imil

RE- UNI ON

OF THE

SONS AND DAUGHTERS

NEWPORT, R. I.,
August 23, 1859.

By GEORGE C. MASON.

COMPILED AND PRINTED BY ORDER OP THE GENERAL
COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS.

NEWPORT, R. I.
FRED. A. PRATT & CO., CITY PRINTERS.
1859.

TO THE
SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF NEWPORT, R. I.,
AT HOME AND ABROAD,
This Volume is
RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

iCity Seal.'] Mayor's Office,
Newport, R. I., Auguft 31, 1859.
My Dear Sir, The Committee of Arrangements for the
Re-union of the Sons and Daughters of the Ifland of Rhode
Ifland, on the twenty-third inft., have decided to publifh a
full and accurate hiftory of the Celebration, in pamphlet
form ; and they would be very glad if you would prepare the
Work for publication, elpecially as you felt fo much intereft
in the Celebration, and labored earneftly for its fuccefs.
Yours Very Truly,
WILLIAM H. CRANSTON, Mayor,
And Chairman of Committee of Arrangements.
George C. Mason, Efq., Newport.

Newport, R. I., 061. i, 1859.
My Dear Sir, I have the pleafure of acknowledging
the receipt of your favor of the thirty-firft of Auguft, as
Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, requefting
me to prepare for publication a full and accurate hiftory of

the late Re-union of the Sons and Daughters of this Ifland,
and in compliance with that wilh, I herewith tranfmit the
manufcript for your confideration.
At the time of the Celebration, I prepared for the Provi
dence Journal as full a report of all that tranJpired, as the
hurry of the moment would permit. That report has been
correfted and expanded into the prefent hiftory.
To the above, I have added a hiftory of the Redwood
Library, prepared nearly at the fame time and for the fame
paper, deeming it not out of place in a record of this kind,
inafinuch as it was expefted that the inauguration of the
enlargement of the Library would take place on the day,
following the Re -union, but which ceremony was unavoid
ably poftponed on account of the illness of the Orator of
the day. Very Truly Yours,
GEO. C. MASON.
Hon. Wm. H. Cranston,
Mayor, and Chairman Com. Arrangements.

THE RE-UNION.

CHAPTER I.

ITS ORIGIN.

"Haft thou come with the heart of thy childhood back ?
The free, the pure, the kind ?
— So murmur'd the trees in my homeward track.
As they play'd to the mountain wind.
Then my tears gulhe'd forth in fudden rain.
As I anlwercd. Oh, ye fliades !
I bring not my childhood's heart again
To the freedom of your glades.
But I bear from ray childhood a gift of tears.
To foften and atone ;
And oh ! ye fcenes of thofe blefs'd years.
They fliall make me again your own."
The twenty-third of Auguft, 1859, witneffed
an event in the hiftory of Newport, R. I., long
to be remembered with joy and pleafure; for,
on that day, her abfent fons, for the firft time
fince the colony was founded, returned at a
given fignal to receive her greetings, and to

8 THE RE-UNION.
renew their vows of attachment to the fpot that
gave them birth.
It was a happy thought, that of inviting the
abfent fons and daughters of places which have
been robbed to ftrengthen more profperous
towns and cities, to return for a brief period at
an appointed time, and no city or town could
enter more heartily into the fpirit of fuch a
move than Newport ; for, during a period em
bracing nearly a century, flie has annually fent
forth her children to make a name and a home
elfewhere, in preference to bringing them up but
indifferently at home. Her refources once were
larger; but time and the fluftuations of trade
and commerce have greatly reduced them, and
rather than educate her children in idlenefs, to
leave them helpleffly dependent, flie has pre
ferred to fend them forth into the world as foon
as they were able to go alone. To coUeft the
furvivors in Newport again, ere the grave clofed
over the prefent generation, has been the wifli of
many ; and to this end, a call was made nearly
a year ago, through the columns of the Mer
cury, as follows : — " It is gratifying, at this feafon
of the year, to welcome our young men, as they
come, with enthufiaftic delight, to mingle in

ITS ORIGIN. Q
familiar fcenes that are ftill dear as ever to their
hearts. It is faid, that the inhabitants of the
iflands are always diftiriguiflied for the ftrength
of their local attachments. This is certainly
true of the natives of Rhode Ifland, and it
would be ftrange if they did not appreciate its
lovelinefs, fince even ftrangers have called their
ifland home the Eden of America. How pleaf-
ant it would be, if, for once, the abfent ones
could all be gathered together to fpend one
happy week at home. Go to New York, Bos
ton, or any other great centre of trade, even in
the cities of the far Weft, and there you will
find prominent among the merchants, manufac
turers, artifans, bankers and profeflional men, the
worthy fons of Rhode Ifland. Who among
them will respond to this call for a family meet
ing, and name fome fitting day in the fummer
of 1859, when the fons and daughters, now
"Exiles of Eden," may rejoice together upon
our beach, and listen, once more, to the mufic
of the ocean.
"Breathes there the man with foul fo dead,"
that he would not make the greateft facrifices
to vifit his own dear native ifle, and to be
prefent at fuch a family gathering ? We truft
not. Let us hear from the abfent ones.

lO THE RE-UNION.
"It is painful to reflect that the bone and finew
of our place is thus continually withdrawn to
build up other and diftant cities. Will our cap-
italifts ever find it to their interefts to open new
avenues of trade, and employ the aftivity and
energy of our young men at home ? Is there
no feafible plan by which our refources may
be developed, and commerce and manufacture
receive an impulfe which fliall draw back the
capital and induftry of Newport from other
channels ? Muft our beloved city continue to
bear the ignoble reputation of being nothing
more than a fafliionable watering place ?
"Thefe, and other queftions of vital intereft to
our native ifle, might be profitably difcufl'ed
at a family gathering. Again we commend this
fubjeft to the " Exiles from Eden." How many
will come, with warm loving hearts, to meet
their Newport friends at home, if their lives are
{pared to Auguft, 1859? Who will refpond to
this fuggeftion, and name a day for our family
meeting? — R."
The St. Louis correfpondent of that paper
immediately took it up, and warmly feconded
the move made by «R," and this, in time, called
out other writers, all of whom as heartily ap
proved of the meafure; but no ft^ps were taken

ITS ORIGIN. U
for the confummation of fo desirable an end till
the Spring of 1859 ^^^ finally opened, when a
day was finally fixed upon, and the word went
forth that the abfent Sons and Daughters . of
Newport were expefted to return on the 23d
of Auguft, to be entertained by the Sons and
Daughters at home.
The magnitude of the undertaking, for the
inhabitants of a quiet place like Newport, can
hardly be comprehended, for up to the laft mo
ment, it was impoffible to fay how many would
be prefent from abroad. The exodus which has
been going on for fo long a period, has robbed.
her of the lifeblood which fhould have been
retained to infure her own growth and pros
perity. It is a fingular fact that, notwithftand-
ing the influx of the paft twenty years, during
a period of more than four fcore years, the num
ber of the inhabitants has not changed. To-day
the population is no greater than in 1774. The
aftual difference is only one hundred and fifty ;
and whilft this old " commercial emporium " has
been ftanding ftill, New York, Providence, New
Bedford, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and other places,
owe not a little of their fuccefs to the energy of
men who here received the rudiments of their

12 THE RE-UNION.
education, — men who went forth in the fpring
time of life, with little more than a change of
clothing, to make a fortune and a name. And
in this they have been remarkably succefsful.
They have done well; reverfes they have met
with, (for no man of bufinefs can hope to efcape
thefe things,) but they have been fuperior to
them, and with the buoyancy of the waves on
which they ufed to ride in childhood, they have
furmounted every obftacle, and have gained
many a noble prize.
Newport has reafon to be proud of the fons
flie has tranfplanted, and the cities and towns
they have benefited by their enterprife and indus
try have shown a proper appreciation of their
value as citizens, by elevating them to pofts of
honor and truft. Providence fent a delegate who
has, in times paft, held a diftinguiflied place in
the legiflative affembly of the State, and another
(one of the poets of the day,) who has been
twice honored as the chief magiftrate in the
home of his adoption. And, out of fix repre-
fentatives fi-om New Bedford to the State Legis
lature, four of the number hail from this ifland.
In the army and in the navy, in the pulpit and in
the legiflative halls, in feats of learning and in

ITS ORIGIN.

13

the mart, the fons of Newport maintain an hon
orable pofition, and, to-day, they have come from
the North and the South, from the Eaft and the
Weft, to the place of their birth, as children,
long abfent, return to the warm and hearty
embrace of a mother who knows no change,
and whofe life is bound up in the profperity
of her offspring. No people were ever more
ftrongly attached to the fpot where their early
years were paflTed than thefe fame iflanders, who
may be allowed a more than ordinary degree of
enthufiafm when they fpeak of " the gem of the
ocean.'' There probably is no ftronger feeling
in the human heart, than that of attachment to
"home," wherever that may be. We see it
alike in the Swifs, ftruggling for a bare fubfift-
ence amid the eternal fnows of the cloud-capped
Alps; in the brawny Scot, whofe hills can
fcarcely fuftain a ftunted growth of broom and
heath, and in the more favored dwellers of a
land flowing with milk and honey.. Men tranf
planted to other fields, even where their condi
tion has been vaftly improved, have fickened
and died without apparent caufe, breathing with
their lateft breath the name of " home," and fol-
diers who languiflied and drooped have been

14 THE KE-UNION.
roufed to deeds of valor by the found of the
fliepherd's pipe, which carried the mind back to
fcenes dearer to the heart than lite itfelf Moore
wrote nothing more touchingly beautiful than
" the Exile of Erin ; " no fong has contributed
more to make the name of Burns a houfehold
word than " Auld Lang Syne ; " and fo long as
there is a fpark of love for this facred fpot in
the breaft of man, the name of John Howard
Payne will be revered for his gift of " Home,
fweet Home."
Thefe fongs and ballads are entwined around
our hearts. We love them becaufe they are
true to our natural inftin,as, and fill a place that
would otherwife be made void and defolate.
Home is the talifman that opens our hearts, 
the « open sesame " that unlocks all our affec
tions, — and "home" was the burden of the
fong on the twenty-third.

(15)
CHAPTER II.
THE ORGANIZATION.
His Honor, Mayor Cranfton, in his annual
addrefs, June 6, 1859, called the attention of the
City Council to the propofed Re-union, and at a
fubfequent meeting of that body, on the 21ft of
the fame month, it was voted to appropriate the
fum of one thoufand dollars towards defraying
the expenfe of the celebration,, and a Committee
of the following named gentlemen were ap
pointed to make the 'neceffary arrangements :
WM. H. CRANSTON, Mayor.
Board of Aldermen, Common Council,
John C. Ailman, R. J. Taylor, Pres't.
Wm. C. Townsend. Thomas Coggeshall,
John Stoddard,
Wm. S. Cranston, Jr.
At Large,
Ex-Mayor Wm. C. Cozzens, and Philip Rider, Esq.
This was the firft important move to carry out
the wiflies of the many in regard to the Re-union
of the Sons and Daughters of Newport.
Subfequently, the above Committee invited

l6 THE RE-UNION.
the different incorporated bodies in the city to
fend delegates to a Convention to be held in the
City Hall, and in compliance with this requeft,
the following appointments were made :
Artillery Company, Col. Turner.
St. John's Lodge, No. i, Gilbert Chace, Esq.
R. I. Lodge I. O. of O. F., Wm. B. Sherman, Esq.
Newport Hiftorical Society, Hon. Thomas R. Hunter.
Redwood Library, Geo. C. Mason, Esq.
Atlantic Div., Sons of T., S. T. Hopkins, Efq.
Board of Firewards, Ex-Mayor Wm. J. Swinburne.
Mufical Inftitute, Ira N. Stanley, Efq.
Philharmonic Society, T. W. Wood, Efq.
Hook attd Ladder Co., W. H. Greene, Efq.
Engine Co. No. 3, Capt. Julius Sayer.
" " " 4. " George S. Ward.
5> Lewis Lawton Simmons, Esq.
" " 1, Henry B. Burdick;, Efq.
At a meeting of thefe delegates, in conneftion
with the Committee appointed by the City
Council, Thomas Coggefliall, Esq. was eleSed
Secretary and Treafurer, and, on a motion, it
was alfo voted that the following named gentle
men be invited to take part in the proceedings,
as reprefentatives of the Prefs:
James Atkinson, Frederick A. Pratt, and George T.
Hammond, Efqrs.

THE ORGANIZATION. 1 7
It was alfo voted that a meeting of the citi
zens be called at Aquidneck Hall, to fecure the
hearty co-operation of the whole public in a
matter of fuch general intereft.
The meeting was accordingly called, and
fpeeches were made by Hon. Wm. C. Cozzens,
in the Chair, and by Wm. P. Sheffield, John T.
Bush, Wm. D. Lake, and Wm. S. Nichols, Efqrs.
The following delegates, to reprefent the citizens,
were alfo appointed :
W. P. Sheffield, Efq., John T. Bush, Efq.,
N. M. Chaffee, Efq., Wm. Newton, Efq.,
D. T. Swinburne, Elq.
At the next meeting of the Convention, to
facilitate matters, and to divide the duties that
devolved on the general Committee, the follow
ing fub-committees were appointed :
Finance.
Thomas R. Hunter, William P. SheiEeld,
WiOiam Newton, N. M., Chaffee,
Julius Sayer, S. T. Hopkins,
F. A. Pratt, G. T. Hammond,
WilUam S. Cranfton, Jr., G. S. Ward.
D. T. Swinburne, Mujic, Salutes and Bells.
R. J. Taylor, Thomas Coggefliall, Col. Turner.
2*

i8

THE RE-UNION.

Illuminations, Arrangement
of Tent, l£c.
Thomas Coggefliall,
Julius Sayer,
William S. Cranston, Jr.,
William B. Sherman,
William Newton,
John Stoddard,
William C. Townsend.

Printing, and Record of
Vijitors.
James Atkinfon,
F. A. Pratt,
I. N. Stanley,
William H. Greene,
G. T. Hammond,
T. W. Wood,
Gilbert Chace.

Reception and Arrangement.
William C. Cozzens, George C. Mafon,

R. J. Taylor,
William P. Sheffield,
Thomas R. Hunter,
Correfponding Committee.
William H. Cranfton,
Robert J. Taylor,
George C. Mafon,
William C. Townfend,
Gilbert Chace,
William H. Greene.

James Atkinfon,
Philip Rider,
Gilbert Chace.
Collation.
Philip Rider,
James Atkinfon,
D. T. Swinburne,
Thomas Coggefliall,
John T. Bush,
Wm. Newton.

Chief Marjhall.
Hon. WILLIAM J. SWINBURNE,
who subfequently made the following appointment of
Aids.
James Phillips, Henry W. Cozzens,
James G. Cozzens, Charles H. White,
J. Edward Nicolai, Henry G. Cottrell,
Ifaac Gould, Wm. James Coddington.

THE ORGANIZATION.

19

The Committees, now fairly organized, at
once prepared to perform their feveral parts,
and the duty devolving on each one received
proper attention. That on Finances commenced
raifing fubfcriptions in addition to the fum ap
propriated by the City. The Committee on
Illumination and Decoration made arrangements
with Col. Wm. Beals, the well-known decorator,
to fupply the neceffary number of flags, feftoons,
mottoes, arches, lanterns, &c. That on Colla
tion contrafted with Meffrs. G. T. Downing and
Isaac Rice, to furnifli refrefliments for twenty-
five hundred perfons at dinner, and alfo for the
evening's entertainment. The Committee on
Tent made arrangements with Meffrs. Prince &
Baker, of Bofton, for two large tents, — one
capable of feating three thoufand perfons at
table, and a fmaller one of the capacity of fifteen
hundred perfons. The Committee on Mufic,
Salutes, &c., engaged the fervices of the Amer
ican Brafs Band, and Shepherd's Cornet Band,
and arranged with the Artillery Company to
fire a national falute on the morning of the
twenty-third, and to have the various bells in the
City rung at funrife, and during the time the pro-
ceflion was moving. The Committee on Print-

20 THE RE-UNION.
ing and Record of Vifitors ordered a handfome
record-book, ruled expreiTIy for the purppfe,
and fo arranged as to give the name of every
returned Son and Daughter, with their father's
name and the maiden name of the mother, their
prefent place of refidence, and their profellion.
The Committee of Correfpondence had a circu
lar prepared, to which reference will be had in
the following chapter, and the printing of the
different badges was alfo ordered, as well as the
various tickets to be ufed on the occafion.
The Badges worn by the returned Sons and
Daughters were of blue fatin, bearing the City
Seal, and "Welcome Home, 23d Auguft, 1859."
That of invited guefts, members of different
focieties not in uniform, or wearing regalia, and
citizens who took part in the procefllon, was of
white fatin, bearing the City Seal, and " Re-union,
23d Auguft, 1859."
Fac-fimiles of thefe badges are here intro
duced. The different Committees, and the Marfoals,
were furniftied with rofettes.

THE ORGANIZATION.

21

WELCOME

HOME,

23d august, 1859.

22

THE RE-UNION,

(23)

CHAPTER III.
THE INVITATION AND THE RESPONSE.
The following Circular was fent to every
abfent Son and Daughter, whofe name and
addrefs could be afcertained by the Correfpond
ing Committee: Newport, R. I., July 18, 1859.
Dear Sir: The Correfponding Committee of
the Convention compofed of members of the
City Council, and various focieties and incor
porated bodies of Newport, organized for the
purpofe of providing for the reception and
entertainment of the abfent Sons of Newport,
who are expefted to affemble in Newport on the
twenty-third of Auguft next, to participate in a
grand re-union, would moft refpeftfully afk your
qo-operation in afcertaining the number of Sons
of Newport refiding in your City who probably
will be prefent on that occafion, and to call
your attention to the following fuggeftions :
1. Every Son of Newport, on his arrival in
the City, is invited to call at the Common Coun
cil Chamber, in the City Hall, corner of Thames
Street and Long Wharf, and there regifter his
name in a book prepared for the purpofe, with

24 THE RE-UNION.
the names of his parents, his prefent place of refi
dence, and his profefTion. This book is to be
carefully preferved and depofited in the archives
of the Hiftorical Society, or in the Redwood
Library — a valuable memorial, to be handed
down to the generations that may affemble here
on a fimilar occafion, at fome future day.
2, Every Son of Newport, thus prefenting
himfelf, will be furniflied with a badge or fome
diftinguifliing mark by which his claims to a
place in the procefllon, and during the ceremo
nies of the day, will be recognized. This, the
Committee deem indispenfible, for the crowd on
that day will be very great, and it has already
been intimated that large numbers will be pref
ent, who have no fpecial claims on the Sons of
Newport at home, and who, if not thus checked,
woyld probably monopolize the places defigned
for thofe to whom we wifti to extend a true and
hearty welcome.
The Committee would alfo refpeftfuUy alk
that this communication be laid before the Sons
of Newport refiding in your City, and that fome
one be delegated to reply, in their behalf, to the
greeting of his Honor the Mayor, and others
appointed for that purpofe. All fpeeches on
the occafion will be Jhort. This, of necelTity,
muft be the cafe, for we wifli to hear from all
our abfent friends, and numerous long addreffes
would not be the way to entertain thofe we wifli
to take by the hand and converfe of Newport

INVITATION AND RESPONSE. 2^
as it was, ds it is, and as we hope it will be. We
fhould like to know, at an early day, the names
of thofe who are delegated to refpond.
After the ceremonies, and for feveral days
fubfequent to the twenty-third of Auguft, the
different focieties will receive and entertain thofe
formerly connefted with them, or now affociated
with fimilar organizations in the homes of their
adoption; on which occafion there will be ad
dreffes, mufic, &c.
Believing that every Son of Newport, who
has gone out to gather for himfelf and to make
a name, will efteem it a privilege and a pleafure
to return to the fcenes of his childhood at a time
like this, in behalf of thofe we, reprefent, we bid
them welcome ; and may the memory of the
day we are about to celebrate add another hal
lowed affociation to the paft, and bind yet more
ftrongly the ties which have entwined around
the hearts and the homes of the Sons of New
port. With refpeft, we remain, dear Sir,
Very truly, yours, '
WM. H. CRANSTON, Mayor.
ROBT. J. TAYLOR, Prejl. Common Council.
GEORGE C. MASON, Redwood Library.
WILLIAM C. TOWNSEND, Alderman.
GILBERT CHACE, St. John's Lodge, No. i.
WM. H. GREENE, H. & L. Co.
It would be impoffible for us, if we would
confine this volume within reafonable bounds, to
3

26 THE RE-UNION.
introduce here all the replies received. We
ihall, therefore, feleft a limited number, to fliow
with what fpirit tl^e invitation was received by
the abfent ones.
The firft is from P. W- Engs, Esq., a Son of
Newport, and now a diftinguiflied merchant in
the city of New York. Unfortunately, he could
not be prefent on the occafion, a matter of regret
to his many friends in the place of his birth.
He fays :
" It is now nearly fifty-four years fince, leav
ing the place of my nativity, I'caft my lot with
the people of New York. This period has
been, and continues tp be, one of aftive life,
¦ public as well as private ; yet I believe that in
the midft of confequent engagements, I have
never loft fight of the interefts of Newport,
while my frequent vifits there, and intercourfe
with my fellow-townfmen, has renewed and pre
ferved former endearments, fo that I have never
left the ftidres of my native ifland without caft-
ing that lingering look behind which fighs for
the paft and implores bleffings for the future.
With fuch feelings and attachments, you may
congratulate yourfelves that I have to fubftitute
this communication in place of a verbal one,
which would have been anything elfe but
' fliort,' had I fpoken of one tithe of the fads

INVITATION AND RESPONSE. 1"]
and incidents which my memory has ftored up
from tradition and obfervation.
If I felt at liberty to fpeak of men, and could
do it without being fubjed to the charge of
invidioufnefs, I Ihould like to call up the mem
ory of our early political fathers, names that
have carried with them veneration and refped
among all clones, and I would more efpe dally
refer to the commercial men of Newport, while I
would not omit to name thofe who have hon
ored her in the United States Senate, and I would
bid defiance to any city of the fame population
in our country, to fliow that flie has fent to that
auguft body three men of equal qualification
with thofe that went from Newport
But it will not be invidious to fpeak of John
Bannister and Aaron Lopez, becaufe they were
fo identified with Newport in the days of her.
greateft commercial profperity, that to mention
them is to tell of her early commerce — thofe
golden days, when, availing of natural advan
tages, our little city held a proud pre-eminence
in the feaports of our country, and her mer
chants gave to their calling that charader of
induftrious integrity which is 'religion at the
mart' It was my fortune to have a grandfather
contemporary with thefe, whofe extenfive expe
rience was imparted to many others, of whom I
am not afraid to fay, that the records of his
capacity as a merchant, caft in the Ihade any
thing to be met with in this great commercial
city of New York, even in the prefent day."

28 THE RE-UNION.
Another letter, dated Waterloo, Auguft I2th,
is as follows :
" For myfelf, and my three younger brothers,
James, John E., and Henry, aU now of Western
New York, I have to fay, that although the
Quaket in us is fomewhat oppofed to pageants
of every kind, yet we do moft heartily approve
of the propofed re-union of Old Newport's
fcattered Sons. But one of our number has
lately returned from Newport, and the others
have to regret that it wifl not be convenient for
them to revifit that matchlefs ifland of their
birth this feafon.
Knowing that the programme of Celebration
will be carried out by the Committee with that
order and true refpectabflity for which my
townfmen were diftinguiflied, even in the olden
times, and hoping that the now returned Sons and
Daughters will there as brothers mingle together
in that brotherly feeling that cafteth out all un
worthy pride and pretenfion, I fubfcribe myfelf
an old, but, neverthelefs, an ever mindful, true,
loving Son of Newport.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS."
The following, from Major Sherman, is dated
Fort Ridgely, Min., Aug. ii, 1859.
Gentlemen: — Your communication of July
18th, conveying an invitation, in behalf of the

invitation and response. 29
citizens of Newport, to the Sons of Newport, to
be prefent at the grand re-union which is to
take place on the 23d inft., has juft been re
ceived. It is with painful regret, fi:om circumftances
not within my control, that I fliall be unable to
join you on fo interefting an occafion — an
occafion, it is hoped, that will be fraught with
the -happieft refults for the honor and good name
of old Newport, and for the future profperity
and fuccefs of our beloved Union of States.
The natives of Newport, after enjoying the
privilege of tefting the moral and political char
acter of other communities in which they have
fojourned, will, in this re-union, have the ftill
greater privilege of comparing their notes, fo to
fpeak, and before their feparation forever, fettle
upon, by a mutual interchange of fentiments, a
religious and political confervative policy that
will redound to the prefervation of the Union,
the happinefs of future generations, and more
indiredly, but not more furely, the peace and
welfare of the whole world.
Never could there be a more propitious feafon
for the Sons of Newport to unitedly fow broad-
caft over the face of this extenfive land that
wholefome confervative policy for which the
ancient town is fo diftnguifhed, and, by fo doing,
unitedly frown upon all thofe who, in recent
days, prefume to hold themfelves above the law,
ignore the Conftitution of the land, and fome-

30 THE re-union.
times even, under the cloak of religion, im-
pioufly preach rank infidel<;y, difunion, and
difhonor. I truft in God that this happy re-union of the
Sons of Newport wifl not diffolve until a unani
mous pledge be formally, but fincerely given,
to traiiT up their children, fcattered over the
whole land, with the Holy Bible in one hand,
and the Conftitution of the United States, and
Laws enaded in purfuance thereof, in the other ;
and without improperly refifting that licenfe
neceffary to all human accountability, to teach
their children the neceffity, due to all found
government, of loyally fubmitting theii: Bible
and Conftitution to the interpretation of the
proper tribunal. I have the honor to be, gen
tlemen, with high regard,
Your townfman,
F. W. SHERMAN.
Another is from Lieut. Marin, ftationed on
board U. S. Ship Ohio, Bofton harbor.
My Dear Sir: — I thank you for the kind
invitation to join in the Celebration to take place
in Newport, on the 23d inft., when the Sons and
Daughters of the Ifland of Rhode Ifland are to
have a re-union.
I regret I cannot have the pleafure of being
with you on the 23d, for I can weU imagine.

invitation and response. 31
Sir, the happy faces that will furreund you on
that day, when fo many of thofe now abfent
will re-unite in the happy Ifle-home of their
childhood. My fympathies will be with you on that
pleafant occafion, for the ifland has become my
home by adoption, and is the birth-place of my
children. May they always be proud of their
heritage. In ybur re-union I beg you to accept
my humble wilh and fentiment
God blefs the Sons and Daughters of Rhode
Ifland, wherever they may go. Her Sons are
brave and independent. Her Daughters fo fair
and good that neither clouds nor fogs change
them. I am very truly your obedient fervant,
M. C. MARIN, U. S. N.
Surgeon General's Office,
Washington, August l6, 1859.
Dear Sir : — Your favor of the 1 8th of July,
inviting me, as one of the Sons of Newport, to
be prefent on the 23d inft., has been received.
I know of no event which would have afford
ed me more pleafure than a re-union with old
friends, and vifiting old and familiar fcenes.
There are but few Newporters in this city,
and they have been made acquainted with the
meeting of the 23d.

32 THE RE-UNION.
I very much regret that I cannot be with you,
but beg leave to tender to you and your aflTo-
ciates my cordial and friendly falutation.
RefpedfuUy and truly,
R. C. WOOD,
ASing Surgeon General,
[Letter from Chief Justice Ames.]
Providence, Thurfday, Aug. 18, 1859.
Wm. C. Cozzens, Esq., Committee, &c. :
My Dear Sir : — I have already been obliged
to decline the polite invitation of the Committee
to attend your approaching Celebration, on ac
count of the ftate of my health, and of courfe
muft requeft you to put into other hands the
duty and pleafure of refponding to the toaft in
memory of your departed profeffional worthies.
They were certainly the glory of the Bar of this
State ; and for talent, learning, and accomplilh-
ments, were excelled in the Bar of no other
State. I am glad that you defign to honor them
as they in their day have honored you, and re
gret that it will not be in my power to take part
in the performance of fo pious a duty.
Very refpedfuUy,
Your friend and obedient fervant,
SAMUEL AMES.

INVITATION and RESPONSE. 33
[Letter from Gov. Fish, of New York. J
New York, Aug. 22, 1 859.
Dear Sir : — I have the honor to acknowledge
the invitation which the Committee of Arrange
ments for the Re-union Celebration have (through
you) kindly volunteered to me for to-morrow.
I Ihould be moft happy of the opportunity to
be prefent on this interefting occafion ; but fome
bufinefs engagements call me to New York,
and compel me to deny myfelf the pleafure
which the acceptance of the invitation would
have afforded. Very refpedfuUy, yours,'
J. HAMILTON FISH.
Lancaster, N. H., Aug. 22d, 1859.
My Dear Sir : — Your very kind note, of the
17th inft., did not reach me until yefterday. I
had been hoping for a long time to enjoy the
pleafure of meeting many old friends, at your
re-union to-morrow. I underftood from Rev
Mr. Brooks, whom I met with in Bofton, in
May laft, that the feftival would not take place
before the very laft of this month; and that I
Ihould probably have notice in time to make
arrangements for a vifit to the land of my
fathers, — to the town, now a city, where the firft
twenty-one years of my life were paffed. The
delay has been occafioned by your fuppofing my
refidence was in Bofton, inftead of this far-off

34 THE RE-UNION.
region, among the mountains of New Hamp-
fliire, and upwards of three hundred miles from
Newport. My profeflional duties yefterday, of
courfe prevented all thoughts of a journey to
day. Indeed, it would have been impoffible
for me to have got ready in fo limited a time.
I defire to exprefs my fincere regrets that the
only opportunity of meeting old friends in this
world, is denied me.
It would have pleafed me much, to have me
morized the virtues of the excellent men whofe
lives were fpent in educating fouls for heaven.
I could have given many interefting remin-
ifcences of good Parfon Thurfton, of the Baptift
Church. Parfon Eddy, Theodore Debon, Dr.
Hopkins, John Bradley, Mr. Tenny, Mr. Smith,
of the Moravian Society. My own minifter, Dt
Patten (I recoiled every family who fat under
his preaching, and could defignate each pew
they occupied in Clarke Street Church.) There
was alfo a IMfethodift minifter, Mr. Merwin; and
venerable Parfon Blifs, who lived in "Green
End," and who once, on a Saturday, whilft per
forming the rite of baptifm at Gravelly Point,
on Long Wharf, fell into the water and nearly
loft his life.
You muft take the wfll for the deed. It may
not be wholly uninterefting to you to know that
I am preparing a fmaU volume of recoUedions
of my native place.
Your name is familiar to me ; I knew the "old
folks," and frequently vifited them.

INVITATION AND RESPONSE. 3^
Pleafe fend me a newfpaper containing the
beft account of the Celebration, and oblige
Your Friend,
GEO. G. CHANNING.
Wm. C. Cozzens, Esq.
P. S. The above fignature I commenced fub-
fcribing in 1803. The initial ftands for Gibbs,
my moft excellent uncle. Halifax, N. S., Sept 4th.
Sir : — I have the honor to acknowledge your
circular of the 18th of Jx^ly, which reached me
on the 19th of Auguft.
Following its fuggeftions, I found only one
gentleman in Halifax, befides myfelf, a native of
Nfiwport — the prefent Chief Juftice of Nova
Scotia, Sir Brenton Halliburton, Bt, a gentleman
whofe high pofition and perfonal worth would at
once have pointed him out as the proper one to
reprefent the natives of Newport here refident
In declining this oflBce from increafing age and
feeble health. Sir Brenton defires me to affure
you, Mr. Mayor, and his fellow townfmen, of
the warm intereft and good wiflies he ftill re
tains for his native place, whofe earlieft affocia-
tions are mingled with civil difcord, troops and
arms. Concerning the political refult of that conflid.

36 THE RE-UNION.
he wrote in after years: ' It was a noble attempt
to regulate focial happinefs with the flighteft pof-
fible interference widi individual liberty.' Thus
happily expreffing a fentiment in which all men
now concur, though, unlike his, their memories
cannot carry them back to thofe unhappy times.
With regard to myfelf, I need not fay how
honored I feel by your invitation, and how many
friends, the companions of my boyhood, I hope
I ftill retain among the Sons of Newport.
I have the honor to be, Mr. Mayor,
Your very ob't fervant,
S. BERNARD GILPIN.
To His Worfliip, the Mayor of Newport
Another from Haverftraw, under the fame
date, is figned " Uncle John ;" who Uncle John
is has not yet turned up :
" On ye morning of ye 23d inftant. Providence
grant, may I have the hope and good pleafure
to fee aU my dear Newport friends once more.
So go on, go on, go on. Love and Friendfliip
to old, old, old Newport Ifland. Uncle John."
Another is from an old gentleman who left
Newport feventy years ago, expreffing his pur
pofe to be prefent, and declaring that he was
" one of the boys who licked molaffes on the
Long Wharf in the laft century."

(37)

CHAPTER IV.
the decorations.
The decorations were numerous, appropriate,
and, in fome inftances, very beautiful, and we
would, gladly, here introduce a defcription of
them all, but muft content ourfelves by refer
ring to the points which attraded moft attention.
Flags and banners were ftreaming from every
point; bunting was never more in demand in
this old town, even in its days of commercial
profperity : flags of every nation in the world,
and of no nation under the fun, were given to
the breeze ; from fteeple and turret, from win
dow and balcony, and from chimney to fign-
poft, bright colored ftripes were hung, — here in
feftoons, there in wreaths, now fantaftically ei;i-
twined around a motto, or there flaunting in the
wind, and everywhere proclaiming that the day
was one of general rejoicing, — a feftival in
which all hearts were to partake, and which was
to cement anew ties already the ftrongeft and
moft enduring of all that find a home and rett
ing place in the heart of man.
4

38 THE RE-UNION.
The City Hall was adorned with the national
flag, taftefuUy arranged over the front, with fef
toons of bunting; and, in the centre, the motto,
''Hope." The ftores on the oppofite comers of the
Parade, occupied by S. T. Hubbard and H. H.
Young, were handfomely dreffed, as was alfo the
whole front of the refidence of Auguftus Goflfe,
Efq., where was difplayed the motto, ''Welcome
Home."
In the centre of the Parade, an arch with a
fpan of twenty feet was raifed, the pillars of
which were furrounded with evergreens. The
whole was decorated with the "ftars and
ftripes," and other flags, and the following
motto graced the arch: "Welcome to our Ifland
Homer
The State Houfe was alfo taftefuUy arrayed
in bright apparel ; the balcony, being a confpic-
uous place, it was heavily draped with the
national flag. In front there was a gilt buft of
Waihington, with the name of the Father of
the Country below it.
Ex-Mayor Cdzzen's house, where His Excel
lency, Gov. Turner, was fiofpitably entertained,
was decorated with flags, and this motto over
the door : " Welcome our Governor."

THE DECORATIONS.

39

Engine Company, No. 3, covered the whole
front of their houfe with flags and various de
vices. An arch was carried acrofs the ftreet,
dreffed with evergreens, flags, &c., and bearing
the motto, "Welcome'." From the tall enfign
ftaff there was a triple line of fignal flags reach
ing from the truck to the ground, and over the
entrance door there were two tigers valiantly
defending a coat of arms. The members of the
Company here entertained their guefts, Colum
bian Engine Company, No. 5, of New Bedford,
numbering fifty-feven men, and a band, of fev-
enteen pieces, as well as their own band alfo
numbering feventeen.
On the oppofite corner, the refidence of
Wm. Newton, Efq., there was alfo much tafte
difplayed in the decorations.
The Liberty Tree was an objed of great inter
eft, and we may here be permitted to turn afide
for a moment, to give a flight outline of its hif
tory, In 1765, Capt Wm. Read -deeded his tri-
, angle lot, at the jundion of Thames and Farewell
Streets, to truftees, a felf-appointed body, and
planted a tree in the centre, to commemorate
the fpirited oppofition to the Stamp Act on the
part of the people of Newport. During the

40 THE RE-UNION.
time the ifland was in the poffeffion of the
Britifli, this tree was cut down, but on the return
of peace another was planted in its place, the
remains of which are ftill ftanding. A plate of
copper, oval in form, and nearly two feet in the
longest diameter, was engraved by Wm. S.Nich
ols, Efq., in 1823, and nailed to the tree. The
infcription is as follows:
"Tree of Liberty, planted April 25, 1783, by
John Williams, John Stevens, John Henfliaw,
Walter Johnfon, Samuel Simpfon, George Perry,
Thomas Mumford, Job Townfend, Noah Barker,
Thomas Stevens, Benjamin Lavi'ton, Robert Taylor,
William Dodericfc."
The tree was brought by thefe men from Ports
mouth, on their flioulders. During the lapfe of
years, the wood had grown over the plate, fo
that but a fmall portion of it could be feen ; a
few days prior to the Celebration, the accumula
tion of wood, ^ nearly, or quite three inches in
thicknefs, was" cut away, the plate was poHflied,
and on the morning of the 23d it was beautifully.
decorated with a wreath, by the ladies in the
neighborhood. In front of the refidence of Rev. Henry Jack-

l-HE DECORATIONS. 4I
fon, D. D., a red and white flag was difplayed,
bearing the motto, —
" God blefs you and your Children."
In the window of Meffrs. Gould's ftore was
feen a flag bearing this infcription :
"Rhode Ifland Colony flag; received from Eng
land by Gov. Arnold, 1663; ufed till the vacuation
of the Englijh, 1779."
This was the Colonial flag, and was ufed from
the time of the adoption of the Charter, Wed-
nefday, November 24, 1663, to the Declaration
of Independence, 1776, a period of 113 years.
It was hid by the Colony CoUedor, John Wan
ton, in the garret of his houfe, and on the re
moval of a chimney it was found, after the lapfe
of eighty years, with other revolutionary relics.
Zenas L. ' Hammond, Efq., difplayed a large
white flag in front of his refidence, bearing the
American Eagle, furrounded by the names of all
the States in the Union.
Atlantic Divifion, Sons of Temperance, threw
out a flag 40 X 20; and, in front of their hall,
they difplayed the triangle and ftar, emblematic
of their order, with the motto — " 'Inhere is Safety
4*

42

THE RE-UNION.

