USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Conway > Celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Conway, Massachusetts : at Conway, June 19th, 1867 : including a historical address by Rev. Charles B. Rice poem by Harvey Rice oration by William Howland and the other exercises of the occasion > Part 7
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' APPENDIX.
EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF REV. JOHN EMERSON .*
-
1799. January. 1. Endeavored to begin this year in a religious and pious manner, by a renewed dedication of myself to God, imploring the forgiveness of my multiplied and aggravated offences, thro' the infinite merits of the Redeemer, and begging for grace to live more cir- cumspectly for the future. By profession I am a Christian and a Christian minister, but Oh! how un- worthy this honor, and how inconsistent has my spirit and deportment been with that high and sacred character.
This day went with one of my sons to Deerfield to attend the opening of the Academy erected there. Mr. Lyman of Hatfield, preached an ingenious sermon, from these words in Prov. 12, 8 :- " A man shall be commended according to his wisdom." Weather cold and stormy, yet there was a large collection of people from the adjacent towns. Dined at Esq. Saxton's, and returned home in the evening.
2.
3.
These days attended to reading and the common concerns of the family. Had many anxious and desponding thoughts respecting my outward circum- stances. I desire to put my trust in God.
4. Spent part of the day and evening in study for the Sabbath. Visited P. M., at Benj. Wells.
5. Spent in preparing for Sabbath. Weather clear and extreme cold.
* These fragments, which will be found in part curious, and possessed of more than personal interest, were kindly furnished by John M. Emerson, Esq., of New York City, grandson of John Emerson .- C. B. R.
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75
-
1799. January. 6.
Preached from 1 Pet. 3: 7,-as being Heirs to- gether of the grace of life, etc. Had little freedom and enlargement in speaking. How much have I to bewail a lifeless spirit and the want of love and zeal in my Master's glorious cause. Weather remains exceeding cold.
20.
Preached at Sunderland, by an exchange with Mr. Holman. A. M., fr. Ps. 110: 3,-" Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power." Admin- istered the Sacrament. P. M., preached from Rev. 1: 16,-" Out of his mouth went a two edged sword." Carried comfortably thro' the exercises. Was somewhat enlivened and enlarged. There appears to be a remarkable attention among this people.
23. February. 5.
Attended a marriage at Julius Allis'.
Went to S. Hadley to attend association. Dined at Whately, and met ministers in the evening at Mr. Hayes'.
6. A. M., attended to questions, etc. P. M., public lecture. It fell to me to preach, and from Prov. 2: 3, 4, 5. Returned to Conway in the evening.
19.
Went to Shelburne to attend the ordination of Mr. Packard. The Council sat till three o'clock at night.
20. Proceeded to the ordination, which was attended with decency and order. I was myself called to preach the sermon, and was greatly uplifted in the service.
April. 1. 16.
Attended April meeting for choice of Governor, etc
Went to Greenfield on business. Lodged at Mr. Newton's. About midnight was alarmed by the cry of fire. Rose from bed and saw Mr. Chapman's house and store consumed by the raging element. Thro' the exertions of the people the furniture and some part of the buildings of Mr. Chapman were saved, and by the good providence of God no lives were lost.
May. 23.
Set out on a journey to Boston. The occasion of . this journey was a circular letter from the Boston Association to the several Associations in the State, inviting them to delegate one or more of their num- ber to meet in Boston on the day preceding the gen- eral election, to consult on the present critical
-
76
1799. May.
and alarming state of our country, and to devise means for the suppression of infidelity. Rode this day as far as Greenwich, dined at Mr. Parsons, of Amherst, and lodged at Capt. Rich's in Greenwich.
24.
Proceeded on my journey, dined at Mr. Avery's in Holden, and reached Harvard. Lodged at Dea. Whitney's.
25. Rose carly, breakfasted at my kinsman's, Mr. Emerson's, and went on as far as Concord by noon. Was persuaded contrary to my intention to stay with Brother Ripley over the Sabbath.
26.
Lord's Day. Preached for Mr. Ripley. Had some freedom and satisfaction in the public services of the day. Preached to the acceptance of many, and I hope some profit.
27.
