiated, but we learn that there was a large
number present, embracing several of the reverend clergy and
other eminent individuals.  The re-union of those who received
their first degrees from " St. John's" in "' Auld Lang Syne,"
and have since testified to the excellence of the institution in
various parts of Christendom, must have been highly agreeable
and satisfactory.
THE FIRE-WORKS
Were more extended than usual, and superior in design and
quality; and the enthusiasm of the multitude who were in




116          TIRE NEWBURYPORT CELEBRATION.
from all the surrounding towns, and the frequent cheeringr
evidenced the gratification of the spectators.
Thus passed one of the days long to be remembered by the
present generation as the brightest period in the history of our
young city. Had the day been more auspicious the pageant
might have been more extensive, yet upon the whole the occasion could not have given greater joy.  Great credit is due toour city authorities, to private individuals who contributed so
bounteously, and to the citizens generally.  It has been
rumored that one or two delegations from  neighboring cities
were disappointed in not meeting, upon their arrival, with a
formal reception and escort.  In behalf of the city government, the compiler would here remark that every moment of
the time from early dawn until the march of the procession,
was consumed in receiving delegations at the City Hall, and
it is to be regretted that the arrangements were not more generally understood. The Chief Marshal, inconcert with the authorities, used every exertion to wait upon the various bodies and
escort them to the Hall, but owing to the irregularity of the
trains, and their simultaneous arrival at the different stations,
it was impossible to pay that attention to each delegation that
the pleasure of Marshal and Committees would dictate.
In conclusion, we would hope that the remembrance of this,
festival may stimulate us to patriotism and virtue, and that
the lessons taught us on the occasion may draw us nearer
together and make us a community determined to advance not
only our own and others' interests, but the general welfare of
a city, than which no other can boast of higher advantages.
ERRATA. CoL. Swett's speech, 9th line, for "sports" of boyhood, read
" port " of boyhood. In poem, 22d line, for " nature's " hand read " labor's'i
hand.




A DISCOURSE
PRONOUNCED AT
THE CAPITOL OF THE UNITED STATES,
In the Hall of Representatives,
BEFORE THE
AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
JANUARY 30, 1836,
BY THE HON. LEWIS CASS,
PRESIDENT OE THE SOCIETY.
TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED ITS CONSTITUTION AND THE NAMIES OF ITS OFFICERS.
WASHINGTON:
P. THOMPSON.
1836.








WASHINGTON, February 2, 1836.
SIR: We have the honor to present the enclosed Vote of Thanks, unanimously
adopted by the American Historical Society, for the very able, learned, and eloquent Discourse delivered before the Society on the 30th ultimo, in the Hall of
Representatives; and to ask of you a copy for publication.
We have the honor to be,
Your obedient servants,
GEO. WATTERSTON,  )
FRANCIS MARKOE, JUN.,  Committee.
PETER FORCE,                )
The Hon. LEwIs CAss, Secretary of War, and
President of the American Historical Society.
AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
Tuesday, February 52, 1836.
Resolved, That the Thanks of the Society be presented to the Hon. Lewis Cass,
for his learned, able, and eloquent Discourse delivered before the Society in the
Hall of the House of Representatives on the evening of Saturday last.
Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to present to the Hon. Lewis Cass
the Vote of Thanks of this Society, and to ask of him a copy of his Discourse for
publication.
Whereupon, Messrs. Watterston, Markoe, and Force were appointed a Committee for that purpose.
A true extract from the minutes:
HENRY M. MORFIT,
Recording Secretary.
WASHINGTON, February 10, 1836.
GENTLEMEN: In compliance with your request, I place at your disposal a copy
of the Address recently delivered before the American Historical Society.
While I am duly sensible to the regard manifested by this application, and by
the flattering terms in which your sentiments and those of the Society have been
conveyed, I am yet aware that I owe to your kindness, and not to any value which
the production possesses, the interest you have shown on this occasion.
Very respectfully,
Your most obedient servant,
LEWIS CASS.
GEORGE WATTERSTON, )
FRANCIS MA.RKOE, Jun.,  Committee.
PETER FORCe, Esqrs.  5








5
CON STIT UTION
1. The Society shall be denominated " TEE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY."
2. The objects of the Society shall be to discover, procure, and preserve whatever may relate to the Natural, Civil, Literary, and Ecclesiastical History of America in general, and of the United States in particular.
3. The Society shall consist of resident, corresponding, and honorary members.
The resident members shall be persons residing in the District of Columbia; the
corresponding and honorary members shall be persons residing elsewhere.
4. The Officers of the Society shall be chosen, by ballot, from the resident members, on the fourth Thursday in October, annually, and shall consist of a President, First and Second Vice Presidents, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding
Secretary, a Treasurer, a Librarian, and a Standing Committee of nine members.
5. The Society shall meet quarterly, to wit: on the fourth Thursday in January, April, July, and October; but the President, or in his absence either of the
Vice Presidents, may, on the request of any two members, call a special meeting.
6. Officers shall be elected, members admitted, and by-laws altered, only at a
quarterly meeting.
7. All resident members shall pay, on admission, the sum of five dollars, and an
additional sum of three dollars annually.
8. Resident members shall be admitted only at the quarterly meeting in January.
9. All members shall be chosen by ballot; nominations of members may be
made by any member of the Society, but no member shall nominate more than one
candidate at the same meeting, and all nominations shall be made at a quarterly
meeting previous to that at which the ballot is to be taken.
10. For thd'election of members, as well as for making alterations in, or additions to the By-laws and Regulations of the Society, it shall be necessary that
nine members be present, and that two-thirds vote in the affirmative; but for the
transaction of other business, five members shall constitute a quorum.
11. At the request of any two members present, the ballot upon any nomination
of a member, or the vote upon any motion, shall be deferred to another quarterly
meeting, for further consideration, before it is finally acted on, and shall then be
taken up.
12. The Constitution may be amended from time to time, as the Society shall
deem proper; but a motion for an amendment shall not be received except at a
quarterly meeting, nor unless a notice thereof shall have been given and entered on
the journal at the last preceding quarterly meeting.




OFFICERS OF THIE SOCIETY.
LEWIS CASS, President.
VIRGIL MAXCY, First Vice President.
WILLIAM W. SEATON, Second Vice President.
HENRY M. MORFIT, Recording Secretary.
PETER FORCE, Corresponding Secretary.
WILLIAM  GUNTON, Treasurer.
LEWIS H. MACHEN, Librarian.
STANDING COMMITTEE.
WILLIAM CRANCII,
JAMES KEARNEY,
FRANCIS MARKOE, Jun.,
PHILIP R. FENDALL,
RICHARD S. COXE,
JOSEPH HI. BRADLEY,
GEORGE WATTERSTON,
AARON O. DAYTON,
PISHEY- THOMPSON.




ADVERTISEMENT.
On the 12th of October, 1835-the Anniversary of the Discovery of America —a Society was formed in the Metropolis of the Union, under the title of the American Historical Society. The objects of the institution are declared in the 2d article
of its constitution to be "to discover, procure, and preserve whatever may relate to
"the Natural, Civil, Literary, and Ecclesiastical History of America in general,
"and of the United States in particular."  On the request of the Society, the following Introductory Discourse was pronounced by the President. The first volume
of its Transactions is now in the, press, and will speedily be published,








ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of the American Historical Society.
In looking back upon the history of man, it is obvious that
different ages of the world have been distinguished by different characteristics. The progress of events has, from time to
time, been marked by some predominating trait, communicating its impress to the moral circumstances around it; and
the aspect of human life is brighter or darker, as this controlling principle is worthy or unworthy of the race of beings
placed, by the creation of God, in their present state of accountability, and endowed with powers, whose extent, after
an existence of sixty centuries, is unknown to us, but whose
use or abuse constitutes the advancement or retardation of
individuals and of societies.  It is thus, that prismatic rays
tinge with their hues, while they illumine with their light,
the objects upon which they are cast.
In the contest for this ascendency over the great world of
mind, sometimes the passions of mankind have gained sway
and held it for ages; and wars, social, political, and religious,
have spread desolation over the earth, and have marked their
progress, not less by moral than by physical evils. Then the
intellectual powers have asserted their supremacy; at one
time, for purposes merely speculative, and at another, for
practical action. The one state is illustrated by that wonderful but puerile system of logomachy, which so long passed
for philosophy, and which has come down to us as a splendid
monument of human wisdom and of human folly; and the
other, by those efforts at rational improvement, whose full
operation has been reserved for our days.  These social
paroxysms, though unequal'in their intensity and duration,
2




10
are yet sufficiently perceptible in their operation, whenever
we look out upon that ocean of the past, on the brink of
which we stand, and where we must soon be.
Who can study that most interesting chapter of the history
of man, which records the wars of the crusades, without
being struch with amazement at the derangement of the
human itntellect, which it exhibits, and at the universal
mastery which the passion for these expeditions obtained
over the nations of Christendom?-when Europe precipitated
itself upon Asia, and, in the phrensy of a false zeal, exhausted
its energies, means and people, in efforts to conquer a barren
region, and to obtain possession of places, hallowed indeed by
the scenes they had witnessed, but given over to desolation!
Who can look back upon the age of chivalry, and not
wonder at the absolute dominion it acquired, with its fantastic
ceremonies, its artificial code of manners, not of morals,
its iron heart, and steel-clad hand? The feudal institutionsI do not speak of them as a system of civil polity, but as a
series of events, occupying the attention and guiding the
opinions of society,-the feudal institutions are placed in prominent view, by this retrospect, among the causes, which have
exercised the most decided influence upon the progress of nations in modern times: and, as this influence declined, those
excitements arose, which led to the dismemberment of the Catholic church, and ultimately to the establishment of the various
sects, which now divide the Christian world. Human nature
probably never displayed higher or lower qualities than disclosed themselves in this contest-sometimes of argument, but
too often of blood! The ordinary business of life seemed to be
suspended, and every man brought his tribute of reason, or force,
or wealth, or life, and freely offered it upon the altar, which
zeal and enthusiasm had erected.  What sternness of purpose, what strength of affection, what disregard of all selfish considerations, what power of conscience, what contempt
of life, were manifested during this interesting conflict!




The spirit of maritime discovery presents another agent in
the history of this moral impetus, which, for wise purposes,
has operated, and is operating, upon the social institutions of
mankind. This powerful stimulus was brought into action at
a most fortunate period, and maintained its ascendency till its
great work was done-till it had sought and found, towards
the rising and the setting sun, those regions which were hidden from the philosopher, but which had been revealed to the
inspiration of the poet, who foretold the time would come,
when new regions would be discovered beyond the furthest
limits known to the ancient world.
The love of gold then predominated, and chivalry and
avarice associated together-sending Cortez, and Pizarro, and
Almagro to the clines of the new world, blessed with the
bounties of nature, but cursed with those precious metals
which were possessed by the weak, and coveted by the strong:
and here, courage worthy of the most distinguished age of
the world, and cruelty too execrable for description, came
down upon the ignorant and wondering population, and involved emperors, and incas, and people, in one common destruction.
Our own age has been denominated the age of movements; of advancement in the intellectual faculties; of improvement in all those principles and pursuits which are most
essential to the happiness of man, and most conducive to the
dignity of human nature. ONWARD is the great word of our
time. In the story so beautifully told by the historian of the
Roman empire, the seven youths of Ephesus laid down to
sleep, and awoke, after the lapse of two centuries, in the
midst of a changed world, but unchanged themselves. He
who should fall into such a slumber, in this period of moral
acceleration, might arise, after a much briefer interval, and
walk abroad into a world far more transformed than that,
which met the wondering view of the Ephesian sleepers
when their trance was broken, and they looked out from their
living cemetery upon the fair face of nature.




12
It were a task too extensive for this time and place, to
investigate all the causes which have produced this moral impetus, and which are now in active operation to strengthen our
faculties, to increase our knowledge, to multiply our comforts, and to elevate us in that mysterious scale of being,
which it may be we are destined to ascend, indefinitely and
forever: still approaching, though still infinitely remote, from,
the great Author and Arbiter of our being.
It is obvious however to the most superficial observer,
that the scope of free inquiry has been enlarged, and its
operation invigorated by the removal of many of those prejudices, which always adhere with great tenacity to human
institutions. ", Put off thy shoes from thy feet, for the place
whereon thou standest is holy," was the miraculous injunction which issued from the burning bush, when the deliverer
of Israel appeared in the presence of the Most High. Men
have profanely claimed the same characteristic for institutions
hallowed by time, but shown by time to be useless, and often
worse. Not that I mean to assert that the lessons of experience should be neglected, or changes introduced, without just
reason to anticipate improvement; but that the sanctity of age
should not shroud, as with a mantle, systems not adapted to
the present state of society, and whose only claim to regard
rests upon what they have been, not what they are.
The division of mental labor has not been less useful than
that! of mechanical.  The concentration of human efforts,
like the concentration of physical causes, produces increased
energy. This is a law of our system, and extends its sway
into all the departments of life, whether active or speculative.
It belongs to literature, to science, and to the arts.  Too
much diffusion is fatal to precise investigation; and he who
seeks great accuracy of knowledge, must seek it, not only by
long study, but by confining himself to a few of the vast
variety of objects, which the progress of information presents
to him. The great divisions, indeed, of human investigation




13
have a relation more or less intimate with one another; and
a general acquaintance with all is necessary to the character
and purposes of the scholar. This may be attained by proper
industry; but, when the acquisition is made, those who are
ambitious of further distinction, or who are desirous of associating their names with the advancement of knowledge, must
concentrate their efforts, and resign themselves to some favorite pursuit.  The habit of indiscriminate application was
one of the great faults of antiquity, and, conjoined with a
presumption which limited the operations of nature in the
world, both of mind and matter, within the categories of the
scholiasts, retarded, for many centuries, the progress of mental
improvement.
Another agent in this process of advancement, and one
with which we are here intimately connected, is the system
of associations, that have been formed for the cultivation of
particular branches of knowledge. These co-operative societies are the invention of modern times; and, in the form in
which they now exist, they came into being at the end of
that long night of ignorance and imbecility, which shrouded
the intellect of the world, from the decline of the Roman
empire till the revival of learning in these later ages. There
were, indeed, celebrated schools where the principles of
ancient knowledge were taught: and two of these/ the Academy and the Lyceum  of Athens, are well known to all
scholars, from  the peculiarity of their doctrines, the high
reputation of their masters, and the number and celebrity of
the pupils. But the teachers were lecturers, expounding
their peculiar views to disciples and partial admirers; and
their lectures were didactic essays, too often intended to display the pride of the rhetorician, rather than to advance the
purposes of science, or to afford instruction to inquirers after
truth.
But our institutions of mutual labor, in the departments of
modern learning, proceed upon other and better principles.




14
In these voluntary associations, the members are animated
with a kindred spirit, and devoted to kindred pursuits; and
their organization is admirably adapted to promote the objects of the institutions. An esprit de corps is created, which
ensures a unity of purpose and of action, while an emulation
is excited, which stimulates the exertions of individuals.  A
repository is thus formed. for the preservation of useful collections. The public attention is awakened, and its favor lightens
the toils and aids the researches of the members. It is in the
practical sciences, in history, and in the fine arts, that these
combinations have been most usual and most useful.  Our
own country has given her full share to the general stock of
these contributions, and we have this night assembled to add
another to the number.
The object, we have assigned to ourselves, is sufficiently
extensive and important for all the zeal and industry we can
bring to the task. It is to aid in the collection and preservation of the historical materials, illustrative of the history of
the American continent in general, and more particularly, of
the history of that favored portion of it, in which our lots have
been cast.
I did not come here to discuss the value of historical
knowledge.  Such a work of supererogation were little
suited to our age and country; and least of all to this imposing hall, which the courtesy of the national representatives has opened to us, and which is already sanctified by the
names and the memory of patriots and statesmen, who will
live in the pages of their country's story, after these marble
columns shall have mouldered into dust. It may be, that
some future Marius may sit upon the ruins of this proud edifice, as the Roman outlaw sat upon the ruins of Carthage.
The lesson which his life has taught may be useful to us;
and, if neglected, the new lesson our fate may teach will,
perhaps, be useful to the generations, who are to succeed us,
and who will look back to our days and deeds, as we now




15
look back to those of the early ages of the world. The value
of the application of such events to the practical action of the
present and the future cannot be too highly appreciated; and
the importance of historical researches is placed in prominent
relief by the consideration, that our experience is thus enlarged, from the narrow space of three score years and ten,
to the series of ages, which have witnessed the birth and
growth, the decay and death of the generations, that have
preceded us.
History, indeed, when justly estimated, is not a mere
record of facts. These, certainly, are essential to its truth,
which is the first and greatest virtue of an historian. But he
must have a higher and nobler aim, if he seek to interest or
instruct mankind.  He must trace the motives and causes of
actions to their results.  He must delineate the characters
of those master-spirits, whose deeds he portrays, and hang
them  upon the outer wall, as spectacles for admiration or
reprobation..He must boldly censure, where censure is due,
and applaud where virtue is exhibited. But the duty assigned to me is an humbler one than that of delineating the
qualifications, and describing the functions of an historian.
This must be left to those more able to perform it, while I
proceed to trace, in a very general manner, the purposes of
this society.
As our object is general, our local position is favorable.
Here assemble the representatives of the nation; here are
brought,' by business, or amusement, or curiosity, citizens from
every portion of the Republic; and the national archives, containing the most authentic materials for the illustration of our
history, are here deposited. It may well be hoped, that the
dictates of a liberal patriotism, the spirit of enlightened research, the just claims of literature will send to our assistance many, who have the means and the inclination to rescue
from destruction and oblivion, important documents and facts.
Unaided, butlittle can be done. Our efforts can bear no just




1.;
proportion to the magnitude of a plan which, in the ardor of a
first hope, has received our sanction.
Our position, likewise, furnishes opportunities for corresponding with those foreign countries, which planted their
colonies upon this continent; which sent out their people,
some for an extension of territory, some for the acquisition
of gold, and some for the maintenance of the rights of conscience, to found mighty empires in this new world, whose
progress now arrests the attention of mankind. Researches
into the bureaus of those Governments may elucidate much
that is dark, and confirm much that is doubtful, in the earlier
periods of our history. And no American can peruse the
memoir of Sebastian Cabot, which we owe to the learning
and industry of one of our countrymen, without being sensible of the important advantages, which may result from a
patient examination of the documents, which are preserved
in various public offices in London, and which are opened
with liberal kindness to the inquiring stranger. In that interesting account of the discoverer of North America, many
popular errors are corrected, and the first judicious narrative
is given of the voyages of this intrepid mariner.
And another -countryman, known to both hemispheres for
the purity of his style and his graphic delineations, has
sought, in the collections of Madrid, the most authentic materials for his beautiful biography of the great discovererof him, who raised the veil which had so long separated the
two worlds, and opened the way for those wonderful events,
which, mighty as they are and have been, are yet but in the
infancy of their operation; which are yet but the small cloud,
discerned on the edge of the horizon by the servant of the
prophet, but which are, by-and-by, to cover the face of
nature.
In the pursuit of our investigations, we have another advantage from our situation. An extensive library has already been collected, at the national expense, which contains




17
many rare and valuable works, illustrating our general and
local history. This collection is annually augmented, but not
in proportion to the great means of the nation, nor with the
rapidity demanded by the literary character we have acquired, and desired by every votary of liberal inquiry.
There should be one place in our country, where every work
may be found, which has any relation, however remote, to
the discovery, settlement, and history of America; and that
place is here. Here, at the seat of empire of this great Republic, the eldest of the family of cis-Atlantic states, and
the zealous follower, and, we may hope, at no distant day,
the generous rival of her fatherland in the career of intellectual advancement. And why should not such additions be
made to this collection, in all the departments of human
learning, as will render it worthy of the age and country,
and elevate it to an equality with those greast repositories of
knowledge, which are among the proudest ornaments of
modern Europe?  This is the true luxury of Republican
Governments, which the most zealous disciple of Lycurgus
need not seek to restrain by sumptuary laws. We may leave
to the splendid monarchies of the other hemisphere the
decorations with which  they  surround their institutions,
rejoicing that our own political edifice is free from any meretricious ornament.  But the promotion of literature belongs
to all ages, and nations, and governments. c" Nor am I less
persuaded," said the patriot first called to administer the
present constitution, and whose memory is already sanctified
by his virtues and services, " nor am I less persuaded," he
said in his first address to Congress, after he had entered
upon the execution of his duties, " that you will agree with
me in opinion, that there is nothing which can better deserve
your patronage than the promotion of science and literature.
Knowledge is, in every country,' the surest basis of public
happiness. In one, in which the measures of government
receive their impressions so immediately from the sense of
3




the community as in ours, it is proportionably essential."
Wonderful man! Time is the great leveller of human pretensions. The judgment, which he pronounces upon men
and their actions, is as just as it is irreversible. How few
of the countless throng, who, in the brief day of their pride,
looked down upon their fellow-men, or were looked up to
by them, now live in the memory of mankind! And as we
recede from the periods, in which they lived and flourished,
their fame becomes dimmer and dimmer, till it is extinguished in darkness.  The world has grown wiser in its
estimate of human worth, and the fame of common heroes has
become cheaper and cheaper. But we have one name, that
can never die. One star, which no night of moral darkness
can extinguish.  It will shine on, brighter and brighter, till
it is lost in the effulgence of that day, foretold ill prophecy,
and invoked in poetry,
" When heaven its sparkling portals shall display,
And break upon us in the flood of day;
No morethe rising sun shall gild the morn,
Nor evening Cynthia fill her silver horn;
But lost, dissolved in thy superior rays,
One tide of glory, one unclouded blaze
O'erflow thy courts; the light himself shall shine
Revealed, and God's eternal day be thine."
Happen what may to our country, this treasure can never
be reft from  her.  Her cities may become like Tadmor,
her fields like the  Campagna, her ports like Tyre, and
her hills like Gilboa, but, in all the wreck of her hopes,
she may still proudly boast that she has given one man
to the world, who devoted his best days to the service of
his countrymen, without any other reward than their love
and his own  self-approbation; who gladly laid down his
arms, when peace was obtained; who gladly relinquished
supreme authority, when the influence of his character was
no longer wanted to consolidate the infant institutions of the




19
Republic; and who died, ripe in years and in glory, mourned as few have been mourned before him, and revered as
few will be revered after him. Here, in this hall, whose
foundations were laid by his own hand; here, under this
dome, which looks out upon the place of his sepulture;
here, in this city, named from his name, and selected for
its high object by his choice, let us hope that his precepts
will be heard, and his example heeded through all suceeding ages. And when these walls shall be time worn and
time honored, and the American youth shall come up, as
they will come up, to this temple of liberty, to meditate
upon the past, and to contemplate the future, may they here
find lessons and examples of wisdom and patriotism to study
and to emulate. And when the votary of freedom shall
make his pilgrimage to the tomb of Mount Vernon, and
lay his hand upon the lowly cemetery, let him recall the
virtues and bless the memory of WASHINGTON.
When the diffnsion of knowledge is recommended to the
consideration of the Government by this authority, I may
well be spared all effort to illustrate its importance. But
its effects I may briefly advert to, in one splendid example
of literary distinction, which exhibits the triumph of intellect during the long period of twenty centuries. The little
territory of Attica, containing about thirty miles square, and
half a million of inhabitants, furnishes a pregnant lesson for
the world. There literature flourished, freedom prevailed,
the arts and sciences were cultivated, and genius was honored and rewarded.  She sent out her armies and navies,
wherever her interest or honor required. She repelled the
Persian hordes from her land; she gallantly maintained her
independence for a long series of years, and she became
the school of antiquity, imparting to all other countries the
treasures of her knowledge. How proud a moment she
now is, even in her desolation! From the Ganges to the
Saint Lawrence, where is the man of intelligence who does




20
not look upon her fallen fortunes with sorrow; and upon
her future fate with solicitude?  The Turk has ruled in
the habitation of Pericles; and the horse-tail has waved
where the regis was displayed.  But the Parthenon still
stands, though in ruins, yet in glory; a fit emblem of the
country it adorned in its pride, and now hallows in its decay. And whence this triumph of the feeble over the strong?
How happens it, that this small spot is, and has been,
the revered one of the'earth?  The school-boy upon the
Missouri talks of the Ilissus. The ardent youth, wh'o, at
Bunker's hill and New Orleans, gazes with intense interest upon those fields of blood and renown, has room also
in his heart for the stories of Marathon and of Salamis.
The lover of the fine arts, who surveys the works of the
chisel, which already in our country have almost fashioned
the marble into life, still thinks of Praxiteles, and concurs
in the universal opinion of artists, that the Venus- de Medicis is yet the model of statuary beauty.  And the patriotic
citizen, while he blesses God that he was born in the
county of Warren, and Hancock, and Franklin, and Jefferson, casts a look of reverence upon the land of Socrates,
and Plato, and Aristides.
All this is the triumph of intellect; the monument and
the reward of public spirit and intelligence, and the evidence of private devotion to all those pursuits, which give
to mind its ascendency over matter.
It is not presumptuous) on this occasion, to hope, that our
national library will soon be increased to an extent corresponding with the state of literature in our country, and
with our rank in the' family of nations. Some of the collections in Europe are of vast size and are the fruit of ages
of exertion; and it is honorable to many of the minor capitals that they are enriched with these repositories, at the
public expense, which are open to all classes of the citizens.




21
Somne of these magnificent collections contain nearly half a
million of volumes, while the American Government has
only about twenty-four thousand five hundred. In this, the
day of our prosperity, an immediate augmentation, upon a
large scale, with an annual provision for a permanent adequate increase, would meet the cordial approbation of every
American, who regards the literary character of his country.
The labors of this society embrace all materials relating
to the history of the western hemisphere; but its principal
object is the collection and preservation of documents, elucidating the history of the United States. It is only by the
comparison of conflicting accounts, that the truth of a narrative can be ascertained. Even in the daily occurrences
of life, discrepances are found, when these are related by
different persons, sometimes reconcilable and sometimes irreconcilable with one another. Passion, prejudice, interest,
temperament, all these and other causes conspire to distort
our views, The utilitarian value of history is in the lessons
it teaches. We learn from it what were the results of human actions under certain circumstances, and we deduce
from it, what these results will again be, under similar circumstances.  The modifications, which the course of events
is continually undergoing, furnish food for the imagination
and the judgment, in the application of historic principles;
and the power to deduce just conclusions from these is onA
of the highest attributes of the human intellect.  It is the
combination of personal observation and' experience with
deep study and reflection, upon the conduct of men in the
infinite variety of circumstances, in which they have been
placed, and the records of- which constitute history. When
the French revolution broke upon the world with its prodigies, all lovers of freedom were, anxious that it should terminate in the establishment of a free and equal Government,
and in the permanent political happiness of the French people. But while such was the universal wish in our country,




22
opinions were divided upon the result; and the patriot then
at the head of the Government, in the exercise of his calm
and inflexible judgment, soon discerned, in the course of
events, signs of alarming portent, shadowing out that denouement which our own days have seen, and foretelling
the downfall of freedom, and the re-establishment of -ancient institutions. In the natural world, certain causes are
followed by certain effects; and in the moral world, actions
are preceded by motives and succeeded by events. There
is " ample verge and room  enough" between chance on
the one hand and fatalism on the other, for the exercise of
a liberal spirit of investigation; and, without touching the
vexed question which has perplexed metaphysicians, and
divided Christians, we may all concede, what indeed cannot
be doubted, that there is a connexion between motives and
actions, and again between actions and motives, the extent
of whose operations we can neither ascertain nor define, If
moral causes were as rigid in their succession as many
natural ones, and if the circumstances of events were not
perpetually changing, the, history of the past would be the
prophecy of the future. -If there be no chain of connexion
which binds human events, then we cannot reason from what
has been to what will be; and we must peruse the annals
of mankind with as little profit as we read a romance. But
it is obvious that the value of historical records depends upon
their accuracy; for the truth alone will enable us to penetrate those motives, which furnish the true key to unlock
the recesses of the heart. Hence the importance of rigid
investigation, and of extensive collections, where accounts
can be collated and corrected. We have in our own history
several remarkable incidents, showing the facility with which
error may be propagated and doubts raised, even in questions relating to the most solemn and notorious transactions.
The Declaration of Independence purports to have been
adopted and signed on the 4th of July, 1776; yet, there




23
are names of persons affixed to it, some of whom were not
then in Philadelphia, and others were not, at that time,
members of the venerable body, which gave this magna
charta of freedom to the world. And the name of one, at
least, who was present at this great event, supporting the
measure with his voice and vote, is omitted in the journals,
These facts were disclosed in the interesting statement made
some years since by Governor McKean, wherein he modestly, but decidedly, asserts his rights as a participator in
the honor and danger of this appeal, which then was rebellion, but whose character was changed by the events it
ushered in.
The true province of the historian is now better understood
than formerly. Time has been, and not long since, when all
narratives were considered as entitled to almost equal credit;
when the habit of severe investigation was no part of the
qualification of the historian; and more especially in the annals of antiquity which have come down to us. In this spirit
Rollin compiled his voluminous work, and he gravely relates
incidents as he found- them, without any discrimination
between the degree of credit due to an eye-witness, who
records events as we might expect to find them, and to the
relater of incredible traditions, worthy only of perusal as
evidences of human credulity. Herodotus himself, whose
history was composed for the purpose of being recited, not
read, and whose dramatic manner and imaginative mind
prove the early age in which he wrote-Herodotus, who
recorded the early fables of his country, and the strange
tales he had heard in other lands; who believed the occurrence of all the events repeated through a succession of
ages, from sire to son, and who recited his work to a believing people-this father of the art furnished, for centuries, not the outline only, but all the details of early profane history; and kindred authors, who wrote later, but
still with the same credulity, were received as unerring




24
guides in exploring the mazes of human actions) in distant
regions and ages. The charm of style, the splendor of eloquence, the grace of rhetoric abound in these compositions,
and they are inestimable as pictures of early manners, and as
vehicles of early opinions: but no scholar would now trust
these narratives without proper scrutiny, whenever the incidents are improbable in themselves, or whenever there is reason to believe the proper sources of information were not
within the reach of the writers. The philosophy of history
requires laborious investigation and deliberate decision. We
are not without an illustration of this proneness to believe, in
the history of our own continent. We can produce an Argonautic expedition, as irreconcilable with the physical geography of the country as that of the Colchian adventurers, and
less worthy of trust, because more inconsistent with the
moral habits and the social and political condition of the race
of men, who then inhabited the El Dorado, where this party
of robbers wandered and fought for six years.  Commentators have gravely perplexed themselves and their readers in
endeavoring to trace the course of this expedition, and have
brought to the task as much zeal, if not as much learning, as
has been employed in tracing the route of Jason and his fellow-travellers. A golden fleece was the object of both expeditions, and both sowed dragon's teeth, which sprang up
into armed men.  Hernando de Soto landed in Florida
during the prevalence of that auro mania which impelled so
many armed adventurers upon this continent to desolate the
country they came to search, and to lay the: foundation for
the i'uin of that which they left. All is dark and doubtful in
his adventures. Where he marched, the obstacles he encountered, the people he found, the time he remained, and
the principal details of his journey, I consider as uncertain as
the feats of the celebrated wanderers of antiquity. That one
thousand men, with three hundred horses, could be subsisted,
year after year, in any portion of the Indian country; that




25
they found continuous settlements, great towns, always within view of each other; that they could be induced by any
consideration to roam  for six years, through those vast regions, surrounded by numerous and active enemies, and
finding, in all this time, scarcely any of that precious metal,
which alone furnished the object of their search, I cannot
bring myself to believe. There is little verisimilitude in all'
this. The moral habits of the aboriginal inhabitants cannot
deceive us. They are as unchangeable as the Arabs. Their
mode of life, in the earliest periods they were known, was
the same it has been since, and as it is to this day, with slight
variations.  But the historians of De Soto's adventures describe another race of men. And who are these historians?
One of them was either not born at the time of the expedition, or must then have been an infant. His narrative was
principally compiled from the verbal statement of a participator in the expedition, at least forty years after its termination, eked out by some uncertain papers.  The name of the
other is unknown, and consequently all the extrinsic circumstances necessary to give weight to his narrative. And both
were utterly unacquainted with the language of the Indians,
as were the whole expedition; depending in their intercourse
upon such means of communication, as chance threw in their
way. Each has in turn been distrusted by respectable historians, through each has also found advocates. I consider
both unworthy of credit. We can never be satisfied, that they
relate facts as these occurred; while we are certain, from
intrinsic evidence, that much which they do relate, is wholly
fabulous. There are wanting the great sources of credit upon
which all history must rest: confidence in the knowledge,
judgment, and integrity of the writers, comparison with the
general course of facts, as made known to us through other
channels, and a natural concurrence between the transactions
as recorded, and the condition and motives of the actors. A
standard, constructed upon these principles, and applied to
4




26
these accounts, would reduce the authentic details of this expedition within very narrow limits; and would leave them
wholly unworthy of credit for the only rational purposes,
which could render them valuable, as illustrations of the manners of the time and the condition of the people, who then
inhabited the southwestern parts of the United States, and
as records of a daring adventure, selfish in its origin, romantic
in its progress, and just and melancholy in its fate.
Historical associations have been formed in various parts
of our country. Many interesting documents have been preserved and published by them. Their objects, however, are
generally, if not local, yet limited to particular sections; and
thus not interfering with the more extended range, which we
have proposed for our labors. The collection, which is forming and printing under the patronage of the United States, is
a subject of interest with all, who feel the value of these pursuits, and must tend to animate and encourage them in their
course. The diligence of the compilers has already rescued
from, oblivion, probably from destruction, many interesting
and curious papers, illustrating important events in our history; and the sources of information, that are open to them,
promise a still more abundant harvest to their labors. But
we may glean where they have reaped, and we may perhaps discover fields, which they have neglected. The newspapers and the fugitive publications of the day become valuable documents in a few years after they have issued from
the press. Newspapers, particularly, present a living and
moving picture of the times; and complete files of those of
our own days will furnish for posterity the most abundant
and authentic materials for history; or rather they will be
history itself —a history of the thoughts, words, and actions of
men-a history of national intercourse, of the state of society,
of the progress of opinion, of the advance of literature and
the arts, of the mutations of government, and of the rise
and fall of nations. What treasures to those who come after




27
us, will be complete collections of these publications! What
treasures to us would be similar collections, depicting events
in ages that have gone by! Who would not read with unspeakable delight a gazette of Palos, issued the (lay of the
embarkation of Columbus, and describing the agitation, the
hopes, and fears, of those, who assembled to witness his departure; the firmness of the ocean hero, the mixture of
confidence and doubt in his followers, the equipment of his
vessels, and all the variety of details, too low, it is falsely
thought, for history, but not too low for natural and laudable
curiosity? And who would not feel his blood flow quicker
at the perusal of a paper, issued from the press, while his
fleet was casting anchor, after its return from the discovery of
a world-when conjecture had become certainty, prophecy
history, and when Columbus had prepared for himself that
simple but sublime epitaph, which was almost all an ungrateful country left him, and which announced to the observer,
that the marble he gazed on covered the remains of him, who
had given a new world to Castile and Leon?
But, besides the value of these remains as materials for history, they are interesting memorials of by-gone times. They
are precious relics, which appeal to the best emotions of the
human heart. They associate us with past events, rendering
brighter and darker the virtues and vices, which variegate the
retrospect, that is spread out for our improvement. He, who
has not felt this power of association, is little to be envied.
He would stand upon the plain of Lexington and forget that
the silence of its peaceful village had ever been broken by that
sound, which aroused a whole continent, and whose echoes are
yet reverberating among the nations of the earth. He might
sail among the islands of Lake Erie) unmindful of those who
sleep below him, and recalling none of the proud incidents,
which marked the triumph of Perry, and which will forever
illustrate the scene of his victory. The deep waters may
cover it, as they now cover the site of the great naval conflict




28
which humbled the pride of the Persian monarch and saved
Greece from his yoke. But American patriotism will sanctify
the one, as Grecian patriotism has immortalized the other.
One of the greatest writers of modern times has said that
" to abstract the mind from all local emotions would be impossible, if it were endeavored, and would be foolish, if it were
possible. Whatever withdraws us from  the power of. our
senses; whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future
predominate over the present, advances us in the dignity of
thinking beings."
And yet, fresh as our country is, we are not entirely without those impressive evidences of mutability, which so often,
in the older world, arrest the attention of the traveller, and
excite melancholy but profitable reflections upon the vanity of
human expectations. The North and the South each offers
one striking illustration of this gradual decadence and total
desolation. In a little and sheltered nook upon the shore of
Lake Huron, the Jesuits, those early and indefatigable laborers in the interesting cause of aboriginal civilization, formed,
in the seventeenth century, an establishment for the instruction and conversion of.the numerous tribes, who occupied
those then remote regions. They named it, from their own
apostle of missionaries, St. Ignace, and it grew and flourished,
and extended its influence over the countries bordering the
internal seas, which are there spread out in such magnificence
and beauty. At the same time, the first capital of Virginia
was firmly established, improving and holding out the prospect
of a long career of prosperity. Where are they now-this
seat of pious effort and of Indian improvement, and this colonial capital, this renowned Jamestown, the cradle of American civilization? I have stood upon the ruins of both, and
marked the, desolation which has overtaken them-a desolation so complete that not one building remains, where all was
once so busy, happy, and prosperous. He, who leaves such a




29
scene, will leave it with emotions, fitted to make him a wiser
and a better man.
It is this principle of association, which impels us to gaze
with such untiring interest upon those memorials, that have
been connected with great events, or with names of renown,
which sends us to our own archives to look upon the Declaration of Independence, or to examine the commission of
Washington. It should be one of the great objects of all historical societies to gather as many of these relics as possible 
to save them from the hazard of destruction and from the uselessness of disperson; to collect them  where they may be
preserved with jealous vigilance, and where, by concentration, they will excite the attention and stimulate the exertion
of all lovers of literature. These things will go down to future generations, increasing in interest as they increase in
years. Europe is rich in such memorials of antiquity; and
her splendid collections are among the most powerful attractions, which entice our countrymen to her shores.  Time has
not yet mellowed our institutions; but we can garner up for
others, though not fbr ourselves; we can lay by treasures,
whose value will increase beyond the drieams of avarice.
Let us do so.  Let us, at any rate, lay the foundation.  The
superstructure may never be finished; but it will go on increasing in interest, useful in its freshness, and venerable in
its decay.
In all researches into the history of this continent, we have
one advantage over every other people.  Our origin and
progress are within the reach of authentic history; we have
no fabulous nor doubtful eras to perplex investigation and to
provoke discussion.  We have, indeed, one remnant of antiquity, one surviving memorial of a former and unknown state
of things-one race of men, whose origin is as doubtful as
their fate. Their past and future are equally closed to us, and
it were vain to attempt to penetrate the one or the other.
They were here when Christian banners were first displayed




30
in evidence of Christian claims to the country, and they are
here yet, unaltered in all the essential points of character,
opinions, and institutions-a moral phenomenon in the creation of God. If we have no broken columns nor dilapidated
walls to carry us back to the infancy of time, few crumbling
monuments to teach us lessons of humility, we have a living
memorial, more solemn than these; it has been around us and
among us; but it is receding firom us —whether to plant itselt
in the solitude of the prairies and forests, in the vast regions
of the West, and there to flourish or to die, is known only to
Him, who controls the destiny of the red man, as well as of
the white. Let us indulge the hope that the prospects of the
aboriginal race are brightening; that their removal and reestablishment in the trans-Mississippi world will elevate their
hopes, stimulate their exertions, improve their condition, and
gradually prepare them for the full blessings of Christianity
and civilization. But whether they are destined to rise from
their ruins, or to disappear, they still present one of the most
interesting topics of speculation, which can engage the attention of the rational inquirer-one of the most singular chapters in the whole philosophy of human nature. Much has,
indeed, been written about them-much, no doubt, that is
true, but a great deal that is false, and still more having a tenadency to make false impressions. This is not the time nor
the place to enter into an investigation of the causes, which
have operated to give us so much of the romance, so little of
the reality of Indian life.  Some of these, however, are upon
the surface, and may be glanced at. Our nomadic tribes are
borderers, keeping upon the circle of civilization, and receding as this advances. They speak peculiar languages, radically different in their syntax and structure, fiom those of the
nations of Christendom. They are brought into contact, by
their business and intercourse, with persons having neither
the inclination nor the information necessary to pursue investigations into the moral habits, history, and condition of this




31
primitive race. They are, withal, suspicious, neither seeking
nor yielding confidence with facility, incapable of abstract
speculations, or of aiding in them, credulous, and too often
insensible to the obligations of veracity. The difficulty of
penetrating the recesses of such a people is obvious, increased as these are by the incompetency of the usual medium of communication. Under such untoward circumstances,
what has already been done, instead of discouraging, should
stimulate us. Our military posts furnish excellent places of
observation, where the best materials for Indian history can
be collected; and the graduates of the Military Academy, who
are sent there, could not devote their leisure to a pursuit
more interesting in itself, nor richer in the rewards it offers.
Their education gives them the proper qualifications, and the
whole philosophy of the Indian condition is open to their investigation. A proper series of inquiries, prepared with a
view to a common operation, and transmitted to these aboriginal
observatories, would furnish a most interesting subject of inquiry; and, if prosecuted with zeal, would lead to the collection of a mass of materials far more valuable than has been
heretofore procured. The traditionary legends of the Indians
are passing away. All that is not arrested within a few years
will be beyond the reach of recovery. Although their tales
of former ages cannot be viewed as authentic materials for
history, yet, they may dimly shadow out events, which have
left no other memorials; and they are valuable as the monuments of a rude people, illustrating their peculiar opinions.
The era of the discovery of the American continent was a
remarkable one in the history of human society. The decay
of the Roman empire was attended by circumstances too well
known to require enumeration. As the star of her ascendency declined, knowledge declined with it, and a long night
of ignorance rested upon the human intellect. This period
of mental darkness furnishes a subject of profound investigation; and its phenomena present a problem, whose complete




32
solution is yet reserved for some acute and fortunate historian. After the lapse, however, of centuries, the dawn of a
brighter day began to appear. Soon the invention of printing
and of the inariner's compass, the revival of the arts and sciences, the progress of society, and the spirit of maritime discovery combined to give new energy to the human intellect,
and new vigor to the exertions of communities and individuals. It was at this time, and under these circumstances,
that the Genoese navigator boldly passed the boundaries,
which till then had repelled all efforts to penetrate beyond
them, and opened, to the enterprise of one continent, a new
and boundless theatre for exertion in another. Few events
in the history of man can compare with this discovery. We
are yet in the infancy of our career, and already the march of
events has hurried on with an accelerated progress, which no
sagacity could have forseen, and which no power can check.
The impress of civilization is upon the whole continent, from
Labrador to Cape Horn. Thirteen independent communities
have asserted the right of self-government and have assumed
their stations among the nations of the world. The Alleghany and the Andes have been ascended, the Mississippi
and the Oronoko have been navigated, the prairies and the
pampas have been traversed and explored.  Such a field of
enterprise and exertion, under circumstances so favorable to
the development of the human powers, has never been offered
to the industry and emulation of man.
It is a curious and interesting topic of speculation, and one
worthy of the attention of the philosophical historian, to trace
the causes, which have produced such a marked difference in
the character and progress of the colonies, founded by the different European nations upon this continent; more particularly in those, which owe their origin to Spain and England;
as the decendants of these countries have almost divided between them the entire hemisphere. At the period of the discovery, Spain was one of the most prosperous nations on the




globe. In literature, in arts, in arms, she was at the head of
the great European confederacy. Upon land, she was powerful and victorious, and soon after, she held in captivity the
King of France for many years. Upon the ocean, her armada
rode in triumph, and if England was saved from invasion, she
owed her safety, less to her own prowess, than to that elemental war, which human might cannot withstand.  We have
seen, in our own times, another armada, marching to conquest
with a power never, perhaps, united into one body since the
days of Xerxes; we have seen it wrecked in the frozen iegions of the north, scattered, broken, destroyed, by the storms
of an arctic winter. If such lessons are melancholy, they are
instructive-instructive to rulers and people. They inculcate humanity and moderation.  They show how Provi-dence
frustrates the hopes and efforts of the warrior. And while
they exhibit the energy and success of defence under apparently unequal circumstances, they tend to check the pride of
conquest, and to render the fate of nations more stable.
Spain prosecuted her maritime adventures with great spirit
and success. The colonists she sent out were numerous,
powerful, well equipped, having little to fear from the aboriginal inhabitants, and were planted in the most favored regions of the globe. Her early efforts were directed against a
half-civilized people; and her armed hordes, infuriated with
the passion for gold, descended upon this unfortunate race
with the violence and the destructive effects of a whirlwind.
The contest, if contest it could be called, was soon over, and
when opposition ceased, oppression began. Thenceforth,-a
just system of policy and a course of gradual improvement,
would have rendered these western empires enduring monuments of Spanish wisdom. What they have been, and are, is
known to the world.
The progress and result of the colonization system of England presents a far different picture.  Her efforts were directed to a less genial glimate, to a less fertile soil. Her




34
bands of emigrants were not armed soldiers, prepared to
overcome and seize regions in, the possession of a people,
who had made considerable advances in cultivation and improvement. The principles of religious liberty sent to these
shores the founders of a large and interesting section of
the republic. And who, that looks back upon their desperate  efforts, upon their quiet resignation, upon their
abandonment of all the comforts of life, can withhold the
tribute of admiration for their generous devotion, and for that
high and holy enthusiasm, which enabled them to dare and
do all that history has recorded of their trials and sufferings and exertions. Never was bark freighted with a more
precious load than the Mayflower, which bore the little band
destined to lay the foundation of a mighty community in the
deep forests of the western world; which bore them to their
home, to be made such by their toils, their anxieties, their
hopes, by the triumphant consolation that the peace of God,
which passeth all understanding, was theirs, without the persecution of ruler, priest, or people, and to be made such by
their graves. They stepped upon the monumental rock of
Plymouth, the door to them of a new world, in the depth of
winter, and wholly unprepared for its rigor. To depict their
sufferings were a useless task. History has recorded these
in imperishable terms. They passed through them, one after
another, with the fortitude of Christians, and the exertions of
men, and found rest in death.
Characters are sometimes best described by a single sketch
presenting that ruling passion
"Where alone
"The wild are constant and the cunning known."
Such a sketch is furnished by the debarkation of the Puritans
upon the coast of New England, and by the descent of Cortez
upon the Mexican shore. When the English colonists left
the old world, their last act was to implore the Divine blessing upon their enterprise, and when they reached the new,




35
their first act was to return their thanks to that Providence,
which had protected them in their voyage across the ocean.
Before they left their vessel, they prescribed and established
a form of government, in which they declared they had undertaken to plant the first colony in the northern parts of
Virginia, for the glory of God and the advancement of the
Christian faith, and for the honor of their King and country.
What a contrast is presented between the humble appearance and the lowly and subdued spirit, but firm purpose, of
these self-expatriated men, and the Spanish invasion, with
" The neighing steed and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war."
The English colonists were impelled by their high regard for
the rights of conscience; the Spanish conquerors, by the
thirst for gold.' The bible and magna charta were borne by
the one, and the sword, the cross, and papal decrees by the
other. The physical and moral results are before the world,
and promise to go down to after ages, furnishing one of the
most impressive lessons in the whole history of man.
A spirit of religious liberty, similar to that which led to the
planting of New England, though in less intolerant periods,
gave birth to two other States of our Union, and all of them,
that were early settled, were settled without the aid of Government, and by individual enterprise and suffering. Virginia preceded all her sister colonies in the career of set.
tlement, and the first permanent establishment, made in the
United States, was upon the bank of her noble river,
which still washes the deserted site of Jamestown, her
early metropolis.  The  STARV~ING-TIME yet lives  in her
annals, and the term expressively depicts one of the terrible  calamities to  which  the  founders of our republic
were exposed; and which leave to their descendants but
little room  for the exercise of fortitude in the compara



36
tively easy process of extending the dominion of cultivation,
fiom the secure lodgments made by such sacrifices, even
to the far-distant ocean upon our western border. Seldom
has-the most wayward imagination imbodied such ideal adventures, as mark the character of this period, carrying the
romance of life to the very verge of credibility. The almost
miraculous preservation of Captain Smith, the hero of this age
of enterprise, from the doom pronounced upon him  by the
Indian chief, Powhatan, may well vie in interest with any
incident, that has come down to us. The appeal of Pocahontas to her father, that the white stranger might live, and her
noble interposition in his favor, furnish an admirable illustration of the deep affections of a woman's heart.  Clime, color,
age, nation, these are but adventitious circumstances, when
danger or distress makes its appearance, and female benevolence is ready with its consolations to relieve the sufferings
of life, or to assuage the terrors of death. And it is satisfactory to know, that this ingenuous female afterwards found the
reward of her charity; that she was married to a respectable clergyman, became a convert to the Christian faith, and
acquired the accomplishments of the age. This union led to
a close connexion and to a long friendship between the emigrants and the rude natives, which was not interrupted till
after the death of the Indian chieftain. His daughter visited
Europe, and was graciously received by royalty. Her descendants yet survive among the most respectable families of
Virginia.  They may well look back with pride to the virtues
of their progenitor.
These colonies, thus founded, have now become a mighty
people. With what progress and prospects, it needs not that
I should tell. Nor is it necessary, for any purpose I have in
view, to run a parallel between them and the other independent Governments which occupy this continent. The difference, however, is sufficiently obvious to justify an inquiry
into the cause. And what is this cause? A full answer to




37
the question, involving all the considerations connected with
it, would carry me far beyond the limits I have prescribed to
myself, and would, indeed, require illustrations I feel unable
to present.  But the seeds of freedom, civil and religious,
were sown by the English colonists. These have sprung up
and borne the goodly fruit of improvement and prosperity.
The true principles, indeed, of the rights of government and
of conscience were not fully understood, when the English
settlements were commenced; and still less when Spain laid
the foundation of hers. But the Anglo-Saxon race had long
possessed institutions, whose tendency was favorable to the
developement of the human faculties, and to the gradual melioration of their political system. When the causes, resulting
from this state of things, were once in full operation, these
people sprang forward in the great race of improvement, and
identified themselves with the advance of knowledge through
the globe.  Where these advantages were unfelt, exertion
was paralyzed, education neglected, and the human faculties
rendered stationary.
There are six periods in the history of the United States,
separated by epochs, which resemble the elevations in the
journey of a traveller', that enable him to stop and contemplate
the country he has passed. These periods are different in
interest and duration; but each is marked by an historical
unity, necessary to bind together detached portions of any
great course of events.  It is by this distribution into groups,
that the human mind finds itself able to grasp the vast variety
of incidents, which make up the annals of a country. These
divisions may be denominated the period of the discovery,
extending from the time this part of the continent became
known to Europeans, to their first permanent establishment; of
settlement, including the long interval between this establishment and the conquest of Canada; of civil dissension, commencing immediately thereafter, and terminating in open resistance; of revolution, including the war of independence;




38
of the confederation, reaching from the conclusion of peace to
the adoption of the present Government; and of the constitution, extending to our own times. These designations have
no claim to actual precision. They indicate only the leading
features of each period, those which gave to it its peculiar characteristics.
It is no part of my object to detain you by a formal dissertation upon our history, colonial or independent. I restrict
myself to a few general observations, connecting these eras
with the practical purposes of our association.
The spirit of adventure, which displayed itself in the voyages
of maritime discovery, from the middle of the fifteenth to
the middle of the seventeenth centuries, was one of the most
striking characteristicsof modern times. There was, in these
perilous efforts, a strange combination of daring enterprise,
of patient fortitude, of avaricious cupidity, of mercantile
speculation, and of enlarged philosophical views; and all
these were frequently intermingled with religious enthusiasm.  This last trait is singularly and almost irreverently
exemplified by the watchword and countersign given out
by Frobisher, when his fleet was prepared to sail upon
his principal voyage of discovery. The one was, Before
the world was God; and the other, After God came Christ
his son.  Portugal sent out Vasco de Gama to explorea
route to Hindostan, and to open for the west a path
through the ocean to the rich products of the east.  And
his successful voyage round the southern promontoly of
Africa, furnished Camoens one of the most splendid episodes which genius ever invented, or taste embellished.
And'the Spirit of the unknown ocean, who rose up to
defend his dominion from  the audacious stranger, will
ever live in the Lusitanian poem, though he has long
since been driven from the seat of his mysterious power
by the fleets that have ploughed every wave, from the
Bay of Biscay to the Chinese sea.




