USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Gleanings from the records of the Boston Marine Society : through its first century, 1742 to 1842 > Part 11
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I am aware, Mr. President, that I have given a very imperfect view of this Society-but I know that we have gentlemen older and abler than myself, who can and no doubt will make up fully for my deficiency.
With your permission, Mr. President, I will offer as a sentiment :
The Shipmaster - A most important actor in the commerce, social intercourse, and improvement of the world.
The President then gave the following regular senti- ments :
2. The President of the United States.
3. The Governor of this Commonwealth.
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The President read a letter from his Excellency the Governor, regretting his inability to be present on the occasion.
4. The Navy -The strong arm of our defence, made weak by parsimonious legislation.
Commodore JOHN B. NICHOLSON returned his thanks for the kind manner in which the Navy had been alluded to. He stated that the interests of the merchant, the ship-master, and the officers of the Navy were identical.
The following regular toasts were then given :
5. The Good Ship United States - May no one ever have command of the quarter-deck unless he is conversant with the chart of public opinion, and knows how to steer clear of the shoals of opposition.
6. The old ship Massachusetts -- She has been overhauled and pronounced perfectly sea-worthy -may her officers do their duty with a single eye to the public good.
HON. JOSIAH QUINCY, Jr., president of the Senate of Massachusetts, responded to the last sentiment.
He remarked that it had been his good fortune to be se ated next to the oldest member of the Society, present on the occasion, -to a gentleman whose name for more than fifty years-for more than half the time that had elapsed since the organization of the Society, had been borne on its rolls. That this, however, was not the only association that connected his venerable friend with the day ; that both before and after the battle of Bunker's Hill, he had been a soldier in the army of the Revolution, and by being accidentally absent on leave, escaped an honorable death, to lead, what was far better. a useful and honorable life. Under these circumstances, there- fore, he trusted that in replying to a toast relating to the
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former honor, and the present situation of the State of Massachusetts, he might be permitted to give,
The Warriors of our native Country-Those who have defended her upon the land - those who have fought for her on the ocean - the memory of the many who have departed - the health of the few that remain.
STEPHEN CODMAN, Esq., the gentleman to whom Mr. Quincy had alluded, seemed much affected by the remarks; insomuch that, on rising to reply, he could hardly give utterance to his feelings.
Mr. Quincy again rose, and said, that perhaps he owed his venerable friend an apology for having called him out quite so unceremoniously ; but if he had in any degree shocked his modesty by being too complimentary, he would endeavor to atone for it, by alluding to the verse of an old song, which the gentleman had just repeated, that in these temperance times might lower him in the opinion of some of the hearers. The verse was this :
" With old wine and old friends I feel no decay,
But a gentle decline as life passes away."
In allusion to the change that had taken place in the results of conviviality since his friend was first admitted to the Society, Mr. Quincy gave :
The Temperance Reform - May the time soon come, when no man shall get half seas over, unless, with the sailor, he gets half seas over upon water.
The President then gave the following regular senti- ment :
7. The Laws of our Country - With efficient officers to advocate them, it will require a dexter-ous hand to evade them.
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The Hon. FRANKLIN DEXTER. U. S. District Attor- ney, rose and remarked :
I feel much honored in being permitted at this inter- esting festival to represent the admiralty courts of the district ; and I regret that the distinguished judges of those courts are not present to declare for themselves the high value they put upon the good influence of the Boston Marine Society. Others. better than I, can state the particular modes in which that influence is exerted ; but I see in the statutes of the Commonwealth that your Society is intrusted with important powers, and has long enjoyed the confidence of the Legislature, and I hear your good report in the mouths of all honorable men.
Since I have held the office which has procured me the honor of your invitation, I have been led to observe more carefully the character of sea-faring men ; and I have had reason to believe, that while as a class they particularly need, they are, more than is commonly supposed, open to the influence of good advice and example. Other societies have undertaken the care of the seamen of the port, with most benevolent efforts ; and I see a reverend guest near you to whose zeal in their service too much praise cannot be given.
