of Parliament made and passed for having a revenue in America, and, more
especially the acts for the East India Company, exporting their tea into
America subject to a duty payable here, on purpose to raise a revenue in
America, with many more unconstitutional acts, which are taken into
consideration by a number of our sister towns in the Colony, therefore
we think it needless to enlarge upon them; but being sensible of the
dangerous condition the Colonies are in, Occasioned by the Influence of
wicked and designing men, we enter into the following Resolves;
"_First_, That we, the Inhabitants of the Town ever have been & now are
Loyal & dutiful subjects to the king of G. Britain.
"_Second_, That we highly approve of the resolutions of our sister
Colonies and the noble stand they have made in the defense of the
liberties & priviledges of the Colonys, and we thank the worthy Author
of 'the rights of the Colonies examined.'
"_Third_, That the act for the East India Company to export their Tea to
America payable here, and the sending of said tea by the Company, is
with an intent to enforce the Revenue Acts and Design'd for a precedent
for Establishing Taxes, Duties & Monopolies in America, that they might
take our property from us and dispose of it as they please and reduce us
to a state of abject slavery.
"_Fourth_, That we will not buy or sell, or receive as a gift, any
dutied Tea, nor have any dealings with any person or persons that shall
buy or sell or give or receive or trade in s'd Tea, directly or
indirectly, knowing it or suspecting it to be such, but will consider
all persons concern'd in introducing dutied Teas ... into any Town in
America, as enemies to this country and unworthy the society of free
men.
"_Fifth_, That it is the duty of every man in America to oppose by all
proper measures to the uttermost of his Power and Abilities every
attempt upon the liberties of his Country and especially those mentioned
in the foregoing Resolves, & to exert himself to the uttermost of his
power to obtain a redress of the grievances the Colonies now groan
under.
"We do therefore solemnly resolve that we will heartily unite with the
Town of Newport and all the other Towns in this and the sister Colonies,
and exert our whole force in support of the just rights and priviledges
of the American Colonies.
"_Sixth_, That James Brown, Isaiah Humphrey, Edw'd Bosworth, Sam'l
Allen, Nathaniel Martin, Moses Tyler, & Thomas Allen, Esq., or a major
part of them, be a committee for this town to Correspond with all the
other Committees appointed by any Town in this or the neighboring
Colonies, and the committee is desir'd to give their attention to every
thing that concerns the liberties of America; and if any of that
obnoxious Tea should be brought into this Town, or any attempt made on
the liberties of the inhabitants thereof, the committee is directed and
empowered to call a town meeting forthwith that such measures may be
taken as the publick safty may require.
"_Seventh_, That we do heartily unite in and resolve to support the
foregoing resolves with our lives & fortunes."
JOHN ROGERS, ESQUIRE.
A descendant of John Rogers, of Smithfield farm, came to America in the
early emigration. Can any one give any information as to the life and
death of a son, John Rogers, Jr., of Roxbury?
_Answer_.--John Rogers, Jr., or second, was born at Duxbury, about
February 28, 1641. He married Elisabeth Peabody, and, after King
Philip's War, removed to Mount Hope Neck, Bristol, Rhode Island, about
1680. He again removed to Boston in 1697; to Taunton in 1707; and to
Swansea in 1710. He became blind in 1723, and died after nine days'
sickness, June 28, 1732, in the ninety-second year of his age, leaving
at the time of his death ninety-one descendants, children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was buried at Prince's Hill
Cemetery, in Barrington, Rhode Island, where his grave is marked by a
fine slate headstone in excellent preservation.
M.H.W.
* * * * *
PUBLISHERS' DEPARTMENT.
We propose to make THE BAY STATE MONTHLY an interesting and valuable
addition to every library--prized in every home--read at every fireside.
We want all who sympathize with our work to express their goodwill by
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calculated to interest, primarily, the good citizens of this
Commonwealth.
And one feature will be to develop the Romance in Massachusetts Colonial
and State History. Articles of this character are specially desired. In
the meanwhile, the publishers invite contributions of works upon local
history, with view to a fair equivalent in exchange. New England town
histories and historical pamphlets will be very readily accepted at a
fair valuation.