39
Spain accepted the proffered services of Columbus, and
has identified her own name  with  the  discovery  of a
world. How easily does the course of human events baffle human sagacity!  At the time the little fleet, destined
to produce such a revolution in physical geography, and
to open the way for such wonderful changes, left the shores
of Spain, her inhabitants looked back to the achievements
of the past, and boasted of the renown of their ancestors,
as the real treasure of national glory. They were proud,
chivalrous, and great.  Yet that small naval expedition,
which was then sailing over a trackless ocean, and which
had departed almost without observation, was destined to
add imperishable fame to the Spanish name. Her martial
glories have faded away, her names of renown are disregarded or forgotten, but the inscription upon her escutcheon,
the evidence of her spirit of adventure, still remains.  Her
heraldic pillars yet bear the motto of " Plus ultra,'" and
while her language is spoken over the vast regions she
first explored and settled, history will award to her the name
of the DIscovERER.
England and France soon followed in the race of adventure.  The French navigators Verrazani, Cartier, and Champlain, and the English Cabots, Willoughby, Chancellor,
Frobisher, Hudson, and Baffin extended the boundaries of
geographical knowledge. The improvements, which have
since taken place in ship-building and navigation, render
almost incredible the authenticated statements of the size and
equipments of, the vessels employed in these hazardous
enterprises.  The flag-ship of Columbus was less than one
hundred tons, and three of his vessels were half-decked
shallops. Frobisher performed his first voyage with  two
small barks, one of twenty-five, and one of twenty tons,
and a pinnance of ten tons. And Davis commenced his career of adventure with two vessels, the Sunshine, of fifty
tons, and the Moonshine, of thirty-five. And this was the




40
scale of preparation for researches over unknown seas, and
into the most remote regions of the globe. And it is wonderful to reflect on the energy and success, with which these
daring mariners penetrated the desolate regions of the arctic circle, With all the wealth and skill of modern times,
we are but little in advance of the geographical knowledge, they acquired and bequeathed to us. And Hudson,
and Baffin, and Davis have given their names to the seas
and strait they explored; and which, after two centuries
of national and individual exertion, are yet upon the very
frontiers of human knowledge.
Sir Walter Raleigh, renowned for his accomplishments,
his adventures, and his melancholy and unjust fate, is intimately connected with this portion of our history. He
fully participated in the spirit of the age, and entered
zealously into many of the enterprises, which were projected and carried on in search of gold, but which led to
far loftier events. The first English  colony, planted in
America, was sent out under his auspices, and established
itself upon the island of Roanoke, in North Carolina. This
was soon broken up, and was succeeded by- another, despatched by the same indefatigable navigator, and which
chose for its site the spot that had been once before selected and abandoned. The fate of this last colony was
never ascertained. It disappeared, but why, or how, was
unknown then, and is unknown yet. Internal dissensions,
famine, the hostilities of the Indians, the hardships incident
to these efforts, and the- disappointment of excited expectation, all these, and other causes destroyed, for many
years the settlements, which were successively established
upon our coast. Gold was the great object of speculation. "There was no thought," says one of the historians, in the quaint language of his day, "no discourse,
no hope, and no work, but to dig gold, wash gold, refine
gold, and load gold."- Till time and experience had sub



41
dued this passion, the sober pursuits of life could furnish
no sufficient inducements for exertion.
This age,of adventure offers enough of incident, of character, of splendid success, and of fatal disaster, to stimulate
the inquiries of all, who have the taste and the opportunity
for investigation into these by-gone times. And the vague
uncertainty, which rests upon the fate of some of these expeditions, and upon many important details connected with
almost all of them, while it furnishes additional motives for
the pursuit, gives to the narratives of these early efforts that
romantic interest, which is equally delightful to youth and
age.
The example of Biddle and Irving has taught us how much
industry and critical sagacity, with favorable opportunities for
their exertion, may add to our stock of information, by exploring original collections. There is much in these expeditions, which requires elucidation.  If the age, in which they
were prosecuted was an adventurous, it was also a credulous
one. The  more accurate information, we have obtained, of
the regions visited by them, enables us to fix the scenes of
their explorations, and to verify their statements by those
great natural features, which are not subject to change. The
voyage of Verrazani along almost all our coast, and that of
Hudson to the Northern States present questions for interesting investigation.
The period of settlement embraces an interval of about a
century and a half. And while its progress was marked by
extraordinary vicissitudes, it was still advancing with a celerity before unknown in the march of society. Never was
the prophetic declaration, that a little one shall become a
thousand, and a small one a strong nation, more wonderfully
fulfilled, than in the planting and rearing of these colonies.
A few hardy adventurers seated themselves upon the shores
of the ocean, in a distant and unexplored region. An interminable forest was around them, and a fierce and treach6




42
erous foe occupied its recesses. In the providence of God,
they were sent out, to suffer in their day, but to become
glorious in their generation. And well did they fulfil their
destiny.  MWe are now a community of fifteen millions of
people, and yet I have often conversed with a venerable
relative who was a cotemporary of the first child born to the
pilgrims, after they landed upon this continent. What an
almost overpowering image does this simple fact present of
the progression of this federated empire! And where is the
forest, which then shut in the adventurers upon the brink of
the sea? And where are the nomadic tribes, the untameable warriors, who stood up in their path, and said, You shall
go no further!  Let our fields and villages, our towns and
cities-let our cheering prospects, the evidence and the effect of human industry and enterprise-let the peace, and
plenty, and prosperity of a happy land, covered with a busy
population, enjoying the blessings of equal government, of a
benign religion, and of intellectual improvement-let all
these explain how the forests have been brought low, and
how the great circle of cultivation has spread itself, even to
the vast lakes of the North, and to the trans-Mississippi regions.  And let the feeble remnant of the primitive race
pronounce their fathers' fate, and their own doom. While
we look back with feelings of commisseration upon their sufferings and declension, it would be miserable affectation to
regret\the progress of events, which has removed a people
who have thus far shown themselves, if not incapable of improvement, yet so intractable in their nature, and inveterate
in their habits, as to hold out no rational prospect of moral
and physical advancement; at any rate, while in immediate
contact with a different and superior race, and which has
opened one-fourth part of the globe to the empire of intellect,
and to the efforts of communities, which will reclaim and
subdue it, and cover it with millions upon millions of human
beings.  That this great continent might offer its proper




4.3
tribute of grateful hearts upon the altar of the Most High, it
was necessary that the red man, who had roamed over,
rather than possessed it, should become amalgamated with
the white stranger, who came with all the elements of superiority, or flee before him into the recesses of the forest or
of the grave.  The union was impossible, and the decree
soon went forth that the primitive race must yield. And it
did yield. And the evidence is before us and around us in
the fruits of our fathers' exertions, and of our own.
During this interval of our colonial history, which was, in
fact, our heroic age, there were three principal series of
events, which n6w arrest -the attention of the observer, and
which form the marked features of the times. These were
the progress of settlement, the wars with the Indians, and
the participation with the mother country in those severe
contests, which she waged against France, upon this continent, and which were terminated by the brilliant campaign,
conducted under the auspices of the elder Pitt, and closed
by the battle under the walls of Quebec-where the victor
and the vanquished poured out their lives together, displaying traits of moral greatness, which will forever vie with the
finest scenes that the historians of antiquity have painted for
our instruction or emulation.
The character of our ancestors took its impress from the
stormy events, which surrounded them from the cradle to the
grave. They were nurtured in hardships and exposures; their
manhood was devoted to the fields of labor and of battle; and
their old age, when they lived to attain it, was too often interrupted by the Indian war-whoop, that signal of death,
which, once heard, is never forgotten. This school of exertion and exposure, during six generations, produced those
distinctive traits of character, which belonged to our fathers:
that physical courage, that firmness of purpose, that patient
endurance, which fitted them for the mighty struggle they
were destined to undergo, when they suddenly appeared




44
upon the great theatre of action, and to the surprize of the
world resisted, and successfully, too, the efforts and the
power of a mighty nation.
Many objects of interesting inquiry present themselves
during this period; particularly in relation to those statistical
facts, that, mark- the progress of a country. There is, here,
scope enough for the industry of all, who have any taste for
these pursuits.  The advance of population; the extent of
territory under cultivation at different periods; the value of
manufactures, and the amount of trade, foreign and domestic,
are subjects comparatively unknown to us. And it must be,
that there are many documents yet in existence, which
would afford valuable information upon these topics. There
is, too, a practical question in politic&l economy, interesting
at all times, and which, at this period, divided the infant
communities; and that is, what are the circumstances connected with a paper circulation, which may render such a
measure both safe and expedient?  Many- experiments on
their currency were made, the effects of which were durable.
I -consider the early experience of our ancestors in this matter,. as furnishing a most valuable chapter in the history of
trade, and one which may be studied with advantage, whenever the principles regulating this delicate subject are called
up for discussion.
The history of human enterprise scarcely records a series
of events more strking than those, which attended these colonial establishments.  From the first moment when a European footstep was imprinted upon the beach, till the last
Indian council-fire was extinguished in blood, there was a
succession of border hostilities-of terrible conflicts, on one
side for vengeance and destruction, and on the other for existence. I would not, if I could, spread before you the horrors of such a warfare.  Something of it I have seen; but I
should have no pleasure in describing, nor you in listening
to its appalling details. Like those awful tempests, which




45
display the power of the Almighty, and humble the pride of
man, a peaceful and happy country is before it, but behind
it are murder and desolation.  In other wars, the parties'
fight for victory.  Here, the white man fights for life.  And
when the storm bursts upon his settlement, he fights for all
that renders life desirable.  When the slumbers of the night
are broken by the shout of the Indian, the stoutest heart may
quail. How many times has the sun gone down in peace
upon a smiling village, and risen upon a lurid prospect of desolation.
I do not mean to say that the white man was always right,
and the red man always wrong.  I do not mean to deny that
the ancient possessor had too often just cause to complain,
that his inheritance was -violently reft fromn him, or craftily
obtained.  And the tradition, that the first settlers upon a
part of the coast, asked for a seat which could be covered
by a buffalo robe, and then, cutting this into thongs, took
possession of all the land it would encircle, if false in fact, was
certainly true to the feelings of the Indians.
Ancient chronicles have brought down to us a similar tradition respecting another barbarous people, separated by a wide
interval of time and space firom our aboriginal inhabitants.
The legend of the flight of the Tyrian colony under Dido,
and its establishment upon the African coast, says that they
purchased of the indigenous people as much land for the site
of Carthage as could be covered by a bull's hide, and then
dividing this into the smallest strips, claimed all embraced
within it. Virgil has recorded the purchase, but omitted the
deception, out of tenderness, perhaps, to the memory of the
deserted and disconsolate queen:
"Mercatique solum, facti de noinine Byrsam,
Taurino quantum possent circumdare tergo."
But the-piece of land as big as a hide was the purchase, as
described both by the Eastern and Western primitive posses



46
sor. However or wherever the traditions may have originated, the coincidence of sentiment is interesting, as is the
proneness of barbarous people, while they feel the superiority
of civilized men, to attribute all the difference, which results
from the intercourse, to cunning rather than to wisdom.
But the period, we are now passing in review, is memorable in the history of the world for the introduction of one
great principle of legislation, which is slowly- intrenching
itself in the codes of modern nations, and which, we may
hope, is destined ere long to be recognised in all. During
many centuries, religious toleration was unknown in the most
enlightened countries of the earth. If, in our own days, a
mighty potentate could say, I am  the state, in former days
every potentate could say, I am the religion. The Church
and the Government were faithful coadjutors, mutually protecting and protected by each other.  The rights of conscience were practically the duty of believing and professing
the established religion. If, occasionally, some powerful intellect displayed itself in advance of the age, and asserted the
freedom of religious discussion, there was power enough and
will enough to stop the progress of his doctrines, and to consign
the heretic to those punishments, which either produced his
recantation, or sent him to the eternal reward of his errors.
Strange, indeed, that when the cross of Christianity surmounted the capitol of Rome, and ascended the throne of the
Caesars, a spirit of intolerance should accompany it, as irreconcilable with the principles of Him who had died upon it,
as it was at variance with the Catholic sentiments of the age.
The polytheism  of the old world, monstrous as it is in the
eye of reason and of Christian faith, possessed the attribute
of tolerance; and, if nations seldom fought for their own religion, they seldom, like crusaders, attacked that of others.
But as the power of Christianity increased and extended, the
opinions of the rulers of the church became the standard of
doctrine, and he who exceeded or fell short of this infallible




47
test, was punished with relentless severity here, and doomed,
with all the arrogance of presumption, to eternal misery hereafter. When Christendom had submitted to this hateful rule
for centuries, a feeble light began to break upon the gloom,
and doubts were suggested how far the rights of conscience
should be thus controlled by the civil magistrate. But the
principles of religious freedom, as they are understood and
secured here, seem to have had no advocate, if indeed they
found a single friend. Exemption from the persecutions of
the state was all that the most liberal inquirer into the rights
of the church and, the duties of its members claimed for schismatics; and even this boon was seldom obtained, and then
riather by a kind of political sufferance, than by a direct melioration of these false institutions.  And every political
change, which led to the ascendency of a persecuted party,
while it gave them the power enjoyed by their predecessors,
was sure to carry with it the same principles of bigotry and
vengeance. Neither the experience of the past, nor a just
regard for the future seemed to produce any effect upon the
head or heart. And this, with slight exceptions, was the
state of the Christian world, when possession was taken of
this hemisphere.  The infant legislatures of two of the colonies, now States of this Union, were the first authorities, in
modern times, that practically asserted the only true doctrine
of religious liberty. They burst the bonds, which, till then,
had bound the judgment and conscience of mankind, and proclaimed the great truth, that government and religion have
no lawful connexion with each other; that political associations are the work of man, for the protection of his rights and
for the improvement of his capacity; but that religion is from
above, and is a question between the creature and the Creator; that the civil magistrate should secure -to all the right of
worshipping, God in their own way, and that the ensigns of
man's authority should stop at the door of the temple, and not
be profanely intruded into the presence of the Most High.




48
I do not stop to inquire whether Rhode Island or Maryland
was'the first in this career of religious knowledge and freedoin. It is a question, which has been zealously discussed,
and I leave it for those who take an interest in such investigations. I claim for our common country the renown which is
due to the recognition of this great principle, as we all claim
to be the countrymen of Washington, though his natal spot
was in Virginia.
The acute metaphysician Locke was practically connected
with the early political institutions of the United States.  He
was called upon by the proprietors of South Carolina. to prepare a frame of government for that colony, and he furnished
one, which, in its utter failure, presents an instructive lesson
to all, who are disposed to substitute their own crude notions
for that experience, which ought to guide us in the establishment of fundamental principles.  His cumbrous system, with
its palatines, its landgraves, its caciques, its baronies, its
minute and vexatious regulations, and its centennial annihilation of all laws was declared to be perpetual.  It lingered
along, reprobated by the people, to whom it gave neither
peace, security, nor prosperity, and, at the end of twenty-five
years, it sunk under the weight of opinion; a just rebuke to
that presumption, which undertakes to prescribe a constitution
for a distant country, whose condition, character, and wants,
can only be known by intimate personal acquaintance.
The exertions and sacrifices of the colonists, in aid of the
hostile operations of the British against the French -possessions upon the North American continent, are, perhaps, better known than any other portions of our ante-revolutionary
history.  During these wars, their contributions of men and
means were stupendous, when their population and resources
are fairly examined. And the successful expedition to Louisburg, fitted out by the Eastern colonies, and which terminated
in the reduction of that important and strongly-fortified place,
is among the most striking and romantic adventures in the




49
wars of modern titnes.  And this spirit was displayed al
Crown Point, at Ticonderoga, at Montreal, at the Havana
and wherever this then loyal people was called to rally round
the banner of Saint George.
This was the course of events, which, co-operating with
the moral influences that belonged to the time and countryj
formed the character of our ancestors. These spirit-stirring
scenes acted in harmonious concert with those strong qualities
which in England overturned the monarchy, and which eventually sought refuge beyond the Atlantic; and with those
principles of fireedom, fruits of the Anglo-Saxon institutions,
that were. cherished in every hamlet, fromn the St. John's to
the St. Mary's.
One impressive reflection forces itself upon us, in connexion
with the close of this act in the great drama of American history.  We are forcibly reminded by it of the strange mutability of human affairs, and of the vanity of human expectations.
The conquest of Canada was the theme of universal congratulation in this country and in England. That region was bought
with a great price, and it was supposed, that a long course of
intimate and mutually beneficial connexion was now open to
the parant nation and her colonies, no longer exposed to the
danger of French power and machinations.  And yet this
very success, splendid as it was, certainly accelerated those
events, which ended in the disruption of the two countries.
Had the Canadas continued under French dominion, it is
possible that our Independence might have been postponed
for a long, if not for an indefinite, period, and it is probable,
that it would not have been achieved till long after the era
of its actual establishment.  External pressure would have
operated to prevent internal dissensions. And the constantly
impending position of the French and Indians, would not
only have rendered British protection more valuable, but
would have kept up that excitement, which seems part of our




50
social system, and which soon displayed itself in political discussions and political claims.
And this brings us to the most interesting portion of our
whole social existence as communities-to that bright era,
when human rights were investigated and practically asserted with an acuteness of intellect, a power of knowledge, and
a firmness of purpose, never before exhibited to the world.
This was no time of abstract speculation. There were then
no day-dreams of metaphysical philosophers. Claims were
asserted by the imperial legislature, which, had they been
submitted to, would soon have led to the prostration of that
goodly fabric of freedom, which had been reared by all the
sacrifices, that present themselves in such bold relief, when
we look back upon the pictures of the past.  Then were
formed the characteris of those eminent men, who stood forward to guide the public councils, and to conduct, at the great
tribunal of public opinion, the cause of human rights. The
first promulgation of an intention on the part of the British
Government, to interfere with the internal political institutions of the country, was the signal of universal discontent.
And as the project approached its maturity, so did the public
feeling approach its crisis. Some vacillation was manifested
by the English cabinet during these proceedings.  Occasional gleams of sunshine appeared through the clouds that
covered the heavens-occasional glimpses of returning sense;
but the scheme went on. The obnoxious taxes were imposed, and the tea ships were sent out, practically to enforce
its collection.  The result is matter of history.  Like the
sentence of the Swiss patriot, this decisive measure brought
all discussion to a close, and united the whole country in a
fixed determination to maintain their freedom.  As these
measures proceeded, the whole science of politics, in its most
extended signification, was freely debated in public and private assemblages, and discussed through the medium of the
press. There were here few of those prejudices, which else



51
where are ingrafted by habit upon the intellect, and which
assume the aspect of established principles. Our forefathers
had always been free, and in some parts of our country,
on their first arrival, they formed small democracies, where
every man exercised a portion of the supreme power. As
they increased in numbers, and extended in space, this form
of administration became impracticable, and it was so far
modified, as to permit the most important functions to be performed by the representatives of the sovereign constituents.
But, still, in all essential features, these early communities
were as free from restrictions, as any political associations,
that have existed in peace and prosperity.
Seed sown upon such a soil could not but vegetate. And
this did so) as luxuriantly and rapidly as the quickest plant that
springs into life in the brighest island of the ocean. Many
a fervid mind was at work upon the foundations of society.
Many a received dogma was swept away with contempt. It
is not a little curious to compare the advance of society in
some of the most important elements of human knowledge, at
different stages of its existence. It will be found, that sometimes centuries roll away, while certain great departments of
science are stationary, if not retrogressive. At other times,
these are pushed forward with wonderful rapidity, like the
spring, that has long been coiled and is suddenly unbent.
Who can point out a single advance in the most important of
mere human institutions, that of governing society, during centuries of the most enlightened period of antiquity? Wherein
was the theology of the Roman empire better than the religious fables of Greece, or their prototypes, nourished under the
shade of the pyramids?  In the philosophy of the intellect,
who was ever made wiser by the metaphysics of Aristotle?
And who does not know, that his system of dialectics ruled
the world of mind, from his own era down to the very dawn
of our day?-ruled it with absolute sway, affecting not only
to teach the way to knowledge, but to contain within itself




52
the very cycle of all that was known, or could be known,
Studying nature in the closet, instead of walking abroad and
surveying her works; not proceeding by induction, and deducing general laws from the operations of the world, but
rashly advancing theories, and then boldly. promulgating
them, as the laws impressed by the Creator upon universal
matter.
The principles, asserted during the discussions that took
place upon the alleged supremacy of the British legislature,
were broadly and deeply laid. Their consequences were not
confined to this country. They were borne over the Atlantic, carrying back a portion of the debt, which we owed to the
old world, for all we had received from it. Many a barrier,
which time and power had erected, and behind which false
institutions had intrenched themselves among the nations of
the world, has fallen before the sound that has gone forth
firom our own land, as the ramparts of the city, which commanded the entrance into Palestine, fell before the fearful
blast, that was blown by the order of the Jewish leader. This
warning voice has been heard and heeded throughout our own
vast hemisphere, and has called upon the descendants of the
invaders and the invaded, to rouse themselves from their incubus, and to pronounce the doom of tyranny and their own
emancipation. France heard it, and burst the bonds of licentious oppression with an energy, which awed the world. And
if she has not reaped the full harvest of her exertions, she has
at least renovated her social system, and struck down many
parasitical plants, which, in the hot-bed of corruption, had
started into being, and were feeding upon the very means of
her existence. The resonance has spread over Europe, warning its governments, that the day of accountability is approaching, and proclaiming that the happiness of the people is
the great object of: political associations. And the crescent
has waned before it, and has gone down upon the land of
Themistocles and Miltiades. Even Greece is reviving, and




53
if her people cannot rival the fame of their ancestors, they
may yet become prosperous and contented.  The successor
of Mahomet has caught the inspiration, and the shores of the
Bosphorus, the scenes of early civilization, and of many a
deed of renown) are emerging into light; and the echo is assending the Nile, and perhaps may be heard, ere long, among
the ruins of Thebes, awakening the silence of centuries,
and rousing the land of the Pbaraohs and Ptolemies to a
sense of its past glory and its present degradation.
This interval of our political existence was the school
of Washington, and Franklin, and Jefferson, and Adamns;
and of the other able and virtuous mnen, who were raised
up by Providence for the work they had to do. Here theire
faculties were invigorated, and their knowledge extended,
by the severe discipline they underwent. All the incidents
of this period are interesting and instructive, and every relic,
which yet remains of it, should-be preserved with jealous
aflection.  There must be many a precious document nmouldering in the cabinets of the descendants of these mighty and
master spirits.  Let me invite their production as tributes to
departed worth, as incentives to living virtue, and as lessons
to us, and to those, who are to follow us in this land of their
affection.  These troublous timles, however, Were succeeded
by a still more perilous period. Deliberation, and discussion,
and remonstrance,'were suddenly abandoned, and the musketry at Lexington announced that the arbitrament of reason
had yielded to the ultimate argument of nations.
And thus commenced our revolutionary career-that stage
in our national existence, which was marked by as desperate
a struggle as any people ever encountered and survived. Its
incidents, its alternations- of hope and despair, its exertions,
its long duration and its fihal triumph, why advert to these?
Are they not written in burning characters upon the mind and
memory of every American'?  New facts may be disclosed,
and many of those, which have been irecorided, imay be correct



54
ed; traits of character, not heretofore recognised, may be
developed; motives may be impugned or justified; but the
great leading events of this contest are before the world, and
are beyond the reach of misapprehension.
The peace, bought by these sacrifices, was succeeded by the
period of the confederation. The articles of union were, indeed,
in force during the war, but their final adoption did not take
place, till it had been six years in progress. And it is evident,
that it was the external pressure, and not any principle of cohesion in this instrument, which united the States in the great
work of defence.  When this pressure was removed, the
articles of confederation became the only ligament of connexion, and their inefficiency soon displayed itself. The seven
years embraced in this period are a monument, as sacred to
our country, as was the memory of the pillars of fire and of
cloud, to the people of God, which guided them in their miraculous journey from their exodus out of the land of Egypt to
their entrance into the land of Canaan. The exertions of the
war were succeeded by lassitude. The ordinary business of
life had been suspended, and its occupations destroyed.
There was no commerce, external nor internal. The currency
had been wholly deranged by the issues of paper, resting on
no solid basis, and which sunk by its own weight, till it became entirely valueless. As this was a legal-tender, property
changed possession, too often without any just consideration. Great distress was induced by these circumstances,
and the affairs of life were every where deranged. There
was nothing abroad to compensate for distress and inefficiency
at home. Our credit was annihilated, and foreign nations
wtere unwilling to enter into negotiations with us, because
the Government was unable to fulfil its engagements.'The
friends of liberty throughout the world looked on with regret,
fearing the entire failure of the great experiment, which had
been committed to us. And patriots at home, who had never
despaired in the darkest day of the war, now confessed their




55
apprehensions, and doubted the end of their own work. All
accounts, both documentary and traditionary, concur in depicting, in the gloomiest colors, the state of the public prospects and of the public feelings, and the individual distress,
which pervaded the whole country. But there is one redeeming trait in all this gloomy retrospect, one distinctive
mark of character, too honorable to be overlooked. The institutions of society still went on, and with one local and inconsiderable exception, uninterruptedly. The General Government was, in fact, expiring and the State Governments were
relaxed and powerless. They were without revenue or resources, or strength.  Such a state of things, in any other
country, would have rent society to its foundation. It would
have dissolved into its constituent principles; and if these
were ever to be re-combined, the process would not have
been owing to any natural affinity, but to another agent, to
that military despotism, which, as it is the last curse of degraded nations, so is it the first step in their regeneration.
But there were causes in operation here, which saved us
from this calamity. The machine of authority went on by its
own momentum, like some piece of mechanism, whose
principle of motion is suspended or destroyed, but which still
pursues its movement from the impulse it has acquired, and
goes on, declining indeed, and with less and less force, but
still performing its functions. And here were seen the effects
of moral habits, and of principles early taught and ingrafted
upon the firame of society. Life, liberty. and property were
protected, and public opinion took the place of organized
authority; and society was preserved from convulsion, till
the general sense of the country reinvigorated the State Governments, and with one voice demanded an amendment of
the articles of confederation. The measures, taken to give
effect to this expressed will, ended in the formation of the
present constitution.




56
In looking back upon these stages of political existence,
it is impossible not to be struck with admiration, at that wisdom, which has conducted us, by these progressive steps, from
infancy to maturity; from  a small band to a great people.
Why, in the dispensation of Providence, this great continent
was so long shut out fromn the knowledge of that portion of
the world, best prepared by its state of improvement to reclaim and subdue it, and to people it with intelligent beings,
capable of assuming that rank in the scale of creation, which
it is given to man to reach, it were as presumptuous to inquire, as it would be impossible to tell. It must be left
among those mysteries, which, if they are ever revealed to
us, will be revealed in another state of existence.  When,
however, the time had come for the ocean to give up its
mighty secret, and to make known the fertile regions beyond
its waves, then commenced the operations of those secondary
causes, by which the great designs of Omniscience are carried
into effect.  A new  world was to be peopled.  Immense
regions were to be laid open and cultivated. The feeble
race, roaming over them, as improvident and almost as ignorant as the animals, their co-tenants of the forests, which
ministered to their wants, were to give place to another generation with higher powers, and a far nobler destiny. it
may be, that the red man had been tried, and found wanting;
that, in the course of migration, from the cradle of mankind
in the fertile plains of Asia, he had been conducted to this
other world, with the same means of meliorating his condition, and of advancing in the great career of improvement,
which had been given to the kindred stock he left behind;
and having failed in the execution of this trust, that he had
been given over to the consequences.  However this may
have been, small settlements were necessary upon different
parts of the coast, that the process of cultivation and increase
might go on under the most favorable circumstances. Such
settlements were planted.  And that these might enjoy the




57
benefits of the necessary government, to preserve internal
tranquillity, and to repel external aggression, different communities were requisite, with separate powers, as the circumstances of the times forbade distant communication.  Local governments were thus formed; the germs of future colonies and states. Without the protection of another and powerful nation, these infant establishments would have fallen
before the original possessor of the forest, and the ally he
found upon the St. Lawrence.  This, too, was provided;
and thus we have all the means of future growth and power.
These communities were small, enterprising, and industrious; and they brought with them all the knowledge of their
times, and the principles of rational freedom. Their political
operations invigorated their faculties, and still led them onward in the career of advancement.  By-and-by, they became numerous and powerful; and higher destinies opened
before them.  A new chapter began in their history; and
they were called upon to test their knowledge, and to explore the duties and obligations of political associations; to
examine with jealous scrutiny their own rights,'and the correlative obligations of the parent government-in a word,
to investigate all the principles of civil liberty, and to comprehend the whole science of politics. But this knowledge,
acquired  by more than a century of practical freedom, and
invigorated by fifteen years of public discussion, was useless,
unless these independent communities could be united together, and enabled by this union to assert and maintain their
lights.  But they had all the seeds of segregation, which,
from the nature of man, belong to distinct associations, and
they could only be brought together by some common force
pressing upon them.  This force was applied, and they were
taught that union gives strength; and that though separated
for all the purposes of internal administration, they must be
joined for the great objects of foreign intercourse.  And they
had yet another lesson to learn: that their general association
8




58
must possess sufficient strength, or it would fail them in the
hour of need. This lesson they learned during seven years'
experience-during seven  years of inefficient existence,
which conducted them to the very brink of that gulf, in
which the hopes of so many republics have perished. And
thus they reached the dawn of that day, which opened upon
~them with such bright prospects.  They had not only received the priceless gift of a friee and equal government, but
by a peculiar course of events-may we not say, by the peculiar dispensation of Providence, they had not only received
it with all the moral means necessary to its preservation, but
in a new form, adapted to their peculiar condition, and suited
to avoid the evils, which have elsewhere, and in other times,
overturned republican governments. This principle of federation was about to be tried and the great experiment was
committed to this people under these imposing circumstances.
But I have reached the boundaries of our association.  I
am approaching a debatable land, into which I must not
enter. Our province is the past, not the present nor the future. The past, which offers its rich stores of experience,
and not the present, which applies them, or the future, which
they shadow forth. How wonderful are the destinies committed to that future! How vast are our own interests, which
are involved in it!  That Providence, before whom  time
stands still, has guarded and guided us in our infancy.  Let
us hope that He will protect us in our maturity, till, in his
own good season, his designs shall have been consummated,
and our fate furnish another lesson, to be studied in after
ages, by those, who may seek instruction from the records of
human virtues and human errors.












i
HISTORICAL
ADDRESS,
Aluio ift of   twjorL
JULY 4, 1876.








HII STORICAL
OF THE
DELIVERED
JULY 4TH, 1 87 6.
BY
WILLIAVI. I. SHEFFIELD.
PUBLISHED BY ORDEROF THE CITY COUNCIL.
NEWPORT:
JOHN P. SAN.BORN & CO., STEAM JOB PRINTERS,
1876.








6Ry the (President of the United States.
A. PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, A joint resolution of the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States was duly approved
on the 13th day of March last, which resolution is as follows:
"Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that it be and is hereby recommended by the, Senate
and the House of Representatives to the people of the several States that they assemble in their several counties or
towns on the approaching centennial anniversary of our national independence, and that they cause to have delivered
on such day an historical sketch of said county or town from
its formation, and that a copy of said sketch may be filed, in
print or manuscript, in the clerk's office of said county, and
an additional copy in print or manuscript be filed in the
office of the librarian of Congress, to the intent that a complete record may thus be obtained of the progress of our institutions during the first centennial of their existence";
and
WHEREAS, It is deemed proper that such recommendation
be brought to the notice and knowledge of the people of the
United States,
Now, therefore, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the
United States, do hereby declare and make known the same,
in the hope that the object of such resolution may meet the
approval of the people of the United States, and that proper
steps may be taken to carry the same into effect.
Given under my hand, at the city of Washington, the 25th
day of May, in the year of our Lord 1876, and of the independence of the United States the one hundredth.
By the President,              U. S. GRANT.
HAMMITON FISH, Secretary of State.




EXEC UTI YE (~DE(' (PJTMI[EJVT,
0Provider.ce,   4pril 271h, 1876.
To the Honorable City Council of the City of Newport,
GENTLEMEN:
I have the honor herewith to enclose a duly certified
copy of a Resolution passed by the General Assembly at its
recent Session, requesting me to invite the people of the several towns and cities of the State, to assemble in their several
localities on the approaching Centennial Anniversary of our
National Independence, and cause to have delivered on
such day an historical sketch of said town or city from its
formation.
By pursuing the course suggested by the General
Assembly, the people of the State will derive an amount of
information which will be invaluable to the present generation, as showing the wonderful progress of the several towns
and cities since their formation.
It will also be of great value to future generations
when the materials for such sketches now accessible will
have been lost or destroyed by accident, or become more or
less effaced and illegible from time.
Therefore in pursuance of the request of the General
Assembly I respectfully and earnestly, through you, invite
the people of your city to carry out the contemplated celebration on the 4th day of July next.
HENRY LIPPITT, Governor.




J%4ie  ([4  l~tlN   );$stn        &)t+
In General Assembly, January Session, A. D. 1876.
JOINT RESOLUTION
ON THE
CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENNIAL
IJV THE SE VERIL CITIES.X1V(1  TO W]VS.
Resolved, The Hlouse of Representatives concurring therein, that in accordance with the recommendation of the
National Congress, the Governor be requested to invite the
people of the several cities and towns of the State, to assemble in their several localities on the approaching Centennial
Anniversary of our National Independence, and cause to
have delivered on that day an historical sketch of said town
or city from its formation, and to have one copy of said
sketch, in print or in manuscript, filed in the clerk's office of
said town or city, one copy in the office of the Secretary of
State, and one copy in the office of the librarian of Congress,
to the intent that a complete record may thus be obtained of
the progress of our institutions during the First Centennial of
their existence; and that the Governor be requested to communicate the invitation forthwith to the several town and
city councils in the State.
I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of a resolution
passed by the General Assembly of the State aforesaid,
on the 20th day of April, A. D. 1876.
Witness my hand and Seal of the State,
this 27th day of April, A. D. 1876.
JOSHUA M. ADDEMAN,
Secretary of State.




OFFICE OF THE CITY CLEAVK.
At a meeting of the special committee appointed on the
communication of His Excellency, Governor Lippitt, Alderman J. B. Brown was authorized to procure some suitable
person to deliver a historical discourse on the 4th of July,
1876. He subsequently reported that the Hon. WILLIAM P.
SHEFFIELD had consented to deliver the said discourse.
At a meeting of the Council held June 7, 1876, the following resolution was passed:
Resolved, That the sum of $2,500 be, and the same is hereby appropriated for the celebration of the Fourth of July,
1876, and that Aldermen Jo C. Stoddard, George Denniston,
Jr., and Councilmen Weaver, Bull and Cottrell be and are
hereby appointed a committee to make all the necessary arrangements for the same.




ONE HUNDREDTH
ANNIVERSARY
-OFAMERICAN INDEPENDENCES
ORDER OF EXERCISES
-AT THECOMMENCING AT 11 O'CLOCE A. M.
I. MUSIC,   -   -   -   -   BY THE BAND.
II.'PRAYER,    -   BY REV. A. G. MERCER, D. D.
III. MUSIC,   -   -   -   -    BY THE BAND.
IV. READING OF DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE, BY HON. HENRY BEDLOW, Mayor.
V. MUSIC,   -   -   -   -   BY THE BAND.
VI. ORATION,   -   BY HON. WM. P. SHEFFIELD.
VII. MUSIC,   -   -   -   -   BY THE BAND.
BENEDICTION.




RESOLUTION OF THANKS
TO THE
HON. WILLIAM  P. SHEFFIELD,
F02P HIS HISTORICXAL ~0ISCO U SE
Together with a Resolution ordering the same Printed.
At a meeting of the City Council held July 6, 1876, the
following resolutions were passed:
Resolved, That the thanks of the City Council be and the
same are hereby extended to Hon. William P. Sheffield for
the Historical Discourse delivered July 4th, instant; and
Resolved, That Mr. Sheffield be requested to furnish a
copy of the same for publication; and be it further
Resolved, That Alderman Brown and Councilmen Bull
and Cranston, be authorized to cause two thousand copies
of said discourse to be printed in pamphlet form, and lave
one copy of the sketch filed in the City Clerk's office in this
city; one copy_ in the office of the Secretary of State in
Providence; one copy in the office of the Librarian of Congress in Washington, D. C., and the otrher copies for the use
of the City Council.




PRAYER,
BY THE REV. A. G. MERCER.
0 Thou Eternal God to whom a thousand years are but
as one day, we, the creatures of a moment, at the end of the
hundred years of our nation's life, in humility and adoration
bow down before Thee.
Permit us to speak with Thee this day as a man speaks
with his friend.
Thou hast created us a nation here far in the west of the
world, that we might lead in the great experiment of forming
a new hemisphere. Thou hast created us of the best blood
of the world, and given us the best traditions, the Bible and
all the acquisitions of liberty and of social wisdom. Our
fathers began the career Thou didst open, consecrating it
with their sacrifices. We became free States —and guided as
we think by Thy spirit, made and established an American
constitution of liberty and public order, giving to the earth
the promise of better eras. Thou gavest us this grand allotment of earth and skv as our home-this soil, this climate,
these rivers and mountains and wide skirted plains, and said,
"subdue and possess." And now at the end of a hundred
years, by energy, by art, we have subdued and possess, and
hold the continent from sea to sea.
And here to-day we present before Thee this continent
and all its riches; this vast population with all its power and
virtues; this new democratic world dedicated to man; we
present it all before Thee-thy gift, with thanksgiving and
praise and the voice of melody! So far as we have done
well-and in many things have we not done well, 0 Lord?
so far, accept it graciously, and may the whole people humbly
glad hear thy voice, to-day, saying "Well done good and
faithful servant."
2




10                     PRAYER.
But, 0 Lord God, we have sinned-not so much this people
as those of us who are the natural leaders of the people-and
to-day, after a hundred years, after all our gains of power and
riches, we must take to ourselves shame and say, that among
all our gains we have not gained-surely not as we oughtin character and in public heart; we have grasped for self,
and neglected the common weal, and even our good men are
not always good citizens. We deplore our unenlightened
and prejudiced suffrage; we deplore the folly of the citizen
and the incompetence of the ruler; we deplore our conceit
and irreverance, that we do not know what to look up to;
that our best men are not our highest men. We deplore the
sinking standard of common honesty and of public and private honor.
But 0, where we have done ill-and have we not done
very ill? surely we are, still thy people, and wilt Thou not
pardon us and correct us in thy mercy, and fill our lives with
patriotic energy, that henceforth we may be faithful workmen of the State?
Take away, 0 Lord, if Thou wilt, all this Centennial
glory-take it all from us, but give us in its place, abundance
of —public honor, the "Righteousness that exalteth a Nation,"
and so, out of darkness, make this people into a pillar of fire,
leading forward toward the land of Promise and Hope.
0, divine Father! in profound humilty, in unbounded
gratitude we offer this our service of Solemn Thanksgiving
and Prayer in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN.




A Jdrie5AA








ADDRESS.
The Puritans and the Cavaliers, the Independents and
the Episcopalians, agreed that God was to be worshiped;
they differed only as to the form of worship, and this difference was the primary cause of the settling of the New
England colonies by British subjects. True the spirit of
adventure, and the advantages of trade, contributed to this
end, but the con.trolling influence operating upon most of the
Puritan emigrants, was the desire to worship God in accordance with their convictions of duty.
The Puritans were agreed in opposing the Established
Church, but they had not stopped to consider if they were
agreed upon the grounds of their opposition. Some were
opposed to the corruptions of the Church, and were in favor
of purifying it, and despaired of accomplishing their purpose
but by a revolution in existing systems and establishing
others, which should be more exacting in their demands,
requiring a more fervent piety, and a greater self-denial;
while others objected that the hierarchical form of government practiced in the Established Church, was not calculated
either to advance Christianity, or to open the largest field for
usefulness to the members of the church.
When the separation from "the mother church" was
complete, and when the Puritans were establishing a church
in America, upon which they were to rear a commonwealth,




1.4             HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
while their minds were highly excited upon religious topics,
it is not surprising that differences of opinion upon church
polity, should arise among them, nor is the occasion for
surprise diminished when we reflect that the only road open,
which was apparent to them, for the gratification of ambition,
was through the church.
What was thus natural, and to be expected, arose in the
Puritan colony of Massachusetts Bay; for they came to America to found a church, and a commonwealth based upon the
church. This done, the majority of them claimed the church
and the commonwealth which they had founded in their
exile, to be theirs,-theirs to control, -theirs to enjoy. A
few of their number with no higher purpose, but with broader conceptions of human rights, a firmer trust in the capacity
of the masses of men, and a higher ideal of duty to God,
ventured the opinion that the church was the church, not of
the Puritans, but of Jesus Christ, its founder and head, and
that the commonwealth was the King's commonwealth,
under whose license it existed; and that the Puritans had
no right to exclude the humble followers of the Saviour of
mankind from His church, or the King's loyal subjects from
a place in his commonwealth. The majority prevailed, and
compelled the unyielding minority to leave their homes in
Boston and depart from the Christian commonwealth.
John Wheelwright who had been a classmate of Cromwell at Cambridge, vicar of Bilsby, silenced by Arhbishop
Laud for non-conformity, and had emigrated to America,
was pastor of a church in Braintree. He was a kinsman of
Ann Hutchinsonl and had some sympathy with her religious
opinions, in consequence of which a controversy arose between him and Mr. Wilson, the pastor of the Boston church.




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                15
This matter was brought before the General Court, and
Wheelwright was censured.
Against this judgment of censure, William Hutchinson,
William Aspinwall,3 William Dyer,4 John Sanford,5 Samuel
Wilbor,6 Thomas Savage,7 Edward Hutchinson,"  Richard
Carder,8 John Porter,9 WVilliam  Baulston,l~ William  Freeborn,11 Henry; Bull,l2 John Walker,13 Mr. Clarke,14 and John
fCoggeshall,15 of Boston, Philip Sherman,16 of Roxbury, and
others protested; and from  it William  Coclddington'7 and
Randall Holdenls dissented; the former having opposed its
rendition in the General Court. For this act, on the 2d of
November, 1637, the sixteen persons first named were disarllled.
On the 12th of the next.March, the General Court'notified William Coddington, John Coggeshall, William Baulston, Edward Hutchinson, Samuel Wilbor, John Porter,
Henry Bull, Philip Sherman, William Freeborn, and Richard
Carder, that they had license to leave the colony, and that
if they did not depart before the next Court, in May, 1638,
they were commanded to then appear at court, to answer
such objections as should be objected against them. Nicholas Easton,l9 of Salem, was warned to depart at the same
time, but in a separate order.
William Brenton20 had incurred the colonial displeasure
for being contaminated with the opinions of Wheelwright
and Hutchinson, and having opposed their being censured
in the General Court.
The persons whom I have named, were the founders of
the colony of Rhode Island, and whatever may be said about
the intervention of other causes to induce the banishment
of Roger Williams, and the settlement of Providence, I have




16              HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
never seen it stated or heard it intimated, that the founders
of the colony of Rhode Island were disarmed, had leave to
depart and were threatened with further orders, if they did
not leave, for any other cause than for the religious opinions
which they entertained, and their protest against the censure of Wheelwright for his religious opinions.
The men who founded Rhode Island, were among those
who had been most conspicuous in the Puritan commonwealth, "men," says Callender, "who were in repute with
the very best for their holiness and zeal." Among them
were men of culture, and all of them  had *there enjoyed
social position and most of them official distinction. Yet the
hard fate of the times befel them, and they became the exiled
of exiles, Puritans of Puritans and in their new-found home
they were permitted to assist in laying the foundations of a
new society, based alike upon civil and religious liberty.
These colonists passed beyond the jurisdiction of Massachusetts and of Plymouth, and landed at Portsmouth. Here
they incorporated themselves into a civil society, not according to the forms and constitutions of the countries from
which they came, but in accordance with the lofty aspirations of:their own pure hearts, and the circumstances which
surrounded them.
Through the kindly offices of that great man, Roger
Williams, they had obtained the Indian title to this Island
from the Narrdgansetts, who had recently conquered it from
the Wampanoags; but they had no charters or laws for their
government but those which are written on the heart and
rest in the consciences of men; but on the 7th day of
March, 1638, they solemnly, in the presence of Jehovah, incorporated themselves into a body politic, as he should help,
and promised that they would submit their persons, lives and




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                  17
estates unto the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and
Lord of Lords, and to all those perfect and most absolute
laws of His given us in his holy word of truth, to be guided
and judged thereby. Thus it may be seen that this first
charter of our civil rights rests upon the broad principles of
the Golden Rule.
The founders of Rhode Island were exiled from England
by the dread of the Tower of London.  The fires of Smithfield lighted their way to the abodes of savage men and the
wilds of native forests; the full force of persecution had not
yet been exhausted, the unrelenting hand of destiny would
not let loose its grasp; for there was a denser forest not yet
penetrated; more formidable tribes of savages, which had not
yet been encountered. Another trial was necessary to be had
to separate the gospel of perfect freedom in religion from
the accumulated dross of ages. Into the crucible of this
other trial our fathers were cast, and from its retort they
evolved the idea of spiritual liberty, to light the wanderer
in the way of life out of the darkness and gloom of the religious intolerance of all the past; a light which has since been
expanding, and yet continues to expand over the world like
the rays of a new-born day.
The colonists provided for the assignment of lands to the
settlers, the erection of a meeting-house, and regulated other affairs at Portsmouth; and in the spring of 1638-9, the
majority of the settlers removed to the southwesterly part of
the Island and there laid the foundations of Newport.a
Here they laid out their lands subject to certain public
rights of fishery, passed an order that no one should be accounted a delinquent'for doctrine, and did many acts in
regulating their prudential affairs. They soon received considerable accession to their numbers of persons, who like
3,




18               HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
themselves, had been oppressed for conscience. They appointed Mr. Easton and Mr. Clarke to inform  Sir Henry
Vane of the condition of things here, and to request him to
endeavor to obtain his Majesty's charter for the people of
the Island.
In 1640, the town employed Robert Lenthall to keep a
public school,-the first public school in America, and possibly the first school accessible to all, supported by the public
charge, in the world.
As early as 1641, there were at least two hundred families on the Island. That year it was unaminously ordered
that "the government or body politic of the Island
and the jurisdiction thereof in favor of our prince, is a
democratic or popular government; that is, it is in the
power of the body of the freemen orderly assembled, or the
major part of them, to make and constitute just laws by
which they will be regulated, and depute from among themselves such ministers as shall see them faithfully executed
between man and man."
In the beginning of 1640, the colony at Newport received
further accession to their numbers from Portsmouth, and
ordered that the chief magistrate should be called governor,
and the next, deputy-governor; and the governor and two
assistants should be chosen from one town, and the deputy
and the two other assistants should be chosen from the other
town, and that the town at the north end of the Island
should be called Portsmouth; and in Mlay of that year, a
court consisting of magistrates and jurors, should be held in
Newport and in Portsmouth. The magistrates were the
governor, deputy-governor and assistants. This is the commencement of jury trials in Rhode Island.




HISTORY OF NEWPOR'T.                19
In September, 1640, Governor Cocldington was ordered
to write to the governor of the Bay, that they would communicate their councils concerning their agitations with the
Indians.
In the records of the Massachusetts General Court, under
date October 7, 1640, is the following order, viz: "It is
ordered that the letter lately sent to the governor by Mr.
Eaton [of New Haven], Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Haynes [of Connecticut], Mr. Coddington, and Mr. Brenton [of Newport],
but concerning also the General Court, shall be thus answered by the governor, That the Court doth assent to all the
propositions laid down in the aforesaid letter, but that the
answer shall be directed to Mr. Eaton, Mr. Hopkins and Mr.
Haynes only, excluding Mr. Coddington and Mr. Brenton,
as men not to be capitulated with at all by us either for
themselves or the people of the Island, where they inhabit as
their case standeth."
Thus early the inhabitants of Rhode Island desired to
enter into a league with the other New England colonies
for mutual defence, and were prevented from doing so by
the arbitrary action of the General Court of Massachusetts;
and the defenceless people of Rhode Island were left to the
tender mercies of the Indian savage.
In 1648, May 25, Governor Coddington in a -letter to
Governor Winthrop states that some of the people on the
Island are in disgrace with the people of Warwick and Providence.
September 8 of the same year, Coddington and Alexander Partridge made a formal request of the United
colonies to be admitted into that alliance, and their request
was formally answered by the suggestion, that if Rhode




20              HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
Island desired the protection of the United Colonies, it had
better submit to the jurisdiction of Plymouth.
In 1644, it was ordered that the Island, commonly called
Aquidneck, shall from henceforth be called the Isle of
Rhodes, or Rhode Island.
March 14, 1643, a charter was granted from the Lord
Commissioners to the inhabitants of Providence, Portsmouth
and Newport under the name of the Providence Plantations,
in the Narragansett Bay in New England, with authority to
rule themselves in such form of civil government as by voluntary consent of all, or the greater part of them, they
should find most suitable to their estate and condition.
This charter was not altogether satisfactory to the people
of the Island. They did not like the name of the colony.
It had been granted upon the particular application of the
Providence and Warwick people, with whom they were not
in complete unity, without the concurrence of the inhabitants of the Island, and the name of the Island had been
omitted in the new name for the colony.
This want of unity kept open the acceptance of the charter and the organization of the government up to 1647 when
the people of the Island presented a body of laws, which was
accepted by the other colonies, and the charter government
was then organized. Under this charter, the title of the
chief magistrate was President, and ~William Coddington was
elected president in 1648, and William Baulston was chosen
one of the assistants. Owing to certain charges having been
made against these officers, they were suspended in office,
and if Coddington was found guilty, or from other causes
the office should be vacant, Jeremiah Clarke was to'fill the
office.




