USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Framingham > Framingham in the Revolution, an address read before the Middlesex South Agricultural Society March 14, 1853 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
NOTE 5 .- Keziah, his widow, the "old woman," I suppose, of the narrative, de- ceased in 1833.
NOTE 6 .- American Loyalists, 2d edition, Volume 1st, page 140.
NOTE 7 .- I am unable in all cases to reconcile the contradictory accounts of this gentleman. It is certain that two children were born to him in Fram- ingham, and that his wife was Frances Buckminster. He lived also in Watertown and Boston. He was, I conclude, the Mr. Brewer of Brown and D'Bernicre's narrative, as thus, "We next went to Watertown," say they, "and were not suspected," ... "a little out of this town we went into a tavern, a Mr. Brewer's, a Whig. We called for dinner, which was brought in by a black woman; first she was very civil, but afterwards began to eye us very attentively; she went out and a little after returned, when we observed to her that it was a very fine country, upon which she an- swered, 'So it is, and we have got brave fellows to defend it, and if you go up any higher you will find it so.' This disconcerted us a good deal, and we imagined she knew us from our papers which we took out before her, as the General had told us to pass for surveyors; however, we re- solved not to sleep there that night as we had intended, accordingly we paid our bill ... After we had left the house we enquired of John, our servant, what she had said; he told us that she knew Captain Brown very well, that she had seen him five years before at Boston, and knew him to be an officer, and that she saw I was one also, and told John that he was a regular-he denied it; but she said she knew our errand was to take a plan of the country; that she had seen the river and road through Charles- town on the paper; she also advised him to tell us not to go any higher, for if we did we should meet with very bad usage," etc., etc.
NOTE 8 .- But if the incidents related in Life of Joseph Reed (Secretary and Aid to Washington, and subsequently, Adjutant General of the Army, and President of Pennsylvania) are true, Colonel Whitcomb hardly maintained the dignity due to his rank when removed from his home to the scenes of war in the Middle States.
NOTE 9 .- The vote of Middlesex County was 17 in favor, and 25 against, and that of Worcester County, 8 in favor, and 43 against the adoption of the Constitution; majority ugainst in the two counties, 43. As a matter of curious history I may mention that Worcester (city), now proudly called the "Heart of the Commonwealth," voted in the negative, and Hull, that dear little pet town, in the affirmative. I may add that among the Dele-
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HISTORY OF FRAMINGHAM
gates to the Convention were Bowdoin, father and son, Samuel Adams, Gove, Sumner, Brooks, Strong, Parsons, Dana, Cushing, Sedgwick, Dalton King, Varnum and Cabot, who subsequently attained distinction, either as Governors of Massachusetts, as filling the highest places in the Judiciary, as Senators to Congress, or as Ministers of the United States to Courts in Europe. These, with Hancock the President (then Governor), with Lin- coln and Heath, who were Generals in the Revolution, and the pure and gifted Fisher Ames, all voted Yea on the question of adoption.
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Historical Society Devotes Evening to the Memory of an Illustrious Citizen of Town*
Hon. Lorenzo Sabine Was First Framingham Resident Ever to Be Elected to U. S. Congress
The meeting of the Framingham Historical Society, at the home of the president, John M. Merriam, Esq., Prospect street, last eve- ning, was devoted to the memory of Hon. Lorenzo Sabine, an illus- trious citizen of Maine and Massachusetts, who for nine years lived on Auburn street, Framingham Centre, and who was the first Fram- ingham resident ever to be elected to the Congress of the United States.
The meeting was one of the most interesting of the series being held this year-reviving as it did the name of Mr. Sabine with a review of his life and achievements, together with a discussion of his literary works. The program included several speakers, each dealing with a separate part of his career, all of which was en- joyed by the gathering of more than sixty members, who listened intently and evinced much interest.
President Merriam presided and, at the outset, spoke in a gen- eral way of Mr. Sabine and the purpose of the meeting as follows:
It is the peculiar function and indeed the duty of our society to recall to our members from time to time the local leaders of earlier periods, so that our community life may have a certain con- tinuity which otherwise would be broken. With this in mind we have prepared this evening's program.