A similar, though more silent, influence is exerted by your Society over the ship-masters. They feel the value of your approbation, and their admission to your num- ber is a strong certificate of merit in their profession. With these views of the usefulness of your Institution, independently of its liberal charities, I offer as a senti- ment :
The Boston Marine Society - Exercising important powers for the protection of commerce and navigation, may they
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continue to find their reward in the gratitude and confidence of the community.
The next regular toast was as follows :
8. The Merchants of Boston- High as they deservedly stand, we cannot forget that good sailors have obtained to the topmost rank amongst them.
THOMAS B. CURTIS, Esq., replied to the above senti- ment in the following language :
Mr. President-I little expected such a broadside from your gallant frigate in taking the exposed seat which I occupy, and which was to have been filled by one of the worthiest members of our Society-one who, I will venture to say, wherever he may be, is doing his duty. Regretting the absence of our valued friend, permit me to say, that when it was proposed to com- memorate the hundredth year of our corporate existence, it seemed to me a long lapse of time; but when, on comparing dates, I found that I had myself been a member a quarter part of that period, I ceased to consider it as so very long a time. Having been honored by election to various offices of trust since I became a member, including that of President, I cannot but feel a deep interest in all that conduces to the welfare of the Society, and its members individually ; and I feel an honest pride in looking back to the days when, like many whose familiar faces surround me, I was an active ship-master ; and, Sir, if my life was now to be recom- menced, I should be most happy to go through the same course which led me, at an early age, to the rank of an old ship-master.
The learned law officer, who so gracefully represents the admiralty court, has alluded to other duties pertaining
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to this Society besides those of a benevolent nature- but it may not be known to all, that the trustees have long been charged with the care and supervision of the pilotage of the port-formerly an arduous and thankless office, but now rendered an easy and agreeable duty, through the efficiency and esprit du corps of the pilots themselves ; who. as a body, I am free to say, are not surpassed by any. These duties are analogous to those of the " Elder Brethren of the Trinity," of England- and now that we are a century old, I do not know that the same title should be withheld.
It gives me pleasure to see so many of our members together on this interesting occasion-but yet it. is not unmixed with pain in reflecting, that it is owing to the depressed state of our commerce that so many are here ; and, in that respect, I hope never to meet so numerous a company again at a meeting like this. Sir, our mem- bers are not a home-ly people ; their business is abroad.
It only remains for me to offer a sentiment which, if not personal, is of national character.
The Freedom of the Seas- We are always glad to receive our neighbors at home, but we must decline their searching visita- tions abroad.
9. The Boston Custom House - A strong link-on the grand chain connecting our commercial interests with those of the general government.
Upon this toast being drunk, Hon. LEVI LINCOLN, the Collector of the port, rose, and in allusion to the play upon his name, sportively remarked, that the appeal to him was altogether too personal, to permit him to remain silent. He might object to it, also, as out of order, inasmuch as it was in violation of a
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wholesome parliamentary law, which seemed to him quite as reasonable in its application to a public festival. as in debate, -that "no gentleman should be referred to by name." If the intention was, that he should make a speech in reply, he might well complain that he had been most sadly taken in, on the occasion. It was the last thing for which, at this time. he should have come prepared. Why, Mr. President, (said Mr. L.) on look- ing around these tables, I see here a company of intelli- gent, practical gentlemen, with not a single Congress- man among them, and but a "sprinkling" of members of the General Court ; and I might well have hoped that here, as elsewhere, they would prefer to do their own work, and ask no aid from others to the entertain- ment. To be serious, however, he would most gladly so far avail himself of the opportunity now afforded him, as to return his most cordial thanks for the honor done him by the Society, in permitting him to partici- pate in the enjoyments of this festival. From what he had already seen and heard, it was an occasion full of interest. He regretted that the celebration was not more formal and public, and that the opportunity had not been improved to give to the community generally, some account of the Association, of its many good deeds of charity, and its extensive and beneficent influence upon the happiness of individuals and families, and the security and welfare of society. So modest and unobtrusive, indeed, had been its course, that few. beyond the reach of its bounties, scarcely knew of its existence, while there was hardly an institution, which could be named, more deserving of notice. or better entitled to public favor.