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                21
November 4, 1651, Warwick and Providence appointed
Roger Williams to go to England, to obtain a confirmation
of their chartered privileges, the towns on the Island having
withdrawn and fallen off from the charter government.Coddington obtained from England a commission to be governor of the Island for life.
This proceeding of Coddington was offensive to many
of the inhabitants of the Island, for sixty-five of the inhabitants of Newport and forty-one from Portsmouth employed
Mr. John Clarke to go to England, to procure the commission of Coddington to be vacated. Williams and Clarke
took passage in the same ship.
Orders from the Council of State in En(gland having arrived suspending Coddclington's government, the Assembly
met at Portsmouth, March 1, 1652, to receive them,, when it
was ordered that the officers olbstructed by Coddington's
commission, should stand in their places, and act according
to their former commissions as if they had been annually
chosen, until a new election; and an election was appointed
to take place the Tuesday succeeding the 15th of the then
next May.
No General Assembly met, however, on the Island, until
at Newport, May 17, 1653, which was an assembly of the
electors of the Island only. This assembly assumed control
of the government of the Island. They proposed that if
Warwick and Providence would be pleased to act with them,
that those towns might elect their own officers. They then
sent James Barker and Richard Knight to demand the
Statute Book and Book of Records from Governor Coddington. Coddington informed the messengers, that he would
advise with counsel, and then return an answer; for he
dare not lay down his commission without order thereto;




22               HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
they made some provisions for assisting in the prosecution of the war against the Dutch; provided for the adjudication of prizes brought into Newport, and for the adoption
of the Laws.of Oleron.
A commission was granted to Edward Hull, to go against
the Dutch, or any of the enemies of the commonwealth of
England. This was the commencement of privateering in
Rhode Island. The action of the Island Assembly in reference to the Dutch war, brought a lively protest from the
Providence-Warwick Assembly.
Yet these Assemblies soon united upon terms of settlement. They then commissioned the Deborah, to go against
the enemies of England; and on the 13th of September, 1654,
they approved of the instructions presented by Mr. John
Clarke, in reference to his mission to England, and desired
that Roger Williams and Mr. Dexter should manifest as
much to Mr. Clarke.
Roger Williams returned from England in 1654, leaving
Mr. Clarke then sole agent of the colony.
In 1655, Cromwell wrote to the colony, authorizing it to
continue its government under the charter of 1643.
In 1656, Mr. Coddington was chosen one of the commissioners for Newport to the General Court, when he declared
that he freely submitted to the authority of his Highness
in these colonies as now united, with all his heart.
Upon the return of Charles II to the throne, John Clarke
then the sole agent in England of the Providence Plantations as well as of the Island of Rhode Island, presented to
the crown two petitions for a charter for the colony, which
should give the inhabitants full liberty in religious concernments, and a larger measure of civil liberty than was then




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                   23
enjoyed by any other civilized people on earth. This petition
was granted, and November 24, 1663, at a meeting of the
General Court of commissioners held in Newport, Mr.
Clarke's letter was opened and read with good delivery; and
the King's Gracious Letters' Patent with the broad seal
thereto affixed, were received, and read by George Baxter:
and this charter remained the fundamental law of Rhode
Island and Providence Plantations for one hundred and
eighty years.
This charter was the fruit of twelve years' toil of John
Clarke in England, during which time he had expended all
of his available funds, and had mortgaged his private property to promote the object he had in hand.
But the object of his mission had been attained; the charter was secure, and his title to be known as the greatest
benefactor of the colony was fully earned.
Notwithstanding the depreciating remarks of Graham, I
firmly believe that there was not then a better balanced mind
than Clarke's in all America, and Rhode Island never ]ad
a more devoted friend. Ile was prodigal of himself in her
service, and when he died he gave the remnant of his fortune for the relief of her poor, and the bringing up of herl
children to learning. "The grand motive which turned the
scale of his life," says Roger Willlams, "was the truth of God
-a just liberty to all men's spirits in spiritual matters, together with the peace and prosperity of the whole colony."
Several of the early settlers of Newport were merchants,
and a considerable commerce grew up with the Dutch at New
York, and with the English at Barbadoes, and between the
colony and other places.
After the battle of Sedgmoor, in 1685, the followers of the




24                  HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
Duke of  Ionmouth were many of them sold to go to the Barbacloes, and from  this class and from other sources Rhode
Islandl continued to receive considerable accessions to its
population, and Newport was by far the most flourishing town
in the colony up to the Revolution.
In1 January, 1664-5, Roger Williamls who thoughi not the author was the defender of the charter, said, that the charter
"gives libertSj of our estates      "          not a penny
to be taken by any one from  us without every man's free
debate by his deputies chosen by himself, and sent to the
General Assembly.   Liblerty of society or corporation, of
sending,'or being sent to the General AssemblDly, of choosing,
and of being chosen to all offices, and of making or repealing laws and constitutions amongst us."
The colony acted upon this claim, and asserted that as
between themselves and the British government, this charter
was to be construed as a contract or perpetual covenant, and
that as such, it was irrepealable by the King and parliament
of England without the assent of the colony; that as between
the government and people of tle colony, the charter was
their fundamental law.  The charter, said they, was on the
one hand binding on the British government, and on the
other hand, was alike binding on the government and people
of the colony.
Indeed, the charter contained a provision to the effect
that it should, as against the crown and government of England, be a sufficient warrant and discharge for all acts done
under and in accordance with. its provisions.
Yet the British government by duress attempted its abrogation with' all the New  England charters in 1686, and
appointed Sir Edmund Andros as governor of the New  England colonies, who broke the seal of the charter, and assumed




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                  25
the government of Rhode Island; but the revolution in England of 1688, put an end to the Andros government; and had
Andros been disposed to persist after that event, in oppressing
the colonies, he probably would have been sent to his God
without the intervention of judge or jury, but as it was, he
was sent home, and the colony resumed the charter; and
continued to act under it, and treated as void its vacation or
surrender as an act done under duress.
Almost from the foundation of the Rhode Island Colony,
there was a class of the colonists who did not fully accept the
faith and order of the Baptists, or the doctrines of any recognized sect of Christians. These were denominated "Seekers."
They accepted the scriptures as they were revealed to them,
but awaited further revelations through the operations of the
Holy Spirit. The arrival of the Quakers in this country
about 1656, and in subsequent years, and the inhospitable
manner in which they were received in the other colonies,
induced these people to come to Rhode Island and the "Seekers" here readily affiliated with the Quakers, who soon became a very important element in the colony. And this sect
has always formed an important part of the population of
the State, and though now they are much scattered, there
remains a few in standing amongst us, w\ho remind us of the
pastoral oaks in the summer field, they bespeak the character of those whom they represent, and are a perpetual benediction to all about them.
In Philip's war the people of Newport took but little part
beyond affording succor to the white victims of the war who
came to them for protection. They were shut out from the
united colonies, yet they constantly kept watch and ward,
fearing that they might be attacked by the Indians. Mr.
Easton's house was burned by an Indian, but it is by no
4




26                HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
means certain whether this was the result of accident or design; few of the people of Newport took part in that war.
The French war which followed the Indian war, between
1685 and 1695, was the source of considerable annoyance
to the people of Newport from depredations occasioned by
French cruisers.
In 1709 and 1710 the colony was called upon by the home
government to fit out a force to act in conjunction with forces
from the other colonies against Annapolis Royal. Newport
raised between fifty and sixty men to go on this expedition.
The colony to pay the expenses of this expedition, in an evil
hour, commenced the issue of paper money. Though the expedition of 1710 was successful, the colony lost a vessel and
incurred a large expenditure of money.
In 1730 the population of Newport was 4,640. At that
time the population of Providence, which embraced what is
now the county of Providence with the exception of Cumberland, East Providence, and that part of Pawtucket east of
the Seekonk river, was but 3,916.
In 1738 there was belonging to Newport upwards of one
hundred vessels engaged in commerce with various parts of
the world.
War was declared between France and England in the
spring of 1744. Our coast swarmed with French privateers,
to the great detriment of the commerce of Newport, and especially of its fisheries.  But privateering was a service in
which two parties could engage, and as the war was not altogether unexpected, the merchants and seamen of Newport
were not altogether unprepared for the emergency. There
were many privateers fitted out from here and during the
year 1745 more than twenty prizes, "some of them of great




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                27
value, were sent into Newpqrt," and notwithstanding
the annoyances from French privateers the commerce of the
place was exceedingly prosperous during the war.
The colony fitted out its sloopTartar with ninety men,
under Captain Fones, with three companies, to go against
Louisburg. Captain Fones, off Cape Breton, encountered a
French frigate, and by a skillful manceuvre rendered good
service to the expedition. The merchants, principally of
Newport, advanced ~8000 to hire a twenty gun ship for that
service, and the agent of the Rhode Island colony, Richard
Partridge, wrote to Mr. Ramsden, Secretary of the Lords
Justices, that "in the wars of the late Queen in the expedition against Annapolis Royal and against Canada, and in the
sea-war at that time, the New Englanders must confess that
the privateers from the colony of Rhode Island did more execution against the enemy's privateers that infested this coast,
than all the ships of the Massachusetts, or indeed, of all the
colonies of those parts put together."
In 1758 the Newport Mercury was first published by
James Franklin, the nephew of Dr. Benjamin Franklin.21. In the later French war, from 1756 to 1763, the commerce
of Newport suffered much from French privateers, Newport
having lost more than 100 vessels by capture. But during
this period Newport had nearly 50 vessels engaged in privateering.
The passage of the stamp act, and the restricted trade laws
which passed Parliament soon after the close of the war with
France, greatly irritated the people of Newport. The constant presence of British cruisers, under the command of
arrogant officers, interfering with the commerce of the port,
and forcibly impressing seamen from our mercantile marine,




28              HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
was a constant threat to the hundreds of privateersmen who
had been trained to adventures of daring and desperation
such as had no rival, if equalled, in the annals of naval warfare, could not readily submit to the constant menaces
which they were receiving from British cruisers.
The people of this colony from the beginning, as we have
seen, claimed that their charter was a compact with the British crown, a contract which even Parliament could not
break. That by this charter the colony had the exclusive
right of self government, including the sole right to tax
themselves.
The British government claimed the right to govern and
bind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. Here the parties
took issue in trial by battle, which was not finally settled
until the treaty of Paris in 1783.
The Rubicon was soon passed, the torch of Ate lighted,
and the dogs of war let slip. The news of Concord and
Lexington set the town on fire with the determination to
resist the encroachment upon the rights of the country, to
death.
It has been said that 1000 men from this town alone went
out to engage the foe upon the sea. and 1000 such men never
before went out from any one port to fight upon the deep.
Many of them had been trained under such commanders as
Dennis, Read, and other privateer commanders.21a
What was Newport in 1774? the year before the breaking out of the war. It was full of commercial enterprise.
Its maratime adventures extended everywhere not prohibited
by the Home goverment. Newport had earned and was then
better entitled than any other port in America to the glowing commendation bestowed by Edmund Burke in Parliament upon American maratime enterprise.




H:ISTORY OF NEWPORT.                29
In the year 1763 from January 1st to January 1st, 1764,
after the losses by the French war, there were 182 vessels
cleared from Newport on foreign voyages, and 352 had cleared
coastwise, and in these and in fishing vessels were employed
2200 seamen.
In the two months of June and July, 1774, there were
entered at the Custom  House in Newport 64 vessels from
foreign voyages, 132 coastwise, and 17 engaged in the whale
fishery.
The population of Newport then was 9,209 souls, but the
events of the succeeding year reduced this number by 4000.
There were at this time thirty distilleries in operation in
Newport.
Perhaps the people of Newport possessed in 1774 as much
wealth, enterprise, intelligence and refinement as any other
place in America.
There were then 300 families of Jews in Newport, represented by men of great learning, intelligence and enterprise,
but they are all gone; the dwelling houses which they
erected, their synagogue and their grave-yard are the only
memorials left to us of their existence. Let no vandal hand
of desecration ever be laid upon that synagogue or that graveyard, but let them remain, and keep them preserved forever
as venerated memorials of a frugal and useful people, who in
their day and generation contributed to the prosperity and
renown of Newport.
But let us pause to consider the acts which preceded the
Revolution: In Rhode Island there were three causes which
may be said to have induced the people to enter into the
spi'rit of the Revolution, viz: Taxation, impressment of
seamen, the jurisdiction conferred upon the admiralty courts.




30               HISTORY OF lqEWPORT.
To these may be added the refusal of the British government to pay a debt due to the colony for advances made
by the colony during the Seven Years' War with France.
The first act of open resistance to the British authority
which has come to our notice, took place at Newport on the
9th of July, 1764. On the i8th of the preceding June, rear
Admiral Lord Colville, in command of his majesty's ship,
the Squirrel, and other armed vessels then in American
waters, advised the home government that he had directed
four of the armed vessels to spread themselves in the principal harbors between Casco Bay and Cape Henlopen, in order
to raise men for the navy.
The St. John, under command of Lieutenant Hill, came
into the harbor of Newport on the 30th of the same June,
(1764). Upon the arrival of this vessel, her commanding
officer was informed that the brig Basto, from Monte
Chriso, under command of one Wingate, had landed a
cargo of sugar, at a place now called Bridgeport near Howland's Ferry in Tiverton. The St. John immediately started
for Bridgeport, seized the cargo of sugar, ninety-three hogs_
heads, and the next day seized the brig as she lay above the
ferry, and brought the vessel and cargo to Newport.
Upon the arrival of the vessels at Newport, it was ascertained that Lieutenant Hill had never been properly qualified
on his commission, and the collector of customs reseized the
cargo.  Lieutenant Hill was arrested and compelled to give
security that the vessel and cargo should not be taken out
of the jurisdiction of the colony.
On the 9th of July, while these vessels were in the harbor of Newport, including the Admiral's ship, the Squirrel, it
was alleged that three of the crew of the St. John had com



HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                 31
mitted a larceny in the town; one of the offenders was caught
on shore and arrested, and the town officers went on board
the St. John and demanded the other offenders, but they
were not given up.
The commanding officer of the St. John sent an armed
boat fully manned, on shore, ostensibly to get one Thomas
Moss, who it was alleged was a deserter; whether he was the
thief or had been put on board by the press gang, does not
appear, for the story is told by British officers,-at any rate
the people assembled on the Long WvVharf and would not
permit the man to be taken away. The St. John fired
a swivel at the crowd.  The people took Mr. Doyle, the
commanding officer of the boat into custody, and in the vzelee
wounded most of the boat's crew, and they threatened to
haul the schooner on shore and burn her. A sloop was
manned from the wharf which sailed around the St. John,
when a swivel was fired from the St. John as a signal to the
Squirrel for assistance.   The St. John  was got underweigh, and was anchored under the protection of the
guns of the Squirrel. The people from the shore went over
to Fort George, now Fort Wolcott, and took possession of
the guns of the fort. An officer from the Squirrel arrived at
the fort to remonstrate against the use of the guns, but he
was knocked down, beaten and sent away. The guns were
then trained on the offending vessel and eight shots were fired
at her.
Arthur Brown,22 a native of Newport, in his miscellaneous
writings, p. 227, says: "I myself saw one American fort fire
upon the Squirrel, a King's ship, in 1764, in the harbor of
Newport."
Captain Smith waited upon the governor and council and
demanded a proper acknowledgment. He was told by them




32                 HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
that the men had acted by authority, and that the government would answer for it when it was necessary for them to
do so.
Rear Admiral Lord Colville called upon deputy governor
Wanton, in reference to the matter, and the admiral was told
by the deputy governor that he must pursue his legal remedy.
The stamp act had been passed, and Dr. Moffit, Augustus
Johnston and lMkartin -Howard had been appointed to carry it
into effect in Newport on the 27th of August, A. D., 1765.
The people of Newport assembled on the Parade on that day,
in front of the State House, having with them a, cart and the
effigies of three stamp officers with halters about their neckls.
These effigies were carried to a gallows and were hung up to
public view until near night. The people assembled on the
following day; and broke in the doors and demolished the
furniture in the houses of Moffit and Howard. The three
stamp officers took refuge on board of a British armed vessel
in the harbor.
On the 30th of the same August, the collector, controller
and searcher of the customs, followed the example of Moffit,
HIoward and Johnston,23 and left the town, taking up their
abode on board of a British armed vessel in the harbor. In
September the General Assembly resolved that the British
Parliament had no right to lay any internal taxes on the people of this colony, and they directed the officers of the colony
to disregard such levies, and that the Assembly would indemnify the officers in so doing.
The offence of the officers of the customs at Newport,
was the seizure of a sloop by the Cygnet, with a cargo of molasses, and the proceeding to condemn her before Dr. Spoy,
in a court of admiralty at Halifax.




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                33,
On the 11th of June, 1765, the ship Maidstone, a British
armed vessel in the harbor of Newport, had seized and impressed several of the inhabitants of the colony to act as
seamen on board of that vessel. Governor Ward had repeatedly demanded the liberation of these men, but his demand was not complied with. After the men were impressed
the boat of the Maidstone happened to be on shore, when
she was taken possession of by the populace and burned.
Governor Ward addressed a very spirited letter to Captain Antrobus on the 12th of July, again demanding the
liberation of the impressed seamen.
One Champlain, who was in the habit of furnishing supplies for the Maidstone, was seized, and forcibly prevented from supplying the ship, of which conduct the commander of the ship complained to Governor Ward. The
latter replied that this conduct of the inhabitants was the result of the resentment they had conceived at the impressment and detention of sundry inhabitants of the town on
board of the Maidstone.
In June, two vessels with cargoes, the Waihscott and the
Nelly, had been seized in Providence, and had failed of being
condemned in the admiralty court of Rhode Island. This
was the pretext for sending the case of the sloop and cargo
taken by the Cygnet to Halifax for adjudication.
The officers to execute the Stamp Act declined to accept
their offices and no stamps were offered for sale in Rhode
Island. The Stamp Act was repealed, but its repeal was
accompanied with a declaration in favor of the right of Parliament to tax the colonies.
The officers of the colony addressed themselves with zeal
to the collection of their dues from the British government
5S




34              HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
for the advances made by the colony during the French war.
They had received drafts on Connecticut and Pennsylvania,
which were deficient in their quotas, for a part of their claim,
but there was a large balance yet due to the colony. The
reply came-you first pay Moffit, Howard and Johnston for
the damages done by the mob-a condition that was never
complied with. And the claims of the colony have never
been paid.  The British government honestly owes the
amount with the interest thereon, to Rhode Island now.
As soon as the Stamp Act was repealed, the government
again opened a correspondence with the home government
in reference to the claim of the colony for advances made
during the French war. The claim was earnestly pressed,
its justice was not denied, but its payment was refused.
In May, 1769, a sloop from the West Indies belonging to
Providence, was seized by the armed sloop Liberty and carried to Newport.
On the 17th of the following July, the officers of the Liberty seized and brought into Newport a brig and a sloop
belonging to Connecticut, taken in the Sound, without the
jurisdiction of the colony. This seizure was on Monday; on
Wednesday the captain of the brig went on board to obtain
some necessary articles of clothing, he was informed that his
clothing had been taken on board of the Liberty. He observed some of the crew of the Liberty stripping his vessel
and desired them to desist, but received the most abusive
language in reply. He then proposed to go on shore but
missing his sword civilly inquired for it; and was informed
that one of the men from the Liberty lay on it in the cabin.
The captain went to the cabin for the sword and was accosted with a volley of oaths and imprecations. The captain




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                  35
then took his sword, when it was seized by one of the Liberty's men who attempted to wrest it from him, but did not
succeed. The captain then got into his boat with two of his
men. When he was going on shore from his vessel, he was
fired upon with a brace of balls from the Liberty; a swivel
was then levelled at the boat but it flashed. There was a
large number of people on the wharf witnessing this extraordinary proceeding. At the time Captain Read, of the Liberty,
was on shore, and he was compelled by the inhabitants to
order his men on shore, to answer for their conduct.
A number of men from the shore went on board and cut
the cables of the Liberty, and brought the vessel to the
wharf; cut away her mast, rendering her unfit for service,
and scuttled her; afterwards she was got over to the north
end of Goat Island and burned. The boats were dragged
up the Parade, so swiftly over the pavements, that they left
a stream of fire several feet long in their rear. They were
taken through Broad street to what is now Liberty Park,
and there they were burned.
There was no evidence of any illicit conduct against the
brig. Her cargo was regularly entered at the Custom House
in Newport.
While the Liberty was being destroyed, the Connecticut
sloop, which had been seized, got underweigh and left the
harbor, and afterwards the brig obtained a regular clearance
from the Custom House and left Newport.
May 3, 1768, an affray occurred at the foot of Mary
street in Newport, between some midshipmen belonging to
the Senegal, a British man-of-war, in the harbor, and some
of the people of the town, in which Henry Sparker was run
through the body by a British officer named Thomas Curless.




36              HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
In 1769, the people of Providence assembled in great
numbers and violently seized one Jesse Saville, a tide-waiter
belonging to the Custom House, while in the exercise of his
duty, and after committing various outrages upon his person,
proceeded to tar and feather him.
In April, 1771, the collector of the port of Newport,
Charles Dudley24, while in the execution of the duties of his
office, prescribed by the British government, was assaulted
by a body of the people, who denied the validity of his official acts, and he was roughly handled. This conduct was
the subject of a letter from the Earl of Hillsborough to the
governor and company of the colony, under date of July
19th, 1771, in which the Earl complains, "That it appears
that some of the most violent of these outrages (on the officers of the customs), have been committed at Newport in
Rhode Island, particularly in April last, when the collector
of his majesty's customs at that port was, in the execution of
his duty, assaulted and grossly ill-treated, even to the danger
of his life, by a number of the inhabitants without any protection being given him."
The destruction of the Gaspee in 1772, is a subject too
familiar for discussion at this time.
December 6th, 1774, more than forty cannon, with a large
amount of powder and shot, were seized and taken from Fort
George, now Fort Wolcott, and conveyed to a place of safety.
Wallace, the commander of the British force in the harbor
of Newport, waited upon Governor Wanton25 and demanded
an explanation of this act. Governor Wanton told him that
" It was done to prevent him from seizing the guns, and that
they would be used against any enemy of the colony,"




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                  37
Andrews, the British historian of the Revolution, says,
"Newport, the capital of Rhode Island, was the place where
these proceedings first commenced. Forty pieces of cannon,
mounted in the batteries that protected the harbor, were carried off by the inhabitants. The captain of a man-of-war,
having waited upon the governor, who in that Province is
chosen by the Assembly, to inquire into the cause of such a
proceeding, was explicitly told, that the people had seized
them that they might not be used against themselves by the
British forces; and that they intended to employ them in
their own defence, against any one that should attack them.
"After taking this measure the Assembly met, and agreed
that arms and warlike stores should be purchased with the
public money. Resolutions were passed for training the inhabitants, and every man was expected to prepare himself
for a vigorous defence of the rights and liberties of his country. The colony of New Hampshire had hitherto acted with
great moderation during these disturbances; but on receiving intelligence of the proclamation forbidding the export of
arms to the colonies and of the proceedings in consequence
of it at Rhode Island, they resolved to imitate them."
The people of New Hampshire seized the cannon at Portsmouth, with the munitions of war, and stored the powder
under the pulpit of the Congregational Church.
May 4th, 1776, the General Assembly of Rhode Island,
in session in the State House in Newport, repealed the act
securing the allegiance of the people to the British crown,
and ordered that the use of the King's name be discontinued in
all papers and proceedings in the colony. Thus just two
months before the 4th of July, 1776, the people of Rhode
Island threw off their allegiance to the British crown and
set up an independent State.




38                HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
The Newport Mercury, then published by Solomon Southwick,26 and contributed to by such men as Ezra Stiles27 and
Samuel Hopkins,28 did much to arouse the people to the duties
of that time. The history of Newport can never be faithfully written without assigning to these men a prominent
place among its benefactors.
After the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia,
and on the receipt of that declaration in Newport on the
18th of July, 1776, the General Assembly met and ratified
the declaration, and pledged themselves to support it with
their lives and fortunes. The declaration was then read to
the people by Major John Handy from the Court House
steps, and fifty years later it was again read by the same individual to the people, from the same place.
The General Assembly then declared the style of government of the State to be the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations, and enacted a law to punish all
persons who should in any way acknowledge in this colony
the sovereignty of Great Britain.
The people of Newport had often met together, and had
often resolved that they would die or be free. The news of
the fighting at Lexington and Concord came to ready minds
and willing hands. The guns fired that lay echoed and reechoed over the land, vibrated and re-vibrated, and the
sound never died away, until it was hushed in the Treaty of
Paris.
The legislature was at once convened, and an army of observation, consisting of fifteen hundred men, was raised.
Wanton, then governor, would not commission the officers,
but Henry Ward, Secretary of State, was ordered to sign the
commissions and did so, no doubt, cheerfully. In the fol



HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                39
lowing October, a second regiment, of seven hundred and fifty
men, was ordered to be raised, and then Wanton was removed from office.
Captain James Wallace, in command of the British sloop
of war Rose, commanded the harbor of Newport for the first
two years of the war, and inflicted great distress upon its inhabitants; and on the 6th of December, 1776, the British
army under General Clinton took possession of the town,
and retained it until November, 1779.
The battle of Rhode Island was fought in August, 1778.
In July of that year, the French fleet under Count de
Estaing, consisting of eleven sail of the line, and a large
number of transports, arrived at Newport, but this fleet retired before the battle on the Island.
Just two years later, July 10th, 1780, Admiral Count de
Rochambeau arrived with,another fleet, consisting of fortyfour sail, and six thousand troops.
Captain Wallace retained command of Newport harbor
up to April 14th, 1776, when his force was so annoyed by
the continental troops under Colonel Richmond, that he went
to sea. He encountered Admiral Itopkins off Block Island,
and then returned to Newport, but. was again driven off.
Four days later the Cabot, one of Hopkins' fleet, arrived in
Newport with ten pieces of heavy cannon, a part of the armament which had been captured at New-Providence. During
the skirmishing with Wallace, two row galleys from the town
took a brig and a sloop, which were prizes to the British
ship Scarborough. In December, 1777, a large British fleet
of transports entered the harbor of Newport with the view
of taking on board the army of General Burgoyne, and about




40               EISTORY OF NEWPORT.
the 1st of January, 1778, the Bristol and several other British war vessels arrived, which created alarm and apprehension at Providence and throughout the State.
The Providence Gazette of January 10th, 1778, contains
an appeal which exhibited the condition of affairs then prevailing in Newport.  It reads thus, viz: "The charitable
and well-disposed persons in this and neighboring States are
requested to extend their donations to the poor and distressed people who were lately inhabitants of the Island of Rhode
Island, men and women bowed down with old age and infirmities, helpless children, persons with large families, having
lately been driven from their once peaceful habitations and
turned into the wide world, destitute of every nmeans to support themselves, by the cruel and rapacious Britons and
their mercenaries, who have stripped them of the small pittance they were once possessed of, and have left them to
depend entirely upon the charity of the good people. Their
distresses loudly call upon the humanity of those whose circumstances will admit to relieve the necessities of those who
are almost ready to perish."
From  this time until the town was evacuated by the
British, contributions were received from States, towns, parishes, religious societies, companies and individuals.
In the fall of 1777, General Spencer in command of
Rhode Island, proposed to make an effort to take Newport
from  the enemy. The British colmmiander received intelligence of the intentions of General Spencer, and made
preparations to resist the proposed attack. He raised the
stream which enters Easton's Pond, by the construction
of dams, threw up a line of breastworks from Miantonomi
Hill across to the pond, and sent some sixty of the inhabi



HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                41
tants of the town on board the prison ship Lord Sandwich29;
there was also a number of the inhabitants imprisoned in the
Newport jail.
General Clinton relinquished command of the British
force on the Island in January, 1777, to Earl Percy. Earl
Percy retained-the command until the 5th of the following
May, when General Prescott took the comiaand, who was
afterwards captured by Barton and his associates at the
"Overing place."
In 1778, General Sullivan was ordered to collect a force
to attack the British on Rhode Island.
General Prescott, having been exchanged, arrived in
Newport, with the Thirty-eighth Regiment, two regiments
~" of Anspatch", Colonel Fanning's new corps and a detachment of artillery.
The French force under the Count de Estaing, arrived
on the eleventh day of July. Two of the French ships entered the west passage and came around the north end of
Conanicut. The others came in and anchored in the outer
harbor. The enemy blew up the Kingfisher, 16 guns, and
two galleys in the East River upon the approach of the two
French ships. The Lark, 32, the Orpheus, 32, the Juno, 32,
and the Cerebus, 28, were run on shore and burnt. The
Grand Turk, a transport of eleven hundred tons burthen,
was set on fire at her moorings off the Point; when her cables were burnt off, she drifted up against Dennis's wharf,
where her hull was sunk. Fifteen transports were sunk between what is now Fort Adams and the Gull Rocks. The
Flora, 32, with the Falcon sloop of war, 18, and about thirty
unarmed vessels of various sizes were sunk in the inner harbor, The Flora was finally raised and put afloat by the
6




42               HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
Americans, after the evacuation of the town by the British.
Sir Robert Pigot superseded General Prescott in the command of the British army before the battle of Rhode Island.
The French naval force would not co-operate with the.
army, and the battle of Rhode Island of August 28th and
29th, 1778, was lost to the Americans.  In the following
November, there were twelve ships of the line and two frigates in the harbor of Newport. On the 22nd of December,
1778, occurred the snow-stormi known as "the Hessian snowstorm," in which considerable numbers of the British force
were frozen to death. The British left the town, October
25th, 1779.
The Quaker field was their forage-yard. Their wood
yard was on the north side of Church street, and General
Prescott's head-quarters was the Bannister house on the
corner of Spring and Pelham streets. In summer the British soldiers were quartered in tents, and in winter in the
houses in town. It is said that four hundred and eighty
buildings of various kinds were destroyed in Newport during
the war.
The freemen convened in town-meeting at the Friends'
meeting-house on the 3rd of November, 1779, for purpose of
re-organizing the town government. Town-meetings were
afterwards held in this meeting-house, and then in the Jewish synagogue.
The winter of 1779-80 was the most severe on record.
The people of Newport were then destitute of almost all of
the necessaries of life. They took down George Rome's
house and store, and broke up Joseph Wanton, Jr.'s ship,
and distributed them as fuel among the poor. The story of




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                 43
"the hard winter" of 1780 is too distressing and too familiar
to be dwelt upon.
The public buildings of the town including State house,
jail and churches, had all been left in an untenantable condition with the exception of Trinity church, and the pastor
of that church went off with the British army. The Rev.
Gardner Thurston, a Baptist minister, was permitted to occupy this church for some years after the war.
The British carried off the records of the town, and these
were sunk in Hell Gate, and were so injured that the greater part was rendered worthless for any practical purpose.
On the morning of March 6th, 1781, General Washington
crossed Conanicut and landed on the Long Wharf in Newport, to confer with the French officers then here, and to
induce them to co-operate in an expedition against the enemy in Virginia.
After the evacuation of Newport by the British, the people of the town continued to fit out a few privateers. The
Rochambeau, 12, under the command of the celebrated Oliver
Read, was fitted out, and took several prizes.
At the close of the war, John Goodrich, who had been
an ardent Loyalist during the war, applied to Newport for
permission to settle here with his family, and proposed
to bring with him twenty vessels to engage in commerce,
but considering the active part Goodrich had taken in the
war, the people of the town by a large majority voted that
he should not settle in the town.
During the Revolution, there were in the Provincial
armies 231,959 men. Of these were furnished from New
England 118,350, more than half of the entire force; Newport alone, it has been said, furnished 1000 men to the naval




44               HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
service of the colonies. Rhode Island furnished to the Continental army 11,692 men out of a population of 50,000. I
have been told that at one time Rhode Island had more
soldiers in the Revolutionary army than all of the States
south of Mason and Dixon's line, and during the latter part
of the old French war and after the close of that war, Rhode
Island was called upon and did, at a very great sacrifice,
actually furnish a very considerable force for the defence of
the northern frontier of the colony of New York. Upon
these services with others, the States of New England, under
the Constitution, assert their rights in the American Union.
In Newport, as elsewhere, there were Loyalists. Some of
them took an active part in favor of the crown; these left
the colony. Conspicuous among them were the Romes,
Brentons, Halliburtons, Wantons and others. There was
another class whose sympathies were with the crown, and
who, without being open, active enemies, declined to give
their adherence to the Revolutionary cause. When General
Heath took command of the Continental forces on the Island,
the town called upon all persons to subscribe to a test oath,
and those who refused to subscribe, had their names taken, and
the same constituted what was known as the "Black List,"
and was Ianded to General Heath, as being the names of
suspected persons who were to be dealt with in an emergency.
That list remains yet among the records of Newport, and
may be consulted by any one who has the curiosity to examine it.
At the close of the Revolutionary war Newport presented
a sad spectacle. Hundreds of buildings had been destroyed,
the vessels and wharves had gone to decay together. The
Loyalists had gone into exile, and many of their estates had
been confiscated. Non-combatants, who early in the war had




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                   45
left their homes, had become domiciled elsewhere, the business capital of the place had been exhausted, the war
had forced business into other channels and its men of affairs
had followed their trade to other localities. The forests and
groves of native trees had been cut down, the farm fences
had been wasted, farm  stock had been consumed, and
farm tools had been worn out; schools broken up, churches
scattered, houses deserted, buildings out of repair and ruin
was stamped on everything which eight years before was
alive with prosperity and full of every promise that success
in its full tide would crown the efforts of an industrious, intelligent and enterprising people. Upon the return of peace
Newport had neither the men nor the means to restore or
replace the ravages which war had made.
At about the time of peace Dr. Ezra Stiles returned to
to visit the  remnant which was left of his devoted
church.  He had accepted the Presidency of Yale college, and was in th3 enjoyment of great; popularity in New
Haven. In his diary is an entry which states a fact, and
conveys an eloquent expression of his devotion to the home
from which he had been exiled. "I judge," says he, "that
about 300 dwelling houses have been destroyed in Newport.
The town is in ruins, but, with Nehemiah, I could prefer the
very dust of Zion to the gardens of Persia, and the broken
walls of Jerusalem to the palaces of Shushan."
Brissot, the Girondist, while he was in exile from France
in 1788, visited Newport. He was not a friendly critic, but
draws a picture of what he saw, which we may study with
profit. After speaking of Newport before the war, he adds:
"Since the peace everything is changed, the reign of solitude
is only interrupted by groups of idle men standing with




46                 HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
folded arms at the corner of the streets, houses falling to
ruin, miserable shops which present nothing but a few coarse
stuffs, or baskets of apples, and other articles of little value;
grass growing in the public square in front of the court of
justice, rags stuffed in the windows.           *    *
Everything announces misery." The unkind Frenchman,
after denouncing paper money and its consequences, adds:
"But in the midst of these disorders you hear nothing of
robberies, of murders, or of mendacity, for the poor do not
degrade themselves so as to abjure ideas of equity and shame.
*    *    *    The Rhode Islander does not beg and he
does not steal."
Newport was then an asylum for famine; the war had
destroyed it, and taken from its population the means of rebuilding it.  They had liberty, but nothing else.  The
times were unpropitious. The Revolution was followed
soon by the quasi war with France, and the war between
England and France, involving the orders in council, the decrees of Berlin and Milan. Then came the embargo of 1808,
which was followed by the war of 1812. These events
visited disaster upon the efforts made to revive the trade of
the place, drove commerce from the port, and labor from the
workshops, so that for fifty years after the Revolution there
was scarcely a new house built in the town.
At the close of the Revolution, America was grateful to
France for the aid it had given her in its contest with
England for national existence. The natural attractions of
Newport, and of the island of Rhode Island, had fascinated
the Frenchmen, and France, as an evidence of American
gratitude, coveted the cession of this island, on the plea that
it would afford a suitable naval station for France, and that




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                47
it would be impossible for the United States to defend the
island against Great Britain, but fortunately for us, and fortunately for the American union, the advances of France in
this negotiation were resisted, and this island to-day remains
the garden of the Republic.
The experiences of mankind demonstrate that a circulating medium without any intrinsic value and depending alone
for its conversion or redemption upon the public faith, that
when it becomes highly inconvenient for the public to redeem its pledge, the result is disastrous to both public
and private credit.
The first issue of paper money in Rhode Island was for
the purpose of enabling the colony in 1710, to fit out an expedition against Annapolis Royal.
Paper money was finally made a legal tender, by an act
of the General Assembly. The subject was one of active
party contests, and finally visited upon the colony discredit
and pecuniary embarrassment. The merchants and people of
Newport, with the exception of a few ambitious politicians,
were constant in their opposition to the paper money party.
The paper money party opposed the adoption of the federal
constitution, which the people of Newport ardently promoted
At the September term of the Supreme Court, 1786, held
in Newport, occurred one of the most remarkable trials in
the judicial history of the State. It was the case of Trevett
vs. Weeden.  Weeden kept a market and Trevett had purchased of him butcher's meat, and had offered to pay for it
in paper money. Weeden declined to accept the tender, and
Trevett filed his information against Weeden to recover the
statutory penalty for his refusal. Weeden defended the suit
on the ground of the unconstitutionality of the statute. The




48               HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
trial was exciting, party spirit ran high, the judges had been
elected by a paper money legislature, and at the next spring
election they were to be dependent upon the same body for a
re-election, yet the court kept its integrity and declared
the law to be unconstitutional.  The General Assembly
brought the court before it to give reasons for its decision.
The mlembers of the court told the Assembly that they were
responsible for their judgments only to God and their own
consciences.
In  May, 1784, Newport was incorporated under a city
form  of government.  In  1787 the city had assumed
the defense of a suit of Nicholas Easton vs. Giles Sanford, for taking gravel from Easton's beach. Easton procured the signatures of 105 persons to a petition to repeal the city charter, as a retaliatory measure for interferillg in his laws~-suit, and though there were 400 remonstrants
against granting the prayer of the petition, Easton and his
party prevailed, for the majority of the people of Newport
were hostile to the paper money of that time, and were not
in favor with the party in power. March 1st of this year Peter
Edes started the Newport Herald, based upon opposition to
paper money.
In 1708, April 17th, the board of trade wrote to the Governor of the colony in reference to the African slave trade,
informing  him of "the absolute necessity that a trade so ben-.
eficial to the kingdom should be carried on to the greatest
advantage."  At that time the population of Newport was
2,203, and the entire population of the colony was 7,181.
The trade of Newport then was with Jamaica, Nevis,
Barbadoes, St. Christopher's, Mt. Sarratt and Bermuda, and
the Salt Islaads, South and North Carolina, Virginia and
Maryland, and the other colonies, Mladeira, Fayal, Surinalm,
and Curacoa.




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                49
After having been stimulated by the home government,
though but few slaves were brought into this colony, there
were persons in Newport who were engaged to a considerable
extent in the slave trade; but while this is true, it is equally
true that Newport had some of the earliest and most effective
enemies of this traffic and of human slavery, who if not the
originators, were the warm and earnest friends of African
colonization.
Newport has almost always sustained a good classical
school. Frazer's school was thorough in its instruction, and
Rogers' school was known the country over.  The object of
a school is to direct and train the mind of the young for
future usefulness, and if the success of a school is to be judged
by the success of the pupils who attend it, the old Rogers
school should be classed among the first institutions of its
kind then in the country. The new Rogers school now so
full of promise of future usefulness, if it rivals or equals the
fame of the school where the Channings, the Perrys, the
Allstons, Pickingses and Calhouns were trained, it will
amply repay the bounty of its benevolent founder, and will
lay the foundation for a new era in the history of the city.
Our system of education is supplemented by the Redwood
and the People's libraries. Of the former institution its history has been often written; of the latter I can only say its
benevolent founder and benefactor is yet among us, and the
time has:not come to write its history.
Newport was subject to conflicting influences at the time
of the breaking out of the war of 1812. It had had a terrible experience of the effects of war during the Revolution.
The orders in council, and the decrees of Berlin and Milan
had affected its commerce adversely. The impressment of
its seamen into a British service, and an attempt to hold
7




50                HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
them even in its own port,30 had incensed the old privateersmen, and stirred the blood of younger seamen, and aroused
the resentment of all right minded men. The embargo of
Mr. Jefferson was a restraint upon their trade, inflicted by
their own countrymen, that seemed to effectually check their
efforts to regain something of their former prosperity. Then
there was a considerable class of men full of enterprise, accustomed to the dangers of the sea-men who had known and
been instructed by a race of seamen whose actual adventures
surpassed all the tales of fiction, who were anxious to go out
under the stars and stripes in defence of "free trade and sailor's rights," and to contest the right of the Red Cross of
England, unchallenged, to rule the seas.
In the exigencies of that war it became apparent that
the force on the northern frontier was to be strengthened.
The British fleet on Lake Erie was officered and manned by
seamen who fought under Nelson at Trafalgar; and a force
was to be selected which was to finish vessels begun, and construct other vessels to meet in deadly conflict the most chivalrous veterans of the British navy. In command of the
flotilla in Newport harbor, was one who was of a daring line;
he had been trained in our schools, and was in command of
those he had known and who had known him from childhood. This force was ordered to Lake Erie. There they
cut down the forest, threw it upon the lake, and manning it,
went out upon that great inland sea to meet the conquerors
of the armada of France, and the result of the battle of
the 10th of September, 1813, was recorded in those memorable words now familiar and to be immortal, "We have met
the enemy and they are ours."
Yonder granite shaft marks the grave, but history has
embalmed for immortality the memory of Perry and his




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                51
Newport comrades, and the valor which conquered on Lake
Erie.
After the treaty of peace of 1815, Newport had become
so exhausted, that little effort was made to regain anything of its former prosperity until subsequent to 1830,
when an attempt was made to revive the whaling business,
and to engage in manufucturing enterprises, and the natural
attractions of the place began to be better known and more
highly appreciated as a summer resort.
In the attempt to subvert the charter government by
force in 1842, Newport was strongly on the side of the government, and perhaps it is not too much to say, that had not
Newport thrown her influence so strongly in favor of the
government, the result of that contest in the State, upon
which the success of popular government everywhere might
have been pivoted, possibly, would have been in doubt.
In the late Southern rebellion, Newport, true to her history, was earnest and prompt and faithful and continual in her support of the government, but on an occasion like
this, it is hardly proper that I should attempt to open the
smouldering embers, or to remove the ashes from the wasting
fire. The facts, however, exist, and the history and honor
of the city is preserved.
During the last century, wonderful strides have been
made in the advancement of mechanical science and industrial art.  Watt and Fulton, Stephenson, Morse and Arkwright, have all lived and died within that period, but their
wonderful inventions survive to ameliorate the conditions of
human life and to contribute to the civilization and happiness
of the human race.
The grandest scene in the centennial exhibition now
open in Philadelphia; the most exalted personal achieve



52              HiSTOiLY OF NEWPORT.
ment, was on that opening day, of a Rhode Island mechanic
standing with his engines, the work of his own genius, which
were to furnish the power to operate the vast machinery
there to be put in motion, while a president and emperor
with hands upon the wheels awaited the direction of Mr.
Corliss to start those mighty forces which were to move as
with life into action, the complicated mechanism before him,
and to put upon exhibition the condition of mechanical art
in all the States of christendom. That scene was worthy
of being represented on canvass, to be placed upon the walls
of every workshop and hung up in every school room in the
land.
Every old house in Newport, everygrave-yard, indeed
every field, almost every foot of ground, is associated with
some man or event worthy of being consecrated in history.
By yonder shore the devout Mary Dyer oft n bowed in worship, and there moved by an inner consciousness to duty,
resolved to face opposition and proclaim the gospel of peace
in Boston to friends from whom she had been exiled. She
went and was persecuted there, and again and again returned to her home here to receive another message from the
teachings of the spirit to go to the Puritan commonwealth
and there receive a martyr's crown. Here, too, are the
graves of Clarke, Coddington, Sanford, Coggeshall, Bull,
Brenton, Easton, and their compatriots who preferred liberty
in exile among savages, to the intolerance and oppressions of
their former associates. There is where the Baptists of Newport claim to have established the oldest church of their faith
in America. There, too, is old Trinity, where Berkeley
used to preach, near by where he wrote his "Alcephron"
and his "Course of Empire." And yonder is the Old Stone
Mill, the enigma to antiquarians. Here, too, was once the
home of DeCourcy,31 Sir Charles Wager,32 and Arthur




HIISTORY OF NEWPORT.              53
Brown, Dr. Waterhouse,33 Sir Brenton Halliburton, Admiral
Sir Jahleel Brenton, and his brother, Edward Pelham Brenton, the philanthropists and the historians of the British
navy. Here, too, lived that rude, daring character, known
in history as James Murray, otherwise Lillibridge,34 who
towards the close of the last century acted so conspicuous
a part in the events which transpired in Hindoostan.
Here, too, in the house, now the Children's Home, was
born William Ellery Channing,35 whose philosophy in religion
was the refrain of the harsh theology of the Puritans, and
which was to react upon the teachings of the Puritans until
there is danger that the seed which they sowed to the wind
may yet be gathered in the whirlwinds We, too, have the
Redwood Library, the headquarters of Washington, Rochambeau, Lafayette and Prescott, the house of Perry and the
place where the Decatur36 family lived; but the mind wearies
of these details.
Washington wrote of the excellence of our climate;
Volney, the infidel Frenchman, admired its salubrity; Chastelleaux in his enthusiasm desired to be buried in our soil,
that the roar of our ocean might perpetually sing a requiem
over his grave. Count de Segar and Lausanne and St. John,
were enchanted with the revolutionary society of Newport,
as was Blanchard and DuxPonts; and our lovely Island Home
dearer, a thousand times dearer to those of us who stand
here among ancestral graves than to others, annually receives
a tribute to its attractions from thousands of the opulent and
refined made up of those from every Christian land.
Channing thanked God that this beautiful island was the
place of his birth. I thank God that the ancestors of my
children stood by the cradle of the Rhode Island colony,
assisted in nurturing it into a hardy manhood, and that this
ancient municipality holds their ashes entombed in its bosom.




54               HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
To-day our nation begins a new era in its history, with
ampler means at its control to surpass in the future all of the
achievements of the past, for we have vast fields of our
counti'y yet unsubdued and uncultivated. The commerce of
the world is open to our enterprises, and we are at full liberty to gather the harvest from our industry in every land;
free education is within the reach of all, and there is a pulpit
in every neighborhood from which all are instructed in their
duties to man and to God.
True, there are immoralities and corruptions practiced
over the land. But so it has been since our first parents parted
in sorrow from the Eden of their rest; virtue has since then
been warring with vice, and men have been gathering and
consuming that for which they have not toiled. But in no age
of the world has the popular conscience been quicker to detect or resent crime or wrong than in that age in which a
benevolent Providence has cast our fortunes.
One hundred years of our national existence is completed
to-day. Three millions of people have been increased to
forty-five millions; thirteen colonies have become thirty-eight
sovereign and independent States. At the beginning of the
century the colonies, in poverty and distress, were engaged
in a war for existence. They were contending with the
most powerful empire on earth. Now we are at peace and in
the enjoyment of a larger measure of liberty, of prosperity,
and happiness than is vouchsafed to any other people on
earth. The ballot is the moter which keeps in operation the
whole machinery of our government; the intelligence, integrity, industry and enterprise of our population is the bulwark which the Republic has reared in defence of its institutions of government. Our nation's flag is respected on
every sea, and our country is the hope of the oppressed of
every land. True, slavery revolted against the government




HISTORY OF NEWPORT.                 55
and struck the country, but the blow recoiled and slavery
was killed. Now let us heal the wound that war has made,
stretch out our arms to bridge the chasm, and strike hands
with our repentant, offending brothers; bind them anew
in the bonds of union, and engage them in the divine mission of perpetuating our republic, and of realizing the grand
idea of the Declaration of Independence, that all men are
free and equal; we with them will enlighten the ignorant,
encourage the weak, elevate the down trodden, stimulate the
enterprise of all, and embark our country upon the new century in its high and holy mission of raising man everywhere
to a higher and better condition, nearer, and yet nearer
fitted for the Paradise of celestial rest.
The prosperity and growth of every place depends upon
the industry, energy, enterplrise, intelligence, economy and
integrity of the people who inhabit it.  What Newport
needs in entering upon another century is men-men inspired by a genius that will evoke and utilize all of the
forces of our population to develop the best results to themselves and to the city of which these forces are capable.
We should never be unmindful that there is a useful field of
employment open to every man and woman in the land; no
person of a sound body and a sound mind has the moral right
to live like the sloth, and without exertion, to live only
to eat, drink, sleep and die. If all of the resources of our
people could be called out and economized in promoting the
growth of the city, the city would not only surpass all of
its ancient achievements, but would outstrip in its growth
and advancement all of its contemporaries.
Our shores are accessible to the commerce of every land,
every industrial art is within our grasp, capital is the saving
of labor, and labor is open to all, so that capital is within the




56               HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
reach of all. The unemployed and wasted forces, including
the wastes incident to useless and vicious habits, and of overstocked trades, if skillfully directed and economically employed, would in a few years build a city.
A word in reference to the day we celebrate. This is the
nation's Sabbath —the day in our calendar consecrated by
the grandest declaration of human rights recorded in the history of the human race. Half a century from the day when
this declaration was promulgated, Adams and Jefferson, its
firamers and defenders, died. Six years later, James Monroe,
who had held the highest office in the gift of the people, died
on the anniversary of the nation's birthday. In the late civil
war the rebel hosts were turned back from Gettysburg, and
the rebel fortress at Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th of
July, and then the fortunes of the rebellion began to ebb,
and by these deeds this day was again consecrated to observance. Were these coincidences in time of the happening of
events the results of chance? Is there not something in
them to stimulate in us the inquiry whether they were
not designed by a superintending Providence to induce us to
perform our duty, and arouse in us a sense of responsibility
to our country?
All that we have of protection of persons and property
we hold from the State. The State can demand for its defence to the last penny of our fortunes, and then take our
persons to fight its battles. I have said enough to-day to recall to your minds the sufferings, the trials, and the sacrifices
which have been made for the blessings which we enjoy. I
would to God that I had the power to infuse into the mind
of every freeman in the land a true sense of, the responsibil
ity upon us all to preserve for ourselves and posterity in
their utmost purity, the institutions of government which
have come down to us.




g\1ah iicI l A








SIR  CHARLES  WAGER.
Toward the close of the sixteenth and in the beginning of
the seventeenth century, Newport had become a place of
considerable commercial importance. It was at this time
that ship captains, who sailed out of Newport, were among
the more important personages in the colony, and used to
wear cocked hats, "kneed-breeches," and ruffled shirts. At
that period, Capt. John Hull was conspicuous among these
captains. He had taken on board his ship an apprentice boy
by the name of Charles Wager. This boy remained with
Captain Hull until he became Hull's chief mate. The good
captain was a Quaker, and a good story is told of Hull and
his protege which illustrates the trials to which Friends have
at some times been subjected, and how unexpected a change
took place in the fortunes of young Wager. Hull's ship
had left England, and with a leading breeze was pressing for
her American home, when one of those French corsairs, not
unfrequently encountered at that time, half privateer and half
pirate, bore up across Hull's track and backed topsails to
await the approach of the Quaker craft. The latter was
full manned, as well as was his would-be adversary. The
situation was at once taken in by all on board. But what
was to be done? The good captain had to stand by the testimonies of his faith. Young Wager answered this question.
He told the captain that he had better go below. The captain took this advice and left the mate in command. The
mate spread every inch of canvass he could open to the
breeze, and directed the good ship, as he supposed, for the
broadside of his adversary. But the captain, though he had




60              SIR CHARLES WAGER.
retired from the command and had withdrawn from duty,
continued to see what was passing, and was heard by the
mate to say: "Charles, if thee is determined to run that vessel down, thee had better luff a little." Charles took his
captain's advice, and in a moment more Captain Hull's
staunch ship crushed in the side of the corsair. Then came
one of those terrible hand to hand sea fights that distinguished that time. The contest was for the possession of
Hull's ship, for the other was disabled, and the contest was
for life and death. Men were cut to pieces or were thrown
into the sea, or were otherwise dispatched as quickly as possible. Of this struggle the good Quaker was an active observer. He noticed that a rope loosely hanging overboard
was suddenly drawn taut; his quick eye divined the cause.
He caught his hatchet, and in an instant was in the waist of'
his ship by the rail. A stalwart foe was using the rope to
board the Quaker vessel; a well aimed blow of the hatchet
parted the line, and the Quaker captain calmly remarked,
"friend, if thee wants that line thee can have it."  The mate
saved the ship; she went on her voyage, and the story of
the gallant conduct of the mate eventually reached the British Admiralty, into whose service he was taken. This gallant officer finally became Sir Charles Wager, first lord of the
British Admiralty. Upon a bill promoted by him in the
British parliament in 1740, to promote the efficiency of the
British navy, Mr. Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham, made
one of his most effective speeches.
The name of Wager, preserved in some of our Narragansett and Conanicut families descended from Capt. John Hull,
is derived from the apprentice of their ancestor.
In my childhood I attended school, kept in a house in
which a descendant of Captain John Hull resided; an elderly
gentleman and his wife made up the family; they were poor
then, but had seen better days. The engraved likeness of
Sir Charles Wager, highly prized and well cared for by its
possessor, hung upon the wall above the fireplace, and though
more than forty-five years have elapsed since I saw it, I re



SIR CHARLES WAGER.                61
member how it looked, and the interest with which old Mr.
Robert Hull told the story of the life of the apprentice to
his ancestor.
Sir Charles Wager was born October 26, 1666. June
7th, 1692, was appointed captain of the Razee, fire ship, and
from her he was soon removed to the Samuel and Henry, 44.
In 1696 he had command of the Woolwich, a 54, employed
in the channel fleet. Soon after the accession of Queen
Ann, he took command of the Hampton-Court, of 70 guns.
and was with Lake at the taking of Majorca. Upon his return from the Mediterranean, he was dispatched in 1707 with
a squadron of nine ships of the line to the West Indies, having under his convoy a valuable fleet of merchantmen. Here
he received information that the French Admiral Du Casse
had put to sea for the purpose of protecting some Spanish
galleons. On the 28th of May, 1708, he descried the enemy's fleet, comprised of 17 sail, galleons and ships of war,
standing towards Carthagena; he took the largest two of the
enemy's ships. He shortly afterwards, by a vessel from England, received a commission as rear admiral of the blue, and
on the 2d of December, 1708, was made rear admiral of the
white. He remained in the West Indies until 1709, where
his fleet succeeded in capturing many prizes. On his return
to England he was made rear admiral of the red, and on the
8th of December, of that year, he received the order of
Knighthood. After the accession of George I, he was appointed commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, and at
about the same time comptroller in the navy, and on the
16th of June, 1716, he was made vice admiral of the blue,
and on the first of the ensuing February, was made vice admiral of the white, and on the 15th of March, vice admiral
of the red, and in 1718 was appointed lord of the admiralty,
when he resigned the comptrollership of the navy. He performed many active services at sea, and in June, 1731, was
made admiral of the blue, when he took command of a large
armament, and was charged with the duty of executing the
treaty of Venice. Having performed this duty he returned
to England.




