The Bay State Monthly. Volume 1, No. 6, June, 1884

It may have been an error, that the editors did not more fully elaborate their plan, in their Prospectus. The intent was right. The real plan is this:

(1) "THE BAY STATE," in its memorial biography, illustrated by portraits and historical notes, takes a new field.

(2) "THE BAY STATE," in its revolutionary and historical record; illustrated by maps, mansions, and local objects of memorial and monumental interest, invites support.

(3) Historical articles, of national value, which illustrate the outgrowth of the struggle for national independence, which had its start at Concord and Lexington, was developed in the siege of Boston, and culminated at Yorktown. In this line we obtained from General Carrington, the historian, an article and maps to start this series.

(4) The best historical, educational, and general literature, with no exclusive limitation of authorship or subject; but with the aim at a high standard of contributions, so that the magazine should be prized, as a specialty.

Perchance a dearly-loved daughter is carrying New-England ideas to some dark corner of the South or West, leading the young idea, or surrounded by ideas of her own,—what more appropriate present to the absent one than THE BAY STATE MONTHLY?

In the old-fashioned farm-house where your youth was passed so happily, there may be the dim, spectacled eyes of the good father and mother—perhaps one without the other—awaiting the approach of spring and summer, to welcome home their child. Herald your coming by sending to them THE BAY STATE MONTHLY, to relieve the monotony and awaken reminiscences of their youth.

There are indications that the unjust postal law, which provides that THE BAY STATE MONTHLY can be delivered in San Francisco, New Orleans, or Savannah, for less than half the money required to deliver it in Boston and its suburbs, will be repealed by the present Congress, and a more equitable law established.

SUBSCRIBE FOR THE BAY STATE MONTHLY.

THE BAY STATE MONTHLY has found a home at 31 Milk Street, room 46, (elevator).

A reliable boy from thirteen to sixteen years old can find employment at our office. Write, stating qualifications, references, and wages expected.

JOHN N. MCCLINTOCK, of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY, has written and has in press, a History of the town of Pembroke, New Hampshire. Modesty prevents our dwelling at too great a length upon the merits of the book. The historical student will find within its covers a wealth of dramatic incidents, thrilling narrative, touching pathos, etc.

Apropos of town histories, the publishers of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY would be willing to confer with authors upon the subject of publishing their manuscripts.

We copy, by permission, from the Boston Daily Advertiser, the following

RECORD OF EVENTS IN JANUARY.

1. President Clark of the New York and New England Railroad appointed its receiver.

Successful opening of the improved system of sewerage in Boston.

2. James Russell Lowell declines the rectorship of St. Andrew's University, to which he was elected.

3. Inauguration of the Hon. George D. Robinson as governor.

7. Inauguration of the Boston city government, and of the new governments in the cities of the Commonwealth.

8. Appointment by the governor of Mrs. Ellen C. Johnson, of Boston, as superintendent of the Sherborn reformatory prison for women.

12. Close of the foreign exhibition in Boston.

15. Minister Lowell accepts the presidency of the Birmingham and Midland Institute for 1884.

17. Francis W. Rockwell elected to Congress from the twelfth Massachusetts district to succeed Governor Robinson.

Mr. Robert Harris elected president of the Northern Pacific Railroad, in place of Mr. Henry Villard, resigned.

18. Steamer City of Columbus of the Boston and Savannah line wrecked off Gay Head, Martha's Vineyard, with the loss of one hundred lives.

28. The State Senate votes to abolish the annual Election Sermon.

DEATHS IN JANUARY.

3. The Rev. Lawrence Walsh, of Rhode Island, treasurer of the American National Land League.

9. Brigadier-General James F. Hall, of Massachusetts.

10. The Rev. George W. Quimby, D.D., of Maine.

12. John William Wallace, president of the Pennsylvania Historical Society.

13. The Hon. Francis T. Blackmen, district attorney of Worcester County, Mass.

16. Amos D. Lockwood, of Providence, R.I. Dr. John Taylor Gilman, of Portland, Me.

19. General William C. Plunkett, of Adams, Mass.

21. Commodore Timothy A. Hunt, U.S.N., of Connecticut.

The History of Georgia, by Charles C. Jones, Jr., LL.D. (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 2 vols.) This is one of the most important recent contributions to American history. Mr. Jones has done for Georgia what Palfrey did for New England. The first volume deals with the settlement of the State, while the second covers its history during the war of the Revolution. With the single exception of omitting to give a picture of the manners and customs of the people, which is always essential to a comprehensive history of any community or nation, the work merits the high praise it has already received.