Set out early from Concord, and took breakfast at Dr. Osgood's in Medford, and arrived at Malden in safety after a pleasant and prosperous journey. Found my sisters well and living together in harmony which afforded me much satisfaction.
28.
Went to Boston. Called on Dr. Morse at Charles- town, who received me with great cordiality and christian friendship. Met with the ministers at the Court House in Boston, on the business specified in the letter from the Boston Association. There were present nearly twenty ministers from various Associations. -X- Agreed on two address- es, one to the people of the respective congregations, and one to the General Court, and appointed committee to draft said addresses, Drs. Tappan, and Emmons.
29.
General Election. Attended adj. meeting of del- egated ministers. Committee reported draft of addresses. Attended divine service at the Old Brick Church. P. M., attended the Convention. The addresses were largely debated, strongly opposed by some and warmly advocated by others. Returned to Malden.
30.
Went again to Boston. After further debate Dr. Thatcher moved to address the clergy, and that the address before us should be so altered as to apply to . them. This motion was unanimously adopted. The other address designed for the Legislature was re- jected. Adjourned to Dr. Thatcher's meeting house where Mr. Forbes preached a sermon from 2 Cor. 6 : 3, 4. A collection was made for indigent widows and orphans of ministers. Collected 156 dollars.
77
1799. June. . 3
Set out early on my return. Dined at Concord. Drank coffee at Harvard, and proceeded to Boyl- ston. Lodged with Mr. Nash the minister.
4.
Proceeded on my journey in the morning 13 miles, and breakfasted at Rutland public house. Rode to Greenwich. Called on Widow Collins and Mrs. Stetson in Hardwick. Put up at Dea. Rich's in Greenwich.
5. Rose early and proceeded on my journey 12 miles. Breakfasted at Mr. Draper's. Called on Esq. Strong at Amherst, and arrived at my own house in Conway at one o'clock, after a pleasant and prosper- ous journey. Found all well. The Lord has carried me forth and returned me safely, for which I desire to praise his blessed name.
.
Went to Northampton and put my son Charles as an apprentice with Mr. Dickinson.
18. September. 15. Lord's day. Preached A. M., from John 15 : 5, -- " I am the vine, ye are the branches." P. M., from Heb. 11 : 7,-" By faith Noah," &c. Both old sermons, not having finished my new ones.
November. 7. An ordination of a Baptist minister was attended to-day in town. Did not myself attend.
December. 3. Went to Charlemont to the installation of my-son- in-law, Joseph Field. In the evening the Council convened, etc.
4.
Attended the Installation. Preached from Heb. 13 : 17,-" Obey them that have the rule over you."
29 Lord's Day. Preached from 2 Sam. 1: 27,- " How are the mighty fallen," on the occasion of the death of Gen. Washington.
1800. January. 1. This day we had much company. In the evening married a couple ; rec'd $1.25 fee. Mr. S. Lee brought a present of a cheese, about the value of a dollar.
2.
Attended company. Bought cheese of Dea. Ware, value of $1,17. Dea. Ware brought a present of a piece of beef, value about 20 c.
3
Attended to study. Bot. Rum, 50 c.
Spent in preparatory study.
4. 6. Avocations. Went to several places on business. In settling accts with Dea. Ware found a balance in bis favor of $4,10, which he generously gave me,
78
1800. January.
and cancelled the acct. Lent $6,00 to Mr. Russell for one week.
.8.
This day was consecrated by this town to the mem- ory of Gen. Washington. Great funeral honors were paid by a solemn procession, &c. The people assem- . bled in the meeting house, where prayer was made, and singing, and an oration was delivered by Mr. Samuel Fisher.
9.
In the evening went to Mr. Hayden's to attend the marriage of his daughter Sally, to L. Root, fee $1,25.
23.
Returned from Charlemont. Married three coup- les, fees, $6,25.
March.
25.
Visited Capt. French's family with Dea. Root, with a view to attempt a reconciliation in that fami- ly, where there has been great contention and disorder.
May.
5.
Attended the lecture preparatory to the Sacrament. After divine service attended a Church meeting where Lemuel Billings presented a paper containing his reasons why he cannot hold communion with the Church. Labored a great while to convince him of his being in an error, and to dissuade him from pur- suing his purpose of being dipt and joining the Baptists, but to no purpose.