Here." There were, alfo, decorations in tri-col-
ored bunting.
The Daily News office was alfo decorated with
flags and bunting, taftefuUy arranged, with the
motto — " T!he Pen is Mightier than the Sword."
Benj. J. Tilley, Efq., draped his houfe with
feftoons of white, blue and red, with a Chinefe
kite in the centre, which arrived from San Fran-
cifco on the morning of the 23d.
Decorations of the front of the Hall of Rhode Ifland Lodge,
No. 12, /. 0. of 0. F.
Streamers of bunting, red, white and blue,
were fufpended from the centre of the cornice to
the jet over the firft ftory, forming a large tent;
the fame, alfo, was feftooned acrofs the whole
front Beneath this, and refting on the jet, was
a handfome arch bearing this motto —
" Our Pafs Word, this Day, is Welcome."
Beneath the arch were three female figures,
reprefenting Friendfliip, Love and Truth. Suf-
pended acrofs the ftreet were flags andftreamers;
among which was a white flag reprefenting the

THE DECORATIONS. 43
AU-feeing Eye, with the rays; under the former
was this motto —
" Amicitia, Amor, Et Veritas."
Beneath, a pair of hands clafped in friendfliip,
"RJiode Ifland Lodge, No.\2, I. 0. of 0. F.,"
alfo, the Three Links of the Chain.
Meffrs. Swinburne & Peckham hung out
three flags in front of their ftore, fo arranged as
to fhow them all to advantage.
The Mercury office was adorned with a gener
ous difplay of flags; and there was, alfo, a num
ber of flags and feftoons, reaching from that
building to the oppofite corners of Thames and
Mill Streets.
At the corner of Pelham and Thames Streets
there was another fine difplay; and Meflxs. New
ton & Co. draped their building with flags and
ftreamers, furrounding a ftar, with the motto —
" Welcome." The Poft Office was decorated, and difplayed
the motto — " Union and Re-Union."
There was, alfo, a difplay at Kinfley's Exprefs
Office.

44 THE RE-UNION.
The Cuftom Houfe was taftefuUy adorned, the
bunting nearly covering the entire front
Engine Company, No. 8, decorated their
building with flags and evergreens, with the
motto — " Welcome." They alfo kept open-houfe
all day, and the many who called there fared
fumptuoufly. The members of Engine Com
pany, No. 7, alfo decorated their Engine Houfe.
Wm. P. Congdon, Efq., drefled his houfe at
the head of Broad Street with national flags, with
the motto — " Welcome Home " — fet off to ad
vantage on a raifed platform.
John T. Stanhope, Efq., fo arranged the de^
corations of his ftore on Broad Street, as to repre
fent the front of a large marque, with a ftar in
the centre, bearing the motto — " General Greener
The Old Stone Mill was decorated with fef
toons of tri-colored bunting, flags, &c.,- and in
front of it there was this motto — " '^hefame Old
Mill." There were, alfo, two decorated ftands in
Touro Park, for the bands which played there
on the evening of the twenty-fecond.
The Ocean Houfe prefented a very gay and
animated appearance. Every part ^'of its long
corridors was hung with bright colors, mottoes
and other devices, and the effed of the whole

THE DECORATIONS. 45
was heightened by the prefence of the numerous
vifitors, gathered there to witnefs the moving of
the proceffion, as it entered the tent on the ad
joining lot
The tent was adorned with hundreds of little
flags, furmounted by the Stars and Stripes; and,
within, there was alfo a fine difplay of bright-
colored bunting, arranged in feftoons, and around
the fides were efcutcheons, each one bearing the
name of a Prefident of the United States.

( 46 )

CHAPTER V.
THE ILLUMINATION.
The City, on the evening of the twenty-
fecond, prefented a gay and animated appear
ance, for many of the buildings in the principal
ftreets were illuminated, and from every corner
fireworks were fent up, whilft hundreds and
thoufands were abroad to enjoy the novelty of
the fight. The chief attradion was the "Old
Stone MiU," which, with the mufic-ftands on
each fide of this venerable relic, difplayed the
varied lights of five hundred Chinefe lanterns,
arranged with confummate art, and to the ad
miration of all who congregated there to witnefs
the fpedacle, and to liften to the delicious mufic
of the bands, which played alternately for feveral
hours. A finer fight was never witneffed in
Newport, and it will not foon be forgotten.
On the corner of Touro and Beach Streets,
S. Abbott Lawrence, Efq., made a fine difplay of
brilliant lights and fireworks, on the grounds
attached to his eftate. Colored Ughts. were fus-

THE ILLUMINATION.

47

pended among the trees, and the whole neigh
borhood was illuminated by a blue hght in the
centre.
' In Broad Street, the principal illumination was
that in front of Mr. John T. Stanhope's ftore,
confiftiiag of numerous Chinefe lanterns, arranged
in the form of a triangle.
On Thames Street there was a fine difplay.
Ex-Mayor Cozzen's houfe was illuminated with
a few CJhinefe lanterns, and Aquidneck Engine
Company, No. 3, made their houfe very attrac
tive by the liberal difplay of colored lights.
After nightfall, the long lines of fignal flags, ex
tending from the ground to the top of their tall
enfign-ftaff, were replaced by hundreds of Chinefe
lanterns, making a pyramid of colored lights.
The refidence of Auguftus Goffe, Efq., on the
Parade, was alfo decorated with lanterns and
other lights, and the corners of the Parade were
very gay and animated. Here, for hours, rockets
were fent up, and other fireworks of various
kinds were let off by men and boys without
ftint Benj. J. Tilley, Efq. Uluminated the whole
front of his building, and Engine Company, No.
8, made a fine difplay at the fame time.

48 THE RE-UNION.
The Redwood Library was Ughted up on the
occafion, and for feveral evenings in fucceffion,
much to the gratification of the returned Sons,
who expreffed the pleafure it afforded them to
witnefs the vaft improvement made in every
thing relating to that venerable inftitution.
R.L. Maitland, Efq., decorated his grounds in
a fuperb manner, and as the Perry paffed with
her living freight, her paflengers were delighted
with the difplay. The whole fhore in the neigh
borhood was in a blaze of different colored lights,
taftefuUy arranged, and producing the finest
effed. The Steamer Perry was not outdone on this
important occafion, for her owner, R. B. Kinfley,
Efq., liberally allowed the expenditure of a gen
erous fum for colored lights, fireworks, &c.

(49 )

CHAPTER VI.
THE GATHERI NG.
The Gathering commenced a week or two in
advance of the day, and as the time drew near,
the number of returned Sons and Daughters
rapidly increafed. On Saturday, the 2odnof
Auguft, the regiftry fhowed more than fix hun
dred names already recorded. On Sunday, the
influx was very great, and on Monday, at an
early hour, the crowd in the Mayor's Office was
fo denfe, and increafed fo rapidly, it was found
impoffible to continue the regiftry of the names
by the flow procefs of writing one at a time; it
was, therefore, deemed expedient to unbind the
Record, and fpread the fheets on different defks.
This ftep afforded greater facilities for recoirding ;
but even then, as the day advanced, the Com
mittee of Arrangements found it a difficult mat
ter to accommodate all who prefented themfelves,
and at the laft moment, on Tuefday morning,
many arrived only in time to join the proceffion,
without having an opportunity to record their
5

^O THE RE-UNION.
names. Subfequently, many reported themfelves
at the Mayor's Office, where their names were
entered, and the lift, which we give at the clofe
of the volume, embraces over eleven hundred
names. We print only the names of the re
turned Sons and Daughters; the names of their
parents are neceffarily omitted, but any perfons
desirous of afcertaining thefe, can infped the
Record at aU times, at the Redwood Library,
where it is kept open for the benefit of all who
ar^ interefted in the fubjed.
How the large concourfe affembled on this
occafion was accommodated and made comfort
able during their stay is ftill a myftery, for the
city has never at any time had more fummer
vifitors than during the month of Auguft, 1859.
But ftill there was room for thofe who were fo
near and dear to us. Every door was thrown
open, and there was hardly a family in the place
that did not number one or more guefts on that
day. Every heart warmed with emotion at the
fight of the retumed Sons and Daughters, and
thefe guefts of the city were made to feel that
they were indeed at home.
How many perfons were adually prefent on
the twenty-third, it would be impoflible to fay;

THE GATHERING.

51

we can only arrive at the number by proxima-
tion. There were no lefs than eleven fteamboats
employed in bringing paffengers, fome of them
of large capacity, and others making two trips
each. The Empire State " brought from Fall
River the paffengers who had arrived there per
railroad from Bofton; the Eagle's Wing came
loaded, from New Bedford; the Golden Gate
arrived, once from Briftol, and again from Eaft
Greenwich; the Young America and Jenny
Lind, from Taunton and Fall River; the latter
boat made two trips; the Perry, Canonicus,
Ifland Home, Our Kate, and G. W. Lyon, from
Providence; the Bradford Durfee from Fall
River. To thefe muft be added the fail-boats and
veffels in the bay, employed in bringing paffen
gers from neighboring places, and alfo the
number of paffengers landed here feveral days
prior to the day of the Feftival. The fteamer
Perry, alone, brought from Providence, on Tuef
day morning, one thoufand perfons, and the
evening before, Ihe alfo had as many paffengers
as flie could accommodate; and the Eagle's
Wing, on her return trip to New, Bedford, had
on board over two thoufand paffengers. We

C2 THE KE-UNION.
may fafely fay, that the whole number prefent
in Newport on the twenty-third, was not lefs
than twenty-thoufand, or more than double her
population. ^

CHAPTER VII.

THE CELEBRATION.

The morning of the twenty-third of Auguft
was ufhered in with the ringing of bells, the
firing of caqnon, and other demonftratipns of
joy, and the decoration of the city, commenced
a week in advance, was completed by an early
hour. Old men, fome of them ftill ered in
form, and others bowed with age, were ftroUing
through the ftreets, looking for the landmarks of
their earlier days ; others, ftill in the pride of
manhood, were hailing with pleafure every face
known to them in earUer years ; and children,

THE CELEBRATION.

53

gleefome and happy, flocked around the fruit
and candy ftores, or ftood with wondering gaze
before the triumphant arches and the fhowy deco
rations of the numerous public and private build
ings arrayed in holiday apparel.
At the hour for forming the Proceffion, the
Steamer Perry, with the Providence delegation
on board, had not arrived, owing to the great
number of her paflTengers, and it was not till
eleven and a half o'clock that the Chief Marflial
and his Aids could form the Proceffion, on the
Parade, in the following order, under the efcort
of the Artillery Company, Col. Turner com
manding.
AMEEICAIT BRASS BAliTD,
J. C. Greene, leader, 19 pieces.
Newport Artillery, Col. C. W. Turner, 44 mufkets.
Pawtucket Light Guard, Col. S. R. Bucklin, 45 mulkets ;
which, by invitation of Col. Turner, of the Artillery,
afted as body-guard to the Governor.
His Excellency, Governor Thomas G. Turner,
actompanied by his perfonal ftaff, and by
Colonel Magruder and Lieutenant Duryea, U. S. A. ;
Adjutant General E. C. Maurin and Aid;
Quartermafter General T. J. Stead and ftaff;
Major General John Gould and ftaff;
5*

tA THE RE-UNION.
Brigadier General J. S. Pitman and ftaff;
all forming, by invitation, the Governor's general ftaff.
AID. CHIEF MARSHAL. aid.
Carriages containing invited guefts and others.
Among thefe.were two officers of Perry's fleet, at the battle
of Lake Erie, viz. :
Lieutenant Thomas Brownell, of this city,
and
Dr. Uftier Parfons, of Providence.
Torrent Engine Co., No. I, Captain William C. Townfend,
forty men.
GILMOEB'S CORNET BAWD,
of Pawtucket, W. E. Gilmore, leader, 17 pieces.
Aquidneck Engine Company, No. 3, Captain Julius Sayer,
47 men.
NEW BEDFORD BRASS BAND,
Ifrael Smith, leader, 1 7 pieces.
Columbian Engine Company, No. 5, of New Bedford,
Captain John B. Hyde, 57 men.
Hercules Engine Company, No. 7, Capt. W. S. Cranton, Jr.,
4O men.
—MARSHAL—
Divifion of Free Mafons, comprifing
St. John's Lodge, No. 2, of this city, Gilbert Chace, Mafter.
40 men ;
Wafliington Encampment, No. 1, Knight Templars,
of this city, Nathan H. Gould, Grand Commander,
25 men;

THE CELEBRATION. j'^
Newport Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2, John Eldred,
High Priest ;
and
Officers of Grand Lodge of Rhode Ifland.
— MARSHAL —
Divifion of Odd Fellows, comprifing
Rhode Ifland Lodge, No. 1 2, of Newport, Samuel Eyles,
Noble Grand, 50 men ;
Wafliington Lodge, No. 1 1, of River Poiiit, George W.
Niles, Noble Grand, 20 men;
Friendly Union Lodge, No. i, of Providence,
James A. Smith, Acting Noble Grand, 40 men ;
Eagle Lodge, N%. 2, of Providence,
George Hancock, Noble Grand, 30 men ;
Hope Lodge, No. 4, of Providence, J. W. Dench,
Noble Grand, 20 men ;
Narraganfett Encampment, No. i,
Henry L. Webfter, Chief Patriarch, 30 men ;
and
Officers of Grand Lodge of Rhode Ifland.
—MARSHAL—
Divifions of Sons of Temperance, comprifing
Atlantic Divifion, No. 6, Rev. C. H. Malcom, Worthy
Patriarch, 60 men ;
and
Officers of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Ifland. ,
— MARSHAL —
Newport Mufical Inftitute, 20 men.

f6 THE RE-UNION.
Newport Philharmonic Society, 20 men.
Carriages containing
His Honor Mayor W. H. Cranfton, ex-Mayor Cozzens,
and the
Prefident of the Common Council, R. J. Taylor, Efq.
Board of Aldermen, Members of the Common Council, and
School Committee, on foot.
— MARSHAL —
Four carriages, containing invited guefts.
His Honor Lieutenant Governor Ifaac Saunders,
and other
Members of the State Government.
SHEPARD'S CORNET BAND,
H. F. Shepard, leader, 19 pieces.
RETUIiNED SONS,
SIX ABREAST.
Many of them mingled with , the different
organizations, and we noticed a large number
who did not join the Proceffion until it arrived
at the tent. Sons and Daughters were here from
Maine, Maffachufetts, Connedicut, New York,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Louifiana,
Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wif-
confin, and many other States, and numbered
between noo and 1200,

THE CELEBRATION. ^J
The proceffion, which was a mile in length,
proceeded up Broad Street, to Marlborough
Street, down Marlborough to Thames, through
Thames to Cannon, up Cannon to Spring,
through Spring to Broad, up Broad to Mann
Avenue, up Mann Avenue to Kay Street, and
through Kay Street and South Touro Street
to the lot north of the Ocean Houfe, at which
point the efcort filed to the right, and the guefts
of the day, preceded by His Honor the Mayor
and the City Council, entered the tent and took
their refpedive places at the tables. The feats
to be occupied by different delegations were
defignated by tickets confpicuoufly placed at the
end of each table, by which means all confufion
was prevented. In the fmaller tent, the ladies
who were entitled to feats were congregated, and
when the proceffion entered, they came forward
and joined their hufbands, friends and brothers
at table.In the centre of the tent there was a large
platform fuftaining three tables; at the centre
table. His Honor, Mayor Cranfton prefided, with
R. J. Taylor, Efq., Prefident of the Common
Council, at the head of the table on his right,
Ex-Mayor Cozzens at the head of the table

^8 THE RE-UNION.
on the left. At thefe tables many of the
fpeakers of the day and of the invited guefts
were feated; amongft the latter, were numbered
His ExceUency, Governor Turner and Staff,
Col. Magruder and Staff; the Rev. Clergy of
the City; Rev. Dr. Balch, of Baltimore; Rev.
Dr. Vinton, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Rev. James
McKenzie, Judge Chambers, *Hon. Auguft. Bel
mont, Mr. LeRoy, M.Gourand, French Conful;
Dr. Parfons and Lieut. BrowneU, furvivors of the
battle of Lake Erie; Paul Morphy, Efq., Gov.
Fiik, J. A. and James Brown, Efqrs., Prof
Mitchell, Hiram Fuller, Esq., the Mayor of
Baltimore. The work of feating- fo large a body was by
no means an eafy talk, but at laft it was fuccefs-
fuUy accompliflied ; and when all eyes were
drawn from the viands, temptingly difplayed on
the tables, to the centre of the tent, from which
point his Honor Mayor Cranfton had called the
company to order, filence prevailed, and then,
in a clear and audible voice, he thus addreffed
the returned Sons and Daughters of Newport : —
Returned Sons and Daughters of the Ifland of Rhode Ifland.
In behalf of the authorities and the people of
Newport, I warmly and cordially welcome you

THE CELEBRATION. m
home from your various wanderings and tempo
rary habitations in different parts of the land. I
welcome you to the beloved and hallowed foU
which gave you birth ; it is hallowed foil indeed,
and we Rhode Iflanders are always and juftly
proud of our noble heritage, — for it was on this,
our native foil, that the great and glorious prin
ciple of religious liberty, which had fearfully
agitated the old world, and contending for which
thoufands of human beings fuffered a martyr's
death,— -it was here in Rhode Ifland, where we
were born, that this facred and eternal principle
of religious liberty — ^freedom to worfliip God in
an unmolefted manner, according to the didates
of each one's confcience, and abfolute feparation
between church and ftate— was firft thoroughly,
pradifally, and fuccefsfuUy demonftrated by
Roger WiUiams, John Clarke, and their aflb-
ciates. From the firft fettlement of the State to
the prefent time, the authorities have ever fcru-
puloufly guarded, and the people have ever con-
ftantly and facredly cherifhed, this hallowed and
immortal right of man.
In the dark and ftormy days of the American
Revolution, no Colony was more firm, devoted,
and enthufiaftic in its oppofition to the oppreffion

6o

THE RE-UNION.

of the mother country, and the fons of none
were more valiant and felf-facrificing in their de
fence of the rights of freemen than our anceftors,
the bleffed fruits of whofe religious and patriotic
efforts we this day enjoy. It was in Rhode
Ifland that the firft determined refiftance to Britifli
tyranny was heroically manifefted by the buming
of the British Schooner Gafpee, in yonder bay.
Rhode Ifland gave her noble Greene, (who was
fecond only to George Wafliington,) and a hoft
of others, to the caufe of freedom ; and fhe fuf
fered as much as, if not more than, any other Col
ony by the invafions of the enemy. In the laft
war with Great Britain, fhe was equally valiant
and patriotic, and furniflied our heroic Perry,
(who was born feventy-four years ago this day,)
and many other brave fons of her foil, who accom-
pUflied prodigies of valor, nobly defended our
proud and unconquerable ftripes and ftars, and
proteded our national honor from all tarnifli and
infult. This is, indeed, an interefting occafion; fome
of you have returned to your native foil after an
abfence of more than half a century; many of
you have wandered from home for a quarter of
a century, whUe hundreds of others have been

THE CELEBRATION. 6l
miffing from us for many years. To-day you
have all come home. Ah! what Jioly memories
and facred affociations are cluftered around and
centered in that word — home !
" Mid pleafures and palaces though we may roam.
Be it ever fo humble, there's no place like home !
A charm from the ikies feems to hallow us there.
Which, feek through the world is ne'er met with
elfewhere. Home ! home 1 fweet home I
There's no place like home !
" An exile from home, fplendor dazzles' in vain ;
O, give me my lovely tha'tched cottage again.
The birds finging gaily that come at my call.
Give me thefe, and the peace of mind, dearer than
all. Home ! fweet, fweet home !
There's no place like home !"
Among you, I behold fome whofe hairs are
whitened by the frofts of more than three fcore
years and ten; many beyond the meridian of
life, and a large numljer in the prime and vigor
of intelledual and phyfical ftrength. It is im
poffible to imagine the varied emotions of joy
and fadnefs which throb' in your* bofoms. Our
fea-gitt ifland is as beautiful now as it was in the
6

62 THE RE-UNION.
days of your childhood ; our climate is as deli
cious and healthy as it was then, and many old
landmarks in various parts of the city ftill remain
to remind you that you are at home once more.
Many of you will obferve that the old churches
where you once' worfliipped have all difappear- ^
ed, with a fingle exception, — or have been fo re-
moddled that you will fcarcely recognize them
as the fhrines where you received your early
religious inftrudion ; the fchool-houfes where you
were educated have moftly, if not entirely, been
demolilhed; and on the green fields where you
rambled and played in childhood's happy days,
coftly and elegant manfions have been ereded.
The Newport of to-day is not the Newport
which many of you left in your boyhood
and girlhood years. Still, there are cheriflied
and enduring landmarks remaining which you
cannot fail to recognize. The noble beaches,
where the fublime and eternal anthems to
Jehovah are ever heard; the fpacious and beau
tiful harbor, inviting an extenfive commerce to
its bofom ; the' rock-bound fliore, which has re
pelled the dafliing and maddened waves of the
Ocean fince the morning of creation ; the old
Stone Mfll, with its alternate claffic and matter-

THE CELEBRATION. 63
of-fact traditionary hiftory, — the Redwood Li
brary, where Dr. Channing "ftudied theology
without an inftrudor;" the "Hanging Rocks,"
where Bifliop Berkeley wrote his "Minute Phi-
lofopher;" "Paradife," and Purgatory;" the old
Synagogue, the firft ereded in the United States,
where the Jews ever worfliipped in an unmo
lefted manner ; the Cemetery, where repofe the
remains of the Jews who, nearly a century ago,
were among the prominent merchants of New
port, at the time the principal importations from
Europe were made to this port, and when it was
thought by a few progreffive people that, at sorne
diftant day. New York might poffibly rival New
port as a commercial and mercantile city, — with
other monuments of the paft, nearly all remain
unchanged, to remind you that you are once
more at home, on your green native ifle of the
fea. But the companions of your childhood ! where
are they "? Here, and there, and yonder, are a
few whofe warm hands will give you a token of
early friendfliip, and your converfations of for
mer days wiU be pleafant indeed. Alas I as you
walk through the cemeteries, you wUl find that
a large number of the comrades of your youth

64 THE RE-UNION.
are there calmly refting in death's long re
pofe. "But their fpirits are with you to-day as you
roam.
O'er the land of your birth-place, your ocean-girt
home." ,
Above aU, and more facred than all, is the
refledion that you have returned, once more, to
ftand bjj the graves of the loved and the loft, thofe
who were near and dear to your hearts, and with
whom you have paflTed fo many happy days in
this your ifland home, the fond recoUedion of
which, will linger facredly in your minds forever.
I fincerely hope that the time is not very far
diftant when all of youf- will return home and
permanently locate on your native foil; if cir
cumftances would permit, I am confident that all
of you would be moft happy to do fo ; for what
ever may be our fancies for roaming, or our in
ducements for excitement, and the profpeds of
pecuniary gain abroad in early life, as we ad
vance in years, there is an inftinct within us
which caufes us to yearn for the home of our
childhood, our dear native land.
" Breathes there the man with foul fo dead.
Who never to himfelf hath faid.

THE CELEBRATION. 6 J
This is my own, my native land !
Whofe heart hath ne'er within him burned.
As home his footfteps«he has turned.
From wandering on a foreign ftrand ? "
We who have remained at home, rejoice that
our townfmen abroad have fucceeded fo well in
their various avocations in their temporary homes;
and we are proud that fo many of you occupy
eminent pofitions in your feveral localities.
Although you have been fo richly favored, I
am confident that you all hope to return, before
the evening of life, fo that your clofing years
may be quietly paffed in the cheriflied home
and amid the beautiful fcenes where you first
beheld the wonderful works of Him who creates,
who rules, and who will finally judge the world
in righteoufnefs by the unerring ftandard of in-
faUible juftice.
In concluding his addrefs. Mayor Cranfton
gave the firft regular toaft :
Our Invited Guejis, — The Sons and Daughters of the
Ifland of Rhode Ifland ; they are welcome, welcome to the
endeared fpot of their nativity.
To this toaft Dr. Walter Channing, of Bos
ton, a returned Son of Newport, repHed as
follows : 6*

66 THE RE-UNION.

ADDRESS OF
DR. WALTER CHANNING,
AT THE
RE-UNION AT NEWPORT,
IN BEHALF OF ITS RETURNED SONS AND
DAUGHTERS.

Mr. Mayor :-r-I have been c^puted by the
Committee of Arrangements of this great Fefti
val to reply to your Honor's welcome to the
Sons and Daughters of Newport here affembled.
Accept, Sir, our moft hearty thanks for this wel
come, and for the invitation from our friends- and
brothers, to attend this Celebration, We rejoice
to be here — to be once more in the place of our
birth, the home of our fathers, and where are
their graves. Inftiiidively do our hearts turn to
that great congregation of our dead^ — the accu
mulations of more than two centuries, and in
filial piety and reverence would we fay,
Requiefcat in pace.

THE CELEBRATION. 67
We have .come. Sir, from voluntary exile, to
our father's home; not as prodigal fons, to make
Qonfeffion of fins — of wafted patrimony, and
wafted lives, but to meet again our old, yes,.
earlieft affociates and friends, whom we have not
met for many, many years, and, as in a family
meeting, talk of the good old times, and give tO'
the prefent fome of their heartinefs and freflinefs,
and be made happier and better by their memory.
We rejoice to be here, to breathe again the
pure air in which we drew our firft breath, giving
evidence that we had aflTumed independent life.
We rejoice to walk again the ftreets our feet firft
trod, to fee again the old places, the Parade^^-
the fcene of our holiday experiences— and which,
though fomewhat changed,' (improved, I believe, is
the word,) ftill tells its old ftory. We mifs, indeed,
the Boiling Spring, that wonder of our young
eyes, where was conftant boiling without fire.
The boys had poetry in the fervice of the Spring :
Look yonder, look yonder.
And fee a great wonder !
Four and twenty pots boiling.
And (for fhortnefs,^ nary coal under.
The old Court Houfe is in its place ftill,
and there is the balcony from which public
proclamations were made, on Eledion Day, of

68 THE RE-UNION.
the newly induded Executive of the Comrtion-
wealth — to us the greateft ceremony within our
knowledge, and which we thought could never
be furpaflTed. There, at the foot of the Parade,
is the old Granary, (which half a century has
left in its original proportions,) in which, in my
boyhood, was a theatre, and where I went to my
firft play — more than fixty years ago was that
event of my life, one which is never forgotten.
It was the " Caftle Spedre," and that ghoft, at leaft,
has never vaniflied. There is the Old Mill —
which never was a mill, but is still in its maffive,
enduring ftrength — which has outlived centuries,
and has not become a ruin yet, and in which we
look for and find . the evidences of fettlements
in New England, long, long before the Puritan
age, from which is dated fo much of our hiftory.
We rejoice again to fee and to wander among
the places of once folitary beauty which abound
within the limits of our ancient town — " The
HiU," as it was called — changes, great changes
"are there. The Redwood Library, which then,
in its architedural proportions, tafte, and beauty,
ftood alone, and which we always paflfed to the
beach, is now in the centre of many houfes, the
refidences of ftrangers who vifit our beautiful

THE CELEBRATION. 69
and healthful ifland for pleafure and health, and
who, by the tafte and beauty of their temporary
homes, have, by happy contraft, added to the
attradions and interefts of the natural beauty.
We can hardly make out where we are in thefe
changed regions, but we are not difturbed by
fuch alterations or additions. They give life and
charader to the old repofe. Is it not well that it
does fo ? The wealth there ufed has given new
value to all the furroundings. How much has
the healthfulnefs of pure air and the neighboring
fea contributed to the enjoyment and good of thou
fands who may never have enjoyed fuch before?
The benefits of fuch a fpot are not confined to
the body. The mind and the heart are made
better by them. He or flie who has felt one
emotion of pleafure or of joy in the fcenes here
prefented to the eye, has by that very fad been
made better. A true thought, a true fentiment
is never loft. It declares its being and power,
through aflTociation, "with all akin to it; nay, it
will do more ; it will be the fruitful parent of
new and'Vider truths, revealing to him or to
her the greateft of them all, the moral and intel
ledual conftitution of human nature, and in-
ftindively incline thofe to whom the revelation

70 THE RE-UNION.
has been- made, to the love of all other beauty
and all other truth. '
We rejoice. Sir, to be again within fight and
found of the grand old ocean, which holds our
beloved ifland in everlafting embrace, and which
we again fee, not as in fome bay or arm of the fea,
but' face to face. We rejoice that we are again
able to liften to .the wide-weltering wave, as it
now breaks upon our beautiful beaches, and now
daflies againft. our lordly coaft, rock-ribbed and
ancient as the fun, and now in its gentle fighing,
as, in its pure livery,of foam, it bathes the fmooth,
unwrinkled fand.
I remember, a few years ago, being on the
road between France and Spain, when my atten--
tion was attraded by the fudden appearance of
the ocean. I alked what it was, and learned it
was the Bay of Bifcay ; in other words, the wide
Atlantic. You cannot tell how much I was
moved by this old fri'end, in a new place, thou
fands of miles from home, and at once appealed
to it in a few verfes, of which are the follow
ing :— Thou Ocean, from my diftant home.
To welconje me haft hither come ?
How happy now to ftay !

THE CELEBRATION. n\
I thank thee for thy prefence here.
In memory long I will it bear.
With thought of Bifcay Bay.
How ftrange that to this diftant ftrand.
The echoes from my native land
O'er thy wild bofom come !
Yes, dark Atlantic, in thy voice
There's that which bids my heart rejoice.
For ftill it fpeaks of home !
Thus, Nature fpeaks in her thoufand voices of
beauty and power, and they are never heard
truly in vain.
- We rejoice to be again in fight of our noble
harbor, with its natural breakwater, old Fort
Wolcott. It is not only the handfo<ieft, but,
pradically, the fineft of harbors. In its depth of
water, eafe of accefs and fafety, it offers to
commerce advantages rarely known elfewhere.
We, who have reached old age, remember the
harbor as it was in earlier times, when it was
filled with {hipping, coining from every clime'
and region, or' going everywhere to which wife
enterprife, and fafe fpeculation, pointed the way.
Our population was then, half a century and
more ago, nearly, or quite equal to what it is
now. Commerce was a moft favored purfuit.

72 THE RE-UNION, /
f
and wealth its frequent produd. We fent
onions from Briftol, and New England rum from
everywhere. We fent all forts of articles for
exchange, and received all forts of merchandife
in return. There was a large China, and Rus-
fian, and African bufinefs done, and wealth
came from it all. Mercantile bufinefs was a
profeffion. Young men were regularly taught
its principles, and thefe, when truly taught, are
rarely forgotten ; how rare, then, were failures,
and crifes, and panics, or fulpenfions of fpecie
• payments. No : there was the Newport Bank,
on the old Parade, and there was Mr. Calhier-
Mofes Sexias, and you got filver or gold for your
check, fdlf the aiking. Thofe who recall the
Revolutionary war, cannot forget what Newport
fuffered from that unnatural battle between
parent and chUd, and which led to a final fepa
ration between them. No one can remember
this without feeling aftonilhment at the healthy
reaction, — the abfolut^ recovery to State and
national health, nor how foon and how ftrongly
it was marked in Newport by fuccefsfiil induftry
, and independence.
We have thus far fpoken of the natural, the
phyfical charaderiftics of our native ifland; let

THE CELEBRATION.

73

US, for a few moments, talk of its Social, its
Educational, Religious, and Political inftitutions half
a century or more ago. Its people were emi
nently focial. They had the means, and knew
their ufe in contributing to focial life. The
neighboring country furniflied food of excellent
quality, which was abundant and cheap. Every
houfe had its garden, and the fineft vegetables in
the country were raifed by all. Fifli were as
plenty as blackberries, and caught without trou
ble ; and the right to catch was the birthright
of all. Then the cow and the pig formed a
part of the family circle, and how kindly and
carefully were they provided for. Luxuries
were within the reach of all. We cannot forget
the fruits of that time. Why, peaches were a
drug ; we bought them at the cart's tail by the
peck or bufliel, and eat them as freely, but much
more cheaply, than we now do the few berries
which ftill grow wild in our woods. Plums,
pears, goofeberries, ftrawberries, apples, quinces,
were in profufion offered for fale. To think
of depending on Jerfey for peaches, or New
York for apples, we Ihould as foon have thought
of fending to either of thofe markets for freih fifli,
when ice here was only ufed for Ikatingi Talk-
7

74 THE RE-UNION.
ing of fruit, a friend of mine, a young lady, went
out the other day to buy a peach or two for a
friend who was ill. She brought home two for
fix cents each, and niiferably poor, I thought,' at
that, faying that the beft were a quarter of a dol
lar each. Here we are living in a climate which
is acknowledged to have been foftened by time,
and ftill the produds of the foil, when horticul
ture was never more fuccefsfuUy pradifed, are fo
fcarce and fo poor that the burgeflTes muft have
good ftomachs, and great wealth, to buy or to
venture to eat them. Newporters were capital
livers. Newport was celebrated for its cooks,
and where under heaven did or do people live fo
long, and where are the women, I will not fay
more, but as beautiful as they were, and doubtlefs '
ftill are, in this little ifland of thirteen by three ?
But how of the . Educational fyftem of our
early days ¦? It was in exad harmony with its
other focial inftitutions. It could hardly be called
a fyftem, for every mafter went upon his own
hook, (as is the phrafe.) We, had no public
fchools. We had no fchool committees with
delegated powers, to make a Procuftes bed#for
education, upon which every boy and girl fliould
be ftretched, to learn leflTons of equal length,

THE CELEBRATION.

IS

whatever their capacity, and who could not get
up until they had learned them. We had no
medal fyftem to make the ftretching feel lefs un
comfortable, while the poifpn of emulation, when
fuccefsful in its operation, might lead to reward.
Our old fchools were the fimpleft things in the
world, and the cheapeft. Few things were taught,
and thofe perfedly. There was no flinching,
no getting along without work. We were duly
whipped and kept, when we failed, and truancy
was a high crime. Teaching was cheap, — from a
dollar and a half to four dollars a quarter.
Books were very few, and very cheap. There
were Webfter's Spelling-Book, and Webfter's
Third Part. There was the Columbian Orator,
abounding in the early oratory of the country,
fuch as Hancock's and Warren's Fourth of July
orations, and Dwight's and Humphrey's poetry,
Morfe's fmaller Geography, Perry's Didionary,
and Pike's or Dabol's Arithmetic. The coft of
books was nothing compared with what it cofts
to buy the books of fome fyftems of this day.
In fome of thefe the quarterly expenfe of books
is as much as was the quarter's payment for the
entire earlier education. If the boy was to enter
college, for which but little preparation was then

76 THE RE-UNION.
required, then he had a Virgil, a Cicero, a SaUuft,
a Greek Teftament, together with a Greek and
Latin Grammar, and a book of Geometry, to get.
[Here the fpeaker enlarged upon the general
fyftem of education in our day, not only in
America, but alfo in fome of the countries of
Europe.] The next inftitution to which I addrefs myfelf
is the Church. I ufe the word here generically, as
embracing all places devoted to Chriftian worfliip.
In Newport, however, it was diftinctive, the
word " church " being only applied to the build
ing devoted to the Epifcopal fervice. All others
were called meeting-houfes, or, in common fpeech,
meetin-houfes. Of thefe, there were numbers, and
of fuch variety and fed, that I hardly remember
two of the fame. There was the Synagogue,
which, being the oldeft of the Temples of India
and Egypt, deferves the firft place. The wor-
Ihip-day was on Saturday, and how often have I
ftood juft within the door, and feen the Ifraelites
Ihuffling about with their hats on, and the Rabbi
reading the evening fervice, all being in motion,
I fuppofe, in imitation of the forty years' travel
to Canaan. You may remember the command
of a prophet to the people, " Take off thy flioes,

THE CELEBRATION. 77
for this is holy ground;" but there is no com
mand to take off the hat.
We had Moravians, Saturday and Sunday
Baptifts, Methodifts, Newlights, Calvaniftic,
Hopkinfonian, Epifcopalian, Quaker, and oth
ers which I do not remember. To the young
(and the youngeft were duly carried to meet
ing,) Sunday was a day of fevere trial. In
fummer we fweated and flept, being hurried up
in prayer time. In winter we were frozen.
Large and barn-like buildings, full of windows,
and thofe often broken, and always loofe in the
fafhes, no carpets, very hard cufliions, and rarely
thefe, no furnaces and no ftoves, except the old-
Dutch foot-ftoves, which the younger members
were obliged to carry, much againft the will, to
fecure to the older female members warm feet
through the moft unconfcionably long difcourfes
which ever got the name of fermons. The
whole fervice was long, and the longeft prayer
feemed to our young minds to partake of that
eternity, about the eternal punifliment and eternal
mifery of which the minifter fpoke moft, efpe-
cially of the firft, Sunday, however, did not end
with the bleffing. The interval between morn
ing and afternoon fervice, was filled with reading

78 THE RE-UNION.
the Bible, fpeaking hymns, hearing a fermon,
and, always moft gratefully received, dinner.
Now when we remernber, as all of my day muft,
that the preaching was ftrictly theological, tech
nical, fcientific, not to add metaphyfic, you
cannot wonder that the young could not and
did not underftand or fympathize with it ; nay
more, that there were grown men amongft us
who did not believe a word of it, who were open
infidels. One of thefe was a flioerhaker. He
was an artift in his myftery : no one could fit a
flioe like Manchefter. He was a reader, and a
thinker. His fliop ftood not far from Mr.
Thurfton's Baptift meeting-houfe. It was an
octagonal building, which had ferved for a fum
mer houfe for many years, and had been car
ried to the fpot above referred to, by our artift.
He was very flow in fulfilling orders; he had no
rival and could take his time. If you wanted
flioes, it behooved you to fpeak for them a fort
night or month before the time. People of any
tiiought for perfonal comfort, nay, luxury, em
ployed Manchefter. A minifter of our Second
Meeting-Houfe did fo. He had engaged him
for the advanced time, when, to his great furprife,
the Monday following, Manchefter appeared with

THE CELEBRATION. 79
the Ihoes in his hands. Rev. Mr.  expreffed
his furprife, along with his pleafure, at being fo
promptly ferved. " Why, fir," faid Manchefter,
to tell you the truth, I worked the whole of yes
terday to finilh them." Thus it was, that while
our paftor was zealoufly working in his vocation
of faving fouls, his faithful Ihoemaker was as
faithfully working in his, upon his foles.
There was in Newport a clergyman, who is
an hiftorical man, and of whom I wUl fay fome-
thing. This was Dr. Samuel Hopkins. He was
born in 1721, and died in 1803. ^He was a man
of confiderable talent, and almoft incredible
powers of application. He was the author of a
fyftem of dodrines which received his name. Its
leading principle was difinterefted benevolence.
Dr. Ezra Styles publiflied a work entitled " A
Contraft between Calvinifm and Hopkinfianfm."
Dr. Hopkins printed many works. I remember
him only as a perfon and as a preacher. When I
knew him he was an old man of about my pres
ent age, of very large frame, of which he made
a moft awkward and ungainly ufe. His ¦ face
was exceedingly remote from beauty, and muft
have been inclined that way in early life. His
voice — who can defcribe it. It feemed and

80 THE RE-UNION,
was quite beyond the control of his wiU. It was
high, and low, and fideways. At times it was
almoft inaudible, and fuddenly there came out
a roar, or founds of ftrange, ftirring import, and
effed. We boys did not know what to make of
it, or of him. But with all his phyfical failures
he had in beautiful perfection, and exercife, man's
higheft faculties, the moral. He was the kindeft,
the moft charitable, felf-facrificing of men. You
loft in his life, his fedarianifm, his manner, his
voice. You felt he was a man in his nobleft
development, and you could not but reverence
and love him. I have heard that he is the hero
in the "Minifter's Wooing," in the Atlantic
Monthly. I have not read a word in that frag
mentary, ferial fpecimen of publication, a kind of
novel printing exceedingly difagreeable to me ;
but how Dr. Hopkins could have been manufac-,
tured into a lover, it is utterly impoffible fof me
to imagine. I know in his advanced age he
married an old lady, (a Mrs. Weft, I beUeve ;)
but I always fuppofed that it was inftind, not
fentiment, which was at the bottom of that mar
riage, at leaft.
This exceUent man was of great plainnefs of
fpeech. He fpoke his mind with as little cir-

THE CELEBRATION. 8l
cumlocution as poffible. ' He was buying fome
cloth one day, and taking up a yard-ftick, he faid,
" Mifter, your yard-ftick- is too fliort." This was
a rebuke for what he thought unfair meafure. I
was for fome years fub-librarian of the Redwood
Library, and kept the key,. and had the privUege
of making it my ftudy all the time, if I would
open the library to the public every Wednefday
afternoon. Very rarely did anybody come.
Among thofe who did, was Mr. Cleland Kinlock,
of Charlefton, South Carolina, who for many
years paffed his fummers in Newport. His fight
was very poor, "and I frequently read to him. I
remember Gen. Scott was an occafional caller.
Dr. Hopkins came now and then, and one day
came with him, or about the fame time, a very
fingular man, named John Stewart, commonly
called Walking Stewart. He walked over Europe,
and Afia, and America, and often paffed a part
of "his fummers in Newport. You might fee
him at the clofe of the day, fitting on the ftoop
at Mrs. Carpenter's, in whofe houfe he lodged, in
, Thames Street, eating his evening meal of bread,
fruit, and milk. He never eat meat, and thought
the killing of animals for food the unpardonable
fin. One day, being in the Ubrary with Dr.