The encouragement given to THE BAY STATE MONTHLY warrants the publishers
in assuring the public that the magazine is firmly established. Many of
the leading writers of the State have promised articles for future
numbers.
IF you have a son settled in California, farming or cattle-raising, or
among the Rocky Mountains, or in some wild mining camp exposed to every
temptation, or, perhaps, on some lonely prairie farm, away from
neighbors, send him THE BAY STATE MONTHLY for one year. It will come to
him like a gentle breeze from his native hillside, full of suggestive
thoughts of home.
In the announcement of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY, and the issue of the first
number, it was perfectly understood that the enterprise was a bold piece
of magazine work.
The purpose was to begin the year with the first number, and that was
carried out. No apology is made for neglect of notices, whether of
review, or otherwise. In fact, it was not supposed that the readers
would care for editors, if, only, they had fresh matter for their
perusal.
It is also perfectly understood by the editors of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY,
that every author, and publisher, will look at the numbers, with keen
outlook, for immediate recognition. That is quite right; but recognition
is not less valuable, when it comes in due turn; and no patron will be
overlooked.
It may have been an error, that the editors did not more fully elaborate
their plan, in their Prospectus. The intent was right. The real plan is
this:
(1) "THE BAY STATE," in its memorial biography, illustrated by portraits
and historical notes, takes a new field.
(2) "THE BAY STATE," in its revolutionary and historical record;
illustrated by maps, mansions, and local objects of memorial and
monumental interest, invites support.
(3) Historical articles, of national value, which illustrate the
outgrowth of the struggle for national independence, which had its start
at Concord and Lexington, was developed in the siege of Boston, and
culminated at Yorktown. In this line we obtained from General
Carrington, the historian, an article and maps to start this series.
(4) The best historical, educational, and general literature, with no
exclusive limitation of authorship or subject; but with the aim at a
high standard of contributions, so that the magazine should be prized,
as a specialty.
Perchance a dearly-loved daughter is carrying New-England ideas to some
dark corner of the South or West, leading the young idea, or surrounded
by ideas of her own,--what more appropriate present to the absent one
than THE BAY STATE MONTHLY?
In the old-fashioned farm-house where your youth was passed so happily,
there may be the dim, spectacled eyes of the good father and
mother--perhaps one without the other--awaiting the approach of spring
and summer, to welcome home their child. Herald your coming by sending
to them THE BAY STATE MONTHLY, to relieve the monotony and awaken
reminiscences of their youth.
There are indications that the unjust postal law, which provides that
THE BAY STATE MONTHLY can be delivered in San Francisco, New Orleans, or
Savannah, for less than half the money required to deliver it in Boston
and its suburbs, will be repealed by the present Congress, and a more
equitable law established.
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JOHN N. MCCLINTOCK, of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY, has written and has in
press, a History of the town of Pembroke, New Hampshire. Modesty
prevents our dwelling at too great a length upon the merits of the book.
The historical student will find within its covers a wealth of dramatic
incidents, thrilling narrative, touching pathos, etc.
Apropos of town histories, the publishers of THE BAY STATE MONTHLY would
be willing to confer with authors upon the subject of publishing their
manuscripts.
We copy, by permission, from the Boston Daily Advertiser, the following
RECORD OF EVENTS IN JANUARY.
1. President Clark of the New York and New England Railroad
appointed its receiver.
Successful opening of the improved system of sewerage in Boston.
2. James Russell Lowell declines the rectorship of St. Andrew's
University, to which he was elected.
3. Inauguration of the Hon. George D. Robinson as governor.
7. Inauguration of the Boston city government, and of the new
governments in the cities of the Commonwealth.
8. Appointment by the governor of Mrs. Ellen C. Johnson, of Boston,
as superintendent of the Sherborn reformatory prison for women.
12. Close of the foreign exhibition in Boston.
15. Minister Lowell accepts the presidency of the Birmingham and
Midland Institute for 1884.
17. Francis W. Rockwell elected to Congress from the twelfth
Massachusetts district to succeed Governor Robinson.
Mr. Robert Harris elected president of the Northern Pacific
Railroad, in place of Mr. Henry Villard, resigned.