The name Lorenzo Sabine is almost a forgotten name in Fram- ingham today, and yet during the period of his residence with us, from 1849 to 1859, he was among the leaders in the business, social, and literary life of the town. He was a native of New Hampshire, but since he had become eighteen years old he had lived in the dis- tant town of Eastport in the State of Maine. He came to Framing- ham in the early prime of his life, about 46 years old, and with an established reputation which made him at once welcome. He ac-
*From Framingham Evening News, Dec. 29, 1932.
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HISTORY OF FRAMINGHAM
cepted a position in the Framingham Bank, probably with some more substantial motive than earning his modest compensation. Later he became the treasurer of the Framingham Savings Bank, also treasurer of the First Parish.
In November 1852, he was elected a Congressman for a broken term, to succeed Benjamin Thompson, deceased, receiving in Fram- ingham 344 votes out of a total of 560 cast for this office. He had held no prior public office in Framingham. Here we have a political puzzle which the records in Framingham do not solve. It was a surprising selection when we think of his recent coming and of the older citizens of the Middlesex District who had filled the usual positions and were the logical candidates for promotion. This puzzle has been more alluring to me than a crossword from Ruth Brooks.
But I think I have found the solution. First of all he was a man of far more than local reputation. He had served three years in the Maine Legislature and been Collector of Customs at Eastport. He had been recognized as a writer of ability. His articles had ap- peared in the North American Review. He had written the Life of Commodore Preble, published from Eastport in 1846. He was the author of a well-known work, "Sabine's Loyalists," which appeared in its first edition in 1847. He had received an honorary degree of Master of Arts from Bowdoin in 1846 and from Harvard in 1848. He was personally known to Thomas Corwin, the Secretary of the Treasury in Washington, also to Daniel Webster, Secretary of State. The former requested him February 2, 1852, to prepare a report on the history of the American Fisheries and in compliance with that request he had been at work in his home at Framingham in the preparation of the most complete and authoritative history of "The Principal Fisheries of the American Seas." This report was submitted from Framingham December 6, 1852.
Daniel Webster, serving for the second time as Secretary of State, requested a personal interview with him by letter dated August 7, 1852, for the purpose of obtaining his advice in the matter of the troubles of the American fishermen in the Canadian waters, a question which had not been settled by the Ashburton Treaty which he had negotiated in his former service as Secretary of State in 1842.
In a speech delivered to the Gloucester fishermen November 9, 1853, Sabine stated, "I have told you that more than half of my life was passed among men of your toilsome, and uncertain vocation, that I was bred to buy and to sell the products of the sea; that, at
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IN THE REVOLUTION
my island home on the eastern frontier of Maine, my vessels visited the waters of distant, desolate Labrador, of the Bay of Chaleurs, and the Bay of Fundy, for the cod; and that they pursued the mackerel in its many haunts, from May to November."
Although apparently a bank clerk in the village town of Fram- ingham, he was the foremost authority in the country on the history and value of the American fisheries and was so recognized by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury. This issue was coming again before Congress. In this same speech Sabine says, "You all know, that the people of Middlesex in their generosity, and though not owning-as far as I am aware-a single fishing smack sent me to the councils of the nation, in the hope that I might lend some aid to those who, at the last session of Congress, attempted to adjust this controversy."
There seems, therefore, to have been a general desire probably throughout the New England coast and recognized in the Fourth Middlesex district that this illustrious newcomer should be sent to Congress to fight the battles of the fishermen as the expert most qualified to lead in a special matter then receiving attention.
Thus it was that Lorenzo Sabine, the Maine fisherman, was elected from this inland Middlesex district almost as a Congressman at large to represent the fishing industry from Eastport to the Long Island Sound.
His term of service was brief, simply from December 28, 1852, to March 3, 1853. As I shall show later, however, it was a period of hard work and disappointment for him. In addition to his Con- gressional duties he must have assumed some responsibilities by rea- son of his appointment in this same year as confidential agent of the United States Treasury to report with reference to the provisions of the Ashburton Treaty as connected with our commerce with Brit- ish colonies.