An Account of Expenses, &c., this year :*
1799.
Jan. 3 .- Oil Cake of Hayden, 50c. ; 3 sheets large paper, 6, . $ 56
5 .- For spinning by Polly Nash, 12 runs, 1 00
6 .- 2 lbs. of butter, 14c. ; hatchelling flax, by Scipio, 12, 26
12 .- Pair Shoes for myself, Mr. Stow, 1 50
17 .- Killing hog, by Asahel, 17
19 .- Pint Rum at Bardwell's store, 20
Feb. 4 .- Postage for letter, 17
7 .- 3 yards broadcloth, $3,33, 10 00
April 1 .- Bot. a cow of Capt. Tobey, 15 66
12 .- Pruning apple trees by Capt. Hall, endorsed on his note, . 67
26 .- A day's work by a woman taylor, 25
27 .- Equipping John for training, 2 25
May 2 .- Bot. a plough, 6, 17, pd 3, and gave note for 3,17, to be paid the Ist of next Nov. 6 17
20 .- Expenses to Boston and from there, 2 16
July 2 .- 2 qts. Rum, Williams,
1 50
Aug. 1 .- 2 qts. Rum, Bardwell,
75
* If the items given show fairly the whole balance, Mr. Emerson was doubtless enabled to dismiss the "desponding thoughts " with which he had began the year.
1
79
Income by salary, grant, presents, perquisites, &c.
CONTRA.
Jan. Salary, $266 67; Grant, 100 00, · $366 67
5 .- Piece of beef from Benj. Wells. 34
7 .- Spare rib, Isaac Baker, 25
8 .- Work by team for Loomis, 50
10 .- Marriage, Benj. Lee to E. Wheat, 1 00
Present from Dea. Root, spare rib, 25
12 .- Recommendation of A. Amsden, to teach school, Pork, present from Mr. Stow,
50
17 .- Sold 284 lbs. pork,
16 64
Apr. 1 .- A lamb,
50
8 .- Loin of veal from Dr. Ware, present,
34
11 .- Flour, Esq. Billings, present, 1 00
25 .- Marriage, M. Nims to M. Bartlett, 1 10
Sold a pair of Steers, 25 00
May 14 .- Present of a saddle from Capt. John Bannister, 8 00
Oct. 38 barrels cider,
32 00
60 bushels Indian Corn,
30 00
Sheep, 3 Marriages,
6 00
List of Ministers who originated from Conway.
CONGREGATIONAL .- Joel Baker, Elisha Billings, Richard S. Billings, Abel B. Clary, Dexter Clary, Stalham Clary, David Dickinson, Harrison G. O. Dwight, (Missionary, ) Samuel M. Emerson, Samuel Fisher, William Fisher, John A. Nash, Edward W. Root, Joseph K. Ware, Samuel Ware, William Ware, Sylvester Hovey, William F. Avery, Augustine Root, Charles B. Rice, Charles H. Wheeler .- 21.
BAPTIST .- Josiah Goddard, Calvin Keyes, Foster Hartwell, Edmund H. Smith, Horace Jenkins, (Missionary. )-5.
EPISCOPAL .- John Avery .- 1.
METHODIST .- Increase R. Bigelow .- 1.
UNITARIAN .- Luther Hamilton .- 1.
UNIVERSALIST .- O.is W. Bacon, W. Wilcox .- 2.
Minister's Wives who originated from Conway :
Sabra Emerson, Married Rev. Joseph Field, Unit.
Bethiah Ware,
Moses Miller, C.
Sally Ware,
William B: nney, C.
Elizabeth Tobey,
Josiah Goddard, B.
Louisa Billings,
66 Ezekiel Russell, C.
Mary Billings,
66
Ogden Dwight, C.
Abby Billings,
Mr. Young, C.
Jerusha Billings,
66 Bela B. Edwards,
C.
Louisa Dunham,
Lucien Farnham,
C.
Olivia Dunham,
Romulus Barnes,
C.
Minerva Nash,
Henry Eastman,
C.
Sophrenia Hall,
66 Increase R. Bigelow,
M.
Martha Arms,
66
Horatio N. Graves, C.
Julia Ann Ames,
Dwight Ives,
B.