18. Steamer City of Columbus of the Boston and Savannah line
wrecked off Gay Head, Martha's Vineyard, with the loss of one
hundred lives.
28. The State Senate votes to abolish the annual Election Sermon.
DEATHS IN JANUARY.
3. The Rev. Lawrence Walsh, of Rhode Island, treasurer of the
American National Land League.
9. Brigadier-General James F. Hall, of Massachusetts.
10. The Rev. George W. Quimby, D.D., of Maine.
12. John William Wallace, president of the Pennsylvania Historical
Society.
13. The Hon. Francis T. Blackmen, district attorney of Worcester
County, Mass.
16. Amos D. Lockwood, of Providence, R.I. Dr. John Taylor Gilman,
of Portland, Me.
19. General William C. Plunkett, of Adams, Mass.
21. Commodore Timothy A. Hunt, U.S.N., of Connecticut.
The History of Georgia, by Charles C. Jones, Jr., LL.D. (Boston:
Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 2 vols.) This is one of the most important
recent contributions to American history. Mr. Jones has done for Georgia
what Palfrey did for New England. The first volume deals with the
settlement of the State, while the second covers its history during the
war of the Revolution. With the single exception of omitting to give a
picture of the manners and customs of the people, which is always
essential to a comprehensive history of any community or nation, the
work merits the high praise it has already received.
The first volume of Suffolk County Deeds was published more than two
years ago, by permission of the city authorities of Boston. The second
one, upon petition of the Suffolk bar, was also printed and distributed
at the close of 1883. These volumes contain valuable original historical
information of the county, and of the city itself. Among other
historically-famous names appear those of Simon Bradstreet, John
Endicott, John Winthrop, and Samuel Maverick. The Indian element of the
colony, also, is shown here several times. The local topography of
Boston and its suburbs, as they existed more than two centuries ago, are
all preserved in this second volume. Other volumes will no doubt follow
in time, thus preserving records that are indeed precious.
The advanced state of our civilization, and the general prevalence of
intelligence, naturally leads to the desire to contrast the past with
the present; and to trace to their origin, the laws, customs, and
manners of the leading civilized nations of the world. Much research and
strength have been expended in this direction, with gratifying results.
Two such accomplishments have been recently published, which discuss the
early history of property. The first is entitled The English Village
Community, by Frederic Seebohm, (London: Longmans, Green, & Co. 1 vol.)
The other, by Denman W. Ross, PH.D., treats of The Early History of
Landholding among the Germans. (Boston: Soule & Bugbee. 1 vol.) It is
generally admitted that the earliest organization of society was by
family group, and that the earliest occupation of land was by these same
family groups, and it is with the discussion of the theories growing out
of these two that both books are occupied.
An Old Philadelphian contains sketches of the life of Colonel William
Bradford, the patriot printer of 1776, by John William Wallace.
(Philadelphia. Privately printed, 1 vol.) "He was the third of the
earliest American family of printers, and his memoir serves as an
admirable account of the interesting period in which he was one of the
prominent figures in Philadelphia, and when that city was, in every
sense, the capital of the country." It should be printed for public
sale.
The initial volume of American Commonwealths, edited by Horace E.
Scudder, and published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, was Virginia:
A History of the People, by John Esten Cooke. This is followed by
Oregon: The Struggle for Possession, written by William Barrows. The
books are intended to give a rapid but forcible sketch of each of those
States in the Union whose lives have had "marked influence upon the
structure of the nation, or have embodied in their formation and growth,
principles of American polity."
A History of the American People, by Arthur Gilman, published by D.
Lothrop & Co., Boston, I vol. Illustrated. This is a compact account of
the discovery of the continent, settlement of the country, and national
growth of this people. It is treated in a popular way, with strict
reference to accuracy, and is profusely illustrated.
History of Prussia to the accession of Frederick the Great, 1134-1740,
by Herbert Tuttle. Published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, I vol.
The author, who is Professor of History in Cornell University, "spent
several years in Berlin, studying with the greatest care the Germany of
the past and present. The results are contained in this volume, with the
purpose to describe the political development of Prussia from the
earliest time down to the death of the second king."