In 1859 larger opportunities opened for him and he moved to Boston to become the secretary of the Boston Board of Trade, a position which he filled with great credit for thirteen years. In Bos- ton he became one of the very active members of the Massachusetts Historical society, the index of nearly every volume of proceedings containing references to his donations of manuscripts and books and to his remarks at the stated meetings.
In the article reviewing his life contained in Appleton's Cy-
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HISTORY OF FRAMINGHAM
clopedia of American Biography he is called "historian," a title which I believe you will all agree with me he richly deserves.
He died in 1877 and a delightful and sympathetic memoir writ- ten by Edward Everett Hale is found in the proceedings for 1879. It will now be our pleasure to hear a résumé of this memoir which has been prepared for this occasion by Willis A. Kingsbury, Jr.
Willis A. Kingsbury, Jr., related interesting details of the early life and struggles of Lorenzo Sabine, as contained in the proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society in memory of the Framing- ham man by Edward Everett Hale. Mr. Kingsbury's talk was illus- trated with numerous bits of wit to show the determination of Mr. Sabine to succeed in the face of many discouraging obstacles.
Miss Marcella Davis, curator of the society, spoke briefly of the finding of the original picture of Lorenzo Sabine, from which Photog- rapher George W. Cokell had prepared an enlargement which was on display and which Mr. Merriam announced would be presented to the Town Library to take its place with those of other distinguished residents. Miss Davis said that she believed Mrs. Mary Esty Stock- well gave this picture to the society and she recalled that it was in the possession of the society.
Mrs. Fred L. Oaks read a paper prepared by Mr. Oaks, on the association of Mr. Sabine with the old Framingham Bank. Records of the bank were cited as follows:
Lorenzo Sabine became associated with the old Framingham Bank in May, 1850, when he was about forty-six years old, as ap- pears by the records of the Directors of May 27, of that year. That record is in his handwriting, very neat and legible, and quite evident- ly the work of a man used to clerical labor and the systematic handling of business affairs. It was a time of change for the bank. Oliver Dean, who gave his name to Dean Academy, and who had been president since 1838, had resigned on account of his health, and had been succeeded by Sullivan Fay of Southboro. Mr. Illsley, the Cashier, had resigned, and Increase S. Wheeler of the Board of Directors had been made Acting Cashier. (Thirty years later Mr. Wheeler was to become president, and to serve as such for eight years.)
In this emergency Mr. Sabine had been called upon to carry along the work, which apparently he was competent to do. It does not appear that the cashier had assistance, except in the conducting
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IN THE REVOLUTION
of the messenger work between Framingham and Boston, for which a small appropriation was made.
At this meeting of the Directors, May 27, 1850, a committee was appointed to select a cashier. On June 3rd, a week later, this committee reported that they had made choice of Lorenzo Sabine; whereupon the board proceeded to ballot, and the acting president on counting the votes made known that Mr. Sabine had been elected unanimously. Mr. Sabine at once declined to accept the office and gave reasons, which are on the record, as to why he could not do so. It seems probable that Mr. Sabine suggested to the directors at this time that there should be a bookkeeper or accountant, as well as cashier, for the committee on the selection of a cashier was also directed to engage an accountant, and were "to proceed with all convenient and proper dispatch." Two weeks later, on June 17, this committee having apparently attended to its duties and made report, the board proceeded to the election of cashier, and Francis Jaques of Charlestown was unanimously chosen. Mr. Sabine was elected ac- countant and there is in the record of this date, which is in his hand- writing, an itemized statement of the duties which he was willing to perform for the large salary of six hundred dollars per year.
Mr. Jaques, whose daughter, Mrs. Alice Jaques Ware, is still with us, was to be cashier for over ten years and then president for three years more.
In April of the next year an interesting item appears in the record. The cashier had requested of the directors an increase in his salary, which had been granted. Whereupon he wrote them a letter, which is inserted in the record-book, in which he asks them to recon- sider their action, and give part of the increase agreed upon to Mr. Sabine. This the directors voted to do. This request of Mr. Jaques was certainly a gracious and kindly act.