62              SIR CHARLES WAGER.
June 21st, 1733, Sir Charles Wager was made first lord
of the admiralty; in the January following he was made admiral of the white, and on the 19th of March, 1741, resigned
his place at the admiralty board. He was then appointed
treasurer of the navy, which place he held up to the time of
his death, May 24th, 1743. He was buried in Westminster
Abbey, where a splendid monument was erected to his
memory.
Tristam Hull was an inhabitant, and liable to bear arms
in the town of Yarmouth, in Plymouth colony, in 1643, and
purchased from the Indians a tract of land for the town of
Barnstable, July 19th, 1644. Hull was a master mariner.
In 1657, an old man in Boston by the name of Nicholas Upsall, who was a member of the Boston church, had disapproved of the treatment of the then recently arrived Quakers; indeed, Upsall was counted a Quaker, for on the 14th
of the previous October, he had been found guilty of this
heresy, and had been sentenced to a fine of ~20 and to banishment. Captain Hull being in Boston, took Upsall with
him to Sandwich. Plymouth colony not being any more
reconciled to the Quaker than Massachusetts, sentenced
Upsall "to be carried out of the government by Tristram
Hull, who had brought him."
Tristram Hull had two sons —Joseph, born in June, 1652,
John, born in March, 1664. These sons were both Quakers,
and both came to and settled in Rhode Island. Joseph settled in Kingstown. He had a son Tristram who married
Elizabeth Dyer, a grand-daughter of Mary Dyer, who was
executed in Boston. John Hull married Alice Teddeman in
1684, and settled at Newport in 1687, out of which port he
sailed for many years, and finally, he purchased and went to
live upon a farm in the north part of Jamestown, where he
died.
After Captain Hull retired to his farm, a British fleet,
probably upon its return from a West India expedition, visited the harbor of Newport. Captain Hull, upon this occasion, called at the coffee house to pay his respects to his




SIR CH.RLES WAGER.                63
former protege. He inet a lieutenant, and in the vocabulary
of the captain's sect, he- sked the lieutenant, "where is
Charles?"  This manner of B-.eech the junior officer regarded
as an insult to his admiral. The admiral being at once apprised of the affair, stepped o dt and rebuked his subordinate
by saying to him, "Captain Huhl;s my honoredmaster."
Several letters recognizing thil relations which existed
between Sir Charles Wager and C(aptain Hull, are yet
extant.
Admiral Goodson, said to have been the grandfather of
Sir Charles Wager, was an officer of the British navy in the
time of the commonwealth, but for having expressed some
opinion in favor of the restoration of the Stuarts to the
throne, was retired firom office. At the restoration of Charles
II, he was overlooked, and he finally came to America. His
descendants intermarried with some of the first families in
Newport. There is a tradition that he was buried in the
Hull burying ground at the north end of Conanicut.
Admiral Goodson commanded the rear admiral's squadron of eleven ships, in the great naval battle with the
Dutch, fought on the 2d and 8d of June, 1653, in which the
Dutch were defeated, and which virtually ended that war.
The next year, 1654, Admiral Goodson commanded the
fleet under Penn, at the conquest of Jamaica. When they
returned to England, Penn was thrown into the Tower of
London, and Goodson was rewarded by the Council of State
with a large gratuity. On the death of Cromwell in 1659,
Admiral Goodson and his son-in-law, the father of Sir Charles
Wager, "dreading a renewal of civil bloodshed," implored
Monk to listen to terms of accommodation with the committee of safety, composed of army officers. This accommodation resulted in the restoration of the Stuarts, and the
retirement of Goodson. Wager, his son-in-law, remained in
the navy, and died in 1665. Goodson was superseded, it is
said, on account of "conformity."
The Wagers were connected with, or allied to, the family
of Sir Thomas Teddeman, into which family captain John




64              SIR CHARLES WAGER.
Hull married. It would be interesting to know if Charles
Wager, the orphan grandson o' Admiral Goodson, was
brought to Newport by Admiral  Goodson, or through the influence of the Teddemans h-: was put an apprentice to
Captain Hull, in England. Oine account says that Wager
came to Newport when an'fant, and another account says
that he came when a -outh. It is quite certain that the
character of this remarkable man was moulded and formed
in Newport.
In 1775, a party from the British fleet, under command of
Captain Wallace, went to Conanicut, killed one John Martin, and burned several dwelling houses, among which was
the dwelling of WVager Hull, which contained most of the
"old papers" belonging to the Hull famil~y. Had these
papers been preserved, no doubt but that they would have
reflected light upon the lives of Admiral Goodson and Sir
Charles Wager.




JAMES LILLIBRIDGE.
This extraordinary person is said to have been born in
Exeter, Rhode Island, about the year 1765, but no mention of his birth appears upon the records of Exeter, or of
his mother having resided in that town. They resided in
Newport before 1774. He was the natural child of a Miss
Mowrey. He was known by the name of his reputed father
James Lillibridge.
He lived on the Long Wharf in Newport, with his mother
and sisters, in the house now known as "the Bohanna
house." It is said that his mother and sisters were disreputable persons, and that in consequence of a family quarrel, he
left home and went to sea. Lillibridge changed his surname to that of Murray, and was afterwards known as James
Murray. He was bound as an apprenticeto some mechanical
trade before going to sea. After following the seas for a
time he arrived at Tranquebar, on the coast of Coromandel,
about 1790, and sometime in that year, having heard that certain Frenchmen, who had entered the service of the Indian
princes, had arisen rapidly in rank and fortune, he determined to hazard the evasion of the vigilance of the British
officers, and to take service under some one of the Mahratta
chiefs. He reached the province and entered the service of
Holkar, one of the most formidable of these chiefs. Instead
of uniting against the common enemy, these petty sovereigns
for a half century had been engaged in an intestine warfare.
In the hazardous enterprises of these inglorious wars, Murray "became conspicuous for his invincible courage and undaunted presence of mind, as well as for his personal prow9




66               JAMES LILLIBRIDGE.
ess."  He remained in the Mahratta service for fifteen years,
during which he was actively engaged in every species of
peril and hardship known to that terrible warfare, froim Cape
Cormorin to the borders of Persia.
An act of humanity finally brought him to the notice of
the British governmentin India, and alienated him from the
prince whom he had so faithfully served. A number of
British officers had been taken prisoners, by him, to -Holkar, and by Holkar had been ordered to be instantly
put to the sword.  At the imminent risk of his own
life, Murray  interposed  to save the  lives  of these
officers. This act relaxed his hold upon Holkar, anddisgusted Murray with the service of his barbarous master; so
Murray contrived to get possession of a considerable district
of country which he subjected to his own government. So
desperate was his fortune at one time, that his whole force
was reduced to eight badly armed lnen, but from this depression he finally succeeded in firmly establishing himself in his
new sovereignty. When the war broke out between the
British government and Scindia, in which Holkar embraced
the cause of the latter, Murray surrendered his sovereignty
and proclaimed the supremacy of the British government in
his principality, and at the head of seven thousand native
cavalry he entered the service of the British government under
Lord Lake. It is said that the British general received him
with the greatest respect, and that the fullest confidence was
reposed in him. He retained the independent command
which he brought to the British service, and was actively employed in the most daring and dangerous enterprises of that
terrible war.
At the siege of Bhuntpore, where the British army lost
nearly ten thousand men in four successive attempts to storm
the place, Murray was in continual action, and earned the
title of being "the best partisan officer in India." At this
time Holkar was in command of an immense body of Indian
cavalry on the flank of the English army, and Murray had
the opportunity of meeting his old chieftain where they could




JAMES LILLIBRIDGE.                 67
settle their old quarrel, an opportunity of which it is but fair
to suppose was fully availed of by the partisan warrior.
Murray'had acquired a large fortune, and at the conclusion of the war his rank was reduced and he was retired
from the army on half pay. Upon this tbeing done he determined to return to his native country and "live a life of
luxury and tranquility."
The officers of the army to whose country he had rendered such distinguished services while the war was going
on, treated him with the greatest consideration, but upon the
restoration of peace they treated him with comparative indifference; this, no doubt, assisted him to form his resolution
to return to his own country. He remitted his funds to Calcutta, and shortly aftel repaired thither, determined to take
passage from thence to the United States. This was in 1806.
He was then yet in the prime of life, and might well hope for
distinction in his own country.
A few days before the time fixed for his embarkation he
gave a splendid entertainment to his acquaintances in Calcutta. After dinner, when elated with wine, he undertook
the entertainment of his guests by riding his Arabian charger,
which had carried him in the war, over the dining table. The
horse's foot became entangled in the carpet, and threw his
rider. Murray received internal injuries, which  induced
mortification, and he died in a few days. He was said to
have been the best horseman in India, and unrivalled in the
use of the broad sword. He is described as having been in
ordinary life, a mild and amiable man, but when aroused into
anger he became ferocious and ungovernable. He was of
middling height, pleasing expression of countenance, and
had great bodily strength and agility. He is said to have
been attacked upon one occasion by seven Mlahratta horsemen, of whom he killed three, and then effected his escape
from  the other four. "Many were his wild and romantic
adve ltures, and hair breadth escapes, but their history is but
imperfectly known, for he was modest and not given to boasting of his own exploits. Though he had been from his home




68                JAMES LILLIBRIDGE.
since his boyhood, he retained a wonderful attachment for
his native country, and he sometimes loaned considerable
sums of money to persons upon no other assurance than that
they were Americans." After his death a portion of his fortune, some $20,000 it is said, was transmitted to his mother
and sisters at Newport, upon the receipt of which they
changed their residence, and became candidates for respectability, but they afterwards returned to Newport.
Such is a brief outline of a man who, without the advantages of an education, went out into the world in search of
adventures and to seek his fortune. He fought nabobs,
rajahs, natives of the country, and British soldiers on the
opposite side of the globe. The history of India for twenty
years is the record of his achievements and of his wonderful
daring. Henot only fought Scindia, but the forces of the
nabobs of Arcot, of Oudre and Surat, and under the direction of Major General Arthur Wellesly, afterwards Duke of
Wellington, and Lord Lake, he took Indore and Malwa, and
with equal valor he fought on the plains, in the mountain
passes, and among the jungles of Hindoostan, either under
the cross of St. George, or in defence of the claims of some
native master. The most marked tribute of his power in the
field is the inference to be drawn from an article in the treaty
finally entered into between the governor general of India
and Scindia, that the latter should never thereafter take an
American into his service or permit one to enter his dominions




I tl








APPENDIX.
(a.) The first settlers of Newport found the present site of the city a thickly
wooded swamp. It is said that tall forest trees were then growing from the bottom to the susmmit of the hill. That these were first cut away, until they came
down to low, marshy ground, made impenetrable by a dense underbrush. Nicholas Easton, W5Villian  Brenton, and Thomas Hazard are said to have contracted
with three Indians to clear up the underbrush for a coat; the large brass buttons on which were taken off, strung together, and were then used as a necklace
or ornamlent by one of the Indians. The Indians fired the underbrush, and that
cleared the low land on the margin of the harbor. Much sand and gravel, it is
said, was filled in upon the low ground. Mr. lJaffrey, William Dyer, and John
Clarke were the committee of the proprietors to lay out the town lots. Thames
street was first laid out one mile in length. The first lots were laid coff on the
north side of what is now Washington Square. To the lots on the east side of
Thames street was assigned the space opposite on the west between the street
and the water. The first landing place was at a point of land then projecting
into the water north of the present site of the Long Wharf. At the time of the
first settling of Newport, Brenton's Neck and Goat:Island are said to have been
covered with large forest trees.
The persons who signed the original compact for settling Newport, were William Coddington, Nicholas Easton, John Coggeshall, William Brenton, John
Clarke, Jeremiah Clarke, Thomas Hazard and William Dyer.
The following persons were admi.tted inhabitants soon after, probably in
1639, viz:
Samuel Hutchinson, Richard Awards, Edward Wilcox, John Briggs, William
Writhington, Samuel Gorton, John Wickes, Ralph Earle, William Cowlie, Jeffrey Champlin, Richard Sarle, Thomas Spicer, Robert Potter, Nathaniel Potter,
William Needham, Sampson Shatton, Adaim Mott, John Mott, Robert Jeffreys,
Thomas Hill, James Tarr, John Roome, Robert Gilham, Mathew Sutherland,
William Baker, Anthony Paine, William  Richardson, Thomas Clarke, John
Johnson, William Hall, George Gardiner, George Parker, Erasmus Bullock,
George Cleet, Nicholas Browne, Richard Borden, Richard Maxon, John Sloff,
Thomas Beeder, John Tripp, Osmond Doutch, John Marshall, Robert Stanton,
Joseph Clarke, Robert Carr, George Layton John Arnold, William Havens,
Thomas Layton, Edward Poole, Nicholas Davis, John Moore, George Potter,
William Quick.




iv.                           APPENDIX.
ANN HUTCHINSON.
(1.) Ann Hutchinson removed to East Chester, in the colony of New York,
where after much opposition from the Indians she succeeded in building a frame
house. But she had not dwelt there long when the Indians had a quarrel with
some Dutch people that dwelt near her, but the dint of the rage of the Indians
fell upon this gentlewoman whom they slew, with all of her family, to the number of sixteen, (embracing one or ulore of the children of John Sanford, of Portsmouth,) and left but one little girl, a relative of the family, whonl the Indians
carried into captivity. Sh.e was afterwards redeemed and married a man by the
name of Cole, in North Kingstown, where she lived to a considerable age. See
Niles' French and Indian Wars, p. 201. Savage Gen. Dic. v. 4, Tit. John Sanford.
WILLIAM HUTCHINSON.
(2.) William Hutchinson died in Portsmouth in 1642, aged 56 years. He was the
husband of the celebrated Ann Hutchinson. Edward Hutchinson and Edward
Hutchinson, Jr., returned to Massachusetts and the latter was killed at Brookfield, in Philip's war, in 1675. Edward was the ancestor of the celebrated tory
Governor Hutchinson. Governor Hutchinson and lieutenant Governor Oliver
married two daughters of Williamll Sanford of Newport. The Hutchinson farm in
Jamestown, with the farm owned by the late Andrevw Robeson in Tiverton, and
other Hutchinson lands, were confiscated.
jWILLIAM ASPINWALL.
(3.) William Aspinwall, after going to New Haven, returnedto Mlassachusetts
and was there a clerk of the court. He died in Boston. He was one of the earliest members of the Boston church and one of its deacons.
WILLIAM3 DYER.
(4.) William Dyer, one of the first settlers, was the husband of Mary Dyer,
who was hung on Boston Comlmon. l-e was the leader of the anti-Coddington
party, and went to England at his own expense to aid in procuring the revocation
of Coddington's commission as judge for life, and returned the bearer of a letter
from the council of State, revoking the commission. He was Attorney General of
the Colony in 1650, and was the first person who filled that office. He had assigned to him a tract of land adjoining the harbor between Coddington's Point
and Easton's Point. He died in Newport and left descendants.
JOHN SA N-FORD.
(5.) John Sanford was a imember of the Boston church in 1631, was admitted a
freeman April 3d, 1632, and the same year was appointed Cannoneer at the
port. He had a son John who was baptized June 24th, 1632; Samullel, June 22d,
1634. In December, 1637, he was disarmled as a supporter of Wheelwright and came
to and was one of the founders of th e Colony at Rhode Island. He resided at Portsmouth and was successively Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant and President of the
Colony. He had two sons, John and Samuel, and several daughters. One or
more of his children were with Mrs. Hutchinson, and were taken by the Indians
when they killed her. His son John married April 17th, 1663, Mary, the daughter of Samuel Gorton, and widow of Peter Greene. They had a daughter Eliphal
Feb. 20, 1666; John, June 18th, 1670, and Samuel, Oct. 5th, 1677. By a previous marriage with Elizabeth Spatchurst he had three daughters. Samuel, son of the first
John, came to Portsmouth and married Sarah Waddell in October, 1662. They
also had a son John.
SAMIUEL WILBOUR.
(6.) Samuel Wilbour married the daughter of John Porter, and afterwards
went to Little Compton and died there. He was the ancestor of the Wilbour family in that town.




APPENDIX.                               v.
THOMAS SAVAGE.
(7.) Thomas Savage, the son-in-law of Ann Hutchinson, returned to Boston,
as did William Baulston. (10.)
RICHARD CARDER.
(8.) Richard Carder removed to Warwick, but fled from there to Newport
for protection from the Indians during Philip's war. He died in Newport in 1676,
but his family returned to Warwick.
JOHN PO()TER AND RICHARD HOLDEN.
(9.) John Por-ter and Randall Holden (18) also removed to Warwick and died
there.
WILLIAM FREEBORN.
(11.) William Freeborn, one of the first settlers, died at Portsmouth, June 3d,
1670, aged eighty years. He was the founder of "the Freeborn family" on the
island of Rhode Island.
HENRY BULL.
(12.) Henry Bull was one of the first settlers of Newport. He was a native of
Wales, and was the first sergeant of the colony. He was one of the assistants,
a deputy from Newport, and Governor of the colony. He built the stone house
which is yet standing on the east side of Spring street, and owned a considerable
tract of land in that neighborhood, some of which remains in the hands of his
lineal descendants. He was the last survivor of the original colonists and died
Feb. 22d, 1694, at the age of 84 years. He was buried in the Coddington buryingground.
JOHN WALKER.
(13.) John Walker was admitted a freeman of Massachusetts, May 14th, 1634.
He had been a mIlleber of the church at Roxbury, but, says Savage, lie removed
to Boston to find a wider sympathy for his heresy, where he was disarmed with
the major part of his feilow-worshippers, in Ncvember, 16:37  and soon after he
removed to Rhode Island. If e joined the Newport colony, March 12th, 1640, and
his name last appears on the roll of freemen for Newport, Mlarch 16th, 1641.
William Brenton, -Nicholas Easton and Richard Carder were not among the
first comers at Portsmouth, but the two former, with J eremliah Clarke and Thomas
Hazard, signed the compact to settle Newport.
JOHN CLARKE.
(14.) John Clarke is said to have been a native of Beclfordshire, England. He
was a physician and practiced in London before he camle to America. He settled
in Boston and there practiced his profession, protested against the censure of
Wheelwright, was disarmed, and came to Rh ode Island, and was one of the founders there. Dr. Clarke was a man of learning, and after he came to Newport conducted public worship before Mr. Lenthallcamle, but after tle arrival of Lenthall
he (Lenthall) officiated as preacher at Newport while he remained here. Dr. C. was
the first educated physician who practiced in Rhode Island. In 1643 or 44 he, with
others, formed a church upon the faith. and order of the Baptists, in which he
preached, and at the same time he practiced as a physician. He continued to be
pastor of the church until he was sent to England as the agent of 65 persons from
Newport, and 41 persons from Portsmouth, to procure the revocation of Coddington's commission. He became the agent of the colony, and remained abroad
twelve years. Upon his petition the charter of 1663 was granted. As much of the
petition of Dr. Clarke is incorporated'into the charter, it may be inferred that
he prepared that document which will always stand a monument to his liberality, ability and address. While abroad in the service of the colony, he was under




vi.                           APPENDIX.
the necessity of laboring there for his own support, and expended much of his
private fortune in promoting the interest of the colony. He was reduced to the
necessity of mortgaging his house and lot in Newport to Richard Dean of London, for ~140 sterling. In September, 1666, the colony assumed the payment
of this mortgage, and probably paid it about 1672, the intervening time being
employed in endeavoring to raise the money with which to discharge the mortgage. The town of Warwick behaved with great illiberality in this matter. Dr.
Clarke returned to Newport in 1664, and was immediately elected a deputy from
Newport. In 1669 he was elected Deputy Governor. He was appointed to go to
England again in 1671, in reference to the boundary between Rhode Island and
Connecticut. He died in 1676 in Newport, aged 66 years, and was buried in his
own lot on the west side of Tanner street. By his will he left his estate consisting of "the Charity farmls" in Middletown, for the support of the poor, and for
bringing up children to learning. He was thrice married, but died without
issue.
JOHN COGGESHALL.
(15.) John Coggeshall was often elected to the General Court of-Massachusetts, from which he was expelled. He was one of the first settlers of Newport.
He had assigned to him a large tract of land bordering on the sea, east of what
is now known as Almy's Pond. He was a man of good abilities. He died in
1647 at the age of 56, and was buried in "the Coggeshall burying ground," on the
west side of Coggeshall Avenue. He left numerous descendants.
PHILIP SHERMAN.
(16.) Philip Sherman remained at Portsmouth, where he died in 1676. He was
recorder of the colony, and his descendants remaining in Rhode Island are more
numerous than of any other of "the first comers."
WILLIAM CODDINGTON.
(17.) William Coddington was appointed one of the assistants in the Massachusetts colony before he emigrated to this country. He came from Lincolnshire.
He was a fellow passenger fromn England with Governor John Winthrop, on
board of the Arabella. They arrived at Salem, June 12th, 1630. He was several
times chosen an assistant in Massachusetts, but was left out of the magistracy
upon the defeat of Governor Vane in 1637. But the freemen of Boston chose him
and Vane the next day to be deputies to their General Court. Coddington expressed his displeasure in losing his office by sitting with the deacons at public
worship, instead of with the magistrates, and on a fast day he went to Mount
Wollaston to hear Mr. Wheelwright. In opposition to Gov. Winthrop he defended Mrs. Hutchinson in her trial, and opposed the proceedings of the court
against Wheelwright. His exertions were unavailing, and he relinquished a
prosperous business as a mlerchant in Boston, and his large property and improvements in Braintree, and removed to Rhode island, April 26th, 1638. He went
to England in 1651, and procured a commission as Governor for life. He died in
Newport in 1678, aged 78 years. His grandson was Governor of the Rhode Island
colony in 1738. Governor Coddington's estate in Newport was bounded by Thames,
Marlborough, Farewell and North Baptist streets. His house stood where the
house of Samuel Sterne now stands, on the north side of -Marlborough street, opposite Duke street.
NICHOLAS EASTON.
(19.) Nicholas Easton was by trade a tanner. He came from Wales, and arrived in New England May 14th 1634 and went to Ipswich. Was in Newbury in 1635
with his wife and son John. In 1636 he was the architect of a house built by the
i colony at Newbury called the Bound House. In 1637, Nov. 20th, he was disarmed.
-March 12th, 1637-8, he had obtained license to remove his family from Massachu-:setts, and the General Court having received information that he only intended




APPENDIX.                             vii.
to withdraw for a season, the court ordered that he might depart with his
family before the next court, and if he did not, to appear at that court and
abide the further order of the court therein. June 8th, 1638, the General Court
ordered that the magistrates of Ipswich shall have power to discharge Mr.
Easton from building at Winnacunnet, and if he did not take warning to clear
the place of him  He came to Newport with his two sons, John and Peter. He
built the first frame house there, on a lot of land adjoining the northwest corner of the Friends' Meeting House lot on Farewell street.'WILLIAMI BRENTON.
(20.) William Brenton came to AmIerica as a surveyor, bearing the commission of Charles I. to survey the crown lands in. Amlerica under a contract that he
was to have a share of the lands surveyed. He settled in Boston in 1634. As a iiimember of the General Court he opposed the censuring of Wheelwright and Hutchinson. Mr. Brenton was one of the early settlers of Newport. He had a town lot
assigned to him extending back from the harbor to Spring street, bounded north
on Mary street, and extending south to what is now Cotton's Court,with the entire
neck including the. site of Fort Adamls and the Rocky Farm. He owned 10,000
acres of land in New Hampshire, in what is now [Litchfield. He built a house 150
feet square in Brenton's neck, where the H. T. Battey house now stands. He
owned, also, an estate in Taunton. He died between the 20th of August and 13th
of November, 1674. He was Governor of the colony and held other important
offices. At his decease he left three sons-Jahleel, William and Ebenezer, and
several daughters.
Jahleel manned a schooner when le was but t-wenty-one years of age, and
went to the rescue of the inhabitants of Providence at the time the town was
burned by the Indians in 1676. He was afterwards collector of the customs at
Bbston, but eventually returned to Newport where he died without issue in 1732,
aged 77 years, and was buried at what is now Fort Adams. Jahleel Brenton
divised his estates in Newport to his nephew, Jalhleel. Williaml Brenton removed to Bristol, where he died, and was buried in his farm at Paupausquash.
He left two sons, Jahleel and Benjamin. Benjamin Brenton died at the age of
93 and was buried on his farm in South Kingstown. Admiral Sir Jahleel Brenton
and Capt. Edward Pelham of the British Navy, and Sir Brenton Halliburton, all
natives of Newport, were the descendants of Jahleel Brenton. The Brenton
house on the east side of Thames street was built about 1720,




viii.                            APPENDIX.
DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
(21.) Dr. Benjamin Franklin had three brothers who resided in Newport, John,
James, with whom the Doctor learned the printer's trade, and Peter.
James Franklin was bonl in Boston in 1699, and died in Newport in 1734,. aged
36 years. in 1719 he published the Boston Gazette. In 1.721 he established the New
England Cooura'lt. The earliest essays of Dr. Benjamin Franklin were published
in the Couranct. The religiols articles of the Doctor were regarded as being of a
skeptical character, and James, the publisher, was arrested and imprisoned for
their publication. James afterwards came to Newport, and it is said started the
first newrspaper published in Rhode Island in 1727. It is certain that he published
a newspaper here in 1732, ill which year hlie beeame printer -to the colony and ulldertook to print 20 copies of the public acts of that year for ~20. There are books
extant that were published by him, some that were published by his widow, and
some by his son James, who established the -Yewport lIeercnury in 1758.
We gather the following from Dr. Franklin's correspondence in reference to
the members of his family who resided at Newport:
In. 1724 Dr. Franklin on a return from his first visit to Boston, after he had removed to Philadelphia, says: "The sloop putting in at Newport, Rhode Island, I
visited my brother John who had been married and settled there some years.
He received me very affectionately for le always loved me."
Ten years later (1734) Dr. Franklin having become easy in his circumstances
made a journey to Boston to visit his relatives. In returning he called at Newport to see his brother James, then settled here with his printing house. Their
former differences wtere forgotten and their mleeting  was cordial and affectionate. James was then fast declining in his health, and requested his brother in
the event of his (James') death, which he apprehended not far distant, to tale.
home his (James), son, James Franklin, then but ten years of age, and bring him
up to the printing business. With this request the Dr. complied, but first sent the
boy to school for a few years. The boy's mother carried on the business until the
boy was grown up, when the Dr. gave him an assortment of type, and thereby
made amends to the boy's father for leaving his employment before the Doctor
had served out his apprenticeship.
Peter Franklin, the last surviving brother of Dr. Franklin, died July 1st, 1766,
in the 74thi year of his age. He had formerly resided at Newport, but at the time
of his death he was deputy postmaster of Philadelphia.
January 9th, 1760, Dr. Franklin in a letter to his sister, Mrs. Mecome, says,
that of the 17 children born to their father. and mother, 13 lived to grow up, and
that but three then survived. Peter was then one of the survivors.
In a letter to Mrs. Governor Greene, dated August 1st, 1763, Dr. Franklin says
that "my brother has returned to Rhode Island." Of course this reference is to
Peter, who had not then gone to Philadelphia.
In a letter to his sister Mecome,Dr. Franklin writes: "Jemmy Franklin, when
with me, was always dissatisfied and grumbling." This latter was probably
written between 1743 and 1749.
Dr. Franklin was probably the debtor of his brother John as late as 1752, for
May 1st of that year he writes his sister Mecome, enclosing her six pistoles, and
tells her to hand to John the amount if she received the sum on a draft he had
previously sent her, and to have John credit the amount in the D)octor's account.




APPENDIX.                               ix
(21 a.) The following is the list of privateer commanders:-George W. Babcock,
Oliver Read, John Grimes, Benjamin Pearce, Joseph L. Gardner, WTilliam D)eninis, James Godfrey, Thomas Stacy, Christopher Bently, Samuel Jeffers, Joseph
Jaques, Thomas Foster, Joseph Crandall, Ezekiel Burroughs, Isaac Freeborn,
Peter Gazee, William Ladd, John Murphy, John Coggeshall, William  Finch,
Thomas Dring, Samuel Walker, James Phillips, Remembrome Simmons, Joseph
Sheffield.
ARTHUR BROWN.
(22.) Arthur Brown was the son of the Rev. Marmaduke Brown, rector of
Trinity Church in Newport. The Rev. Marmaduke Brown was the rector of that
church from sometime in the year 1760 until his decease in 1761. In 179-5 his son,
Arthur Brown, caused to be erected a mural nmonument in Trinity church to the
memory of his father and mother, upon which is the following inscription
in reference to himself, viz: "This monument was erected by their son,
Arthur Brown, Esq., now senior fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland,
and Representative in Parliament for the same.  In token of his gratitude and affection to the best and tenderest of parents, and his respect and love
for a congregation among whom2 and for a place where he spent his earliest and
hap2piest days." In the year 1798 Dr. Brown slated to Captain David MI. Coggeshall, in Dublin, that "he was born in Newport in a house neaer the Redwood
Library," probably "the old parsonage," now owned by Mh'. WillianL Fludder.
Brown remained here until he was seventeen years of age. Writing in 1798, Dr.
Brown says: "The face of the country was beautiful beyond description; it was
composed of woods of no very great magnitude, perhaps of half a mile or a mile
in diameter, interspersed with most charming lawns. The effect which is produced in a few demesnes of our nobility by so much arl, was there universally
wrought by nature, with the little aid of man in clearing its too great exhuberatces.  *    *    *    Rhode Island throughout answered this character,
but alas, I am told the former war did not leave a single timber tree."
Newport, in Rhode Island, used to send out annually 400 sail of shipping,
small and large.  *  *   *  Every one knows what immense channels of
commerce have opened since, and how soon America launched forth even to
China and Nootka Sound."
"The climate of Rhode Island, often called the garden and Mlontpelier of
America, induced such numbers of wealthy persons from the southward to reside
there in summer, that it was ludicrously called the Carolina hospital."
In reference to an important question which is now disturbing antiquarians
as to when the revolution commenced, he says: "The discontents of America are
usually dated from the stamp act in 1765, but they really originated in 1763,
immediately after the peace, from the interdiction of their trade with the Spanish main. It was the only trade which brought specie into the country, and
hence no money was seen except paper, saving half johannas, dollars, pistereens;
a guinea or English crown was seldom seern. The depression of the value of paper
money was greater in Rhode Island than anywhere else, a paper dollar bearing
the nominal value of eight pounds. I myself saw one American fort fire upon
the Squirrel, a king's ship, in 1764, in the harbor of Newport."
Speaking of the schools in New England he says. "Of their schools, self-love
naturally inclines the author to give a favorable account, he having never received
any school education elsewhere, yet their teachers were often from Europe, and it
was his own fate to be instructed by a German and a Scotchman."
He says of the Redwood Library: "The library at Rhode Island, though built
of wood, was a structure of uncommon beauty; I remember it with admiration,
and I could once appeal to the known taste of an old school fellow, Stuart, the
2




X.                             APPENDIX.
painter, who had the same feeling towards it. It was sacked of its books by the
British army, as was the college of Princeton in the Jerseys. A college military corps existed at Cambridge before I left it."
Arthur Brown, in Dublin, soon arose to great eminence. He became Senior
Fellow and Senior Proctor of Trinity College, a Doctor of Civil Law, and King's
Professor of Greek. For a time he held the Vicar Generalship of Kildar, and
practiced in the courts as an eminent barrister."
"For many years no person in the univesity enjoyed greater popularity. They
gave him their best and most honorable gifts. They appointed him their representative in the National Legislature, and for years the Irish House of Conmmons listened with surprise and admiration to his bold and powerful language."
Dr. Brown was the author of "A Compendious View of Ecclesiastical Law."
"Lectures as professor of Civil Law in the University of Dublin." "Brown's
View of the Civil Law and Law of Admiralty." "Hussen O'Die," a poem translated from the Persian language, and two volumnes of miscellaneous writings.
He died in Dublin in the summer of 1805.
AUGUS'TUS JOHNSTON.
(23.) Augustus Johnston's house was in Division street; Dr. Thomas Moffatt's
in Broad street, and Martin Howard's in Spring street.
CHARLES DUDLEY.
(24.) Charles Dudley, the King's Collector of Customs at Newport, who fled to
the British ship Rose, as a refuge from the wrath of the populace, came over
from England in 1765. He married a daughter of Robert Cook, of Newport. Mr.
l)udley went to England with his family, where he died soon after. His family
afterwards returned to America. His son, the late Mr. Charles Dudley, settled in.'Albany where he became a distinguished and wealthy citizen, and where his
name is perpetuated by "The Dudley Observatory."
Mr. Charles Dudley, senior, when lie was collector in Newport, occupied the
house in MIiddletown, built by Matthew Cozzens, merchant of Newport, who died
in Charleston, S. C., December 1780.
A letter written by Mr. I)udley, and now in the British State Paper Office,
says: "The attack upon the Gaspee was not the effect of sudden passion and
resentment, but of cool deliberation and forethought. It had long been determined that slhe should be destroyed."
In October, 1776, John Smith was appointed by the General Assembly to sell
all of the effects of George Rome and Charles Dudley in possession of the State,
excepting the screws and bars and the effects in Nathan Miller's hands, and the
articles excepted were to be sold by Josias Lyndon.
JOSEPH waNTON.
(25.) Joseph Wanton was the son of William Wanton, who died in 1733, Governor of the colony. Governor William  Wanton in early life commanded a privateer out of Newport. Joseph held many important offices under the colony,
but it is said that he had the misfortune to inherit from his father a quarrel with
the Ward family, which induced him to promote the interest of Stephen Hopkins
against Samuel Ward, and when Ward and Hopkins became united in support of
the colonies, it is not impossible that W7anton, who had been an outspoken advocate of the rights Of the colonies, was turned to the support of the crown by his
hostility to the Wards. In 1775 he was removed from office by the General Assembly. He married a daughter of Governor Winthrop of Connecticut. Two of the
sons of Governor Joseph Wanton, Joseph and William, were wealthy merchants
of Newport. The former left with the British and died in New York. William,




APPENDIX.                              xl.
after the peace, was appointed collector of St. Johns, New Brunswick, and resided there. The sons had large estates, which were confiscated. Governor Joseph Wanton died in A.D. 1780, aged 75 years, and was buried in the Clifton
burying ground.
SOLOMON SOUTHWICK.
(26.) Solomon Southwick was born in Newport about 1731. He was the son of
a fisherman. His intelligent appearance attracted the attention of Henry Col
lins, the eminent merchant and philanthropist, who sent Southwick to school,
and was the means of giving him a good education. After completing his studies,
Southwick taught a school in Newport for several years. He then engaged in
mercantile affairs in which he' was unsuccessful. About 1764 he purchased
from the heirs of James Franklin, the Newport Mercury, and the printing establishment then connected with that paper. The paper was outspoken in favor of
the rights of the colonies. He was among the early book publishers of New
England, and had an extensive establishment for that time employed in that
business, and there are many books yet extant which bear his imprint. At the
breaking out of the war he was engaged in a very prosperous business which he
was forced to abandon with the most of his property. He then removed to
Providence, and was in the service of the State at the head of its commissariat.
He returned to Newport after the peace, and was postmaster there for a
time, under the confederation, and afterwards, for three or four years was a partner in the Mercury establishment. He died in Newport, December 23d, 1797, aged
66 years. He left four sons and one danghter. His eldest son, Solomon Southwick,
removed to Albany, where he was editor of the Albany Register, a leading Democratic paper in the State of New York. He died in Albany in 1839.
REV. EZRA STILES, D.D.
(27.) Upon the death of the Rev. Mr. Searing, the Rev. Samuel Fairweather
was made pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Newport in 1754, but in
consequence of an occurrence at a dinner at Godfrey Malbone's, he left the church
in 1755, and soon after left the denomination. The Rev. Ezra Stiles was the successor of Mr. Fairweather, and was settled pastor of that church in 1755. He
was, perhaps, the Iost learned man of his time in America, and was one of the
firmest advocates of the rights of the colonies in their struggle with Great
Britain for national existence and independence. HIe, with a considerable portion of his congregation, was driven away from Newport upon the breaking out
of the war.
In 1777 he was made President of Yale College, but was not formerly dismissed
from his pastoral office in Newport until 1786. He died May 12th, 1795, in the 68th
year of his age. His diary, now in the custody of Yale College, is said to contain much interesting matter pertaining to the history of Newport. He had a
daughter who married Abiel Holmes, the author of "Holmes' Annals," and she
was the mother of Oliver Wendell Holmes.
REV. SAMUEL HOPKINS, D. D.
(28.) Dr. Hopkins preached his first sermon to the First Congregational Church
inNewport, July 23d, 1769. After preachilg to the congregation for a time, a satirical pamphlet written, by the Rev. William Hart, on Dr. Hopkins and his religious dogmas, was circulated among the congregation, and induced a considerable
opposition to, and delayed the Doctor's installation in the pastoral office of this
society to April 11th, 1770. He died in Newport, December 20th, 1803, in the 83d
year of his age. He was pastor of the Newport church for more than thirty-three
years. Dr. Hopkins wrote an autobiography of himself, which was published
after his decease, with notes, by the Rev. Stephen West. Reminiscences of his
life by the Rev. Dr. William Patten; a memoir of his life and character by the




xii,                        APPENDIX.
Rev. John Ferguson, with a memoir of his life and character by the Rev.
Edward A. Park, have all been published and are accessable to those who
desire to investigate the character and teachings of this great man. Doctor
Hopkins wrote and published many books, and was the means of many books
being published by oth ers. He was, perhaps, the earliest American who publicly
denounced the African slave trade, and who favored the entire abolition of
slavery, and was among the first to denounce the use of intoxicating liquors as a
beverage, and to favor the prohibition of the liquor traffie. He was an ardent
whig before and during the revolution, and though he disliked "the slavery
clauses," he favored the adoption of the Federal constitution. Though he was
an unpopular preacher, and wrote upon unpopular subjects, few men made a
deeper impression upon the public mind than did this eminent divine. His dialogue upon the subject of slavery, his biography of Jonathan Edwards, his lives of
Susanna Anthony and Hannah Osborne, though not among his most important
works, were much read and highly appreciated upon their publication both in
this country and in Great Britain; and his dialogue upon the subject of slavery
was one of the first and one of the most able and influential papers ever published upon that subject. Withal, he was an humble, self-denying andcfaithful
Christian.
Under the first charter, May 18th, 1C52, Rhode Island passed an act against the
importation of negroes into the colony. In 1675-6, a law was passed to prohibit
Indian,ondallge, andC in 1715 an act was passed  to proni bit the importation cf Indlian slaves. Yet, aflier-wards, Rhode Island became deeply involved in
the slave trade, and Newport was the centre of this traffic. When in 1770 Dr.
Hopkins plreached f rnom his pulpit in i ewport his first serm'on against the slave
traffic. Whittier says: "It well niay oe doubted whether on that Sabbath day the
angels of (lod, in their wide survey of the universe, looked upon a nobler spectacle than that of the minister of:Newport, rising up before his slaveholding congregation and demanding in the name of the Ilighest tile deliverance of the captive and the opening of prison doors to those that were bound!" The colony of
Rnode Island in June, 1774, passed a law prohibiting the bringing of slaves into
the colony, and in 1784 the Legislature enacted that all children born after March
1st, 1785, should be free. Of the passage of these acts IDr. Hopkins was an ardent
advocate. Dr. Hopkins, after the revolution, was very poor, and sometimes was
scantily provided even with the necessaries of life, yet, upon his receiving nine
hundred dollars for the copyright of his "System of Divinity," it is said by one
writer that lihe gave one hundred dollars, and by another that he gave one half of
the amount to an anti-slavery society in Rhode Island, and notwithstanding his
great poverty he actually purchased upon his own credit the freedom of one pious
African. with the view of educating him as a missionary and sending him  to
Africa, for Dr. Hopkins hoped to destroy the slave trade by evangelizing and
educating the natives of Africa in their own country.
TME LORD SANDWvICH.
(29.) List of persons imprisoned by the British on board the Lord Sandwich,
viz: Capt. Ebenezer Vose, Job Easton, Thomas Richaldscn, iiNathaniel Grafton
John Haven, Robert Taylor, Joseph Allen, Samuel Yates, Ezain Pope, Ebeneze
Carr, Mr. Devens, Mir. Rider, Joseph Gurdon, John Townsend Joshua Rathbone,
S. Billings, Charles Cahoone, John Arnold, John Harrod, John Hubbard, Edward
Simmons, Wiiliam Carter, Paul Coffin, Capt. Church, Edward Church, Benjamin
Church. Jr., Major Failrchilds, Jonathan Yates, Isaac Dayton, William Dillingham, Samuel Carr, John Bradley, John Gardner, Sherman Clarke, Gideon
Wanton, Joseph Bissel, John Cahoone, Higgins Landers, John Lawton, Harry
Oman, Thomas Peckham, Richard Thomas, John Bull, Charles Vigneron, Henry
Irish, Thomas Howland, Daniel Fullows, Hanson Hull, Nathan Luther, William
Langley, John G]eLene,  Daniel Slllith, Edward Murphy, Benjamin Marshall,
Samuel Vinson. Jdseph Tillinghast, Jonathan Hull, Elisha Lawton, Lee Langley,
Peter Langley,. illiam Downer.




APPENDIX.                             xiii.
IMPRESSED SEAMEN.
(30) In 1794, during the May session of the Assembly, His BritannicMaj esty's ship,
the Nautilus, arrived in Newport, having on board six American seamen, some
of whom, it was alleged, had been impressed into this service. The commanding
officer of this vessel was on shore, and was summoned before the General Assembly. The subject was referred to the Judges of the Superior Court, and to the
Judge of the U. S. District Court, before whom, in the presence of Consul Moore,
Commander Boynton was examined. The General Assembly sent a committee
on board of the Nautilus to examine as to whether there were American seamen
detained there, and while this examination was being made, the judges protected
Boynton from the populace, and upon the return of the committee who had reported that six men were detained against their will, Boynton issued an order
for their discharge and for the payment of their wages.
THOMAS DE COURCY.
(31) The Right Honorable Thomas de Courcy, Lord Kinsale, Baron de Courcy and
Regrone, late Premier Baron of Ireland, was another distinguished person,
whose life was intimately connected with the commerce of Newport. His ancestor, a younger son of the family, emigrated to Newport about 1720. Here, Thomas
de Courcy was born and was afterwards bound an apprentice to a Captain Beard
of this place. He afterwards enlisted in the navy, and shared in the honor of
taking Porto Bello, and while with Admiral Vernon, from that officer De Courcy
received intelligence which enabled him to establish his title to the estates and
honors of his family.
DR. BENYJATIIN'WATERHO()USE.
(33) Dr. Benj. Waterhouse, physician, naturalist and author, was also a native
of Newport, born here in 1754. HIe was educated at London, Edinburg and Leyden.
He was thirty years a professor in Harvard College, and died in Cambridge in
1846, at the advanced age of 92 years.
Dr. Waterhouse remllleembered the time when Augustus Johnston was Attorney General and Stamp MIaster, and when Johnston, Martin Howard and Dr.
MIoffat were hanged in effigy, and when their effigies were afterwards burned on
the Newport Parade, and wllen the contents of their houses and cellars were destroyed by a mob at night. Dr. Waterhouse also remembered Judge Scott, Judge
Hazard, William Ellery, Williamn Channing, the father of William Ellery Chaning, and 1Mr. Simpson, the latter an Englishman who practiced law in Newport,
but "died in England among other refugees." He just remembered Henry Bull,
but knew Judge Lightfoot, who taught him to value and study Lord Bacon, Lock,
Newton and Boerhaven. Lightfoot was the oracle of Newrport in his time. He
was an able, learned and idle man. Honeyinan and Marchant, Dr. Waterhouse
regarded to be gentlemen of the old school; Varnum he took to be a popular aspirant, and Ellery and his three brothers to be flaming sons of liberty. In his
old age, Dr. Waterhouse prophesied that N ewport would become the bath of the
United States, to which rich invalids would retire to improve their impaired health,
and wished that he had some pleasant spot or farm on his native island, to which,
if not himself, his invalid posterity might resort to enjoy peace, health and
liberty.
Dr. Waterhouse was the author of "Lectures on the Theory and Practice of
Medicine," 8 vo. published in 1786; "Lectures on Natural History," 1810;" The
Botanist," 1811; "Oratorio Inaug. at Harvard University," 1783; "A Book on Vitality," 1790; "Prospect of Exterminating the Small Pox," 1800; "Ascribing Authorship of Junius to the Earl of Chatham," 1831; "Journal of a Young Man of Mass.,"
1816.
Dr. Waterhouse was the son of Timothy Waterhouse, and was born.in a house
fronting on Liberty Square, in Newport.
3




xiv.                          APPENDIX.
THE CHANNING FAMILY.
(35) The founder of this fanlily in Newport was John Channing, who came to
Newport abo:t 1715. He left a son, John Channing, and several daughters. John
Channlng, son of John, was the father of William Channing, who was born in
1751, graduated at Princeton in 1769, studied law with Oliver Arnold, was elected
Attorney General in 1777, and annually re-elected up to 1787, when he was turned
out of office by the paper money party. In 1791 he was again made Attorney
General, and the same year was appointed by General Washington, United States
District Attorney, and held both offices up to his death, which occurred September 21, 1793, aged 42 years. He married Lucy Ellery, the daughter of William
Ellery, the signer of the Declaration of Independence. They had eleven children,
nine of whom survived their father. The eldest son was Francis Dana Channing, of Boston; the second son, William Ellery Channing, the eminent scholar
and divine. Two of the younger sons, Dr. Walter and Edward, were professors in
Harvard College.
THE ELLERY FAMILY.
(36) William Ellery was at Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1663. He had a son Benjamin, his third child, born in 1669. He first removed toBristol, then a part of Massachuse.ts, but soon removed to Newport. He commanded aletter of marque
out of Newport in 1702. He married Abigail, du ighter of John Wilkins,of Wiltshire,
England, July30th, 1696. About this time he removed to Newport. They had
nine children. William, his eldest son, and third child, was born October 31st,
1701, and graduated at Harvard College in 1722. He became a wealthy merchant
in Newport, a Judge, an Assistant and Deputy Governor of the colony of Rhode
Island. He married Elizabeth Almy, January 3d, 1722, and died in Newport,
March 15th, 1764, leaving three sons and one daughter. William, the second son,
was born December 22d, 1727, graduated at Harvard College in 1747, and married
Ann Remington, of Cambridge, October 11th, 1750. He settled in Newport and
engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1759 he was appointed naval officer of the
colony of Rhode Island, and in 1770 he commenced the practice of the law, in
which he continued to 1776, when, upon the decease of Samuel Ward, he was
elected to the Continental Congress, and there became a signer of the Declaration
of Independence. Upon the organization of the federal government under the
constitution, he was appointed Collector of the Customs for Newport, and held
that office up to his decease, February 15th, 1820.
THE DECATUR FAMILY.
(37) Stephen Decatur, the ancestor of this family, is said to have been a native of
Genoa, and to have come to Rhode Island in 1746. He was naturalized by an act
of the General Assembly in 1755. During the war between England and France
he was an officer of a privateer, fitted out at Newport. He married, in 1751, Priscilla Hill, a widow, whose maiden name was George. By this marriage he had
two sons —Stephen, born in 1752, and John, born in 1754. The son Stephen, the
father of the late Commodore Stephen Decatur, was bred to the sea. The Decaturs lived in the old Brayton house, then standing at the head of the Mall, but
now is next north of the residence of the late Edward W. Lawton, on the east side
of Charles street.
HENRY COLLINS.
(38) Henry Collins was the son of Arnold and Amy Collins, and was born in Newport, March 25th, 1699. He was educated in England, became a merchant upon his
return to Newport, and for a time was very successful, but became bankrupt ill
1765, a result brought about by the application of the admiralty rule of 1756. Mr.
Collins was a great benefactor of Newport. He was one of the founders of the
Redwood Library, and of the Literary Society, out of which it arose, and one of
the builders of the Long Wharf and the Granary. He educated several deserving,
but poor young men, at his own expense, among them was Solomon Southwick,




APPENDIX.                                xv.
and to his liberality posterity are indebted for the portraits of Callender, Berkeley, Clapp, Hitchcock, and perhaps others. Dr. Waterhouse speaks of him as
the Lorenzo de Medici of Rhode Island. He died at the house of a friend about
1770. Mr. Collins owned the house on Easton's Point, at what was known as the
Gibbs' Ship Yard, which during the revolution belonged to George Rome, and
which, in the hard winter of 1780, was torn down and distributed amllong the poor
for fuel.
ARNOLD FAMILY.
(39) Benedict Arnold camle to Newport fronm Providence in 1653, and was admitted
purchaser in ewport. His town lot extended from Mlill to Pelhaln streets, and his
house was on the lot belonging to the People's Library. His son Benedict inherited his homestead. One of the daughters of the second Benedict married Edward
Pelhanm, whose two daughters inherited it, one of whom married John Bannister
and the other John Cowley. Bannister built a wharf, and so did Cowley. Governor Arnold, the first Benedict, probably erected "the Old Stone Mill." He held
many important offices. He was the first Governor under the charter of Charles
II. aid was often re-elected to that office. He left four sons and three daughters.
He died June 9th, 1678, at the age of 63 years, and was buried in a lot adjoining, on
the eas, the estate of Gov. Van Zandt.
GOVERNOR GIBBS HOUSE.
The Governor Gibbs house, on the north side of Mill street, was built by John
Tillinghast, about 1765. It was afterwards the property of Col. Archibald Crary,
who was an officer of the revolution. At the close of the war, General Greene
came to Newport and rented and occupied tile house. Here he was visited by
the Marquis de Lafayette, October 24th, 1784. General Greene took possession of
the house, November 25th, 1783, when lie was waited upon by the principal inhabitants of the town, anl( presented with a congratulatory address, to which he
made a suitable response. While General Greene resided in this house, he was
visited by Kosciusko and by Baron Stuben.








PROCEEDINGS
AT TIlE
DEDICAT ION
OF'TILEFO~N H-A LL WAYLAND
IDECEMBER 24, 1878
WITH BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF PU'BLIC
BUILDINGS AND LIBRARIES
WA Y LAND
PREPARED AND PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY O'F rTE %OWN
MD CCCLXXIX








PROCEEDINGS
AT THE
DEDICATION
OF THE
TOWN HALL, WAYLAND
DECEMBER 24, I878
WITH BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF PUBLIC
BUILDINGS AND LIBRARIES
WAYLAND
PREPARED AND PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN
MDCCCLXXIX




g oi
t"It";  OCl,,_
6  0-;l
M~~I,, ~~~~q




ORDER OF EXERCISES.
The Order of Exercises at the Dedication was as
follows:
MUSIC.
COCHITUATE BRASS BAND.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.
JAS. S. DRAPER, Esq., President of the Day.
VOCAL MUSIC.
BY A SELECT CHOIR.
Delivery of the Keys, by H. B. Braman, Esq., Chairman of
Building Committee; Reception of the Same, by
Dr. C. H. Boodey, Chairman of the Board
of Selectmen.
MUSIC.
BY THE BAND.
DEDICATORY PRAYER.
Rev. E. L. CHASE.
VOCAL MUSIC.
ADDRESS.
ELBRIDGE SMITH, Esq., Principal of Dorchester High School,
a native of Wayland.
SINGING.
OLD HUNDRED, BY THE AUDIENCE.
BENEDICTION.
Rev. T. A. MERRILL.