The Magazine of American History, No. 30 Lafayette Place, New York.
Terms, $5 per annum, single numbers 50 cents. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb,
editor.
This is the only periodical exclusively devoted to the history and
antiquities of America; containing original historical and biographical
articles by writers of recognized ability, besides reprints of rare
documents, translations of valuable manuscripts, careful and
discriminating literary reviews, and a special department of notes and
queries, which is open to all historical inquirers.
This publication is now in its seventh year and firmly established, with
the support of the cultivated element of the country. It is invaluable
to the reading public, covering a field not occupied by ordinary
periodical literature, and is in every way an admirable table companion
for the scholar, and for all persons of literary and antiquarian tastes.
It forms a storehouse of valuable and interesting material not
accessible in any other form.
Mrs. Lamb is the author of the elaborate History of the City of New
York, in two volumes, royal octavo, which is the standard authority in
that specialty of local American history.
We welcome The Magazine of American History, and thank the accomplished
editor for her appreciation of our own more especially New England
enterprise.
The Magazine of American History, has one element which insures its
merit and its permanence, and that is its list of contributors. Its
previous editors have included John Austin Stevens, the Rev. Dr. B.F.
DeCosta, and others. Its contributors include such names as Bancroft,
Carrington, DePeyster, George E. Ellis, Gardner, Greene, Hamilton,
Stone, Horatio Seymour, Trumbull, Walworth, Rodenbough, Amory, Cooper,
Delafield, Brevoort, Anthon, Bacheller, Arnold, Dexter, Windsor, etc.
Historical students will find that the facile pen, the painstaking
research, and the scholarly taste of Mrs. Lamb, assure her a place with
the first of American female writers; and that she deserves most
considerate and enthusiastic support. Steel engravings, historical maps,
and many illustrations, add beauty, character, and dignity to the work.
ERRATUM. In the January number, on pages 39 and 41 the word "Gates"
should read "Gage."
* * * * *
AN
ORATION,
PRONOUNCED AT
HANOVER, NEW-HAMPSHIRE,
THE 4th DAY of JULY,
1800;
BEING THE TWENTY-FOURTH
ANNIVERSARY
OF
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
* * * * *
BY DANIEL WEBSTER,
_Member of the Junior Class_, DARTMOUTH UNIVERSITY.
* * * * *
"Do thou, great LIBERTY, inspire our souls,
And make our lives in thy possession happy,
Or our deaths glorious in thy just defence!"
ADDISON.
(PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF THE SUBSCRIBERS.)
* * * * *
PRINTED AT HANOVER,
BY MOSES DAVIS.
1800.
AN _ORATION_.
COUNTRYMEN, BRETHREN, AND FATHERS,
We are now assembled to celebrate an anniversary, ever to be held in
dear remembrance by the sons of freedom. Nothing less than the birth of
a nation, nothing less than the emancipation of three millions of
people, from the degrading chains of foreign dominion, is the event we
commemorate.
Twenty four years have this day elapsed, since United Columbia first
raised the standard of Liberty, and echoed the shouts of Independence!
Those of you, who were then reaping the iron harvest of the martial
field, whose bosoms then palpitated for the honor of America, will, at
this time, experience a renewal of all that fervent patriotism, of all
those indescribable emotions, which then agitated your breasts. As for
us, who were either then unborn, or not far enough advanced beyond the
threshold of existence, to engage in the grand conflict for Liberty, we
now most cordially unite with you, to greet the return of this joyous
anniversary, to hail the day that gave us Freedom, and hail the rising
glories of our country!
On occasions like this, you have heretofore been addressed, from this
stage, on the nature, the origin, the expediency of civil
government.--The field of political speculation has here been explored,
by persons, possessing talents, to which the speaker of the day can have
no pretensions. Declining therefore a dissertation on the principles of
civil polity, you will indulge me in slightly sketching on those events,
which have originated, nurtured, and raised to its present grandeur the
empire of Columbia.
As no nation on the globe can rival us in the rapidity of our growth,
since the conclusion of the revolutionary war--so none, perhaps, ever
endured greater hardships, and distresses, than the people of this
country, previous to that period.