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Your worthy President has told us. that this is an ancient Society, of an hundred years' existence ; that it was incorporated in the reign of George II., by the authority of the Provincial Government of Massachusetts Bay. Venerable as it is thus made by age, (said Mr. L.) I have this moment cast my eye upon a paper now laying before you, Mr. President, which, by the most touching association. gives to this Institution, in my mind, a more particular and far deeper interest. Although, nearly a century ago, this Society took the form of legal organization under a royal charter. yet the document to which I refer, in the year ISog, now one third of a century since, gave to it a republican reorganization, under an act of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and to this act I see affixed the signature of my own father, then exercising the chief executive office of state. Hence, although before a stranger to the Society. I already feel now. as it were, at home, an associate. and in fellowship with you.
The date of the origin of this Institution carries the mind back to the infancy of the country. How full of thought is the recurrence to this early period in its his- tory ! The centennial celebrations which have been held within a few of the past years, have done much to gather fresh fragrance to the memory of our venerated ances- tors. As to the origin and objects of this Society, we have but another illustration of their pure and noble character. A few sea-faring men. poor but enterpris- ing, engaged in an employment the most perilous to fortune and to life, associate together for purposes at once the most beneficial to the pursuits of business. and
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the dearest to humanity. In the impressive language of the original charter, now before me, I read, "the princi- pal ends of the Society are to improve the knowledge of this coast, by their several members, upon their arrival from sea, communicating their observations, inward and outward, of the variation of the needle, the soundings, courses, and distances, and all other remarkable things about it, in writing, to be lodged with the Society, for the making of the navigation more safe ; - and also. to relieve one another, and their families, in poverty, or other adverse accidents of life, which they are more par- ticularly liable to ;- and have, for this end, raised a con- siderable common stock, out of which they have. from time to time, contributed largely for the aforesaid pur- poses." How enlightened and liberal, and to a great degree, how personally disinterested, these objects ! Not for themselves alone, nor yet for their families only, were these results of nautical observations and experience to be acquired, but the recorded communications were to teach to others a knowledge of the hazards of the coast, and to be the safeguard of the navigator, for all future time. It is to this early attention to the character of our rugged and dangerous shores, with the never-ceasing watchfulness of this Society, at all times, in advising to securities and facilities to their approach, that we are indebted, rather and more than to any other agency, for the advantages of our northern harbors and seaports. the growth and prosperity of this commercial capital, and the richer fruits of intercourse and correspondence, which are the enjoyments of the present day.
One word, Mr. President, in reference to the charita- ble fund of this Society. And how does it seem to put
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almost to very shame the vaunted liberality and con- tributions of later time ! It was not of their abundance, as now, but from personal experience of privation and suffering, that a few manly seamen, a century ago, laid the foundation of this noble benefaction. From their perils upon the ocean, and the scanty recompense of their hardships and their toils, they cheerfully devoted a portion of their pittance "in relief of poverty and the adverse accidents of life." with those more dependent and destitute than themselves. It was indeed the spirit of the men and of the age to be disinterested, self-sacri- ficing, and generous ; and to these traits of character in our ancestors may now be traced the origin of most of those public institutions of utility and philanthropy, which are justly the boast and the glory of our land. If there be one thing, above all others, for which the mem- ories of our fathers should be cherished, and their names forever honored, it is for founding the charities which we are permitted to administer, and planting the institu- tions of instruction, knowledge, and beneficence, which it becomes the duty and the privilege of this and coming generations to improve and to extend.
Mr. Lincoln said, in conclusion. he had understood that the Society was exclusively composed of members. who are, or had been masters of vessels, or otherwise engaged in, commerce ; and in reference to them he would offer, as a sentiment :
The Interests of Navigation and Trade - Which must ever be fostered and honored in a community, where the first fruits of success in business are consecrated to deeds of charity, and the improvement of the moral condition of society.