The first volume of Suffolk County Deeds was published more than two years ago, by permission of the city authorities of Boston. The second one, upon petition of the Suffolk bar, was also printed and distributed at the close of 1883. These volumes contain valuable original historical information of the county, and of the city itself. Among other historically-famous names appear those of Simon Bradstreet, John Endicott, John Winthrop, and Samuel Maverick. The Indian element of the colony, also, is shown here several times. The local topography of Boston and its suburbs, as they existed more than two centuries ago, are all preserved in this second volume. Other volumes will no doubt follow in time, thus preserving records that are indeed precious.

The advanced state of our civilization, and the general prevalence of intelligence, naturally leads to the desire to contrast the past with the present; and to trace to their origin, the laws, customs, and manners of the leading civilized nations of the world. Much research and strength have been expended in this direction, with gratifying results. Two such accomplishments have been recently published, which discuss the early history of property. The first is entitled The English Village Community, by Frederic Seebohm, (London: Longmans, Green, & Co. 1 vol.) The other, by Denman W. Ross, PH.D., treats of The Early History of Landholding among the Germans. (Boston: Soule & Bugbee. 1 vol.) It is generally admitted that the earliest organization of society was by family group, and that the earliest occupation of land was by these same family groups, and it is with the discussion of the theories growing out of these two that both books are occupied.

An Old Philadelphian contains sketches of the life of Colonel William Bradford, the patriot printer of 1776, by John William Wallace. (Philadelphia. Privately printed, 1 vol.) "He was the third of the earliest American family of printers, and his memoir serves as an admirable account of the interesting period in which he was one of the prominent figures in Philadelphia, and when that city was, in every sense, the capital of the country." It should be printed for public sale.

The initial volume of American Commonwealths, edited by Horace E. Scudder, and published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, was Virginia: A History of the People, by John Esten Cooke. This is followed by Oregon: The Struggle for Possession, written by William Barrows. The books are intended to give a rapid but forcible sketch of each of those States in the Union whose lives have had "marked influence upon the structure of the nation, or have embodied in their formation and growth, principles of American polity."

A History of the American People, by Arthur Gilman, published by D. Lothrop & Co., Boston, I vol. Illustrated. This is a compact account of the discovery of the continent, settlement of the country, and national growth of this people. It is treated in a popular way, with strict reference to accuracy, and is profusely illustrated.

History of Prussia to the accession of Frederick the Great, 1134-1740, by Herbert Tuttle. Published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, I vol. The author, who is Professor of History in Cornell University, "spent several years in Berlin, studying with the greatest care the Germany of the past and present. The results are contained in this volume, with the purpose to describe the political development of Prussia from the earliest time down to the death of the second king."

The Magazine of American History, No. 30 Lafayette Place, New York. Terms, $5 per annum, single numbers 50 cents. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, editor.

This is the only periodical exclusively devoted to the history and antiquities of America; containing original historical and biographical articles by writers of recognized ability, besides reprints of rare documents, translations of valuable manuscripts, careful and discriminating literary reviews, and a special department of notes and queries, which is open to all historical inquirers.

This publication is now in its seventh year and firmly established, with the support of the cultivated element of the country. It is invaluable to the reading public, covering a field not occupied by ordinary periodical literature, and is in every way an admirable table companion for the scholar, and for all persons of literary and antiquarian tastes. It forms a storehouse of valuable and interesting material not accessible in any other form.

Mrs. Lamb is the author of the elaborate History of the City of New York, in two volumes, royal octavo, which is the standard authority in that specialty of local American history.

We welcome The Magazine of American History, and thank the accomplished editor for her appreciation of our own more especially New England enterprise.