82 THE RE-UNION.
Hopkins, he had much converfation with die
Dodor, or, ratiier, much talk to him. He was
patiently hftened to for fome time, when a paufe
occurred. The Dodor now fpoke, and in the
moft quiet manner, faying, « You-are-a-great-fool-
Mifter-Stewart," and here the dodor and philofo-
pher departed together, apparently as perfedly
good friends as when they entered.
The multitude of religious feds in Newport,
did not leflTen individual zeal for one's own. The
ftrongeft antagonifm was between the Church
proper, the Epifcopalian, and all other denomin
ations. Their church was the true one. It was
rich, it lived handfomely, luxurioufly, it was ex-
clufive. The feeling towards it is remembered.
It was called Tory. It was the Englifli Church,
adopting the Liturgy, leaving out King and
Queen and the Royal family. Lords and Com
mons and Parliament affembled. There was
one ftriking fad in the Church, ornamentation,
which I have no doubt had its effect on opinion.
The vane on the fpire was furmounted by a
crown. Yes, the diadem was there in open day.
The firft rays of the rifing fun fhone upon it;
and the laft rays of the fetting fun were refleded
from it. It was a matter of thought, how this

THE CELEBRATION. 83
fymbol of royalty furvived the revolution. But
it did ; and when we left Newport in the earlier
years of the nineteenth century, there was the
crown, and there I saw it to-day.
PoUtics was fpoken of as an inftitution of our
native town, as was religion and the fchools.
But the parties of that day, fixty odd years ago,
were not what they are now. There were but
two parties to the great iffue which then divided
men, here, and every where elfe, in the nation. I
cannot imagine any thing which could have
been more infulting to thefe parties than the fug
geftion that a fplit could have happened in either.
The Federalift, or fometimes the fo-called Tory,
or the Democrat, alfo called Jacobin, would have
flirunk from the poffibility of fuch, and fo many
difintegrations, as rule the prefent political con
dition of the country. So various are thefe, and
with fuch hair-fplitting diftindions, that one
hardly knows where he is, whether on his head
or his heels ; the only reliable perfon being he
who belongs to neither fradional fide, or better,
to none, without a queftion of either. But fo it
was not then; no man could find reft on the
fence ; it was picketted all over ; the ground was

84 THE RE-UNION.
the only fafe place to ftand on. It was liter
ally, " Under which king, Bezonian ? fpeak or die."
The boys took fides in the univerfal conflid
of opinion. The different parties wore cockades.
The FederaUfts wore black ones, the Englifli
cockade, and were caUed Englifli Tories. They
were torn from our hats, and then was battle.
Jay's Treaty was a fubjed of terrible debate and
conflid. Well do I remember feeing that great
minifter, and noble man, carried in effigy to a
vacant lot, in an old cart, with a rope round his
neck, and burnt there amid the denunciations
and yells of a furious party mob. Liberty poles
were raifed, with Liberty caps atop. Thefe were
cut down by the oppofite party : and then was
prepared the tar and feathers for a top dreffing,
fliould the political enemy of his country be dis
covered. General Wafliington died about this time, and
for a moment there was peace. We know that,
at the clofe of his life, in his lateft years, even
he did not efcape the evil power of party. He
had been twice eleded unanimoufly to the prefi-
dency of die nation. Would this have happened

THE CELEBRATION. 85
again "? His friends fucceeded once, and eleded
Mr. Adams, in whom Wafliington had confidence,
and who had held offices neareft the throne. At
the next trial, Mr. Jefferfon beat Mr, Adams, and
fince then to this day only two out and out Fed
eraUfts, or fucceflTors of that party, have reached
the prefidency. Of thefe, one reigned thirty
days and the other lefs than two years. Thank
ful fliould we be, and are, that the old and
ftrong lines of party are broken — that the people
are free to exercife private judgment in politics,
as well as in every thing elfe. Why, Sir, how
large is the chance for Young America, fo called,,
and, as I think, very unwifely too. We have
the Whigs, the Democrats, the Hards, the Softs,
the Mixed. The diflocation of parties — the de-
compofition of forces — is lofs of individual power.
What may turn up was formerly a matter of
calculation, of figures, which, fome fay, never lie.
But this is not the cafe now. No one knows
what the political day may bring forth. Thankful
fliould we be for this confummation devoutly to
be wiflied — this rupture of parties. We may
pick and choofe, or do neither, and lie fafely in
our beds. Who of us from abroad knows what
are the political rulings here in Newport this
8

86 THE RE-UNION.
day ? For one, I do not. But this we all know
and /eel. It is our home, and by birthright fo,
and to us the beft beloved — the moft beautiful
fpot under the Ikies. Would not the Father of
his country look upon it, as he once did, with
deep pleafure, and commit to its hofpitalities, to
its pleafures, its wide ocean, thofe dear to him
by birth, and doubly fo by apprehended fatal
difeafe ? I am fure he would, and in confirma
tion of this I will here introduce a letter which
he addreflTed to my father, in 1783.
Newburch, 7th June, '83.
Sir : My Nephew, who will have the honor of prefent
ing this letter to you, has been in bad health more than
twelve months, and is advifed to try the climate of Rhode
Ifland by his Phyficians. Any civilities which you may be
kind enough to fliow him will be thankfully acknowledged by
Sir, Yr. Moft OBd. Serv.
Go. WASHINGTON.
Wm. Channing, Esq.
I cannot recur to this venerated hero, and moft
honoured man, without being carried back again
to our eariy days, and to that efpecially in which
the news came of his death. His laft fpeech to
Congrefs was delivered on the 7th of December,
1796. He returned to Mount Vernon to enjoy

THE CELEBRATION. 87
the pleafures of retirement ; but he was not left
to perfed repofe. A war with France was
threatened, and he was made Lieutenant-General
of all the land forces of the country, the higheft
office in the gift of any people ; in this never
before held, and but once fince. Wafliington
accepted the office upon condition that he fliould
not be called into the field till his fervices were
adually demanded, and to receive no emolu
ments until he was in a fituation to incur ex
penfe. That time did not come. His public
toils were over, but his enjoyment of a J)rivate
life was fliort. On Friday, 13th December, 1799,
expofure to rain was followed by inflammation
of the throat, and he died Saturday night fol
lowing, aged 67 years.
Well do I remember the day we heard of his
death. It was of a Sunday morning, in church.
The minifter, having announced it, read the
pfalm in which is this line, —
" Princes muft die and turn to duft."
The leader, in finging, came to this line. He
began to fing it, his voice faltered, it ftopped, he
buried his. face in his hands and fat down, weep-
ing like a child. And why fuch deep emotion,

88 THE RE-UNION.
fo ftrongly expreflTed? He was a tall, and very
ftrong man. You would have fuppofed that
nothing could have fo moved him, efpecially in
his place, at that moment : but he had been a
foldier under Wafliington, and near to him in
die fervice. He had feen and felt his power,
his moral dignity, his kindnefs, his devotion to
his country. His death to him was as would
have been the death of his father. He wept for
him as a fon. I was then about twelve years of
age. We* have fpoken of Newport as it was more
than half a century ago, and in its phyfical, edu
cational, religious, and political afpeds, fo far as
they appear to us from the ftand-point of the
prefent. We have been obliged to recur con-
ftantly to our perfonal obfervations and experi
ence. I cannot but have fome confidence in
the corredness of the ftatements, becaufe they
are of events and fads of rny earlieft knowledge,
and if it takes old age to know the force with
which our earlieft impreffions are made, and the
full power of memory with regard to them, have
I not fome claim to be heard concerning them ?
To the truly old man, who has retained health
of miud and body, human life has but two

THE CELEBRATION. 89
periods or eras — the earlieft days of conscious
youth, and the lateft of age. The time between
thefe, and all its events feems compreflTed into
the narroweft fpace — fo crowded, fo confufed,
that they cannot in their integrity be fummoned
before us. In this is the confirmation of that
ancient fcripture, " Our life is verily a hand's
breadth." The occafion has confined me to my
earlieft days, and to its inftitutions, and happy
fliall I be in the thought that I have faid any
thing to intereft and to ferve you.
A queftion may arife, what have our inftitu
tions done for us,i — for its people? There is
embarraflTment in the queftion. Its anfwer muft
trench and that clofely upon the perfonal, which
all know is a region into which careful men are
never anxious to enter. But Newport is not
without witneflTes that flie has done fomething for
herfelf and for her country. Gilbert Stewart was
an artift of the higheft ftanding in both Europe
and America, and his works are with us for mem
ory and admiration.* Wafliington AUfton came
* Stewart, who was a humorift as well as an artift, was
very fond of coming to Newport. He ftopped at Town-
fend's, and often, often have I heard him praife the excellent
8*

go THE RE'UNION.
here a boy, and received here the moft important
part of every man's education, for it is in out
earlieft youth are laid the foundations of whatever
of charader, pofition, and ufefulnefs to which
we may attain. A family of many fons was born
and educated here, many of whom have been
profeffional men, and fome of them profeflTors in
a College. Diftinguiflied counfeUors and ftates-
men are numbered among the natives of New
port, among whom may be named William
Hunter, who held a refponfible foreign official
pofition, and had the beft confidence of his fel
low townfmen, and a wide fphere in his prpfes-
fional relations. James Hamilton was educated
here; and attained to important political dis-
fare and uniform kindnefs in that then famed refort of^ trav
ellers. " So eafy is living in Newport," he ufed to fay, " that
1 fear there are many lazy dogs around. Why, there were
many pofts up and down Thames Street, for the convenience
of country folks, who faftened their horfes to them when they
come to town. But at my laft vifit I found the pofts were
gone, and I alked Townfend why it was fo. Said he, there
ufed always ' to be two or three sturdy men holding on to
every poft to keep themfelves from falling down, fo lazy were
they : but the Town Council have taken the pofts all away,
in hope that their old cuftomers or dependents will go to
work."

THE CELEBRATION. 9!
tindion in South Carolina, his native State. I fat
in the fame form at fchool with one whom
Newport will always hold in cheriflied memory,
and honor, — Oliver Hazard Perry. I fee him
now in his youth, yes childhood, and remember
how attradive he was by the beauty of his face,
and the grace of his form. He was fo delicate
in appearance that no one dreamed what he
would be. He was, I hardly need fay, bred in
the Navy, and, in the war of 1812, had com
mand of a fleet, when a young man. The bat
tle of Lake Erie, Newport and the country,
and naval hiftory, will never forget, for our hero
conquered the fleet of a nation which never
loft one before.
I began by referring to the love of our native
place, — to the defire we have to return to it,
and the pleafure which coming home always
brings with it. Why is it that we thus love the
place of our birth ? Why have all men done
the fame "? The fon of the mift, in Scott, in
his dying hour, begged that he might be turned
fo that his eyes could reft once more upon his
native hiUs, and clofe with their lateft vifion bent
there. Why did the hero of Virgil, in his death-
hour, manifeft his love for the place of his births

92 THE RE-UNION.
which is fo beautifully narrated by that immortal
bard ; — et dukes moriens reminicitur Argos. Why,
' why is this ? It is an inftind which gives to it
place in the human heart, and expreffion in human
thought, life, word. We know not why or what
it is. Like poetry, it is born with us, not made,-^
nafcitur, non fit. It fixes itfelf to fome fpot in
God's wide univerfe, and that fpot is, in a word,
home, the place of our birth, the land of our
fathers, where we got our earlieft culture, where
we laid the foundation of charader, pofition,
ufefulnefs; where, in a word, we were made,
and from which no newTairth can remah us. It
was faid to be to circumfcribed regions the
inftind of love of place is confined. This is
fhowed in the allufion firil made to Virgil and
Scott, and which might in thoufands of others be
illuftrated. It is fomething other, I had almoft
faid, higher than the old word patriotifm ordin
arily indicates. Is it poffible to love a whole
nation ? Does England love India, or love Can
ada ? Can we Americans love our whole world
of Union, — who of us loves thofe States which
are more than fix thoufand miles from the fpot
on which we this moment ftand, — here in our
honored and beloved home? What love can

THE CELEBRATION.

93

ftand two immenfe oceans of more than 3000
miles each? You cannot know fuch people. I
may fay, races, for they confift of fpecimens of
all the human races, Parthians, Scythians, Indians,
and what not ? Our courfe of life is different
from theirs, — manners, cuftoms, habits. They
are above law, " a law to themfelves ; " in fliort,
they dig gold, and we dig potatoes. Greece was
fo loved becaufe it was hardly larger than the
State of Rhode Ifland, and its capital was Ath
ens. Every body knew his neighbour, and his
neighbour was every body. They caUed, and fo
did Rome, a man born elfewhere, a barbarian.
No matter what his culture, what his refinement,
to the Greek he was fooliflinefs, and a ftranger.
It is a curious fact in psychology that, though
univerfal love is a moral duty, we cannot attain
to it. Look at the family, — the family and its
children. Here is a relation with which a
ftranger muft not intermeddle. " Enter not into
my fecret," is the language of every fuch human
relation, and courtefy, if not principle, enforces
and executes the univerfal law. Is it not fo in
the larger relations of one's birthplace, his native
home ? Are we not jealous of its dignity, do
we not wifli it only good, would we not live for

94 THE RE-UNION.
its protedion and welfare, would we not die in
its defence? Few, if any, may agree with me
in thefe views ; but they are truths to me, truths
of experience, and of reafon, and now that we
are talking together as members of the fame
family, dweUers in the fame home, the fame
birthplace, I am not unwiUing to exprefs my
views concerning it. I live in a State, and in
one of the cities of which a great number of my
calling are from other States. We were not
at once entitled to the rights of citizens. We
were immigrants, and like others of that wide clafs
in America, we obtained legal refidence or citi-
zenfliip in due procefs of law. A certain time
was neceffary before we could exercife the right
and suffrage — not that this is pradically a very
highly valued right, for though our polls amount
to 33,000, we never, whether for city. State, or
United States objeds, get half that number
checked on our ward voting Ufts. As I go with
the majority, I never vote, leaving it to thofe
more interefted in municipal and other affairs
than I am, to fee that they are legally managed.
I think that we fee in this fimple ftatement of
fads that he who leaves his birthplace never ac
quires or can acquire, for his new, accidental

THE CELEBRATION. 9^
refidence, the feeling he has for his natural
home. It is to this he clings while life lafts, and
how deep is that fentiment is abundantly de
clared by this vaft meeting of Newport's fons and
daughters. We have left our adopted homes,
our occupations, and our bought-pleafures, to
come together again to the old family hearth-
ftone and altar, and to fee, and to think, and to
talk about fcenes and events which made up the
earlieft and moft important periods of our lives.
The feeling has often been mine, the wilh to
come again to my true home, and to pafs the
few remaining years of my Ufe where life with
me began.
Some years ago,. I printed, not publifhed, a
fmall volume of verfes, or, as I call them,
"lines with rhyming ends." One of the poems
is called " A Summer's Day." I go into the
country, and in a familiar grove, and pafs the
day in narrating what occurred to me while in
Scotland and England, more than half a century
ago, as a medical ftudent. In the laft paflage of
this poem, fo called, occur the following ftanzas,
which exprefs the feeling or defire I have to
return to the place of my birth.

96 THE RE-UNION.
" That vifion of the paft is gone !
In the old grove I fit alone,
England beyond the fea :
The prefent ruflies on my fight, '
The flanting fun with mellowed light.
Gives the near -world to me.

I fain would live in earlier years.
That day of boyhood's joys and fears,— ^
The homeftead far away, —
Stand on that neighbour beach again.
Lie on the bofom of the main,
A child with it to play.
Long years have pafled fince I was there.
The willing flave of duty here.
Yes, here to live and die;
But ftill the thought will often come
And woo me to my native home, —
To beach, to fea and iky.
I greet that thought, and revel there
In all it is my lot to bear.
And grateful thank it too ;
The day may come when to its power,
I'll joyful give the willing hour
Again to old and new."

THE CELEBRATION.

97

Mufic was the next thing in order — "Should
old acquaintance be forgot?" — fung by the
whole audience.
The Mayor now invited the guefts to partake
of the collation, and the officiating clergyman.
Rev. James McKenzie, offered up thanks to the
Throne of Grace.
The collation was handfomely ferved, and
confifted of profufions of cold meats of various
kinds: fruits, cakes, and other refrefliments,
waflied down with Iparkling cold water.
After the feaft, the Mayor called the audience
to order, and the toaft-mafter, James Atkinson,
Efq., gave the fecond regular toaft :
Our Ifland Home — " The pureft gem on the bofom of
the ocean.
Which was refponded to as foUows, by ex-
Mayor Rodman, of Providence, a returned
fon: An old lady fat in an antique chair.
In her home befide the fea.
With a heart as light and as free from care.
As a happy old lady's could be.
9

98 THE RE-UNION.
And flie joyous watched the billows wild.
As they crumbled along the ftrand ;
While cheerful dreams her hours beguiled.
Of her children in eveiy land.
And each rolling wave, as it danced along
' With its vefture of opal Ipray,
To her lonely heart fang the cradle fong.
Of her loved ones far away.
And while flie fat mufing and watching the deep.
Bright fpangled and crefted with foam.
Low hymnings were heard, like the whifpers of
fleep.
Home ! Mother, we are coming home.
The old lady fmiling, arofe from her chair,
A fong of her girlhood humming.
And called on her children at home to prepare.
For their brothers and fifters were coming.
Then kind *Mrs. Redwood arranged her grey hair.
And dufted her mouldering nooks ;
And hung all her piftures with order and care.
And covered and numbered her books.

* Redwood Library has been thoroughly renovated during
the paft year, and greatly enlarged ; and Mr. King, a native
of Newport, but a refident artift of Wafliington, has pre
fented to it a large colleftion of hiftorical piftures from his
pencil.

99

THE CELEBRATION.
And old *Madam Trinity opened her eyes.
With a look of wonder and doubt.
And afked Mrs. Redwood, with air of furprife.
What on earth flie was fuffing about ?
Our brothers and fifters are coming, faid flie.
To make us a visit once more;
And I'm fixing up and trying to be
As handfome and fmart as before.
Dame Trinity then prepared a new dreis.
And mantled her figure of grace ;
And faid to her clock, with pride I confefs.
Time leaves on my vifage no trace.
And fo they kept chatting and ^working the while,
Aflbrting and ranging the things ;
Madame Trinity -yielding her crown with a fmile,-
Mrs. Redwood the tribute of Kings.
And thus all united, the great and the fmall,
A welcome for us to prepare.
Who are here at our mother's afFeftionate call.
This feaft of her bounty to fliare.

* Old Trinity Church has been newly painted, and other-
wife improved fince the library alterations were commenced.
The Ipire is capped with the crown of England, which was
placed there before the Revolution. A confpicuous dial
plate adorns the bafe of the fteeple ; but the clock, through
late years, has ceafed to perform aftive duty.

100 THE EE-UNION.
Oh ! then, let us clalp, all united once more.
Our mother's loved, tremulous hand ;
And pledge to each other the friendfliip of yore.
While here round her table we ftand.
Aye, here round this table as one let us vow.
With life's lengthened fliadows in view.
That to her, — to each other, we'll ever as now.
Be conftant, and faithful, and true.
Though the North and the South, the Weft and
the Eaft,
May claim and demand us their own.
We acknowledge the bond, — but this day, at leaft.
We are Sons of old Newport alone.
Thefe fields and thefe ftreams, thefe rocks and
thefe dells,
Thefe orchards, thefe gardens, thefe bowers.
The roar of old ocean, its ftrand and its fliells.
Are all, by inheritance, ours.
Then hail to our ifland ! — the home of our birth —
The freeft of all the bleft free ;
The lovelieft gem on the bofom of earth.
And queen of the ifles of the fea.
Third regular toaft :
The Early Governors of Rhode Ifland — The influence of
their falutary example, as men and legiflators, has not been
loft upon their worthy fucceflbrs.

THE CELEBRATION. 101
RepUed to by his ExceUency, Gov. Turner,
as follows :
Mr. Mayor: As I look around upon this
beautiful fcene, this gathering of the Sons and
Daughters of Rhode Ifland, I can but congratu
late myfelf that I have the privilege of being pre
fent as one of your guefts.
Although not one of the Sons, my recoUedion
of the years fpent in this beautiful city, during
my boyhood, are of fo pleafant a nature, that I
am efpecially gratified to meet on this occafion,
my early affociates and friends, many of whom
now revifit the home of their youth after long
years of abfence.
But, Sir, intermingled with this pleafurable
feeling, is one of regret, that it, had not been the
privilege of fome abler Son of Rhode Ifland to
refpond to the fentiment which you have pro
pofed — one who could do juftice to the virtues,
the patriotifm, and the felf-devotion of my early
predeceflTors in office.
Rhode Ifland, Sir, is juftly proud of her early
governors and legiflators, and flie has caufe to
be proud of the men who fo nobly and fuccefs
fuUy gave their time, their talents, and their beft ¦

102 THE RE-UNION.
energies to eftablilh and perpetuate a govern
ment that fliould promote peace, virtue, godU-
nefs, and charity. Under that government, we,
their defcendants, now enjoy all that a free and
enlightened people can defire.
Let us hope. Sir, that " the influence of their
falutary example, as men and legiflators," may
never be loft upon the people of this State,
whofe privilege and whofe duty it is to feled
their rulers, as, under our fyftem of govemment,
we may always look for good governors, good
legiflators, and faithful executors of the laws,
while the people remain true to themfelves.
Fourth regular toaft :
The Hifiory of Rhode Ifland — It has been accurately and
faithfully written by one of her honored fons, and will ever
be prized as a valuable acceflion to hiftoric literature.
This was refponded to as follows, by Hon.
Samuel G. Arnold :
Mr. President: The terms of the toaft to which
I am caUed to reply, enable me (to adopt the
language of a learned fpeaker at the late Pilgrim
Feftival, at Plymouth,) "to bring to this briUiant
feaft, that homely New England commodity —
a few fads ; " fads that may illuftrate why it is.

the celebration. 103
that this vaft affemblage has come up here
to-day, to partake of the hofpitalities of your
time-honored city, and to 'renew the holy cov
enant of State brotherhood, that, two centuries
ago, made the Ifland of Aquidneck and the
colony of Providence Plantations one and indis-
fmuble; a covenant that withftood the arguments
and the menaces of the reft of New England,
in defence of the novel idea of felf-govemment,
that carried the feeble coloiiy in fafety, although
not unfcathed, through the horrors of Indian
wars ;» that, through the long period of conflid
with France and Spain in the eighteenth century,
enabled our forefathers to prepare for that laft
great ftruggle for their cheriflied principles, in
which it was deftined that they were to take the
lead. That covenant of union, formed at Ports
mouth two hundred and twelve years ago, when
the Parliamentary patent firft united the feeble
and fcattered fettlements into one Colony, rup
tured four years later, ere its real value was fully
recognized, but renewed in November, 1663,
upon this fpot, when " a more abfolute, ample,
and free charter of civil incorporation" was,
" with much becoming gravity, held up on high,
and prefented to the perfed view of all the

104 "^^^ RE-UNION,
people," (I quote. Sir, from the record of that
memorable day,) — that covenant, I fay, which,
in the chequered hiftory of our State, has fince
been repeatedly renewed in many a council hall,
and on many a hard fought field, may well be
again renewed by the defcendants of thofe who
formed it. It is for this purpofe that we now
welcome back to the green fields, and the lovely
fhores of our own Narraganfett,- the far-wander
ing Sons and Daiughters of Rhode Ifland.
There are fads, Mr. Prefident, in the hiftory
of this, the fmalleft and (?/^#^ independent* -State
in America — (I say the oldefi. Sir, and before I
get through, I will prove it,) — which may well
warrant a feeling of honeft pride in all who can
claim an heirfliip to Rhode Ifland blood; fads
which may caufe that blood to pulfate more
proudly through the veins, and may mantle the
cheek with the flufh of exultant joy, whenever
and wherever they are brought to mind.
Much has been faid of that perfed religious
freedom which firft in the hiftory of the modern
world, was realized in Rhode Ifland. It is lefs
known that that kindred plant from a common
ftock, civil liberty, that was at the fame time
proclaimed in this State, was no lefs a novelty.

THE CELEBRATION.

lOj

amid the philofophical fpeculations of the 17th
century. The earlieft of modern democracies
was the humble plantation at Providence. In
the reprefentative men of the two leading fettle
ments of the State were united the fpirit of civil
and religious freedom, which make up the Rhode
Ifland idea of intelledual liberty. The firft
charter was obtained by Roger WiUiams, the
fecond by John Clarke.
Paffing over a period of half a century,
every year of which is replete with ftirring in
cident of fraternal ftrife, within and without, or
of favage warfare, look for a moment at a fingle
point conneded with the ufurpation of Andros.
The laft ad of the Legiflature, before refigning
its power into the hands of a royal governor, was
to fall back upon the original fyftem of town
governments, exifting prior to the firft charter,
by which means the liberty of the individual
citizen was preferved, when that of the Colony
was cruflied. This ad has been too little re
garded, amid the more falient and briUiant
paffages of our hiftory, yet it is one that, more
than any other, refleds the fpirit of our anceftors,
and does equal credit to their courage and their
fagacity.

lo6 THE RE-UNION.
Paffing over another half century, from the
refumption of the charter at the fall of Andros,
we come down to the period of the fecond
Spanifli war. Here I wifli to refer to a fad con
neded with this State that has almoft efcaped the
notice of hiftorians. One caufe of that war was
the trade with the French and Spanifli Weft
Indies, which Great Britain defired to grafp.
The old "MolaflTes Ad," paffed in 1733, impofed
a heavy duty upon Weft India produce im
ported from foreign iflands into the northern
colonies. Rhode Ifland protefted againft this ad,
as a burden upon her commerce. Richard Par
tridge, a Quaker, and the fucceffor of Wm. Penn
as the agent of Rhode Ifland, was requefted by
the AflTembly "ftrenuoufly to oppofe" certain
additions to the ad, further reftriding the Weft
India trade, that were propofed in Parliament at
the commencement of the war. The other col
onies, at the fuggeftion of Rhode Ifland, made
Partridge their agent alfo for this purpofe. In the
Britilh archives at London, upon a Ihelf whofe
venerable duft is rarely difturbed except by a
moufing bookworm, or fome more pradical ftu
dent of hiftory, repofes an ancient document
mildewed by the damps of more than a centu-

THE CELEBRATION.

107

ry's negled. It is the memorial of Partidge to
the Board of Trade, enclofing the Petition of
Rhode Ifland againft this bill. Now mark the
words of that memorial. It afferts that " the bill
divefts the colonifts of their rights as Engliflimen
in levying taxes againft their confent, and with
out their being reprefented on the floor of
Parliament." Taxation without reprefentation,
the war-cry of revolution, which in the next
generation was to rally the American colonies in
the ftruggle for independence, was here firft
founded by the Quaker agent of Rhode Ifland,
to ceafe only with the difmemberment of the
Britifli Empire !
Let not my Quaker brethren ftart at this
trumpet-tone of war thus firft founded by one of
their peaceful fed. Rhode Ifland Quakerifm,
Mr. Prefident, was always rational arid free, and
while it claimed to follow no other banner than
that of the Prince of Peace, it never would fub-
mit to oppreffion. CoUedively, it would not
fight ; but it protefted upon paper, it gave fage
counfel, in troublous times it did all neceffary
and auxiliary duty of the camp, it did every
thing but fight ; and had not the more beUiger-
ent Baptifts far outnumbered the followers of

108 ¦- THE RE-UNION.
Fox, and rendered their fervice in the field fuper-
fluous, we might have feen the ftory of the chol
eric Friend repeated on a larger fcale, and the
' drab coats thrown upon the ground by regiments,
with the injunction, " Quaker, lay there."
A quarter of a century later, we find this col
ony among the foremoft, if not the firft, to pro-
pofe an American Union in 1764, when the
renewal of this fame fugar act brought the fame
queftion of taxation before the Parliament, and
roufed the oppofition of the colonies. Four years
later, a moft bitter feud, which had long divided
the counfels of the colony, was ended by a union
of the rival parties for refiftance to England
when the queftion had come to involve the fu-
premacy of the Parliament or of the people.
Still four years more, we come to 1772. The
Revolution had commenced. The firft blood
flied in the great ftruggle crimfoned the waters
of Narraganfett bay; the firft fliot fired in
the war told the fate of the Gafpee. Two
years more brought the Continental Congrefs, in
1774, which a town meeting in Providence was
the firft corporate body to propofe, and the Af-
fembly at Newport was the firft legiflature to
adopt, by the choice of delegates to attend it.

THE CELEBRATION.

109

Two more years bring us to the Declaration of
Independence. And now, Mr. Prefident, I will
prove what, at the opening of thefe remarks I
afferted, that ours is the oldeft independent State
in America. On the 4th of May, 1776, two
months before the general declaration of the
united colonies, the Affembly of Rhode Ifland,
having firft depofed the Governor for lukewarm-
nefs in the caufe, fevered the laft link that bound
he* to Great Britain, by paffing the " Ad abjur
ing allegiance to the Britifli crown." That ad
conftitutes Rhode Ifland, by two months, the
oldeft independent State in the Union. The
records of our Affembly had always clofed with
the loyal rubric, " God fave the King." At the
clofe of the May feffion, the words were changed,
and " God fave the United Colonies," appears
for the firft time in the archives of the ancient
plantations. But this theme, Mr. Prefident, is one for vol
umes, not for fpeeches, and I muft give way for
others better able to inftrud and to amufe you.
In clofing. Sir, I wiU fay that thefe facts in hiftory
all bear upon one point. They all fliow the
fpirit of our fathers to preferve the principle
which their fathers implanted on this foil, which

110 THE RE-UNION.
we are to cherifti as a holy heritage. Permit me
to offer, as an appropriate fentiment :
The memory of one of the fathen of Aquidneck and of
Rhode Ifland — The learned phyfician, the devoted paftor,
the accomplifhed fcholar, the Chriftian ftatefiiian — John
Clarke. The fifth regular toaft :
The Hiflorial Society. — May i] proteft the fair fame of
the founders of our political and literary inftitutions, • — the
memory of Abraham Redwood, the beneficent founder of
the venerable inftitution within whofe walls Channing ftudied
theology without an inftruftor.
This was refponded to by Dr. David King,
the Prefident of the Hiftorical Society, and qf
the Redwood Library, as follows :
Ladies and Gentlemen : I thank you from the
bottom of my heart for the kind reception which
you have given to the toaft that honors the His
torical Society, in which, as a citizen of New
port, I have fo deep and fincere an intereft, I
have witneffed, not without deep emotion, the
enthufiafm, and the joy which pervade the vaft
affeniblage of the Sons and Daughters of New-
port, or, if you wiU, of Rhode Ifland. Happy,
as if by, an enchanter's wand, has our honored

THE CELEBRATION. HI
Mayor ereded this temporary ftrudure for our
accommodation, fince no edifice previoufly
exifting here, could contain within its walls
an aflTembly fo large, and animated by feelings
fo intenfe and fo univerfal. How can fuch
feelings be compreffed within material walls?
It is to give a free expanfion to thoughts and
feelings honorable to our common nature. It
is to allow all who honor this feftival with
their prefence, to be within fight, and within
hearing of each other. I catch from the audi
ence the freedom of the occafion. And you
will find me trefpaffing beyond the proper limits
of the fentiment to anfwer, which the Prefident
of the day has called me upon this platform.
Why is it that I obferve this intenfe feeling
which glows in this affembly? It is becaufe
we have confecrated this day to a fincere and
cordial expreffion of our love and admiration of
the land of our birth. Outward nature is beau
tiful and grand. But while we enjoy the verdure
of our native foil, the delicious air that breathes
over our fertile fields, the unequalled beauty of
our harbor and the ifles that float upon its fur-
face and the grandeur of Old Ocean, impreffed
upon our imagination from youth with an ever-

112 THE RE-UNION.
lafting beauty, we . cannot forget that Rhode
Ifland, I mean the ifland of Rhode Ifland,
is not only endeared to our hearts by being the
land of our birth, but embalmed in our mem
ories for her iUuftrious paft, her great virtues, her
great men, and her great achievements.
What has been the great charaderiftic of our
people ? I fay the love of freedom, the true
fpirit of liberty, has animated the breafts of
Rhode Iflanders from the commencement of the
colony. In 1638, Coddington, with a number
of noble affociates, exiles from Maffachufetts,
purchafed this ifland of thofe magnanimous Nar
raganfett Sachems, Canonicus and Miantinimoh,
and laid here the foundation of an Englifli col
ony. Rhode Ifland "had the image of the
Britifli Conftitution." From that time " flie had
the fubftance." She eleded her own magi ftrates;
flie made her own laws, and regulated all her
internal concerns. Coddington, to whom juftice
has never been done — I fay it from long and
profound ftudy of his charader — Coddington, to
whom juftice has never been done, occupied the
fame pofition in the Colony of Rhode Ifland
that John Winthrop occupied in the Colony of
MaflTachufetts. Both were remarkable men, —

THE CELEBRATION.

113

men of found judgment and great pradical
ability. The legiflation of Rhode Ifland, during
his adminiftration, was adapted to the exigencies
of the colony, and was founded on the beft
maxims of the age. But on the fubjed of re
ligious liberty, on the 16th of March, 1641,
Rhode Ifland, while Coddington was governor,
promulgated a new maxim of State policy, and
anticipated by more than a century the enlight
ened legiflation of a future day. It is with pride
that I fay it, that here, on this very fpot, Cod
dington and his aflTociates, in 1641, enaded the
firft law granting complete religious liberty that
was ever embodied in the legiflation .of a civil
ized State. And this was accompliflied by
" outcafts," noble outcafts, as you and I will
beUeve, who, in the language of Burke, were
not fo much fent as thrown out, on the bleak
and barren fliore of a defolate wildernefs, three
thoufand miles from all civilized intercourfe. I
fay three thoufand miles from all civiUzed inter
courfe, becaufe, at that time, Rhode Ifland was
denied all intercourfe with her civilized neigh
bors of MaflTachufetts.
Let us recoiled, on this day confecrated to
good feeling, the motto of their Seal of State—
10*

114 "^^^ RE-UNION.
a motto which w'ill be appreciated at leaft by die
fairer and better portion of this audience — Amor
vincet omnia. Love conquers all things, indicative
of the pacific and, confequently, fuccefsful char
ader of their poUcy. Rhode Ifland continued in
a career of profperity, not, indeed, without fome
adverfity, under the succeffive charters of the
Earl of Warwick and of Charles II. Her com
merce, her fiflieries, and her fliip-building, aU
aided in the growth of her refources. In com
mon with her fifter colonies, flie fubmitted to the
principle of commercial monopoly, impofed by
England, from 1660 to 1764. But the Stamp
Ad, in 1764, inaugurating a new fyftem of com
mercial fervitude, was refifted inftindively from
the firit by Rhode Ifland. In October, 1764^
Rhode Ifland denied the authority of Parliament
to enad even laws of trade. She appointed a
committee of correfpondence, and recommended
to the other colonies union for the protedion of
colonial rights and privileges. On the 15th of
February, 1765, her remonftrance, like thofe of
Connedicut, Virginia, and Carolina, was rejeded
with fcorn by the Britifli Parliament ; and from
that period until the Revolution, with the excep
tion of a fliort interval, juft after the repeal of

THE CELEBRATION.