There is little more in the record of Mr. Sabine's services with the bank. For a short time, during his brief service as Member of Congress, he must have been away; but there appears to be nothing on the bank records about that fact.
On April 3, 1854, he resigned as bookkeeper, and his resigna- tion was duly accepted. This ended his services of nearly four years as an employee of the old Framingham Bank.
Frank A. Kendall, chairman of the Library trustees, described the connection of Mr. Sabine with the Reading Club and the Town Library. He also read passages from letters of Mr. Sabine, written
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HISTORY OF FRAMINGHAM
during his service as Congressman in Washington, to his close friend Charles Russell Train. These letters contained many interesting references to political affairs of the time and of the work that he was doing on the American fisheries legislation.
In this first letter January 7, 1853, Sabine refers to his work as Congressman as follows:
"I am borne down with work-alas-my position is by no means an enviable one-the newspapers all round ding-ding nothing but 'Mr. Sabine and the Fisheries'-oh-dear, how I wish they would let me alone. I have a score of letters to answer this morning & can- not add. Not a single Framingham friend has seen fit to write to me. You, Train, might at least say a word-that's a fact."
This is followed by a more cheerful letter January 13, 1853:
House of Representatives Jan. 13, 1853.
Dear Train,
Your kind letter of Jan. 11, was very-very welcome, I do assure you. Why, I did not hear from that old rocking chair-was a cir- cumstance I could not well account for, and I scolded about you well. You have retrieved your character, and I again vote you a good fellow.
Believe me, a man who seeks to stand well at Washington, must be of pure morals-he must be exemplary in every-ay, every respect. Massachusetts shall not suffer disgrace at the hands of the member from the "Old Fourth." Thus far, I do not even know in what part of the Capitol the refreshment rooms are situated, nor have my lips been even wet any where with any kind of distilled or fer- mented liquors. I do not mean to touch or taste during the session, nor, if to be avoided without positive incivility, do I intend to play so much as a single game of whist. No man, woman, or child, shall have even a pretense to say that your friend's morals in every particular are questionable.
Today, I had an interesting interview with the Committee of Commerce, who, you will recollect, are maturing a bill on the sub- ject of the Fisheries and Reciprocity. It may not be in good taste, even in a private letter to a friend like you, to give an account of the manner of my reception, or of the deference to my opinions, and I will only remark, that, by a most cordial invitation, I am to meet with the Committee, hereafter, and to be treated as a member of it.
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IN THE REVOLUTION
Mr. Corwin has determined, as I understand from Mr. Appleton, and Mr. Sumner, to send my Report with, and as a part of his Annual Treasury Report, which will come to the House in a day or two. Surely, I cannot desire a greater compliment than this.
And now, my good friend, when we have an old-fashioned talk in the old place, we'll post up everything, just as we have done these four years. Elisabeth is quite well, except a lame foot-She sent off a long letter to Mrs. Train this morning. My note to Miss Althea, I may hope has restored my relations with her. Allow Mrs. Train to read this. My kind regards to your mother, to all in your house- hold, and particularly to Althea.
Truly yours, S.
But the last letter is the most interesting of all:
Washington, January 27, 1853.
Dear Train-
I am able to write a little today for the first time. Confound the chills and fevers of this climate, which take a man down as if shot, and unless thrown off at once, end in "congestion" of the lungs, brain, or bowels and hurry a poor fellow to his grave before he has time to think about it. Never was a man more careful than I have been-abstaining from stimulants entirely-eating moderately and clothing warmly. But on Saturday of last week I got a little warm in walking to see the Sup. of Public Printing and the Public Printer, about my Fish Report-and then cooled off too suddenly-hence the awful shaking and fever which ensued. Deliver me from another such a time.