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The next regular toast was :
10. The Marine Corps of this Station - With a Freeman in command, subordination and discipline must prevail.
Lieut. Col. WILLIAM H. FREEMAN briefly responded to this sentiment, and spoke of the kind feelings and sympathy which should ever exist between seamen and marines. He concluded by giving the following senti- ment :
Boston - Her long-established and permanent Associations - good evidence of the philanthropy, intelligence, and I may add, hospitality, of this Society.
The eleventh regular sentiment was as follows :
11. Our Sister Associations in Salem and Newburyport -. Co-laborers in the same holy cause - may their efforts prove eminently successful.
Capt. JOHNSON, President of the Newburyport Marine Society, returned thanks in behalf of the Association he represented, and gave a very interesting account of its rise and progress. It was formed in 1772, by the asso- ciation of six shipmasters, who contributed a guinea each ; and from that time the funds have been accumu- lating, until they amount to seventeen thousand dollars, and the Society has been enabled to expend six hundred dollars yearly in charity -all that has been required.
The Boston Marine Society -The first to receive a charter from the Provincial Government - may it be the last to be com- pelled to surrender to any other government.
Here the President read the following letter from the President of the Salem East-India Marine Society :
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SALEM, June 14. 1842.
GENTLEMEN-I have just received your polite invita- tion to " dine with the members of the Boston Marine Society on the 17th inst., in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the foundation of that Institu- tion." and I am extremely sorry to say, that circum- stances over which I have no control, will prevent my attendance on that interesting occasion.
Allow me, however, in behalf of the Society I have the honor to represent, to return you unfeigned thanks . for thus extending to us, at this time, the right hand of fellowship, and to assure you that the mutual inter- change of social feelings and kind intercourse between the two societies, which have mainly in view the same good and laudable objects, will ever afford us the highest satisfaction. Permit me to propose, as the toast of the " Salem East-India Marine Society."
The Boston Marine Society-The great progenitor of all similar societies throughout the Union - may the prosperity of its members be as universal as their enterprise and liberality are unbounded.
With high considerations and respect. I remain, gentlemen, your ob't servant. C. M. ENDICOTT, President of the S. E. I. M. Society.
12. The Press Gang- The great bugbear of sailors in olden time - now their most fearless defenders.
The following letter had been received from Col. CHARLES G. GREENE, the editor of the "Morning Post," and was now read from the Chair.
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BOSTON, 17th June, 1842.
GENTLEMEN -Please to accept my thanks for your very kind invitation to dine with the Boston Marine Society this day. It would afford me the highest gratifi- cation to be at your board on this agreeable occasion, if it were possible ; but other engagements, of an impera- tive character, will deprive me of that pleasure.
The noble objects for which your Association was formed, and the liberal and honorable manner in which your predecessors, and the present members of the Soci- ety, have discharged the philanthropic duty voluntarily assumed by them, must excite the warm admiration of every benevolent heart. In the continuance and success of the Marine Society, I feel more than an ordinary inter- est, from the fact that three of my brothers, for many years, had their home upon the ocean, and one of them now sleeps in its bosom.
But, gentlemen, lest I weary your patience, I will conclude this hasty note by adding a sentiment which, if you think proper, you may hand to your toast-master :
The True Sailor - His heart is as wide as the domain he traverses ; his sympathy ends but with his life, and his aid but with his power to relieve.
I have the honor to be, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, CHARLES G. GREENE.
To ISRAEL WHITNEY and others,
Committee of arrangements, &c.