115

the Stamp Ad, the fpirit of liberty in Rhode
Ifland was in open defiance to the authority of
the mother country.
In the fummer of 1765, a band of five hun
dred men feized one of the boats of the Maid-
ftone, an English fliip of war, in the harbor of
Newport, dragged it up Queen Street to the public
fquare, at the head of Broad Street, where it was
burned, amidft the execrations of an indignant
people. The Maidftone had tyrannically perfe-
cuted our marine, and illegally impreffed our
feamen. On the 27th of Auguft, the effigies of Auguftus
Johnfon, Martin Howard, and Dr. Thomas Mof
fat, the Stamp Mafter, and the two vindicators of
the Stamp Ad, were drawn, in open day, in a
cart through the ftreets of Newport, and were
afterwards hung upon a gallows, ereded near the
Town Houfe, amidft the derifion of the people.
On the following day, the houfes of Moffat and
Howard were affailed and nearly deftroyed by
what was called, in the Tory papers of the day, a
mob, but which you and I will believe was com
pofed of the fons of liberty.
On the 17th of June, 1769, the armed revenue
Sloop Liberty was boarded by fome of the people

Il6 THE RE-UNION.
of Newport. Her cables were cut, and flie was
allowed to drive on fliore at the Point. Her mafts
and bowfprit were then cut away. Her boats
were taken by the people and drawn through the
ftreets of Newport to the Liberty Tree, where
they were burned as an offering on the altar of
Liberty. A few evenings after flie was fet on fire,
and, drifting from the -Point to the north end of
Goat Ifland, her blazing wreck far round illumi
nated the harbor. By the diredion of the co^
ledor, this armed floop had repeatedly and provok-
ingly annoyed our veflTels, by overhauling them,
when leaving our harbor for their deftined ports.
In December, 1766, Moffat alked of Rhode
Ifland compenfation for his loffes, incurred by
the popular tumult at Newport, during the
Stamp Ad. His claims were founded on the
Refolves of the Britifli Parliament, and the par
ticular recommendation of the King. Metcalf
Bowler, once a diftinguiflied citizen of Newport,
and the Speaker of the AflTembly, declared this
claim to be groundlefs, and totally inoperative
on the minds of the free and independent repre
fentatives of the Rhode Ifland Colony.
The prefs in Rhode Ifland was clear and ex
plicit in its denunciations of the commercial

THE CELEBRATION. II7
tyranny of Great Britain. The Newport Mer
cury, in the year 1 770, had for its motto this re
markable paffage, — remarkable, becaufe exceed
ing in plainnefs and daring any ever adopted by
any print, in any other colony, or in any other
town: "Undaunted by TYRANTS,— We'U
DIE or be FREE." All honor to the memory
of Solomon Southwick, the editor and proprietor
of the Newport Mercury, in 1770.
On the 9th of June, 1772, the Gafpee was
boarded by a brave fet of men, our noble brothers
of Providence. The crew, with Lieutenant Dud-
dington, were overpowered and put on fliore.
The veffel was burned. All honor to the mem
ory of the men who performed this bold ad.
The invafion and deftrudion of the King's
veffels, of the Sloop Liberty, in Newport harbor,
and of the Gafpee, in Providence river, were re
garded in England as the moft daring infults,
which colony ever offered to the fovereignty of
Great Britain. They inflamed the indignation of
Lord Sandwich, and he declared that he would
purfue the colony until he obtained the disfran-
chifement of its charter.
In 1774, on hearing of the prohibition of all
importation of army and ammunition in America,

Il8 THE RE-UNION.
you difmantled the King's Fort, at Goat Ifland,"
took therefrom forty pieces of cannon, took every
ball and cartridge, and drained the magazines of
every grain of gunpowder.
In 1775, you fent from Newport to the Camp
at Cambridge, feveral military companies, of a
part of the Army of Obfervation, raifed by
Rhode Ifland in the King's fervice. When the
drum beat for the commencement of the march,
there was a univerfal exclamation from the
Tories, affembled near the Court Houfe, (it may
have been with a feeling, not of triumph, but of
regret,) " There they go with halters about their
necks." Many of thefe brave foldiers never re
turned. Some periflied in confequence of the
sufferings and hardfliips endured in a winter's
march through the wildernefs, in Arnold's Expe
dition to Quebec. Some fell under the walls of
Quebec, many, fighting bravely, on the battle
field of the Revolution. Some few, indeed, did
return, with laurels of triumph on their brows,
but with no fubftantial reward, with nothing
around or before them but a defolate home, and
the ftern neceffity of laboring for their daily
bread. The merits and fufferings of the Army of the

THE CELEBRATION.

119

Revolution, its officers and foldiers, it is not
neceffary for me to dwell upon, as it has confti-
tuted a theme for fome of the moft eloquent
efforts of Rhode Ifland Statefmen.
The entrenchments on the hiUs around us,
remind us not only of the glorious battle fought
on Rhode Ifland by the troops of Sullivan, of
Glover, and Greene, but of the chivalrous fol-
diery of France, Rochambeau, De Chaftellux,
Lauzun, and others, who, at the inftance of the
good king Louis XVI, our noble ally, came in
the darkeft moments of our ftruggle to our aid.
Never can Americans, and certainly never can
Rhode Iflanders forget the debt of gratitude we
owe to France, or ceafe to venerate the names of
the French officers who fought fo bravely for
independence, whilft we were contending, not
only againft England, " but the hireling fwords
of German boors and vaffals."
On this occafipm we cannot forget thofe true
Patriots and able Statefmen, citizens of New
port, Samuel Ward, William EUery, and Henry
Marchant, who contributed to cherifli, to control,
and to dired the Revolutionary fpirit in Rhode
Ifland. One only of their number was permitted
to figri the Declaration of Independence, WiUiam

120 THE RE-UNION.
EUery. We can imagine with what a refolute
heart he did it. With the elder Adams he faid,
" Sink or fwim, Uve or die, furvive or perifli, I
give my hand and my heart to this vote."
I have faid enough to fliow that we have
caufe to be proud of the land of our birth.
But, whUe maintaining our political inftitu
tions, and upholding, by noble efforts, American
freedom, we have not negleded our literary
inftitutions. At an early period, Berkeley, Red
wood, CoUins, gave an impulfe to American
learning — an influence which continues to be
felt in our community, and which may lead, in
time, (God grant that it may,) to the founda
tion of a noble Univerfity on this ifland of
Rhode Ifland.
Channing, born here and trained here for his
maturer efforts, is undoubtedly the 'higheft lit
erary and philofophic charader we have pro
duced. He is faid, within the walls of the
Redwood Library, in the language of your toaft,
to have ftudied "Theology without an In-
ftructor." — But we know that the Ecclefiaftical
Polity of Richard Hooker was upon our flielves
when Channing frequented our Library, and no
man could read Hooker without being materi-

THE CELEBRATION. 121
ally aided in underftanding that Univerfal Law,
to comprehend which, the nobleft minds in
every age have afpired. How elfe could it be,
for, in the fublime perfonification of Hooker,
her feat is the bofom of God, her voice the har
mony of the world. Undoubtedly Channing
called no man mafter, followed faithfully the
diredion of his great and. noble nature, and
obeyed only, fubmiffively, the laws of the im
mortal intelled, and the higher laws of the
Author of his being. Would that we had more
Channings, — men who would be true to their
nature — true to the noble afpirations which God
has implanted in their breafts. Mr. Mayor,
Ladies and Gentlemen, in conclufion, in behalf
of the Hiftorical Society, I will fay, that we will
endeavor, on every and all occafions, to proted
the fair fame of our Fathers, and to preferve the
memory of their achievements, and virtues.
Sixth regular toaft :
The Founders of Rhode Ifland Colony, and the Founders
of the State of Rhode Ifland.
The reply was from J. Stanton Gould, Efq.,
of Hudfon, New York, a returned Son.
II

122 THE RE-UNION.
Many a high and thrilling thought fwells in
the bofoms of Rhode Ifland's Sons when the
memory and the virtues of the patriarchs of their
race are the fubjeds of their contemplations.
Rome offered divine honors to the iUuftrious
men who laid the foundations of her dominion
and her glory. Athens commemorated her early
heroes and fages in ftory and in fong, and lav-
iflied upon them all the wealth of fculpture and
of painting.
We offer no pagan rites to the Coddingtoris,
the CoggefliaUs, the Eaftons, the -Ciarkes, and
their iUuftrious compeers who, in - fuffering and
in forrow, entered upon this domain, land laid the
foundations of that noble heritage which has
defcended to their ' fons all robed in lovelinefs
and beauty. For them,' no incenfe ¦ fmokes on
fculptured altars ; for them no monumental mar
ble rifes in cloud-capppd majefty to the heavens ;
for them no poet has invoked the mufe, nor has
the orator linked their names "with " thoughts
that breathe and words that burn." But we,
their defcendants, ever bear them enflirined in
our heart of hearts, cherifliing their memories
with a filial reverence and a tender . love, which
needs no, external token to enkindle orintenfify.

THE CELEBRATION.

123

We are fca|:tered everywhere over the wide
earth; amid the ice-ribbed regions of the Ardic
zone, under: the; burning fun of the equator, on
the mountain tops and in the valleys, may the
Sons of Rhode Ifland be found;: but wherever
they are, whether on the land, or, the ocean, they
bear with them hearts , full of love and admira
tion for the patriots and fages who laid the fourj-
dations of liberty and law, fo deep and fo folid
in the Eden-like home of their youth and their
affedions. , ,,
Thefe feptiments of filial reverence which lie
fo deep in our hearts at all times, may well find
vocal expreffion on this folemn and aufpicious
gathering of the long-feparated but now united
Sons of Rhode Ifland. i
Other men have vplanted, ftates and founded
empires ; they havt exhibited phyfical courage
on the field of : battle, icunning in diplomacy,
and flirewdnefs in legiflation ; they have ¦ even
laid down , noble; principles of. civil liberty, but
when they attempted to apply thefe principles
to pradice they have failed.
It is the peculiar glory of the fathers of Rhode
Ifland that they did all this, and more, — they
adually pradifed what they preached..

124 "^^^ RE-UNION.
When they declared themifelves the cham
pions of liberty, it was liberty for fl// that they
meant, not for a fed, nor a race, nor a clique, but
genuine, unmiftakable, inalienable liberty for
every fon and daughter of Adam, without
refped to color, or lineage or pofition.
In 1652, they enaded the firft law that was
ever paffed by human legiflation for unloofing
the fliackles of the flave ; they would not daily
pray to the Almighty to break everjj yoke and
let the oppreffed go free, while they themfelves
were impofing the yoke and infliding the op
preffion. They fcored no Baptift's back with ftripes,
no Quaker languiflied in their jails, no witch
dangled an unfeemly fpedacle on their gibbets.
With the venerable Roger Williams, they heart
ily hated the " bloody tenant?" and as heartily
acquiefced- in his famous declaration of foul-lib
erty, in that " it is the will and command of God
fince the coming of his Sonne, a permiffion of
the moft Paganifli, Jewifh, Turkifli, or Anti-
Chriftian confeiences and worfliips bee granted
to all men in all nations and countries, and they
are onely to bd fought againft with that fword
which is onely (in foule matters,) able to conquer,

THE CELEBRATION.. 12^
to wit, ye fword of ye fpirit^ which is ye word of
God." Not only was liberty for the , body and the
foul enjoin,ed by, the law and enforced by the
Judiciary, but in the focial intercourfe of man
with man, and family with family, of all ranks,
feds and pofitions, its bleffed influence was felt
in all its fulnefs.
" An incident related to me when very young,
by my grandmother when flie was very old, will
illuftrate the kind relations which exifted among
various religious feds in the early times, better
than any formal ftatement.
One pleafant Saturday afternoon in the month
of September, a fine brig, with all her canvas fet
to the breeze, was feen gracefully rounding the
fouthern point of Goat Ifland ; at the fame time
an humble craft was paffing the northern point
of the fame ifland. The brig belonged to her
father, Stephen Wanton, (who refided in what is
now known as the Slocum Houfe, and occupied
by John V. Hammet, Efq. She was from the
Weft Indies, and was loaded with molaffes,
Jamaica rum, lemons, limes, and other tropical
fruits. The floop was tibe Greenwich packet,
having, among other paffengers, Nathaniel

126 THE RE-UNION.
Greene, the father of General Greene, of revo
lutionary notoriety, who was an approved
minifter of the Society of Friends. He came
for the double purpofe of a focial vifit to his
friend Stephen Wanton, and to attend the
Friend's meeting on the enfuing day. The
arrival of the brig, and of this old and dear
friend, made it a holy day in my great-grand
father's family, and they were all prepared for a
good time generally.
The arrival of Nathaniel Greene was foon
known through the town, and fhortly after the
tea things were removed, a thundering knock at
the front door announced the arrival of vifitors,
and the two Baptift minifters of the town were
ulhered into the parlor. Hardly had they taken
their feats when the Jewifh Rabbi was an
nounced, and then, in quick fucceffion, came'
others, until at length every clergyman in town
was prefent. After the current of converfation
had fairly fettied into a regular flow, another
gentleman made his appearance, which caufed
a great twinkling in the eyes of each of the rev
erend divines, — it was Dr. Robert Rodman, the
moft celebrated punch maker in the colony.
There were many great brewers of this drink in

THE CELEBRATION. I27
thofe days, and to be at the head of the frater
nity was confidered glory enough for any one man.
The arrival of Dr. Rodman, and of the frefh,
rum and lemons from the fliip, was, in the united
opinion of the clergy, a clear indication that the
finger of Providence pointed diredly to a bowl
of punch. The huge China bowl (now in the poffeffion of
my mother) and ample materials were provided,
and the dodor was never before fo happy in
compounding them. There was not a claffical
fcholar around the table who could be convinced
that Jupiter, or any of the Olympian heroes,
ever tafted nedar half fo good as the liquor
which was glowing in the handfome China bowl
before them.
The unity of fpirit which enfued was not
aftonifliing ;
" Like kindred drops, they melted into one."
Mr. Honyman thought there was not half as
much virtue in a furplice as he had always be-
Ueved, and Parfon Clapp became convinced
there was not half fo much fin in the government
as he had been wont to imagine; while the Jew-
ifli Rabbi felt a growing convidion that, if the

128 THE RE-UNION.
Meffiah had not already come, the noife of his
chariot wheels was even now heard in the air.
(My grandmother's own words were, " They
were as loving as, puppies,") which, I take it,
comprehends all that can be faid on the fubjed.
At length the time for parting came ; friendly
farewells were exchanged, and the party fallied
into the ftreet. The Epifcopalian and the Hebrew
interlocked their arms with death-like tenacity of
grafp, braced themfelves againft the fide of the
houfe, and abandoned themfelves to a wrapt con
templation of the heavenly bodies, which were
fhining fo glorioufly in the blue vault above
them ; the others, lefs devoted to aftronomy,, be
took themfelves to the agricultural employment
of making Virginia fences, from one fide of the
ftreet to the other, w^ith the moft aftonifliing
vigor. Nathaniel Greene had been feized with
a mild rheumatic affedion in the knees, which,
though not fevere enough to prevent him from
going up ftairs alone, yet was bad enough to
make the affiftance of a negro rather convenient
than otherwife. - ?,
Next morning, aU the minifters. informed
their refpedive congregations that, they Ihould
omit their ufual afternoon fervice, and attend

THE CELEBRATION.

129

the Friends' meeting, recommending them to do
likewife. The old meeting-houfe was accord
ingly filled to repletion at the appointed hour,
and a folemn filence foon fettled on the affem
bled multitude. At length Nathaniel Greene
arofe; ftanding filently for a moment, his eyes
paffed flowly round the gathering, taking in each
individual countenance in his furvey; then,
raifing his voice, tremulous with emotion, he
told them he had delivered his meffage to his
own brethren in the morning, and now his con
cern was for all, efpecially for the rifing genera
tion of every name ; he felt that the time of his
departure muft foon come, perhaps he might
never fee their faces more, and the prefent might
be his laft legacy of love. His text was, "Be
ye temperate in all things." He fpoke of tem
perance in the indulgence of the paffions, in the
purfuit of wealth and of ambition, in eating
and fleeping, and, finally, in the ufe of ftrong
drinks ; teUing them how finful it was to abufe
fo great a bleffing, and that, while its moderate
ufe was to be received with thankfgiving, yet
to abufe it until one could neither fiand nor go was
a grievous fin, difgraceful both to the gentleman
and the Chriftian.

130 THE RE-UNION.
I do not commend, the profufe, conyiviality,
but the anecdote is interefting, as fliowing the
freedom of the fathers of Rhode Ifland from fec-
tarian prejudice and bigotry. Nowhere else, on
the face of the broad earth, could fuch a harmo
nious gathering of men of oppofite feds^ be
found." , , , ,,
For this largenefs of heart, for this catholjcity
of Ipirit, for this wondrous elevation above the
prejudices and vulgar paffions of their age, we
do, on this occafion, afcribe all honor and praife
to the venerable fathers of Rhode Ifland.
Seventh regular toaft:
Our Native State — The- firft to eftablifli civil and reli
gious liberty, the firft to arm in oppofition . to, and the firft to
declare itfelf independent of, the mother country. , May
peace be within its borders, and profperity within its bul
warks. Refponded to by Wm P. Sheffield, Esq.,
as follows :
Upon this feftive day, when our wanderers
have again returned to the fcenes of their child
hood, to be cheered by the caufes of joy, and to
be faddened by the occafions for forrow which
have happened fince their departure,. to enjoy a

THE CELEBRATION.

131

re-union of hearts with the companions of their
earUer life, and be reminded of evehts in our
hiftdry by the fight of thefe fields and of the
monuments here about us, each one which is
affociated with fome event, with fome transac
tion which will awakenfome hiftoric, fome inter
efting recollection; is it not proper that we
fliould recur, for a fingle moment, to thofe great
principles which animated our fathers, when they
firft held forth to the' world the lively experi
ment that a civil State might ftand and beft be
maintained with a full liberty in religious con
cernments?" They were the firft to eftablifli
not only religious, but civil liberty. .Under the
• Charter of 1643, ^^^7 declared that the form of
their government fliould be democratical. This
form of gdvernment vi^as preferved' under the
Charter of 1663. There is abundance bf evidence
in our hiftory to fliow how exadly our fathers com
prehended thefe two cardinal principles of their
civil policy, — principles of government then at
variance with all the experiences of mankind.
They contained' an emphatic denial of the divine
right of kings, which refted upon the traditions
of all the paft, and yet our fathers, as it were,
'reached forward and 'drew them back from the

132 THE RE-UNION.
civilization of future centuries. It is not too
much to fay, that their difcovery and adoption
was the attainment of one of thofe ftepping
ftones, in the advancement of civilization, which
is attainable only after an age of trial, and from
which fociety ftarts to another and higher eleva
tion toward the univerfal brotherhood of the
hutnan family.
The caufes which induced the fettlement of
Rhode Ifland contain evidence of the inflexibil
ity of the purpofes of the men who engaged in
that work. Having been cut off from affocia
tion with all of the other colonies, and from all
external aids, felf-reliance with them became a
neceffity. Thefe virtues thus induced and thus
cultivated, they imparted to their defcendants, and
this argument of their hiftory, fo familiar to us
all, has been, by every generation of Rhode
Ifland mothers, impreffed by precept and exam
ple upon their children. It is this inftrudion
which has been fo forcibly endowed all Rhode
Ifland men, even the humbleft in the State, with
that blunt independence of charader, which
makes them look upon all men as their peers,
and only upon angels as their fuperiors. It was
this diftindive element of the charader which

THE CELEBRATION.

133

made Wafliington complain that the Rhode
Ifland line gave him more trouble than any men
in his army ; " to which Colonel Olney made the
laconic and no lefs charaderiftic reply — " That is
precifely what the enemy fay." The men of Rhode
Ifland, accuftomed from the beginning to be com
plained of by thofe from without their borders,
have, with but little reference to what other people
have faid, fought to be faithful to their own con-
vidions, and true to the principles upon which
the State was founded.
Upon the paffage of the Stamp Ad, our legis
lature declared that meafure of oppreffion to be
unconftitutional, and that it fliould not be en
forced in the colony. The people" organized
and deftroyed his Majefty's veffels, the Liberty
and the Gafpee. This was before the deftrudion
of tea in Bofton harbor, and in May, 1776, the
King's name was ftruck from all writs and other
papers in the colony. Rhode Ifland then de
clared itfelf independent of the mother country.
The blight which that war brought upon the
profperity of our State is evidenced by much
that we can difcover at this late day. The bur
dens borne by the men of that time, the hiftory
of the fons of liberty, of the " Newport Affoci-

10 A THE RE-UNION.
ates " (whom Lorenzo Sabine miftakenly charac
terizes as tories,) the Rhode Ifland blood fhed
upon almoft every battie-field of the revolution,
all atteft the fpirit of the men of that time. It is
true Rhode Ifland took time to deliberate before
adopting the Conftitution and entering into the
union of the States. But, upon mature reflec
tion, it was adopted as their folemn and deliber
ate ad; and palfied be the arm which Ihall ever
be raifed to ftrike a blow at that Conftitution, and
cloven be the tongue which fliall ever be ftirred
to weaken the bonds of that union. Thefe leg
acies, fo bountiful in bleffings, confecrated by
the toil, and blood, and plighted faith of our
fathers, let us venerate and preferve as we ought,
and filence, by a univerfal hifs, the voice of the
"black-hearted traitor" who feeks to undervalue
the bleffings of that Conftitution and that union,
or to deprecate either their worth or their obliga
tion, for they reft upon the faith of our fathers'
pledge, and, as we revere our fathers' memory,
we fliall keep that pledge inviolate.
The battle of Lake Erie was fought and won
by Rhode Ifland men, and, though it is nearly
half a century fince that determined band, which
fome of you remember, left this, their ifland

THE CELEBRATION.

135

home, to engage in that ftrife, God, in his mercy,
has fpared a remnant of thofe who participated
in the dangers of that great conflict, and of the
glories of that victory, yet to be with us.
The hiftory of Rhode Ifland, written in the
fpirit of philofophy, would prefent a record
worthy, and more than worthy, of the palmieft
days of the moft renowned State of antiquity.
The principles of its founders are at the root,
and pervade every part of the government of the
United States. All the States of the Old Worid
have felt their influence, and moft of them have .
yielded fomething to their demands; and the
hopeful ftatefman fanguinely looks forward to
fome future period of the hiftory of the world,
when their application fliall have become uni
verfal. Eighth regular toaft.
The former Members of the Newport Bar. — Eminent for
their talents and legal acquirements, habitually attentive and
polite in all their profeffional relations, they won what they
well deferved, the refpeft and efteem of all who knew them.
Refponded to with great fpirit by C. C. Van
Zandt, Efq.

136 THE RE-UNION.
Music : — " Wood Up," by Providence Brafs
Band. Ninth regular toaft.
Our dijlinguifhed Sons of the Army and Navy. — The
record of their valor adds imperifliable luftre to our hiftory.
This called out Col. Magruder, of the army,
and at prefent in command at Fort Adams,
whofe remarks were received with great ap-
plaufe. Tenth regular toaft.
The former Schoolmafiers of Newport. — Men eminently
qualified for and devoted to the duties of their profeflion ; we,
their pupils, are largely indebted to their labors for any fuccefs
that has attended our own.
William L. Dennis, Efq., of Philadelphia,
faid it afforded him great pleafure to refpond to
the fentiment that paid a merited compliment
to the former fchool teachers of Newport. They
were citizen teachers of focial pofition and moral
worth, who entered upon their duties for no
brief period, but for life, and they were fur
rounded by the fons and daughters of their
perfonal friends and neighbors, fent to them to

THE CELEBRATION.

137

be educated for life's varied and fevere labors.
Eminently qualified for their work, bleffed with
good common fenfe, clofe obfervers of men and
manners, and, above all, wholly devoted to their
profeffional engagements, they rarely failed to
fit their pupils for a fuccefsful bufinefs career.
It would be extremely interefting, if it were poffi
ble, to. fpread out in detail the refult of their
labors; but this cannot be done. We know,
however, that the comparatively fecluded pri
vate fchools of Newport fent out feores of men
who have filled, and are now filling, places of
higheft truft and diftindion in the religious, lit
erary, fcientific and commercial world.
It was no uncommon thing for us (I prefume
I fpeak the fentiment of all my fchoolmates) to
complain a little of the difciplinary meafures
ufed to quicken our memories. All of us will
probably agree, that feruling was brought to its
higheft ftate of perfedion during our pupilage ;
(I very well recoiled my firft introdudion to the
old ebony ruler, and my clear convidion that it
was equal in power to three galvanic batteries
and an eledric eel ;) and yet there is not one of
us in the maturity of our manhood, who ques
tions for a moment the neceffity of the appUca-
12*

138 THE RE-UNION.
tion, or its ultimate benefit in fecuring better
order, and intenfer ftudy. The fchools of our
boyhood were fchools of extraordinary worth;
the years we fpent in ftudying DaboU's Arith
metic, Webfter's Spelling Book, and Murray's
Grammar, were well-fpent years. Our teachers
were, in faithfulnefs and friendfliip, next to our
parents, and, as fuch, are entitled to, and will
ever receive, our moft grateful recoUedions.
Mr. D. concluded by offering the following
fentiment: • ' ,
Our Former School Teachers. — Levij Eleazer, Daniel, and
John ; men of fc riptural names and fcriptural merit, for they
did not fpare the rod and fpoil the child.
Eleventh regular toaft :
Our Old Paf tors. — Men of fincere and unobtrufive piety,
who devoted their lives to the beft interefts of their fellow-
men, and went to their graves " like fliocks of corn, ready to
be garnered." Replied to in the moft tender manner by Rev.
James McKenzie.
Twelfth regular toaft :
Our Old Doliors. — We are the living monuments of their
Efculapian fkill, and while we gratefully cherifli the memory

THE CELEBRATION.

139

of a Center, a Turner, and a Waring, we Hazard nothing
in laying that their Kingly treatment was fufficient for every
Cafe. Dr. Usher Parsons, of Providence, replied
to this fentiment as follows:
Sons and Daughters of Rhode Ifland: — We have
liftened with admiration to the eloquent remarks
that have fallen from the gentlemen who have
fpoken, and I am highly gratified by the friendly
allufion to the medical profeffion of Rhode
Ifland. I wifli that a more competent fpeaker
had been called upon to refpond to the fenti
ment, becaufe I am fure that, if properly treated,
the medical profeffion of Rhode Ifland, of early
times, would make a briUiant page in its hiftory.
Who was the pioneer and founder of New
port ? It was John Clarke, a phyfician ; and it
was the fame Dr. Clarke who united with Roger
Williams in obtaining from Charles II. a Charter
that conferred greater civil and religious privi
leges than had been granted to any other pro
vince, and which continued in force until the
adoption of the prefent Conftitution, in 1842.
It was he, too, who gathered the Firft Baptift
Church, and ferved as a religious teacher until

140 the re-union.
his death, meanwhile practifing medicine, and
thus miniftering to the wants of both foul and
body. He died in 1676, at the age of 68.
In 1641, a Dr. Jeffries commenced pradice,
and was followed by Doctors Cranfton, the three
Rodmans, Ayrault, Vigneron, and Robinfon.
Dr. Vigneron came from France about 1690, and
died 1764, at the age of 95 years. He was
highly educated and a popular praditioner. It
gives me pleafure to pay this tribute of refped
to his memory, in the prefence of many of his.
defcendants now prefent. The name is believed
to be extind. Very recently, however, a gallant
naval officer of this city, who fought by the fide,
of Perry, in the Lawrence, on Lake Erie, named
Wifliam Vigneron Taylor, was a lineal defcendant
of the dodor. Dr. Vigneron's fon fucceeded to
his pradice, and the fon and grandfon extended
their profeffional career to nearly a century.
There was a cotemporary of Vigneron, a Dr.
John Brett, from Germany, a man of good learn
ing, and a particular friend and affociate of Red
wood, and who affifted him in eftablifliing the
Library, which flieds fuch luftre on the fame of
its founders, and whofe recent additions and
decorations render it one of the moft beautiful

THE CELEBRATION.

141

and attradive inftitutions of its kind in the whole
country. All honor is due to the enlightened
public fpirit and refined tafte of the prefent
citizens of Newport, for the renovation of this
beautiful inftitution.
About the year 1750, quite a member of very
eminent phyficians arrived at Newport, who,
with Brett and Vigneron, made the medical tal
ents of the ifland, equal, if not fuperior, to thofe
of any place in America. There were Dodors
William Hunter and Thomas Moffatt, from the
famous Univerfity of Edinburgh, and foon after
came Dodors Haliburton and Oliphant. Dr.
Hunter gave the firft courfe of medical ledures
ever delivered in America.
Yes, Rhode Iflanders, to Newport is conceded
the honor of inaugurating medical inftrudions
by ledures. They were given by William
Hunter, in 1754-5 ^^'^ ^75^' ^^^ ^^^7 ^^^"^
many pupils from Maffachufetts. Dr. Hunter
marched to Canada with the provincial troops,
as furgeon in the French War. He had the
largeft medical library in New England, a por
tion of which was given by his fon, the late
Hon. William Hunter, to Brown Univerfity.
Dr. Hunter died in 1777, aged 48 years.

142 THE RE-UNION.
Dr. Thomas Moffatt was beft known by his
Tory principles, and his endeavors to enforce the
Stamp Ad, which incenfed the public mind to a
degree that caufed the facking of his houfe and
deftrudion of its contents. He erred in judg
ment, in fiding with the Crown, but his medical
talents were of a very high order. Dr. Haliburton
was highly educated and a popular praditioner,
but was ftrongly tindured with Toryifm. Soon
after the Britifli fleet left Newport, it was afcer
tained that he had held a fecret correfpondence
with its officers, and this made it advifable to
leave for Halifax, where his defcendants were of
the firft refpedability. Judge Brenton Halibur
ton, fon of the dodor, -born in Newport, was
many years Chief Juftice of the Province, and
has this year received the honor of knighthood
at the age of 83. Dr. Oliphant' was in extenfive
pradice, and much refpeded. His defcendants
maintain a high focial pofition in New York.
Dr. Ifaac Senter, a native of New Hampfliire,
was a pupil of Dr. Moffatt, but diametrically
oppofed to him in politics. Fired with zeal in
the caufe of liberty, he, after the battie of Bun
ker Hill, marched to Bofton as a volunteer, and
was foon after appointed a furgeon in the army.

THE CELEBRATION.

143

and marched with General Arnold to Quebec,
enduring incredible hardfliips. After . the war
he fettled in Newport, where, from the death of
the diftinguiflied worthies we have named, he
took a very exalted pofition as phyfician and
furgeon, and maintained it until his death, which
occurred in 1799, at the age of 46; though
wanting in the advantages of European inftruc-
tion he made his name and fame known as a
writer abroad, and he was eleded as a fellow of
feveral medical focieties. He educated many
pupils, among whom were Drs. Danforth, the
medical Hercules of Bofton, and Dr. Water-
houfe, the accompliflied botanift, profeffor, and
writer, and who introduced vaccination into
America, performing the firft operation on his
own children. Drs. Danforth and Waterhoufe
attained to the age of more than 90 years.
Cotemporary with Dr. Senter was Dr. Jona
than Eafton, whofe tall and dignified figure in a
Quaker garb, I remember to have feen nearly
half a century ago in Newport.
Dr. Benjamin Mafon, father of the late Mrs.
Com. Perry, ftudied medicine in Europe, and
was highly refpeded in his profeffion.

144

THE RE-UNION.

At the beginning of the prefent century, a
new fet of phyficians mounted the ftage of pro
feffional life, and pradifed many years.
Drs. WiUiam Turner, David King, Edmund
T. Waring, Benjamin W. Cafe, and Enoch
Hazard, were well known to many who hear
me, which renders it unneceffary to fay more of
them than that they were highly efteemed where
ever known, and were adive, faithful, intelligent
and fuccefsful. Thefe two have paffed away,
and, having ferved their day and generation
faithfully, have gone to their reward. A new
fet of praditioners now fill their places. Far dis
tant be the day when a future biographer fliall
be called upon to notice their obituaries, and
portray their merits.
You have every reafon to be proud. Sons and
Daughters of Rhode Ifland, of your medical
anceftry. I give, as a fentiment :
The memory of diftinguiflied phyficians of Rhode Iflani
who have well played their part in the drama of profeflional
¦fife. Thirteenth regular toaft :
The Ladies.— Newport, in days lang fyne, celebrated for
the beauty and accomplifliment of her daughters, will fuftain
at the prefent day her ancient reputation.

THE CELEBRATION.

H5

When this was announced, the Mayor rofe
and faid :
The Ladies. — They always fpeak for themfelves. God
blefs them !
When the regular toafts had been read and
refponded to, the Prefident called npon Ex-
Mayor Cozzens, who fpoke as follows :
Sons, and Daughters, and Fellow-Citizens of New
port: It is a gratifying fight to look over this vaft
affembly, and fee fo many hundreds of the
natives of this lovely ifle returned to their early
homes, to hold communion and re-union with
their fathers and their fathers' friends. The
crowd before me to-day fliows how many go
abroad to how few remain at home. As one
who has flayed behind, and occupied one fpot
for thirty odd years, I am known, no doubt, to
many of you; but change, that immutable law
of nature, has wrought fo much in our prefent
condition, that wc are almoft ftrangers.
The fafliion of the times with gentlemen, to
negled the fcraping duties of the toilet, fo dis-
13

146. THE RE-UNION.
figures man, that, in many cafes, hardly a fem-
blance of a likenefs to a venerated and honored
anceftry can be found, until a formal introduc
tion has been made. This has puzzled many of
us thefe laft few days, and many a near relative
could hardly recognize the face of a returned fon
or friend.
Different is it, in fome degree, with our old
Newport. She has fcraped her face, and
renewed many a front of her old buildings, and
no doubt, to many of you, long abfent, flie pre-
fents a decided change. My eye refts on many
who can recoiled, with me, Newport twenty-five,
thirty, aye, forty years ago. I fee one now,
whofe firft vifit home, after an abfence of nearly
forty years, (when I was a boy,) who nettled me
exceedingly at his (as I then thought) ridicule
of our fleepy condition. I well remember his
faying that the only found like that of a hammer
he had heard, after feveral days fpent here, was
that of a butcher's cleaver in the old Red Mar
ket, chopping a mutton bone, and that, in the
ftillness of the place, he heard at a diftance of
feveral hundred yards from the fpot. That, and
the report of a tremendous y«^eze from one of our
old fliopkeepers, (always noted for the powers

THE CELEBRATION. I47
of his nafal organ,) were the only founds, that
met his ear during his vifit. This was Newport
dead indeed-. Many of you can realize it, and
have no doubt come back to look for the old.
Nowhere has more old been preserved ; yet,
while you look for the venerated old, you will
not negled to witnefs the new. Wherever you
look abroad, over our city extended, fee the
widened avenue, the new ftreets, the long line
of new and elegant manfions which have rifen
up ; fee, of a pleafant afternoon, the many hun
dred fplendid carriages which roll by as you
ftand at a given point, then go back with me to
the time when poor old Sammy Place drove the
only two-horfe public carriage in town, and that
not half fuftained !
But, I hear you afls, is all this real ? Or do
we read and hear that all this great difplay is but
for a fliort feason ? Alas, too true I You have
come at a feafon when our honored home puts
on her beautiful attire, — when in life and in
earneft. Would that it were otherwife; that it
would be perpetual; that I could fay to you, we
are extending our commerce, our manufadures,
our general bufinefs, our railroad to conned us with
the reft of mankind. Thefe may come, muft

1<:|.8 THE RE-UNION.
come — but when ? Not fo long as all our Sons
go forth to build up other cities, and while fo
many of us who remain Uve on doubts and mis
givings. I have not ventured to go beyond the limits
of my own memory, for tradition has long fince
eftabliflied what Newport was a hundred years
ago. Could we but '* eradicate the doubting,
defpairing charader of our people, created by
wars, and the fears of wars, from 1776 to 1820,
we might ftill rife and attain that pofition which
our natural advantages had given us. But New
port is gradually improving, and flie now num
bers many adopted Sons, — men who, becoming
tired of the toils, cares, and dangers of a city
life, have made this Garden of Eden their home ;
and may we not hope that fome of you, the
honored Sons and Daughters of Newport, will
find in this Re-union a rekindling of your early
attachments, and a defire to return, and help
to fwell the number of our increafing popu
lation. His Honor, Mayor Cranston, now called on
the Delegates from the feveral States and Terri
tories, appointed to addrefs the meeting, defig-

THE CELEBRATION.

149

nating Kanfas firft, and in her behalf Benjamin
C. Card, Efq., fpoke as follows :
I thank you, Mr. Prefident, for remembering
our diftant Territory on this occafion ; and I only
regret that fome abler reprefentative could not
be here to refpond for Kanfas ; but you will ex-
cufe your Committee for defignating me for the
duty, when you know that they could do noth
ing elfe — it was a choice (perhaps not a happy
one) between me and nobody — for I am the only
returned Son from that remote Territory, and I
could hear of no other to return with me. But
I truft that, before the next gathering of your
fcattered ones, our Territory fliall have received
fuch an infufion of Rhode Ifland element as will
make it a fecond home for us. If Rhode Ifland
is a good place to go from, Kanfas is a good place
to go to. It is not the traditional " Bleeding
Kanfas " of a few years ago — the Kanfas held up
as uncomfortably as Mahomet's coffin, between
the North and the South, and receiving from
each more kicks than penr^es ; but the prefent
thriving, peaceful, and quiet Kanfas, that iijvites
earneft labor to her broad prairies, whofe foil
13*-

150 the re-union.
waits but to be tickled with the plough and it
laughs with a bountiful crop.
Or, if you like not to remain in the plain, go
up into the mountain, and try your luck among
the auriferous peaks and gulches. Is there gold
there? That Newport curiofity would foon
find out — Newport energy develope, and New
port acquifitivenefs appropriate. I fpeak as one
of you.
Kanfas, too, has her towns and villages; they
are all young, and fome are vigorous and flour-
ifliing, while others are finifhed, and would be
fenced, if we could fpare the lumber. We boaft
of one town, only four years old, with a popula-
:!on of 13,000, and fteadily increafing. We
have our churches and fchoolhoufes, and men
and children attend them. We have great
rivers, and great fteamers employed on them;
we have broad fields of fuperior land, and we
want thoufands to till them. We wiU foon have
railroads croffmg thofe fields, and reaching to
thofe rivers. We have commenced tailing about
building them already, and you, perhaps, can
teU me how fpeedily railways are finiflied after
they are talked of, and how littie there is to do
on them that fpeeches will, not pay for.