The Magazine of American History, has one element which insures its merit and its permanence, and that is its list of contributors. Its previous editors have included John Austin Stevens, the Rev. Dr. B.F. DeCosta, and others. Its contributors include such names as Bancroft, Carrington, DePeyster, George E. Ellis, Gardner, Greene, Hamilton, Stone, Horatio Seymour, Trumbull, Walworth, Rodenbough, Amory, Cooper, Delafield, Brevoort, Anthon, Bacheller, Arnold, Dexter, Windsor, etc.

Historical students will find that the facile pen, the painstaking research, and the scholarly taste of Mrs. Lamb, assure her a place with the first of American female writers; and that she deserves most considerate and enthusiastic support. Steel engravings, historical maps, and many illustrations, add beauty, character, and dignity to the work.

ERRATUM. In the January number, on pages 39 and 41 the word "Gates" should read "Gage."

AN

ORATION,

PRONOUNCED AT

HANOVER, NEW-HAMPSHIRE,

THE 4th DAY of JULY,

1800;

BEING THE TWENTY-FOURTH

ANNIVERSARY

OF

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

BY DANIEL WEBSTER,

Member of the Junior Class, DARTMOUTH UNIVERSITY.

"Do thou, great LIBERTY, inspire our souls,And make our lives in thy possession happy,Or our deaths glorious in thy just defence!"

ADDISON.

(PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE SUBSCRIBERS.)

PRINTED AT HANOVER,

BY MOSES DAVIS.

1800.

AN ORATION

COUNTRYMEN, BRETHREN, AND FATHERS,

We are now assembled to celebrate an anniversary, ever to be held in dear remembrance by the sons of freedom. Nothing less than the birth of a nation, nothing less than the emancipation of three millions of people, from the degrading chains of foreign dominion, is the event we commemorate.

Twenty four years have this day elapsed, since United Columbia first raised the standard of Liberty, and echoed the shouts of Independence!

Those of you, who were then reaping the iron harvest of the martial field, whose bosoms then palpitated for the honor of America, will, at this time, experience a renewal of all that fervent patriotism, of all those indescribable emotions, which then agitated your breasts. As for us, who were either then unborn, or not far enough advanced beyond the threshold of existence, to engage in the grand conflict for Liberty, we now most cordially unite with you, to greet the return of this joyous anniversary, to hail the day that gave us Freedom, and hail the rising glories of our country!

On occasions like this, you have heretofore been addressed, from this stage, on the nature, the origin, the expediency of civil government.—The field of political speculation has here been explored, by persons, possessing talents, to which the speaker of the day can have no pretensions. Declining therefore a dissertation on the principles of civil polity, you will indulge me in slightly sketching on those events, which have originated, nurtured, and raised to its present grandeur the empire of Columbia.

As no nation on the globe can rival us in the rapidity of our growth, since the conclusion of the revolutionary war—so none, perhaps, ever endured greater hardships, and distresses, than the people of this country, previous to that period.

We behold a feeble band of colonists, engaged in the arduous undertaking of a new settlement, in the wilds of North America. Their civil liberty being mutilated, and the enjoyment of their religious sentiments denied them, in the land that gave them birth, they fled their country, they braved the dangers of the then almost unnavigated ocean, and fought, on the other side the globe, an asylum from the iron grasp of tyranny, and the more intolerable scourge of ecclesiastical persecution. But gloomy, indeed, was their prospect, when arrived on this side the Atlantic. Scattered, in detachments, along a coast immensely extensive, at a remove of more than three thousand miles from their friends on the eastern continent, they were exposed to all those evils, and endured all those difficulties, to which human nature seems liable. Destitute of convenient habitations, the inclemencies of the seasons attacked them, the midnight beasts of prey prowled terribly around them, and the more portentous yell of savage fury incessantly assailed them! But the fame undiminished confidence in Almighty GOD, which prompted the first settlers of this country to forsake the unfriendly climes of Europe, still supported them, under all their calamities, and inspired them with fortitude almost divine. Having a glorious issue to their labors now in prospect, they cheerfully endured the rigors of the climate, pursued the savage beast to his remotest haunt, and stood, undismayed, in the dismal hour of Indian battle!