Well, my good friend, now as to your proposed visit to Wash- ington. In my judgment, you cannot come too soon, for I advise you to avoid the mob of the crowning day. The landlords, in an- ticipation of the expected throng, are already putting up their prices and toward the fourth of March, charge the most enormous rates, as we are told on all hands. What people come here for at inaugura- tion time, from what I hear is a marvel. There is no show about it- nothing but one vast mob-no comfort -- no time to see anything but the mob. The office-seekers, of course, have an object in coming. I say, then, come on as early in February as you can, and you and your party shall have my best services to make your stay happy. You had better take the morning-train and go to Philadelphia the
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HISTORY OF FRAMINGIIAM
first day-stopping at the "Girard House, Chestnut Street." The next day's journey is an easy one-as you can arrive at "Willard's" at tea-time. You will meet with no trouble on the way except at New York, where a new line commences and where you must look well to getting to the "Jersey Ferry" in time for the Philadelphia train. A baggage man will meet you and tell you his plans are the cheapest, etc. But on arriving at New York, take a carriage, and so, on arriving at Philadelphia. As to your tickets-buy to New York- from New York to Philadelphia-and from Philadelphia to Wash- ington and get baggage checks accordingly-unless indeed you keep on with the mail from the start-in which case you can get tickets and checks at New York to Washington. As soon as your plans are formed, write me at once, that I may arrange for you with Willard- give me the exact number of the party-Whether here or at any other hotel in the city, you will be compelled to sleep as you can-but few mind that, since the drawing-room is the place to which all the ladies resort-for there they see the big bugs, etc.
I am too weary, dear Train, to write more. Fish matters are doing as well as can be expected. The course of the Sec. of the Treas. was entirely unknown to me. Never did a stranger here get a better lift. What he said, gave me position at once. The Com- mittee on Printing will print some 2000 extra copies which will be bound separate from the other part of the Secretary's Report with a title page, etc., all to please me. The Committee on Commerce have finally agreed upon and will report a "Reciprocity bill." The Fishing part is of my fixing and suits me. The next thing is to pass it --- heigh-ho-what devious paths political men travel in. The dissolu- tion of the Derby ministry is an adverse circumstance so far as final action before the 4th of March is concerned.
Love to all,
Truly yours, S.
Harry C. Rice, secretary of the society, spoke of the building of the Sabine house on Auburn street, a house now owned by the Puffer family. The house was erected by Dexter Esty in 1849 at a total cost of $2740.
John H. Temple presented plans of the layout of this property and the original deed to the property.
Mr. Merriam told of the original manuscript of Mr. Sabine's
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IN THE REVOLUTION
"History of Framingham in the Revolution," in our Town Library, a comprehensive account of the part of Framingham men of civil and military prominence in that war. Mrs. Zetta A. Leavitt, a descendant of two of those who received prominent mention, read passages from this copy, especially those relating to Josiah Stone and Joseph Haven.
Charles A. Esty read Mr. Sabine's tribute to Lawson Buck- minster and the part he played in bringing about Massachusetts ratification of the United States constitution. Mr. Esty had copies of some of Mr. Sabine's works in which were pasted letters from Mr. Sabine, written from Washington to his grandfather and which contained many interesting references to affairs of that day. Mr. Esty also reported Mr. Sabine's declaration that the best nine years of his life were spent in Framingham.
A review of Mr. Sabine's biography of Edward Preble, commo- dore of the frigate Constitution (Old Ironsides) in the war against the Barbary States, which was part of the Library of American Biography conducted by Jared Sparks, was given by Raymond J. Callahan as follows:
When Jared Sparks conducted the Library of American Bi- ography in 1846 it was not surprising that he called upon Lorenzo Sabine to write the biography of Edward Preble, commodore of the frigate Constitution (Old Ironsides) in the war against the Barbary States.
Mr. Sabine at that time was outstanding for his literary work. In that year he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Bowdoin College. He had been a contributor of articles to the North American Review, a publication of which Mr. Sparks was the editor.
Jared Sparks, president of Harvard College, was known for his favorable biographies of noted Americans. In the first series of the American Biographies he wrote ten of the twenty-six included. The second series contained thirty-four biographies. That written by Mr. Sabine was included in both series. Sparks chose men familiar with their subjects to assist him.