THE CELEBRATION.

15^

Kanfas will foon be praying for admittance
into the Union as a State. She has paffed
through troublous times to reach the pofition,
and I ask for her that you fliall receive as kindly,
and welcome as warmly, this young Sifter into
the Union, as you have to-day your Sons and
Daughters to the Re-uniom.
At the conclufion of Mr. Card's. Addrefs, a
gentleman, a returned Son, gave the following
toaft :
Kanfas. — Her only Card is a trump.
The Delegate from Providence was now called
upon by the Mayor, and Hon. William S.
Patten, of that city, fpoke as follows :
The Providence members of the Newport
family, in joyful refponfe to the maternal invita
tion, have come to fpend a day with our brothers
and fifters at the old homeftead. After fepara-
tions, fome longer, fome fliorter; after experi
ences, oh! how chequered with joy and with
fadnefs to each of us, we come to join the family
gathering in the home where we were born.
This fliould be, it is, a happy meeting; yet has

152 THE RE-UNION.
it elements of fadnefs ; and the heart is untrue
to its beft emotions which does not feel and con
fefs them. •
Thofe of us who now return find the froft of
years, the fnows of winter, upon many a brow
on which we left the bloom of youth and the
fummer of manhood. •
We mifs, too, alas that it is so, many a loved,
many " an accuftomed face," and " it is little joy
to know " that they have left this good home
forever ; but there is confolation in our trust, that
they have been removed to that better, where
we all hope to be reunited.
To thofe of you. Brothers and Sifters, who have
always lived at home, many of us feem like
fpirits of the departed, revifiting the fcenes in
which we and you once lived together.
The young wife of Old Robin Gray was not
more surprifed by the reappearance of her former
lover, when flie fupposed
" It was her Jamie's wraith, for flie
Could na' think 'twas he,"
than the changed appearances of fome of us have
furprifed you.

THE CELEBRATION. 153
That old Caledonian incident is being repro
duced before your eyes, with new Yankee illus
trations ; for as many ghpfts as have been feen
in the ftreets "of Newport to-day, and can be as
well authenticated to all coming generations, as
are defcribed in Mather's Magnalia.
Many a happy year may it be before any of
us are laid.
This, we have , faid, is a happy meeting.
Never before have we come together as a fam
ily. Never before, as brothers and fifters, has
our mother, Newport, gathered her children
together, as a hen gathereth her chickens — under
her wings; and truly, are we not a pleafant
fight? Glad are we to fee each other — proud,
happy and grateful are we in our relationfliip.
Grateful and happy we feel that we are — and a
juft pride we know we are entitled to for a long
line of iUuftrious anceftors ; godly and gifted
divines; eloquent patriots and ftatefmen; learned
jurifts; celebrated phyficians, poets, painters;
brave and magnanimous naval commanders and
military ; merchants, enterprifing and fuccefsful ;
artifans, intelligent and fl?:illful — among her men
— dignity, accomplifliments, refplendent beauty ;
every grace that adorns, and every virtue that

154 "^^^ RE-UNION.
ennobles woman, that " laft, beft gift of God to
man"' — belong to Newport — and illuminate
every page of Rhode Ifland hiftory with a bril
liancy which far fparkles over an almoft bound-
lefs horizon.
Such is our family, — here was our birthplace,
and here are we met, around our family board,
contemplating our paft, enjoying our prefent, and
gathering a ftore of pleafant memories, kind
feelings, and cheering hopes for our future.
Thus reprefenting, (on his native ground,) the
fcene your magic painter has fo exquifitely ideal
ized in " The Hours ; " the paft, the prefent, and
the future.
So much. Brothers and Sifters, for ourfelves.
Now, juft a word or two for our mother.
Till to-day, it is long fince fome of us have
feen her loved and beautiful face. Many of us
feldom do or can fee it ; for the hard neceffities
of life, its engroffing cares, or exading duties,
have made us exiles, but have never eftranged
our affedions from this, the maternal abode.
The voice of the murmur of the diftant beach,
(its greeting now on the ear,) was as our cradle
hymn. The fight of fwelling ocean, the view
of undulating landfcape, verdant and broad-

THE CELEBRATION. I55
fpreading in peaceful beauty, smUing in the face
of a loving iky ; thefe are the features of our
mother, impreffed by her on the hearts and
memories of all her infant children, ineffaceably
and indeftrudible.
On us fhe turns them now, in unfaded youth
and lovelinefs, for,
" Time writes no wrinkle on her azure brow."
And her maternal touch ! How it reftores our
ftrength, proftrated in the conflid with giant years
and toils ; revives our wilted fpirits ; renews our
youth of foul, and we fliall return to the conteft
invigorated with freih confidence in vidory, and
with a cheerful courage.
Such, Brethren and Sifters, is our mother to us,
and on her ifland home, as once defcribed with
enthufiaftic truth,
" A beautiful gem on the bofom of the ocean."
May we be worthy of her ; that, when ihe
would make her claim of chiefeft honor, flie
fliall point to her children, and fay, with exultant
joy, " Thefe are my jewels."
At this point, the ceremonies were interrupted

If6 THE RE-UNION
by the appearance, in the neighborhood, of the
Antiques and Horribles, and all appeared anxious
to witnefs a proceffion fo novel; it was decided
to adjourn the meeting till evening, at which
time it was announced the Addreffes of the
Delegates would be continued. In a few mo
ments the Tent was entirely cleared, and the thou
fands who had been filently Uftening to the
remarks of their friends, were now convulfed
with laughter at the fpedticle before them. The
Antiques and Horribles ' were under the com
mand of the gallant Captain LoUypop, and as it
was one of the attradive features of the day, it
is deferving of fome fpecial notice here.
THE ANTIQUES AND HORRIBLES. ¦ ,
This unique corps was compofed, on the
occafion, of the " Punkinvil Rangers," of this
city, and the " Block Ifland Guards," of Prov
idence, and never was there any thing in the
way of burlefque more fuccefsful than their
appearance. All their movements were con-
duded in the moft ludicrous manner. The
fafhionable belle, with hoops of the moft extrav
agant dimenfions, was perfbnified by one whofe

THE CELEBRATION.

157

fece had been well blackened with burnt cork.
Her gait was unexceptionable, and flie Ihowed
the moft tender folicitude for the fafety of her
pet cur. Her rival was mounted on— ihall we
fay the frame of a horse ? Certainly it was
nothing but ikin and bones. But this defed
was rendered lefs confpicuous by the fize of her
ikirts, which completely covered all but the ani
mal's head and feet. The band was compofed
of ghaftly performers. Drawing anything but
dulcet founds from the moft outlandifli inftru-
ments. Brother Jonathan was there, in all his
glory. A vidim of Lynch law was riding on a
rail, borne aloft in a cart, his body, from the
crown of his head to the fole of his foot, reek
ing with tar and feathers. A printer appeared,
dreffed entirely in newfpapers. Jugglers and
clowns jingled their bells and cut many pranks.
An old woman carried in a baiket, on her flioul
ders, the living head of a man, which bowed and
fmiled to the crowd of wondering eyes bent on
difcovering the deception, and his Satanic majefty
was feen here, and there, and everywhere.
It would be impoffible for us now to give
anything like a full defcription of this motley
proceffion, or of the crazy old vehicles in which

158 THE RE-UNION.
many of the figures were drawn by horfes that
were literally nothing but fliin and bones. At
the Ocean Houfe, the hilarity of the guefts, who
had just left the dining room, and were prom
enading in the balcony, knew no bounds, at a
fight fo novel, and fo unexpeded. There was
bowing and fcraping on the part of the " Pun-
kin vilites," and burfts of applaufe from the
reviewers, who declared this feature to be no
.fmall part of the day's entertainment.

( i?9 )

CHAPTER VIII.
PRESENTATION OF BANNER.
After the ceremonies at the Tent, in the after
noon of the 23d, the Artillery Company, as it
left the field, was drawn into line, fouth of the
Ocean Houfe, and Ex-Mayor Rodman, of Provi
dence, prefented to the Company a beautiful
Banner, accompanied with the following unique
.^drefs :
Mr. Commandant : — An unexpeded, yet very
pleafant duty, has been impofed upon me. Sir,
by my affociates from the City of Providence ;
and I approach its performance moft cheerfully,
although wholly unprepared with ftudied and
fitting words. It is the habit of the human
mind to love that which is memorial in its char
ader, and to perpetuate the recoUedions of pleas
ant events by tangible records. We fee this in
youth. In life's early morn, he fees the Temple
of Fame rifing in beauty and grandeur before
him, and his foul prompts the defire to leave

l6o THE RE-UNION.
fome little memorial upon its enduring tablets,
to tell to thofe who fucceed him in the march of
human life, that he has preceded them in the
cortibat. We, Sir, ftanding here upon the emerald car
pet of our beautiful ifland, feel anxious to leave
behind us a memorial of the unclouded pleafures
of this feftal day, and to place in your handSj ¦
and the hands of your command this, our Banner,
as a teftimonial of our appreciation and gratitude
for our generous welcome, by our fellow-citizens,
and as an expreffion of our high regard for the
old and honored Artillery Company of New
port. This little flag is zfac-fmile of the one borne
by General Nathaniel Greene, during his heroic
wanderings through the Revolutionary ftruggle ;
and may the fpirit which infpired him ever
aduate us all as foldiers and as men. Obedient
to the patriotic impulfes, he armed himfelf for
combat, and when
"  that Quaker brave
His anvil tinto freedom gave.
And made that anvil loudly ring.
With giant blows and ftalwart fwing.

PRESENTATION OF BANNER. l6l
And every time he ftruck his forge.
Vowed vengeance to the tyrant George ;
What did his patriot mother fay
When from his home he turned away ?
Nat, if thou tak'ft the battle's track.
Let not a fliot aflail thy back ! "
Her fpirit. Brothers, Quaker as flie was, was
the true fpirit of lofty valor; and fliould the
clarion blaft of war again peal along our borders,
may you and I, as foldiers and as men, remember
that her's was the true watchword, that the true
patriot only kneels to God, and always faces his
foe. Take this Banner, Colonel Turner, as our
memorial offering, to commemorate this aufpi
cious day, and while it fliall awaken pleafant
remembrances of the paft, may it ferve to keep
our hearts forever green.
The Color-Sergeant then took charge of the
flag, and Colonel Turner refponded as follows:
Mr. Rodman, and Gentlemen of the Providence
Delegation of the Sons of Newport: — I have the
pleafure of accepting, in the name and behalf of
I4* i

l62 THE RE-UNION.
the ArtiUery Company, the White Flag which
you have fo kindly prefented us.
It is particularly pleafant to us that, among
the different organizations of this city, with
which you have feverally been conneded, this
old Corps ihould have been feleded as the recipi
ent of the liberality and friendfliip of fuch a body
of Returned Sons.
Allow me to affure you this pure White Flag
ihall ever remain unfuUied.

( i63)

CHAPTER IX.
EVENING FESTIVITIES.
At 8 o'clock, the Tent was briUiantly illumin
ated with gas, (the gas having been introduced
efpecially for the occafion, from the main pipe
on South Touro Street,) and Chinefe lanterns.
Soon after the opening, the entire fpace within
the immenfe canvafs was filled to its utmoft
capacity — the number prefent being eftimated
at not lefs than ft% thoufand.
At half-paft 8, His Honor the Mayor opened
the evening exercifes, and thereupon introduced
the Rev. Charles T. Brooks, who was received
with great applaufe, and, at once, read the fol
lowing poem, which was liftened to with the
moft profound attention and intereft by the vaft
multitude.prefent :
RHODE ISLAND'S WELCOME TO HER CHILDREN.
BY REV. C. T. BROOKS.
A voice from old Newport, — a welcoming call
To her wide-fcattered children and grandchildren all ;
Come, wanderers, come home to your beautiful ifle.
To the feet of your mother — the light of her fmile !

164 THE RE-UNION.
In her mantle of green and her tiar of blue.
She long has been fitting and waiting for you ;
The arms of her bays, lo ! ftie ftretches out wide.
To waft you all in at the turn of the tide.
Her foam-whitened headlands run out on the deep.
As eager the circling horizon, to fwcep j
The tongues of her far-ftretching green flopes explore.
Like feelers, each white fpcck on ocean's broad floor.
She lends up her hill-tops, that they, too, may fpy
Where, haply, fome band of her truants draws nigh ;
Old Tammany, Honejwian, Paradife, ftand
Looking wiftfuUy out o'er the fea and the land.
In their dufky night-mantles they wait there to greet
The coming at dawn of the beautiful feet, —
And a thrill of expeftancy runs through the hoft
Of the night-waves that fleeplcfsly moan round the coaft.
On the wings of the morning ye come as a cloud.
Like doves to the windows ye eagerly crowd :
Methinks the old windmills, with clatter and clack.
Fling their white arms to welcome the wanderers back.
The tie of your home was elaftic but ftrong ;
Though wide were your wanderings, — your abfence
though long, —
Your old mother's apron-ftrings ftill held you faft.
They ftretched, but they 've flirunk, — you are here now at
laft.

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 165
As the fea-bird wheels home to her rock-begirt neft.
Ye come by your old ocean-cradle to reft ;
To fit at the feet of your mother awhile.
And gladden your hearts with her fong and her fmile.
In the murmuring mufic that fteals on your ear.
The ftrain, fweet and plaintive of memory you hear;
Your mother's old lullaby fwells from the deep.
With which, in your childhood, flie fang you to fleep.
Say, home gathered exiles, and feel ye not now
That mother's mild breathing float over your brow.
As it cheered you fo often in morningtide's flufli.
As it foothed you fo often at eventide's hufli ?
Draw clofe to your mother, and look in her face, —
No fign of eftrangement or coldnefs you '11 trace ;
Come, fit in her lap without fcruple or fliame, —
Old or young, you are all boys and girls, juft the fame.
Some changes you'll note in the good lady's drefs.
But flie wears her old countenance, neverthelefs ;
On her youthful old brow not a wrinkle is feen,
Unfaded her apron of emerald green.
Some modern adornments you'll find here and there,
A sprig or a gem in the old lady's hair ;
Some quaintly carved cameo, perchance, on her breaft.
Or ftones of rare coftlinefs dotting her veft.

l66 THE RE-UNION.
Look out on the Nech, once fo bare and fo free.
The neck of your mother, the bride of the fea.
Where erft (her fole fcarf) his white fpray cloud he flung,
And the olive-brown beads of his ribbon-weed flung ;
The ftranger has laviflied his wealth and his art.
To the matron's plain beauty new cl;arms to impart ;
With pofies and pearls fo bedizened and gay.
You well might fcarce know your old parent to-day.
Yet what are all thefe to the noble old dame ?
Defpite all thefe charges, her heart is the fame —
Her heart is the fame, and the fame it will be,
' Like the air and the. Iky, and the rock and the fea.
Let them deck and improve her as much as they will.
Her look wears its true old ferenity ftill ;
Her blue eye beamed never more brightly than now.
The radiance of Heaven is undimmed on her brow.
She looks on her Ikies and flie looks on her feas,
And flie fays to proud worldlings. My glories are thefe !
She points to the children her fond arms enfold.
And flie says, (the true mother ! ) My Jewels behold !
Then cling round your mother — drink in the loved tones,
Not one of you all flie forgets or difowns, —
Not you, ye old men, who could fcarcely retrace
Through the dim glafs of memory, a line of her face. ,^

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 167
Ye left her in childhood, — ye fee her again
Through the mift-obfcured vifta of three-fcore and ten.
Yet ftie had not ceafed to remember, if you
Had forgotten the mother whofe look ye fcarce knew.

To all of her children, — to old and to young —
Her greeting is fpoken, — her welcome is fung.
The fea, as it murmurs, and kifles your feet.
The iky, as it fparkles, her welcome repeat.
From Coddington's cove, far acrofs and around.
To the Flints of old Sachueft echoes the found;
It ripples and gurgles' and fwells in the waves.
On fandy-floored beaches, in pebbly-floored caves.
Old Spouting Rock, eager the gladnefs to fliare,
A feftive white spray- wreath flings high in the air ;
And the fpirits imprifon'd below in his den.
Growl back a gruff greeting in thunder again.
And a genuine old fog, (one of Newport's true fons,)
Roufed up by the noife of the bells and the guns,
At day-break comes out a fpeftator to be,
Though where he is, none elfe can be feen or can fee.
But not thefe wild children of Nature alone
Are glad, and exult their old playmates to own ;
In the heart of the town, in the fquare and the ftreet.
Old houfes are nodding old inmates to greet.

1 68 THE RE-UNION.
Dear old time-colored houfes ! they feem (and well may,)
To hold their heads higher than ever to-day ;
For though they had two or three ftories before.
To-day they have certainly one ftory more.
As ye faunter along by the fliops of old Thames,
Some wearing new faces, yet keeping old names.
In letters time-darkened or touched with new gold,
Unmiftakable figns of your welcome behold !
As ye pioufly turn toward the head of the town.
Curt chronicler ftill of her ancient renown.
Though fliattered by Time, the old markfman, you fee.
Bare, blafted, yet upright, the Liberty Tree.
As the hero ftill ftands to his poft on the deck.
When the balls of the foemen have left him a wreck.
And the flag's tattered remnants are ftiot from the maft,
" Don't give up the fliip ! " is his cry to the laft.
Come to the Hill-top ; there, waiting for you.
With flightly changed coftume, ftill modeft and true.
Friend Redwood looks forth with the forehead he wore.
Calm, claffic, majeftic and penfive of yore.
Fair feat of the Mufes ! of Memory the Shrine !
All hail ! the bright dawn of a new day is thine !
What ftrange alterations of lot thou haft feen.
Since thy columns firft rofe on thii hill-top of green 1

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 169
No longer Minerva, as once, with affright.
At the tramp of rude Mars, from her temple takes flight.
No more it refounds with the hideous noife.
The clamor and clangor of bats and of boys.
The cobwebs and duft, of negledl Ihall no more
Hang over thy flielves as they gathered of yore ;
No more fliall their mute, honored occupants lie
In the night dews, unmarked fave by Nature's moift eye.
New times are upon us, old friend, and thou, too.
Henceforth, like the eagle's, thy youth ftialt renew.
No more here, the bat or the owl, fliall hold fway„
All hail to the dawn of thy new rifing day !•
But now, as you turn round the corner hard by,
A veteran, older by far, meets your eye ;
The mute, but impreffive and thought-ftirring word.
Of the oldeft inhabitant waits to be heard..
For lee, there where filent and ftorm-proof it ftands.
And calmly looks down on the waters and lands.
The wonder and crown of the beautiful Hill,
Myfterioufly fmiles the majeftic Old MilL
Strange relic of old, immemorial time !¦
Whofe fliadows float round thee- in filence- fublime,
Stonehenge of old Newport ! within whofe charmed
ground.
The ghofts of the paft move myfterioufly round !
IS

lyO THE KE-UNION.
Thou wondrous old landmark ! when centuries roll by.
And nought but the rocks and the fea and the Iky,
Unchanged fliall be left of the darling old town.
When every old gable has long fince come down :
To grandchildren's grandchildren ftill thou flialt hold
High talk of the^ times and the people of old :
Shalt tell how their great, great grandfathers, when they
Were children, came hither to wonder and play.
And when, in fome moon-lighted midnight, the ghofts
Of them who once dwelt here,' revifit thefe coafts.
And through the changed ftreets feek in vain up and down.
Some trace of their dear and familiar old town.
As at laft to this Mount of Remembrance they bend
Their fteps, to the great upper world to afcend.
They'll cry, as their eyes meet the reverend Old Mill,
" Here, here is old Newport, it lingers' here ftill ! "
But, ye who return to your home here to-day.
Thank Heaven, your old haunts have not vaniflied for aye;
Some crooked old lanes tell of hide and feek yet.
Old gables tell tales that you cannot forget.
Yes, children, (ftill children — true hearts grow not old — )
Ye breathe the fame air, — the fame Ikies ye behold.
Where with fingers enraptured, your kites ye once flew.
And puffing and wondering, your foap-bubbles blew.
Perchance the old homeftead fliall greet you once more ;
Perchance the old meadow hgs long been built o'er ;

EVENING FESTIVITIES. iyi
But here is the clime and the foil and the place.
Where ye ftooped to play marbles — the whip-top to chafe.
And there, fmooth and hard, lies the broad yellow fand.
Where ye once wrote your names with a light heart and
hand.
(Some of you have written your names fince that day
In letters that fliall not fo foon pafs away !)
For came there not then, from the furf-drum's deep tone,
A voice that was heard by the fpirit alone ?
The voice you ftill hear in the moan of the fea.
That bids you be thoughtful, and reverent, and free !
My children — God's children — that voice feems to fay —
Where are ye — whence come ye ? give anfwer to-day !
Howe'er o'er the wide world your footfteps might roam.
Say, where have your thoughts — have your fouls — found
their home?
As ye enter Farewell Street, the mufing heart burns
To think of that bourne whence no traveller returns ;
What forms of the glorified rife on the foul.
Who trod thefe fair fliores,- while they fought the high
goal!
At Beauty's, at Learning's, at Piety's flirine
Fair Liberty's priefthood, with unftion divinCj
The Poet, the Prophet, the Martyr they wrought
Their work for the ages. Faith's conflift they fought.
And where are they now — are they gone ? they are here —
The fpirit that quickened them ftill hovers near, —

17'2 THE RE-UNION.
Their memories, their names, ftill make fragrant the air.
True hearts ! Ye this day their companionlhip fliare.
As penfive, that crowded old grave-yard ye tread,
A city to you of the living {not dead).
Ye there hear a greeting more holy and true
Than our loudeft welcomings offer to you.
There, there is old Newport, fafe anchored at laft.
Where partings are over, and changes are paft.
And a voice from that hoft of tranflated. ones cries :
Be thoughtful and thankful — be .holy and wife !
Aye, children of freemen who gather to-day.
To your great common mother your tribute to pay.
It is not the voice of a mother alone
That fummons her Sons their allegiance to own;
A mother's low whilper fteals forth from the ground.
But hark ! in the wide realm of freedom around.
In the deep under-tone the wrapt fpirit can hear.
The Father of all — the Great Spirit is near.
O, then, as ye breathe in this health-giving breeze.
The breath of the boundlefs, untamable feas —
As ye tread with free ftep the elaftic green turf.
With fpirits that dance to the fong of the furf.
Drink into your fouls, with a tranfport more rare.
Deep draughts of that higher, that heavenly air.
And nerve your frail faith, in Temptation's dread fliock,
Unihaken to ftand on Eternity's rock I

EVENING FESTIVITIES. IJ^
After mufic by the band, the Brooklyn (N.
Y.) Delegation was called upon, when Walter
Nichols, Efq, a returned Son, fpoke as follows :
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen of the Committee of
Arrangements :
It is one of the beneficent provifions of *our
nature, that the place of our nativity, as well as
every local feature by which it has been diftin
guiflied and adorned, is impreffed upon our
memory, and retained by it through years of
feparation, of trial and viciflitude, — and in the
moft gloomy periods of our individual expe
rience they will rife again through clouds and
furrounding darknefs as vifions of light, and
infpire us with frefli hopes and renewed impulfe
and increafed faith in the future. Of all places
which have given birth to man, and thus become
endeared in the hearts of thofe who were born
in them, what place is there more worthy of
being remembered, or which has more imperiih-
able features by which to imprefs itfelf than this,
which to-day we hail as our firft home among
men, and to which you now welcome us. Beau
tiful for fituation, unfurpaffed in natural fcenery.

174 "^HE RE-UNION.
genial in its climate, it combines attradions:
which have drawn from the moft diftant parts of
our common country their richeft, their faireft
and their moft diftinguiflied, until wealth, refine-.
ment and perfonal attradion and worth here hold
their court and make their temporary home.
And when we add to this • its hiftory — contem
porary with the oldeft cities of our land, — which
fliows it to have been a corporation endowed
with municipal privileges and immunities, when.
moft of thofe which now outftrip it in the race
for trade, population and commercial enterprife
were in their primeval ftate, and had no corpo
rate exiftence, the record reveals it as a chofen
refort for men of letters, where, in the refined
and cultivated fociety which then diftinguiflied
it, they could find fympathy, feUowfliip and in
tercourfe, fuch as was afforded by few places on
the continent. To this city, then, in which it
was the glory of our youth that we were born,
and to which for many years we have been
counted as ftrangers,— to this city, rich in its
reniinifcence and recoUedion, we have this day
returned by your invitation, and forgetful for a
fealon of other affociations, we accept your hos
pitality, and reciprocate the fraternal falutation

EVENING FESTIVITIES.

175

and claim it as our own. Moft of us have been
abfent many years, and we now come as pilgrims
to worfliip at the flirine of our fathers. Citizens
of another State, and with the cares and refpon-
fibilities of another community refting upon us,
we come, and for a moment lay our cares, our
pofitions and privileges at your feet. Waihed
once more in the waters of the Atlantic as they
break upon your fliore, it is to us a facramental
rite, — partaking with you of the bread which
here is broken and diftributed by your order, we
renew the bond which before 6xifted between us,
and feel that we are indeed Sons of Rhode Ifland,
and fellow heirs of this goodly heritage.
It is a glorious privilege that, .though we be removed.
From fcenes familiar to our youth, and early friends beloved.
We now and then may turn again and reft our weary feet.
And mark each old familiar fpot whofe memory is fweet :
No change in after life to thofe, who happily were placed.
Obliterates the pleafant path their early feet have traced ;
The ties which riper years have formed give place to thofe
before.
And fome memento viewed again, the wifdom will reftore.
Let me, then, for myfelf and in behalf of
thofe who are with me, and by whofe requeft I
fpeak, thank you moft heartily for the welcome

176 the RE-UNION.
which you have given ; let me recipropate the
kind and brotherly feeling which you have ex
preffed, and affure you that while the impreffions
which are this day renewed have been an impel
ling power in all our paft performance, and an
"infpiring caufe of our prefent fuccefs, the mem
ory of this day and occafion will mingle with
thofe earlier recoUedions, and nerve us to a
greater effort, and a more ardent ftruggle, to dis-
tinguifli ourfelves among the affembled men of
other cities. States and nationalities, and to fus-
tain the reputation of the land of our nativity,
which fliall hericeforth fliare in the honor of our
achievement. The New Bedford, Maffachufetts, Delegation
was next called upon, Ex-Mayor Cozzens pre-
fiding, when Robert C. Pitman, Efq., of that
city, a returned Son, fpoke as follows :
With diffidence, Mr. Mayor, fliould I refpond
to your call on behalf of the New Bedford Chil
dren, were my only claim to be deemed a true
Son of Newport bafed upon the bleffed accident
of my birth, and refidence for a few weeks of
infancy upon this beautiful ifland. But, Sir,

EVENING festivities.

177

when I call to mind that for generations running
far back into the paft, my. anceftors on both fides
have lived in Newport, and now fleep in her
quiet graveyards, I feel that the mother will
not difown the blood in the heart of her child,
although he may have gone from home fo young
that flie cannot remember his countenance. If
you tranfplant from the fartheft north a little
fapling, it will retain, in its warmer home, the
rigid form that marks its race ; or, if you bring
here, from tropic regions, the young flioot, it
will have in its growth, the fuperb lift and the
airy grace which it inherits. Thus do I find in
myfelf feelings, the roots of which reach far back
into Rhode Ifland foil.
But, though I am proud to call Rhode Ifland
my mother, all my years have been paffed in
Maffachufetts ; and to it I look up as a child to
its father. And io it has occurred to me to fay
fomething of the relation of thefe two States,
and of the manner in which the influences which
furround life in the one, compliment the influ
ences which furround life in the other. Thofe of
us who have travelled by land hither cannot fail
to have been impreffed by the* fudden change
which meets us as we enter this Ifland. The rocks

178 THE RE-UNION.
give place to level plains ; the rough hard foil
difappears, and the earth is decked with genial
verdure; and, as if by magic, you have paffed
from the workday world into fome fair Arcadia^
where nature loves you, and flieds her bleffings
around with grateful profufion. Such always
feems to me the tranfition from Maffachufetts to
Rhode Ifland life. We pafs from the workihop
to the paradife, from the feverifli buftle of life
to the place of repofe, where all the air breathes
peace, and every influence diftils reft into the
weary foul. And how precious are thefe green
oafes in this American life of ours !
" Nor lefs I deem that there are powers.
Which of themfelves our minds imprefs ;
That we can feed this mind of ours
In a wife paffivenefs."
Do not miftake me ; the bufy Maffachufetts life
is good as well as the tranquil Rhode Ifland life.
Beautiful are they when blended together, as in
the case 'of our own Channing, who furniflies fo
apt an illuftration of my thought.
We have heard, Mr. Mayor, a great many
eulogies, this afternoon, upon Roger Williams.
At home. Sir, I fliould be ready to do ftout

EVENING FESTIVITIES. I79
battle for him againft all foes; but here, on the
foil of Newport, I call to mind that he belonged
to Providence, and not to our ifland; and I con
fefs to have inherited enough of that traditionary
jealoufy of Providence, which, I beUeve, be
longed to Newport,' (The Mayor : Providence
jealous of us ? Mr. Pitman : Ah, yes I the in
ferior jealous of the fuperior, of courfe I) to defire
that the memory of one of our own Sons fliould
take the place of pre-eminence. Rhode Ifland,
we have been told to-day, is "the oldeft inde
pendent State in America ;" we know flie was the
firft to eftablifli reUgious liberty, but. Sir, civil
and religious liberty are but means, and not
ends; and they culminate in Spiritual freedom.
Of that William EUery Channing is the apoftle.
, No man has done fo much to lift the thought of
the young men of our__land to that higher atmo-
fphere where the afcending foul, fpurning the
fetters of party and fed, the bondage of the
fenfes, and all the alluring " fliows of things,"
expands in the contemplation of the* Unfeen
and Eternal. Nor is his influence deftined to
be fimply local or national. Already are there
indications of its growing power over the beft
minds of continental Europe. One of her ripell

l8o THE RE-UNION.
fcholars. Chevalier Bunfen, has recently fpoken
of him in terms of admiring enthufiafm.
It is to me to-day a pleafant thought that as
his cradle was in Rhode Ifland and his grave in
Malfachufetts, fo did these two fifter States pour
the influences of their life into his being. You
all know how he loved our ifland. "No fpot
on earth has helped fo much to form me as that
beach," was his declaration. But he loved, too,
the State and city of his adoption. " I would
not exchange Bofton for any city on the earth,",
he wrote. And fo his maturer life was made up
of thofe beautiful pidures which his nephew has
fo finely iketched in his view of " A Day at New
port," and " A Day in Bofton." Here, in moft
undifturbed communion with nature and with
her great Author were created within his foul
thofe fublime afpirations and thofe lofty thoughts
which the intenfer life of Bofton IHmulated into
earneft expreffion. Rhode Ifland, with all its
ikyey influences difpofed to reft, to philofophic
refledion, to facred reverie, — Maffachufetts, with
her more eledric mental atmofphere incited to
development, concentration, and utterance.
The mention of Channing recalls to my mind,
as one of his favorite haunts, the Redwood

EVENING FESTIVITIES. l8l
Library; and I allude to this venerable inftitution
for the purpofe of making a pradical suggeftion.
As Returned Sons, the defire would feem to arife
fpontaneoufly in all our hearts to ered fome
acknowledgment of your bountiful hofpitality,
fome memorial of our happy home-vifit. Some
rich depofit of love fliould the Sons of Newport
leave behind, as the returning tide bears us again
away. What jvorthier offering could we of
Maffachufetts pay, than to enrich and adorn,
with fome new treafure, the youthful Study of
Channing. In concluding, let me fay that moft of thofe
whom I reprefent have paffed the adive years of
their life in the city of their adoption. Yet
Newport is ftill their mother; and though in
mid-life we may think moft of our father, as the
fliadows lengthen it is natural to draw nearer to
our mother once again, and as I liftened, Mr.
Mayor, to the expreffion of hope with which
you clofed, that all might return before the even
ing of life, " fo that their clofing years may be
quietly paffed in the home of their birth," I felt
that the wifli muft rife warm from many a heart
when " the almond tree fliall flourifli," and " all
the daughters of mufic fliall be brought low,"
i6

l82 THE RE-UNION.
and " defire fliaU fail," that then they might find
balmy reft from the fever of life, in this peace
ful harbor, — be fung to their laft fleep by the
murmuring voices of the fea, which were heard
around their cradle, — and be gathered with their
fathers. The St. Louis, Mo., Delegation was next called
upon, when James G. Cozzens, Efq., a returned
Son, fpoke as follows :
Mr. Mayor- — Ladies and Gentlemen :
Although not officially delegated by the Sons
of Newport in St. Louis, to reply on their behalf
to the welcome of the Mayor, yet I cannot let
this occafion pafs without faying a few words
about this glorious Reunion, in which I have,
for a long time, felt a deep intereft.
I thank you heartily for my fliare of the
handfome and cordial welcome extended to us
this day, and I think that the reft of the New
porters in St. Louis would do the fame, were
they here to partake of your generous hofpital
ity. I know that they were all anxious to come,
and I have no doubt but that they are now
thinking of us here, and the glorious time we are
having. There are five or fix Newport boys in

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 183
St. Louis, and I am forry that no more of them
were able to come ; but circumftances, and the
great diftance between here and there, has pre
vented, them.
St. Louis, as you well know,^is a city of no
little importance, fituated on the weft bank of
the Miffiffippi. Not only is her prefent pofition
among the cities of the Union a prominent one,
but her immenfe and rapid growth during the
paft few years is unequalled in the rife of cities.
Twenty-five years ago, flie fcarcely had ten thou
fand inhabitants; now flie can count two hun
dred thoufand fouls within her limits, which lim
its comprife an area of fifteen and a half fquare
miles, extending for feven and a half miles on
the river bank, and three and a half back. This
is not all ; flie cannot flop here ; it is almoft im
poffible for her to go back ; fhe muft go ahead,
for there is every thing to make her do fo I
Politico-economical writers affert that there
are three things neceffary to make a great city ;
any two will do it ; but the poffeffion of all
three cannot fail. Thefe are Agriculture, Com
merce and Manufadures. St. Louis has them
all. The produds of the States of Iowa, Minne-
fota, Wifconfin and lUinois on the north ; of

184 THE RE-UNION.
Miffouri, Kanfas, Nebraflia, Utah, and New
Mexico on the weft ; and many of the Southern
States, — muft find a market here. The trans
portation of aU this immenfe wealth of the foil,
gives her a commerce unrivalled among weft-
ern cities. Then the vaft refources of the " Iron
Mountain," and the " Pilot Knob," befides the
hundreds of mines of copper, lead and other
metals, muft tend, with the other branches of
trade, to make her an extenfive and profitable
manufaduring place.
In noticing the prefent profperity and rapid
growth of St. Louis, , I would mention the great
ftability which has always charaderized her '
bufinefs tranfadions, and the firm bafis on which
all her buildings and affociations have been
eftabliflied.' There is not that muihroom-like
growth, fo noticeable in many of our weiiern
cities. The well-known folidity of St. Louis
merchants is finely reprefented in a little inci
dent which I will relate as briefly as poffible. '
It feems a Kentuckian had, upon the Levee, a
flave mart, and, while fitting at the door one
day, he noticed a trim-looking Miffourian look
ing in, and thus accofted him : " Would you
like to purchafe to-day. Sir ? " The Miffourian

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 185
replied in the affirmative, and went in to feled
a fervant. He inquired the price of one he
thought would fuit him, and was told by the
Kentuckian, that the price was $500, and that
he might have the cuftomary fix months' credit.
The Miffourian thought awhile, not liking to
have the burden of a debt for fo long, then, with
a knowing fmile, he fays: "Stranger, I had
rather pay you fix hundred dollars down, than
take the fix months' credit." It is that principle
of paying caih, .and relying on their own
refources, that has given St. Louis fo found a
clafs of merchants. They do not depend on
borrowed capital for the means of paying their
debts. But, ladies and gentlemen, I will not tire you
with a dry account of St. Louis. She ijpeaks
loudly for herfelf I muft, however, fay a few
words more about this occafion before I clofe.
The re-union of the " Sons and Daughters of
Newport " was propofed, arranged, and has been
glorioufly carried out. Newport now has fome
thing to be proud of, and we alj ought to be
proud of her. It fliows conclufively that things
can be done in Newport as well as anywhere
elfe, when flie is worked up to the fad. At the
16*

l86 THE RE-UNION.
time it was firft propofed, and even up to within
three months of this time, no one thought or
imagined that it could or would be carried out.
It looked Uke a large undertaking, and lb it was.
But now, at the clofe of this day, when we can
look back upon the brilliant fuccefs, and the
great enthufiafm that has attended it, we can but
acknowledge it to be the greateft and moft
glorious day Newport has ever feen.
I have been here all day, and heard fpeeches ;
— fome of them brilliant and eloquent fpeeches,
all of them very much to the point, but not one
word have I heard concerning the benefit New
port is to derive from this re-union. We have
heard of her beauties, of her advantageous
pofition, and of the paft and prefent, but the
future, (the moft important queftion before her
now,) has been but lightly touched upon.
The queftion of " what can be done ? " is in
deed a difficult one to anfwer, though the caufe
of her prefent inadion is plain enough. New
port boys have left their native ifle, and fought
homes and employment in other cities, and it is
faid they wUl all do well. Why? I do not
know that they are any fmarter than boys from
odier places, but it is this : Thofe ^that ftay at

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 187
home have but little to occupy their time. They
fee the older men of the city fitting down in in
adion — content to get along juft fo, and human
nature entices them to fit down too. But when
they get away, and • go to cities where all is ftir
and buftle, and mingle in with the hurry and
drive of bufinefs, they are excited to adion ; they
fee others moving, and they muft rnove too, or
be left behind. It is the excitement of having
fomething to do, of feeing others at work, that
caufes them to do well, while their native town
is ftill lagging behind in fpite of all that flie has
to aid her on. We fliould look to this.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I have already de
tained you too long. I thank you for your
attention, and for this hearty welcome extended
to us to-day.
The Nantucket, Maffachufetts, Delegation
was now caUed for, and William R. Easton,
Efq., (a Returned Son,) fpoke in an earneft and
effedive manner, as follows :
Mr. Chairman, Ladies, and Gentlemen :
I will detain you but a few moments. The
field is large, but who would exped to find

l88 THE RE-UNION.
any choice flowers on any field, however large,
over which Newport men have rambled. Sir, I
might fpeak of the achievements of my native.
State, in the War of the Revolution, and of the
laurels flie gained in the laft War with England,
but this would be fuperfluous. I might fay
fomething of the eminent men whom flie has
fent to the councils of the nation; I might fpeak
of the brilliant wit arid fcorching farcafm of her
Burges,* the calm and dignified logic of her
Hunter, the claffical attainments of her Bobbins,
who, in the Sejiate of the United States, made a
moft eloquent appeal in favor of the claim of
Sufan Decatur, the better half of one of the
moft gallant and brave of our naval Commands
ers, an appeal worthy of himfelf and worthy of
Newport. In the abfence of your honored;
Mayor from the chair, who has prefided over
this vaft affembly with great ability and dignity,
I might aflc, emphatically. Sir, what town or city,
no larger than Newport, has had two of her
Sons in Congrefs, who, for ability, integrity, and
fidelity, have excelled the Cranftons? But, Sir,
my chief objed in rifing, at this late hour, was
* Born in Maflachufetts.