Harriet Arms,
Charles E. Sylvester,
C.
Achsah Stowe,
James H. Coley,
B.
Maria Wheelock,
Foster Hartwell, .
B.
Ada C. Coffin,
.€ Adoniram J. Chaplin,
B.
Alma Bartlett,
16
Mr. Wilcox,
Univ.
-
25
80
Mary Stearns, Married Rev. Mr. Frary,
Julia Cooley,
16
60 Thomas S. Norton,
Abby Clark,
66
Jared Stone,
C.
Mary Clark,
66 J. Adams Nash, C.
Mary Clark,
Mr. Rossiter, C.
Mary H. Emerson,
Roval Reed,
C.
Mary Avery,
Robert M. Loughridge,
C.
Paulina Avery,
66
66
Oscar L. Woodford,
C.
Hannah Clark,
66
Gideon Dana,
C.
Armenia Pulsifer,
Samuel Skinner,
Univ.
Elizabeth Ware,
66
Theophilus Packard,
C.
Elizabeth Clarke,
66
Thompson, C.
Martha Baker,
66
William Carruthers,
C.
Lucy Harris,
66 Edwin P. Parker,
C.
Sabra Adams,
H. H. Benson,
P.
Elizabeth Billings,
66
Hiram Meade,
C.
Emily Meekins, 66
66 William Arms,
C.
C. indicates Congregational; B. Baptist ; M. Methodist; P. Presbyterian ; Unit. Unitarian ; Univ. Universalist.
NOTE.
On page 17 for "in later years," read the later year ; and in the sixteenth line, for "occupied " read unoccupied. Page 18 for " authors " read author. At page 23 understand that Elijah Wells lived upon the H. B. Childs place. Page 33, after "coming century," insert to. Page 39, for " times" read time. Page 71, for " Adams Nash," read John Adams Nash. And add to list of Congregationalists, Chas. H. Wheeler, and of Baptists, Josiah Goddard, Calvin Keyes, Edmund HI. Smith, and Horace Jenkins, (Missionary.)
There has been some misapprehension touching the ministerial statistics, re- ferred to on page 30. The omissions from the body of the history are perhaps to be regretted, though the facts will doubtless appear in the report of proceedings at the table. For convenience of reference I here append a list of Congregational .pastor's :
Jolin Emerson, settled Dec. 21, 1769; Deceased June 26, 1826.
Edward Hitchcock, D. D., LL. D., settled (colleague, ) June 21, 1821 ; Dismissed Oct. 23, 1825.
Daniel Crosby, settled Jan. 31, 1827; Dismissed July 24, 1833.
Melancthon S. Wheeler, settled June 19, 1834; Dismissed Aug. 18, 1841.
Samuel Harris, D. D., settled Dec. 22, 1841 ; Dismissed Feb. 11, 1851.
George M. Adams, settled Sept. 18, 1851; Dismissed May, 1803.
Elijah Cutler settled Sept. 9, 1863.
The corresponding list for the Baptist Church, once prepared, is not now at hand.
C. B. R.
B. C.
After the Address was concluded, the following Ode, written by GEORGE HOWLAND, Esq., of Chicago, Illinois, a native of Conway, was read by Rev. Geo. M. Adams, of Portsmouth, N. H.
O come, all ye sons of old Conway, Nor stay, ye fair daughters, away, And let us with true hearts united Observe this centennial day.
We'll speak of the deeds of our fathere, Who wrought for us more than they knew. And never forget those brave mothers Who wrought with them faithful and true.
They plowed on the plain and the hill-side; Their axe rung in forest and glen ; They planted the church and the school-house, And reaped a rich harvest of men.
Regarding a man as a brother, They bowed not to mortal the knce ; The banner they dyed in their life-blood Now waves o'er America frec.
Then let us be true to the manhood They suffered and toiled to defend, And pledge ourselves here, o'er their ashes, That we will be true to the end.
Hon. HARVEY RICE, of Cleveland, Ohio, a grandson of Cyrus Rice, the first settler of Conway, then delivered the following Poem :
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POEM.
---
BY HARVEY RICE.