Scarcely were the infant settlements freed from those dangers, which at first evironed them, ere the clashing interests of France and Britain involved them anew in war. The colonists were now destined to combat with well appointed, well disciplined troops from Europe; and the horrors of the tomahawk and the scalping knife were again renewed. But these frowns of fortune, distressing as they were, had been met without a sigh, and endured without a groan, had not imperious Britain presumptuously arrogated to herself the glory of victories, achieved by the bravery of American militia. Louisburgh must be taken, Canada attacked, and a frontier of more than one thousand miles defended by untutored yeomanry; while the honor of every conquest must be ascribed to an English army.

But while Great-Britain was thus ignominiously stripping her colonies of their well earned laurel, and triumphantly weaving it into the stupendous wreath of her own martial glories, she was unwittingly teaching them to value themselves, and effectually to resist, in a future day, her unjust encroachments.

The pitiful tale of taxation now commences—the unhappy quarrel, which issued in the dismemberment of the British empire, has here its origin.

England, now triumphant over the united powers of France and Spain, is determined to reduce, to the condition of slaves, her American subjects.

We might now display the Legislatures of the several States, together with the general Congress, petitioning, praying, remonstrating; and, like dutiful subjects, humbly laying their grievances before the throne. On the other hand, we could exhibit a British Parliament, assiduously devising means to subjugate America—disdaining our petitions, trampling on our rights, and menacingly telling us, in language not to be misunderstood, "Ye shall be slaves!"—We could mention the haughty, tyrannical, perfidious GAGE, at the head of a standing army; we could show our brethren attacked and slaughtered at Lexington! our property plundered and destroyed at Concord! Recollection can still pain us, with the spiral flames of burning Charleston, the agonizing groans of aged parents, the shrieks of widows, orphans and infants!—Indelibly impressed on our memories, still live the dismal scenes of Bunker's awful mount, the grand theatre of New-England bravery; where slaughter stalked, grimly triumphant! where relentless Britain saw her soldiers, the unhappy instruments of despotism, fallen, in heaps, beneath the nervous arm of injured freemen!—There the great WARREN fought, and there, alas, he fell! Valuing life only as it enabled him to serve his country, he freely resigned himself, a willing martyr in the cause of Liberty, and now lies encircled in the arms of glory!

Peace to the patriot's shades—let no rude blastDisturb the willow, that nods o'er his tomb.Let orphan tears bedew his sacred urn,And fame's loud trump proclaim the heroe's name,Far as the circuit of the spheres extends.

But, haughty Albion, thy reign shall soon be over,—thou shalt triumph no longer! thine empire already reels and totters! thy laurels even now begin to wither, and thy fame decays! Thou hast, at length, roused the indignation of an insulted people—thine oppressions they deem no longer tolerable!

The 4th day of July, 1776, is now arrived; and America, manfully springing from the torturing fangs of the British Lion, now rises majestic in the pride of her sovereignty, and bids her Eagle elevate his wings!—The solemn declaration of Independence is now pronounced, amidst crowds of admiring citizens, by the supreme council of our nation; and received with the unbounded plaudits of a grateful people!!

That was the hour, when heroism was proved, when the souls of men were tried. It was then, ye venerable patriots, it was then you stretched the indignant arm, and unitedly swore to be free! Despising such toys as subjugated empires, you then knew no middle fortune between liberty and death. Firmly relying on the patronage of heaven, unwarped in the resolution you had taken, you, then undaunted, met, engaged, defeated the gigantic power of Britain, and rose triumphant over the ruins of your enemies!—Trenton, Princeton, Bennington and Saratoga were the successive theatres of your victories, and the utmost bounds of creation are the limits to your fame!—The sacred fire of freedom, then enkindled in your breasts, shall be perpetuated through the long descent of future ages, and burn, with undiminished fervor, in the bosoms of millions yet unborn.

Finally, to close the sanguinary conflict, to grant America the blessings of an honorable peace, and clothe her heroes with laurels, CORNWALLIS, at whose feet the kings and princes of Asia have since thrown their diadems, was compelled to submit to the sword of our father WASHINGTON.—The great drama is now completed—our Independence is now acknowledged; and the hopes of our enemies are blasted forever!—Columbia is now seated in the forum of nations and the empires of the world are loft in the bright effulgence of her glory!