EXERCISES.
At the appointed hour for the dedicatory services the
seats of the spacious hall were filled with citizens of
Wayland and others interested in the occasion.
On the platform were seated some of the more venerable gentlemen of the town, prominent among whom
was the Rev. JOHN B. WIGHT, whose silvery hairs and
benign countenance entitled him to peculiar respect.
Select music having been performed by the band, the
opening address was then delivered by JAMES S.
DRAPER, Esq.
Fellow-citizens of Wayland,' Ladies and Gentlemen.The occasion which brings us together so pleasantly to-day
has no slight significance in the affairs of this town. The erection of this building, and the construction of the Cochituate
Water Works, - begun and carried on with an unusual degree
of unanimity in the public voice, - will mark the year i878 as
one of the most important in its history; while the events themselves will stand conspicuous on its annals. The one, providing
a good supply of pure water, -so suggestive of health, convenience, the protection of property, and of general prosperity; -and the other, with its suite of rooms for town
officers, its ample apartments for the Public Library, and




6
this capacious hall for public meetings, - with their several
arrangements for convenience, their beauty of design and
thoroughness of finish, - must both be classed, not as ephemeral,
fanciful results, but as important, substantial, permanent public
works.
Expenditures for such projects may startle the conservative
elements, and evoke words of denunciation at their alleged
extravagance. But, from another point of view, may it not be
asked, Is Wayland doing anything more than keeping her proper
place in the grand movements of the hour?  Is she not acting
in compliance with the principles of universal law, by which all
higher civilization is reached, all nobler destiny wrought out?
To attempt no imnprovement is equivalent to going backward.
To have no aspirations for something higher and better, to be
entirely content with present attainments, indicates the near
approach to a condition more to be dreaded than death. The
individual or the community that fails to seize every golden
opportunity to advance personal or social interests, is false to a
trust delegated by an authority higher than human.
Under pressure of such considerations as these, what intense
activity prevails at the present time in all departments of human
knowledge and pursuit! With what startling rapidity the Old
is supplanted by the New!
Where are the implements and tools indispensable to the
mechanic and farmer only a few years ago?  Laid aside for
the better ones of to-day.  Where are hosts of utensils for
household use that were once the pride of the good housewife?
Preserved in her attic as relics; she has something better for
daily use. Where are civil governments and social customs
once venerated for their long line of descent or their supposed
divine origin? Retired or retiring before the majestic march
of enfranchised man. Ask that venerable person, surnamed




7
Theology, why he so often feels obliged to restate his old
dogmas, - to remodel his dress, so to speak, - and, if he tells
the truth, his reply will be, "To keep up with the present
advanced style of thought, and make a respectable appearance
in modern society."
The daily press of to-morrow will announce projects, discoveries, inventions, that seem among the impossibilities of to-day.
A distinguished journalist declared a few weeks ago that more
than a thousand men were at work perfecting the new processes
for producing artificial light.  And since the comparatively
modern way of lighting this hall' was contracted for by our excellent Building Committee (whose fidelity to their trust bespeaks our gratitude), the active brains of scientific and inventive genius have so far completed new plans as to announce the
fact that all the brilliant effects of the electric light can be produced by incandescence only, without the consumption of a
particle of charcoal.2 An almost costless illumination.
Verily, we may almost say this gas is an antiquated affair,
and must be consigned to the kitchen to cook our breakfast
with until Nature's storehouse is rummaged for something
better.
But, to return to sober earnestness, the Great Deific Mind
seems to be unlocking the chambers of his treasure-house, and
inviting, yes, urging, his intelligent offspring to examine his
hitherto secret methods, whereby this grand Cosmos has been
evolved from universal chaos. And to observe how the same
all-contriving mind and all-executing hand are, even now, in the
full tension of their activity.
At no former time has the human mind reached such sublime
1Aerated gas from gasoline.'By using the charcoal pencils in hermetically sealed vessels filled with pure nitrogen
gas.




8
heights of knowledge. At no period have its future destinies
been so fully unfolded, and the paths by which those destinies
may be reached been so clearly defined. And yet no limit can
be fixed, no barrier erected to prevent (scarcely to check,
even) the upward and onward course of human thought and
human power. If, three centuries ago, a Copernicus received
a heretic's doom for disclosing the true movements of half a
dozen planets, what should be the fate of the scientists of our
day, whose vision pierces to the very "soul of things," and
before whom the mighty agencies of the uncounted ages, so
utterly inscrutable to the past, now are seen to move in all the
harmony of a Divine order?
Our duty, then, seems plain.  We must accept the New inevitably, if progression and not retrogression be our motto.
Accept it with the grumbling protest of the conservative, if
that is our highest ideal of propriety, -or with the cheerful
gratitude of the pioneer, as we may and ought. Standing ever
ready to say farewell to the once fondly cherished, while with
equal readiness we welcome the better conditions of the ever
freshly opening future.
In this spirit, we this day pass from the Old to the New,hopefully, trustfully, joyously. These walls, planned by architectural science, and now fresh from the skilled hands of artist
and artisan, will be our teachers in aesthetic culture. Their
purity and harmony will rebuke all vulgar-voiced expression;
and even the floor we tread upon will invite to cleanliness and
utter its protest against some habits for the indulgence of
which humanity should blush for very shame.
Looking back from the position we now occupy to the " Old
Hall" across the street, - to its predecessor over the " Green
Store," -to the " Old Meeting-house," that did double service
beneath the tall sycamore, and to its predecessors in the " Old




9
Burying-ground," where stood the primitive structure for public
use, with its walls of logs and roof of thatch, - all of which
served well their day, and are to be remembered with feelings
of veneration, for they were the lower leaves of that architectural plant now expanded and flowering in more stately
dimensions of beauty above us, -we see what progress has
been made during the two centuries and over of our municipal
life.
Is there now a citizen of Wayland who would willingly return
to any of these former conditions? Any who would retrace
even by a single step the path by which the present has been
reached? If any such anomaly may be found, it may possibly
be accounted for on the ground that a very few minds, fortunately or unfortunately, seem to reach an ultima thule -- a
point of "thus far shalt thou go and no farther; " -- in fact,
they exhibit some pretty clearly defined symptoms of being on
the verge of fossilization.
One of the latest writers on our National Government has
said: " The good order of society; the protection of our lives
and our property; the promotion of religion and learning;
the enforcement of statutes, or the upholding of the unwritten
laws of just moral restraints, - mainly depend on the wisdom of
the inhabitants of townships. Our town officers are, in the
aggregate, of more importance than our Congressmen."1 Accepting these sentiments, may we not add, that in providing
this structure, where free deliberation, discussion, and action
will be accorded to every citizen voter, and from whose
apartments specially appropriated to our Free Public Library
will flow, as from a perennial fountain, streams of refreshing
literature to gladden, instruct, and elevate the individual mem-' H. Seymour, LL.D., in "North American Review" for Sept. - Oct., I878.




IO
bers of all our homes, - we have contributed something towards
attaining in a higher degree the results enumerated as lying
at the basis, not only of our municipal but of our national
prosperity.
The speed of the fleeting years, seemingly accelerated as life
advances, admonishes us that our works of to-day, whether
wisely or unwisely planned, -whether successfully or unsuccessfully carried out, - must soon be transmitted to posterity.
In doing this, as one by one we are relieved from duty at these
outposts of life for nobler service elsewhere, may we not truly,
and with a just sense of pride, say of this edifice, We leave an inheritance for others worthy of the public spirit of our times.
After vocal music by a select choir, H. B. BRAMAN,
Esq., accompanied the delivery of the keys by the following address and statements:
MVlr. President and Fellow-citizens., -
As Chairman of the Building Committee it devolves upon
me at the present titne to submit to you a brief statement of
our doings. We received our appointment in Town Meeting
Oct. 5, I877, when it was "Voted, That H. B. Braman, Horace
Heard, R. T. Lombard, Thos. J. Damon, and Alfred H. Bryant, be a committee with full powers to contract for and superintend the erection of a Town House in the central part of the
town, suitable for Town Meetings, Town Officers, and the Public Library, at an expense not exceeding ten thousand
dollars, to dispose of the present Town House, purchase land,
if necessary, and obtain plans and specifications."
In compliance with the foregoing instructions, the committee
invited competitions of architects and received drawings from
fourteen well-known artists.




I I
After a careful examination of the different plans submitted,
the one made by Mr. Geo. F. Fuller, of Boston, was adopted by
the committee.
As soon as drawings and specifications were prepared by the
architect, they were submitted to contractors; and twentythree proposals were received from responsible parties, varying
in amount from eleven thousand to sixteen thousand five hundred
dollars.
Mr. Wm. B. Stinson, of Malden, being the lowest, the contract
was awarded to him, with a few changes in the plans, for the sum
of nine thousand seven hundred dollars.
The building was commenced early in the month of May, and
completed and accepted on the 26th day of October.  We
have had a constant supervision from its commencement until
its completion, and have no hesitation in saying that the construction has been most thorough and complete. In the course
of erection, very few changes were found necessary; the only
extra expense incurred amounts to seven dollars, making the
whole cost of construction, including the architect's commission,
ten thousand and thirty-five dollars.
The contractor, Mr. Wm. B. Stinson, has fulfilled his contract
in a faithful and honorable manner, according to the plans and
specifications. We bear cheerful testimony to his ability and
fidelity, and heartily commend him to any in want of his services.
We feel that much credit is due to the architect, Mr. Geo.
F. Fuller, for the tasteful design and for the very careful
preparation of drawings and specifications, thereby enabling
the committee to complete the structure without any material
alterations of the original plans. The fact that but a few dollars
extra expense has been incurred by the committee in the construction of this beautiful edifice, is chiefly due to the forethought
and skill of the architect.




12
Mr. Chairman  of the Board of Selectmen. - This building,
having been completed and accepted by the Building Committee, in their behalf I present to you these keys. The care and
responsibility which has rested upon us will now devolve upon
you. We have endeavored to carry out the vote of the Town,
and feel confident that we have, this day, surrendered to you,
the representative of the Town, " a building suitable for Town
meetings, Town officers, and the Public Library," - a structure
ornamental to our village, and well adapted to the present and
prospective wants of the whole community.
Dr. C. H. BOODEY, on receiving the keys, replied as
follows: 
Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the Building Committee. -
It is with pleasure that I am permitted to thank you for the
interest, the good taste, and the sound judgment which you
have manifested in selecting and adopting plans for this building,
resulting in such convenience of arrangement, and so much
artistic beauty; and also for your faithful superintendence of its
construction.
You may be assured that these valuable services are appreciated by the inhabitants of this town, who are ready this day
to congratulate you on the successful completion of your labors.
In their name and behalf I accept these keys, trusting, as the
edifice now passes into the custody of the public, that it will ever
be held sacred for all proper uses, and especially for the free
exercise of the Elective Franchise, - that sovereign right by
which the enjoyment of all other rights of citizenship is assured.
Fellow-citizens, let it ever be regarded as our privilege, as it
will be our duty, so to use this building that our every act
within its walls may adorn our individual lives as its architectural appearance beautifies this village.




I3
Following a performance by the band, Rev. E. S.
CHASE offered the Dedicatory Prayer. After a selection
by the choir, the Dedicatory Address was delivered, as
follows: -
DEDICATORY ADDRESS
BY ELBRIDGE SMITH, Eso, A.M.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen. -
The occasion which calls us together prescribes to me the
subject of my address; and that subject is so broad and inviting, that I shall waste no words in apology or introduction. I
was, I confess, inclined to criticise your choice of a speaker for
this occasion; but I concluded that if you had erred in your
selection, I had more inexcusably erred in my acceptance; and
that it ill became me to question the correctness of a judgment which I had the best possible means of correcting. Many
a friend of my boyhood would have brought you a clearer head,
but none, I maintain, would have brought you a warmer heart.
You have come, I trust, in the full exercise of that charity that
suffereth long and is kind, and will excuse a freer use of the
first personal pronoun than the canons of a strict criticism would
sanction.
Those of you whose privilege it has been to live from childhood to manhood, and even to old age, amid the scenery of this
dear old town, little understand, I imagine, the fond enthusiasm
that swells in the breasts of those who return to these scenes
of their childhood from other and distant fields of toil and
duty.
On the eve of your first centennial, ninety-nine years since
your separate corporate existence began, you throw open for
public convenience these ample apartments. It is well that you




I4
signalize this event by a formal act of dedication. The event
will mark an era in your social and civil history. It means
that the town has outgrown its previous accommodations, and
that its municipal, intellectual, and social life has taken a wider
range. It is not often the case that the outward marks of progress for a century can be so distinctly traced as can now be done
in this beautiful country village. At the beginning of your corporate life, and for nearly forty years afterwards, our fathers felt
no need of a town-house save what they found in their meetinghouse. Their religious, military, and civil life was so blended
that they felt no incongruity in voting their taxes, laying out
their highways, marshalling their trainbands, and, in fact, ordering their whole secular life where they met to worship God.
The meeting-house was the armory and the magazine, not only
of their spiritual but of their temporal warfare. The exhortation of the great Cromwell, "Trust in the Lord and keep your
powder dry," sunk deep into the Puritan heart. The Puritan
churches were literally as well as figuratively militant.
The meeting-house of a hundred years ago, in which the first
town-meetings of East Sudbury were held, still stands in a modified form beside its more imposing successor. When the present
meeting-house of the firstqparish was built, it was rightly judged
too nice for the stirring and sometimes tumultuous scenes which
characterized the town-meeting. The old meeting-house was
transformed into the town-hall, which, for twenty-five years, was
found sufficient for the varied municipal, secular, and social
wants of the town. The town-hall, however, had a pretty active
rival on the opposite side of the brook. The tavern-hall had
certain conveniences and attractions which the town-hall could
not boast; and the successive landlords had little hesitation, and
suffered no loss, in showing a generous hospitality to the lyceum,
to the dancing-school, to the private grammar-school, the scientific or popular lecture, and sometimes to the justice court.




I5
Meanwhile, the centre school-house had served nearly two generations, and was beginning to feel the infirmities of age. A
new school-house must be built, and the occasion was a favorable one for the erection of a larger building, which should at
once accommodate the district and the town. And there was
soon made provision for a public library which was destined to
achieve so honorable a distinction as to give the free public
library to the State, and become a great example to the
nation.
It would be most grateful to my own feelings to pause here and
notice at some length the events and the characters with which
these structures are associated, and give utterance to the thoughts
which they suggest to the mind.  I would gladly dwell upon
the old meeting-house,- the meeting-house of the revolution,which I never saw in its primitive form, but which I so thoroughly
learned by tradition that I feel scarcely less acquainted with it
than with that to which I was led to worship in my childhood.
Built by loyal subjects of the house of Hanover, in its devotions
were often heard supplications for the success of our colonial
arms at Louisburg and in the West Indies, on the St. Lawrence,
on the Ohio, at Ticonderoga, and Crown Point, and devout thanksgivings for victories at Dettingen, at Cape Breton, at Minden, at
Quebec, at Saratoga, and Yorktown. Its pulpit did its full share
in training its congregation for the almost ceaseless conflicts with
the mother country, through which the colonies passed during
the last century. Fain would I notice the long pastorate of
the Rev. Josiah Bridge, whose descendants in the last generation
were so conspicuous in your social and civil life.  Born in
Lexington, and trained, in his youth, under the ministries of
the Revs. John Hancock and Jonas Clarke, with two of his
near kinsmen in Capt. Parker's company, we may well suppose
that the east parish of Sudbury heard no uncertain sound from
their spiritual watchman when the sword came on the land in




i6
the earlier years of his ministry. I would glance at the much
briefer ministry of the Rev. Joel Foster, in a period of even
greater bitterness in political controversy and of scarcely less
moment in our national history.
I would gladly follow the old meeting-house across the brook,
after it had resigned the care of the church, which it sheltered
for almost a century, there still to show its fondness for the
town.  Its stout timbers of sturdy oak, so thoroughly seasoned
by the stern Calvinism of the Rev. Israel Loring, and the milder
theology of the Rev. William Cooke, by discussions on the
Stamp Act and the Boston Port Bill, would take no alarm from
the vociferous debates on questions of local policy; and it was
in no spirit of jealousy or schism that it welcomed back some
portion of its former spiritual charge, and felt its young life
renewed by the eloquence of that son of thunder, Lyman
Beecher. I would gladly venture, with reverent steps, upon still
more sacred ground, and recall scenes still fresh in the memories
of some who hear me. I would take you with me upon some
summer Sabbath morning to the first parish meeting-house,
then in the freshness and beauty of its youth; and, after a long
walk beneath the burning sun, we would pause for a moment
in the delicious shade of its northern front, and climb the iron
balustrade to enjoy the cool north-western breeze until the pastor
should arrive. From the farm, the street, the plain, the Concord
and the South roads, the devout worshippers are rapidly assembling. The horses come up the gentle slope at a smart trot, and
after discharging their precious freight, the matrons and maidens
of the parish retire silently across the beautiful green carpet to
the sheds in the rear. The leading men of the town exchange
their cordial weekly greetings in the porch or on the steps; the
silver tones of the tolling bell, mingling with the radiance and
stillness of the hour, diffuse a pleasing serenity over the scene,
and raise the soul to that rapture of emotion — that- divinest




I7
melancholy of which Milton speaks —and though not the essence
of worship, is its essential preparative.
I would point you to the loved and loving pastor, then in the
prime of his virtuous manhood (whose gray hairs and venerable
form on the verge of fourscore and ten are our pride and delight
here to-day), entering the meeting-house with that benignity and
courtesy which were in themselves an educating force.  I would
have you see him pass up the broad aisle and climb the long
winding pulpit stairs, robed in that surplice of flowing silk in
which the ladies of the town had clothed the pastor that they
loved.  I would have you listen with the ears of childhood to
the invocation, to the reading of the Ninteenth Psalm in the
good old Saxon of King James, and to the singing of the same
in the metrical version of Dr. Watts: " The heavens declare the
glory of God and the firmament showeth his handy work. Day
unto day uttereth speech and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not
heard.  In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is
as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and rejoiceth as a
strong man to run a race.  The law of the Lord is perfect
converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure making
wise the simple. Who can understand his errors, cleanse thou
me from  secret faults.  Keep back thy servant also from
presumptuous sins.  Let the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord
my strength and my Redeemer."
Behold, the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;
His beams through all the nations run
And life and light convey.
But where the Gospel comes
It spreads diviner light;
It calls dead sinners from their tombs
And gives the blind their sight.




IS8
My gracious God, how plain
Are thy directions given!
Oh, may I never read in vain,
But find the path to heaven.
I have attended, not without interest, the imposing service of
vast cathedrals, in which were combined all the influences that
attract the eye or charm the ear. I have heard....the pealing organ blow
To the full-voiced choir below
In service high and anthems clear.
I have seen ecclesiastical dignitaries arrayed in all the splendors of sacerdotal power; but in the simple, sincere, and artless
worship of yonder meeting-house there was an impressiveness
and a sanctity which conflicting creeds and scholastic dogmas
have never been able to efface. And so, with Mr. Emerson,
I love the venerable house
Our fathers built to God.
There holy thoughts a light have shed
From many a radiant face,
And prayers of tender hope have spread
A perfume through the place.
From humble tenements around
Came up the pensive train
And in the church a blessing found
That filled their homes again.
They dwell with God, their homes are dust,
But there their children pray,
And in this fleeting lifetime trust
To find the narrow way.
I would take you to the Lyceum of forty years ago; but you
must pause a moment ere you cross the threshold, and lay aside
all your sectarian robes and theological phylacteries; neither
Unitarian nor Trinitarian nor Baptist nor Methodist can enter
here, You must go as the conflicting states of ancient Greece




'9
went up to their Olympia, under strict bonds of religious and
political neutrality. You should listen to the lectures, and debates, and the essays, and learn that the Lyceum of to-day, with
its intinerant lecturer with his pompous rhetoric and sensational
eloquence, is far inferior, as an educator, to the original Lyceum
as it came from the pure mind and heart of Josiah Holbrook,
and in which were trained so many effective speakers and debaters, in which so many mature minds gained broader views,
and so many young minds first felt the thirst for knowledge. It
was in the Lyceum of the adjoining town that a young shoemaker began a career that ended in the Vice-Presidency of the
United States.
I would take you into the district school-houses, those brick
martello towers which used to dot our cross-roads and hillsides.
You should there see the barefooted infantry just beginning to
learn
How hard it is to climb the steep
Where Fame's proud temple shines afar.
Those little urchins and bright-eyed misses look as shy and
wary as the young partridges in the neighboring thickets. But
when they take the floor you shall see no skulking nor timidity.
In the flash of their eyes, the smile of their countenances, and
the clear ring of their voices, sending forth their words like
pistol-shots, you would find a promise to be realized in all the
fair fields of manly and womanly achievement. That boy at
the head, with a ten-cent piece hung from his neck, is the intellectual bellwether of the class. In a few years you will be very
likely to see him at the Cambridge Commencement, in his Oxford cap and gown, delivering the valedictory or salutatory. I
would by all means have you there on committee day. You
would find that the school-house had been most thoroughly




20
swept, washed, and garnished the preceding evening from turret
to foundation-stone. Plentiful supplies of pine, hemlock, and
evergreen have been plundered from the adjoining woods. Any
want of taste in the arrangement is more than compensated by
the abundance of the supply of the raw material. The teacher's
work is light to-day. Sometime before the regular hour, all the
scholars, in their best attire, are in their seats; the parents have
gathered and filled all the vacant space, and all is hushed
awaiting a crisis. Those scholars in District No. 4 are resolved
not to be outdone in conduct or scholarship by those of Nos. I,
2, 3, 5, or 6. That girl who sits near the window, and can command a view of the road, is the sentinel of the occasion. She is
very studious, but she will do what girls so well know how to
do, -she will keep watch of the road. At last her countenance
proclaims by a gentle flush and a glance of the eye that the
committee have arrived. In a moment a rap is heard at the
door. The master opens it, and the scholars all arise and remain
standing until the committee are seated. In a moment the grand
review begins in the old Roman fashion, with the skirmishing of
the light troops — the a-b-c-darians; and then the classes proceed in long array from the alphabet to Blair's Rhetoric, from the
multiplication table to the profound mysteries of single and
double position, from the punctuation to the canons of Aristotle;
from the a-b abs to the concert spelling of the long sesquipeda
lian words; from the primer to the tale of Troy divine; from the
calling of Abraham to the Declaration of Independence, until
the committee, wearied and amazed that so small heads can
carry so much knowledge, kindly remark,." That is sufficient."
Claudite jam rivos, pueri, sat prata biberunt.
Meanwhile, the writing-books and manuscripts are passed
round for examination; specimens of map-drawing are exhibited,




21 I
and some samplers display the skill of cunning fingers and record
the family history. The evening shadows have become too deep
for continued work, and in the dim religious twilight you may
listen for a moment to words of wisdom, warning, and encouragement from lips of gentleness and grace, and the scene will
close with prayer from one whose reverent demeanor and consistent life will give double sway to his utterance.
I would most gladly continue to trace these threads of thrilling, sad, humorous, and pleasing reminiscence. I would trace
them to the riverside and to the fireside, to hill and valley, to
field and grove, to streamlet and stream; but the occasion
demands a more serious word and more directly suited to the
time and place.
Why has this building been reared? Why, in times called
hard, have you esteemed this structure not a luxury, not a convenience merely, but a necessity? What is its real civil and
political significance?  It has been built by no party; it is
appropriated to no sect. The man who pays only his poll-tax
owns as much of this building as your wealthiest citizen.
Such a building is hardly required out of New England. Had
you a fine old feudal castle with its towers and battlements,
its hall and bower, its moat and drawbridge, upon the top of
Reeves's hill, you would never have needed this town-house, or
I should rather say you might never have felt its need. Had
our fathers maintained their loyalty to his most gracious majesty beyond the sea, we might even now be sharing with our
Canadian brethren all the honors that flow from the presence
of a royal princess. Had they been willing to give up their
town-meeting, and drop all meddling with questions of State
policy, you would never have been inclined to add this ornament to your village. But they had a very profound impression that they knew their own business best, and that no one




22
should do for them what they could do for themselves. You
have and need a town-house, then, for the very simple reason
that you are in the habit of holding town-meetings.
We are but just beginning to learn the greatness of a town
government. It was a great French publicist, who came among
us more than forty years ago, and taught us the real significance
and greatness of the town organization and the town-meeting.
Whence came the New England town? What Lycurgus or
Solon, what Bacon or Locke, what seven wise men, what conclave or synod, laid down the laws which have so completely
harmonized conflicting interests and welded into one glowing
and fervid body politic the secular and religious forces which
have so often sundered states and empires? The New England
town-meeting was a growth, not a creation.  No lawgiver
devised and balanced its framework.  Its several elements
appeared as the occasion demanded. Its executive feature-the
Board of Selectmen-may be clearly traced to its source in the
meeting of the freeholders of Dorchester on the eighth of
Oct., I633. " It is ordered that for the general good and well
ordering of the affairs of the plantation, there shall be every
Monday before the Court, by 8 o'clock A.M., and presently by
the beating of the drum, a general meeting of the inhabitants of
the plantation at the meeting-house, there to settle and set down
such orders as may tend to the general good as aforesaid, and
every man to be bound thereby without gainsaying or resistance.  It is also agreed that there shall be twelve men
selected out of the company, that may, or the greatest part of
them, meet as aforesaid to determine as aforesaid; yet so far
as it is desired that the most of the plantation will keep the
meeting constantly, and all that are there, though not of the
twelve, shall have a free voice as any of the twelve, and that the
greater vote, both of the twelve and the other, shall be of force




23
and efficacy as aforesaid. And it is likewise ordered, that all
things concluded as aforesaid shall stand in force and be obeyed
until the next monthly meeting, and afterwards if it be not contradicted and otherwise ordered at said monthly meeting by the
greatest vote of those that are present as aforesaid."
This vote, but a temporary arrangement at the time, was
adopted the next year by Watertown, and in the year following
by Charlestown. It was little thought by the earnest freemen of
that meeting that they had founded a prime feature in a civil
institution which, at the distance of two centuries and a quarter,
should guide the destinies of nearly fifteen hundred municipalities in New England, and, in a modified form, should have carried
civilization across the continent. This form of town government,
little different from what we see to-day, was approved and perfected by the General Court in I636, and soon extended to the
other colonies, - Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven, - and
in ten years, at the time of the formation of the New England
Confederacy, there were forty-nine distinct townships. Think for
a moment upon their relative importance to the world's progress
and civilization, or, as our Darwinian friends would say, consider
their environment.
It was an important era in the history of this town.  It
was the year in which John Rutter built your first meetinghouse for six pounds (and his name is a guarantee that he
did the work well; and it seems worthy of mention that it
was, as I suppose, a descendant of his-Gen. Micah Maynard
Rutter - who was chairman of the committee who built the last
church built by the town). It was the year in which Louis
XIV. came to the throne of France, and began the longest
reign in European history; it was the year in which the French
began to colonize South America; it was the year in which
Conde won the battle of Rocroi; it was the year in which these




24
settlers in Sudbury were saddened by the news of the deaths
of Hampden and Pym. (They probably did not hear that a
cousin of Hampden's was enlisting and drilling a regiment of
horse; they will hear of them the next year at Marston Moor,
and the year following at Naseby.) Charles I. was fighting his
parliament; Germany was in the last agonies of the thirty years'
war; Lutheran, Calvinist, and Romanist will soon agree at
Westphalia to live and let live in matters of conscience.
Galileo has just died; Isaac Newton is one year old; Descartes
is busy with his vortices and analysis; Kepler will soon lay down
the laws of planetary motion. These are some of the salient
points in the political, religious, and scientific worlds. Absolutism is in the ascendant, and democracy, shielded by three thousand miles of ocean, unnoticed and scarcely known, is learning
to debate civil and religious questions freely, to respect the
will of the majority in town-meeting, to bow reverently to the
verdict of a jury and the decisions of a magistrate.
These settlers in Sudbury, occupying one of the outposts of civilized life, gazed westward across their little Mississippi (in whose
spring-tide they saw no unworthy compeer of the Great Father
of Waters) upon a continent vast, unexplored, and uncultivated,
the home of savage beasts and of more savage men. Its inland seas had been unvisited; its rivers flowed in unappreciated
beauty and magnificence to distant and undiscovered oceans;
its continuous woods,
Where rolled the Oregon, and heard no sound
Save his own dashings,
waved over solemn and awful solitudes; its boundless prairies
were deepening their dark rich mould and affording a paradise
for the buffalo and the antelope; its cataracts, its Niagaras and
Yosemites, wasted their thunders on the desert air.  It is true




25
that the great valley had been the abode of something like a
civilization, but its cyclopean remains, stretching from the lakes
to the isthmus, undiscovered then, even now serve rather to
deepen and intensify the mysteries which enshroud a country
where man has been, but has ceased to be, than to bring it
within the range of human sympathies, associations, and traditions.
The wilderness immediately around them was filled with real
and imaginary horrors. Both the flora and the fauna were new
and strange. The esculent vegetation was unknown or but
sparingly and suspiciously tasted. The river and its numerous
tributaries furnished many a delicious meal to appetites that
had been strengthened by toil and sharpened by scarcity. The
woods, with their stout growth of timber, oak, pine, and hemlock,
and the thickets, sometimes almost impenetrable, were peopled
by reptiles more dreaded than the wolf and the wildcat. When
we contemplate these colonists in their log-huts, cut off from
all communication with the old abodes of civilization, just
fringing the eastern coastline of this vast continent, our feelings
vibrate between admiration and pity. It is hard to see how
any theory of " natural election," or " survival of the fittest," or
" power without us tending to righteousness," can satisfy all the
conditions of the problem. We rise instinctively above the
range of second causes and natural laws, and find repose only
in the sublime faith which filled and fired their souls. We leave
them for a few moments with their Bible, their meeting-house,
and their town-meeting.
Turn now to the very focus and centre of the world's culture,
wealth, and power. In the year I643, as I have already stated,
the very year in which the forty-nine hamlets in New England
had united in a common league against the wilderness and its
savage tenants, Louis XIV. ascended the throne of France.




26
That throne was reared upon trophies which had been accumulating during sixteen centuries. Julius Caesar, Clovis, Charles
Martel, Charlemagne, had each in his turn contributed to its
strength. Overrun by the Roman legions, France received
language, laws, and institutions from her conquerors, and early
took her place at the head of the march of European civilization. She led the van in the Holy War, which, for more than
two centuries, enlisted the enterprise and the fanaticism of Europe for the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre, and she received
in return her full share of the benefits and the curses resulting from those expeditions. The genius of Richelieu had
contrived, that, while Spain, Germany, and Holland had been
prostrated by thirty years of war, France should derive all the
real advantages resulting from the conflict.
It is not, however, to coincidence of time merely, but rather to
the absolute contrast in civil and political procedure, - the imposing array of rank, power, and precedent on the one side, and
the utter absence of them on the other, -to which I desire to
direct your attention.  It is from these positive and negative
theories of government, as illustrated in French and American
history, -the theory of absolute monarchy and of absolute
democracy, - that I think we may gather instruction suited to
this time and place. Louis XIV. announced his theory of government in that celebrated saying, which has passed into proverb,
" I AM THE STATE." And for a time that concise theory seemed
triumphantly successful. Europe had never seen such display.
The proconsuls and Caesars in their three hundred triumphs,
their arches and their amphitheatres, had far less of real grandeur
than was seen in the magnificence of Versailles, Marly, and
Paris. In all the great departments of human action, in the arts
of peace or war, in literature, in science, - everything that can
fire the imagination or please the fancy,  the court of the




27
grand monarch attained a distinction that awakened no less
alarm than admiration.
Vauban carried the science of attack and defence to the
highest perfection - reared or repaired three hundred citadels,
directed fifty-three sieges, and was present in one hundred and
forty-three battles. In the Cabinet there were names of equal
distinction. In the Church, Massillon, Bourdaloue, and Bossuet
reached the summit of pulpit eloquence, while Fenelon eclipsed
them all, not indeed in the finish and force of his periods, but in
that higher eloquence of life and power of character which made
Louis, as centuries before it had made Felix, tremble. Cassini
and Pascal taught science; Perrault built the Louvre; Mansard
gave new architectural glories to Paris; Lebrun and Poissin
painted; Racine and Corneille wrote tragedy, and Moliere comedy. Nor was the ambition of Louis confined to the Old World.
The time was when his rule seemed as firmly established from
the mouth of the St. Lawrence, along the lakes and down the
valley to the mouth of the Mississippi, as from the Seine to the
Loire. For some years the Mississippi bore the name Colbert,
in honor of his great minister, and Louisiana still retains the
name which Lasalle gave it to express his loyalty to his sovereign; and the patron saint of France has given name to that
great city whose geographical position seems to mark it for
the future capital of the nation.
" The heir of all ages foremost in the files of time," there stood
Old France, threatening the liberties of Europe, conquering by
her arms or corrupting by her gold. New France, or France in
America, held by unquestioned claims territories equal to all
Europe,- territories extending from tropical heat to polar cold.
Spain and Portugal divided between them the rest of the continent, with the exception of the cdastline occupied by colonies
from England. As Spain, France, and Portugal were foremost




28
in the work of discovery, so were they also in attempts at the
work of colonization. Old Europe was thus to be transferred
to the New World. Castilian pride and French culture with
feudal notions of government, English pluck and manhood, in
its Puritan form, were placed upon this great theatre to struggle
for its mastery under their respective forms of civil and religious
polity. New Spain was organized indolence; New France was a
modified feudalism; and New England was organized industry,
thrift, and enterprise. Which shall win the continent?
The New England, to all outward appearance, is greatly surpassed by the new France and the new Spain. She has left her
loved island-home with no parental blessing, but with the foul
stain of non-conformity in religion and disloyalty in politics.
She occupies but a strip of territory, but she starts with the
TOWN-MEETING. With no abstract theories of government, and
no great affection for dynasties or nobilities, these sturdy Britons
legislated for each emergeney as it arose. All questions of
boundary, of equity, taxation, religion, and magistracy were discussed and settled by the whole body of freemen. When the
labor became too great, and the meetings too frequent, and, we
may suppose, the debates too protracted, they followed the
Mosaic injunction, and selected wise men, who were to hear the
cause that was too hard, and decide it with the right of appeal
to the town. And so in five years from the arrival of the first
settlers of Salem, Dorchester, Boston, and Charlestown, we find
all the essential elements of a town government as it now exists
in New England, and where it has become the wonder and
admiration of the civilized world. If you will spread out before
you a map of North America, and, without the least reference to
political organization, mark with intelligent care those portions
in which the great ends of human society have been most completely attained, where life, liberty, and property have been




29
the most abundant and at the same time the most sacred, and
where intellect has put forth in its richest luxuriance, you will
find, when your work is complete, that you have marked with
remarkable accuracy the habitat of the town-meeting; you will
find that you have included those divisions where the rights of
majorities and minorities are both regarded; where the verdict
of a jury is respected because it is honest and intelligent; and
where all bow with respectful submission to the decision of a
judge, because they know that judge cannot be bought. Nor is
it difficult, I apprehend, to find the secrets of this strange power
which resides in the town organization. It recognizes the rights
of the humblest, and it cowers not in the presence of the wealthiest and most powerful.
It is worthy of remark how early the tenderest regard for the
rights of all became manifest. I find in the early history of
Dorchester that any man, though not a freeman, was allowed to
attend town-meeting and lay before the town any grievance, and
in an orderly manner to ask for redress. As its great aim was
to protect the persons and property of all, so it presented a
strong stimulus to the minds of all, and thus became an educating force of the highest order. The numberless questions arising in their new relations, - questions of education and religion,
of boundary, territory, and highway; questions of subsistence
for the passing hour, and questions of well-being when the
heavens and earth should have passed away, - all these were
pressed upon the mind of the New England colonists with an
urgency from which there was no escape. The tough problems
of their secular life, and the tougher problems of their theology, allowed no sluggishness of spirit, no indolence of body
or mind. And when they gathered in town-meeting, discussion
became a relief to minds burdened with thought, and interchange
of opinions taught them to respect conflicting views, and to yield




30
in form, if not in feeling, to the vote of the majority. Nor did
their debates cease in the town-meeting; they were adjourned
to the field and the fireside. The cheerful circle of neighbors,
gathered by chance or by invitation around the winter fire, or
in the sheltering shade from summer heat, discussed the articles
of the town-warrant, and anticipated or supplemented the action
of the town-meeting. And this process of education you will
readily perceive extended to all ages and conditions. The child
of tender years shared its influence and partook of its power;
maidens and matrons, with no right of suffrage recognized by
law, not unfrequently directed that suffrage by a higher law than
legislators and lawgivers can ordain or revoke. And so, with
diversities of manners sometimes strongly marked, there grew up
a unity of aim and spirit which had more than the force of a
great central power. These little independent states, or nations,
as they have been termed, have grown up side by side, have
been multiplied, divided, and subdivided to the round number
of fifteen hundred without shedding one drop of blood in
civil strife, and without one conflict of interest which could not
be settled in the supreme or General Court. Questions which
have shaken the very pillars of continental Europe, and let loose
the havoc of war from Cadiz to Archangel, from the Dardanelles
to the Orkneys, have been settled by a vote in town-meeting by
twelve men in a jury-box, or by a few calm words from the
chief justice of the supreme court. The central force around
which these communities have crystallized has been the townmeeting.
The religious controversies of New England, bitter though
they have sometimes been, have never shaken the deep and
solid foundations of the town-meeting polity. It is true that
church and state have been separated, parishes have been sundered, families: have. been. divided, but these changes, unlike




3'
similar ones in the old world, have kindled no Smithfield fires,
nor left behind them the blackened and smouldering ruins of
whole cities to mark their career of desolation. Our fathers,
and some of us now present, have differed about the strait and
narrow way that leadeth unto life, but we have travelled in perfect harmony the rugged highways that lead us to the schoolhouse and the meeting-house. We have not always sat around
the same communion table, but we have always used precisely
the same multiplication table; and so the school - the great bulwark reared by the fathers against Satan — has remained beloved
and inviolate. The people of Old Sudbury have once and again
divided their territory, but they all still retain the same government. The original town acknowledged, nay was proud of its
loyalty to Charles Stuart; it was even more loyal to the Commonwealth and its great Protector; it returned to the Stuarts; it
shook off the tyranny of James II.; it welcomed the Prince of
Orange, and was ardently devoted to the House of Brunswick; it
defied George III.; it adhered to the Provincial and Continental
Congresses; it upheld the Confederation, and for ninety years has
been true to the Federal Constitution. Changes of dynasty,
revolutions and reconstructions, have left your succession of
boards of selectmen more peaceful and perfect than was that of
the Pharaohs or Caesars. Nor is this all: the town-meeting has
been the special object of royal displeasure. James II. ordered
its discontinuance; George III. obtained with supreme satisfaction from his parliament an act abolishing town-meetings in
Massachusetts. Abolish town-meetings! Why did he not abolish the Gulf Stream, and stay the ebb and flow of the tide in
Boston Harbor? And so this form of government proceeding
from the people, carried on by the people for the people, has
been the adamantine foundation upon which your higher political structures have been reared; your legislatures, your courts,




32
your county commissions, your city charters, all rest upon the
primitive granite of the town. The " stars and stripes " do not
float from the summit of Beacon Hill in Boston on the first
Monday in March.  Governor and councillor, senator and
representative, from Barnstable to Berkshire, presume not to sit
in council while the sovereigns to whom they owe allegiance are
holding court at the town-house. Once only in our history has
there been the semblance of domestic violence; but even that
was not directed against the towns; it was aimed at the courts
and the Legislature. I do not justify it, but I cannot wonder
at it.
When I have stood upon the summit or slopes of Reeves's Hill,
which command the river view from Beaver Hole to Sherman's
Bridge, and gazed upon one of the fairest scenes in Middlesex, --
fields clothed in the richest luxuriance of Ceres' golden reign,
melting into the meadows at one time clinging close to the
river banks, and then widening into the broad expanse of
Sweetham and Landham; the causeways with their willow-tufted
banks; the river creeping on its silver-winding way; the farm
with its fertile and fruitful acres, its giant oaks, its historic elms
with their pendent branches waving gracefully in the breeze; the
cattle reposing beneath their shade, or grazing on the greensward,
Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood
Arrayed in living green;
the copses and the thickets; the woods rising in grandeur around
the cultivated plain, with Nobscut, Green, and Goodman's Hills
in the immediate background, and Wachusett, Milonadnock, and
Chicorua in the horizon, rearing their Atlantean summits against
the sky, -when I have seen these meadows, intended by bounteous Heaven for the sustenance of your flocks and herds, con



313
verted into a millpond or pestilential marsh, and reflected that
for two centuries you have been denied relief in the county and
General Courts, and that all this has been borne without one act of
violence,- I realize the truth of what De Tocqueville said when
he affirmed that nowhere in the world is the authority of law so
absolute as in America. And I may be allowed to add that
you seem to me to have carried your obedience close to
that point where it ceases to be a virtue. May we not hope
that this part of our fair domain shall yet be redeemed. When
Boston shall have taken from the head-waters of the river all
she needs for her health, cleanliness, and adornment; when improved drainage, dredging, and engineering shall have cleared
the stream; when Miss Hosmer and Mr. Gary shall complete their
magnetic motors, which they promise us shall work so much
cheaper than water, may we not hope that our river shall be
allowed to flow unobstructed to the sea, and be no longer (to
use the emphatic language of one of your citizens) " dammed
at both ends, and cussed in the middle."
A few facts from our history will show that I have not overstated the efficiency of the town organization in those great
crises which test the strength and tax the resources of states.  I
have tried to sketch the aspect of Europe and America at the
time of the confederation of I643. Advance a century in
European and colonial history.  Europe is in one of her
dynastic convulsions, - the Silesian wars. France and England
were arrayed on opposite sides in the conflict. War between
Old France and Old England was also war between New France
and New England. France was more liberal as a military power
in her colonial policy than England. She had exhausted her
military science and had spent thirty millions of francs in
building the Dunkirk of America to guard her fisheries on
the Grand Banks, to protect the valley of the St. Lawrence, and




34
to menace New England. The town-meeting colonies, without
one soldier or one dollar from the mother country, and with
but little aid from her navy, planted the provincial flag of Massachusetts Bay on the battlements of Louisburg, —the most
brilliant achievement in a war made memorable by Dettingen
and Fontenoy.
The loss of Louisburg was a keen affront to the military pride
of France, and marked the colonies as objects for early and terrible revenge. Scarcely ten years had passed before the alarms
of war again were heard along three thousand miles of frontier.
France took to her alliance the untamed savage, and thought
of nothing less than absolute submission or complete extermination. Possessed of twenty of the twenty-five parts of the continent, and leaving four twenty-fiftlhs to Spain, it seemed an easy
matter to conquer and appropriate the remaining twenty-fifth.
But France did not consider the vast difference between subject
and citizen, nor had England but a dreamy conception of it. The
French colonists flocked to no town-meeting; in danger and
difficulty, their only resort was to the governor and to the
throne.  But the five hundred parliaments that gathered in the
meeting-houses along the Connecticut, the Charles, and the Merrimac, and on the shores of Narragansett Bay, were more than a
match for the war-councils of the savage, and in practical wisdom
in colonial affairs, were as much superior to the great parliament
in Westminster. Caesar tells us that in one of his battles, when
he fought, not for victory but for life, it was of the greatest advantage that the soldiers, trained in previous conflicts, knew
exactly what to do, and without waiting for orders, took their
places in the ranks and did good service against the enemy.
This was precisely the case in our colonial history. The colonists were always in advance of the mother country. The pompous Braddocks, the cowardly Abercrombies, and the haughty




35
Loudouns, sent over at the beginning of the seven years' war,
to patronize, to discipline, and lead to victory the yeomen of
America, were despised by half the soldiers whom they led to
slaughter.
But a brighter day was at hand. The great English commoner was called to the helm of state.  His imperial will was
guided by intelligence, and his commanding eloquence spake
not for prerogative or rank alone, but for all England.  He
sympathized with the colonists, and they rallied to his call as
clansmen to the summons of their chief. The exertions and
sacrifices of these towns at this crisis almost surpass belief.
But they knew the nature of the conflict, and marched to the
plains of Abraham as cheerfully as to their own village parade.
Massachusetts sent six thousand eight hundred men, and she had
spent a million in the cause the previous years.  In the conflict
on that memorable field were staked the destinies of colonial
America. It was one of the most dramatic fields in all history.
Numbers nor multitudes, it is true, were not ordained to the
contest; but all the interest that can be derived from variety of
character and culture, race and religion, from the near and
the remote, from antecedents and consequents, from influences
reaching backward to the first upheaval of the continent and
forward to its final doom, representatives of the highest civilization which the world had reached, ranged side by side with those
who knew only the rude arts of the stone age; from the disciples
of Rome and Geneva, prelatical absolutism and pure congregationalism, worshippers of the Virgin and of the Great Spirit,
memories of Champlain, Lasalle, Brtbeuf, and Guercheville;
from the holy rites and solemn vows with which the city was
founded, with its seminary, its hospital, and its convent, before
it had a population; memories of the captivities and cruelties of
more than a century of border warfare; the desolation of Acadia




36
(now partially atoned for by the verses of our own Longfellow);
Louisburg, twice captured and dismantled; from naval and
military display; from natural scenery in the full blaze of its autumnal glories,- these were some of the influences that centred
on a field where a continent was the price of the conflict.
There was Montcalm, our most dangerous and most honorable
foe, a scholar, a soldier, a gentleman, and a patriot, with scars
and honor brought from German and Italian fields; there was
Wolfe, weak and diminutive in body but great and valiant in
soul, uttering from his scholarly lips, in the very manner and
spirit of the Greek chorus, as he moved on his pathway of glory
to his grave: -
The heavens above him for his tent.
And all around the night,
the verses of that immortal Elegy: -
The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,
Await alike the inevitable hour, -
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
"Gentlemen," said he to his fellow-officers in the boat, "I
would rather be the author of that poem than to take Quebec."
In the fleet was James Cook, then unknown to fame, studying his
Euclid and improving his seamanship. In ten years he will be
observing the transit of Venus on the other side of the globe,
will give his name to lands and waters then undiscovered and
his life to science and to man. Side by side with Montcalm
was Bourgainville, then a soldier, soon to become a sailor and
rival Cook as a navigator, explore Pacific archipelagos, be the
first to carry the flag of France around the world, then mount
the quarter-deck in the French navy and help us gain our independence.  There was Isaac Barre, the adjutant of Wolfe,




37
destined to lose his eyesight in the struggle, then to become
our defender in parliament, and for ever remain the admiration of every American school-boy. There was Richard Montgomery, the promising young soldier, now risking his life to
plant the standard of St. George on the battlements of Quebec,
and in sixteen years destined to lose that life on that very spot
in an attempt to replace it by the provincial flag of America.
There was Richard Gridley, artillerist and engineer, who planned
Long Wharf in Boston Harbor and built its first pier, dropped
the first bombshell in the citadel of Louisburg fourteen years before, now raising to the heights, by the strong arms of his provincial troops, all the artillery to be used in the battle; in sixteen years he will draw the lines and direct the fortifications on
Bunker Hill and be wounded in their defence; then, from his
works on Dorchester Heights, compel his superior officer to
evacuate Boston, and drive forever from the waters of Massachusetts Bay the hostile flag of England. That superior officer was
William Howe, who was learning, under Wolfe, those arts of war
by which he was to force at such fearful cost the lines at Bunker
Hill and gain a Pyrrhine victory.  Such were some of the personnel gathered upon that memorable field.
But more than all, and above all, more interesting because
more interested, were the Canadian peasantry and the New
England yeomen; more than the English veteran, whose tattered
banner told of victories beyond the sea; more than the plaided
Highlander; more than the regiments of Languedoc, Bearne,
and Guienne,- names which carry the imagination back to feudal scenes and mediaeval conflicts; more than the titled leaders
who fought with equal courage on either continent, and followed
their banners without questioning the merits of their cause, -
were those who fought, not for the smiles of princes, but for their
wives and children, their faith and their firesides. Foes by




38
race and national traditions, the followers of creeds more hostile
than race or nation could make them, they now stood face to
face on a fairer field than any on which they had before met.
On the one side was political and religious absolutism, the most
extreme form of unquestioning and unquestioned obedience; on
the other, the extreme doctrine of individual freedom and responsibility - the Spartan and the Athenian, the subject and the
citizen, the man who does what he is told to do and the man
who commands himself. Of the regiments who bore the brunt
of that charge, led by Montcalm in person, and held their fire as
they did afterwards at Bunker Hill till not a bullet should be
wasted, three out of four were Americans,- Americans who had
debated and voted in your town-meetings, held your ploughs,
manned your fishermen, swung your scythes and axes, tilled
your fields, and reaped your harvests.
That bloody day virtually gave the continent of North America to the British crown and placed England on the highest pinnacle of glory that she has ever attained. And had she known
at the Treaty of Paris the things that belonged to her peace and
prosperity, had she followed the teachings of her Chathams and
her Burkes, the world's history would have a very different reading for the last century to-day; but they were hidden from her
eyes. Take another step forward in the course of empire, and
you find England arrayed against the colonial town-meetings.
Up to that period the towns had done, as they do now, their
own taxing, and they had done it well. Thirteen shillings in the
pound had been cheerfully paid for their own defence and for
England's aggrandizement. Massachusetts had sent more men
into the field in proportion to her population than Napoleon's severest conscription took from France. But this was not enough.
Ministers beyond the sea who knew not Joseph insisted on taxing




39
and governing. They sowed the wind and reaped the whirlwind.
I will ask your attention only to a single scene. The rights of
Englishmen as established by the English constitution, defined
in lagazna CGharta, ratified no less than thirty-five times by the
Plantagenet kings, sealed by the blood of Simon De Montfort,
reaffirmed in the Grand Remonstrance and the Petitions of
Right, vindicated on all the hard-fought fields from Edgehill to
Naseby, - these rights were expounded in the Boston townmeetings by the great New England commoner, Samuel Adams,
with a force of logic and vigor of rhetoric which aroused the astonishment and admiration of all British statesmen, but were met
by the scoffs and jeers of a subservient ministry and an obstinate king.  The debate lasted ten years, and was transferred
from the formulas of logic to the ultimta ratio regoum on Lexington Green. The great commoner of Old England, Chatham,
the veteran of a score of parliamentary campaigns, whose energy had carried victory to the Ohio and the Ganges, warned
and thundered in vain. France, twenty years before, had tried
to exterminate the town-meeting civilization, and had been made
to drink deep of the cup of humiliation in consequence. The
young giant of the wilderness, who had been her deadliest foe,
she was now willing to make her offensive and defensive ally.
Just one hundred years ago, in the early months of the year,
England was trying to corrupt by her gold where she had failed
to conquer by her armies, and was willing to become a suppliant
where she had been a tyrant. At this awful moment the great
English commoner entered the English Parliament for the: last
time. Burdened by age and disease, but with eye undimmed
and mental force unabated, he rose to protest against the dismemberment of that monarchy, which, for more than forty years,
he had faithfully and brilliantly served. It was the realization of
the sublime scene which Milton imagined a century before, --




40
With grave
Aspect he rose, and in his rising seemed
A pillar of state; deep on his front engraven
Deliberation sat and public care:
And princely counsel in his face yet shone
Majestic though in ruin; sage he stood
With Atlantean shoulders fit to bear
The weight of mightiest monarchies; his look
Drew audience and attention still as night,
Or summer's noontide air.
That voice which had sent Clive to Plassey and Wolfe to
Quebec was now heard for at moment in opposition to American independence; but it was too late. In a second attempt
to speak, his strength failed, and he sank into the arms of his
son to rise no more. It was, perhaps, the most solemn and
impressive scene in English parliamentary history.
At the same time the great New England commoner spoke,
not now to the town-meeting of Boston, but from his seat in
the colonial congress to America, and the voice of the New
England commoner prevailed even over the dying eloquence of
Chatham. As England, by the aid of the town-meeting, had
stripped France of four-fifths of the continent, so now France,
by the aid of the same town-meeting, deprived the royal house
of Brunswick of their fairest inheritance.
Call now to mind the state of affairs at the time of the
confederation of I643, and think again for a moment of the
splendor, the pomp, the power, and the pride of the French
monarchy at that period. Compare it with these exiles in the
wilderness, sheltered by their log-houses and defended by their
stockades. Since that period we have seen these infant States
with their town-meeting polity subdue the wilderness, conquer
the savage, scale the battlements of Louisburg, climb the
heights of Abraham, drive from Boston Harbor the most
powerful navy in the world without firing a shot, fling defiance




41
at France, Spain, and England, compel their alliance andc laim
the continent as their own.
Look once more ere we leave this " specular mount." We
began this panoramic sketch with a glance at absolute monarchy in France, and of absolute democracy in New England;
let us close it with a glance at both at the close of a century
and a half. In I789, the French monarchy, ruined by its own
excesses and abhorred by the nation, went down in its "imperial maelstrom of blood and fire; " and for three generations
we have seen this great nation struggling to construct a government, subverting this year the constitution of the last, passing
from monarchy to republicanism, from the wildest anarchy to
the sternest military despotism, scourged and betrayed by each
new dictator, tribune, and demagogue, shaking every throne in
Europe in its frenzied agonies, and threatening the moral foundations of the world while it plunged with fatal recklessness
from experiment to experiment of bloodshed and ruin.
In that very year the thirteen colonies, with George Washington at their head, not by the sword, not by usurpation, not
by intrigue, not by corruption, but by the spontaneous choice
of an enfranchised and grateful people, put on the sovereign
robes of their separate national existence, and joined for peace
and for war, the great procession of the nations,
Magnus ab integro seeclorum nascitur ordo.
Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna
et incipiunt magni procedere menses.
In this imperfect sketch of some leading events in our history, it has been my aim to give prominence and emphasis to
the town-meeting  as the great force which  underlies our
national strength, and the want of which in some parts of the
country is the great source of our national weakness. But do