As is being told here tonight, Mr. Sabine resided in Eastport, Me., and became a national authority on fisheries and shipping. In this life at Eastport he could not escape the thrill that the youth of that time must have received from the stories of Commodore Preble's
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HISTORY OF FRAMINGHAM
exploits which caused him often to be referred to as the "Father of the American Navy."
Commodore Preble was born in Portland and his wife was the daughter of Nathaniel Deering of that city. Mr. Sabine married an Elizabeth Deering of Portland, a relative of the wife of Commodore Preble.
Thus his association with Sparks on the North American Re- view, his unequaled knowledge of shipping and the sea, the family relationship and his established ability as a writer made Mr. Sabine possessed of unusual qualifications to write the biography of Com- modore Preble. In the preface of this work Mr. Sabine expresses thanks for "the very considerable aid afforded me by Mr. Nathaniel F. Deering of Portland and Mr. George H. Preble, passed Midship- man of the U. S. Navy."
Papers in possession of the family of Commodore Preble, original letters and documents, were at the disposal of Mr. Sabine and upon those materials he relied chiefly to give a plain and accurate narra- tive of the life and public services of Commodore Preble.
While several sketches of this distinguished officer had appeared from time to time, Mr. Sabine was aware of no biography which contained all that should be known. He wrote the biography at Eastport in 1846, before he established a residence in Framingham.
The independence of thought of Mr. Sabine, and perhaps an idea of his great ability to obtain accurate information, is indicated in the fact that he differs in several particulars from the writers who had preceded him.
The biography is a narrative of some 20,000 words or more. In it Mr. Sabine briefly reviews the ancestors of the Prebles of Maine, the birth of Edward Preble in 1761, his early life, his desire to go to sea against the wishes of his father, his service to his country in the Revolutionary war, before entering into the details of his greater achievements. Mr. Sabine found much evidence of his daring and courage manifested early in life.
Commodore Preble had a distinguished career before the mast previous to his appointment as captain in the United States Navy and his assignment to equip the Constitution for sea and to com- mand a squadron against the States of Barbary.
Tripoli had been at open war with our flag for two years and two squadrons had already been sent to the Mediterranean to effect
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IN THE REVOLUTION
a renewal of amicable relations. Left without adequate support from the government these two squadrons returned to the United States.
Preble's command was inferior in every point to the second squadron. He was chosen because of the resolution of the admin- istration for a more vigorous course of action to reduce the Barbary powers to terms. "The government," Mr. Sabine writes, "and the political party which it represented, continued to regard the navy with indifference, if not dislike. The Secretary was an amiable and courteous gentleman, and his correspondence with Preble evinces all proper, and indeed highly laudable exertions to meet his wishes, but yet it affords abundant evidence of the narrow policy of the time; and that functionary, without funds provided by law, and at his com- mand, to equip speedily and efficiently a force, was compelled to deci- sions and suggestions, which, in his private judgment, he probably considered wrong."
Mr. Sabine gives in minute detail the preparations for the expe- dition and its arrival in the Mediterranean for action. Soon Preble found that so long as the Christian powers paid tribute to the Barbary States and supplied them with military or naval stores or ships, there would be no chance to properly protect shipping and human life. Prisoners held for ransom brought big returns until the arrival of Preble on the scene.
The narrative details Preble's determination to conquer rather than to submit to the payment of tribute, even though some of his own associates-the crew of the Philadelphia-were imprisoned in Tripoli for a long period. It was Preble's policy of "millions for de- fense, but not one cent for tribute" that finally reduced the power of the Barbary States.
The activities of Preble and the brave officers and men of his squadron, engaged in hand to hand battles in a struggle to capture rival boats, are told by Mr. Sabine in a thrilling manner-yet with the detail and authority that would insure the greatest accuracy. Much of the biography is given to the experiences in and around Tripoli.
Mr. Sabine's clearness in style caused him to separate the story of the Commodore's hostile operations in one section and then treat in another his many but fruitless endeavors to effect an arrange- ment with Tripoli without the use of force and the sacrifice of human life. These negotiations occurred at various periods. "I have pre- ferred to speak of warlike and pacific measures separately," Mr.