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 189
to m'ake due acknowledgment, in behalf of my
affociates, the Sons and Daughters of Newport,
and refidents of Nantucket, for the kind invita
tion, this cordial reception and hearty welcome
to the city of our nativity, and the fcenes of our
childhood. Sir, in early youth we threaded the ftreets of
this interefting and ancient city, we roamed over
your fair and fertile fields, inhaling the falubrious
and invigorating air; aye. Sir, we roamed over
Rhode Ifland, denominated by Morfe the " Eden
of America," and by John Quincy Adams, " the
moft beautiful gem on the bofom of the ocean."
We went to Tammany Hill, to Stone Bridge, to
Fort Adams, to the Beaches, to Paradise, and to
Purgatory, and, happily, returned even from the
laft, unfcathed. I have fpoken of your noble
beaches, within the found of whofe waters I was
born ; likewife, a long line of anceftors. There,
for the first time, as it were, I heard the voice of
God in the majeftic roU and graceful undulating
waves of the ocean, as they fpent their force and
broke upon your placid fliore. Sir, my bofom
fwells with emotion, and embarraffes fpeech, as I
ftand furrounded by fo many of the fair forms
and features of the people of my native ifle.

igO THE RE-UNION.
defcended from the fame general ftock with my
felf, and fit reprefentatives of a noble anceftry.
Sir, I wfll detain you no longer, but wiU again
thank you for the courtefy and hofpitality ex
tended to us on this moft interefting and glorious
Re-union of the Sons and Daughters of our far-
famed and beloved Newport.
The Rev. William H. Moore, of Hempfteadj
Long Ifland, a (Returned Son,) was next called
upon, and refponded as follows :
Mr. Mayor, and my Fellow-Citizens :
He is a bold man who, at this eleventh hour,
attempts to intereft this crowd, almoft furfeited
with good things, and weary of hearing. And
were it not that I might feem lacking in courte-;
fy in refponding to your call, I fliould remain
filent. Of our fathers, and their deeds and
virtues, many and noble as they were, I con
ceive enough has been faid.
My feelings of fatisfadion and delight with
what I have this day feen and heard, do, indeed,
almoft compel me to fpeak. I had thought. Sir,
that I had always entertained a fufficiently ex
alted eftimate of this, my native place, and its

EVENING FESTIVITIES.

191

citizens. I have felt it a religious duty tp im
prefs my children with a love for her, and to
relate to them her honorable ftory. But I have
feen that to-day which fills me with a greater
love for Newport, and impreffes me with a pro-
founder refped for her inhabitants. Every thing
conneded with this re-union has been arranged
with fuch a " liberal heart devifing liberal things,"
with fuch admirable forecaft, and with fuch
refpedful and affedionate intereft in the abfent
children of Newport, as to excite my admira
tion of the authorities and citizens who have
brought to fuch a fplendid iffue this grand idea
of a family gathering. And it is your due that
it fliould be thus publicly ftated, that, from every
delegation, from whatever quarter gathered, I
have heard but one expreffion, that of delight
and exultation. All honor to thofe who origi
nated — all honor to thofe who wrought out fo
beautifully this affemblage of your abfent broth
ers and fifters !
Wheij, in addition to all this, I confider the
felf-refped which has been exhibited by the vaft
crowd gathered here and out of doors; when I
note the abfence of everything of a difturbing
nature-, who muft not feel a pride in calling this

192 the re-union.
his birthplace, claim that he is a citizen of ," no
mean city," as St. Paul calls his native Tarfus,
and thank God that it was ordained his lot to be
born here?
Sir, after what has been feen to-day, I am con-
ftrained to aik what Newport cannot accomplifli
if flie but fets her hand refolutely to do it I Be
true to yourfelves, my fellow-citizens, be felf-re-
liant — feel that your brothers all over the land
are with you in every exhibition of enterprife.
Feel that you have in your keeping the good
name, the honorable fame of this ancient city,
and the profoundeft feelings of your abfent kin
dred, and Newport muft go forward in a pros
perous career.
You have founded the filial affedion of the
children of Newport, and you have found the
plummet finks deep. We have been proud of
you ; may you never have reafon to be afliamed
of any of us. I give you. Sir, in conclufion,
this heart-felt fentiment.
" Union and Re-Uniov." — May this ever be the heart
throb of every one of Rhode Ifland's Sons and Daughters."
Thomas P. Rodman, having been invited to
addreis the audience as a delegate from Bridge-

EVENING FESTIVITIES.

193

water, Maffachufetts, aiked leave to fpeak for
Plymouth County. He faid that the fentiment
expreffed in the feftivities of this day was that of
brotherhood. Plymouth Bay and Mofliafuch
River were bright with the light of memory,
and both were full of memorials of brotherhood.
The " Welcome, Engliflimen," of Samofet, and
the " What Cheer " of the red man who fpoke
for his comrades to Roger Williams, were affur-
ances of brotherhood. The feeling that glad
dens us to-day, he faid, was the fame that
warmed the common human heart in the red
men and the white men in the earlieft days of
New England hiftory. Ruder feelings held fway
afterwards, but, in the beginning, friendfliip and
brotherhood prevailed. Rhode Ifland claims to
have been always true to the principles of broth
erhood; and Plymouth, unlike Maffachufetts,
ihows, in her annals, a near refemblance to
Rhode Ifland. Religious freedom is the bond
of brotherhood. As an illuftration of the prin
ciples of religious freedom, he would offer a
rnetrical rehearfal of an pld tale, which might
be fact or fable, but which was, be it one or the
other, a parabolic ftatement of a univerfal truth.
He then read the following poem :
17

194 THE RE-UNION.
THE THRONE AND THE ALTAR.
From the vaflal realms of a vanquiflied world the conqueror's
throne around.
With eyes of anxious queftioning full, and lips that gave no
found.
Stood minifters of all the rites that fliadow forth the thought,
That breathes in every foul of him who leaves no foul
untaught.
There were thofe in gorgeous fanes that bowed, and at humble
wayfide flirines.
That filent prayed 'mid furging oaks, or 'mid foft whifpering
pines ;
That hailed beneath the dawnlit Iky the monarch of the day,
And watched him on his mountain march through all his
glorious way ;
That gazed upon the queenly moon and her bright leaders
feven.
That fteadfaft on the arftic height marflial the hoft of heaven ;
And in the filent voices of the day and of the night.
Felt their Maker's and their Father's love, his wifdom and his
might.
And aU were -wondering why the call that gathered them that
day.
Was uttered by the fearful man who o'er all lands claimed
fway.
That wondering but not abjeft throng the monarch proudly
eyed.
And wakening all their ears at once, with ftartling voice he
cried, —

EVENING FESTIVITIES.

195

The Living Source of Life in men and all things, do ye own !
In reverent affirmation bowed the numbers round the throne.
What is his name, demanded he, — and one by one replied.
And he liftened with a mocking look, as one who dared deride
The tendernefs of human faith in fatherhood divine ;
But ftill the men of humble heart ahfwered with word and
fign.
And one from India called him Life : and one from Perfia
Light ;
And one that from Judea came with mitre flafliing bright,
Infcribed with an unfpoken name, faid, — From eternity
He is, and was, and is to come, and evermore fliall be.
And every one a reverend name breathes forth in fervent
tones.
And calmly thankful felt the ftrength of a power above earth's
thrones. *
When all had fpoken, then again the proud man's voice was
heard.
And [the hearts of all the worfliippers were troubled at his
word:
At the footftool of one monarch, ye behold above your heads
The fceptre of his earth-wide fway : no king befides me,
treads
On aught but tributary foil ; and my altar like my throne.
Shall ftand without a rival ; my God ye all muft own ;
Zeiis is his name in Macedon, and Zeus fliall be his name
In every region of the earth where my fword has conquered
fame.
Then filently the wife men thought how this imperious
change.

196 THE KE-UNION.
Would wonder-ftrike the fimple, and all their life derange.
But the murmur of remonftrance had not yet gathered found.
When a fearlefs man of many years fpoke out thefe words
profound :
Brothers, the ruler of the day, ye know him, and rejoice.
When his lone light fills the boundlefs Iky, can you give his
name a voice ?
And many names were fpoken, and then the old man faid.
And his eye fell on the monarch who gave the -word fo dread.
No, call him Heliod, by that name, Alexander calls the fun ;
And his name throughout the empire muft hencefort}i be but
one.
The monarch felt the wife rebuke, and Ihame his face fuiFufed;
He felt one moment as a man, and as a man he mufed.
He faw, would that men always faw, that the fubftance, not
the Ihow, ,,-
Is worth the wife heart's notice, that while men dwell below, ¦
By names that partial knowledge writes, fome muft know the
All in All,—
That he only feels God's fatherhood, who men can brethren
caU.
Several fentiments were then read by Mr.
Cozzens, the prefiding Officer, one of which,
offered by George B. Weaver, Efq., of Middle-
town, was complimentary to the yeomanry of
our ifland.
Mr. TouRjEE here fang the Marfeilles Hymn
in very fine ftyle.

EVENING FESTIVITIES.

197

His Honor, Mayor Cranston, then came
upon the platform, and read the following, the
produdion of one of the Daughters :
OUR HOME BY THE SEA.
BY A DAUGHTER OF NEWPORT.
We greet thee ! we hail thee, our home by the fea !
Where the fong of the waves fwelleth fad on the fhore ;
Sweet fcene of our birth and our childhood, to thee.
Thy Sons and thy Daughters are gathered once more.
Long years have rolled by fince we bade thee farewell,
Our hearts beating high with the fervor of youth.
While Hope, with her voice like a filvery bell.
Sang fweetly of beauty, and virtue, and truth.
Her fyren-like mufic rang foft like a fpell,
• As we bade the dear homes of our childhood adieu ;
But the wind on the waters rofe high like a knell.
As we left the kind hearts that had ever been true.
We have fought in the din and the battle of life.
Till our locks, that were brown, are befprinkled with gray ;
And oft we have paufed in the wearifome ftrife.
To figh for our home by the fea far away.
Once more do we greet thee — ^but where are the loved
Who gladdened the hearth in the bright days of old ?
17*

198 THE RE-UNION.
The mother, whofe changelefs affeftion we proved ? —
The fweet little fifter, with treffes of gold ?
Alas ! in our beautiful home by the deep.
There lieth a garden all filent and low.
And over it, foftly, the fad willows weep.
And over it, gently, the night breezes blow.
And there, with her cold, fnowy hands on her breaft.
Never more to encircle her child as of old.
That mother lies fleeping, and by her, at reft.
That fweet little fifter, with trefl"es bf gold.
And thus, as we greet thee, our birth-place again.
We figh for the fliore where no grave-gardens be —
But we joyfully welcome the friends who remain.
As proudly we hail thee, our home by the fea.
We alfo add a number of Poems, fent in to
the Committee, which will be read with intereft.
AN ODE FOR THE OCCASION.
WRITTEN BY A DAUGHTER OF NEWPORT.
All hail to Rhode Ifland ! where'er we may roam.
The home of our childhood is ever our home ;
And though abfent for years, there is no place on earth
Like the home of our boyhood, the land of our birth.
There our firft breath was drawn, the firft youthful emo
tion.

EVENING FESTIVITIES.

199

Was ftrengthened and nurfed by the breath of the ocean ;
Like the waves of that ocean, though far we may roam.
Again we come back to our old Ifland home.
Then hail to Rhode Ifland, &c.
Years have paft, we're returned in our manhood and prime.
To tread the fame foil of our childhood's bright time ;
Old Newport remains, but thofe are not here
To welcome us back that in childhood were dear.
Our parents, where are they ? alas ! paffed away ;
They fleep in " God's acre " the long funny day ;
But their fpirits are with us wherever we roam.
And rejoice with us now in our old ifland home.
Then hail to Rhode Ifland, &c.
Their fpirits go with us to-day to each fpot
That's fo linked with the paft it can ne'er be forgot.
The beach where we bathed, and the pond where we fkated.
The fchools, where we ftudied, till with Daboll quite fated.
We turned to our grammar, our fpelling and writing.
And lefTons unlearned which we aimed at reciting.
Till tired of confiement, we all wifhed to roam.
Long, long ere the fchoolmafter bade us go home.
Then hail to Rhode Ifland, &c.
At the end of each week, how we boys would all ftrive
To out do each other from two until five.
In the fpeeches we made of fo great a variety.
They muft fadly have talked our fchoolmafter's fobriety.
As we tell of thofe days, no one will refute us.
That Cicero, Cato, and Cassar and Brutus,

200 THE RE-UNION.
And a great many others were murdered each week
By a troop of us boys while endeavoring to fpeak.
Then hail to Rhode Ifland, &c.
But the school-houfe has gone, and the mafter departed,.
And the boys that were with us, fo gay and light-heated,.
Have grown into men of bufinefs and care.
And are fcattered abroad, we could fcarcely tell where.
Till to-day, re-united, together we ftand—
A group of all agesy a Rhode Ifland band.
Then hail to Rhode Ifland, &c.
But many we' mifs from the fchool-room and hearth.
That claimed our loved Ifle as the land of their birth;
Some reft in its bofom, and fome, far from here.
Sleep their long dreamlefs fleep without trouble or fear.
They await that re-union that 's pfomifed above ;
That " feaft of all nations," the union of love ;
But their fpirits are with us to-day as we roam
O'er the land of our birth-place, our ocean-girt home.
Then hail to Rhode Ifland, &c.

HOME, SWEET HOME.
Mid pleafures and palaces, tho' we may roam.
Our hearts, dear Rhode Island, are true to our home,
A charm from the fkies feems to hallow us there.
Which, feek thro' the world, is ne'er met with elfewhere.
Home ! Home ! fweet, fweet home.
Be it ever fo humble, there's no place like Home.

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 201
We have travelled abroad — we have failed on the Rhine,
But ne'er have we met fuch a cfimate as thine.
The fkies are no purer on Italy's fhore
Than thofe we now meet in our loved ifle once more.
Home,— there's no place like Home.
Our Beach, how delightful to vifit once more.
And bathe in the ocean again as of yore.
To gaze on the Spouting Rock, Lilly Pond Glen,
And in Paradife roam througjh the green fields again.
Home, — there's no place like home.
An exile from home, fplendor dazzles in vain.
How gladly we hail this dear ifland again.
Our dear native ifland 1 thou gem of the fea.
Oh long have we wifhed to return home to thee.
Home ! Home ! fweet, fweet home.
Be it ever fo humble, there's no place like Home.

OUR NATIVE ISLE.
We have gathered — we have gathered
In our native ifle again.
Long divided — widely fevered.
Come we now from mound and plain.
Crowded mart and lonely valley,
Weftern lakes and Southern fea.
Now within our native ifland.
We will fing of Liberty.
>9

202 THE RE-UNION.
Let the anthem rifing, fwelling.
Float acrofs our lovely Bay,
With old ocean's billow blending.
And the ripple of the fpray
O'er our beaches, hills and valleys,
Smiling to the fapphire fky,
Churchyard green and ancient homefteads.
Wake the fong of Liberty.
Anthem meet for Newport's children.
Requiem meet for fainted dead.
Far thro' every State and Nation,
Bid the thundering chorus fpread,
'Till each fetter breaks afunder,
'Till free hands are raifed on high,
'Till thro' all this mighty country,
Burft glad fhouts of Liberty. Ellen.
ACROSTIC. By p. B.
Wake up, gentle morn ! let the ties which hath bound us.
Exert us to move in this fplendid array ;
Let our Sons and our Daughters who clufter around us,
Confefs that our ardor hath felt no decay.
Our hearts muft be open as well as our houfes.
Magnificence reigning in Newport all day, —
Each man muft be true to the caufe fhe efpoufes —
The tribute is grand that to JFriendfhip we pay.

EVENING FESTIVITIES.

203

O, who, that from home and from kindred have wandered.
Need be told of the fweetnefs, the joy and the blifs.
Emerging from hearts which in filence have pondered.
With long cheriflied hopes of a. meeting like this.
Prepare the rich feaft, and emit the libation.
Ornament the gay cottage, the palace and dome.
Relume the pavilion, recite the Oration,
Then tell them 'tis Newport thus welcomes them home.
His Honor then introduced the Toaft-rnafter of
the day, Mr. Atkinson, who gave, as a clofing
fentiment —
The Day We Celebrate^ — May it ever be regarded as a
day of joyous remihifcences, and remembered, as one of
perpetual funfhine, by all the Sons and Daughters of New
port. The Mufical Inftitute, under the diredion of
Mr. TouRjEE, then fang the
VALEDICTORY HYMN.
When fhall we all meet again.
When fhall we all meet again.
Oft fliall glowing hope expire.
Oft fhall wearied love retire.
Oft fhall death and forrow reign.
Ere we gather home again.

204 THE RE-UNION.
But while we on earth remain.
Oft we'll gather up again,
Sweeteft memories of this hour.
And our hearts will feel the power
Of the tie uniting here,
All who hold Rhode Ifland dear.
Bearing with us all the while.
Loving thought of this dear ifle.
Ifle of beauty, fare thee well.
Some of us far hence muft dwell.
Yet we often hope to come
Hither to our cherifhed home ;
Brothers ! Sifters ! Fare thee well !
Be it ours in Heaven to dwell, —
When the fcenes of earth is o'er.
There to meet and part no more.
At the conclufion of the hymn, the Feftivities,
of this long-to-be-remembered, glorious Re-union
were concluded by finging the Doxology, in
which the whole audience united, to the tune of
" Old Hundred,"
"Praife God, from whom all bleffings flow."

EVENING FESTIVITIES.

205

At twelve o'clock, the vaft affemblage of Sons
and Daughters had quietly feparated, all of
whom hoping, no doubt, that they may live to
enjoy, at fome future time, another re-union,
equally pleafant, harmonious and fuccefsful.
A number of Addreffes prepared for the
occafion, could not be d-elivered for want of
time. At the folicitation of the Committee, the
feveral delegates have furniflied copies of thefe
to be inferted in the record, and it is with pleas
ure that we ihere place them before the reader.
The firft is from. Thomas Vernon, Efq., a
returned Son, and the delegate from New York :
Mr. Mayor, 'and fellow-citizens of Newport :
When, Sir, 'Grecian colonifts left the mother
city, they took, from off the public hearth, the
facred fire of home, and carried it with them to
their new abodes, where its hallowed glow kept
bright within the exile's heart the memories and
traditions of his native city. Filial affedion
and a common religion rendered ftrong the fealty
of the colonifts to the parent city; and, on fol
emn municipal feftivals, the rnother city wel
comed back to her bofom her abfent Sons. Mr.
18

206 THE RE-UNION.
Mayor, the hallowed fire of our old Newport
hearths we ftill keep alive in our new homes;
and. Sir, the bleffed offspring of the faith of our
fathers, "foul-liberty," is ftill our boaft and our
pricelefs heritage wherever we go. On this feftal
day, joyoufly we return to our mother city, and
thank Heaven that we were born on a foil fo
rich and precious in its memories, fo eloquent
and fublime in its hiftory.
Away, Sir, from our home, we ever proudly
claim that the principle ; which evoked Rhode
Ifland into exiftence has exerted, and ftill exerts
an influence upon the fortunes of our race, altor
gether difproportioned to the geographical Umifi
of the State. And, Sir, confpicuous in the early
ftruggle for the affertion of this principle, were
our Coddingtons, our Coggeshalls, our Clarkes,
our Hiitchinfons, all men of Newport ; and. Sir,
I believe that the dignity of charader, and the
fuccefs which diftinguiflies the Sons of Newport,
wherever they go, are chiefly due to that felf-
reliance and individualifm which the religionof
" foul-liberty " nurtured. '
How proud and glorious are the hiftorical
affociations of old Newport ! We boaft that
Newport was once the metropolis of the cole-

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 207
nies and the feat of letters and refinement on this
continent. Our noble harbor once briftled with
forefts of mafts; here lived merchant princes,
known all over North America, and whofe influ
ence and correfpondence was folicited by Euro
pean houfes ; here, too, the thrifty Jews — our
Lopezes and our Touros — filled their ftorehoufes
with the merchandife of every clime ; while, in
yonder fynagogue, they worfliipped the God of
Abraham. So eminent was the pofition of
Newport in colonial times, that antiquarians tell
us that letters for New York from Europe, in
order to reach that modeft fea-fliore town, are
known to have been direded to " New York,
near Newport, Rhode Ifland."
Here, too, the lovely climate of our ifland, its
pidurefque landfcapes and fea-views, and its
elegant fociety, attraded the learned of the colo
nies and of other climes. On yonder cliffs the
gentle fpirit of Berkeley was wont to mufe pro
foundly. Our gorgeous funfets and our mel
lower than Italian ikies, infpired the genius of a
Stuart, a King, and a Malbone ; and here
" An AUfton's foul-enkindled eye
Drank in the glories of our funfet fky."

2o8 THE RE-UNION.
Here, too, lived famous divines. Here Hop
kins preached his ftern theology, and the learned
Styles began to run his career of academic honors.
And, in boyhood, our own Channing was wont
to wander along our ocean fliore, " dear to him
in sunfhine, ftill more attradive in the ftorm.
There he lifted up his voice in praife amidft the
tempeft ; there, foftened by beauty, he poured
out his thankfgivings and contrite confefljons,*
and there, in reverential fympathy with the
mighty power around him, he became confcious
of power within." As he gazed upon the ocean,
boundlefs, uncontrolled, fave by Deity — fit em
blem of human freedom — he conceived the dead-
lieft hatred of human oppreffion, and the fondeft
devotion to liberty.
But, Sir, well alfo may we be proud of the
hiftory of Newport during the Revolution.; it is
the hiftory of her self-facrifice. Although the
favored children of commerce, and certain, from
the very pofition of their port, to fall a prey to
hoftile plunder, the noble merchants of Newport
enthufiaftically facrificed their fortunes to the;
caufe of their country. Their argofies were
deftroyed, and they were themfelves driven from, *
their homes. I beUeve, Sir, it was this devotioiiw
to liberty which coft Newport her power.

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 209
Dear Sir, to us are thefe memories and thefe
affociations; but, dearer ftill, to us, is old New
port, becaufe it is the home of our fathers and
mothers — the home of our brothers and fifters —
the home of our childhood and of our fchool
mates. Dear and precious to us ftill are the old
church and the fchoolhoufe ; hallowed to us by
innocent pleafures, are the harbor, the ponds, the
beach, the creek, the boat-houfe. Sacred, for
ever, to us, is yonder old North Yard, where
fleep fo many of thofe whom we loved, over
whofe bofoms affedion wUl lovingly featter -the
flowers of fummer.
Whether life be drear or joyous, ftorm or fuij-
fliine, whatever changes of Ufe await us, yqt
thou, fair ifle, wilt ever be the fame to us; the
fpray-wreathed headland will ever ftretch its
brawny neck towards the fea ; old .ocean's deep-
toned voice will ever fpeak to us in 'thofe fame
myfterious, majeftic tones with which Ihe awe4
our childhood into thoughtful reverence; the
facred duft of our fathers fliall become part.ojf
thy hallowed foU ; as lafting and unchanging a/?
thefe fliall be our love to thee, dear ifle of oujr
fathers ! The fqnd words of a Newport bard,
whofe fweet mufe has thrown a gentle halo pv§j:
18

210 THE RE-UNION.
the later annals of Newport, have, from child
hood, been precious in my memory, and to-day
I would gratefully recall them.
/'There is a glory haunts thy fapphire fky.
Thy emerald fwell and flopes not foon fhall die ;
Old ocean's bofoin heaves with pride for thee.
And lends the eye of day with love to fee .
Thine inland beauties and thy feaward fweep, ,,*-
O, fair, midft faireft daughters of the deep ! "
The following -is from William E. Almy,
Efq., of New London, Conn. :
Mr. Mayor: — The Sons and Daughters of
Newport, refident at New London, thank , you
with their whole heart for this moft gratifying
welcome to their native city.
The lot of thofe for whom I fpeak to-day. has
been caft among a kind, a generous, and a
fpirited people. We live in fight of lofty mon
uments, which tell of bloody ftrife for liberty;
we live where Arnold's torch ferved but to
iUume more brightly the pathway to freedom;
we live where rocks, and hills, and dales echo
and re-echo the fweet ftjains' of their lamented
Brainard. Such a people will permit us, on this
occafion, to fay that our firft love, and our firft

EVENING FESTIVITIES. 211
duty, is to the city of our birth. We are happy
to avow it.
As, a few days fince, we glided ovev your
beautiful bay, we foon recognized the objeds
moft famihar to us. There was "Tammany
Hill," there the fymmetrical fpire of dear old
Trinity Church, to meet the fun in his coming,
and be gilded by his morning and evening rays.
There the great fortrefs, a monument to the fkill
of a Totten ; there the afylum, which humanity
has ereded to flielter thofe whom misfortune has
fmitten with the feverer trials of life ; there that
monument, which reminds us of the battle-
thunders of Erie, and of the fplendid naval hero
— our own brave and beloved Perry, and thofe
of his command — there the lime rocks, the
clufter of willows, where hilarity and joyoufnefs
have fo often reigned ; there the blue rocks, ftill
wiUing to hear the tender tale ; there the dear
old State Houfe, the found of whofe bells, on
Eledion morn, was fweeter mufic to our juvenile
ears than would be that of the combined bands
of the world. Here memory comes with a rulh,
and claims our tribute to the attradions of that
holiday of the old and the young. We fee the
tents, the cakes, the colored eggs, the egg-pop.

212 ¦ THE RE-UNION.
the proceffion, the Governor, and we hear the
proclamation, and the artillery falute ; we fee our
bright pennies and hear their magic jingle-^dear
and fweet recoUedions, never to be forgotten !
Traverfing thefe ftreets, we have gazed upon
that antiquarian jewel,, which, laft evening, was
tnade to dazzle by the cunning of man. We.
have feen, toOj with renewed admiration and
fpell-bound feeling, that claffical gem in archi-
tedure, founded by a Redwood's liberality. We
have feen the Mall, preffed the verdant turf,
luxuriated in the grateful fhade. We paufed
by the fountain, gufliing forth a fparklingftreani;'
who fliall fay it will ever flake our thirft for our
".ifland home? " We have ftood by the Jewiflt'
Temple, that myftery of our childhood, which
reminds us of the generofity of a " Touro." We
have ftood on yonder beach, and renewed our
homage to " the glad waters of the dark blue
fea," whofe beautifully-fringed billowSj as they'
broke at our feet, feemed to bid us " welcome.*'
Wherever elfe we look, changes are fo great aiid
fo apparent, that we are wont to exclaim,
" There architefture's noble pride
Bids elegance ^nd fplendor rife.''

EVENING FESTIVITIES.

213

It is here that this " lovelieft gem on the bofom
of the ocean," fpreads for her votaries her richeft
and her grandeft banquet. Is it too much to
fay that there are thoughts in embryo, affociated
with yonder " Spouting Rock," and its terrible
conflids with the furging billows, which will yet
be fung with rapture by every Son and Daughter
df Newport ? Was not Bruce's Addrefs born of
the rolling thunder and the lightning's flafli ?
There ftands the dear old Market, through
whofe arches our youthful eyes have gazed on
marly a joyous fcene. We yield it our grateful
homage, and may it endure to awaken afrefti the
early joys of returning pilgrims to their native
home. Mr. Mayor, our hearts glow with a burning
gratitude, as we thank the municipal authorities,
and the citizens generally of this city, for their
affedionate, guardian care over the facred fpot
which holds the remains of fo many worthies,
and of thofe near and dear to us.
Science has limited the ftrings of the mufical
harp, but flie Ihrinks from an alike arrangement
of thofe of the harp of the heart, which, count-
lefs though they be, vibrate in unifon to-day,
and echo fweetly all over and around this

214 "^^^ RE-UNION.
lovely fpot, Auld Lang Syne, and Home, fweet
home. ,
Lieutenant Thomas M. Brownell was to
. reply to the toaft complimentary to the " Heroes
of Lake Erie," and thefe remarks he was prepared
to offer on the occafion.
Mr. Prefident, Ladies, and Gentlemen : — I rife tp
tender you my unfeigned thanks for the flatter
ing compliment juft paid to me, and my young
friend here, by Dr. Parfons ; alfo, in behalf of our
abfent comrades — three in number. We, too,
Sir, were once abfent from little Rhoda. It was
on the loth of September, 1813, and that faft
makes us to-day the guefts of the city, to fhafe
with you its hofpitalities.
Sir, the memorable tenth was on that day that
the gallant Perry led us boys to battle and to
vidory, and fliowed to an aftoniflied world that
the invincibility of the Englifli lion and its
wooden walls was broken, and fignally fo ; for,
on that day, for the firft and laft time, England
loft a fleet. And this, it has been faid, was a
Rhode Ifland fight. It was ; for Rhode Ifland
had more officers and men in that battie than
any other State ; and they were led by that good
and brave officer, Oliver H. Perry, our fellow

evi;ning FESTIVITIES. 215
townfman. Sir, Rhode Ifland did her duty on
tha^ day, and will continue ever fo to do, when
menaced by her own, or her country's enemies.
Her Sons, I am fure, will be ever proud and
wiUing to ftep into the front ranks of danger,
to defend the State, or the United States ; and
you, who are here gathered together at this
happy re-union would, if neceffary, ftep forward
in defence of your liberty, gained for you by
your fathers, and not only do as others have
done, but far outftrip them .in deeds of bravery
and daring.
In concluding, Mr. Prefident,* permit me to
offer the following toaft :
The Fair Daughters of Rhode Ifland, may they be ever
happy and bleffed in fuch a Union as they may choofe.
The following beautiful lines were contributed
by Henry T. Tuckerman, Efq., who could not
be prefent on the occafion :
Though not thy fon. Oh let me claim to be
Thy fofter-child, old city by the fea !
For, cradled on thy waters, I have known
The heart of Nature piilfate to my own ;
Like a loved voice, the fighing of thy trees.
Swayed by the dalliance of the weftern breezei

2i6 the re-union.
Tender the greeting from that myftic tide,
Whofe tepid currents ocean's realm divide ;
Kindred the welcome of the fummer day.
As flits our bark athwart the peerlefs bay ;
Cordial the rude embraces of thy vrave.
In whofe refrefliing arms we gaily lave.
And free our courfe along the crefcent fand
Whence the broad furges limitlefs expand.
While from their lucent curves the winds at play
Caft on fair cheeks the gliftening pearls of fpray, '
And level funbeams crimfon radiance pour
Through filver mifts that veiled the peopled fhore,
•On mill and hayftack mellow luftre throw.
And bathe the landfcape wilh an amber glow,!
Nor lefs endeared the upland where we gaze
On the gnarled orchard and the twinklirig maize.
And watch afar the inlet'a aZure fheen.
Like cryfolites each rocky ledge between ;
And gable roofs whofe cafements ftill betray.
By fond infcriptions. Love's old holiday.
The hill whofe grafs-grown ramparts yet declare
How freedom's champions wreftled with defpair.
The Druid grove, which hallowed memories grace.
As Channing's thoughts inveft his dwelling place;
The ancient temple in whofe'mufic ftill
The generous heart of Berkeley feems to thrill ;
( The Jews, lone fhrine and grave none haunt to weep ;
The fhaft that marks where Perry's aflies fleep ;
The Clifl's green marge, yon Doric home of lore;
The funfet hues that Malbone loved of yore —
This heritage of nature and of fame.
Not 'Csxj fons only, but thy lovers claim.

( 217 )
CHAPTER X.
CONCLUSION.
The Feftival is over, and is now a thing that
has paffed ; but long, long wiU the memory of it
befrefti, not only here, but all over this broad land;
' and wherever the Sons and Daughters who have
recently affembled in Newport have anchored
for Me, their old hD.Ti;, the place of their birth,
will be held dearer than ever before. The
fcenes witneffed during the paft few days can
never be forgotten ; they will be handed dawn
from father to ion, with many another tale of
this old ifland and its people ; and the boys and
girls of another generation, filled with the fame
love and veneration for a fpot fo dear to their
parents, will deem it a pleafure and a privilege
to congregate here, as their fathers have recently
done, and for a fimilar purpofe. Born though
they may be on other foil, they will never lofe
their allegiance to Rhode Ifland, the fpot where
their forefathers in peace repofe.
Nor is the ftrengthening of old ties all the
'9

2i8 the re-union.
good that is to grow out of a re-unipn, fuch as
we have witneffed. Better things than even this
will come of it. The affedions have not only
been unlocked, but the whole inner man has
been deeply ftirred. That vaft affembly was a
unit, and, when one of their number alked the
bleffing of Heaven on the purpofe for which
they were gathered, three thoufand men and
women involuntarily rofe, and bowed the head
in refponfe to thofe folemn words ; arid eyes,
unufed to tears, wept as one eloquent fpeaker
after another vividly called up fcenes in which
they had all participated, but which, in the
lapfe of time, had been almoft forgotten. With
all the joy and pleafure of fuch a meeting, there
was a ferioufnefs that arrefted the attention of
thofe who were there merely as fpedators, and
who have fince faid they had a higher refpefl:
for Rhode Iflanders than ever before, high as
they have ever held them* They have alfo
attefted to the bearing of the Sons here affem
bled, and the value to be fet on the friendfliip
and efteem bf fuch men. Nor is this furpris-
ing ; for here were thoufands affembled, taken'
from all claffes of fociety — ^men fuddenly called
from the homes of their adoption to fee each

CONCLUSION, 219
other, and with no reftraint put upon them but
that which a fenfe of propriety would didate ;
and yet, in all that concourfe, there was not one,
fo far as we have been able to learn, whofe
condud was not creditable to the whole. This,
we take it, is one of the points on which we
may dweU with moft pleafure ; for it tells of that
difcipline of charader, which marked the early
fettlers of the colony; men whofe example has
not been loft on their defcendants of to-day.
And of the fpeakers it was faid, they were in
earneft ; the idea of making a fpeech feemed to
be the fartheft from their thoughts. They had
fomething pertinent to fay; and they faid it
with all their hearts, and with an eloquence, the
birth of the moment, which carried convidion to
every ear. ,
Many allufions, public and private, ¦ have
fince been made to the pleafure experienced ori
that day by thofe who were fo fortunate as to
be prefent, or had we the fpace at command,
we might infert many of thefe letters and
printed articles. The following is a private
letter ; but, as it contains that which muft be
gratifying to every Son of Newport, we hope
we may be pardoned for introducing it here.
It is dated Bofton, Auguft 25, 1859 :

220 THE RE-UNION.
* * * " Let me fay fomething which I have
not faid before. My pilgrimage to Newport
has given me the fincereft pleafure, which was
too much abridged by duties at home. As the
poet fays of Gilpin, let me fay :
" And when he next doth ride abroad.
May I be there to fee."
Not that I rate my beloved town with that
hero, nor the re-union with that race of the val
iant citizens. O, no. Sir. It was an incident
in my long life which I will never forget. With
its memory is affociated my deepeft thanks to
thofe under whofe generous patronage — the city
and citizens of Newport — and thofe alfo in
whofe hand were its details. Never was there;
a better work, or one more nobly done. Indi--
viduaUy do I feel indebted to them for a high
and true pleafure, and to all do I render my
deepeft thanks.
Accept my true regard, and believe me, very i
truly, yours,
WALTER CHANNING."
And we clofe with an extrad from a letter to
the New York Times, from the pen of fome
fpedator unknown to the Committee :

CONCLUSION. 221
"Among fome of the ftatements made at the
re-union, and which your reporter had, doubtlefs
neither fpace nor time to prefent, or which were
given in the fpeeches deUvered at a late hour of
the night to the wonderfully patient audience,
there were fome of general intereft, worth
noting. It was declared that the firft ledures on anat
omy and furgery ever delivered in public in
America, were delivered here by Dr. William
Hunter ; that the firft inftance of the perform
ance of vaccination occurred here ; the firft build
ing to be lighted with gas, in this country, was
here ; the firft fight of a fleet of the American
Navy was under the command of, and principally
manned by, Newport men ; the firft feafon of the
Revolution was that of the taking of the Gafpee,
in Narraganfett Bay, and that the firft refiftance
to "taxation without reprefentation" was made
in a proteft from this Colony ; a copy, and, per
haps, the only one exifting of which, is preferved
in London.
To thefe ftatements of the paft may be added
fome memorable fads concerning the Celebra
tion itfelf, viz. :
1. There was more provifion prepared than
19*

222 THE RE-UNION.
even the vaft company could ufe, and all of it
good. 2. There was not an accident or difturbance,
3. There was not, fo far as is known, a fingle
pocket picked.
4. There was not any arreft, nor the neces-
fity for any.
Whether there is anything unufual in thefe
fads, every reader of yours will know as well as
your humble fervant."

( 223 )

CHAPTER XI.