42
not understand me to say that the town-meeting or the town
organization is in itself possessed of any magical power. A
microscope or a steam-engine would be of no use to a New
Zealand savage. He would spoil the former, and be blown up
by the latter.  Intelligent foreigners who come among us
cannot hold a town-meeting. They can debate, sometimes five
or six at a time, but they cannot, to use the significant phrase
of the Charlestown freeholders in I63 5,-they cannot "bring
things to a joint issue." What a blessing would the townmeeting be to-day in France if she knew how to use it! Who
can estimate its value to the Southern States of our own country,
if they would train themselves to wear its easy yoke, and submit to its mild discipline? These peaceful and unostentatious
gatherings under forms prescribed by law, where nearly all the
great functions of States are performed, mark the highest point
which social science has yet reached.  To those who are
captivated by ceremony, by stars, garters, and titles of nobility,
the opening of an English parliament, the throne, the robes oi
state, the mace, the orders and vestments of the nobility, the
Commons at the foot of the throne, the forms of procedure
handed down from Saxons to Normans, from Normans to
Plantagenets, from Plantagenets to Tudors, from Tudors to
Stuarts, and from Stuarts to Hanoverians, - all this would seem
very grand to grown-up children, nor, indeed, is the scene without interest to a reflecting and cultivated mind; but to the
philosophic statesman who looks through show to substance,
who regards realities, and not gaudy colors, character, and not
ceremony, the quiet meeting of the farmer, the mechanic, the
merchant, the manufacturer, the scholar, the artist, and the
day-laborer, to talk over their common interests and decide
upon their management, -this is the meeting where he discerns
the strength of States; and it is this spectacle which De




43
Tocqueville has pronounced in human affairs the height of the
moral sublime.
It is often said that it is but a step from the sublime to the
ridiculous; and, in the case of the town-meeting, it is safe to
say that the ridiculous is a part of the sublime.  In the lives of
towns, as in the lives of nations, crises occur and questions
arise which seem, for the moment, to threaten the destruction of
the very foundations of civil and social order.  Conflicting interests, excited passions, intense ambitions, tear and rend these
fierce democracies as tempest and tornadoes sweep the skies.
These exciting contests, it is true, have their evils, but it is also
true that they have their benefits; and in the long run it will be
found that the benefits greatly outnumber the evils. When
these storms are past it is wonderful how few are the marks of
injury which they leave behind them. In far the greater number of cases the community is elevated, its deeper life has been
stirred, and powers which had lain dormant are waked to healthful and vigorous action. How often has it been the case tha
when these contests have reached the verge of the tragic, a
comic scene, adroitly introduced, has prevented the threatened
catastrophe! It is one of the chief elements of strength in the
town-meeting that it is not insufferably respectable. It gives
human nature a fair chance and full play, and weaves into the
strength of its political fabric the grave, the gay, the lively, and
the severe. A stroke of broad humor has sometimes, without
answering, annihilated the most pompous and elaborate argument. The striped frock has often been found more than a
match for the finest broadcloth. The sterling common-sense
trained at the plough, the anvil, or the shoemaker's bench, has
proved too much for wits that could boast their collegiate, their
legal, or their theological learning, and the broad-axe of the
carpenter, or the cleaver of the butcher, has cut many a Gordian




44
knot of sophistry, which no logic could penetrate or refute.
Faction and unreason, it is true, will sometimes gain the ascendency; but in the long run nowhere is talent or wisdom better
appreciated and rewarded, or humbug more mercilessly chastised, than in town legislation. James Russell Lowell has shown
in Hosea Biglow's March-meeting speech what elements of
power reside in the homely Yankee dialect, and that something
more than orthography and technical grammar is essential
in effective speaking. When the University of Oxford conferred upon Mr. Lowell the highest of her academic honors,
the Biglow Papers were mentioned as the special merit which
gained their author his distinction. What treasures of wit and
wisdom are slumbering in the records and recollections of
these rural legislatures awaiting the touch of some " Great
Wizard" of the future to give them form and life in the
nation's literature!
It cost East Sudbury twenty-six town-meetings before the six
brick school-houses were completed seventy years ago; but the
discussions and contentions, the passionate utterances of those
meetings, I doubt not, carried the town forward a generation in
her educational life.  The seven years' contest, from  I8o6 to
I813, that preceded the erection of yonder meeting-house, the
thirty-four battles which were fought in this village parliament,
to decide on which side of the brook it should stand, made all
feel happier when, at last, by a unanimous vote, it was decided
to build it on its present beautiful site. The traditions of those
parliamentary strifes are among the pleasantest recollections of
my boyhood. The teachers and actors of fifty years ago, in
the town of East Sudbury, were men of which any community
might, without vanity, be proud. They marched at the front of
your municipal progress, because the soundness of their judgments, the correctness of their lives, in short, because that




45
mysterious compound, which, without self-assertion, will, nevertheless, always assert itself, and which we call character, placed
them there.
You must allow me to improve this opportunity of acknowledging a debt, "the debt immense of endless gratitude,"
which has been accumulating for threescore years, -a debt
which I owe to those who, now  gathered to their fathers,
were then your trusted and trustworthy leaders in town affairs.
I remember them on Sunday, and on the week-day, at the altar
and at the plough, at the public meeting, and at the social
fireside. The Reeveses, the Heards, the Shermans, the Glezens,
the Damons, the Lokers, the Johnsons, the Drapers, and the
Rices.  And when I was at school and in college, I felt an
obligation resting on me to do no discredit to a town which
contained so many men whose approbation was worthy of
my ambition. Had I incurred censure in conduct or scholarship, I should not have dared to look them in the face.
From men like these New England's grandeur springs,
Who make her loved at home revered abroad;
Princes and lords are but the breath of kings,
But honest men the noblest work of God.
It is a most interesting feature in the structure which we
dedicate to-day that it marks so distinctly the intellectual
growth of the town, and makes provision for its greater development.  As I gazed upon the well-kept library of seven
thousand volumes in its new home, I could easily have made
myself unhappy in cherishing the wish that I had been born
sixty years later, that I might satiate the " thirst that from the
soul doth spring" at that abundant fountain. Yet I feel that I
was fortunate in having my lot cast in this community, for the




46
very reason that it was a reading community a half century ago.
The parish library and the social library, with which I early
became acquainted, though they would seem meagre to-day in
comparison with their successor, were treasures, I imagine, which
but few towns possessed. You enjoy a proud distinction among
the three hundred towns and cities of this Commonwealth. When,
more than thirty years ago, you received a generous gift from a
source which greatly increased its value, you were not content
to enjoy it alone. You seized the golden opportunity of placing,
through your reverend representative, this great blessing within
the reach of every town and city in the State.  Other communities have received more princely benefactions, have erected
more imposing buildings, have gathered a larger number of
volumes; but it has been your peculiar glory to give a bright
example of that Fabian wisdom  which saved Rome in her
extremity, — the wisdom of doing much with comparatively
little expenditure.  It is a pleasure to me to reflect how the
money with which your library was founded was obtained.
The first five hundred dollars was earned by honest brain-work
in teaching, first to the senior class of Brown University, and
then publishing to the world the great principles of moral and
political philosophy. The second five hundred was earned upon
your own farms and in your own shops; and the document that
records these gifts in their original form is one of the proudest
in your whole history.  The third was the product of honest
agricultural industry, or it may have been in part derived from
one of those useful applications by
Searching wits of more mechanic parts
Who've graced our age with new-invented arts.
The remainder has been furnished by your annual taxation.
If so grand a result can be elsewhere found from the same




47
means, I know not where to direct you to search for it. There
is another feature connected with your library which I must not
pass over. You have called in the aid of art to enforce the instructions of the printed page. You would remind all who
repair thither for instruction not merely of the names but of the
countenances of those to whom they are so deeply indebted.
I want words and judgment to do them justice as I pass them
briefly in review. There, in lines of startling beauty and accuracy, you may be sure that you behold the features which gave
expression to the thought and feeling of one of the ablest men'
of the past generation; of whom it might be said, as Dr.
Johnson said of Edmund Burke, that if a man were to go by
chance with him under a shed to shun a shower, he would say,
"This is an extraordinary man."  You see the countenance in
repose, and can hardly realize that so much gravity could dissolve into the most contagious laughter and play with the most
mischievous and mirth-provoking humor. His personal presence was most imposing, and his intellectual and moral powers
were in admirable harmony with his physical proportions.
In another you behold the village pastor,2 who, in the earlier
years of his ministry, felt that the intellectual and moral wants of
his parish demanded his care alongwith their spiritual and religious
culture; whose lot it was, not by chance but by choice, when
representing you in the Legislature, to propose a measure which
marks an era in the educational history of the State.3  It was
a peculiar pleasure to me, a few weeks since, to find that he was
well remembered at the office of the Secretary of State. You
are familiar with his venerable form, and ask no aid from art to
keep his memory fresh; but the time will come when you will
Rev. Francis Wayland, D.D., IL.D.
2 Rev. John B. Wight.
See Fortieth Report of Mass. Board of Education, where a full account of the Wayland
Library will be found.




48
point with pride your children and your friends to the founder
of free public libraries in Massachusetts, and say, in the language of Bryant:Let the mimic canvas showHis calm benevolent features; let the light
Stream on his deeds of love, that shunned the sight
Of all but Heaven; and in the book of fame
The glorious record of his virtues write
And hold it up to men, and bid them claim
A palm like his, and catch from him the hallowed flame.
Again you behold, with admirable correctness, the features of
one,1 who, establishing himself here in the profession of law, at
once became interested, not only in your schools, but in the
scholars that composed them. To superior scholarship and
sound judgment he united a suavity of manner, a quickness of
perception, and a sympathy with young minds, that won their
confidence, and made his visits to the schools occasions of enjoyment and excitement. Nor did he confine his labors to the
school-rooms. The delight which he took in teaching, and in
communion with scholarly minds soon drew to his hospitable
home a circle who were stimulated and charmed by his instructions, and who learned from him to admire the "imperial minds
who rule our spirits from their urns." How many of the best
verses of Homer, Virgil, Milton, and Scott, of the stately
periods of Cicero, Burke, Webster, and Everett, of the brilliant
essays of Macaulay, have been read and reread, studied and admired, in parlors almost within the reach of my voice! Nor was
this all; that home was presided over by a lady who possessed
the rare art of entertaining without formality, of welcoming
without ceremony, and of delighting without affectation.
Nor need I inform this audience how many scenes of sorrow
Hon. Edward Mellen, formerly Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.




49
and of joy have been alleviated or heightened, how many hours
of devotion hallowed, by strains of vocal music, untaught by
art, and beyond its reach, proceeding from a soul
Whose raptures moved the vocal air
To testify their hidden residence.
And so that modest mansion became a private high school
of the first order, where no tuition was asked or received, but
where some of the best minds of the town were trained to
virtue and sound learning.
There is another countenance,' of a former pastor of the first
parish, of a scholar, a divine, a Christian, dear to this community,
nor to this community alone, whose life was a signal illustration of that purity and power of character which is content
with the possession of the highest excellence without aspiration
for place and preferment. He wrote, not from the promptings
of ambition, but from the impulses of a warm heart and a highly
gifted mind, and his writings have gained a permanent place
in our higher religious literature; and he sung those " melodious
strains," which, this very evening, will be wafted from thousands
of devout lips upon the " listening ear of night."
Still through the cloven skies they came,
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world;
and they will continue to do so until the language we speak
shall fail from the tongues of men.
There is still another 2 countenance; it is of a benefactor not
inferior in the amount of his benefaction to that of the founder
himself. His long life was passed among you, and he was often
Rev. Edmund H. Sears.
Deacon James Draper.




50
selected by you to perform the varied and responsible duties
of your municipal life, - a fine example of those unostentatious
virtues which are at once the cause and consequence of our
New England character.
By the aid of plastic art you have presented the features of
one 1 whose name is destined to hold forever no second place in
our national literature. What lessons of labor under difficulty,
of high aims and successful achievement are suggested by those
features of classic beauty!  The New World's discovery and
discoverer, his royal patrons, the conquerors and their conquests, the Incas and Montezumas, the romantic daring that
awakens our admiration, and the heartless cruelty that moves
our hatred; the great career of Charles V., when all Europe woke from its mediaeval dreams, - all these vast fields of
research explored by one compelled to use eyes not his own,
and dictate his classic English to his amanuensis. With every
avenue of sensual pleasure open before him, and a fortune to
stimulate the desire for indulgence, he nobly made the choice of
Hercules; and as he sought the honors of his country, so he felt
that he must remember what name he bore, and, like his ancestor, must serve that country greatly.
In another plastic form you see the features of the great
leader 2 of Christian thought in New England for this century,the man perhaps who has done more to emancipate Christian
character from the thraldom of scholastic forms and restore it
to its primitive purity and power, to redeem it from the letter
that killeth, and inspire it with the spirit that giveth life, than
any one man in Europe or America during the nineteenth century. In him, Puritanism gained the highest point which it has
yet reached.
The bust of William H. Prescott.
2 William Ellery Channing.




5I
Finally, you behold in the same plastic form, the countenance
of one 1 who belongs not to you alone nor to our country alone,
- the country of his choice, - but to the civilized world. The
pupil and friend of Cuvier, it was his rare fortune to enlarge the
boundaries of human knowledge, to become one of the great
interpreters of Nature, to study in fossil and living forms the
thoughts of the Divine Mind. As I gaze upon those features of
manly beauty, I recognize the same benignant smile which they
always wore when he came to give his weekly lecture in my
school at Cambridge twenty-five years ago. Such was his interest in our public schools that for a whole year he lectured
gratuitously upon his specialties in that school, and bore a
noble part in bringing Harvard College into closer sympathy
with the-public school system of the city and the Commonwealth.
These are the men of local, national, and world-wide renown
whom you have chosen to grace your library. In their several
spheres of action they have richly earned the distinction which
you have given them.
To this great communion of the wise and good of every
country and of every age, to the fellowship of the imperial lords
of thought, to the great cloud of witnesses to the varied forms
of truth, the people of Wayland are invited. There is a sacred
fitness in the observance of the proprieties enjoined upon us as we
enter that apartment. For who would stand with covered head
or talk in boisterous speech in the very presence-chamber, as it
were, of those sovereign minds appointed to rule us by the
anointing of the Most High?  Shall we rear piles of monumental marble over their unconscious dust and feel no emotion
of awe where their spirits still linger and speak to us in their
1 Louis Agassiz.




52
breathing thoughts and burning words? Shall we tread with
reverent step and bated breath where dust is returning to dust,
and waken to no rapture; where spirit is holding mysterious
contact with spirit, and thought kindling at the fire of living
thought?
Citizens of Wayland, you have been true to your trust. The
five talents entrusted to your keeping have gained other five
talents. They have given you a distinguished place in our social and intellectual history. And where the FREE PUBLIC
LIBRARY OF MASSACHUSETTS had its birth, there may it
always live in its pristine purity and with ever increasing usefulness and renown.
Pardon, I pray you, the well-meant earnestness which must
have sorely tried your patience, and permit me, in conclusion, to
urge you to guard and cherish the fond memorials of this ancient and beloved town. In these centennial years the thoughts
of the nation are reverently turned to the past. Remember the
toils and hardships of those who redeemed these fields from the
rule of the wilderness, and
The village HIIampdens, that with dauntless breast,
withstood, not merely the petty tyrants of their fields, but the
dread and incensed sovereign of a mighty empire when he came
with his embattled host to subdue them. Their individual names
may be gathered, in some cases, alas! not without difficulty
from the headstones of yonder graveyard; but let the family
names be found upon your streets, your streams, your hills,
your valleys, and your plains.
I most heartily congratulate my old neighbors in the South
Part upon having an abundant supply of pure water. I could,
wish however, that they might no longer drink from Snake
-Brook. Call it Damon's or Bent's, or Rice's, or Bond's Brook,




.53
and, if it does not improve the character of the water, it will at
least sweeten the associations. It was a pleasure to me, in
looking over the plan of Cochituate, to find Loker Avenue.
The high-toned sentimentality of the City of Boston could
not drink from good old "Long Pond," and so she has restored a barbarous name for our old skating and fishing ground,
and takes her water from Lake Cochituate. She is content
I believe, to take the water of Dudley Pond without meddling
with the name. I hope she will not remove Bullard's Island.
I think, sometimes, not without pleasure, when I see this water
at so many points about my school-house, and enjoy the mild
and comfortable heat from its steam, of the pleasant scenery
which it has left so far away, and travelled its dark subterranean
journey, and feel as though I had a little better right to it than
my neighbors. But Boston has her virtues well mixed with her
notions. She gives names to her schools which remind their
scholars of high character and good men. You have names
in your history which ought to mark your schools, and thus
speak the gratitude which you feel to those who have gone
before. And you have springs as pure and as sweet as Castalia, or Pieria, as Hippocrene, or Aganippe. Beginning with
one not fifty rods from where you sit, which gushes from the
hallowed feet of your village Zion, and flows into your Kedron;
they may be found all along the skirts of the meadow to where
the river, leaving the higher lands, sinks into the level of Beaver
Hole. One of these, laid down in the atlas of Middlesex
County, as a " never-failing spring," ought not to be allowed to
lose the name of the first white man who settled by it. He
came forth from the land of his fathers, inspired by a faith not
unlike that which led the Father of the Faithful from Ur of the
Chaldees, and pitched beside this spring, and drank thereof
himself, his children, and his cattle; and, like the great Chal



54
dean sheik, he has become the founder of a race which is as
the stars of heaven for multitude. And while that spring shall
continue to pour forth its limpid, healthful waters, not warmed
by summer heat nor frozen by winter cold, let it bear the name
of a family which has nobly done its work in church and state,
in peace and war, and thither let his descendants repair to
remotest generations in honor of their founder, EDMUND RICE.
You can well afford to sell the water of your rivers and your
ponds while you retain these sweet and sparkling fountains for
home consumption.  Heard's Pond is well named, suggesting
as it does some of the best character which the town has produced, and Baldwin's Pond always reminds me of some of the
brightest intellects which it has been my fortune to meet in
life.
One thing more you need, and that is an historian, and you
have not far to seek to find him. You will find him already
well trained and furnished for his work. And, if necessary to
secure his service, you would be justified in taking him by the
right of eminent domain, and exacting his services, as our fathers
did that of their magistrates, on penalty of a fine. The citizen
who has served you in so many important relations, and has
contributed so much to the efficiency and beauty of your
library, and has, from time to time, published your annals, owes
it to himself and to you to connect his name with your interests
by becoming your historian.
You will soon be gathering in this spacious hall for the
transaction of the business of the town. A large number of
the direct descendants of those who came here two hundred
and fifty years ago will come here to legislate in the place of
their fathers. The spirits of the departed are in high communion with the spirit of the place. We see no light, we hear no
sound addressed to the outward sense, nor do we need it to




55
catch the exhortation which they give. Let public and not
party spirit reign as the presiding genius within these walls.
Use the ballot as in the presence of the Most High, as the most
sacred duty you are called upon to discharge. Let the schoolhouse, and the town-house, and the meeting-house, still continue to be the landmarks and the symbols of this ancient
village. Let it be your children's boast as it is yours, that they
inherit a land of liberty and light. Let freedom, and knowledge, and morals, and religion, as they are your birthright, be
the birthright of your children to the end of time.
The audience having joined in singing "Old Hundred," the Benediction was pronounced by Rev. T. A.
MERRILL.
Opportunity was then afforded for visitors to examine
the Library apartments, and the other rooms and offices
of the building.








SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES.
THE DISTRICT SCHOOL.
This institution is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. " The
District School as it was," so graphically described and ridiculed by
the Rev. Warren Burton, was not the district school of Wayland, or
East Sudbury, rather, fifty years ago. I am not so much in love
with the past as to be unable to appreciate the present, nor so radically bent on improvement as not to feel that all real progress must
rest on principles and usages that have been tested by experience.
I have seen something of schools, and been conversant with some
variety of methods in education; but I have never seen a greater love
of study for its own sake, for the pleasure which it imparts by calling
into exercise our higher faculties; I have never seen a more generous
emulation, free from all pollution of envy or jealousy, than in the district schools of East Sudbury. My allusions to them in the text of
my address will seem to many as rhetorical extravagance, or playful
hyperbole, but they are almost literally true. If the kindly emulation between districts and pupils ever gave rise to the least unkindness, I never heard of it. I well remember the stimulus that I received at an examination in the Street School, then under the
instruction of Mr. William C. Grout. There is not a teacher in
Boston to-day who would not be proud, and justly proud, of such
scholarship as I saw on that occasion. Nor can I forget that one of
my earliest associates in the work of instruction, one who had distanced in promise and scholarship all her classmates at the Normal
School, began her brief and brilliant career in that same district.
Owing to family relationships, or young friendships, visits were often
exchanged by the scholars between the schools of the town. I need
not say that while these visitors were always kindly received, they
were also pretty carefully watched. From one of them I heard for
the first time in my life a specimen of really natural and spiriecld
reading. If I may be allowed to boast a little of the Thomas School
in my native district, I should say that there may still be seen specimens
of map-drawing executed by girls in that school, under the instruction
of Mr. Beman Stone, which cannot be surpassed in our best schools
to-day. History was studied with great enthusiasm. Worcester's
Epitome and General History, and Whelpley's Compend, to say nothing of Goodrich's U.S. History, and smaller works, were despatched
with an earnestness that would seem quite marvellous to the present




58
generation. Hedge's Logic, Blair's Rhetoric, Chemistry, and Natural
Philosophy were committed thoroughly to memory, and partially to
the understanding.  Natural History did not receive much attention
in the school-roonm; but before school, and after school, and at
"noontime," it was pursued with great ardor. Pouts and eels,
perch and pickerel, which had strayed from Dudley pond down the
intermittent brook, reptiles of all sorts and sizes, squirrels red,
striped, flying, and gray, woodchucks, and rabbits, birds in great
variety, and not least, our articulate enemies, with whom we waged
unceasing warfare, the black wasps, the mud wasps, the yellow
wasps, the hornets, the butterflies, the grasshoppers, and the devil's
darning-needles, — fiom all these we gathered much knowledge,
though but little science. WVe learned their habits and modes of
existence, but heard nothing of genera, species, orders, and families,
etc. It was from specimens furnished from this district, as Agassiz
informed me, that he first had the pleasure of witnessing a longcoveted sight of young bats at the breast of the mother. At home we
had abundant opportuuity in " taking care of the cattle " to become
acquainted with some of the larger mammalia. And this was the
style of education generally in all the schools of the town.
The Rutter District was famous for its scholarship. There I felt
my ambition roused in hearing Mr. Josiah Rutter teach Virgil to a
fine class of young ladies. There also I listened to the instruction
of Mr. John N. Sherman from the North District, and of Mr. Josiah
H. Temple from Framingham. It always seemed to me that a
remarkable spirit of order and self-respect pervaded this school. It
had, or seemed to have, a kind of traditional reputation for good
behavior, which it took pride in sustaining. Private schools were
frequently taught here between the winter and summer terms, and
these I sometimes attended. When I say that just forty years ago
the school committee pronounced this school the first in the town in
spite of the crudity, awkwardness, and inexperience of its teacher,
a young sophomore from Brown University, it will be readily
understood that it had scholars of no common merit to gain this
distinction in the face of such obstacles.
The Centre District was, however, all things considered, the first in
the town. There was taught one who afterwards became the teacher
of Laura Bridgmnan; and another lady who attained distinction in
heir native town, and also in Waltham received her early education
there. I have had myself the opportunity of testing the scholarship
and teaching ability of two other ladies who were trained in that
school. I readily call to mind six young men who went to college
from this district, - one to Harvard, one to Yale, three to Brown,
and one to Williams, and some I remember who did not go to
college because as I suppose they belong to that class of men of
whom Cicero speaks: Ego  nzdtlos homnines excellenti ain/o ac
virtulteftisse el sine doctrina, zaturae zlbsius habi'lu trope divino




59
per se ipsos et moderatos elt raves exstitisse fateor; etiamn ilzud
adjalngo scepius ad zladem afque virtlztem naltramn sine doctrina
quanz sine natz/ra valzisse doctrinam.  Of the North and South
Districts I had less personal knowledge. Their character was, however, substantially the same as that of the rest. Three of my
teachers in the Thomas School came from those districts.  It was a
principle or practice rather (the practice was based upon a principle)
to employ in one district teachers who had been taught in another.
Teachers as well as prophets were likely not to be honored in their
own country until they had shown their work in some other. And
this interchange between the schools had a salutary influence upon
the social character of the town. Families and neighborhoods were
brought into more intimate and friendly relations, and the deficiencies
of some were replaced by the excellencies of others.
I have said the town or township is a growth, not a creation.
The remark is equally true of the district and its school. The first
settlers brought with them  no elaborate theories of education, and
they had no time to construct them. The schools, at first, bore
some resemblance to their English originals.  It was without doubt
the Grammar School of England that our fathers sought to establish
here. And it is a fact, which I have nowhere seen noticed, that the
early school-houses were constructed internally very closely upon
the English models.  Let any one compare the interiors of the Merchant Tailors', St. Paul's, and other English  school-houses, as
shown in " Staunton's Great Schools of England," with those of East
Sudbury, Sudbury, and Weston fifty years ago and he will see at
once that they are all of the same type. The large open space in
the centre, the teacher's desk at the farther end, opposite the door,
three rows of desks or forms (this is the English term) rising one
above the other on the right and left of the central floor, - this was
the arrangement of all, or nearly all, the school-rooms which I saw in
my boyhood, and which may still be seen in the Grammar Schools
of England. The branches taught at first were those of the English
Grammar School, and so Latin and Greek at once gained a pretty firm
foothold in New England, and though they yielded to the practical pressure and poverty of the Colonial era, they were always treated kindly
and welcomed often to the district school, though not required by
statute, when the teacher's scholarship admitted of their introduction.
I learned French with great advantage while still at the district
school, and taught Latin in a town school the first winter I was in
college. The sciences were seldom, if ever, taught before the close
of the first quarter of the present century; in fact, there was little
science to teach. But in the second quarter of the century there was
a great enlargement of the course of study. The great revival of
common-school learning which began with the writings of James G.
Carter, and in which the Alcotts, the Emersons, Josiah Holbrook,
and Horace Mann soon joined, was felt in every school district in




6o
the Commonwealth, and the district schools soon became universities in a small way, in which nearly all the osophies and ologies
known to modern science were studied with more enterprise perhaps than wisdom. The schools were flexible and elastic, and allowed the claim of each new science as soon as it was urged. The
Lyceum appeared at this crisis, and exercised a powerful influence
upon the schools, and the schools in their turn reacted upon the Lyceum.  The curriculum  of the schools became so extended under
this influence as to be practically unmanageable, and hence arose the
demand for division of labor in the work of instruction, the consequent gradation of the schools, and the abolition of the district system.
The district system has passed, or is rapidly passing, into history.
Its defects and shortcomings were sufficiently exposed in the long
debates which preceded its abolition. Its virtues have been but partially appreciated. In the critical period of our history when the
urgent questions were, not those of wages or currency, but of bare
existence, this system brought the elements of knowledge to the very
door of the farmer and the day laborer. When I consider the influence of the district schools in giving to all the means of passing
through the great Irivium of learning, to read, to write, and to cipher;
of educating those who were to serve the towns as selectmen, as
justices of the peace, as representatives in the General Court, of
awakening in a smaller number a desire for knowledge which could
only be satisfied at college; when I reflect that these schools were
taught in a great measure by the students of the colleges, and that a
large part of the money paid to the teachers went directly to the
empty treasuries of the colleges, and that the schools supported the
colleges while the colleges sent their students to teach the schools,
that it was by this grand systole and diastole between the highest
and the lowest schools throughout the whole body politic that some
of the choicest spirits were recruited for the learned professions and
for the highest offices of State, - I cannot but feel that the district
system served its day and generation well.
The district system has generally given place to the graded system;
the territorial divisions, which included all ages and all degrees of
attainment, have been replaced by the high, the grammar, the intermediate, and the primary schools, - a classification based on acquirements and capacity for progress. This system, if wisely administered
will retain the essential virtues of the old organization and afford
advantages to which that could never attain. The success which it
has already attained has abundantly vindicated its adoption. It admits of even a closer relation and a stronger sympathy with the higher
schools of learning than was formerly possible.  There was, of
necessity, a break between the district school and the college, and
this break was supplied by the parish clergyman, the private teacher,
or the academy. In the graded system the pupil advances by regu



6I
lar stages from  the primary to the professional school, from the
nursery to manhood. The college may make itself felt in every
grade of school and in every class in society, and the primary teacher
may feel that she is " fitting her pupils for college" as well as the
teacher who is dealing with Greek accents and Latin subjunctives.
The theory is perfect and the practice under it may be made so.
The case has never been more forcibly or beautifully stated than
it was by Edward Everett, at the dedication of the Cambridge High
School thirty years ago. "1 Connected as I am with another place
of education," [Mr. Everett was at that time President of Harvard
College] "' of a kind which is commonly regarded of a higher order,
it is precisely in that connection that I learn to feel and appreciate
the importance of good schools. I am not so ignorant of the history
of our fathers as not to know that the spirit which founded and
fostered Harvard College is the spirit which has founded and upheld,
and will continue to support and cherish, the schools of New England.  I know well, sir, that universities can neither flourish nor
even stand alone. You might as well attempt to build your second
and third stories in the air, without a first floor or basement, as to
have collegiate institutions without good schools for preparatory
education and diffusion of general information throughout the
community. If the day should ever come (which I do not fear in
our beloved country) when this general education shall be neglected
and these preparatory institutions allowed to perish; if the day
should ever come (of which I have no apprehension) when the
schools of New England shall go down,- depend upon it, sir, the
colleges will go with them. It will be with them as it was with the
granite warehouses the day before yesterday in Federal street, in
Boston: if the piers at the foundation give way, the upper stories
will come down in one undistinguished ruin."
Such were the views of a great scholar and statesman, in 1848,
respecting the importance of our public school system, as related to
higher institutions of learning, and such his confidence in its permanence and progress. In its establishment, he had himself borne a
most distinguished part. The period of his administration of our
State government was a critical one in our educational history, and it
was under his wise direction that the broad and deep foundations of
our educational prosperity were laid. He was not content with
giving his formal sanction, by his official signature, to legislative acts
which have changed the whole course of our school polity. He
labored personally in all parts of the State. He pleaded for the
cause with an eloquence which no other man in the State could
command; and his pleadings, which have taken a permanent place
in our literature, were based, not on considerations of party politics,
but of profound statesmanship. But what would Mr. Everett have
said had he been told that, ere the audience which he addressed had
passed firom the stage, that school system in which he had such




62
perfect faith would be assailed as hostile to religion and morals, that
all that is grovelling in human nature would be appealed to, all that
is selfish cajoled, all that is noble beguiled by sophistry or blinded by
bigotry, half truths (those deadliest and most malicious of lies) and
whole falsehoods would be published as eternal verities; nay, more,
that from his " own ancient and beloved Harvard" there would go
forth an educational philosophy in direct opposition to the teachings
of Sparks and Walker and Felton and Agassiz!
One of the dangers threatening our schools is the unwise and
undue deference shown to everything foreign and especially to everything German.  " And so they do in Germany," is the end of all
controversy in many School Boards. The finest scholars of New
England can hardly hope for the choicest positions until they have
first learned to smoke and drink in Berlin, Leipsic, or Halle. The
stanza which Porson threw in disgust at some of his teasing inquisitors,
after his return from Germany would be the best testimonial that could
be presented to some educational functionaries.
I went to Frankfort and got drunk
With that most learned Professor Brunck.
I went to Wortz and got more drunken
With that more learned Professor Rhunken.
I mean no sneer at Germany or Germans. The first pilgrims
from this country who found their way to the great seats of German
learning,- the Everetts, the Bancrofts, and the Searses,- returned
laden with the seeds of that precious lore which have found a
congenial soil in our colleges and schools and give promise of an
abundant harvest. They went Americans and returned Americans,
in thought, in feeling, in purpose; they were not dazzled or misled by
tinsel and gewgaw. The leaden casket with its treasure attracted them
more than the gold and silver which covered emptiness and vanity;
and so they gave an impulse to our schools of every grade which
will be felt as long as those schools exist. And so, too, the German
exiles, who have come over to us, because they could not rest in the
luxuries and delights of mere learning and culture, were not content
To sport with Amaryllis in the shade
Or with the tangles of Neara's hair.
The Follens, the Liebers, and the Becks have been welcomed to our
homes, to our hearts, to our citizenship, to our academic and legislative halls, and have a thousand times repaid us for the political freedom which they received. Peace and honor to all such who deal in
the sound learning which Europe has been long centuries in garnering, and to which we have only given a few decades. But let us
never forget that American education, to be successful, must be
American; it must not be an exotic. Our educational must be in




63
perfect accord with our political principles and procedure. Absolutismn and republicanism will not harmonize. It is a century since the
new wine of America burst the old bottles of Europe, and the fact
may as well be considered as settled that we are in some way to
work out our own salvation or destruction.
God means to make this land
Clear thru from sea to sea,
Believe an' understand
The wuth o' bein' fiee.
And this is as true of our education as of our politics. Our district
schools have given or are giving place to graded schools; and normal, art, technical, and scientific schools are springing up like the
creations of Fairyland. Universities are born in a day; but they are
born young; they come forth, not like Athene fiom the head of her
sire perfect in wisdom equipment and power, but in helpless, trembling infancy. What is universal and permanent in the old world
can be transported without injury to the new; what is local and
transient must remain on the soil from which it sprung.  The
verses of Homer, Virgil, and Milton were sung for the world and the
world understands and appreciates them; the science of Newton is
as true in the constellation Hercules as on the banks of the Cam;
and the phases of Venus appear with greater distinctness through
the great refractors of the New World than when they were first revealed to the eyes of Galileo through " the poor little spyglass"
which now is shown at Florence.
What is permanent and universal in English and German schools
will find its way to America, and be warmly welcomed and cherished.
What is local and transient, what has grown out of the social and
political condition of those countries, must forever remain there.
The work of Thomas Arnold was universal, and every year adds to
his influence and to his fame. The work of Samuel Parr was pedantic and transient, and his cumbrous octavos have long since passed
to the upper shelves or to the closets. Those who think that they
can catch the vitality of Eton and Rugby by adopting cricket and the
" six forms" with their " removes," and those who think they have only
to vote a gymnasium in order to get one, simply show that they are
neither statesmen nor educators. Those who think that by sending
their sons and daughters to France, to Italy, and to Germany to be
educated they will, of necessity, become scholars, citizens, men, and
women, will find that they have simply become denationalized with
no country to love and no country that loves them.
REEVES'S HILL.
Reeves's Hill takes its name from a family honorably known in
the social and civil history of the town. Before the advent of turn



64
pikes and railroads, when the produce of the country towns found its
way to Boston market, along the county roads, which were still
steep, or rough, or miry, Reeves's tavern was a favorite resting or
recruiting place for the farmers fi-om Framingham, Southboro', Hopkinton, and even for the more westerly parts of the State. The hill
was almost as serious for the wayfaring farmer as was the Hill Difficulty to Bunyan's pilgrims. The wayside inn at the top of this hill
has not been so fortunate as its more celebrated contemporary on the
west side of the river, in having a poet to give it immortality; but
Mr. Longfellow might have found here all the stimulus for his
imagination that he found
in Sudbury town,
Across the meadows bare and brown.
The last landlord of this ancient hostelry, Jacob Reeves, was one
of those men who have given such character and strength to our
country life. He was a model landlord - cheerful, kind and courteous - not like Chaucer's Reeve, " a colerick man," but of remarkable evenness of temper and soundness of judgment. His patrons
found in his bar-room no temptation to the excesses which were often
seen in the village tavern, but in the temperate speech and exemplary
self-control of their host they saw an example worthy of their imlitation. For eighteen years he was town-clerk, and received the office
from his kinsman, Nathaniel Reeves, who had held it for fifteen years.
As justice of the peace, he conducted a large part of the minor law
business of the town, and for many years was representative in the
General Court. As deacon of the first parish church, the purity and
rectitude of his character were in perfect harmony with the sacred
functions of his office.
The Inns of Old and New England, from the " Tabard" to the
"Wayside," from Chaucer to Longfellow, from  the pilgrimage to
Canterbury to the ride of Paul Revere, have ceased to exist. But the
historian of New England who overlooks the tavern will fail to notice
an institution. It was a centre of social influence; it supplied in part
the place of our daily newspaper; the farmers of the town or neighborhood repaired to the bar-room of the tavern to discuss town,
county, and State politics, the agriculture of the day, to tell stories,
and, last and worst, to drink fJip. These meetings were sometimes
profitable, always entertaining, but frequently too convivial in their
character. Jacob Reeves often felt obliged to shake his head, not
in anger, but in sorrow, when a glass too much was called for, and
the applicant had so much confidence in "' Squire Jake" that no
offence was taken.
EDMUND RICE.
After alluding to the first white settler by this spring, I cannot
persuade myself to allow this opportunity to pass without a brief




65
notice of the last - Edmund Rice - who lived upon the old homestead.  He died in May, I84I, at the age of eighty-six.  He was at
once a fine representative of the old colonial farmer and of the revolutionary soldier. He was at Bunker Hill, in Capt. Russell's company,
but was not stationed in the redoubt. He served, also, in the same
company in Brewer's regiment of eight months' men. When Lafayette revisited this country, in I824, he repaired again to Bunker Hill,
with all the ardor of a patriot and soldier, to greet his old companionin-arms. A fellow-townsman, who valued dollars rather too highly,
remarked to Mr. Rice that Congress was too generous in their expressions of gratitude to the nation's benefactor.  The old soldier's eye
flashed with indignation, while he exclaimed, " Dumb it all! they
can't do too much for him! How much did he do for us when we
were too poor to help ourselves?  I tell you they can't do too much
for him." He was blessed with a "'large increase." His sons and
daughters - with the exception of one son who died in early life -
all attained to an honorable manhood and womanhood.  His home
was celebrated for a quiet and generous hospitality. On Thanksgiving days it was always the scene of the most exemplary festivity.
It was a " feast of harsvest," fashioned very much after the Hebrew
pattern.  The best that his farm  and farm-yard could furnish was
served for this occasion. The " first of the first fruits" were always
" offered to the Lord" in this feast of ingathering, and if he detected
his excellent wife in making use of any specked apples in preparing
her mince-pies fbr Thanksgiving, he peremptorily forbade it at once.
As a farmer, he was rather conservative. He did not take kindly to
new tools and new methods. He had more faith in hard work than
in new-fangled notions; patent forks and ploughs with him were
rather objects of scorn and suspicion than of admiration. But he was
always esteemed a good man to work for. No man or beast upon
his premises was allowed to suffer from want of care or food. In
his last years he suffered much from  lameness. He spent much of
his time in the warm season in reading his family Bible at the open
window, but esteemed it no profanation to turn from it for a little
pleasantry with his neighbors. Such, substantially, I have good
reason to believe, were all the Edmund Rices who lived by the
spring and " honored the Lord with their substance, and with the
first fruits of all their increase."
TOWNS, COUNTIES, ETC.
The "town system" of local government, advocated and commended in my address, is confined to New England. I have thought
it worth a while to quote Mr. S. A. Galpin's admirable digest of
the minor political divisions of the United States contained in Prof.
Francis A. Walker's Statistical Atlas, which is based on the returns
of the ninth census, I870:



66
I. THE TOWN SYSTEM.
The " Town" system, pure and simple, prevails only in the six
New  England States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  The area of these States
is 68,343 sq. m.; their population 3,487,924. They thus contain
about one-thirteenth of the area and one-eleventh of the population of
the States of the Union. Under this system, the''town," which. in
its area and general characteristics conforms closely to the " township" of the WVest, is the important political division of the State.
It is a body corporate and politic, deriving its charter from the Legislature of the State, and generally entitled to an independent representation in the lower branch of that Legislature.
It has power to elect its own officers, to manage in its own way its
own roads, schools, local police, and other domestic concerns, and
collects, through its own officers, not only its self-imposed taxes for
local purposes, but also those levied by the Legislature for the support of the State, or by the County officers for the limited objects of
their expenditures.
Reference to the following table shows that the average area of the
New England "' town"- deduction having been made for the estimated
unsettled area of Maine - is 34 sq. m., the number of its inhabitants
averaging at the same time 2,450, or about 72 to the sq. m. Deducting the population of cities and towns having over Io,ooo inhabitants,
the average population of the town is I,7oo, or 50 to the sq. mn. In
a community of such area and numbers, meetings of the legal voters
to examine the accounts and official conduct of the town officers and
to consider subjects of common interest are possible; and the increased strength of public sentiment serves no less than this direct
supervision to induce a proper execution of public trust.
Where so much political power is vested in the town any larger
subdivision of the State must necessarily have but a limited function.
The County thus becomes, in New England, mainly a judicial, not a
political, subdivision of the State. The jurisdiction of the executive
officers of the County over the towns within it extends to the laying
out of new highways, and is then in the nature of an appellative one
only, while such duties of those officers as relate exclusively to
County affairs are confined to the care and control of the County
buildings.
II. —THE COUNTY SYSTEM.
The " County" system, which is so markedly in contrast with that
just noticed, is now found in seventeen States, viz., Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South
Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. These " County" States have an
area of I,234,295 sq. m.? with a population of II,955,731, - about




67
two-thirds of the area and more than one-third of the population of
all the States.
Until a recent date the County system prevailed in every State
south of the Ohio river and Pennsylvania.  Within the last decade,
however, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia have taken
measures for dividing their counties into townships and for clothing
those townships with more or less of political power; although
South Carolina subsequently retraced its steps and abolished the
townships thus erected. In view of this recent action of Virginia,
the opinions of her great statesman, Mr. Jefferson, upon the merits
of the "township " system, may not be irrelevant.  Extracts from
three of his letters are, therefore, inserted; the order of their dates
being, for convenience of citation, reversed: —
Among other improvements, I hope they (a proposed constitutional convention) will adopt the subdivision of our counties into wards. The former
may be estimated at an average of twenty-four miles square; the latter should
be about six miles square each, and would answer to the hundreds of your
Saxon Alfred.
In each of these might be, ist. An elementary school; 2d. A company of
Militia, with its officers; 3d. A justice of the peace and constable; 4th. Each
ward should take care of their own poor; 5th. Their own roads; 6th. Their
own police; 7th. Elect within themselves one or more jurors to attend the
courts of justice; and 8th. Give in at their Folk House, their votes for all
functionaries reserved to their election. (Letter of June 5th, I824, to Major
John Cartwright, Opera, Vol. VII., p. 357.)
In a letter to Samuel Kercheval, July I2, I8i6 (Opera, Vol. vii.,
p. i3), Mr. Jefferson, after describing at greater length such a division of the County, adds:
These wards, called townships in New England, are the vital principle of
their governments, and have proved themselves the wisest invention ever
devised by the wit of man for the perfect exercise of self-government, and for
its preservation. We should thus marshal our government into, Ist, The general federal republic, for all concerns, foreign and federal; 2d, That of the
State, for what relates to our own citizens exclusively; 3d, The County republics, for the duties and concerns of the County; and 4th, The ward republics,
for the small, yet numerous and interesting concerns of the neighborhood;
and in government, as well as in every other business of life, it is by division
and subdivision of duties alone, that all matters, great and small, can be managed to perfection. And the whole is cemented by giving to every citizen
personally a part in the administration of the public affairs.
And again, May 26, I8IO, writing to Gov. Tyler, Mr. Jefferson
says (Opera, Vol. v., p. 525): 
These little republics will be the main strength of the great one. We owe
to them the vigor given to our Revolution in its commencement in the
Eastern States, and by them the Eastern States were enabled to repeal the
embargo in opposition to the Middle, Southern, and Western States, and their




68
large and lubberly divisions into Counties which can never be assembled.
General orders are given out from a centre to the foreman of every hundred,
as to the sergeants of an army, and the whole nation is thrown into energetic
action in the same direction in one instant, and as one man, and becomes
absolutely irresistible.
Resuming the consideration of the County system, it is to be noted,
that under it all the conditions of the " town" system are reversed.
The names of the greater and lesser subdivisions of the State may
remain unchanged, bitt the powers and position of these subdivisions
are in no case or degree the same. The town or township is but the
skeleton of the New England town, while the County is clothed with
all the political power.  It derives its charter from the Legislature,
and is responsible to the State authorities for its share of the State
taxation.  Its subordinate divisions formed - Delaware and Maryland being excepted - by its own officers, have no political power
whatever, and exist only for convenience at the general elections, or
to mark the district of a justice of the peace and a constable. The
average area of the County in the State adopting this system is I,o40
sq. m., its populaton I I,236, the unorganized portions of these States
being excluded in the computation; or, excluding also the partially
organized and settled States of the Pacific slope, its area averages
734 sq. in., its population II,515, or about 15 inhabitants to the sq. in.
The radical differences between these two types may, perhaps, be
emphasized by comparing the States of Rhode Island and South
Carolina in respect to their organization.  The area of Rhode Island,
as given by the General Land Office, is I,306 sq. m., less than double
the average area of the political unit under the County system, yet it
has within its limits 36 towns and cities, each being an independent
political organization; while South Carolina, with an area of 34,000
sq. m., has only 3I organized Counties, which are in no respect the
superiors of the Rhode Island towns in political power.  On the
other hand, the population of the Rhode Island town averages 6,o3S,
or, excluding cities, 4,000 inhabitants, the. area being about 36 sq.
m.; that of the South Carolina County, 2Z,73I, distributed over an
average area of nearly I,IOO sq. In. Under these conditions of settlement and organization, differing widely as they do from those of
New England, the methods of administration must also differ.  The
area of the County forbids any general gathering of its inhabitants
vested with the legislative and executive functions of the " townmeetings " as well as any intimate mutual acquaintance between the
inhabitants of its different sections.  Of necessity, therefore, the administration of all local affairs is entrusted wholly to the county
officers, and the political duty and privilege of the citizen begins and
ends on election day.
The duly authorized officers of the County are thus charged with
the care and control of the County property, the levy and collection
of all State and County taxes, the division of the County in election




69
districts, the laying out and repairing of roads andt bridges, the care
of the poor, the police of the County, and, in general, all County and
local afhairs.
III. THE COMPROMISE SYSTEM.
There yet remains to be noted, however, what I have ventured
to call the " Compromise " system, which, having its home in States
lying hetween those already named, is itself the result of a fusion of
the systems which prevail on either side of it. This third general type
has been adopted in the organization of the States of the north-west, and
now prevails in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These fourteen States contain 672,824 sq. in., and 32,67I,986 inhabitants, their area being
about one-third of that of the States of the Union, their population
nearly two-thirds. The average number of inhabitants to the sq. m.
is nearly thirty-four. The States above-named may be again subdivided with reference to the manner of electing their County officers
into the " New York " system, and the " Pennsylvania " system, the
former prevailing in Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York,
Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin; the latter in the other
States of this group. The difference between these two systems is
one of form  and name rather than substance. In New York the
powers of the County are exercised by a Board of Supervisors, in
which Board the towns of the County are represented as equal political communities. In Pennsylvania, on the other hand, the affairs of
the County are managed by a Board of three Commissioners elected
from the body of the County.  In New York, also, the Supervisor
who represents the town in the County Board has other town duties,
and is thus anll officer both of the town and the County, while the
County Commissioner in Pennsylvania has no township duties
whatever.
In the " Compromise" system, as seen in the largest and most
important States of the Union, the political power, which, in New
England is lodged with the town, and at the south with the County,
is divided between the two organizations. The County is the creation
of the State Legislature and the political unit. It is, however, subdivided into towns or townships, which possess considerable political
rights, and thus become a miniature of a State as subdivided for
local purposes into its Counties. The townships are laid out by the
County officers in New Jersey only, by the Legislature of the State -
and have power to elect their own officers, to lay out and repair their
highways, to determine in township-meetings the amount of taxes to
be raised for school and other local purposes, and submit an estimate
of the same to the County authorities for approval, and, in general,
to act upon all local matters in much the same way as the New
England town, subject, hoxvever. to the stzpervisor,1 control of the




70
County.  The County thus becomes a more important factor in the
administration of local affairs than in New England. Its executive
officers are required to discharge all duties properly connected with
the County administration, and, in addition, to audit the accounts of
township officers and accounts and claims against the township, and
direct the raising of funds for their payment, to approve the votes of
the township for borrowing money, or incurring any extraordinary
expenditure, and to levy on the property of the township such taxes
for township purposes as may be duly certified to them by the township officers.
RECAPITULATION.
Average
population exTotal    Average   Average  cluding towns
Number.   Area.  Population. and cities having over Io,ooo
inhabitants.
The "Town" System.....          424      34      2,450       1,700
The "County" System...    6,96I           79      1,30I       1,255
The " Compromise" System..I,95          59      1,923       1,504
20,300     69       I,695      I,433




HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
Among the peculiarities of the Puritan settlers of New England,
their views of civil and religious polity stand forth in a certain individuality of aspect at once unique and worthy of study. In the
" mother country" they were the " come-outers" of their day, protesting alike against pontifical rule and the established forms of
ecclesiasticism  backed by civil power.  But, while holding such
views of dissociation with the most zealous intensity, they brought
with them to these shores, in their " heart of hearts," a fixed belief
that all human governments must not only be based upon religious
principles, but that those principles must penetrate and permeate all
civil institutions, to make them truly subserve human weal.
In accordance with such views, perhaps growing out of them as
their natural fruit, it is found that at the establishment of their townships, and for a century or more after, while the meeting-house was
the first public building to be erected, it was made not only to serve
for public worship and religious inst-ruction, but for such civil purposes as town meetings, courts of justice, for military drills, and,
during the Indian hostilities, they were fortified as points of retiremenit for active defence in cases of invasion. The religious element
was required by custom  to interblend with and sanctify, outwardly
at least, all public meetings for municipal business, by the exercise
of formal prayer at their opening.
In this town, from the erection of the first meeting-house, in i643,
on the spot now seen in the North Cemetery, then the centre of
business and population, to the year 1815, and through a succession
of four generations of these structures, all the functions of both its
civil and religious institutions found shelter and were conducted
harmoniously under a common roof.
MEETING-HOUSES.
The first of these was a building twenty by thirty feet, with log
walls probably, six feet high. It had no floor but the earth, and was
without seats.  Its cost was six pounds sterling, which was paid in
the produce of the fairms.
The second, erected nine years after, on the same site, was a
framed house, twenty-five by forty feet, with posts twelve feet high.
It had gable ends, with two pinnacles, two entrance doors, and four




72
transom windows. The inside was finished with smooth boards, and
contained oak benches.  It continued in use thirty-four years.
In I6S6 the town voted to build, on the site of the old house (that
being sold for six pounds), a meeting-house " just like the new one in
Dedham,"" at a cost of two hundred pounds sterling money. This
was accomplished; and it served the entire town until I723. At
that date many settlers of the township occupied the territory on
the west side of the river, and demanded a meeting-house for
their special accommodation. This was g-ranted, and a house was
erected, probably on the site now occupied by the Unitarian church
in Sudbury, at a cost of three hundred and eighty pounds. Henceforward, until I780, town meetings were held alternately at the two
houses.
The division of the territory of Sudbury into two townships by
legislative act, in I78o, giving to the portion lying east of the river
the name of East Sudbury, found its settlers spread over an area of
seven miles in length.  It is not surprising that occupants of the
southern extremity soon perceived the inequality of distance from
their common centre of business, - the meeting-house.  A warm
sectional contest ensued.  The interference of the General Court was
successfully invoked, which, by its special committee, selected a
more central spot, and ordered the removal of the house. It was not
moved entire, however, but taken to pieces, defective timbers replaced with new, and again set up, divested of its external ornaments, and supplied with a gable instead of a hip roof. The work
was completed in I726-7, at a cost of about two hundred and fifty
pounds. Its unadorned appearance is remembered by the writer and
others still living. It was the last building to serve the double purpose of municipal and religious operations.  By agreement it was
conveyed, in I8I5, to J. F. Heard and Luther Gleason, on condition
that they remove it to a con.venient spot, and finish a hall in the
second story for the free use of the town during thirty years. It was
known for many years after as the " Old Green Store," from the color
of its original paint.
In I84o, the common land on which the old meeting-house had
stood having been sold in the mean time to Dea. James Draper, he
proposed to erect a new building on a part of the same, for the use
of the town, to contain a town-hall, a school-room, with anterooms,
etc., for the sum of seventeen hundred dollars. His proposal was
accepted, and the building was first occupied for town meetings Nov.
8, I84I. Subsequently the hall was used also for an academy, under
Rev. L. P. Frost. The library occupied a part of the lower flogr,
and for this and other public uses it served the town until the erection of the new building in I878.
The periods of time covered by the above data are rich in those
incidents that make the historic page interesting and valuable, and
would well reward the patient annalist for the necessary time and
toil required to bring them to light.