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1
When Nature, with a skillful hand, Moulded to shape these billowy hills, She clad in forests dark the land, And penciled it with silver rills; And with a scarf of lovely blue, She bound the mountain's Regal brow, And touched it with a magic hue, Whose spell is flung around us now !
2
And still, within this narrow vale, Where beauty sleeps in cradled rest. She bids the River pour his wail, In unison with memories blest, Here every whisper seems to breathe Of other days where'er we tread : While yonder graves, moss-grown, bequeath A silent message from the dead !
3
Here saintly forms before us pass, Arrayed in bright celestial beams, Like visions seen in memory's glass, Whose smiles enchant our earthly dreams. What though a Century has flown Since first our fathers hither came, We see their faces-in our own- And kindle still their altar's flame !
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4
And still 'mid shadows dimly trace, In every vale, hill-top, and glen, The hearths they trod with manly grace, And still revere those godly men. The men, who braved a savage foe, And prostrate laid the forest's pride ; Who thought it quite enough to know God's will and take it for their guide.
5
The men who reared the sacred fane, And cherished schools throughout the land; Who sowed broadcast the precious grain, Which fell not in the barren sand ; But lives in hearts, whose quickening zcal Responded to a Nation's call; Brave hearts, that still but kindly feel For others' woes whate'er befall.
6
Yes, loyal hearts, that will defend The stars and stripes, where'er they wave ; And pray that blessings rich descend On those whom God to freedom gave! If, from their graves, our sires could rise, And see what changes time has wrought, Think you, they would believe their eyes, In this fast age of daring thought ?
7
An age whose genius, wide in sweep, Commands the lightning's fiery tongue To speak its errands o'er the Deep, From world to world together flung, And fearless guides the hissing car, And speeds the ship on every sca ; Yet makes high aims its polar star, And shapes anew Man's destiny !
8
And yet how blest were days of yore, Ere mad ambition sought to reign ; When men laid up in heaven their store, Nor worldly honors cared to gain ; When here, devout, both age and youth, As rang the solemn Sabbath bell. Convened to hear the gospel's truth, And drink the waters of its well.
85
9
When none were slaves to fashion's art, Nor with new doctrines were perplexed , When sermons long could mend the heart, And every child repeat the text !- O happy days ! when we were young, When o'er these hills we trod the way, Blithe as the morning lark that sung, In daisied meads, his roundelay.
10
Even yet, like fairy land, appear The shelving rock aud haunted glade, And chestnut groves to childhood dear, Where oft our footsteps we delayed, And gathered gifts which Nature gave, As, at our feet, they caught the eye While autumn winds that titful rave Swept through the trees with sullen sigh.
11
Yet 'mid the windings of the hills And 'mid the shadows of the vales, How sweet the music of the rills, Which still the pilgrim's car assails ! Though strangers in our Native Land, A welcome greets us without guile ; The hills extend a friendly hand, And valleys woo us with a smile.
12
Like old familiar friends they seem, The mystic pine, the mountain peak, The dreamy vale, and plaintive stream, That still to us in whispers speak. Thus, pilgrim-like, we come, and glean The golden memories treasured here; Yet feel that time can never wean Our hearts from scenes so fair and dear !
13
Beneath these same o'erarching skies, Once more we look with pure delight, On suuny spots that charmed our eyes, And sportive fields that trod our might. With joy we hail the homestead old, And still recall, as time departs, A mother's love that ne'er was told, Yet, cherished, livce in filial bearte.
-
--
.
86
14
That mother's love-that soul athirst- That saintly tear -- that lifted eye- That lisping prayer-that childlike trust- That budding hope- say, can they die ? No !- never-never-but shall live, And breathe an incense still divine ; No holier gift hath God to give, Nor holier memories, yours or mine !
15
In vain we ask for friends once dear, Once bound to us by genial ties ; Whose sacred dust but claims a tear, Where each in lowly slumber lies ! Yet, 'mid the gloom of by-gone years, Still lingers here and there a star, To cheer our steps and stay our tears, Like beacons gleaming from afar !
16
.
Ha! there it stands adown the glen -- That school-house old-with knowing looks ; Where blows did more to make us men, Than all the lessons taught from books ! Along these vales, 'mid sun and showers, Still laughs the brook, whose brood was cos, Where oft we trolled the line for hours, When even a nibble gave us joy !