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

Every reader of thefe pages is probably aware
that, during the paft year, great changes have
been made, both in the external appearance
and the internal arrangements of the Redwood
Library — changes effeded through the liberality
of its numerous friends, and which refled the
higheft credit on the tafte and judgment of all
who have been inftrumental in accomplifhing
this great end. When the work was brought
to a clofe, it was decided to commemorate the
event by an Inaugural Addrefs, to be delivered
on the day following the Re-union, and Hon.
George G. King was invited to prepare the
Addrefs ; but, owing to the illnefs of the orator,
the Celebration had to be poftponed, and we
here infert a fketch of the Library, with fome
account of its early hiftory, which we prepared
at the time for .the Providence Journal, as appro
priate to the time and the place.

224 the re-union.
its rise, history, and present condition,
Newport, August 17, 1859.
The readers of the Journal, a year ago, were
made acquainted with the munificent gift of
numerous friends of the Redwood Library, who
generoufly fubfcribed and paid in the liberal
fum often thoufand dollars, for the enlargement-
and general improvement of the edifice, and the
increafe of the valuable coUedion of books. At
the prefent time, it affords me pleafure to fay
that the wiflies of the donors have been carried
out in fpirit, and with a fidelity every way com
mendable, and the promoters of fo great a good
have the hearty thanks of all who are interefted
in this venerable inftitution.
How the fum above referred to was raifed; and
in what way it has been expended, fhall be the
fubjed of remark to-day. But firft let me devote
a portion of the fpace afligned to your correfpon-'
dent, to a general hiftory of the Library, from its
foundation to the prefent time. Of necefUtyi^
the fketch muft be brief; but it will suffice to
fhow how the fame noble end may be attained
in almoft any town of ten or a dozen thoufand
inhabitants, if a few public-fpirited men, like the

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY. 225
founders of this Library — the Redwoods, the
Collins, Updikes, Scotts, and others affociated
with them, — would but take the initiative, and
demonftrate by their own ads the value to be
placed on a knowledge of books, not only by
the profeflional ftudent, but alfo by men engaged
in purfuits which are too often fuppofed to in
terfere with a general acquaintance with the
whole field of Uterature.
The period in the hiftory of Newport to
which I am about to refer, was diftinguiflied in
many ways. Newport at that day was preem
inent for its cultivated and refined fociety,
extended commercial relations, and general pros
perity. To this mart men of bufinefs reforted
from all parts of the country; and here, too,
affembled diftinguiflied fcholars from abroad, as
well as from the different feats of learning in our
own land. Here the ftudent found the fineft
chemical laboratory in America, and the only
garden in the country deferving the name of
Botanical Garden ; here he had accefs to valua
ble colledions of books, not only thofe fent out
to Trinity Church by the " Society for Propagat
ing the Gofpel in Foreign Parts," but alfo the
private libraries imported at the expenfe of men

226 THE RE-UNION.
deeply engaged in commercial purfuits for their
own improvement ; and here he was introduced
to a fociety compofed of thefe fame high-minded
men, affociated with eminent divines, lawyers
and phyficians, who were in conftant correfpond
ence with the moft learned focieties in the mothet
country. Culture, not wealth, was the mark of
diftindion, and he who could add to the literary
enjoyment of his friends, was received into the
body he was fitted to adorn.
This fociety was eftabliflied in 1730, and owed
its origin undoubtedly to the prefence of Bifliop
(then Dean) Berkeley, who, it is well known,
fpent about two years on the ifland at that period,
vainly hoping that the promifed grant on the
part of the Crown for the founding of a univei'-
fity at the Bermudas, would be forthcoming, till
at laft circumftances compelled him to abandon
his projed and return to Dublin. His landing
here, though not accidental, as it has fometimes
been ftated, was quite unexpeded to the inhabi
tants. He was received on the dock by the rec
tor and congregation of Trinity Church, and on
finding himfelf furrounded by men of learning,
with whom he could affociate with pleafure, he
decided to remain here for a feafon, and at once

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

227

joined heartily in their literary purfuits. Mem
bers of all denominations were drawn around
him, and his whole time was devoted to ads of
benevolence, and the promotion of knowledge.
It was at this time that the " Society for the
Promotion of Knowledge and Virtue " was eftab
liflied, and this is nearly all the information in
regard to the Society that we have, for its records
have been loft, probably burned, and it was by
the mereft chance that the names of its founders,
and its rules and regulations have been faved
from a like mifliap. A century after the Society
was formed, (1813,} a gentleman plucked from
a burning heap of old papers a difcolored fheet,
on which was infcribed all that we know of the
Society. The papers confumed belonged to
Judge Edward Scott, an adive member of the
Society, and the fragment faved is in his hand
writing, as Moderator of the meeting in 1735.
The following comprifes the names of the
original members : Daniel Updike, Peter Bours,
James Searing, Edward Scott, Henry Collins,
Nathan Townfend, Jr., Jeremy Condy, and
James Honyman, Jr.
Daniel Updike was the fon of Gilbert Updike,
a German phyfician, who emigrated to Rhode

228 THE RE-UNION.
Ifland from New Amfterdam, (now New York,)
in 1664. Daniel was educated in his father's
houfe, and early applied himfelf to the ftudy of,
the law, in which profeflion he became diftin
guiflied. In Newport he opened an office, and
here he fubfequently married a daughter of
Gov. Benedick Arnold. In 1722, he was eleded
Attorney General, and from that date he was in
adive pubUc life. With Bifliop Berkeley he
was intimate ; they vifited Narraganfett to
gether, and his biographer, a defcendant, has
paid a juft tribute to his memory in the Memoirs
of the Rhode Ifland Bar.
Peter Bours was a merchant — an importer of
dry goods — a friend of learning, and not un
known in public life. At the time the Library
was incorporated, he was Firft Affiftant Deputy
in the General Affembly ; at the fame time Dan
iel Updike was Attorney General, and William
EUery, (father of the figner of the Declaration
of Independence,) an early member of the So
ciety, was Lieutenant Governor.
But little in relation to the Rev. James Sear
ing has come down to us, beyond the fad that
he was eleded Paftor of the Second Congrega
tional Church, in 1731, which office he held up

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

229

to the time of his death, in 1755. He was fuc
ceeded by Rev. Ezra Styles, who, at the requeft
(as he himfelf ftates in his Diary, in 1772,) of a
Committee of the congregation, wrote the fol
lowing epitaph, which was engraved on his
graveftone :
"Here Ues a Chriftian Minifter, facred to
whofe Memory the Congregation, late his Pas
toral charge, ereded this Monument, a teftimony
to Pofterity of their Refped for the amiable
charader of the Rev. James Searing, their late
venerable Paftor, who was born at Hempftead, on
Long Ifland, Sept. xxiii, mdcciv. Received a
liberal education at Yale College ; ordained to
the paftoral charge of the Church and Chriftian
Society meeting in Clarke ftreet, Newport, R. I.,
 xxi. MDccxxxi., where he ferved in the
Chriftian Miniftry xxiv. years, and died Jany vi.
MDccLv. setat L. He always entertained a
rational and fober veneration of the Moft High,
whom he regarded as the Father of the Univerfe,
the Wife Governor and benevolent Friend of
the Creation. He was a fteady advocate of -the
Redeemer and his Religion ; by recommending
Virtue and Piety upon Chriftian Principles in
his public Inftrudions and in his own excellent
example. His contempt of Bigotry, his exten
five Charity and Benevolence, and an exemplary
goodnefs of Life, juftly endeared him to his
2o

230 THE RE-UNION.
Flock, and not only entitled him, but gained him,
that very general acceptance and efteem which
perpetuates his Memory with deferved Reputar
tion and Honor."

Judge Edward Scott was a lawyer of emi
nence, and diftinguiflied for his attainments. I
have feen it recorded that he was uncle to Sir
Walter Scott's father.
Henry Collins was a diftinguiflied merchant
of Newport — diftinguiflied not only for his fuc
cefs in mercantile affairs, but alfo for his learn
ing, refined tafte in literature and the fine arts,,
benevolence and devotion to a wife and general
diffufion of knowledge. He was thirty-one
years of age, at the time that he affociated with the
above-named men, for the purpofe of founding
a Literary and Philofophical Society, adively
engaged in bufinefs, and ready, with heart and
hand, to profper every good and noble work —
one of the ftrongeft evidences of which was the
gift of the land on which the Library now
ftands, then known as Bowling Green, to fecond
Mr. Redwood's liberal offer, to which I fhall
prefently have occafion to refer.
Mr. CoUins formed a gallery of paintings — a

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

231

rare thing in America at that day. Dr. Water
houfe, recalling, later in life, the impreflion made
on him by this CoUedion, fays of Henry Collins :
"He was a wealthy merchant and a man of
tafte. He caused paintings to be made of Parfon
Callender, as well as fome other divines, as
Hitchcock, Clapp, and Dean Berkeley, which
he often admired in the Collins Collection."
Tradition alfo fays that moft of thefe portraits
were painted by Smibert, who vifited this coun
try with Berkeley, and it is known that Mr.
Collins extended a hearty welcome , to, and em
ployed the pencil of every artift who touched
thefe fliores.
There was another noble trait in the charader
of Mr. Collins, which fhould not go unnoticed.
Deferving young men, ftruggling with the world,
and anxious to acquire a liberal education, found
in him a true friend, and many who, but for this
timely affiftance, would have paffed through life
unnoticed, became prominent through their ac
quirements, and an ornament to fociety. Every
meafure, calculated to promote the public good,
he heartily endorfed, and the extenfion of Long
Wharf, the budding of the Brick MarkeJ, now
the City Hall, and other public works, owed

232 THE RE-UNION.
much of their fuccefs to his liberality and coun
tenance. But misfortunes fell upon him in his
latter days — the loffes attendant on the applica
tion of the Admiralty rule of '56, led the way to
bankruptcy in '65, from the effeds of which he
never recovered; and a few years later, about
1770, he died, greatly refpeded and long to be
remembered for his noble ads, his liberaUty, and
his generous culture.
Of Nathan Townfend, Jr., and Jeremy Condy,
I know nothing — the names, as affociated with
the Society, alone remain to us.
James Honyman, Jr., fon of Rev._ James Hony
man, who, for more than fifty years, wasredor of
Trinity Church, was born in Newport, and early
attained to a prominent pofition in public affairs.
A fketch of his life will be found in the Memoirs
of the Rhode Ifland Bar. He died during the
time the Britifli troops were on the ifland, and
was interred in Trinity Churchyard. On the
ftone placed over his remains, we find this
tribute to his worth : " He was eminent in his
profeflion as Attorney at Law, and for many;
years was employed in the moft important offices .
of government."
Thefe were the men who organized the So-

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

233

ciety, and formed a code for the government of
its members. Fortunately, as I have already
remarked, a copy of these Rules has been pre
ferved. They are but little known, and it may
not be out of place to introduce a few of them
here, for they have a dired bearing on the hiftory
of the Redwood Library.
Article 1. The members of the Society
fliall meet every Monday evening, at the houfe
of one of the members, feriatim, and converfe
about and debate fome ufeful queftions in Divin
ity, Morality, Philofophy, Hiftory, &c.
Art. 2. The member who propofes the ques
tion fliall be moderator, (pro hac vice,) and fee
that order and decency be maintained in all the
debates and converfations.
Art. 3. Every member in order fhall freely
give his opinion, with his reafons, having liberty
to explain the fenfe of the queftion, or his own
expreffion, and to retract or alter his opinion, as
to him fliall feem right.
Art. 4. The member at whofe houfe we
meet fliall propofe a queftion for the next even
ing's converfation, the Society to judge of its
propriety and ufefulnefs, only nothing fhall ever
be propofed or debated, which is a diltinguifhing
religious tenet of any one member.
Art. 5. No member fliall divulge the opinion
or argument of any particular member, as to any
20*

234 THE RE-UNION.
fubject debated in the Society, on penalty of a
perpetual exclufion. Neverthelefs, any member
may gratify the curiofity of any that may inquire
the names, number, general defign, method and
laws of the Society, and the opinions and con-
clufions of the major part, without difcovering
hpw any particular member voted.
Art. 6. The moderator, for the time being,,
fliall keep a book, in which he fliall regifter
the queftions and the folutions or anfwers, and
another for the fines and forfeits that may become
due. Art. 7. The queftion fliall be propounded by
the moderator, exadly at feven in the evening;
or, if he be then abfent, another fliall be choferidn
his room, and whoever fhall come after that fliall
forfeit one fliilling ; whoever is abfent the whole
evening fliall forfeit two fliillings and fixpence;
only the moderator fliall forfeit double," &c.
This article is the longeft, and embraces a
great variety of fines, all of which were to be
coUeded " every month, and laid out in books,
&c., as the Society fliall think beft ;" and it was
this coUedion of books, probably, which was
the nucleus of the prefent library.
Bifliop Berkeley was undoubtedly prefent at all
thefe meetings. The late Hon. W. Hunter, in
his Centennial Addrefs, (which, by the way, I

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY, 235
am happy to fay, will fhortly be printed,) fays
of Berkeley's conncdion with the Society :
" He propofed many of its themes ; he took
a reff:rved and dignified fliare in its conferences ;
he derived an exquifite happinefs, much lefs
from his own confcioufnefs of fuperiority, than
from an opportunity for difcovering and devel
oping nafcent literary talent, and confirming and
invigorating every germ of rational faith and
Chriftian charity. Under a leader and ledurer
like Berkeley, he, the prefiding genius, it is
hardly to be doubted that this, the oral, is the
beft mode of inftrudion. The Society felt but
little need of books when he was prefent. When
withdrawn, it was natural, in the abfence of
Socrates, to afk for the Memorabilia of Xeno-
phon, the Dialogues of Plato, and the Treatifes
of Ariftotle.
Berkeley, therefore, was the remote, not the
proximate caufe of the Inftitution, (the Redwood
Library,) and this opinion is confirmed by after
fads. He praifed and loved Rhode Ifland. He
refers to it, and its inhabitants, in his letters,
with affedionate regard. He even thinks it a
more eligible fite than Bermuda, for the promo
tion of his great fcheme of educating and evan
gelizing the native Indians. But in clofing his
affairs here, he beftowed a large portion of his
own valuable library on the Univerfities of Cam
bridge and Yale, and on the laft his White Hall

236 THE RE-UNION.
eftate, on this ifland. Had the plan of a Ubrary
been matured, or even held up in hopeful prom-
ife, it is fairly prefumable thefe gifts would have
been, in fome degree, otherwife direded."
We have feen, then, how the prefent Society
was formed, who were the leading fpirits, and in
what way a coUedion of books was commenced.
In 1735, the number of members had increafed
from fix to twenty-four, nearly all of whom were
prominent men, and fome of them are known to
hiftory. The fines exaded, in Article Seventh,'
probably amounted to confiderable fums, which
were expended in books; and, in 1747, Abra-:
ham Redwood conceived the happy idea of
founding a public library. To promote this, he
generoufly offered to beftow five hundred pounds
fferling for the purchafe of books, if a fufficient
fum could be raifed to ered a fuitable building
for their reception. Henry Collins, as already
ftated, fubfequently tendered a lot of land for a
fite, and in a fliort time five thoufand pounds
were fubfcribed, by different citizens of the town,
for the eredion of a handfome edifice. The
Library was incorporated the fame year, and the
following year the eredion of the prefent library
building was commenced, under the diredion of

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

237

Peter Harrifon,* and completed in 1749. Har-
rifon was diftinguiflied in his profeffion, and of
him Mr. Hunter thus fpeaks :
" He had been the affiftant archited of Van-
burgh in the eredion of the Duke of Marlborough's
palace at Woodftock. He was undeniably a
man of feience and tafte. Survey the public
and private buildings of this era. Trinity
Church, the North Market, the State Houfe,
the Malbone Town Houfe, the Wanton Houfe,
the Matthew Cozzens, now the CoUins Houfe,
disfigured as they all have been by time, by the
fpoliations of war, and by modern improve
ments. Any inveftigatbr, comparing them with
what exifted in any capital of any one of the colo
nies at the fame time, muft admit in this age, what
was cheerfully admitted in that, that little pre
cocious Rhode Ifland proper ifood at leaft equal
to any : and this comparifon is unaided by any
reference to the Malbone Country Houfe, which
preceded them all in point of time, and furpaffed
them all in tafteful magnificence. It is evident
there were at this era of 1747, allowing half a
generation on each fide of it, the moneyed and
the mental means, the tafte, (and, if you will
moralize,) the profufion and the reckleffnefs to
do all this."
* The name of Jofeph Harrifon has been inferted acciden
tally on the tablet in the library edifice.

238 THE RE-UNION.
The edifice confifted of a principal building
with a fmall wing on each fide, ranging in a line
with the weft end of the building, the front,
which is ornamented with a portico, fuftained by
four finely-proportioned columns. In form, and
in nearly all its details, the building is in the
ftyle of the Roman Doric, with a flight admix
ture of the Ionic in the rear. The plan of the
building, as contraded for, is preferved in the
library, with that for the recent enlargement, and
it has been afcertained that the purpofe of the
founders was to have it enlarged much after the
manner recently adopted, fhould the increafe of
the library at any future day warrant it.
And here I fliould fay a few words in regard
to Abraham Redwood, whofe liberality has fur
niflied, for more than a century, the means of
culture for the many who have appreciated his
generous devotion to the caufe of learning..; It
would be a pleafure to know more of him thah
has come down to us. His portrait graces the
library walls, but of his perfonal hiftory we know
but little. He was born in Antigua, where he
poffeffed a large fugar plantation, Caffada Gar
den, which yielded him an income of froti
JE4000 to £7000 fterling. He was educated in

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY. 239
Philadelphia in a manner befitting one of his
fortune and expedations in life. Attraded to
Newport, he became enamored of Martha Cogge
fliall, to whom he was united in marriage before
he was twenty years of age, and here he refided
during the remainder of his life, "in a ftyle of
opulence," fays Dr. Waterhoufe, " becoming his
fortune, mixed with the elegant fimplicity of
the Quaker."
From the fame fource we gather the following
fads in relation to this diftinguiflied man :
" His town houfe and country houfe indicated
the riches and tafte of the owner ; his botanical
garden was ftored with curious and foreign, as
well as valuable indigenous plants, in either hot
or green-houfes or in the open air.
While he indulged himfelf and friends in
thefe rational amufements, he was not unmindful
of the indigent and unfortunate. Induftrious
young men, ftruggling on to obtain a comforta
ble livelihood for themfelves, were objeds of his
peculiar regard. His munificence was not con
fined, however, to the fcenes df ordinary life, but
took fo wide a range as to rank him with the
Harvards, Yales and Berkeleys.
The medical part of them (the books pur
chafed by Mr. Redwood) were excellent. They
were amply fufficient to give the medical ftudent

240

THE RE-UNION.

competent information of all that was then
known in the Englifli language on anatomy,
furgery, chemiftry, and botany, together with. the
hiftory of drugs, and their various preparations
and ufes, with the hiftory of the progrefs of
phyfic, from Hippocrates to Boerhaave.
After receiving fome donations from certain
individuals, it was deemed the fecond beft col-
ledion of Englifli books in New England. It
was the Redwood Library that rendered reading
fafhionable throughout the little community of
Rhode Ifland, during feventy or eighty years.
It diffufed a knowledge of general and particular
hiftory, geography, and ethics. It opened to the
youth of both fexes an acquaintance with an
tiquity; it gave them a knowledge .of Greece
and Rome, with Afia, modern Europe, the Eng
lifli claffics, and the belles-lettres generally; it
fowed the feeds of the fciences, and rendered the
inhabitants of Newport, if not a learned, yet a
better read and iriquifitive people than any other
town in the Britifli Colonies, and this was owing
to the judicious liberaUty of Abraham Redwood."
To Mr. Hunter's Centennial Addrefs we turn
once more, and there find, in the clofely written
pages, thefe glowing words :
" He (Abraham Redwood) gave freely and
deliberately. He needed no prompter. He

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

241

gave in his lifetime. He was his own almoner
and truftee. He direded the application of his
own gift to its true ufes. He lived to fee his own
beneficent purpofes effeduated. Such a procedure
avoids all the difficulties and dangers of death
bed devises or donations, and obviates or ren
der inapplicable all fatire againft legacy-hunting,
and all declamations againft: property in mort
main. Do you afk for Abraham Redwood the
pomp of eulogy ? Do you call upon me to
read, from the golden letters of a lofty and
highly wrought monument, a grandiloquent epi
taph of this meek adherent of Barclay and
Penn? You afk for what is inappropriate and
inconfifterit. T^his is his monument, and without
the formality of the outward infcription, we
claim from your inward intelledual emotions the
juftice of the application of that fo judicioufly
beftowed upon Sir Chriftopher Wren, the re
nowned archited of St. Paul's in London —
'Lector, ft- monumentum quaris, circumfpice I ' Do
you afk for a moment % look around you."
Turning to_another fource for information —
the unpublifhed Diary of Rev. Dr. Styles, now
depofited in the library of Yale College — foF
information in relation to the library, and Mr.
Redwood's connedion with it, we find this curi
ous paffage :

242 THE RE-UNION.
" This fet ^out as a Quaker affair ; Mr. Red
wood being a Friend, advifed [and] influenced
by his Br. in Law, Thos. Ward, Efq., a Deifti-
cal Baptift ; both thefe Gentl. really defigned it
fhd. be Catholic & without refped of feds. ThrO'
the blindnefs of Mr. Redwood & Ward & Cal
lender (the 2 laft men of great Learning and
Penetration,) the Epifcopalians flily got into it &
obtained a Majority wh. they are careful to keep.
At firft of 46 but 18 were Epifco. In 2y
of 91 members 43 were Epifco. Since this they
are become a Majority. But no body obferves
it but the Founder. The Founder has often
told me of it, & faid it was contrary to his Inten
tion; & that this was one reafon of his refufing
to fit in the Diredors' Meetings."
The above appears in the Diary under date of
January 16, 1773, and will, undoubtedly, be
new to all who are interefted in the library at
this day.
The firft meeting of the Library Company
after their incorporation, was held in September,
1747, at which time the following gentlemen
were chofen officers of the inftitution : Abraham
Redwood, President ; Rev. James Honyman,
Rev. John Callender, Henry Collins, Edward
Scott, Samuel Wickham, John TiUinghaft, and
Peter Bours, Direliors ; Jofeph Jacob, 'Treafurer;

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

243

Edward Scott, Librarian ; and Thomas Ward,
Secretary. On the fourth of the following July, the Di
redors prefented a catalogue of the books they
propofed to purchafe in London ; the order was
fent out with Mr. Redwood's draft for iSj'oo
fterling, and in return, the Company received
about twenty-five hundred volumes. This cata
logue, with the lift of the ftockholders at that
time, has happily been preferved.
I have already freely drawn from Mr. Hun
ter's addrefs, for the reafon that it has never ap
peared in print, and was only heard in 1847 by
a favored few who were prefent at that time.
Turning to it again, I give here his opinion of
these books :
" The books this five hundred pounds purchas
ed in 1747, were fuch as our forefathers deemed
of ufeful literature. There were among them
men wlao had breathed the claffic atmofphere,
not only of our own Cambridge and Yale, but of
the elder Cambridge, and who had trod the quad
rangles of fome of the colleges of Oxford. The
original invoice is for fcholars not only a curi
ofity, but a relic. There are fome books there
that muft be reverenced, as one of the elder
church would reverence the bones of bleffed
martyrs."

244 THE RE-UNION.
And here I find that I muft retrench, left my
interieft in the fubjed before me will lead my pen
to undue length, if I have not already exceeded
the liihits affigned to a fingle article. I have
traced the rife and formation of the Company,
and for a period of nearly, or quite, thirty years
it profpered. Its laws and regulations were
drawn up by Daniel Updike, James Honyman,
Jr., Thomas Ward, and Matthew Robinfo^i, and
early in its hiftory, (1755,) Rev. Ezra Styles
was eleded honorary member, and in the follow
ing year he became Librarian, which office he
filled during a period of twenty years, almoft
living in the Library, where " he wrote many of
his learned, not controverfial, letters, addreffed to
the heads of Jefuit Colleges, to Jewifh Rabbis,
and to Prefidents of learned focieties — letters
written in Latin or Hebrew."
But tbe war of the Revolution came on, and
the Library, as well as everything elfe in Newport,
felt its blighting influence. The Company* was
completely broken up, for its members had no
tafte for fcenes of ftrife, and early fought out
more retired places for their homes. They were
fcattered, never to return, and the library edifice,
left without a proteding hand, was defecrated by

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY. 245
foreign troops, who carried off the books of en
tertainment, leaving Uttle elfe than foUos on
ferious fubjeds; but when this came to the
knowledge of Gen. Prefcott, to his honor be it
ftated, he had a fentinel ftationed there to pro
ted it from further injury.
After the war, the town was greatly depreffed ;
enough, however, has been written of thefe times
to juftify me in paffing over that period without
further comment. No one had then a tafte for
reading, for every one had to exert himfelf to
fecure a bare fubfiftence, and of the early friends
of the Library, few, if any, remained. ¦ In 1788,
Abraham Redwood died, in the feventy-ninth
year of his age, and this was another ferious lofs
to the inftitution, which, after that event, fell
almoft into complete difufe. From the obituary
notice of Mr. Redwood, made at that time, we
make the following extrad :
He founded the Library in this town. He
fubfcribed largely to a college, to be built in this
State, on condition that it fliould be eftabliflied
in the county of Newport. He fubfcribed five
hundred pounds fterling towards a univerfity,
propofed to be ereded in this town; and he
offered the fame fum to the Society of Friends,
21*

246 THE RE-UNION.
of which he was a member, to endow a fchool
in this place, for the inftrudion of Friend's chil-,
dren. His lefs public ads of generofity will be
gratefully remembered by thofe on whom they
were conferred, and the poor will never forget
that Abraham Redwood was their conftant friend
and benefador."
The Library was in this negleded state when
James Ogilvie, Efq., a native of Scotland, and a
man of learning, vifited Newport, in 1810. He
at once became interefted in the Library, ex
preffed furprife at its ftate, and volunteered to
give a courfe of ledures in its behalf, on the fubr
jed of literature. He was very eloquent, arid
his generofity was not thrown away, for the in
habitants, having recovered fomewhat from the
fliock of the Revolution, needed only a guide
to turn their attention once more to Uterature.
A paper of earneft foliditation was drawn up by
the late Hon. William Hunter, reminding his
fellow-townfmen of their duty, and the Library
again became a place of refort. But it had
nothing of the fpirit that marked its early hiftory,
and Dr. Channing fays of it, at that period, '
" It was fo deferted that I fpent day after day,
and fometimes week after week, amidft its dulty

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.- 247
volumes, without interference from a fingle
vifitor." In 1813, Solomon Southwick, Efq., of Albany,
formerly of Newport, gave to the Library one
hundred and twenty acres of land in the State of
New York. Abraham Redwood, Efq., of Dorfet
Place, Marylebone, England, Baron Hottinguer,
a diftinguiflied banker of Paris, and others, fince
then, not forgetting King George IV., have made
donations to the Library. The laft, and moft
importan,t of thefe, is a coUedion of paintings,
chiefly portraits of diftinguiflied perfons, painted
and prefented by Charles B. King, Efq., of
Wafliington, a native of Newport, deeply inter
efted in the Library.
Art'has its miffion, and it is fitting that an in
ftitution, devoted to the diffufion of knowledge,
fliould recognize its claims, and aid in the pro--
motion of its. end. Pidures and ftatuary are not
defigned to addrefs the eye alone ; they have a
nobler purpofe, and, if rightly valued, they will
become a fource of pure delight. Men require
to be led to the ftudy of the beautiful, and works
of art, rightly conceived and harmonioufly ar
ranged, are our beft inftrudors, for they elevate

248 • THE RE-UNION.
the charader, enlarge our views, and give a dis-
relifli for meaner pleafures.
It is Goethe, who reminds us that the ufeful
encourages itfelf, for the multitude produce it,
and no one can difpenfe with it ; but the beau
tiful muft be encouraged, for few can fet it forth^
and many need it. The beautiful, in all its
forms, is juft as effential to our happinefs as it
was to the German poet ; and whilft the friends
of the Library cannot but regret that its limited
refources, fo far from admitting of the purchafe
of works of art, force the inftitution to rely
wholly on the generofity of the public for dona
tions of this kind, it is pleafant to refled that its
wants have not paffed unheeded, nor are we
left without the affurance of frefli acceffions to
the gallery at fome future day.
I have now noted fome of the leading features
in the hiftory of the Library, from the date of
its organization down to the prefent time. In
1855, the new movement commenced, the fub
jed having been brought up at the annual meet
ing of that year. A gentleman, who has taken
a very prominent part in all that has been done
to bring about this , great change, fuggefted the
propriety of making an earneft effort to place the

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

249

Library on a more ufeful and popular bafis,
which could be done by opening the Library
daily, and by taking adive meafures to increafe
its influence; and he even went fo far as to ex
prefs the belief that the furn of ten thoufand
dollars could be raifed, if a determined and
organized effort were made. This was a bold
projed for an old, confervative inftitution, like
the Redwood, to take up, but a committee was
appointed to confider the beft means of carrying
out thefe views, arid, at an adjourned meeting,
the chairman, in behalf of the committee, re
ported that they were fully prepared to fay that
the plan fuggefted was feafible, if met in the
right fpirit ; that there was a call for a larger and
freer accefs to the books owned by the Company,
and that it feemed but right and juft that the
few who held fo large an amount of property,
principally handed down from father to fon,
fhould not ftand in the way of a wider and more
general diffufion of knowledge.
It was alfo fliown that the proprietors, num
bering only about one hundred, held property
valued at twenty-five thoufand dollars, including
the Library building, cafh invefted, and eight
thoufand volumes and works of art. Thefe

250 THE RE-UNION.
books were acceffible to a very limited number of
perfons, who only had the privilege of vifiting
the Library two or three times a week, for two
brief hours on each library-day, and the diredors,
having but Umited refources at their command
to meet the current expenfes, could annually
expend but little in the purchase of new books.
Thefe, and other points, I cannot here intro
duce, were difcuffed at length, and finally it was
propofed that four hundred certj'ficates of new
ftock fliould be iffued, at the value of $25, for
the purpofe of raifing $10,000, and, to the credit
of all concerned, it was voted that it is expedient
to iffue the above ftock.
This was the firft great ftep — a ftep that, in
itfelf, feemed' like a mountain to many, whilft to
others who were more fanguine, and, confe
quently, more earneft, it was the opening wedge
that would prepare the way for the moft benefit
cial refults. A circular was immediately' pre
pared, setting forth the condition of the Library
at that time, reviewing its hiftory in brief, and
calling for a liberal refponfe on the part of the
public. This refponfe, at the ftart, was not as"
liberal as had been anticipated, and when the
financial crifis came on, all further efforts were

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY. 25I
arrefted for the time being. One gentleman had
headed the paper with the fum of one thoufand
dollars, and he was followed by a number of
others, who were alfo liberal, but fo late as
Auguft 18, 1858, it was ftated, at a fpecial meet
ing convened for the purpofe, that lefs than half
the amount had been fubfcribed, and unlefs ac
tive meafures were taken to complete the fum
by the firft of September, the thoufand dollars
above referred to, would be withdrawn. The
fpirit with which the work was pufhed forward
from this time was equal to the emergency, and
before the time allowed had expired, the hand
fome fum of ten thoufand doUars had been
fubfcribed. The number of fubferibers for this new ftock
was about one hundred and thirty ; and the
library Company, in accepting the money, was
bound to comply with the following conditions
— to enlarge and improve the building; to open
it daily at all feafons of the year ; and to make
fuch additions of books and general reading
matter as would place the iriftitution on a more
popular arid fubftantial bafis. Proper fteps were
immediately taken to carry out the views of the
donors, and the diredors were empowered to ad

252 THE RE-UNION.
for the beft intereft of the library.' An archited
was accordingly employed to draft plans for an
enlargement of the building, which were ac
cepted, and the work, with the amount abforbed
in improving the grounds, and its furniture, is
about eight thoufand dollars. Five .thoufand
dollars were alfo placed at the difpofal of the
book committee, who have found it a laborious
work to niake up the deficiencies in the feveral
departments, and, at the fame time, keep up
with the current literature of the day. The
books ordered are not all here, but the library
building has been completed, and is now open
to the public, — a place of great refort, and one
of the chief ornaments of the town. The old
library room is again ftocked with books, and
additional fpace has been fecured by extending
the wings parallel with the main building. On
each fide of the entrance door there is a fmaU
room — one for the librarian and his affiftants,
and the other for the diredors. In the rear, and
extending acrofs what was the principal room, is
the addition provided for a reading room —
twenty-fix by fifty feet, and nineteen feet in
height, lighted by a dome and windows on each
end. This beautiful room is handfomely fur-

THE REDWOOD LIBRARY.

253

iiifhed, and its walls are adorned with nearly one
hundred paintings. The tables are fuppUed
with the leading news and literary papers of the
day, and the beft magazines and reviews. In
this room converfation and reading aloud are
prohibited ; but, in the library room, one can
converfe with his friends, if fo difpofed. There
is alfo a commodious defk, with writing mate
rials at hand, a fuggeftion book, a bulletin, &c.,
&c., and here ladies and gentlemen daily con
gregate to read and to enjoy all the privileges of
the inftitution.
And now I muft bring this lengthy article to
a clofe. There are many objeds of intereft in
the library of which I may fpeak hereafter ; but
I will not tax your readers' patience any further
to-day, if you will allow me to touch on only
dhe more point conneded with this new move
ment. Many of the gentlemen who have fub
fcribed liberally towards the ten thoufand dol
lars have no ufe for more than one or two of
the fhares belonging to them, and they have
accordingly difpofed of them in ways calculated
to do the moft good. One gentleman has
placed eighteen fhares in the hands of the dired
ors, to be rented to deferving young men, who
23

254 "^^^ RE-UNION.
will pay the annual tax for the privileges of the
library; another has provided for the public
fchool teachers and the moft deferving fcholars
in the high fchools, andfo on, each one choofing
fome way in which to turn his inveftment to
good account. And if Abraham Redwood and
Henry Collins could look in on their fucceffors,
to-day, they would fee that they were aduated by
the fame defire to promote good, and extend to
all facilities for acquiring knowledge. Nor is this
all ; for all parties are pleafed with what has
been done; and how could it be otherwife?.
Thofe who have contributed the means are grat
ified to fee a great enterprife carried through
fuccefsfuUy, and thofe who have heretofore had
no intereft in the library now feel themfelves
identified with it, and are anxious to promote
its welfare. Under thefe circumftances, the
work will profper, and the refining influence of
a familiarity with books will be wide-fpreading,
till all claffes are brought within its fcope. Of
this we are fanguine : but who fliall pidure the
future, now fo pleafingly forefliadowed ?
Aquidneck.

NAMES.

The following names were regiftered by Returned Sons
and Daughters of the Ifland of Rhode Ifland, at the time of
the Re-union, in a book prepared for that purpofe, at the
Mayor's Office. There were many other natives in the city,
at the Celebration, who were unable to regifter their names
for want of time.
RHODE ISLAND.

John Read,
Mary E. Sherman,
Fanny R. Sherman,
Mrs. Phila Williamfon,
William Horfewell,
Thomas G. Hazard,
John O. Peckham,
Ann R. EUery,
James H. Clarke,

Providence,

South Kingfton,
Eaft Greenwich,
Providence,

256

THE RE-UNION.

Jofeph Albro,
Mrs. Cromwell Turner,
William Cromwell Turner,
George F. Boone,
Edward V. Weftcott,
Robinfon P. Gardner,
Sarah E. Rounds,
Frederick A. Stanhope,
Charies E: Hubbard,
John Pratt,
Sarah A. Williams,
Harriett G. Marfh,
Abby Arnold Stocker,
William H. Weftcott,
John S. Palmer,
Henry A. Heath,
Nicholfon W. Bufli,
Ifaac N. Stoddard,
Sufan D. Brownell,
Peleg S. Sherman,
Sarah A. Sherman,
William Cornell Barker,
Sarah A. Barker,
Julia A. Stowe,
Peleg Sherman,
Sarah Southwick,

North Providence,
Provideince,

South Kingfton,
Providence,

Gloucefter, Providence,

South Scituate,
Providence,

NAMES.

257

Catharine M. Pennell,
Eliza Pitman,
Mary A. Burdick,
Thatcher T. Gardner,
James Tilley,
Elizabeth P. Qxx,
Sarah E. Peck,
Sarah J. Read,
John Read, Jr.,
F. CoggefliaU, Jr.,
Ann E. Williams,
Sarah R. Goff,
Addifon W. Goff,
Eleanor E. Goff,
Mrs. Nancy Lake,
Mrs. Pamelia Aldrich,
Mary J. Wilfon,
Mary C. Jouvett,
Eliza J. Herman,
Benedid Dayton,
Benedid Dayton, Jr.,
William Albert Dayton,
Robert N. Burdick,
Thomas G. Hazzard,
Thomas L. Albro,
Margaret L. Arnold, 23*

Providence,

South Kingfton,
Eaft Greenwich,
Providence,

Warren, Providence,

Eaft Greenwich,
Providence, Hopkinton,

Providence,
South Kingfton,
Pr.udence, Providence,

250 THE RE-UNION.

Rebecca Reynolds,

Providence,

Louifa Ambrofe,

((

Stephen A. Gardner, Jr.,

Kingfton,

Edward L. Barker,

Providence,

Jofeph E. Cranfton,

'(

Stephen A. Robinfon,

South Kingfton,

Annie E. Tilley,

Briftol,

Adaline Glines,

Providence,

Amanda D. CorneU,

Darius D. Buffum,

Woonsocket,

Samuel D. Walden,

Providence,

Harriett W. Allen,

Sarah S. Oxx,

George C. Townfend,

W. H. Hudforj,
Sarah T. Wilbour,
James E. Boone,
Mary G. Henderfon,
Benjamin H. Wilbour,
Maria R. Wilbour,
Emily N. Wilbour,
Maria H. Wilbour,
Clara R. Clarke,
James Mumford,
George M. Coit,
Briftol,
Mercey B. Saunders,
Providence,
NAMES.