Thus, friends and citizens, did the kind hand of over-ruling Providence conduct us, through toils, fatigues and dangers, to Independence and Peace. If piety be the rational exercise of the human soul, if religion be not a chimera, and if the vestiges of heavenly assistance are clearly traced in those events, which mark the annals of our nation, it becomes us, on this day, in consideration of the great things, which the LORD has done for us, to render the tribute of unfeigned thanks, to that GOD, who superintends the Universe, and holds aloft the scale, that weighs the destinies of nations.

The conclusion of the revolutionary war did not conclude the great achievements of our countrymen. Their military character was then, indeed, sufficiently established; but the time was coming, which should prove their political sagacity.

No sooner was peace restored with England, the first grand article of which was the acknowledgment of our Independence, than the old system of confederation, dictated, at first, by necessity, and adopted for the purposes of the moment, was found inadequate to the government of an extensive empire. Under a full conviction of this, we then saw the people of these States, engaged in a transaction, which is, undoubtedly, the greatest approximation towards human perfection the political world ever yet experienced; and which, perhaps, will forever stand on the history of mankind, without a parallel. A great Republic, composed of different States, whose interest in all respects could not be perfectly compatible, then came deliberately forward, discarded one system of government and adopted another, without the loss of one man's blood.

There is not a single government now existing in Europe, which is not based in usurpation, and established, if established at all, by the sacrifice of thousands. But in the adoption of our present system of jurisprudence, we see the powers necessary for government, voluntarily springing from the people, their only proper origin, and directed to the public good, their only proper object.

With peculiar propriety, we may now felicitate ourselves, on that happy form of mixed government under which we live. The advantages, resulting to the citizens of the Union, from the operation of the Federal Constitution, are utterly incalculable; and the day, when it was received by a majority of the States, shall stand on the catalogue of American anniversaries, second to none but the birth day of Independence.

In consequence of the adoption of our present system of government, and the virtuous manner in which it has been administered, by a WASHINGTON and an ADAMS, we are this day in the enjoyment of peace, while war devastates Europe! We can now sit down beneath the shadow of the olive, while her cities blaze, her streams run purple with blood, and her fields glitter, a forest of bayonets!—The citizens of America can this day throng the temples of freedom, and renew their oaths of fealty to Independence; while Holland, our once sister republic, is erased from the catalogue of nations; while Venice is destroyed, Italy ravaged, and Switzerland, the once happy, the once united, the once flourishing Switzerland lies bleeding at every pore!

No ambitious foe dares now invade our country. No standing army now endangers our liberty.—Our commerce, though subject in some degree to the depredations of the belligerent powers, is extended from pole to pole; and our navy, though just emerging from nonexistence, shall soon vouch for the safety of our merchantmen, and bear the thunder of freedom around the ball!

Fair Science too, holds her gentle empire amongst us, and almost innumerable altars are raised to her divinity, from Brunswick to Florida. Yale, Providence and Harvard now grace our land; and DARTMOUTH, towering majestic above the groves, which encircle her, now inscribes her glory on the registers of fame!—Oxford and Cambridge, those oriental stars of literature, shall now be lost, while the bright sun of American science displays his broad circumference in uneclipsed radiance.

Pleasing, indeed, were it here to dilate on the future grandeur of America; but we forbear; and pause, for a moment, to drop the tear of affection over the graves of our departed warriors. Their names should be mentioned on every anniversary of Independence, that the youth, of each successive generation, may learn not to value life, when held in competition with their country's safety.

WOOSTER, MONTGOMERY, and MERCER, fell bravely in battle, and their ashes are now entombed on the fields that witnessed their valor. Let their exertions in our country's cause be remembered, while Liberty has an advocate, or gratitude has place in the human heart.

GREENE, the immortal hero of the Carolinas, has since gone down to the grave, loaded with honors, and high in the estimation of his countrymen. The corageous PUTNAM has long slept with his fathers; and SULLIVAN and CILLEY, New-Hampshire's veteran sons, are no more numbered with the living!