17
Yonder we roamed the mountain-side, And sought to win a marksman's fame, With gun that sent its echoes wide, Yet, scattering, missed the nimble game! In halls where music thrilled the breast, We tripped the "light fantastic toe," And, with the smiles of Beauty blest, Thought earth a paradise, you know !
18
Perchance, with heart that knew not grief, Beneath the moonbeam's witching ray, We breathed a word sincere as brief, And only feared that one word-nay ! But where are now the favorite few, Who shared, amid these kindred hills, Our youthful sports and friendships true, Nor dreamed of life's impending ills ?
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87
19
Gone !- gone !- to realms beyond the stars, Where fairer scenes regale the sight, Where Truth her gate of pearl unbars, And pours her rivers of delight ! God bless the land that gave us birth, Her many sons and daughters fair ; The dearest land of all the earth, Where first we breathed the mountain air !
20
When years-a hundred more have rolled, A race unborn will note the day, And speak of us as men of old, Who left their footprints on the way. Yet they, who live for God and truth, The test of time need never fear; For they shall live in bloom of youth, Immortal in a brighter sphere 1
Old Hundred was then sung by the audience, after which the following Oration was delivered by WILLIAM HOWLAND, Esq., of Lynn, Mass.
------
MR. HOWLAND'S ORATION.
ORATION.
MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN :
We are met to welcome the hundreth anniversary of the birth of our native town into that great family of towns, clustered so thickly around the hearth-stone, and embraced so lovingly within the arms of our good mother, the blessed old Commonwealth of Massachusetts ; to exchange our con- gratulations on the auspicions rounding out of the century since a handful of settlers were here first dignified with a separate municipal existence ; some of us returning after years of absence to revisit the scenes of our childhood, to look again upon the familiar hills and valleys, to breathe again the pure mountain air, and to gaze upon the rich gar- niture and the varied
"pomp that fills The summer circuit of the hills "
which surrounded our infancy, refreshed as they are by the rains of yesterday, which nowhere fell more genially, glorified by the sunlight of to-day, which nowhere shines more bright- ly than on these wooded summits and verdant hill-slopes and meadows we so well remember.
On such an occasion the thoughts involuntarily run back to the time of that event, which this day is set apart to com- memorate. Then this was an insignificant part of a colonial district and dependency, still young and untried, not yet hav- ing reached the maturity of manhood, only just beginning to look forward to a separate national existence as a possibility, barely dreamed of, perhaps cautiously discussed or hinted at by a few spirits more daring than were others, as a fact of the
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92
future, whose first dawn was seen in the visions of only the most sagacious and far-seeing. Then this country, not yet the United States of America, consisted of a group of colo- nies along a portion of the Eastern shore of the continent, with a few settlements upon the banks of the rivers emptying into the Atlantic. Some handfuls of hardy pioneers, the ad- vance picket line of colonial settlers, had penetrated a hund- red or two miles inland, but in Massachusetts this place was little more than a wilderness, lying along the outer-most verge of civilization. The rich valley of the Connecticut had been longer known and occupied, but few had found their way among the hills, which fringe the borders of that valley, to the place where we stand to-day.
During the hundred years which have followed the date of the existence of this little plantation as a separate town, these colonies along the coast, these settlements in the green valleys and among the rugged granite hills of New England, have been the hives from which have gone out swarms of settlers to people the great West. Hardy pioneers, children of New England, reared in these valleys and upon these hills, re-inforc- ed by accessions from abroad, and following " Westward the course of Empire," have like a wave swept across the conti- nent, until now, on the shores of the Pacific, it is meeting the return wave of an eastern emigration from the flowery land of the Celestial Empire. Through this whole country, in its vast extent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the New Eng- lander, the Yankee, has been a presence and a power. These rugged hills have been the nurseries of men, who have made homes for themselves in every part of all this wide domain, moulding its character and its institutions, and have not been without their influence in other lands. These colonies have thus, during the century, not only become an independent nation, but one which has for the time which has elapsed, grown unprecedentedly great and powerful, and in its progress to greatness and power, New England has played no unim- portant part.
Of the history and successive steps of that national growth, it is not my purpose to speak, nor does it come within my
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