259

Samuel Billings,
Thomas H. Stedman,
Mary E. Champlin,
Eliza W. Allen,
William B. Spooner,
Deziah S. Hoard,
Sarah P. Hoard,
Lydia Vincent,
John B. Manchefter,
John C. Clarke,
Eliza Coit,
Mary Gladding,
Henry A. Clarke,
Hannah M. Barker,
Jane J. Olds,
Emma L. Webfter,
Cyrus Peckham,
Phebe Ann Gray,
Henry Burroughs,
Richard Palmer,
Jofeph L. Burroughs,
Thomas Yates, '
Simeon W. Pike,
Arnold James,
Franklin James,
John Tripp, Jr.,

Barrington,
Rocky Brook,
South Kingfton,
Providence, Briftol,
Providence,Briftol, Providence, FaU River,
Briftol, Fall River,
South Kingfton,
Providence, South Kingfton,
Little Compton,
Providence,

Prudence Ifland,
Providence,

200 THE RE-UNION.

Cynthia A. Cooley,

Providence, . ,

Abby P. Herman,

it

George Irifli,

Hopkinton,

John H. Taylor,

Providence,

Andrew Allen,

FaU River,

William F. Lawton,

Providence,

Sufan Burdick,

South Kingfton,

Margaret W. Hubbard,

Woonfocket,

Sufan Difley,

Providence,^

George Difley,

it

Benjamin T. Albro,

Prudence Ifland, ;

Eliza Ann Clarke

Providence,

Catharine Chace,

((

Eliza W. Dennis,

Portfmouth,

Anna C. Talbot,

Providence,

Mary E. Clarke,

(£

Sarah J. Robinfon,

'((

Harriett D. Skinner,

Briftol,

Harriet Fowler,

Providence,

Hattie B. Fowler,

((

T. Ada Fowler,

a

Sarah Rounds,

. « ?

John Vaughn,

ii

Edward ,S. Lyon,

ii

Elizabeth A. Lyon,

ii

Mary 0. Simmons,

Little Compton, T

NAMES.

261

Eliza B. Lyman,

Providence,

William B. Rider,

a

Mary T. Hathaway,

ii

Henry H. Burrington,

(C

Charles B. Burringtoi),

((

Samuel S. Wilfon,

<(

Mary A. Chafe,

((

Hannah T. Lifcomb

;t

WiUiam T. Bull,

Kingfton,

Julia A. Draper,

Providence,

Mary E. Woolfey,

((

Lydia A. Dawley,

a

Henry V. Swan,

((

Edward Stanhope,

Eaft Greenwich,

Hannah E. Spencer,

(( (1

William Gurney,

Providence,

Sufan C. Cleaveland,

a

Cynthia Gladding,

Briftol,

Charles P. Dring,

Fall River,

Henry Taylor,

Cranfton,

Mary Francis Taylor,

&c

Edward T. AUeUi

Providence,

Mary C. Bowen,

a

Dutee J. Pearce,

Wefteriy,

Rowland R. Hazard,

Providence,

Eugene E. Hammett.

((

262

THE RE-UNION.

Henrietta G. Hammett,
Ifaac Hazzard,
CoVnelius Nichols,
William H. Henderfon,
Mrs. James Young,
Jofeph Seymour,
C. W. B. Bennett,
Wm. John Tilley,
Samuel N. Burroughs,
Benedid Peckham,
Angennele C. Barker,
Caroline F. Waldron,
William H. Townfendjt
Arhelia S. Townfend,
Benjamin Albro,
William Vernon,
George W. Taylor,
Gardner Thomas,
Hannah L. Eaftbrooks,
Mary E. Spooner,
Mary Cooke,
Joanna F. McKenzie,
Samuel S. Gladding,
Sufan Dennis.
Richmond W. Dennis,
Charles E. Dennis,

Providence,
North Providence,
Peacedale,
Providence,
Warren, ¦
Providence,

Smithfield,Warren, Briftol, Providence, Warren, Middletown,
Providence, a
Briftol, Jameftown, Warwick,
Providence,
Pawtucket, Briftol,

NAMES.

263

Mary E. Dennis,

Portfmouth,

William R. Dennis,

(( '

William B. Henfliaw,

Providence,

Albert W. Luther,

Jameftown,

Lydia R. Penno,

Providence,

Rebecca A. Gray,

<t

Mary C. Cornell,

(6

William C. TiUey,

a

John E. Lawton,

Cranfton,

W. S. Patten,

Providence,

Eliflia A. Durfee,

CIS

Samuel B. Durfee,

«

Benjamin C. Hubbard,

(C

Charles H. Lewis,

Ci

John P. Mumford,

(C

Cyrus W. Johnfon,

((

John H. Peckham,

Eaft Greenwich,

Gertrude E. Ambrofe,

Providence,

Anna E. Ambrofe,

((

Mary A. Brown,

((

Clariffa T. Lindfey,

IC

Phebe A. Saunders,

(C

Phebe M. Cook,

Warren,

Charlotte V. HamUn,

Providence,

Samuel P. Crins,.

«

Louisa A. Tibbets,

((

264

THE RE-UNION.

Annie C. Crins,
Jofeph Dewick,
Jane Melville
James P. Siffon,
M. C. Taylor,
Theodore Ambrofe,
Wm. H. Ambrofe,
Jofeph S. Richardfon,
James H. Blifs,
Hannah L. Weeks,
Jacob G. Anthony,
Harriett M. Billings,
Hannah Cottrell,
Eliza S. Stockford,
Charles Prior,
Oliver E. Greene,
James Eldred,
Cornelius S. Greene,
Peleg C. Anthony,
Elizabeth EUery,
Phila p. Taylor,
Elizabeth C. Garland,
Jofeph Congdon,
Gideon Barker,
Mary A. Spink,
Charles Lawton,

Providence,

Eaft Greenwich,
Providence,

Cranfton,South Kingfton.
Providence,
Eaft Greenwich,
Providence.
Wefteriy, Warren, n
Providence, Wickford,
Eaft Greenwich,
South Kingfton,
Providence,Scituate,
Warren,
Wickford, Providence,

NAMES.

John D. Tuell,

Warren,

E. S. Thurfton,

Providence,

John Wanton Lyman,

66'

M.G.Ellis,

Briftol,

Harriett L. Stanton,

a

Abby Stanton,

(t

James A. McKenzie,

Tiverton,

Catharine M. Goddard,

Coventry,

Cyrus B. Peckham,

Smithfield,

Anna E. Kenyon,

Providence,

Lavanah M. Kenyon,

«(

Annie E. Fofter,

((

Jofeph Almy,

Smithfield,

Jofeph Coit,

Briftol,

John P. Dunbar,

Providence,

James G. Keith,

Portfmouth,

George Sears Rathbone,

Providence,

Howard Smith,

Kingfton,

John B.' Wilfon,

Providence,

Caroline Eafterbrooks,

ii

Martha Hill,

Cranfton,

Edward C. Cranfton,

Woonfocket,

Mrs. S. H. Thomas,

Providence,,

Mrs. Mary A. Townfend,

a

Mrs. Sarah Belph,

Briftol,

Mrs. Martha' B. T,awton,

Providence,

24

265

266

THE RE-UNION.

Abby Prenfort,
Charlotte Douglafs,
C. E. Richards,
James Warner,
Cyrus Peckham,
WiUiam L. Williams,
William H. Goffe,
Lydia E. Thompfon,
Abby G. Anthony,
John T. Anthony,
George A. Mumford,
Sarah Read,
R. P. Dunn,
Robert G. Cory,
David A. Coit,
Phebe V. Lyon,
Hannah S. Harvey,
George H. Potter,
John Horfwell,
Benjamin Cornell,
Sarah Ann Whitford,
Mary J. Sweet,
Alexander M. McG. Bliven,
Thomas E. Hudfon,
Thomas D. Hudfon,
Mary C. PhUlips,

Providence,
FaU River,
Providence,
South Kingfton,
Little Cornpton,
Providence,

South Kingfton,
Providence,

Briftol,Providence,
Portfmouth,Providence, North Providence,
Providence*, Hope Village^
Aquidneck VUlage,
Providence,

NAMES.

267

John E. Burroughs,

Providence,

George H. Pearce,

Briftol,

Richard Boyd,

6'

Caroline B. Spooner,

66

Mary E. BaUey,

Providence,

Jeremiah C. Blifs,

66

John Gladding,

66

Thomas M. Clarke,

Hopkinton,

Hannah R. RandaU,

Providence,

Caleb Corey,

66

WiUiam L. Martin,

(6

Mary E. Snow,

Phenix Village,

Minnie V. Snow,

66

Eliza C. Pickering,"

Providence,

Mary O. Reynolds,

Wickford,

Nancy Sweet,

Providence,

Almira Sherman,

66

Harriett G. Dennis,

Portfmouth,

Benjamin Anthony,

Smithfield,

James P. Taylor,

Providence,

Sarah S. Horton,

Briftol,

Stafford S. Nickerfon,

Providence,

Sufan P. Thurfton,

66

George M. Carpenter, Jr.,

66

Albert M. Hewitt,

66

Gardner T. Swarts,

66

268

THE REtUNION.

WiUiam G. Swarts,
Giles Manchefter,
Silas H. Manchefter,
Peter T. W. MitcheU,
John S. Thurfton,
William H. Dart,
B. C. Brown,
John O. Potter,
Alfred B. Chadfey,
Elizabeth H. H. Otis,
Alfred Potter,
Albert Harrington,
George W. Thomas,
John B. Cook, Jr.,
John T. Cornell,
Jofeph Watfon,
Emeline Pitts,
Almira P. Collins,
Nathaniel C- Peckham,
Eftella Hazzard,
Humphrey Almy,
Hannah Siffon,
John B. Eddy,
Nancy Brown,
Sarah L. Howard,
Mary Biftings,

Providence,

Wickford, Providence,

Wickford, Providence,

Tiverton^
North Providence*,,
Providence,
Coventry, South Kingfton,
North Kingfton,
Providence, Barrington,

NAMES.

WiUiam A. Greene,

Providence,

James Handly,

Portfmouth,

Samuel H. Wales,

Providence,

Eliza S. Brown,

66

Charles Spooner,

Briftol,

Lewis D. Lawton,

Providence,

Michael Freeborn,

6(

James M. Maxfon,

«

Abby W. Palmgru,

(6

Charles H. Kenyon,

Tiverton,

John H. Spooner,

Portfmouth,

John Gladding, Jr.,

Briftol, ¦

Mary J. Baker,

Pawtucket,

Miles B. Lawfon,

Cranfton,

Sarah A. Lawfon,

66

Henry A. Weeden,

Providence,

John H. Ailman,

«

Hannah H. Peckham,

Smithfield,

William T. Lawton,

Providence,

Mary Potter,

«(

Sufan H. Seamans,

(6

William Fofter,

Cranfton,

Henry A. Lawton,

Scituate,

Mary Stoddard,

Providence,

George W. S. Burroughs,

66

Ifaac Lawton, Jr.,

Central Falls,

269

24*

270

THE RE-UNION.

William S. Clarke,
Abby S. Snow,
Phebe L. Siffon,
B. L. Burdick,
Margaret Briggs,
Daniel T- Rodman,
Edward H. Burroughs,
Richard W. Bufli,
WiUiam S. Holt,
Thomas Dennis Updike,
Albert C. Bennett, ,
Robert L. Thurfton,
Gideon T. Peckham,
Jane D. Scott,
Sarah L. Harrington,
Amey E. Burdick,
Lizzie B. Burdick,
James H. Mumford,
Mary P. Searie,
Nathaniel S. Greene,
Lydia T. Greene,
Mary T. Knight, ,
William Maxon,
Mary P. Bentley,
William M. Rodman,
Phebe Ann R,ofe,

Providence,

North ProvidencCj
South Kingfton,
Providence,
66
Exeter,Wickford,Briftol, Providence, ;
Smithfield, Providence,

Briftol, (6
Provi;dence,. ,
Wefteriy, 66
Providence,Narraganfett, ,

NAME
Jofliua W. Tripp,

S. 2;
Providence,

E. B. Anthony,

Briftol,

Daniel Chase. Jr.,

Prudence Ifland,

Robinfon Chafe,

(i

Benjamin F. Goddard,

Providence,

Henry Bull Lyman,

66

Charles Potter,

Prudence Ifland,

Thomas C. WiUiams,

Warren,

John Gardner,

Briftol,

Elizabeth French,

Providence,

Mary Pierce,

(6

Frank A. Vars,

Briftol,

B. Reynolds,

Wefteriy,

Mary M. Dunham,

Providence,

Sarah J. Dunham,

(6

Ann G. TUley,

6(

WiUiam S. Simmons,

Briftol,

Leonard C. Marble,

Providence,

John S. Gladding,

Wickford,

Hannah Sherman,

Providence,

James Perry Butts,

66

Jofeph Sanford,

North Kingfton,

Benjamin N. Wilbour,

Providence,

Adaline Townfend,

6(

John W. Spooper,

Briftol,

George S. Harwood,

Providence,

272 THE RE-UNION.

Mary S. Harwood,

Providence, *

Abby Hawkins,

66

Eliza T. Gardner,

6(

William H. Simmons,

Pawtucket,

Freeborn CoggefliaU,

Providence,

Edmund Albro,

Little Compton,

William R. Landers,

Providence,

Mary E. Herrick,

16

Olivia H. Stanhope,

66

Patience B. Whiting,

(t

John A. Townfend,

66

Alexander M. McGregor,

Jr.

Charles Davis,

Briftol,

Jane Richardfon,

Johnfton,

Charlotte Lawton,

Scituate,

Elizabeth C. Balch,

Providence,

William J. Wyman,

(6

Mary T. Richardfon,

<(

James B. Hofkins,

6(

Michael M. Friend,

Block Ifland,

A. L. Young,

Eaft Greenwich,

W. A. Wilfon,

Providence,

Remington Sherman,

66

Ann Eldred,

Jameftown,

Peleg Eldred,

66

Mary S. Burroughs,

Providence,

NAMES.

273

Samuel Burroughs,
George F. Stanton,
Henry B. Potter,
Robert Dunbar,
WiUiam B. Phelps,
William H. Clinton,
EUza A. Burroughs,
George S. Tilley,
Nathaniel C. Vars,
M. Juliet Vars,
Charles.Siffon,Hiram Barker,
Ifaac A. Sherman,
George Rodman,
George P. Smith,
Matilda B. Humphrey,
WilUam Dunbar,
James C. Molten,
SaUie Brown Cranfton,
Gardner CottreU,,
Abby Underwood,
George Cooke,
Mary Ann Chace,
Perry M. Peckham,
Stanton Peckham,
Sarah Allen Peckham,

Providence, Briftol,

Providence,
Warren, Briftol,
Portfmouth,
66
Providence,
Tiverton,, South Kingfton,
6(
Proyidence,,Briftol,
Woonfocket,
Providence, Greenwich, Providence,
Warwick,
Middletown,
(6
Fall River.

274

THE RE-UNION.

John J. Peckham,
Lizzie A. Peckham,
Edward W. Lawton, Jr.,
Sarah A. Gladding,
Mrs. Salma M. Spink,
Clarriffa H. Shaw,
• Abby Shaw,
William G. Sherman,
Sarah C. Tallman,
EUza J. Kenney,
Francis Pitts,
Hannah M. Stoddard,
Jofeph S. Peckham,
Mrs. Sarah B. Anthony,
Mary C. Bowen,
Annie C. Rider,

Fall River,
66
Middletown, Providence,
North Kingfton,
Fall River,
66
Middletownj. Portfmouth, Briftol,
Providence, 66
Fall River,
Providence, (6

MASSACHUSETTS.

William H. Weaver,
William H. Alrhy,
Elijah Sherman,
William Milne,
Theodore A. Barton,
Mary M. Barton,
Sarah C. Barton,

Springfield, Cambridge, Eaft Cambridge,
Fall River,
New Bedford,

NAMES.

James T-awton,

New Bedford,

WHliam H. King,

Gardner,

J. P. Burdick,

6C

B. Hazzard Stevens,

Bofton,

Wniiam B. HiU,

Gardner,

Oliver P. Barker,

New Bedford,

Benjamin T. Lawton,

Fairhaven,

Nathaniel Adams, Jr.,

Yarmouth,

Sarah B. Burdick,

Gardner,

Sarah Burdick,

« »

William Y. Potter,

Worcefter,

William Rogers Taylof,

Charleftown,

George P. Hammett,

Springfield,

James G.- Dougherty,

Andover,

George E. Faifneau,

New Bedford,

Abbf F. Barker,

(6

Mary S. Lawton,

66

John A. Albro,

Cambridge,

Sarah H. Bird,

Taunton,

Olivia Ellis,

New Bedford,

John P. NeweU,

Bofton,

George B. Dunham,

New Bedford,

Benjamin G. Palmer,

Wrentham,

Alice Allen,

Belchertown,

WiUiam H. Taylor,

New Bedford,

Elizabeth Ann Taylor,

a

275

276 THE RE-UNION.

John W. Hill,

Gardner,

Henry C. HiU,

66

Thomas Coggefliall,

New Bedford,

Caroline S. CoggefliaU,

66

Peleg Lawton,

<;

Mrs, E. W. Allen,

Nantucket,

John H. Swan,

Bofton,

James Hill,

Springfield,

Caroline Hill,

Gardner,

Nathan E. Hammett,

New Bedford,

Catherine C. Hammett,

66

George L. Peckham,

Gardner,

Abby C. Peckham,

(C

Rebecca E. Brownell,

New Bedford;

Daniel A. Chappell,

66

James M. Lawton,

(C

Mrs. William Whitton,

66

Mrs. David Cochran,

6(

Mrs. Philip Macey,

Nantucket,

Mrs. Pheby B. Sherman,

Eaft Cambridge;'

Elijah Sherman, •

66

C. C. C' Jernegan,

N. Bridgewater,

Robert S. Covefl,

Bofton,

Caroline W. Covell,

66

N. U. Lyon,

EaU River,'

EUen S. Church,

66

NAMES.

277

EUzabeth S. Church,
John C. Wilfon,
Frederick A. Euftis,
Betfey Dean,
Jane L. Folger,
Emma L. Tilley,
Charles S. Lloyd,
Arthur A. R. Bittner,
Francis G. Jack,
James Horfwell,
Solon W. Bufli,
Jane R. B. Almy,
Lydia Howard,
Benjamin Ruffell Allen,
Clarke Crandall,
Mary Ann Crandall,
Paul Faber,
David Mitchell,
Jofeph Clarke,
Charies W. CoggefliaU,
Mary E. Wilcox,
WiUiam Weftgate,
Elizabeth H. Pitman,
Francis M. Siffon,
James M. Siffon,
Charles .Lawton, 25

Fall River,
New Bedford,
Milton,
Fall River,
Nantucket, Gardner,
South Weymouth,
Bofton,
New Bedford,
Bofton,
Medfield,South Dartmouth,
Fall River,
Marblehead,Fall River,
66
Bofton,
Nantucket,
New Bedford,

Nantucket,
New Bedford,
Fall River,
North Dartmouth,
Taunton,

270 THE RE-UNION.

Sarah A. Cook,

Fall River,

D. S. McDougall,

North Attieboro',

G. Barker Peckham,

Weftport,

Caroline S. Peckham,

Cb

John P. Sanford,

FaU River,

Sarah Young,

((

Mary Wrightington,

((

Silas Davoll,

ii

J. D. Hall,

New ^Bedford,

Otis Seabury,

66

Luke Bliven,

Somerfet,

F. C. Rodman,

FaU River,

Samuel D. Hopkins,

Bofton,

Thomas P. Rodman,

Bridgewater,

Atherton Shearman,

Swanfey,

Junius M. Stevens,

Bofton,

Walter Channing,

66

Chariotte M. Stall,

Taunton,

George A. Wilfon, Jr.,

New Bedford,

E. T. Taber,

66

Amanda G. Taber,

66

James W. Cornell,

66

Benjamin Lawton,

66

Benjamin Peabody,

Fall River,

WiUiam M. Almy,

((

John W. Peabody,

Freetown,

NAMES.

279

John B. Winflow,
Alexander P. Moore,
Thomas Cooke,
Mary H. Leach,
Anthony D. Richmond,
Jofeph Brownell,
George E. Peabody,
Martha F. Howland,
Robert S. TiUey,
Ann Maria Tilley,
Edward W. Watfon,
Langworthy Almy,
Phebe T. Chace,
Alfred Peckham,
Charles Brownell, Jr.,
William B. Gifford,
Martin, V. B. Peckham,
WiUiam H. Almy,
George W. Little,
James Weftgate,
Jofeph R. Dunham,
Stephen Y. Dunham,
Nathan Barker,
Nathaniel Richmond,
Charles Brownell,
Robert Allen,

Cambridge,Nantucket, New Bedford^
Roxbury, New Bedford,

Gardner,
66
New Bedford,
FaU River,
Middleborough, Gardner,New Bedford,
66
Eaft Cambridge,
Charleftown,Nantucket, Dartmouth,
New Bedford,

Bofton, New Bedford,

200 THE RE-UNION.

Samuel S. Sherman,

FaU River,

Ruth T. Sherman,

66

Phebe H. Richmond,

New Bedford,

Mary Ann H. Cook,

(6

Robert C. Pitman,

66

Charlotte A. Perry,

Fairhaven,

James W. Shaw,

Eaft Brighton,

Sarah A. Davis,

Somerfet,

Sarah Ann Swain,

Nantucket,

Mrs. A. V. Wheelock,

Roxbury,

Lucinda Lufcomb,

New Bedford,

Francis Howland,

¦ 66

WiUiam B. StaU,

Bofton,

Ruffell J. Peckham,

Fall River,

George W. Peckham,

66

Mary B. Hudfon,

'66

Ehza J. Allen,

66

Mahala Allen,

66

Hiram Sherman,

New Bedford,

Mary A. Read,

66

James Peckham,

66

Wniiam B. TiUey,

Taunton,

Mary P. Booth,

New Bedford,

Mary E. Stanton,

66

Perry M. Peckham,

Fall River,

Elizabeth B. Stedman,

Bofton,

WilUam Sanford,

Taunton,

NAMES.

281

Emily P. Stall,
Charles Had win,
William H. Alger,
William G. Langley,
William McClaflin,
Ifaac Fifli,
Jane G. Fifli, '
WilUam S. Clarke,
Ruth B. Clarke,
Defire Nichols,
Albert Jack,
Thomas H. Melville,
Robert C. Topham,
John B. Atkinfon,
Eliza W. CorneU,
Charles A. Swafey,
Mary F. Hammett,
EUza R. Hammett,
Edwin Sanford,
Charles Sanford,
John L. Chafe,
J. C. Burdick,
Benjamin H. Chace,
Sarah C. Chace,
George C. Tew,
Alfred S. Stanhope, zi;*

Taunton, Worcefter, New Bedford,
Fairhaven, Salem,
FaU River,
66
New Bedford,
66
FaU River,
New Bedford,
Taunton, New Bedford,
Lawrence,
New Bedford,
FaU River,
Springfield,
66
New Bedford,
66
Pawtucket, 66
Fairhaven, 66
New Bedford,
Lawrence,

282

THE RE-UNION.

William T. Wyatt,
Benjamin P. Braman,
Almira C. Booth,
Harriett T. Cafwell,
William R. Eafton,
William Hadwin,
Thomas R. Peabody,
Thomas F. Southwick,
Edward Coddington,
James D. Slocum,
Henry Lyon,
Richard Swan, Jr.,
Sufan A. Pengelley,
Catharine B. Fiflier,
Thomas R. Miles,
Samuel R. Boone,
B. G. Wilfon,
B. S. CoggefliaU,
J. S. Peckham,
Benjamin Almy,
William H. Keenan,
Samuel R. Keenan,
Mary T. Harrington,
J. Henry Boone,
Jeremiah Greenman,
Jofiah Greenman,

Fall River,
New Bedford,

Nantucket,
66
Taunton, Attieboro'. Bofton,
New Bedford,
FaU River,
New Bedford,

Wareham, Fall River,
New Bedford,
Bofton, Wrentham, New Bedford,
FaU River,
it
Milfbrd, Fall River,
New Bedford,

NAMES.

283

Benjamin C. Ward,
Deborah Townfend,
Sufan B. Lewis,
Dorcas B. Stret,
Ifaac E. Peckham,
Oliver H Bufli,
Mary Ann Bufli,
Sarah C. Vickery,
Mary Ann Pratt,
Caroline S. Grey,
Nancy B. Green,
WiUiam B. Scott,
Francis Lake,
Ifaac P. Siffon,
Samuel C. Barker,
Alfred Wilfon,
T. Hervey EUis,
Abby F. Knipe,
Nancy B. F. Brown,
Henry F. Thomas,
Catharine Dexter,
John E. Lyon,
Samuel S. Allen,
Richard S. Peckham,
John R. Peckham,
WilUam Gibbs, •

New Bedford,

Fall River,

New Bedford,
Rehobeth,
New Bedford,
Fall River,
66
New Bedford,
66

Bofton,
New Bedford,
Mattapoifet,
Taunton, FaU River,
66
Attieboro',
New Bedford,

284
Jofeph Southwick, Jr.,
Henry Sanford,
Fanny B. Sanford,
Caroline L. Taber,
Ifabella C. Taber,
William Cranfton,
Samuel Watfon,
Abby A. French,
WiUiam T. AUen,
David Huntington,
Samuel J. Carr,
Stephen B. Perry,
Benjamin W. Spooner,
Richard Mitchell,
William H. Sherman,
Charles B. Peckham,
Mary A. Ide,
Jofeph G. Albro,
Hannah B. Godfrey.
Jofeph H. Lawton,
F. C. Lawton,
Martha P. Whiting,
Edward E. Carpenter,
Daniel Cook, Jr.,
Jofeph S. Freeborn,
WiUiam H. Chappel,

THE RE-UNION.

Hyannis, New Bedford,

Fall River,
66
Nantucket,
New Bedford,
Fairhaven, New Bedford,
Fall River,
Bofton, Somerfet, Attieboro',
North Attieboro',
66
FaU River,
66
Worcefter,
Attieboro', Palmer, Fairhaven, Uxbridge,

NAMES.

285

Jofeph C. Tew,
George R. White,
James Hammett,
Rebecca A. Goodfpeed,
Lydia D. Hammett,
George W. Goodfpeed,
George W. Taber,
Peter G. Munroe,
John T. Lawton,
Lewis R. Winflow,
B. Goddard Mumford,
Jane Mumford,
Caleb A. Carr,
Abby S. Carr,
WiUiam W. Stewart,
George H. Church,
Pardon TiUinghaft,
Jofeph S. TiUinghaft,
James Taylor,
Amelia F. Taylor,
George B. Pitman,
William Potter,
Charles Cannon,
Henry R. Wilcox,
John B. Tilley,
Thomas W. Wilbour,

New Bedford,
Hingham,
New Bedford,
Bofton, New Bedford,
Bofton, Stoneham,
Bofton,
66
Eaft Cambridge,
Bofton, 66
New Bedford,
66
FaU River,
66
New Bedford,

Pelham, Lawrence,
New Bedford,
66
Gardner,Attieboro',

286

THE RE-UNION.

John B. AUen,
Sufan E. Boyd,
E. B. Williams,
William H. Freeborn,
Tryphena Jackfon,

Stoneham,
New Bedford,
Foxboro', Fairhaven,
Quincy.

NEW YORK.

Abby P. Lathers,

New Rochelle,

William B. Goodwin,

New York City,

John W. Downing,

66 66

John Hammond,

Norwich,

John H. Baker,

Brooklyn,

Philip B. Sherman,

Troy,

George Knight Thorndike,

New York City,

Mrs. Mary Ann Sheffield,

Homer,

Sarah B. Phillips,

66

Elizabeth S. Lane,

Brooklyn,

Harriett G. Marvin,

66

Charles Brooks,

New York City,

William H- Moore,

Hempftead,

Mrs. J. S. Safford,

New York City,

Caroline M. Thurfton,

(6 61

Charies M. Thurfton,

66 <C

Harriet Silliman,

Brooklyn,

NAMES.

WiUiam H. Cranfton
Francis Vinton, Jr.,
William G. Read,
Charles T. Freebody,
S. F. Gardner,
Maria Lewis,
James H. Douglafs,
Henry Cottrell,
Ruth A. Champlin,
William L. TiUey,
Chriftopher E. Lewis,
Benjamin A. Mumford,
John R. Mumford,
George Sherman,
Joanna S. Sherman,
Richard W. Swan,
James Robinfon,
Stephen Cahoone,
Jarvis P. Calvert,
Philander Shaw,
Nancy W. Shaw,
Eliza H. Day,
Eliza D. Peckham,
Thomas T. Sheffield,
Anna B. Sheffield,
Julia A. Sheffield,

287
New York City,
Brooklyn, New York City,
Waterloo, New York City,
(6 66
Brooklyn, New York City,
Buffalo, New York City,
Caton,
New York City,

Brooklyn,

New York City,
66 66
Brooklyn,

288 .THE RE-UNION.

Harriett N. Bell,

Brooklyn,

Henry T. Irifli,

66

William Engs,

New York City,

Thomas T. Brewfter,

Syracufe,

John Stanton Gould,

Hudfon,

Frank M. Breefe,

New York City,

OUver Hazard Perry, 2d,

66 (6

Ann Caroline Foley,

WiUiamfburg,

WiUiam ChUds.

New York City,

Samuel V. Mann,

66 66

Thomas P. Nichols,

Brooklyn,

Stanton Beebe,

66

M. Louifa Cranfton,

New York City,

Thomas H. Stacey,

Brooklyn,

Mary C. Stacey,

.6

Barbara M. Peckham,

Montgomery Co.

George H. Melville,

New York City,

W. H. Lawton,

Troy,

A. H. D. Peterfon,

Brooklyn,

EUzabeth S. Tilley,

New York City,

Benjamin Hathaway,

Brooklyn,

Benjamin Bryer,

66

Benjamin Newton,

New York City,

Harriett S. EUery,

66 66

Conrad C. EUery,

6( 66

Elizabeth S. Peckham,

66 et

NAMES.

289

Thomas Vernon,
Theodore K, Gibbs,
John A. Braman,
John P. CoggefliaU,
Edward J. Mann,
Eugene B. Stacey,
Charles March,
Julia Jay Pierrepont,
John E. Williams,
Samuel EUery Vernon,
William G. Turner,
George H. Eafton,
Abby P. Lathers,
Octavia McClure,
Eleanor B. Smith,
Charles H. Ruffell,
Joanna H. RuffeU,
Mary G. Ruffell,
Robert Hone, Jr.,
Mrs. G. M. Chamberiin,
William B. Blifs,
William Coddington Davis,
James Eldred Brentoii,
Harriett S Wright,
Mary G. Farpum,
J. Louis Northam, 26

New York City.
a 66
Brooklyn,
Haverftraw, New York City,
Brooklyn, New York City,

New Rochelle,
Brooklyn,
66
New York City,

Brooklyn,
66
Jamaica,
New York City.
Mechanicfville, Brooklyn,

290 THE RE-UNION.

Cornelius Wilbour,

Brooklyn,

Walter Nichols,

66

Henry Molten,

New York City,

Sufan E. Brewfter,

Syracufe,

WilUam H. Douglafs,
Brooklyn,
Mary A. Douglafs,
tc
George S. Coe,
66
Thomas E. Townfend,
Syracufe,
Mary R. Brower,
Brooklyn,
William C. Moore,
New York
City,
Francis B. Cole,
66
6e
E. Van Zandt, Jr.,
66
66
Thomas S. Marvel,
Newburgh,
Auguftus Whiting, Jr.,
New York
City,
George Bowen, Jr.,
66
66'
Elizabeth Bartlett,
Weft Pobt,
Harriet Bartlett,
66
William A. Watfon,
Aftoria,
Jeffe Dunham,
New York
City,
Charles B. Babcock, Jr.,
66
66
Alfred G. Peckham,
66
66
Alfred S. Childs,
66
66
Phebe C. Phillips,
Brooklyn,
Jofeph C. Phillips,
66
George F. Turner,
New York
City,
Irving Atkinfon,
Brooklyn,
NAMES.

291

Benjamin Lake,
John C. Davis,
William White,
Thomas C. Mumford,
Mrs. C. M. Rogers,
Hannah R. Freebody,
Benjamin Jahleel Brenton,
Henry A. Clarke,
WiUiam P. Coe,
Elam Anthony,
R. M. Shaw,

Brooklyn,

New York,

Waterloo, New York,
66
Brooklyn, Springport,
New York.

CONNECTICUT.

Edward P. Marfli,
William EUery Almy,
Richard H. Norman,
Thomas P. Norman,
James Pitman,
George Irifli,
Catharine D. Barker,
James A. Brown,
Abner Weaver,
James Allen,
Elizabeth Allen,
Mary C. Marfh,

Bridgeport, New London,
Ledyard,
66
Stonington,
Lebanon,
Myftic, Colchefter, New London,
Lebanon, ^
66
Bridgeport,

292

THE RE-UNION.

Sufan Brown,
Gardner Hall, Jr.,
Phebe M. Peckham,
Harriet A. Higgins,
William H. Higgins,
William E. Marfli,
Chriftopher V. Peckham,
Benjamin Coe,
H. C. Bridgham,
Elizabeth M. Bridgham,
Lydia Lewis,
W. W. Peckham,
William B. Greene,
Stephen A. Greene,
Lydia W. Davis,
Charles S. Devens,
Rebecca J. Fofter,
Ralph Malbone,
Charles Devens, Jr.,
Julia A. Barker,
George Engs,
WiUiam A Mumford,
Harriet A. Greenman,
Charles L. Bofs,
Benjamin T. Cranfton,
John McDougall,

Colchefter,Weft WiUington,
Lebanon,
Stonington,
66
Bridgeport,
Stonington,Groton,

Myftic Bridge,
Lebanon, RbckyhiU,
Meriden, Pomfret,
Hartford, 66
Pomfret,
Hartford,Lebanon,
New Haven,
Hartford, Myftic Bridge,
New London,
Norwich,

NAMES.

203

Samfon Almy,
Lydia Brown Congdon,
Andrew Winflow,
W. H. Chafe,

Plainfield,Norwich,
Bridgeport, Hartford

PENNSYLVANIA.

William L. Deniiis, Philadelphia,
Edward Gould,
Lizzie C. Ives,
IVfery T. Kirtley,
WiUiam H. Dennis,
James C. Congdon,
Sarah C. TiUinghaft,
Sarah Throop Munroe Babb, Jerfey Shore.

NEW JERSEY.

Edward Taber,
Jofhua B. Manfon,
Sophia A. P. Woolfey,
Iffachar Cozzens,
Thomas C. Clarke, 26*

Jerfey City.
Stephentown,
Jerfey City.
Guttenburg,
Camden.

294

THE RE-UNION.

NORTH CAROLINA.

J. L. Barlow,
Thomas W. Swan,
Wm. K. CoveU, Jr.,
C. H. Richmond,
Margaret A. Lawton,
Lewis N. Barlow,
Henry M. Shaw,

Wilmington,
North Carolina,
Wilmington,
North Carolina,
Wilmington,
66
Indian Town.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

William T. Hazzard,
James F. Stevens,
CaroUne A. Bufli,
Sarah C. Stevens,
Helen D. Reynolds,
S. R. Carr,
H. D. Stevens,
Thomas S. Tilley,

Georgetown,

Charlefton,Georgetown,

OHIO.

Eraftus P. Coe, .
James R. Newton,

Cincinnati,

NAMES.

Oliver H. Geffroy,
Richard B. Geffroy,
Caroline M. Shultz,
Catharine A. Geflroy,
George H. Calvert,
J. G. Mofes,

295

Cincinnati,

Newburgh.

OTHER STATES.

Jofeph W. Taggart,
Charles Bird King.
Anna C. Weeks,
Auguftus Bufli,
WiUiam Gardner,
James G. Cozzens,
Benjamin C. Card,
Benjamin EUery,
Robert Dennis,
George A. Downing,
Mary E. Scammon,
William H. Townfend,
Charles C. Stevens,

Detroit, Mich.,
Wafliington, D. C,
Sanbornton, N. H.,
De Witt, Iowa,
Illinois,
St. Louis, Mo.
Fort Leavenworth, [Kanfas,
Mobile, Ala.,
Wafliington Co.,[Ind.,
Mobile, Ala.
Franklin, Me.
New Orleans, La.,
Wyoming, Lee
[Co., 111.,

296

THE RE-UNION.

Ruth A. Seabury,
Margaret E. Silfby,
Thomas J. Cotton,
Charles H. Mumford,
Martha G. Townfend,
Jofeph A. Townfend,
Andrew V. Townfend,
Mary A Wilbour,
Martha S. Purcell,
Albert C. Green,
John G. Faxon,
John Topham,
Sarah E. Marccy,.
George W. Gibbs,
James Lovie,
Eliza C. Marks,
Maria C. Marks,
Abby Beckwith,
Mary Hunter Pierce,
Walter Pearce,
Emily Carrafco,
Anaftafia F. Townfend,
Daniel L. Clarke,

Lynchburg, Va.,
Georgetown, D, C,
Green Bay, Wis.,
Chicago, lU.,
New Orleans, La.,

Detroit, Mich.,
Springfield, 111.,
Alleghany County,
[Maryland,
Walpole, n! H.
Wifcaffet, Me.,
Detroit, Mich.,
San Francifco, Cal.,
New Orleans, La.,
Hamilton, Canada [Weft,
66 (6 (6
San Francifco, Cal.,
Bedale, Yorkfliire, [England,
Mobile, Ala.,
Cardenas, Cuba,
New Orleans, La.,
Sangamon Co., Ill,

NAMES.

297

James W. MitcheU,
S. C. Spooner,
Sufan M. Brown,
Charles H. Northam,
Mary C. Babcock,
Caroline Spooner,
S. R. Ennis,
Hiram W. Dawley,
Mahaley L. Babcock,
David Bowen,
Gilbert C. Bowen,
Mrs. "Mary Folger Wheeler,
apt. Peter Chafe,

Mobile, Ala.,
Andover N. H.,
California,
Sacramento, Cal,
Lewifton, Me.,

Lewifton, Me.,
Rock Ifland, III,
66
Fort Smith, Ark.
Lancafter Co. Va.

FINIS.

ERRATA.
Page 57, 8th line from top, for north of Ocean Houfe,
read fouth.
Page 58, 9th line from top, for M. Gourand read M.
Gouraud. On fame page, 12th line from top, for Gov.
Fifk read Gov. Fifh.
Page 89, 4th and 7th lines from bottom, for Stewart read
Stuart. Page 1 10, laft .line but One, for Happy read Happily, ,
Page 1 1 7, laft line, for army read arms.
Page 157, loth line from top, ior ghaftly xezAghoftly.
Page 24 1', 7th line from bottom, ior moment vedidi monument.