73
EAST SUDBURY CENTRE IN IS14.
With a little effort of recollection, the " middle of the town" may
be restored in pen portraiture as it appeared when the old meetinghouse stood faithful to its last year of sacred duty, in 18r4.
From  the old elm, then in its prime, in front of the hotel, as a
centre, and over a space swept by a radius of one-fourth of a mile,
let all modern improvements effected since that time be banished.
These will include every house and building, except the following,
viz.: a part of the hotel and stable, of the Roby House, the S.
Reeves' House, Mr. Braman's farm-house, the walls of Mrs Russell's house, Mr. Kernan's low  house, and Dea. Morse's house;
obliterate the Bridle Point road and the new Mill road; open the
old drive-way, twenty-five feet wide, through the brook next to
Captain Pousland's land, and narrow the road over the brook by removing fifteen feet of the sluice at its east end; remove the fences
from the fronts of the houses; dispense with all window-blinds, and
the territory is ready to restore the buildings to their former condition.
Beginning with the tavern, we have a two-story front with the
roof on the back sloping down to cover a one-story kitchen; the
front and ends appear of a dirty yellow  color, and the back is
painted red. The tavern barn stands side to the road, with great
doors on each end. The old bar-room must not be forgotten, with
its ample supply of " creature comforts "; and notice the great wood
fire in the spacious fireplace, with stout andirons, and half-a-dozen
loggerheads ready in the live coals for use.
Here, at the intermission of divine services on Sunday, the boys
come to buy their cent's worth of gingerbread, and their elders to
warm their half-frozen feet in winter, and have a talk about politics,
the progress of the war, and to circulate news generally; always
remembering to buy a " mug of flip," from a sense of generosity to
the landlords.'
That dilapidated little building once painted red, standing just
beyond the tavern barn, was formerly a store.2  The blacksmith shop
a little farther on is Silas Grout's.3 His house without ells, and the
barn a little back, are near by, in front of the sand-bank, with tall,
slim poplars standing guard.4
On the other side of the road, nearly opposite, is the i' Red Store,"
occupied by Heard & Reeves, for the sale of West India and Dry
Goods.  On that " heater" piece, where the Concord and Sudburyv
roads diverge, is Dr. Rice's little one-story house, facing the Sudbury
road.5 The new unfinished house, just beyond it is N. Reeves, Jr's.6
1 Heard & Reeves.
2 It stood on the south-west corner of the present Wellington lot.
3 Its front resting on the line of the road at the south-west corner of the new Town House
lot.
4 The present site of the new Town House.
Site now occupied by Capt. Dudley's house.
1 Now standing.




74
At the left, farther on, is seen Elisha Cutting's large house;1 and a
few steps farther the little gambrel-roof cottage of N. Reeves, Sr.,
Esq., is seen;~ the "' bridle-way " to the river meadows passing between them.
Now, starting firom Mr. Jona. Parmenter's towards the centre, first
comes Alex. Smith's little house on Pea-porridge hill, the right-hand
side of the road; 3 then on the left, beneath the shade of the two
great elms, William  Roby's fine two-story front and one-story back
dwelling appears,4 with his barn on higher ground a little farther on.
Opposite the Roby house stands the small brick tenement (once the
office of Dr. Roby), where "I Mitchell" lives.
Now  pass the centre elm, cross the brook, and, going towards
Framingham, the first house passed on the right is Mr. Samuel Russell's, with two stories in front and one back; 5 it enjoys a coat of
yellow ochre.  In one of the front chambers is heard the clacketybump of " Old Mrs. Sanderson's loom."
Around the generous fires of this domicil gathered the churcbgoing dames to fill their foot-stoves during the cold season, and to
speak of the sick and sorrowing; especially if at the morning service some one i' had up a note " asking for prayers on account of the
death of a relative, or to "' return thanks for favors lately received."
Still south  and on the left is Mr. Tim. Underwood's little low
dwellingo,6 and over "' Pine Brook," on the right, is seen the two-story
house of Mr. John Cutting.7
Returning to the centre and on the road to Weston, Jerry Haws'
house, the first on the left, is passed, with one story facing the road
and a " cellar kitchen" beneath facing the east.  In an ell to this,
projecting east, Mr. J. F. Heard has opened a store for " Dry and
W~test India Goods." 8 The little ten-footer on the opposite side of
the road is whereJohnny Bracket, the cobbler, lives. Daniel Learned's
old two-story front and long low roof back is next passed on the right
just back of the two elms.9 In the right-hand fiont chamber mav be
seen, sitting at work with his legs doubled under him, Timothy Allen,
tailor.
On the left, just beyond, is the low, yellow  house of William
Bracket, the shoemaker; 10 and farther on, back of the two elms, is the
fine homestead of WVilliam Wyman, the miller.11
1 Location now covered by Mr. H. B. Braman's residence. The old house has been moved
towards the centre, and remodelled.
2 Site now occupied by the " Grout house " moved there, owned and occupied by Mrs. S. E.
Heard.
5 Present site of Miss M. E. Reeves' house.
4 Now remodelled and owned by Mr. W. G. Roby.
5 Site now occupied by Capt. Pousland's residence.
6 Now the location of Rev. J. B. WVight's house.
7 Location now covered by Mr. J. Bullard's house.
8 The cellar to this ell was filled in I87S.
9 Spot now occupied by the " Fisk Heard house."
10 Now standing and owvned by M. Kernon.
65 Dea. Morse and sister are the present owners and occupants.




75
Resuming a position at the centre, " The Common " demands
attention. It contains about one acre, and was purchased by the
town in I726-7 as a site, ordered by a Committee of the General
Court, on which to place the meeting-house; to be used also as
a training-field.  Its form  was nearly square, the southerly side
bounded by the " Farm road" and its easterly by the' Great road."'
On its south-westerly corner is seen the school-house, with two windows on the side next the " Farm road," three on the sides east and
west, with the entrance door on the east side at the north-easterly
corner.  It had a hip-roof.~  On the south-easterly corner stood the
Meeting-house, removed to this place from the Old Burying Ground.
Dropping now the use of foot-notes, let it be understood that the
frame of the building known as the "Old green store " is that of the
"Old meeting-house of I8I4," with partially diminished proportions,
and excepting the timbers of the roof.  Replace it then, in imagination, on its old site, with its side fronting the street and standing
nearly on a line with Mr. J. Mullen's front fence, and let its southerly
end fall eight or ten feet within Mr. M.'s house.  In place of its
present hip-roof, erect a common gable-roof with slight pediments
and covings.  Construct a projecting porch on the front side, and one
also on each end, with eight windows in fiont, four on each end and
four on the back, with one large circular-top window back of the
pulpit, and a semicircular one in each gable end. This structure,
with neither steeple, turret, nor chimney, to relieve its plainness, and
with paint so completely weather-washed as to render its original
color doubtful, was the old meeting-house of I SI4.  Its bleak
appearance, however, was relieved by the beautiful sycamore which
stood directly back of the pulpit window, and towered far above the
building. The town Pound (formerly an important appendage)
occupied the corner now covered by the " Law Office."
LIBRARIES.
In the Free Public Library of Wayland are three folio volumes in
old-style type and ancient-looking covers, bearing on their title-pages
the imprint, " London, i673," and containing the following, in manuscript, inside the covers -
"These practical works of the late Revd. and pious Mr. Richard
Baxter, in four volumes, folio, are given, in sheets, by the Hon.
Samuel Holden, Esq., of London; and are bound at the charge of
Mr. Samuel Sewell, of Bostoh, merchant, for the use of the Church
and Congregation in the East Precinct of the town of Sudbury, now
I This last side extended to a point which would bring the north line of the Common within
about fifteen feet from the front of Mr. L. K. Lovell's house. The line on the " Farm road"
extended to one foot beyond the west wall of Mrs. Russell's house.
2 The brick walls of this house now make the residence of Mrs. Russell.




76
under the care of the Rev. Mr. Cook, by the direction and disposal
of the Rev. Mr. Benj. Colman, Pastor of a Church in Boston.
BoSTON, July I9, I73I."
These appear to be the first books owned by the town and kept for
public use. They were kept in the meeting-house.
EAST SUDBURY SOCIAL LIBRARY.
This association was organized April 6, I796, by several citizens,
who were " fully convinced that public as well as private happiness
essentially depends on the general diffusion of knowledge; and that
the easiest and most direct way to obtain that knowledge is by the firee
use of well-chosen books."
The above quotation from their records clearly indicates that the
germ of Free Public Libraries existed among the citizens at that
early date. It took root in a good soil and grew apace; but its fruit
was gathered only by the proprietors who could afford to pay a fourdollar membership, with an annual assessment of twenty-five cents.
It began with thirty-two members. Their first purchase was thirtysix volumes. In I832 it contained two hundred and twenty-seven
volumes. It was kept at the private houses of its successive librarians. Its Book of Records and eighty-two of its volumes are now in
the Public Library.
EAST SUDBURY CHARITABLE LIBRARY.
The Rev. John Burt WVight, on becoming the settled minister of
the only religious society in the town in 1815, brought with him
clear and enlarged views of the value of books. He soon commenced
the formation of a Library, composed largely, but not exclusively, of
moral and religious works, for the free use of any citizen of the' town
who might apply for them. It increased in a few years, by donations,
and by purchases made from contributions taken occasionally at the
meeting-house, to about three hundred volumes. For many years it
was kept at the house of Mr. Wight, who gave his attention to the
care and delivery of the books. Afterwards it was removed to the
vestibule of the meeting-house, and through neglect many volumes
were lost. Seventy-one of the books are now found in the Public
Library.
COMMON-SCHOOL LIBRARIES.
In 1845 the town ordered the purchase of books, to be kept in
each of its six districts, for the use of scholars and others, under
proper regulations. These libraries contained six different sets of




77
books (about sixty in each), and they were annually exchanged, in
rotation, among the districts. Under this arrangement they were
extensively read. In November, I85I, they were consolidated with
the Public Library by vote of the town.
WAYLAND FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
On commencement day at Brown University, R. I., in 1847, the
president of that institution, Rev. Francis Wayland, D.D., made the
verbal proposition to the Hon. Edward Mellen, a resident of the
town of WVayland, and a trustee of the University, that he would
give to the town the sum of five hundred dollars to establish a free
public library, provided the inhabitants of the town would raise an
equal amount for the same purpose.
This proposal was submitted in writing by Mr. Mellen at a meeting of the citizens held January I 7, I848. At that meeting an agent
(J. S. Draper) was appointed to canvass the town for the necessary
sum. The paper circulated (now in the archives of the Library)
bears date of January 22, I848, and contains the names of two hundred and eight persons, whose subscriptions amount to five hundred
and fifty-three dollars and ninety cents, all of which was paid before
the tenth day of February following. This sum, with five hundred
dollars received from Dr. Wayland, was formally tendered to the town,
and accepted by vote, at the annual town meeting, held March 6,
I848. Under an article in the warrant for that meeting, " To see if
the town will provide a suitable room or building in which said
Library shall be kept," the town voted to refer the matter to a special
committee.
In effect, then, the Library was founded at this date.
The committee, with Hon. E. Mellen as chairman, were soon
convinced that, without further legislation, either special or general,
no movement could be legally made by the town to incur any public
expenditure for founding or sustaining a Public Library.
Soon after, a proposal came from a private individual to erect a
suitable building for the object desired. It being presented at a town
meeting, May 8, I848, the town chose a committee, with discretionary
power, to accept such building when completed, or otherwise. At
the same meeting a committee was chosen to purchase books for the
Library, and a set of regulations for its management was adopted.
The building was not deemed suitable for the purpose intended, and
therefore was not accepted by the committee.
Becoming desperate under the delays, the town, at a meeting held
March 4, IS50, voted to authorize a committee to prepare a room
for the books in some proper and convenient place, and to borrow
money on the town's credit to defiay the expense. Under this authority a room was fitted up for the library on the front lower floor




78
of the Town House. On the shelves in this room the books were
placed as fast as purchased.
The formal opening of the Library for the delivery of books to the
public for reading occurred August 7, I850.
In I86i, the number of books having increased beyond the
capacity of its shelf-room, the town voted to fit up the room on the
lower floor of the Town House, formerly used as a school-room, with
suitable alcoves and cases, and transfer the books thereto. In this
room, on the 4th day of July, I86I, the Library was again opened to
the public. In December, I878, the books were removed to the fine
apartments designed for them in the new building; and on the 28th
of the month they were again called for, and distributed to the
readers throughout the town.
The present number of volumes is 7,485.
The number in circulation is 519.
Mr. Henry Wight was librarian during the first fifteen years, and
was succeeded, in IS65, by J. S. Draper, the present occupant of that
position.
To the above sketch, comprising the substantial facts of its history,
may be added a few correlative statements.
Without a doubt it is the first Free Public Library in Massachusetts
supported at the public expense. Consequent upon the discussions
in the town meetings and among the citizens of Wayland relative to
its complete establishment as a Public Institution, the Legislature of
Massachusetts, through the efforts of Rev. J. B. Wight, a member
of the House of Representatives from Wayland, in I85i, passed a
law enabling any city or town in the State to " establish and maintain libraries for the use of the inhabitants thereof," etc. The
results of this law are now seen in the very large number of public
libraries in this State, and in others where similar provisions have
been enacted.
In I85I an invitation was extended to Dr. Wayland to visit the
town, which was accepted August 26th of that year. The occasion
was made one of the most interesting in the history of the town.
The people assembled en masse to see and greet their noble-hearted
benefactor.  Men of literary distinction from  other places were
present to contribute an increased interest by their addresses, and to
witness for themselves the anomaly of a new institution destined to
work important and highly beneficial results in popular education.
ENDOWMENT.
In i863, James Draper, deacon of the First Church in Wayland,
gave the sum of five hundred dollars as a permanent fund, the interest of which is to be annually expended in the purchase of books.
He had been a resident in the town since i8Io.




79
WORKS OF ART.
Life-size portraits of Rev. Francis Wayland, D.D., Rev. John B.
Wight, Hon. Edward Mellen, Rev. Edmund H. Sears, and Deacon
James Draper, have been presented to the Library, and adorn its
walls.
Life-size busts of Wm. H. Prescott, Louis Agassiz, and Wm. E.
Channing, have also been donated, and are placed in the Library.








BI-CENTIENNIAL
OF THE
BURNING OF MEDFIELD
I676 -1876.








EXERCISES
AT THE
BI-CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION
OF THE
BURNING OF MEDFIELD BY INDIANS
IN
KING  PHILIP'S  WAR,
FEBRUARY 21, I876.
MEDFIELD:
PRINTED BY GEORGE H. ELLIS.
I876.








NOTE.
At a late meeting of the citizens, J. B. Hale, George Cummings, and
James Hewins, Esquires, were chosen a Committee to take suitable
measures for the publication of the address, poem, and other exercises at
the Bi-centennial Commemoration of the burning of Medfield by the
Indians, in King Philip's War.
This Committee, at their first meeting for consultation respecting the
object of their appointment, were tendered by Deacon Cummings the
generous offer to assume the entire expense of the publication in view.
It is, therefore, to his deep interest in the occasion, and earnest desire to
transmit a record of it to future generations, and his continual endeavors
to uphold the honor and promote the permanent welfare of the place of
his residence, that the citizens are now indebted for the completion of
this work.
MEDFIELD, June, I876.








PREFACE.
Among the memorable events of the famous war of King Philip
against the early settlers of New England, was the attack upon the
village of Medfield, in February, I675. It was probably conducted by a
party of the Nipmucks and Wampanoags, a body of Indians who were
allied by Philip for the destruction of their common enemy. It was
prosecuted with all the wile and cruelty of savage warfare, and resulted
in the burning of a large part of the dwellings in the village, and the
death of nearly a score of the people. The second Centennial Anniversary of this event was anticipated by the present inhabitants with great
interest, and as it would occur on this Centennial year of the nation's
life, a desire was universally expressed that it might be marked by a
public celebration. Accordingly, a meeting of the citizens was held early
in the year for the purpose of taking some action respecting such a celebration. At this meeting, it was voted that the day should be celebrated
in a suitable manner. A Committee-consisting of Rev. C. C. Sewall,
Rev. J. M. R. Eaton, Jacob R. Cushman, Charles Hamant, and James
Hewins, Esquires, -was chosen to make all necessary arrangements for
accomplishing the wishes of the people as indicated by their vote.
Thisi, Committee immediately projected those arrangements which a
suitable recognition of such an event required. Invitations were extended
to the authorities and citizens of towns closely allied to our own in former
and latter years; to members of the State Government; and to many
individuals connected by various ties with past and present residents of
the place. Distinguished speakers were solicited to take part in the
exercises of the day. Preparations were made for appropriate music and
for every foreseen necessity of the occasion. And on the morning of
the 26th of February-a day of unusual brightness and mildness of
temperature,-the public ceremonies were introduced by ringing of the
village bells, and the firing of a national salute by a detachment from
Battery B, of the Massachusetts Artillery, under charge of Captain
Baxter. A similar salute with ringing of the bells was repeated at noon,
and the firing of guns, at fifteen minutes' interval, was continued through




6
the day. The Town Hall was finely decorated by Beals & Son, of
Boston. Music was furnished by the Medfield Band. The hour appointed for the literary exercises of the occasion was Io: 30 A. M. And,
at this hour, a crowd had assembled which filled the hall to its utmost
capacity. The exercises consisted of an opening address by Rev. C. C.
Sewall, President of the day; prayer by Rev. J. M. R. Eaton; hymn sung
by the audience in the familiar tune of "St. Martin's "; address by
Robert R. Bishop, Esq., a native of Medfield and now a resident of
Newton; music by the band; and a poem by James Hewins, Esq., a
citizen of the town. At this point, a recess was taken for a collation in
the vestry of the Unitarian Church. At 2 P. M. the people reassembled in
the Town Hall, and the exercises were resumed by singing a beautiful
hymn written for the occasion by Rev. J. H Allen, of Cambridge. This
was followed by remarks of invited guests and others in response to
sentiments offered by the President of the day. These remarks were
listened to by the audience with unabated interest and gratification until
the hour of necessary departure had arrived. The meeting was then
closed with prayer by Rev. A. M. Crane.
The programme for the day had been carried out with entire success.
Nothing occurred to interrupt the proceedings, or to mar the general
pleasure, except a disastrous accident which occurred in the morning as
many invited guests and other friends were coming from the depot to the
Town Hall. This accident was a cause of serious, and it was then
feared of fatal, injuries to several aged gentlemen, who had made
special effort to be present on the occasion, and whose presence was
particularly desired. The thought of their disappointment and greater
sufferings cast a shade of sadness over the proceedings; withdrew many
persons from the hall, and visibly affected the minds of others who
remained. With this exception, the day had completely answered the
hopes and wishes of the people; and the record of it is now transmitted
to succeeding generations with the earnest wish, that, in the possession
of still higher and better advantages than are our own, they may not
overlook or undervalue the harder fortunes of the early settlers of
Medfield.




EXERCISES.
OPENING ADDRESS BY REV. CHARLES C. SEWALL, PRESIDENT
OF THE DAY.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and Fellow-citizens -
In the year I649, land was granted by the General Court to
the town of Dedham, for the erection of a new village on her
western border and beyond the river. This land having been
laid out by commissioners then appointed, the town, on petition to the next General Court, was named Meadfield; and
soon a few hardy adventurers, desirous of more room, and of
a better chance to build their fortunes, forsook the good old
town once named Contentment, -(a most inviting name, but
which to them had been, and must ever be, simply Dedham)came to reside upon this beautiful plane, near to the meadows
of Charles River. But they had scarcely established themselves in comfortable homes, and begun to reap some good
fruit from their toils, when they were made to realize the dangers, and to dread the evils to which they were exposed in
this then frontier settlement. For Philip, that brave and
sagacious Indian chief, had waged, and was now prosecuting,
a war of extinction against the white settlers in New England; and on the morning of February 21st, I675, after
numerous assaults upon other settlements, he came stealthily
upon Medfield, and with a savage cruelty destroyed the village.
We are now at the close of the second century from the
date of that event, and are here assembled to commemorate




8
it. But why, it may be said, why commemorate an event
which occurred at a period so distant from the present? Why
do we wish to revive and perpetuate the memory of an event
so malignant in purpose and so disastrous to the quiet dwellers here? Why not let it be forgotten among the irrevocable
deeds of the past? We all know that there is implanted in
the human breast a feeling which has prompted men every
where, and in all ages, to perpetuate the history of their
homes. There is an universal disposition to revive and transmit the record of the people and the events of former times.
Sharing this feeling, and prompted by this disposition, the
citizens of Medfield now wish to revive and perpetuate the
memory of an event of unparalleled importance in their local
history, and ruinous to the ancestors of many, whose names
are most familiar among the present residents of the place.
It is an event too which bears relation to the early history of
New England, and affords a striking instance of the perils
and the.sufferings which must have been encountered by the
primitive settlers of this portion of our country. We deem
it, then an event not unworthy of special commemoration on
this Centennial year of our nation's age. We consider it
a duty to past and future generations to record and transmit the record of the names and the experiences of the first
founders of our village; and, from the contrast between their
times and our own, to draw a lesson which, while it is of touching interest to ourselves, may be of useful incitement to those
who will be our successors here.
It is for these reasons that we devote this day,-the second
centennial of the event, - to a public commemoration of it.
And we are most happy to greet with cordial welcome the
many sons and daughters of Medfield who have returned, this
day, to their homes, and our invited guests, who honor us with
their presence, and whose kindly words, we hope, will prove
to us their sympathy and their approval of what we are now
aiming to do. And, recognizing the good Providence which
has brought us together this morning under circumstances of
so much mercy, and in the enjoyment of such superior privileges of every kind, both as individuals and as a community, I




9
invite you all to join, with the whole heart, in praise and
prayer to Almighty God.
Prayer was then offered by the Rev. J. M. R. EATON, after
which the following hymn, written for the occasion by the
Rev. C. C. SEWALL, was sung by the audience:O Thou, to whom the ages past
Are as the passing day,
On whom no change will e'er be cast,
Though Time all else decay,
We praise, to-day, thy loving care,
Which suffers us no more
The perils and the griefs to share
Our fathers bravely bore.
Exposed to wrath of savage foe,
They dwelt in constant fear;
His step, how stealthy none could know,
His deadly shaft how near.
The homes they left they saw no more;
Bereft of all they were,
That painful toil and love before
Had garnered for them there.
But we no warning call now hear
To bid us flee for life:
To quit our homes, to us so dear,
And breast the dreadful strife.
Lord! write the lesson on each heart,
That we more grateful be,
And, while we live, may ne'er depart
From faithfulness to Thee.
Thy servants, Lord! still guard and bless;
Confirm our trust in Thee;
And grant that fruit of righteousness
Our aim knd guerdon be.
The PRESIDENT. -I now have the pleasure to introduce to
you, as the Orator of the day, a gentleman allied to us, not
only as a native of the place, but by every consideration honorable to himself and gratifying to his kindred, and his many
2




IO
friends. I introduce to you ROBERT R. BISHOP, Esq., of
Newton.
ORATION BY ROBERT R. BISHOP, ESQ..Air. President/:
On the morning of the twenty-first of February, I675,
corresponding in the new style to this day, this town was
sleeping under a sense of security and relief. Dwelling for
nearly a year in the midst of constant alarms and fears, it
had come into safety and under protection. Since the war
began its inhabitants had not felt secure until now. Succor,
succor had come, and the women lay down to rest with
thankful hearts to God, and the men felt that again their
homes were safe.
Consider the exposed condition of Medfield at this time.
The war began on the 24th of June, at Swansey in the
Plymouth Colony, and during the early summer was confined
to that colony,- the towns of Swansey, Taunton, Middleborough, and Dartmouth being attacked. Medfield was the
outermost town in the Massachusetts Colony against the enemy's country, except Mendon. For a hundred miles southwestward stretched the land of the savage; and if you will look
at any of the old maps of that period- that prefixed to Hubbard's Indian Wars, or that prefixed to Cotton Mather's
History of the Indian Wars, or those usually accompanying the old historical books of that time,-you will find that
our nearest white neighbors in that direction, with the exception of Mendon, were the towns of New London and Savbrook and Hartford, in the Connecticut Colony.
On the I4th of July, John Post was killed on the old Sherburne road-how familiar those words sound -in Mendon;
and since the day when John Winthrop landed at Salem,
bringing the charter, in I630, his was the blood of the first
Englishman shed in the Massachusetts Colony in warfare.
Afterwards Mendon was deemed untenable, and was evacuated and abandoned by its inhabitants, and after that the
empty houses were burned by the Indians. Then Medfield




II
became the outermost sentinel towards the Indian country in
this colony.
After leaving the Plymouth Colony, the war passed to the
banks of the Connecticut River in the early autumn, and the
tales of Bloody Brook,-where your own Robert Hinsdale
with three of his sons were slain,-of Deerfield, and of Northfield and Hadley, comprise the story of the Indians' ferocity,
and the white man's endurance and martyrdom there.
Up to this time-up to September or October-the real
character of the contest had probably been little understood
by the whites, and the force and determination of the Indians
had been underrated. I suppose it is so in all wars. You
remember that in the early days of the Rebellion, so wise
and sagacious a statesman as Secretary Seward prophesied
that the war would not last three months. So I suppose it
was in the Indian time; that some sagacious adviser of
Governor Leverett, some Secretary of State- I do not
know, sir, but it was Oliver Warner, for he has been Secretary of State until our present administration of Governor
Rice, so long I believe that the memory of man runneth
not to the contrary, and we have heard his name on all Fast
days and Thanksgiving days  " God save the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts- Oliver Warner,"- and I suppose it used
to be "God save the Colony of Massachusetts Bay- Oliver
Warner," -prophesied that the affair would be over before
midsummer. At all events it was not believed in the beginning that this was a WAR.
But when not only a few towns in Plymouth Colony had
been attacked, but the conflict had ravaged from the seaboard
to the mountains, and not only one colony, but Massachusetts
and Connecticut and Plymouth, and all the towns in all the
colonies, were menaced, and Philip was about to spend his
winter in the region of Albany, to incite such also as might
there be inclined to come against us, the colonists knew that
it was a WAR, and prepared themselves accordingly.
Accordingly the commissioners for the allied colonies of
Connecticut, Plymouth, and Massachusetts made a levy of a
thousand troops from Massachusetts, and a proportionate




I2
number from Plymouth and Connecticut, dividing those from
Massachusetts into six companies, and putting them under
the command of well-tried captains, and committing the whole
"Cheerfully" (as the records of Massachusetts read) to the
command of His Excellency Governor Winslow of Plymouth,
- and I am happy to state, Mr. President, upon the authority
of the newspapers, that he was not the ancestor of our townsman, sir, from Newton, who has lately distinguished himself
in another way. You remember the first campaign of that
army. Until about this time it was very doubtful whether
the Narragansetts would ally themselves or not with Philip.
But now there was no doubt about it; and the army, headed
by Governor Winslow himself, marched to the country of the
Narragansetts in Rhode Island. You remember the details
of that memorable march. You remember how the army
came upon the Indians entrenched in their fortification in the
midst of a vast morass; how they were entrenched behind
their stockade, built with large logs, sharpened and driven
into the ground; that surrounded by a wall, as the historian
says, a rod in thickness, and that by a ditch which it seemed
impossible to cross, except by means of a single log, the only
apparent means of entrance.  You remember how the army
was led around to another and secret entrance by a friendly
Indian, and how they entered the fort, the Massachusetts
troops leading the van, the Plymouth troops following, and
the -Connecticut troops in the rear.  You remember the
details of the slaughter which then took place,-a conflict
hand to hand and throat to throat; how as the historian
tells us seven hundred Indians were killed and one hundred and fifty whites, and the whites lost six of their leaders. You remember that then the whites set fire to the
stockade and the fort, and burned up every vestige of it,
including the wigwams and huts, and drove the Indians back
into the Nipmuck country, and this the historian regards as
the great mistake of the day, because, as you remember, a
snow-storm coming on immediately, our troops were beleaguered in the wilderness, compelled to march through the
blinding fury of the storm for miles and miles back to the




13
settlements, and thus were unable to pursue the adversary.
Thus, although this was a victory, it was a barren victory;
when, Increase Mather records, if we had been able to pursue the enemy for twenty-four hours longer, the war would
have ended. But Providence had decreed otherwise. Exhausted, worn out, without supplies, the army was compelled
to fall back; the vanquished Indians also retreated to their
own country, and for a short time there was a truce. The
white army re-entered Boston on the 5th of February.
Until now, Medfield had stood the outermost sentinel
against the enemy's country, unharmed. The war began on
the left of us, raged at the right of us, and the great battle of
the War had been fought in front of us, and still we were untouched. Like a rugged pine clinging to the top of a precipice when the storm and the hurricane have levelled every
other tree of the forest, so Medfield stood. But it was not
difficult to believe that the next onset of the enemy would be
upon that cordon of towns which surrounded the centre of
the province, — Lancaster, Marlborough, Sudbury, Medfield.
Accordingly great alarm was felt in these towns. You remember that the pious minister of one of these towns, Mr.
Rowlandson, went upon a journey of entreaty to the Governor
and Council, begging for help for his own town, Lancaster;
and that as he came back and ascended the hills overlooking
Lancaster, he beheld the smoke of its dwellings, his own
house among the number, and saw the havoc of its desolation.
You remember that his wife was taken captive with her infant
child, and how, after being compelled by the savages to follow
their wanderings and marches up and down the country, to
Wachusett and Northfield, her babe sickened and lingered
and died, and she was compelled by their order to leave it on
the spot, without the rites of a Christian burial, and to march
on; how afterwards she was ransomed and restored at Charlestown to her husband and children except the one who died
upon the journey, and how she recounts the mercy of God in
her and their preservation.
This was on the Ioth of February. Four days after that,
and precisely one week before the event in commemoration of




14
which we are brought together, the ever-vigilant and ever-tobe-revered first minister of this town, Mr. Wilson, wrote to
the Governor and Council a letter, which I think you will desire me to read in your presence. It is this:HONORED SRS, -Prostrating my humble service vnto your Honors, I had not bin so bold (being so vnfit as I am,) to send these
rude lines at present vnto you, while you are so busyed on the
weighty concernes, and sad occasions respecting the Commonwealth
and churches of God. But that wh. I haue to write is about the
same things wch yourselfes, as ye honored fathers of ye country
are taken vp with, studying night and day to compasse wt is most
expedient and expeditious for ye good and safety of ye whole. Captain Oakes, coming fro Marlbourough to our towne this second
day night,* we understand by him, (who lately came fro ye grizely
sight of ye ruines of Lancaster,) of ye imminent danger yt not
only Malborough was in whn he left them, but also of ye towne of
Medfeild, with ye village of Sherborne on the other syde of ye
river, ye common enemy (as he understands) bending towards Nipmuck, Sherborne also, by his and ye reports of others being threatened next Thursday. Honored Srs, I write in ye behalf of ye
towne. It is our humble request that your Honors would consider
us in this juncture of time. We have not till now, made such a
motion as this, and could be glad yr were not such an occasion. Our
towne is a frontier towne. ye loss of Mendham t hath disadvantaged vs. Ye losse of Medfeild will be a very greate blow; what
will become of ye city if the hands of ye country grow feeble.
Now ye rode from Nipmuck is fair for these caniballis, be pleased
for God's sake to remember us, and let some considerable sufficient
force be sent to vs for our speedy releife, before it be to late, by ye
soonest, by ye soonest that possibly can be, lest Medfeild be turned
into ashes and ye smoke of it amaze such yt shall behold it; Oh, let
not one day passe without preparations herevnto, tho they come in
ye night. Captin Oakes is not constantly with us, but is in severall motions fro hence to Marlborough, and thro' some difficultyes he
meetes with in regard to fodder for horses, wch is very scarce, would
be glad your Honors would signify further of your minds wt he
should do; and by these meanes we haue no certain helpe at hand.
*The second day of the week, Monday.
t Mendon.




I 5
Not further to trouble your Honors, but hoping your compassionate hearts will and do consider us, humbly returne our hearty
thankefullinesse and acknowledgemts for your vndeserved favour
in sending out forces to visit us, and to scout about for discouery of
our dangers, humbly begging ye continuall assistance of ye Almighty to be with you in all yr weighty concernes yt ly on yor
hands, and smiles of ye Lord's divine fauor on his poore distressed
people.
So prayes
Your Honors' humble servant,
Feb. I4th 75.                              JOHN WILSON.
Medfeild.
The original of that letter, sacred to every son of Medfield,
is in the keeping of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in
its archives among its State papers, and there may it remain
forever!  I know not, friends, in what books you read the
legends of pathos, or find the entreaties of prayer; but for
myself I know of nothing in the language of entreaty or of
supplication more calculated to stir the heart, than that letter
of your first minister.
The Governor responded. A force, consisting of a company of eighty men of infantry, under the command of Capt.
John Jacob, and a company of horse, about twenty, under
command of Capt. Edward Oakes, was sent for our relief, and
quartered in the town. These, together with the train-band
of the town, numbering about one hundred, under command
of Lieut. Henry Adams, constituted a sufficient force for
its defence against any enemy which could be anticipated.
Thus, on the day when Medfield was attacked, it was probably better able to repel the attack than at any other period
of the war; and it was this sense of security, this fatal reliance upon it, which probably caused the disaster.
The general appearance of Medfield, its characteristics and
features at that time were probably more like what they are
now than those of most towns. Instead of a nearly direct
highway as now from Dedham, the road turned to the left at
Walpole corner, and passing through a valley came out near
the eastern slope of Mount Nebo, at the house. of Isaac




I6
Chenery, which was situated in what is now a pasture, a few
rods to the east of the house where Mrs. Coltman resides.
There it probably divided into two forks, one passing around
on the eastern side of Mount Nebo, and coming out near the
house of Samuel Bullen, which was a few rods in the rear of
the residence of the late Mr. Daniels Hamant, running across
the present south road and entering the village through what
is now Pleasant Street. It then continued northward, substantially over the present line of North Street, passing the house
of Capt. Sadey, afterwards Barrachias Mason's, afterwards
Johnson Mason's, and now in the possession and about to become the residence of your citizen, Mr. John J. Adams; and
then continued northwardly toward the settlement at Sherburne and the Nipmuck country, past the house now in the
ownership of Mr. Lorenzo Harding. The other fork of the
road from Dedham probably came across to the house of
Samuel Morse, which was near the present residence of
Misses Lucy and Mary Morse, and continued in very much
the same direction as the present main street, through the village,.but turned to the right before reaching the river, which
it crossed about half way between the present turnpike bridge
and Brastow's bridge.  The site of the bridge as it then
existed is marked by large rocks, I believe, on either side,
now remaining. There were four garrisons in the town. The
first was at the house of Isaac Chenery, at the location I have
mentioned, and the remains of it are still existing and very
plainly to be discerned. It is a spot of interest, and well
worth a visit to examine. It is situated upon a knoll or rise
of land, upon the borders of a large swamp. To be seen at
the present time are the remains of the stockade, in almost
the exact form of a horseshoe, and in nearly the middle the
almost perfectly square cellar of the old house. The corners
are as plainly to be discerned as any portion. The stockade
surrounded a place perhaps twice as large as this hall, and
was doubtless constructed of pointed timbers driven into the
ground and supported and backed by an earthwork.
The second garrison was at the house where Mr. Bradford
Curtis now lives; the third at the Capt. Sadey house, now




I 7
Mr. Adams's; and the fourth at the present residence of Mr.
Lorenzo Harding. Probably there are no houses now standing in the town which were standing on the day when it was
burned. The venerable Peak House, so justly the subject of
curiosity and veneration, was probably built some years later
at another place, and moved to its present spot, though the
smaller building by its side, which some of you I am sure iemember, and which was once used, tradition says, for a
weaver's shop, was doubtless standing when the town was
burned.  The two elm-trees in front of Miss Sarah Bosworth's were probably standing at that time, - saplings then;
how. short is our life compared with their lives; how little do
we know of the history of this town compared with what
they have witnessed. On the spot where we are assembled
stood the house of the minister, John Wilson. It was probably the finest dwelling-house in the town. It had an overhanging second story for protection against the Indians, or
for fashion's sake, as the custom then was,-it matters little
which.  Across North Street, the first house was that of
Ralph Wheelock, the first signer of the compact to remove to
Medfield, and the founder par excellence of the town, some of
whose representatives I am glad are present with us to-day.
Robert Hinsdale's house was across the brook where your
estimable citizen, Mr. Cummings, now lives; and the well
dug by Hinsdale I believe is still in existence upon the estate
At first all buildings upon the main road in the centre of the
town for some reason, of the nature of which I am ignorant,
were erected upon the north side, and none upon the south
side. The large tract of plain land to the southward was devoted to cultivation without dwellings, and so remained for a
considerable period later.  The first house built upon the
south side was that of Richard Mann many years later, which
stood where Mr. Barney's store now is. As I do not like to
state historical facts without being pretty sure that I am supported by authority, and as an estimable lady of Medfield has
furnished me with what I think some of our friends would
term a legal document, and which may interest the present
owners of the price of land to which it relates, I will refer to
3




18
it. It is a sort of affidavit made apparently in the year I753,
and after the piece of land had been sold to Mr. Richard
Mann, and this is the way it reads: —
SHERBURNE, May the first, I753.
These few lines may signify to whom it may concern, that I, the
subscriber, being at the house of Deacon Wheelock four years ago,
when Mr. Richard Mann was there, about making a bargain about
a piece of land which the said Wheelock was very loth to sell, because the said Wheelock said he would keep fowls and would do
him damage, which the said Manni did declare and did promise the
Deacon that he would keep no fowls of his own; and furthermore
he promised that he would keep off Crowner Fisher's fowls. These
few lines above said is truth according to my best remembrance.
[Signed]               BENJA. MUZZY.
Attest: JOHN DEATH.
Now that raises a very important point of law, interesting
at least to Mr. Barney, and if he is present I would call his attention to it, whether or not that promise to keep no fowls, and,
further, to keep off Crowner Fisher's fowls, is a covenant
which runs with the land; and as I think we had better settle
questions as they arise, and as we have many eminent members of the legal profession present, the distinguished Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of our House of Representatives for so many years among the number, and the distinguished gentleman who comes from the town of Sturbridge,
your offshoot, I rather think after we get through with these
proceedings, if I do not make them too long, we had best
organize a court, make Mr. Hamant chief-justice, and we will
have it out, arranging the lawyers on either side; and we will
find out by a judicial decision whether Mr. Barney is now
obliged to keep off his own fowls, and furthermore obliged to
keep off Crowner Fisher's fowls.
Many of the families now live where their ancestors then
lived.  The Morses live where the Morses lived.  The Masons live where the Masons lived.  Mr. William  Kingsbury
lives where his ancestors the Plymptons lived.  The Al



19
lens-that family who are doing noble work in so many
of the departments of life and labor throughout the country
and the nation, one of whom wrote the delightful hymn you
will sing, and another of whom, coming in fidelity to the instinct and the love of his old town to be with us to-day, met
with the accident, which we hope is not so serious as at first
it seemed,- the Allens live where the Allens then lived.
Your respected townsman, Mr. John Ellis, whose youthful
heart makes his old age green, lives on the spot which the
town granted to his ancestor of the same name. And Henry
Adams has not been without descendants, even unto the present generation, to till the fields which he owned. The brook
runs parallel to the street, as the brook then ran. As we
think, friends, of the generations which have lived upon its
banks, how the verse of the poet comes to the mind,"I chatter, chatter, as I flow
To join the brimming river;
For men may'come and men may go,
But I go on forever."
The meeting-house stood where the meeting-house now
stands, - a plain, simple, austere building, but to their vision
it was " the house of God, the very gate of Heaven." Into
this house at the beat of the drum every Lord's day they
came to worship the God of their fathers. Some of them
came on foot through the paths of the forest for weary miles and
miles, with wife and children, and the trusty matchlock carried
along for protection.  In this way some came from that part of
Wrentham which is now the town of Norfolk; and Joseph
Morse came with his wife from across the river in Sherburne
from their new house which they had built near the site of
Holbrook's mills.
Here they assembled on Sunday, February 2oth. It was
no ordinary company. You could not have found such a company outside of New England unless you had gone to Old
England; and there you would have found its precise parallel
among the followers of Cromwell and John Milton. In addi-.tion to the usual company, there were present on that day the




20
soldiers quartered in the town; and they had brought, each
one, soldiers and citizens, their muskets for protection. They
sang a hymn, — sang it without the accompaniment of instrumental music which they thought was profanation; sang it in
the melody of Puritan voices; sang it out of the " Bay Psalm
Book," a book now so rare that a single copy of it is the subject of litigation before our highest court; sang it to one of
the five or six tunes which constituted their only stock of
music. Mr. Wilson doubtless delivered an extemporaneous
discourse, as the custom then was, and probably before he had
finished the hour-glass was turned.  The subject and the
matter of that sermon we know not; but we do know that
this town and the people of his charge lay like a weight upon
his soul; and, therefore, we know that the tradition which says
that he warned his people to be vigilant against surprise is
true. He prayed,- and with the weight of the town and the
people on his soul, he committed them to the God of armies
and the God of mercy. He saw in a vision, as Abraham saw
by the revelation of God, the great people which was to come
from that seed, and he pleaded the promises. Would God cut
them off? Would he extinguish the hope? As Jacob wrestled with the angel so wrestled Mr. Wilson in prayer that day,
and would not cease without the blessing. With the faith of
a Puritan, he lodged them at the gate of heaven, and placed
them underneath the almighty power, and they were safe!
The company separated, and the tradition is that as they
left the meeting-house looking across the open plain, with
nothing to obstruct the view, they saw Indians on Noon Hill.
I have never been disposed to credit this tradition, but now I
must confess that it is probably true. There was nothing to
shut off the sight. The land was cultivated land, without obstruction; and the base and sides of the hill were not then
covered as now with wood, but were used for pasturage. It
probably was, as in the scene described by the poet after the
departure of the Mayflower upon her homeward voyage.
You remember the scene, -after the embarkation, the rustling
of the cordage, the farewells —not to any of their own company, for none went back, but to the ship and its company,




2 I
their last connecting link with England, —the sending of
messages to friends in England, the bustling about of the captain, the weighing of the anchor, and the vessel had left her
moorings, had rounded the point of the Gurnet, and stood out
to sea, and grew fainter and fainter against the horizon, and
finally became a speck and then disappeared,
"Lo! as they turned to depart, they saw the form of an Indian
Watching them from the hill; but while they spake with each other,
Pointing with outstretched hands, and saying,'Look!' he had vanished."
John Wilson walked to his house that night, in the serene
trust and faith of a Puritan.
There was another man in that company, no less a Puritan,
whose experiences as he walked to his home were different
from those of any others of the congregation. If we may
judge of his character by what he did that day, and by what
we know of his posterity, he was a grim-visaged Puritan,
who lived in the fear of God, but in every other sense knew
no such word as fear.
He left the meeting-house, went down the south road, kept
on past the house of Samuel Bullen, until the road began to
become a path, followed it, entered the thicket of woods,
which stood upon the eastern slope of Mount Nebo, and
there beheld on the right of him, and on the left, skulking behind the trees, Indians! He knew what that meant. Two
courses were open to him: one was to turn back and endeavor to inform the town; the other was to keep on. If he
had turned back, his wife and children, beyond the thicket,
would have perished! Aye, if he had turned back he could
not have gone five rods alive, and the town would have been
uninformed, and his wife and children would have perished
also. He hesitated not a moment. The blood came quickly
to his temples; but he moved not a muscle of his face, he
quickened not his step; he looked neither to the right nor to
the left; he kept on. If he was musical, as some of his decendants have been, he hummed some old Puritan psalm, the
better to put the savages off their guard. He emerged from




22
the thicket; he came out on the open land; he ascended the
hillock; he saw the smoke of his own chimney curling from
the square house inside the stockade; he walked on; he entered the house; what was he to do then? In the name of
Christ, where was relief to come from then? A mile and a
half from the village, three hundred Indians between him and
that, what should he do? Should he and his wife and three
children undertake to cut their way back again to the village?
It was suicide! Should he bolt the doors, and load his matchlock, and be ready for the onslaught which he knew would
come in the morning? One man, one woman, three children,
against three hundred savages, - it was death! Should he
leave the garrison on the other side, and rush with these fleeing ones eight miles through the forest to Dedham? A hundred hounds let loose from hell were on their track, and he
could not do it! He attended to the usual duties of the day,
went to his barn, took care of affairs about the house; he
locked the doors at the usual hour; he put out the candles at
the ordinary time, and lay down upon his bed,  yes, in the
jaws of death he lay down! He knew what the darkest hour
of that night, toward morning, was; and when, after the agony
of watching, the hour came, he took his wife and his three
children, Isaac, Benjamin, and Mary, without noise opening
the latch and creeping out; he came down to the valley, between that hillock and the opposite one; went into the thicket
which skirted the swamp on the other side, careful not to
break a twig or crackle a leaf; so they kept on toward where
Simeon Richardson lives now, and there, in the cranberry
meadow, he hid them under the protection of a great rock.
They were probably safe; and now what does he do? Reckless
of danger for himself, back he comes, and indeed it was time!
As he came back the darkness broke, the gray of the morning twilight began to appear, the rays of the eastern sun to
pencil the sky; and as he mounted the other hillock, opposite
to the one where his own house stood, he saw the savages
battering at his door, and the torch applied to his barn.
Reckless, careless, mounting the crest of the hill, with the
woods behind him, pointing to the savages, and beckoning
to imaginary troops behind him, he shouted at the top of his




23
voice, "Come on, boys! come on! There they are! come
on! there they are!" A panic seized the savages; back they
rushed, and toward the town they came. His name was ISAAC
CHENERY. If he was not the model of a Puritan, I know not
where to find one!
Samuel Morse, just before day, went to his barn to feed his
cattle. He uncovered the leg of an Indian on his hay-mow.
He had barely time to reach his house and get his family to
the garrison before the house was in flames. The burning of
that house at the eastern part of the town was the signal for the
burning of the other parts of the town. Instantly the other
houses were in flames, and the savages were at their work. A
poor woman living near the site of the old Isaiah Smith house
tried to get to the brook for the cover of its thicket, with her
child. She was shot, and the child crawled over her breast
crying, "Bloody! bloody! bloody! " They came to a poor man
on the south road, demented of his wits, and shot at him, and
he cried out at them, "What are you doing? You will hurt me;
you will hurt somebody." They fired again, and the rags and
the tatters fell from him, and he said, " There, I told you so;
I told you you would hurt somebody."  They came up to
him, and, examining him, said, " Hobamoc" -which, in their
tongue, meant the Devil, - " we no kill him."  Lieut. Henry
Adams, rushing out, half-dressed, to find his men and take the
command of them, was shot in his doorway. The mother of
Samuel Smith, on the south road, was knocked in the head,
and her child flung into the air and left for dead; but by
God's mercy he lived to a good old age.
The Indians did not come near the centre of the town, but
crossing the main road came out again upon the north road
in front of the house of Thomas Mason. His wife fled to
the garrison with the youngest child, and he is the ancestor of
the Masons now living among you. The father and the other
sons were killed on their way to the garrison. In one of the
burning dwellings, John Fussell, aged beyond the lot of man,
infirm and unable to move, perished with the house.
All this occupied the shortest possible space of time.
Among the whites all was confusion, consternation, and alarm.
Their first impulse was for the women and children. "To the




24
garrisons, to the garrisons with them!" was the cry. The
drum beat to arms for the soldiers, and the cavalry mounted
the saddleless horses. Whether there were three hundred Indians or three thousand, nobody could tell. Somebody rushed
to the alarm-gun to give the alarm to Dedham. It was fired
once,- it was fired twice; the savages fell into a panic and a
rout; and all, to a savage, rushed to the bridge leading to the
Nipmuck country, crossed it, put the torch to it as they
crossed,-and it was over. The hurricane of war had passed;
eighteen lay dead; above half the houses were burned; and
the town was in sack-cloth and ashes.
Then Mr. Wilson sent his despatch to Governor Leverett
and the council:
HONORED SRS,
in a hurry hast: you may please to understand that on ye 2d day
morning early, we were beset wth Indians a greate number to our
amazement although we had considerable watches: I thinke about
halfe ye towne is fired: many wounded, severall slayne, after we had
fyred: our greate gun twice for to warne dedham of our danger &
anothr it startled ye Indians, at last after much spoyle yY ran over ye
bridge, fired it as yy left it, ran to sherborne fired the rounds. we
we hope George fairbanks pallisade yr safe. wt ye rest we know not
are not wthout an expectation of the tomorrow morning, it is thought
yY lay ye way at dedham rode by those yt came fro theure this night
to se how it was wth us, so yt dedham is not wthout greate danger;
yr is greate need of helpe suddenly to keepe our town, or to follow
them if quite gone. 2 mills burnt
Your honors' humble
servants   JOHN WILSON
EDWARD OAKES
JOHN JACOB
GEORGE BARBAR:
By our guess nigh a Iooo Indians.
No sooner had he written and sent that despatch than he
received one from the enemy. Capt. Gibbs of Watertown
brought this, which the Indians had written and posted by
the bridge as they crossed into the Nipmuck country:Know by this paper that the Indians that thou hast provoked
to wrath and anger, will war these twenty-one years if you will.