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HISTORY OF FRAMINGHAM
Sabine wrote, "rather than divide the reader's attention, since a con- nection of subject has seemed to me as far more desirable, than the observance of chronological order."
The success of Commodore Preble is an historical fact with which you are all familiar. However, a compliment paid him by a Christian leader of that day emphasizes this success, Mr. Sabine found in quoting, "The American commander, with a small force, and in a short space of time, has done more for the cause of Chris- tianity, than the most powerful nations of Christendom have done for ages."
Preble died in 1807, so it is doubtful that Mr. Sabine had any personal recollection of him. However, his association with the Deerings and the Prebles made accessible to him documentary in- formation that makes his contribution to the Library of American Biographies a work of merit and authority.
A most fascinating review of his book, "Duels and Duelling," was given by Miss Mary D. Davenport. The review gave the details of some of the duels that would amaze the present generation. Her interesting review has already created a call for this book from the Library. This was written in Framingham, Miss Davenport found.
She concluded: "While the works of Mr. Sabine show the breadth of his interests, and his scholarship, these Notes on Duels and Duelling show the height to which his moral indignation could rise, and the depth of his love for his fellow men. The book shows him to be a very noble man of lovely character, one fitted not only to command our respect, but also to compel our sincere admiration."
Mr. Merriam discussed Mr. Sabine's greatest work, "Biograph- ical Sketches of Loyalists," and concluded the program with reading from an address to the "Men of Cape Ann," in which he urged their support of the Massachusetts constitution of 1780 and opposition to a new code that was proposed by the Constitutional Convention of 1853, and which would have brought about radical governmental changes.
Following the program, there was an exhibit of his books and pictures gathered for the occasion. The meeting adjourned with all present voicing appreciation for the pleasant program and for the hospitality of the president of the society.
From the "Cyclopedia of American Literature," the following sketch of Lorenzo Sabine is taken:
A New England historical writer, was born at Lisbon, New
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Hampshire, February 28, 1803. The story of his life, looking to the valuable results of authorship in his writings, in a department of literature requiring great intelligence and much nicety of preparation, is somewhat remarkable. It is the narration of a self-educated man, adding another to the memorable instances of the distinguished pur- suit of knowledge under peculiar difficulties. At fifteen years of age, on the death of his father, the youth was left in utter poverty, and without even the rudiments of knowledge, to make his own way through the world as he best could.
In 1821, after seeking employment in Boston until his little stock of money was nearly exhausted, he went to Eastport, Maine, where he entered a retail shop at ten dollars a month, sleeping in the unfinished attic, filled with old barrels, boxes, and other rubbish- an elevation which he reached by a ladder. This humble mode of life was dignified by a love of literature. The shopkeeper's assistant soon obtained a few books on credit, and devoted his entire leisure to study. His activity then displayed itself in his opening a small store on his own account while yet a minor, an undertaking which resulted in bankruptcy in less than a year. He then engaged with a merchant who owned ships and transacted a large business; kept the books of the "Passamaquoddy Bank," and, by making the best of his assets and earnings, settled with his creditors. Such, briefly told, is his early history. For the fifteen years that followed he was a mere frontier trader.
From 1837 to 1838 he served in various capacities as a bank officer. Meantime the acquisition of information was his paramount object; and the weariness of business was relieved not by amuse- ments, but by his books and his pen. His ability and usefulness also led to his employment in public affairs. While at Eastport he was elected to the Legislature of Maine three successive years, and held the office of Deputy Collector of the Customs. He returned to Massa- chusetts in 1849; was appointed, in 1852, a secret and confidential agent of the Treasury Department of the United States, with refer- ence to the operation of the Ashburton Treaty as connected with our Commerce with the British Colonies; and was elected to the Thirty- second Congress to fill the vacancy occasioned by the decease of the Hon. Benjamin Thompson. He was afterwards appointed secre- tary of the Boston Board of Trade. Bowdoin College conferred upon him the degree of A. M. in 1846, and Harvard University in 1848.
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