WM. HAYDEN, Esq., senior editor of the "Boston Atlas," on being loudly called on, responded to the compliment to the Press, as follows :
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He said he rose to make acknowledgment of the toast which had just been announced. He expressed his regret that no one appeared to be present. but himself. whose peculiar duty it was to answer a sentiment intended as a compliment to the Press. He could have wished that some more able representative of the pro- fession was there, to stand up in its behalf; and even if his political opponent, whose courteous letter had just been read from the Chair, had found it convenient to be present, -although, Mr. H. said, he should not have been willing to surrender any political point to that gentleman. yet he should have freely yielded to him the honor of replying to this sentiment. in con- sideration of his superior ability to perform the duty. Mr. H. said he professed to have some little taste in paintings, and he could safely say. as he cast his eyes around upon the highly respectable company assembled at these tables, that he had never seen a better marine view in his life. He felt it an honor to be called upon to address even a few words to so praiseworthy an Association as this ; and if the prophetic hope expressed just now, by the reverend gentleman in the vicinity of the Chair, were to be realized, and the present President of the Association should be called upon to preside over its deliberations, its charities, and its festivities, for a hundred years to come, Mr. H. begged the President to remember, from time to time. during the whole century, that the Boston Atlas was still in existence, and that he (Mr. H. ) was its editor.
Mr. Hayden said it was well known that the mer- chants of Boston were pre-eminently distinguished. not . only in this country, but all the world over, for their
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intelligence, their integrity, their enterprise, and their liberality, They had always been among the most generous and disinterested supporters of the public newspaper press, and he had good reason to know that they had lost nothing of that characteristic of late. He concluded by proposing the following sentiment :
The Merchants of Boston - The liberai and enlightened sup- porters of a free and independent Press.
13. Woman - When the gales of adversity drive us on the rocks of misfortune, she is ever ready to fly to our rescue.
The Clergy- Although we have young Christian leaders, they prove themselves veterans in their holy vocation.
The REV. ALEXANDER YOUNG replied as follows :
MR. PRESIDENT - I suppose it is expected, as a matter of course, from which there is no escape, that I should say something in response to the sentiment just given. And yet I must frankly confess to you, Sir, that though I see all around me the familiar faces of my parishioners and friends, I do not feel entirely at home here. In rising to address you, in the midst of so many old ship- masters, it seems to me as though I were standing on the quarter-deck with the speaking trumpet in my hand, a situation in which a minister must feel as much embarrassed, as an old salt in the pulpit. I can only say, that I esteem it a great privilege to have been invited to unite with the Boston Marine Society in the festivities of this centennial celebration. Born and brought up as I was among ships, in this glorious sea- port where we dwell, some of my earliest recollections are of the shrouds which I have climbed, and the lubber- holes which I penetrated, and the yard-arms along which I crept in my boyish days ; and I esteem it one
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of the greatest compliments I ever received, when after preaching a sermon, one day, on the dangers and duties of a sea-life, I was told, by one of my parishioners largely engaged in navigation, that I was the only clergyman he had ever met with, who seemed to know or care anything about a ship. It was my good fortune, some years ago, to cross the Atlantic, with as noble a company as ever ventured on that ocean, among whom were two individuals whom I recognize here as members of your Society. That voyage, Sir, opened to me a new view of sea life and of seamen ; and from that time, the adventurous navigator, with his hardy and weather- beaten crew, has been the object of my unfeigned admiration and respect. Never until then was I aware what noble and manly qualities are required in the good sea-captain-what watchfulness, what intrepidity, what nerve, what self-possession and presence of mind. In sea- sons of alarm and danger, he has no time to pause and deliberate like the man on shore. The lives of his crew and passengers depend upon his deciding correctly upon the instant. A wrong order to the steersman-and the ship is lost. The delay of a moment, when the storm is gathering-and the squall rushes on and strikes the vessel-and in an instant the canvass is rent from the spars, the cordage snaps like glass, and she is left a helpless, unmanageable wreck. It is astonishing with what sagacity and far-sightedness the sailor descries the coming of the distant squall. The landsman on board sees nothing. To his eye all is calm and tranquil. But the seaman sees it in the floating clouds and in the far- off' ripple on the waves. He needs no barometer to tell him. He snuff's it. he breathes it, he feels it in every
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