25
There are many Indians yett.  We come three hundred at this
time. You must consider that the Indians loose nothing but their
lives. You must leave your fair houses and cattle.
That night Elizabeth Paine, the wife and now the widow of
Henry Adams, was lying in an upper room in Mr. Wilson's
house on this spot. She had come to the house of the minister as to a refuge and a sanctuary. Capt.. Jacob and the
soldiers were taking leave of Mr. Wilson and the others in
the room below. His gun accidentally discharged, and she
was added to the list of the dead.
Since then, for two hundred years, the morning sun has
risen upon this town; but its rays have enkindled into life no
such scene of blood and carnage and dismay. For two hundred years the evening twilight has descended upon this
peaceful village; but its parting ray has lingered and dwelt
upon no scene so fitted to stir the deepest emotions of the
human heart.  Since then, in your streets and households,
the tireless hand of man's industry, the faithful round of
woman's duty, have not ceased; but never was the work
taken up so despairingly, never did the labor drag so heavily,
as on that dismal morning after the massacre.
When all was over, they lay down to rest. Exhausted and
faint they fell at length into slumber. In dreams again they
felt the scalping-knife at their throats, the tomahawk at their
breasts. In dreams again the flames of their own dwellings lit
the lurid sky, and the war-whoop rang through the street
and resounded from dwelling to dwelling. "Alas, " they cry,
"why was I left, and these, my wife, my husband, my children, taken? Aye, why was I born to see this day? Is God
angry with me? Why has he brought me here? - Was it for
this that I left kith and kin in old England?"   Rachel
mourned for her children and would not be comforted because
they were riot.  And as Joshua prayed unto God, so they
broke out in agony, " Oh Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all
brought this people out from over Jordan to deliver us into
the land of the Amonites to destroy us? Would to God we
had been content, and dwelt on the other side of Jordan!"
Ah! friends, let us answer this question which they could
4




26
not so clearly answer. Why were these men here? Aye,
why were these women here?  What could have tempted
them to exchange luxury in England for straightness in
America? Why should they have exchanged plenty and
comfort there for want and suffering here? What motives
could fasten upon men with hearts and women with fears, to
induce- them to sunder at once and forever the ties that bind
man to all that is precious in this life,- friends, kindred, home,
country,- and seek to abide in the wilderness with the savage?
Looking back upon their act from this period of time, with the
light of centuries flashing the explanation over it, let us reverently acknowledge that they were here in fulfilment of the
great purpose of Almighty God to found upon this continent
a nation and a people after his own heart.
For one, I cannot sufficiently express my sense of the absoluteness of the truth that the founders of New England were
set apart of God for this great purpose! Look at the facts.
The entire emigration which peopled this country took place
inside of ten years. Few came who remained prior to I630;
after I640, nobody came. Twenty thousand persons came
between I630 and I640. As soon as the Long Parliament
assembled, and they had the shadow of a hope of liberty in
England, and the least hope and expectation of worshipping
God according to their consciences there, not a man came.
Not a man went back, thank God; but not a man in addition
came.
Who were they? They were men and women whom no
inducement whatever could have brought to this country,
except fidelity to conscience! Why was it that the earlier
expeditions, fitted out at the greatest expense under royal
patronage, and with every worldly means of success, failed, and
ignominiously failed? Why did Jamestown, and the settlement at the mouth of the Kennebec, fail? In the language
of the historian, it was because in the providence of God the
pretentious of the mighty and the power of the strong were
denied, in order that the country might be delivered unto
those whom the great and the mighty despised for their insignificance, and persecuted for their uprightness. It was not




27
the plaudit of a friend, it was the confession of an enemy, who
said that the spark of liberty had been kept alive in England
during the dark generations by the Puritans alone; and that
to them,- to the Puritans, - to such men as your fathers and
mine, England owes the entire freedom of her constitution.
It was then to preserve this spark of liberty, to preserve this
spark and bring it here, - yes, that it should become a flame
which should inflame the country and encircle the world, - it
was for this that our fathers came.
And now, friends, why do we celebrate this day? Why do
we come here? It is not that we can add anything to their
fame, but it is that we may derive strength and power from
the contemplation of their virtues. I will tell you why it is:
it is because the honor of the heroic dead is the inspiration
of posterity! The important question, the present question,
is, whether we are trueto the principles of our fathers. It is
not given to every man to be placed in conspicuous positions,
where his actions may be recounted on subsequent days.
There were many widows in Zion, in the days of the Prophet
Elias, but only unto one was the prophet sent, unto Sarepta,
and unto a woman who was a widow. So the exploits of that
fatal day have so far passed out of remembrance that we cannot recount all the heroes, or all the exploits which they performed. The deeds of that trusty man, John Turner, who
bore the gun that you see before you, - the work of him that
day, whose name is now forgotten, who carried the sword you
have brought here, in honor of the nameless captain, - have
passed out of memory. Take, therefore, the most conspicuous
instance of that day, multiply it by the names of all the
founders of this town; multiply the bravest deed of that day
by the Wheelocks, by the Morses, by the Hamants, by the
Masons, by the Allens, by the Wights, by the Turners, by the
Bullens, by the Plymptons, and all the other names; then
multiply that by every hamlet and every settlement in the
colony, and then you shall see what seed-grain God planted
in this country for the fulfilment of his almighty purposes.
Pass over the interval since then. Remember that for one
hundred and ninety years, until the year 1830, there was no




28
emigration to America; and that they and their descendants
lived here to multiply, a truly homogeneous people, if ever
there was one. See them then, comprising one-third of the
population of the United States, with their descendants in
every part of it, still faithful to the old Puritan virtues.. Look
upon the revolution accomplished. See the rebellion finished,
and the blot of slavery forever wiped away, -and tell me if
America is a failure.
And, friends, when we think of the new and luxurious blossoms which come out from that old Puritan root, how we
thank God and fire our hearts with joy! And how is the statement of old John Robinson fulfilled, that God had yet further
truth to break forth out of his word and in his providence!
Think of such a life! Think of such a life as has just closed
in Boston! Think of a man devoting his youth, his maturity,
his old age, that the blind may have their sight; that the deaf
may hear; that all maniacs, and poor and unfortunate people,
and God's afflicted children shall have light and hearing and
deliverance! Oh, you need not go so far as that. Think of
the charities and of the benevolence of the present day! Remember (if it is not in bad taste to speak of it here) one of
your own citizens, whose name I will forbear to mention,
possessed now of an ample fortune, who has given away more
money than he has left, — and the number of the institutions
and individuals who have been touched by the electric force
of his charity, you cannot recount; and over whose gravestone, when he dies, you will wish to chisel the inscription,
found in an old Puritan grave-yard in England, "What others
kept they lost; what this man gave, that he has "!
Tell me then, friends, if with these examples, if this be the
spirit, if with this new fruit of the Puritan tree, the republic
of the New World is to perish!
On the first leaf of your church-records is placed one of the
most touching recitals which I remember to have read. It is
the relation of Samuel Smith who was thrown into the air and
left for dead, when his mother was killed on the south road.
When people were admitted into the church then, the minister
required their relations in writing; and among those which




29
are preserved, taken by Mr. Baxter, the successor of Mr.
Wilson, is that of Samuel Smith. He was then at the age of
maturity. After recognizing the infinite goodness of God in
preserving his life on that occasion, he says, " My grandfather
would be constantly putting me in mind that it was not for
nothing that I was saved."  Ah, friends, it was "not for
nothing" that he'was saved. It was "not for nothing" that
Medfield went through the fire and blood that day, or that
the Puritans were driven to these shores, and laid the foundations of this nation; but it was for all that is valuable to man,
or precious in the sight of God! The sixth President of the
United States, the most distinguished kinsman of Henry
Adams, the Lieutenant of the Town who was shot in his
doorway that day, unless it be his own illustrious father, the
second President, said that " Massachusetts was a colony of
conscience." So were they all -all the New England colonies- colonies of conscience. God grant that as the ages
roll, the grand old Commonwealth which has grown out of
that colony, and the glorious nation which that Commonwealth
has done so much to create and to preserve, may be a State
and a nation of conscience, forever.
The PRESIDENT. — I have the pleasure now to introduce
to you the Poet of the day, one of the sons of Medfield. His
kindred and friends are gratified by the character he sustains,
and are this day most happy to know that he possesses the
gift of song.
The Poem was then read by the author, JAMES HEWINS,
Esq., of Medfield.
A LEGEND OF MEDFIELD.
"In some houses the wife running away with one child, the husband with
another, of whom the one was killed, the other escaped." - Hubbard's "Indialz
Wars," p. 62.
Through mist of years departed,
Down vistas all divine,
Come echoes of a legend,
A lay of olden time.




30
Upon a peaceful hamlet,
When Winter's sun rolled low,
The morning dawned in brightness
Two hundred years ago.
The same hills watch the valley
That guarded it of yore;
The same sun lights the river
That wanders to the shore:
The rest of that bright picture,
Unrolled before the day,
Time's all-effacing fingers
Have slowly worn away.
Upon the chilly night-wind,
When all the earth was still,
The foeman's signal echoed
From valley up to hill:
When slowly came the dawning,
Like wolves the foe crept down,
And prayers and war-cries blended
Above a blazing town.
And rode that day a charger,
Whose phantom hoof-beats ring
Down Time's enchanted valleys,
The Wampanoag King, —
A warrior brave and daring,
For whose rejected name,
At the judgment day of nations,
Some honor may remain.
But fairer than the romance
Time weaves round Philip's name,
Or the immortal valor
That won our fathers' fame,
The deed of pure devotion,
The simple, homely lay,
The guardian hills surrounding,
Beheld and heard that day.
Upon the hamlet's border,
Within the valley fairy
Where south-winds loved to linger
And flowers perfumed the air,



31
Dwelt with a wife and children,
While years in gladness ran,
Unvexed by England's priesthood
An exiled Puritan.
A peaceful, quiet yeoman,
Who ever daily trod,
By brighter hopes attended,
The pathway of his God;
A brave, devoted woman,
Whose name and lineage fair
The daughters of the hamlet
In after-years should bear.
Upon that doleful morning,
When, on the winter air,
Rose from the lips of many
The unavailing prayer;
And when the dreaded war-whoop
On cradled slumber fell,
And to the mother's listening
Came like a funeral knell,A courage superhuman
Infusing all her soul,
"John, take thy Mary," said she,
" For now the alarm-drums roll,And I will go with Richard;
Thou through the woods, and I
Across the field and meadow
Will to the fortress fly.
"And if," she said, "while living,
We meet again no more,
We'll wait each other's coming
On the eternal shore."
Then they embraced in silence
And kissed a long farewell,
And, parting in the morning,
Met not when evening fell.
The bolts of death above her
Low hurtled in the air,
And through the valley echoed
The wild cries of despair.




32
The faces of her kindred,
The voices of the dead,
The vision of the future,
Inspired her as she fled.
She sees a band of women,
Devoted, noble, brave,
Co-workers with our fathers,
This lovely land to save;
She sees a race of heroes,
Of yeomen firm and true,
Who pierced the outer darkness
Till the light of God shone through.
She sees a peaceful village:
Upon a fairer one,
In his unceasing cycles,
Ne'er shone the golden sun!
But Death, that restless angel,
Who roams the earth and sea,
Descending from the hillside,
Crossed over to the lea.
For when the sun declining
His golden glory shed
Upon the smoking ruins,
The living and the dead,He threw a heavenly halo
Around the upturned face
Of that heroic mother,The child in her embrace.
But hark! - upon Time's pinions
And through the vale of years,
In space forever rumbling
And rolling with the spheres,
Comes faintly to our listening
The booming of a gun:
To-day in tones of thunder
The thrilling answers come.
They wake the buried echoes;
They rush upon the soul,
As storm-tossed waves of ocean
On slumbering beaches roll.




33
Again the foe is flying
In terror through the lea;
The river bears the tidings
In triumph to the sea.
Now softly comes the twilight
Of centuries ago;
Within the deepening shadow
Retires the vanquished foe;
Upon the fading landscape
Descends the night of years,
And through the mystic gateway
The vision disappears.
Then in that woeful gloaming,
When the last dark foe had fled,
The father and the daughter
Sought their beloved dead.
They found them in the meadow,
Where now the willows wave
And wild-flowers bloom forever
Above their nameless grave.
Till yonder hills shall crumble,Our river melt away
As night-engendered vapors
Before the dawn of day,The memory of that mother,
Enshrined in every soul,
Will brighten through the future
While ages onward roll.
Let endless generations
This hallowed story know
Of martyrdom heroic
Two hundred years ago!
And children's children listen,
When evening shadows fall,
To catch the sound of hoof-beats
And hear the foeman's call.
After music by the band, a recess of one hour was taken
for a collation in the vestry of the Unitarian Church.
At about two o'clock, P. M., the congregation re-assembled
5




34
in the hall, and a hymn written for the occasion, by the Rev.
J. H. ALLEN, of Cambridge, was sung.
Silent and still the Sabbath light
Had faded in the west;
The village homes and scattered farms
Were sinking into rest.
Silent and still, by rock and hill,
Lay hid the savage foe;
So night came down on fort and town
Two hundred years ago.
The skulking savage, stealthy, slow,
Through all that wintry night,
Crept close by homestead, fence, and barn,
To wait the dawning light.
The morning came, with sudden flame,
That lit the waste of snow;
And blazed the pyres of fifty fires
Two hundred years ago.
We tread the fields our fathers trod;
We walk our fathers' ways;
The same, the everlasting God
We seek in prayer and praise.
Their harder lot —we share it not;
Nor may our children know
What terrors, prayers, and griefs were theirs
Two hundred years ago.
The  PRESIDENT. — Ladies and  gentlemen, the year, you
remember, is Leap year, as well as Centennial year; and,
therefore, we cheerfully concede to the young ladies present
the privilege to speak first on this occasion, as we would
always concede to their sex the claim to be remembered and
honored, on all occasions, as chief promoters of the welfare
and happiness of the community, on whose loyalty to the best
interest of the State and of the nation we may always safely
rely. If there is no young lady or maiden lady in the audience who will respond, may we not hope that there is some
young man here who will honor himself by speaking in their
behalf?
[No one volunteered to respond.]




35
The PRESIDENT. — I had hoped and confidently expected
that I should have the privilege and pleasure to announce to
you the presence of His Excellency the chief magistrate of
the Commonwealth. In place of this gratification, however,
I must read to you a letter expressing his regret that he cannot be here.
BOSTON, Feb. I4th, I876.
Reev. Charles C. Sewall, AMedJield, Mass.'DEAR SIR, - I have received your valued favor of the 14th inst., with
an invitation to the ceremonies commemorative of the burning of Medfield in the war of Philip against the early settlers of New England. I
beg you to accept my hearty thanks for this courtesy, and were it
consistent for me to absent myself from duties here on that day, I
should greatly enjoy the promised pleasures of your celebration. I now
see that I shall not be able to leave Boston on Monday next.
I am, dear sir, with great respect, yours very truly,
ALEX. H. Rice.
The PRESIDENT.- Passing over several other leading
members of the State Government, I offer you now a sentiment relating to "The Judiciary of the State," whose intelligence and integrity are of the greatest importance to the
people. We rejoice that it is still honored by the appointment
of members eminently qualified to sustain its best character,
and to fulfil the high purpose for which it was established;
and as no member of that body is now present, I will call upon
the Hon. Mr. COGSWELL, Chairman of the Committee of the
Judiciary in the present Legislature, to respond.
REMARKS OF HON. JOHN B. D. COGSWELL.
AMr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen. -
As will be seen by the manner of introduction of your honored
President, my connection with the Judiciary of Massachusetts is
indeed of the slightest; but as the Persian proverb says, " If we
cannot be the rose, it is at all events sweet to be near the rose ";
and it happened to me to be born near the spot which contributed
to the Bar and to the Judiciary of this Commonwealth two names




36
which ever will be honored by the people of this State. I refer to
the village of Great Marshes, in Barnstable County, which contributed first in the colonial days, in the year I725, James Otis, Jr.,
whose magnificent argument in I76o upon the writs of assistance
in Boston, John Adams said, who heard it, "breathed into American independence the breath of life." And'on the same spot was
born in I780 that Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth, Lemuel
Shaw, who held the scales of justice for us so that no man could
see them quiver in his hand.
You have here in Norfolk County two distinguished members of
the Judiciary, whom I understand from the President he had
expected to introduce to you, -the venerable and learned Judge
Wilkinson, of Dedham, and that other junior member of the bench,
Judge Colburn, with whom I had the pleasure to be a schoolmate
in my youth, who I believe has endeared himself by his manly,
honorable, and able course at the bar to the people of this community.
Sir, I have the honor to come here to-day to listen to these very
interesting exercises, and participate in the great pleasure which we
all have felt in this peaceful, rural, peculiarly New England celebration of a grim and ghastly scene, well described by the Rev.
Mr. Wilson as a "grizely" one. I can tender to you here, at all
events, the congratulations on this day of the Old Colony where I
was born, and whence my maternal ancestry is derived. My collateral ancestor, Peregrine White, in his boyhood may have played
with this very sword which lies at my feet, which I am told was
brought over in the " Mayflower," upon which vessel he was born, in
I620, in the harbor of Provincetown. From that great stock of
empire I have the honor to claim direct descent through an ancestor who arrived in the " Fortune " in I62I, the first ship that came
to the relief of the Pilgrims of Plymouth after the "Mayflower"
left.
Now, sir, if I shall not trespass too long upon your patience and
that of this audience, I should like to say a few words about the
Indians themselves, and to present them, or some of them, in a
different light from that in which we naturally would regard them,
upon this day. When the Pilgrim ancestors of our Old Colony
came to Provincetown they commenced, you know, in carrying off the
Indians' corn, at Gurnet, or Truro, by trespassing upon the rights
of the natives, for which I believe they afterwards did their very
best fully to atone. It was at Eastham, on the Cape, that they had




37
the first contest with the Indians, when they were looking for the
spot of settlement, which they called the First Encounter. It was
at Cape Cod, and they returned, when nearly famished to Plymouth, and there from the Indians they bought and paid for the
corn which saved the famishing settlement at Plymouth. From the
Indians of that part of the country our fathers received only kindness and acts of friendship. When a boy strayed from Plymouth
to Sandwich through the woods, and being taken up there was carried on through the Cape towns to Eastham, the site of the then
powerful tribe of Nausets, an expedition, of which Standish and
Winslow were at the head, went to look for him. And at Barnstable, and Yarmouth where I was born, - in Yarmouth, they were,
as they have thankfully recorded, courteously entertained by that
noble young Indian chief, only twenty-eight years of age, tall,
stately, manly, noble as a forest pine, whom they called the courteous sachem of the Mattakeesetts; and when they wanted water he
brought it to them with his own hands in the night time, and carried them on, as pilot and guide, to Eastham, where after a short
negotiation with the Nausets, a hundred of them brought off to the
boat of the Pilgrims the lost boy; and when they went on shore
and found a squaw standing there who wept, as they say, profusely,
and they asked her why she wept, our fathers were told that she
was thinking of her boy who, in I607, had been carried away with
six other young Cape Indians, and sold into slavery by one of the
companions of John Smith in his famous New England expedition.
So it is well for us to remember this day that the Indians had
some cause, or thought they had, of wrong against our fathers. Of
this famous chieftain of the Wampanoags, great, wily, dark savage
though he was, certainly nothing more can be said than that our
fathers were growing and planting their settlements, and that he
realized that then, if ever, was the time when it should be determined whether the white race should possess the soil, and the Indians should pass away from it forever. What wonder then that
fighting according to the custom of his kind he waged a war of
extermination against the whites.
But, sir, our fathers in the Old Colony had done their duty by
the Indians in that quarter. Eliot, the great apostle, had visited
Yarmouth in i656, five years after this settlement, eighteen years
after the settlement of that town, to see what could be done to reclaim the Indians there, and after him came Pastor Thornton, of
Yarmouth, the third minister who had left England because he




38
would not submit to the act of conformity, who at once set himself
to work to reclaim and civilize the Indians there. They were more
numerous at the time of King Philip's war on the Cape than the
white people were.  It was a region eminently fitted to their
wandering habit of life. The fish swam in the sea; the shell-fish
were embedded in the shore; the waters were alive with fowls; the
woods were thick with deer. "There," said Hawley, who had been
a missionary to the Six Nations of New York, "there was the
Indians' paradise." Other good men besides Thornton endeavored
to Christianize and educate the Indians. There were the Bournes,
of Sandwich, and the Tuppers. There was Mayhew at Martha's
Vineyard, who had great influence over the Indians on the island.
There was, above all, Samuel Treat, the first minister of Eastham,
on the Cape, whose grandson, Robert Treat Paine, was one of the
signers of the Declaration of Independence, who wrote to Cotton
Mather, from Eastham, " I have taken under my bishopric all the
Indians of Provincetown and Yarmouth."  He was a man of great
presence, of loud and commanding voice, which, it is said, used to
be heard from his little meeting-house there, even above the storms
that howled, over the plains of Nauset. Fond of. simple merriment-and he, more than any man of all the laborers among the
Indians, seems to have given his whole heart to them,- he visited
them in their wigwams; he attended their rude entertainments; he
taught them to read and write; he translated portions of the Bible
into the Indian tongue; he even introduced magistracy among
them. And this was before the period of King Philip's war. And
so it happened, Mr. President, that when that war broke out,.
although our people upon the Cape and upon the islands were less
in number than the Indians who surrounded them, innumerable
almost as the leaves of the forest; hence, it happened, that not an
Indian from that region joined in the war against the people of
Medfield. If they had joined their brothers and followed the banner of the chief of the Wampanoags, to whom they owed obedience,
nothing could have saved the colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. The shock must have been irresistible. But because
they were peaceable and remained at home, it happened that our
people of the Cape, when Rehoboth and the other towns in the
Old Colony were burned, were enabled to write to their distressed
brethren: " Come to us and live with us until this storm of war is
past." Hence it was that we were able to send, under the leadership of Hinckley, of Barnstable (afterwards Governor, and the last




39
Governor of the Old Colony), -a band which rendered most efficient
service in the war against King Philip. And it is characteristic of
the great spirit of our fathers and of our mothers that on the day
when Hinckley was in the swamp-fight where King Philip fell, his
wife, bearing to him a daughter in Barnstable, and desiring that it
should be christened on the very day, in that day of peril and
intense anxiety, the husband and the father fighting the savage far
away, directed the minister to christen her child "Reliance" in
token that she relied upon the God of battles; and Reliance grew
up to marry the first minister of- Harwich, on the Cape, and to become the ancestress of many illustrious citizens.
So, sir,' we of the Old Colony cannot regard the Indian as the
monster which it would be natural for him to be considered by
the people of this region which he devastated. I will take a
moment longer to remind you that we remember instances -in which
the Indians amongst us showed' that they remembered acts of kindness with gratitude, and that they Luvel the friends of the Indian.
When Pastor' and Missionary Treat died, one of those terrible snowstorms had fallen which sometimes block up our narrow roads upon
the Cape, so that for many, days in those primitive times it was impossible to break out a roadway. The Indians came and begged
that they, who despised manual labor as a rule, might be allowed to
dig out a tunnel through the snows, and upon their shoulders they
bore the revered pastor and friend to his grave. By Indian hands
he was buried. -And when the great-grandchild of Bourne, who
had procured from- the Colonial Legislature the grant of a township
of land containing ten thousand acres, for the use forever of the
Mashpee Indians, -when this great-grandson of Bourne was lying
grievously ill, and past medical skill as it was thought, the Indian
medicine-men came to the house and begged that they might be
allowed to do something to relieve the sufferings of the descendant
of their benefactor; and the family tradition is that the Indian
pow-wows brought him'back to life and health.
The-Rev. Dr. Alden, who was born in Yarmouth, wrote in I792
that within the memory of men still living there were more Indians
in that town than white people. If the Indians of the Cape did not
join in the war of King Philip, it was not because they were not
possessed of warlike spirit. For when Captain Thatcher raised
his company in Yarmouth to go to the siege of Louisburg thirteen
Indians went with him, and it was one of the Yarmouth Indians
that entered first the bastion of the great fort at Louisburg. We




40
enlisted them again in the Revolutionary War, and in the War of
the Rebellion the descendants of the tribe of Mashpee fought upon
the side of the Union, -and unfortunately those of the Indians
who went to the wars seldom or never returned.
My father, the pastor for many years of the Congregational
Church in Yarmouth, took me when a little boy to see the last survivor of all the great numbers of Indians who once lived in the
lower towns of the Cape, when our fathers came here, and when
Medfield was ravaged two centuries ago. They all passed away,
by that inexorable law which decrees death to the Indians in the
presence of the white man, except in the town of Mashpee, which
still remains occupied by the descendants of the Indians, now
few in number, who are the first of their race who have ever been
enfranchised, relieved from tutelage, and declared to be citizens, —
Mashpee having been created a town in I870. And in the following year I had, as candidate for Representative to the General
Court, the honor of receiving the first Indian votes ever thrown
anywhere in this country.
Only the summer before last I went on Sunday to attend religious
worship in their little church, still standing in the primeval forest
in solitude, and listened to their rude exercises, and heard their
primitive hymns; and to-day, therefore, I would say, in conclusion,
that I feel justified, representing that region which did so much by
its efforts and by its influence upon the Indians to save the colonies in the war of King Philip, in the name of these late constituents of mine, who, though of Indian origin, are nevertheless peaceful and obedient and worthy citizens of the Commonwealth, to
tender from them, the descendants of the peaceful Indians of the
Cape, to you, the descendants of those whom their kinsmen ravaged
and spoiled two hundred years ago, to-day the olive-branch of
peace.
The PRESIDENT.-After this most eloquent defence of the
Indians, it may be appropriate for me to read a sentiment,
which I trust will find a response in your hearts, though he
who had been expected to respond to it, a former commissioner of the Indians, is not present:" The remaining tribes of Indians in our land, - we will harbor towards
them no feeling of revenge for the deeds of their fathers, but pity them
for the wrong they are made to endure, and seek their welfare by the cultivation of mutual peace and mutual helpfulness."




4I
I will next give you a sentiment in relation to Dedham:"Our good old mother Dedham, - we would never forget the excellent
character which has always belonged to her, nor cease to cherish and
exhibit a grateful and faithful attachment to her."
No one volunteering to respond, the President read the next
toast, as follows:"Our friends, citizens of the adjoining towns which were once part of
the town of Medfield, - we cherish toward them an attachment which we
hope will be preserved and strengthened by mutual expressions of con_
fidence and sympathy."
Responded to by the Rev. THERON BROWN, of Norwood, as
follows:RESPONSE OF MR. BROWN.
AMr. President: 
I simply rise to decline to make a speech. I don't feel indigenous or aboriginal to this part of the country; but still I can claim
perhaps, a little connection with this occasion, and with the subject
before us, so universally interesting. I suppose I should not have
been here if King Philip had not been a very humane man, and one
who was true to his friends; and, as it happened, my emigrant ancestor, old John Brown, was a friend of King Philip's father. The
old sachem used to call upon him where he lived, out not very far
from Bullock's Cove as it now is, with his son James, and becoming
very friendly to him and his family. When the old man died he
charged upon his sons Philip and Alexander to always be friendly
to Mr. Brown's family. So when the surrounding towns were
burned, and the stockades were invaded, and all the places of
treasure-storing and of refuge were assailed by the Indians under
the lead of King Philip, Mr. Brown's family was unmolested; and so
in consequence of that I claim that I owe to King Philip's humanity
and forbearance my present place in this land of the living, and my
opportunity to rise up and decline making a speech.
The President read the next sentiment as follows:
"The towns of Sturbridge and Southbridge, - although no longer
bearing their mother's name, may they continue to gratify her mater



42
nal pride, and to fulfil her maternal hopes, by their eminence in all that
constitutes the true honor and prosperity of a community."
I will ask H. D. HYDE, Esq., of Boston, a native of Sturbridge, to respond to this sentiment.
REMARKS OF MR. HENRY D. HYDE.
Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen. -
It is with no small degree of satisfaction and pleasure that I
have come to-day to participate with you in the exercises of this
occasion.  There are four of us here to-day, representing your
daughter, New Medfield, as it was originally called when first chartered by the Legislature. Sturbridge, as it is now called, was a
name taken some years after, and then what was originally New
Medfield has since been divided into the two towns of Sturbridge
and Southbridge. It was pleasant this morning, as our friend, Mr.
Bishop, was mentioning over the names of the ancient citizens here,
to find how familiar they were and have always been to my ears.
The Wheelocks, the Masons, the Plymptons, the Morses are all
names that are familiar in Sturbridge; and so with the Wights and
the Fisks; and there are quite a number of names that I find recorded in the annals of this town which are common names with us.
It is a well-known fact that there were three applications made by
the inhabitants of Medfield to the Legislature for permission to
settle in what was then called one of the Plantations, in the interior
of the State, and an unbroken wilderness.
The first knowledge we have that Sturbridge, or that portion of
the State, was known except to the Indians was when, thirteen
years after the landing of the Pilgrims, John Oldham reported
through the Indians that there was a mine of black-lead, or plumbago, in that locality. That mine was soon after worked, when the
town was settled, and continued to be within my remembrance. It
has since been discontinued because of larger deposits elsewhere;
but the property is still owned by the Tudor family of Boston, and
the mine was for many years worked very successfully.
As before stated, there were three applications made to the
Legislature to settle this locality. The first was made in I727,
and was denied; the second was made in I729, and was also denied; but later in the year, a third application was favored by the
Legislature, and permission was given the applicants, from the




43
town of Medfield, to go there and settle, provided that within seven
years there should be fifty families located there, and that each
family should erect a house, eighteen feet square, should break up
and bring into tillage seven acres of land, should settle an orthodox
minister, and give him his share of the land. They went there in
the fall, probably, of 1730. At first but a few went; later in the
next year several families followed. Two of the first settlers from
here were of the name of Fisk, and they settled in that portion of
the town which has ever since borne the name of Fisk Hill. There
was another hill over opposite, known as Shumway Hill, settled
from this town. The first winter the Fisk brothers spent in town
they were alone; and they supposed they were the only inhabitants
of that region. But one clear afternoon, while engaged in chopping,
they heard the sound of a distant axe, and also the person using
that axe heard the sound of their axe; and so following the sounds
of the axes, they approached each other, until they reached the
banks of the Quinnebaug River, each until then supposing he was
the only inhabitant of the wilderness. They each felled a tree, and
thus making a bridge crossed the river, exchanged civilities, after
which each returned to his locality, remained there, and continued
the work of clearing the forest.
This morning, when your orator was saying that in some portions
of the town some people were denied the privilege of having chickens, I was reminded of a tradition that the early settlers were content with beans, and that that was the principal article of diet. The
story goes that one Fisk went and put a pot of beans upon the
kitchen fire as he and his brother went out to their daily avocations.
When they came home at night they found that a high wind, which
had arisen during the day, had blown a large stone down the chimney and tipped over the pot of beans; and New Medfield that night,
it is said, went supperless to bed.
A school was established in 1730, and two years later incorporated by the Legislature. The first house of worship was dedicated
soon after.
It seems, in those early days, there were frequent visits back
and forth between the people of New Medfield and Old Medfield,
and I have often heard my mother tell of her grandmother going
back and forth to this town on visits to her old friends here, the
journey being made upon horseback. My direct ancestors on my
mother's side came from this town, and bore the name of Wight.
I believe there are several remaining in this town of that name.




44
My great-grandfather's name was David Wight.  He was born
here in I730, I think. His wife was Catharine Morse. They were
married here, moved to Medway, kept hotel there a short time, and
then moved to New Medfield.  My great-grandfather there purchased a thousand acres of land, paid $4,800 for it, and settled
near the centre of the town, where many of his descendants reside
until the present. Two of their descendants, besides myselfDavid and William Wight - are here to-day. Some of you, I think,
have heard before the story that is told of my grandfather, Capt.
Alpheus Wight, who went from here when he was three years
old, and passing down through Charlton woods on the second day
before reaching Sturbridge, tumbled off from the load of goods
into a ravine. What he might have accomplished but for this accident it is impossible for any one to say; but as it was, he lived to
the good old age of eighty, and became the father of fourteen children, all of whom lived to grow up.
They tell the story that the name of the first school-master there
was not like the one we read of in the legend of Sleepy Hollow,
Ichabod Crane, but Ichabod Spooner Crane; that he was directed
to instruct the youth of the town; and that he used to go about'
from house to house, instructing them in the New England primer
and Dilworth's spelling-book. He was allowed to omit so much of
the spelling-book as he thought would be of no practical use.
When the pupils had grown up and were nearly ready to graduate,
the story is told that he was in the habit of exercising them in the
Psalter, and also in the first book of Chronicles, the ioth chapter
of Nehemiah, and any portion of the Bible where he could find a
full page of Hebrew names.
It is said of my direct ancestors, Mr. David Wight and his wife,
she who was Susan Morse, that they were frugal, industrious people, who pursued the even tenor of their ways, except that it is
said (though probably it is not true) that she was a little more
ambitious than he, and was rather wont to jog his slower steps, and
was generally the pushing one of the two; at least, whether she
would let him or not, or whether he relied so much upon her judgment, after he had been up and looked at two tracts of land, each
of a thousand acres, he declined to make any purchase until she
should have gone up and visited it; so she went on horseback and
visited the two tracts. He abided by her judgment, and took the
one where they settled. I have often heard the old people speak
of seeing her go to church (I don't remember her), and that until




45
she was past eighty she used to go on horseback, riding with apparent vigor; and also, it is said, that she always hitched her horse
to the lightning-rod. I suppose her. idea was that electricity was
cheaper than oats.
The names which I have been accustomed from my earliest
childhood to hear spoken of as these of citizens of our town are
names, as I have said, they are also familiar to you here. They
are common names with you and common names with us. " New
Medfield" was the name by which the town was early known; although let me say that Southbridge before it was set off (I
suppose the idea came from the fact of the good character of this
town; it was at first simply a portion of Sturbridge, although it is
now the larger of the two) was known by the name of Honesttown. The names that are familiar to my ears are the same that
are familiar to you. Our ancestors are common. In early days they
were here together and then separated. Back and forth they went
several times, until finally I suppose that for the most part we
are strangers to each other, although our fathers knew each other
well. Another incident is told that the oldest son of David Wight
once came down to Medfield to make a little visit and call upon
his friends. On his way. back he fell in with a young lady of this
town, who was coming up to visit some of her relatives there, and
then it was the old story. He married her soon after she arrived.
So there are many things which tie us together, -New Medfield
and Old Medfield.
One of the earliest settlers from Medfield was Mr. Moses Marcy,
who was often spoken of as the first citizen of the town. Two of
his direct descendants have attained honorable distinction, - Hon.
William L. Marcy, Governor of New York, and Secretary of State
under President Pierce, and Miss Charlotte Cushman, to whose
memory Boston is this day paying the last tribute of respect.
It is certainly not without a good deal of pleasure that four of us
have come here to-day as representing the town of New Medfield.
We hope four years hence to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth
anniversary of the town of New Medfield. We cannot wait until
the second century comes round, for fear we may not be there, and
so we want you to come up when our celebration takes place. We
are afraid in fifty years some of you may not be here.
It is a very pleasant thing, allow me to say, for these towns to
keep up their identity, - for them to keep up this spirit of township,
this spirit which, after all, lies at the foundation of what there is in




46
our government which is a thing of value. When the town organization shall have disappeared, and the interest in the town government shall be stricken out, the larger pillars will also fall and
crumble to pieces. It was by this spirit that our fathers were able,
after the Revolution, to organize a system of government. It was
by this spirit that we have been able to go thus far in our career of
peaceful government.  And it has been' said,:I think wisely, that
had this same system of township organization, and town government, and town authority which has existed in New England, prevailed in the Southern States, the last war would never have been
possible.::It is a pleasant retrospect to look over the history of these towns,
and find out how much there is of interest, and how much comes
back of old association.
Thus it is that history goes forward making her great progress,
and thus it is that our fathers participated in it; and soon we shall
have fulfilled our course here and shall have passed on. It is
pleasant, therefore, to come together, as we come to-day, to speak of
our ancestors, of their common hopes and fears, of their joys and
desires, if by chance we may thus be impelled in some small degree
to emulate their example:"We tread the paths their feet have worn,
We sit beneath their orchard-trees,
We hear, like them, the hum of bees,
And rustle of-the bladed corn;
We turn the pages that they read,
Their written words we linger o'er;
But in the sun they cast no shade,
No voice is heard, no sign is made,
No step is on the conscious floor!"
The President then read an interesting sentiment, as follows:
"Our forefathers and foremothers, the founders of our village,rejoicing in our present prosperity, much of which we owe to the spirit
which they unconsciously transmitted to their descendants, we remember,
and will hand down the memory of their enterprise and their sufferings
to the generations which shall follow us."
The PRESIDENT. -  I would ask the Rev. Mr. HAMMOND, Of




47
Monson, who is allied to us by regular descent from the founders of the village of Medfield, to respond to this sentiment.
REMARKS OF REV. CHARLES HAMMOND, OF MONSON.
Having the opportunity some months since, to examine the town
records of Medfield  a favor several times granted to me,-I
found the fragment of a very ancient document, to which was appended the signatures of very many of the "forefathers, the founders of this your village."  The names of the "foremothers" were
wanting.
In the "Annals of Dedham," by Herman Mann, I have since
found this document printed entire, with the names of forty-three
signers. It is a compact or league of the subscribers, whereby they
formed " a society for removing to Medfield." This compact was
most carefully prepared, and as it relates to the regulations for the
settlement of the new plantation, it must be considered as the document which introduces the proper civil history of the town.
This compact shows who the forefathers were, and the motives,
purposes, and principles which controlled the policy of the first settlers, and so became influential in determining the character of the
people, in succeeding generations.
The provisions of this original compact of the "forefathers " of
Medfield, are very remarkable, and have no precedents so far as
known. One article of the compact pledges the real endeavor " to
resolve and issue " in " a peaceful manner," " differences, questions,
or contentions, in our own town, before they come to a place of
public judicature."  Another article provides, a "faithful endeavor " that " only such be received to our society and township
as we may have satisfaction in; that they are honest, peaceable, and
free from scandal and erroneous opinions."
The "forefathers" who signed the Medfield compact were all,
doubtless, emigrants from Great Britain, most of them genuine
"first-comers," constituting heads of "endless genealogies."
The first signer of this compact, and doubtless its author, and
the leader of the enterprise, was Ralph Wheelock, and for this reason he deserves a special notice. There are many other names on
the list worthy of commemoration.
Ralph Wheelock was a non-conformist minister in England,
though he never had a charge in this country. He was born in the
county of Shropshire, or Satop, as often called, and graduated at




48
Cambridge University, being a member of Clare Hall College,
where he received his degree of A. M., in I63i.  He was a contemporary of John Milton, at Cambridge, who took his Master's
degree in I632. When he lived at Dedham he was a school-master,
an office his fellow-collegian Milton held with honor. After he removed to Medfield he was a civil magistrate, and occasionally
preached as a supply for vacant churches. Having a great tact for
practical affairs, he was much employed in public services, being
regarded as one of the most learned and at the same time one of
the most useful and judicious citizens of the colony.
His son, Captain Eleazar Wheelock, settled as a pioneer emigrant in Mendon. He was an heroic officer in King Philip's war,
and yet in times of peace he lived on excellent terms with the Indians, treating them with great kindness and humanity, and often
joining with them in the chase. His son, having the ancestral passion for emigration, settled in Windham, Conn., in 1702. He was
the father of Rev. Dr. Eleazar Wheelock, of Lebanon, Conn., celebrated as the founder of Moors' Charity School for Indian youth,
and also of Dartmouth College.  His son, Dr. John Wheelock,
succeeded him as the second President of Dartmouth.
Other families of the first generation of residents in this town
have an illustrious record of transmitted names and influence and
fame in all the learned professions, and in all honorable callings,
which could be easily made to appear, if the time would permit.
There are very many New England towns which, having a hundred years of history and more, can commemorate this Centennial
year, the local events connecting them with the struggle for our
common liberty made secure forever by the Revolution of I776.
But the towns are very few having a history of two hundred years
and more, as this town has, and has the responsibility of recalling,
by a commemoration like this, the local incidents of that most terrible war in which the lives of all that lived in the feeble settlements of Eastern Massachusetts, and of all New England, indeed,
were in the utmost peril, and when all the preceding endeavors to
plant on these wild shores the precious germs of American civilization were in danger of utter annihilation.  Such was the peril of
the ancestors of us all living here in I676, two hundred years ago
this very Monday morning.
The object of this historic festival then is of greater importance
than the exhilaration-which the occasion excites during these passing exercises. Its true intent is to force our thoughts and sympa



49
thies far back into the distant past, and impel us to look at the terrific condition of our forefathers and foremothers, and consider
what it cost them to cross the mighty sea, to penetrate that pathless
wilderness then overspreading all these meadows, fields, and hills,
and to risk the fearful perils that hovered around exposed and defenceless homes, ready to be ravaged any day and any hour, by the
torch and tomahawk of the relentless savage.
Yet the courage of our ancestors, to endure and dare just such
real perils as this celebration has so vividly revealed to us all today, was needed, in order to lay a foundation, deep and abiding, for
the growth and culture of this beautiful village, in these later days,
which you all love so well, and which it is the object of this commemorative festival to make you and your children love more and
more.
The PRESIDENT. - I will next read the following sentiment:
"The delegation representing the New England Historical and Genealogical Society, - honored by their presence to-day, we would assure them
of our lively interest in the aims of the Society which they represent,
and of our cordial congratulations upon the increasing favor with which
it is so generally regarded by the public."
In the absence of Rev. Dr. RUSSELL, of Holbrook, chairman
of this delegation, I will call upon Mr. D. T. V. HUNTOON, of
Canton, to respond to this sentiment.
REMARKS OF D. T. V. HUNTOON.
Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen.'We come here to-day to represent a society which has for the past
thirty years been striving in every way to collect the mouldering
documents which cumber the attics of the old houses of New
England. Very little credit, perchance, we get for it. But once
in a while there are those who are very glad indeed to come to us
and ask us who were their great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers; and very often we can tell them. Such is the value of
records.
But, ladies and gentlemen, it is not alone the society which I
represent to-day that has brought me to Medfield for the first time
in my life; but it is because I appreciate and love everything which
relates to the history of New England. Above all, I love every7




50
thing which pertains to dear old Norfolk County, where I was born.
The gentleman from Sandwich has spoken to you of the Indians
in his vicinity,- the Mashpee Indians. I was born upon a plantation
where the friendly Indians once lived, the Ponkipog Plantation.
The gentleman also alluded to the Apostle Eliot. He told you of
his work upon the Cape. Allow me to say that just two hundred
years ago, John Eliot petitioned the town of Dorchester to reserve
six thousand acres of land for the benefit of the Indians, in order
that they might worship God in peace. They reserved six thousand
acres of land, which is now situated in the town of Canton, then
Dorchester. Gookin calls it "The Second Praying Town." There,
every fortnight, the good old man John Eliot came and held his
meeting. There he taught them the use of the alphabet, and there
he instructed many of them in the work of the ministry, and when
he died- this "Apostle to the Indians," as he is often called - his
mantle fell upon our first minister, the Rev. Joseph Morse, who was
a native of your town, and who, in the year I707, came to our little
settlement- our little township of perhaps twenty or thirty families,- and there ministered for some thirty years to the people of the
old parish; and in this work he was aided by his wife, Amity Morse,
who opened a little school for the Indians, and taught them to read
the Psalter and the New Testament. The days passed on, and still
the Indians attended his little church. But when a larger and more
pretentious edifice was erected, and the Rev. Samuel Dunbar was
called to minister to the people of Stoughton, as the place then
came to be called, the Indians said that they could not understand
Mr. Dunbar. They knew of but one Indian who ever attended Mr.
Dunbar's ministry, and he was now dead, -too much "Gospelization "!
These Ponkipog Indians were always friendly to the white settlers,
and one of their sachems lost his life in a battle with King Philip's
men. There are none of unmixed blood remaining in my native
town to-day. Half-breeds and quarter-breeds gain a precarious
living by fishing, or picking cranberries in the bogs around Ponkipog Pond; but the aborigines of two centuries ago have departed,
and forever.
Permit me, Mr. President, in closing, to express the hope that
the celebrating of such important anniversaries as the present will
create a deeper interest in the historical associations which cluster
around our own homes; and I thank you, sir, in behalf of the New
England Historical and Genealogical Society, for the " lively interest




5'
in our aims," and "cordial congratulations" in our success, which
you have so kindly expressed.
The PRESIDENT. -  In the eloquent address that we heard
this morning, the town of Deerfield was spoken of as associated in the devastation that resulted from King Philip's war.
Deerfield was originally a part of Dedham, and so connected
with Medfield. I had hoped to present to you a representative from Deerfield; but, instead, I have to read to you a communication from him, and a sentiment he has sent which you
will be pleased to hear.
DEERFIELD, Feb. I8, I876.
Charles C. Sewall, 7. M. R. Eaton, and others. --
I have received your kind invitation to join with you in the second
Centennial, commemorative of the burning of Medfield in I676. I
would gladly be with you, but reasons that seem imperative present
themselves as obstacles. I feel proud and grateful for having been
selected as the representative of my dear old town, on this interesting
occasion; and, in her behalf, would send greeting, with the following
sentiment -
"Medfield and Deerfield, both fields of historic fame, united in the olden
time, in a measure by a common ancestry, and more strongly by a kindred fate, -may they continue to be united by a common sentiment of
tender veneration for the fathers, and a grateful acknowledgment of what
they did and suffered, that they might leave for us the glorious heritage
around us and an honored name."
I remain, gentlemen, very gratefully and respectfully yours,
GEO. SHELDON.
The PRESIDENT. - I give you now:"The cause of education, -dear alike to the past and the present
generations, and long and eminently served by a family proud to own their
nativity here."
I will call upon Mr. EDWARD A. H. ALLEN, of Sherburne, to
respond.
REMARKS OF MR. EDWARD A. H. ALLEN.
Mr. President:
The addresses of the morning and of the afternoon have all, with
slight exception, fallen in with the prevalent feeling in New Eng



52
land, that the Indians are our natural enemies, and that it was our
ancestors' duty not only to defend their land and homes from the
savages, but to carry to them war and desolation. In another spirit,
just two centuries ago, possibly at this very time of the year, was a
small party of Indians going through the depths of the snow in the
trackless forests near one of the Great Lakes, on a mission, I was
about to say, of Christian piety. It was a mission of Christian
piety; for it was then, or just before, that the heroic young Catholic
priest, Father Marquette - after his discovery of the Mississippi, and
after teaching with such fidelity the converts to Christianity among
the Western tribes -had fallen under the great duties and labors
of his calling, and had died in the wilderness; and that little band
of Indians was seeking his last resting-place.  They found it.
They took up most tenderly the bones of him who had been their
guide, their instructor, their Christian pastor, and bore them away
to the white settlement, where they were afterward buried.
Now the sentiment manifested by these Western converts corresponds with that shown by the Indians on the Cape. It was the result of the humane treatment received by them in a distant part of
our land, and from another race, — the French; and so, while we
honor the character our ancestors bore, and the deeds they performed, we yet can unite with those of a different faith from most
of us, in honoring also the devotion which the Jesuit Fathers gave
to their work of converting the Indians in the West. The incident
I have related occurred at the very time that these beautiful towns
of dear New England were devastated by King Philip and his savage warriors.
The PRESIDENT. - I give you now:"The pastors of the churches of Medfield, -cherished in the affections and the memories of those to whom they ministered, and of the
whole community, whose most sacred interests they have labored to
promote."
I would call upon the Rev. Mr. BUSH, one of the ex-pastors,
to respond to this sentiment.
REMARKS OF REV. S. W. BUSH.
Mr President. —
Our orator this morning (and I use the word "orator" with
emphasis and meaning) gave to us a graphic picture of the




53
heroism of Mr. Wilson, the first pastor of Medfield, detailing
vividly the story of his courage on that memorable occasion,
for which we now revere his memory, and I must confess that it
appeared to me that it required almost as much courage in this late
hour after listening for so long a period as this audience has listened
to the varied speeches that have been made, so full of incident and
story and graphic eloquence, - I say it seemed to me as if it required
almost as much courage to face an audience that had been put to so
severe a test in point of time (though not in the way of dull
speeches) as it did to face the Indians; but in my humble way I
must endeavor to do my part.
The town of Medfield is very dear to me, associated as it is with
some of the dearest and most sacred memories, as well as with
some of the most endeared and lasting attachments of my life. I
am also called at this time to speak especially of the early pastors
of New England; for I think there is no class of men to whom
New England, in all that she is, in all that she has been, in all that
she hopes for, there is no single class of men to which she is more
indebted than to her early ministers. They were men of learning;
they were men of intellectual force; they were men of high character; they were intellectual leaders as well as spiritual guides. And
the graphic story which our orator told us this morning, of Mr. Wilson and his deeds in that way, is only one illustration of this truth.
It applies to the town of Medfield; but if you will consult the early
annals of New England, you will find all through them, in the history of the early times, that New England ministers were men who
loved their labors, and left their mark, not only upon the time in
which they lived, but upon the future institutions and the future
history of the country.
Macaulay, if you remember, in one of those brilliant and inimitable
essays of his, with that graphic delineation in which scarcely any
English writer is his equal, draws a picture of the Puritan as he appeared externally, - gaunt, forbidding perhaps; though underneath
all this quaintness and coldness and apparent severity was the germ
of that character which made New England what it was, - or which
at least impressed itself to a very great extent upon the colonies
after the death of Charles I.  And so, also, we may say of the
early ministers of New England, that they left their impress on
the history of the present age, as well as on that of the age in
which they lived. Now Mr. Wilson, the first minister of Medfield,
as I say, was simply an illustration of that class of men. And I




54
think we may say also that their successors have been men of character, or at least have left some influence on "the town." And as
Mr. Hyde, in his remarks, spoke to you of that one feature, you
remember that De Tocqueville, in his book on America- (I suppose
the best book that ever was written on this country; certainly one
in which the characteristics of our institutions are best delineated,
and one in which we see the nicety and discrimination and analysis
and generalization of the philosopher), - De Tocqueville says that
the corner-stone of American democracy is its municipal government, - its township organization.
Now if you will read the early annals of New England, you will
find that it was the ministers of New England that did very much
toward giving direction and shaping to the town, and the moulding of institutions out of which sprang, not only New England,
but out of which has sprung all that is vital in American democracy and in American society.
I do not claim too much for the early pastors of New England
when I say they constituted the greatest and most vital intellectual
and moral force that was present in those days for the shaping of
American institutions and American society. But this theme is too
comprehensive to form the mere subject of a speech when the hour
is so near at hand when we shall be compelled to bring these
exercises to a close. I can only say that it has given me great
pleasure to be here to-day. I will not occupy your time farther
except to say that, if there is any class of men in this country or in
the world that I reverence, it is the early ministers of New England.
And now you know it was the custom of those old ministers,
after they had gone through their discourses, with their "thirdly,
fourthly, and fifthly," up to "twentiethly," to make an application.
In imitation, therefore, of them, I will just make a brief application
of my subject. It is one of the most sacred things that we can do to
commemorate the past. I never fail, whenever I meet with such an
occasion as this to commemorate the past, to have the feeling that
the highest and best way in which we can commemorate the virtues
of our ancestors and the memory of our fathers is not simply to
praise them, and recount their deeds and brilliant services.  A
higher commemoration is when we imitate their virtues. We praise
them for their fidelity to truth, to honor, and to God; but we give
them a higher praise when, imitating their example and influenced
by their spirit, we are alike faithful in our day.
Dr. Howe tells us, in his "Greek Revolution," of an incident




55
which I have repeated elsewhere, but perhaps not many of you
have heard it, that a Greek chief, during that great struggle for
independence, at the siege of Athens was wounded even unto death;
and there before that city, as the fight was going on, he lay, a
dying soldier in the last gasp of life. An English nobleman
who had seen his bravery and his heroism began to compliment
him on his deeds; and he, summoning as it were the strength which
came from the dying hour, waved his hand to this English nobleman, and said, "What has been has been. What has happened
has happened. Now for the future." That is a good sentiment for
us to remember to-day. While, then, we commemorate the virtues
of the past, let us be faithful to the present, and see that we so live
that the future shall be the better for our having lived.
A letter was then read from the Rev. RUSHTON D. BURR,
another of the ex-pastors of Medfield: —
YONKERS, N. Y., Feb. 17, I876.
Rev. Chas. C. Sewall, Chairman of Committee of A rrangements, etc.. —
DEAR SIR,- I thank you heartily for the invitation to be present at
the second Centennial of the burning of your town by the Indians, but it
is quite impossible for me to be with you but in spirit. In thinking of
the descent of the Indians upon Medfield, my thoughts revert chiefly to
the stout-heartedness of your forefathers, and your foremothers, toowhy not? for the mothers suffered, certainly no less than the fathers
in these old times; —to their fearful sufferings and their daily privations
of every kind, for their own sake and of those who should come after
them; and so, not so much would I wish to keep in mind the Indians'
share of the horrid work, as the courage which could be willing to put
oneself in the way of such things, for the sacredness of homes, the welfare of man, and the glory of God.
Keeping in mind the devastations of that day —two hundred years
ago — will only be worth your time and means as it shall stimulate you
all to be like those old, sturdy, colonial men and women that laid the
foundation of the glory of your good old State, cementing all the stones
of it with the love of sound learning and the favor of Almighty God.
Coming down from I676 one hundred years, you have much to think
of in connection with the war of the Revolution; and about one hundred
years later you did your duty in helping to put down the Rebellion. May
the sons and daughters of Medfield never be false to their share of any
work, which it may fall to them to be engaged in.
Yours sincerely and always,
RUSHTON D. BURR.




56
The PRESIDENT. -  I will read the following as the last sentiment which I shall give you on this occasion:"The press,-the guardian of the public interests, and source of
public intelligence: may it never be less vigilant, nor long have cause to
communicate intelligence which shall spread alarm  and anxiety through
the community."
There being no further sentiments or addresses, the exercises were closed with prayer and the benediction by Rev. Mr.
CRANE, of Medfield.
Names of slain and mortally wounded by the Indians, February 21,
I675, 0. S.:
JOHN FUSSELL, slain Feb. 21, i675.
HENRY ADAMS, slain Feb. 21, I675.
JOHN BOWERS, Sen., slain Feb. 2I, I675.
JOHN BOWERS, Jr., slain Feb. 2I, I675.
MARGARET and SAMUEL THURSTON, mortally wounded and died Feb. 25,
i675.
THOMAS MASON, Sen., slain Feb. 21, I675.
THOMAS MASON, son of above, slain Feb. 21, i675.
ZACHARY MASON, son of above, slain Feb. 21, I675.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS, soldier from Boston, slain Feb. 21, I675.
JOHN COOPER, soldier from Boston, slain Feb. 2I, I675.
EDWARD JACKSON, soldier from Cambridge, slain Feb. 21, I675.
JONATHAN WOOD, slain Feb. 2I, I675.
DANIEL CLARK, mortally wounded, and died April 7, I676.
ELIZABETH SMITH, slain Feb. 2I, I675.
TIMOTHY DWIGHT, mortally wounded, died March 9, I676.