We behold a feeble band of colonists, engaged in the arduous undertaking
of a new settlement, in the wilds of North America. Their civil liberty
being mutilated, and the enjoyment of their religious sentiments denied
them, in the land that gave them birth, they fled their country, they
braved the dangers of the then almost unnavigated ocean, and fought, on
the other side the globe, an asylum from the iron grasp of tyranny, and
the more intolerable scourge of ecclesiastical persecution. But gloomy,
indeed, was their prospect, when arrived on this side the Atlantic.
Scattered, in detachments, along a coast immensely extensive, at a
remove of more than three thousand miles from their friends on the
eastern continent, they were exposed to all those evils, and endured all
those difficulties, to which human nature seems liable. Destitute of
convenient habitations, the inclemencies of the seasons attacked them,
the midnight beasts of prey prowled terribly around them, and the more
portentous yell of savage fury incessantly assailed them! But the fame
undiminished confidence in Almighty GOD, which prompted the first
settlers of this country to forsake the unfriendly climes of Europe,
still supported them, under all their calamities, and inspired them
with fortitude almost divine. Having a glorious issue to their labors
now in prospect, they cheerfully endured the rigors of the climate,
pursued the savage beast to his remotest haunt, and stood, undismayed,
in the dismal hour of Indian battle!
Scarcely were the infant settlements freed from those dangers, which at
first evironed them, ere the clashing interests of France and Britain
involved them anew in war. The colonists were now destined to combat
with well appointed, well disciplined troops from Europe; and the
horrors of the tomahawk and the scalping knife were again renewed. But
these frowns of fortune, distressing as they were, had been met without
a sigh, and endured without a groan, had not imperious Britain
presumptuously arrogated to herself the glory of victories, achieved by
the bravery of American militia. Louisburgh must be taken, Canada
attacked, and a frontier of more than one thousand miles defended by
untutored yeomanry; while the honor of every conquest must be ascribed
to an English army.
But while Great-Britain was thus ignominiously stripping her colonies of
their well earned laurel, and triumphantly weaving it into the
stupendous wreath of her own martial glories, she was unwittingly
teaching them to value themselves, and effectually to resist, in a
future day, her unjust encroachments.
The pitiful tale of taxation now commences--the unhappy quarrel, which
issued in the dismemberment of the British empire, has here its origin.
England, now triumphant over the united powers of France and Spain, is
determined to reduce, to the condition of slaves, her American
subjects.
We might now display the Legislatures of the several States, together
with the general Congress, petitioning, praying, remonstrating; and,
like dutiful subjects, humbly laying their grievances before the throne.
On the other hand, we could exhibit a British Parliament, assiduously
devising means to subjugate America--disdaining our petitions, trampling
on our rights, and menacingly telling us, in language not to be
misunderstood, "Ye shall be slaves!"--We could mention the haughty,
tyrannical, perfidious GAGE, at the head of a standing army; we could
show our brethren attacked and slaughtered at Lexington! our property
plundered and destroyed at Concord! Recollection can still pain us, with
the spiral flames of burning Charleston, the agonizing groans of aged
parents, the shrieks of widows, orphans and infants!--Indelibly
impressed on our memories, still live the dismal scenes of Bunker's
awful mount, the grand theatre of New-England bravery; where _slaughter_
stalked, grimly triumphant! where relentless Britain saw her soldiers,
the unhappy instruments of despotism, fallen, in heaps, beneath the
nervous arm of injured freemen!--There the great WARREN fought, and
there, alas, he fell! Valuing life only as it enabled him to serve his
country, he freely resigned himself, a willing martyr in the cause of
Liberty, and now lies encircled in the arms of glory!
Peace to the patriot's shades--let no rude blast
Disturb the willow, that nods o'er his tomb.
Let orphan tears bedew his sacred urn,
And fame's loud trump proclaim the heroe's name,
Far as the circuit of the spheres extends.
But, haughty Albion, thy reign shall soon be over,--thou shalt triumph
no longer! thine empire already reels and totters! thy laurels even now
begin to wither, and thy fame decays! Thou hast, at length, roused the
indignation of an insulted people--thine oppressions they deem no longer
tolerable!