In the following discussion, the arguments for and against the
historical claims of the English Colony that landed at the mouth of
the Kennebec River, August 19, (O. S.) 1607, are presented in an able
and comprehensive manner. The articles, when they appeared in the
columns of a daily newspaper, attracted much attention; and, as they
contain matter of permanent historical interest, we have deemed them
worthy of preservation in a collected form.
The writers can have no further motive for withholding their names. We
therefore state that "P." is Mr. WILLIAM FREDERICK POOLE, Librarian of
the Boston Athenæum; that "Sabino" is Rev. EDWARD BALLARD, D. D., of
Brunswick, Me.; and that "Orient" and "Sagadahoc" are the signatures
of Mr. FREDERIC KIDDER, of Boston.
Each year, since the first Popham Celebration in 1862, memorial
services have been held on the Anniversary of the Landing in 1607.
Public addresses have been delivered on these occasions, and these
have usually been printed. Mr. John A. Poor, of Portland, Me.,
delivered the Oration in 1862; Mr. George Folsom, of New York, in
1863; Mr. Edward E. Bourne, of Kennebunk, Maine, in 1864; and Prof.
James W. Patterson, of Dartmouth College, in 1865.
This discussion arose from a notice by Mr. Poole, in the Boston Daily
Advertiser of April 11, 1866, of Prof. Patterson's Address which
appeared about that time in print. In this notice the writer sharply
assailed the claims for the Popham Colony, as set forth by the orator,
and also by Mr. Kidder in a Letter which the Publishing Committee of
the Celebration had printed as an Appendix to the Address. Dr. Ballard
replied in the Boston Daily Advertiser of April 21; and Mr. Kidder in
the Portland Advertiser of April 26. From this point, the disputants
came into close quarters on the general merits of the question.
As earnest historical discussion too often leads to bitterness and
estrangement, we are happy to state that such has not been the result
in this instance. "P.," whose notice brought on the discussion,
received an official invitation to attend the Popham Celebration in
August last, which he accepted. One of our firm, who was also present,
can state that the hospitality of the Maine gentlemen named in the
following extract from the report of the Celebration in the Boston
Daily Advertiser, of September 1, is not over-stated:--
"I see to-day, among the guests from Massachusetts, your
correspondent "P.," who has written of late some hard things
respecting this Popham Colony. He is receiving every personal
attention from Rev. Dr. Ballard, ("Sabino,") President Woods,
Hon. Chas. J. Gilman and others; and the merry peals of
laughter, that burst occasionally from the group, indicate
that difference of opinion on historical questions need not
disturb the harmony of social intercourse. As I finish this
report in Bath, I understand that Dr. Ballard and the other
gentlemen named have captured their friendly detractor, and
taken him home with them to Brunswick, where he will
doubtless receive good treatment."
The Bibliography of the Popham Colony, which is appended, was
compiled, at our request, by Mr. Poole; and, so far as the newspaper
articles, and the minor pieces connected with the first Celebration,
are concerned, it was made chiefly from the collection preserved by
Mr. John Wingate Thornton, of Boston, who has kindly placed them in
our hands for that purpose. The list was then sent to Dr. Ballard, who
has contributed the articles in his possession which were not already
included.