USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Gloucester > Memorial of the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Gloucester, Mass. August, 1892 > Part 23
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Very truly yours,
MESSRS. ASA G. ANDREWS and others,
(Signed) JOHN D. LONG. Committee on Invitations.
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TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETHI ANNIVERSARY
Hon. BENJAMIN F. BUTLER, ex-Governor : -
BOSTON, August 12, 1892.
My Dear Sir,- I gratefully accept your kind invitation to be present at the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Gloucester, and shall consider myself a guest on that occasion, although to do it honor I will be present in the Yacht America.
With thanks to your committee and best wishes for the success of the celebration, I am
Very truly yours, (Signed) BENJ. F. BUTLER.
F. W. TIBBETS, Esq.,
104 Main Street, Gloucester, Mass.
Hon. GEORGE D. ROBINSON, ex-Governor : -
CHICOPEE, MASS., Aug. 8, 1892. Mr. JOHN J. SOMES,
Chairman of Committee, Gloucester, Mass. :
Dear Sir, - I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your favor expressing the cordial invitation of yourself and your associates to become the guest of the City of Gloucester on the occasion of the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town, on the 24th, 25th, and 26th inst.
My relations and acquaintance with your people have been exceedingly pleasant, and I regret that I cannot join them on the occasion, feeling that I shall thereby lose much enjoyment and satisfaction. By reason of my engagements, however, I feel constrained to decline the invitation, and must, therefore, ask you to accept my regrets, and my best wishes that the coming celebration shall be a glad prophecy of greater prosperity and a widely extended influence for your growing City.
Yours truly, (Signed) GEO. D. ROBINSON.
Hon. WILLIAM E. RUSSELL, Governor : -
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, STATE HOUSE, Boston. To CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON INVITATIONS :
My Dear Sir,- With much pleasure I accept the kind invitation to attend the 250th Anniversary of Gloucester. From long residence in Gloucester for a part of each year, I have become much interested in her long and hon- orable history, and in her sturdy, patriotic citizenship. Almost as one of the family I shall join in your celebration.
Wishing every success to the celebration, and trust prosperity and hap- piness may always be with Gloucester in the future,
I am, very truly yours, (Signed) WM. E. RUSSELL.
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OF THE TOWN OF GLOUCESTER, MASS.
HON. GROVER CLEVELAND, ex-President :-
GRAY GABLES, BUZZARDS BAY, MASS., September 6, 1892. F. W. TIBBETTS, Esq., Assistant Secretary, Gloucester, Mass.
My Dear Sir, - I am surprised to receive your letter of September 4, indicating that you have received no response to your exceedingly cordial invi- tation to join you in celebrating the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of your city.
I am quite certain that I responded very soon after the receipt of the invitation, saying that the exigencies of the campaign did not justify me in making an engagement in advance.
I regret exceedingly that I was not able to be with you on this most interesting occasion and was glad to learn from the published reports that it was a most enthusiastic and enjoyable commemoration.
Very truly yours, (Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND.
Hon. RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, Ex-President : -
SPIEGEL GROVE, FREMONT, O., 19 Aug., 1892.
My Dear Sir, -I regret extremely that my engagements do not permit me to accept the invitation with which you have honored me to attend the celebrating of the two hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of Gloucester.
With all good wishes,
Sincerely, (Signed) RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
To F. W. TIBBETTS, Asst. Sec'y.
GEORGE SHEFFIELD BLAKEWAY, Esq., Town Clerk, Gloucester, England : TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE, GLOUCESTER, Ioth August, 1892.
GENTLEMEN : Referring to the letter of your Assistant Secretary, dated 25th June last, I beg to inform you that I, in due course, mentioned the receipt of such letter and distributed the Invitation Cards to the various Members of the Council of this City.
When the informal invitation was received, some months ago, several members of the Council intimated that they should like to accept it, and there- fore it was hoped that some of the leading representatives of this City might be able to attend the celebrations of the two hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the town of Gloucester, Mass.
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It is, therefore, with very great regret that I now write to inform you that no representative from this City will be able to attend, as the Triennial Musical Festival to be held in this City in the first week of September and other important engagements render it impossible for the Mayor, Sheriff, and the principal members of the Corporation to get away.
The Mayor is himself writing and a formal acknowledgment from the various Members of the Council will follow shortly; but on behalf of the prin- cipal officials of the Corporation, I beg to acknowledge the courteous invitation offered to them and to express their sincere regret that none of them are able to accept same.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant, (Signed) GEO. SHEFFIELD BLAKEWAY, Town Clerk.
TO THE COMMITTEE ON INVITATIONS,
HEADQUARTERS Two HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY, 104 Main Street, Gloucester, Mass.
Hon. JAMES PLATT, Mayor, Gloucester, England : -
GLOUCESTER, Aug. 10, 1892.
Dear Mr. Mayor, - In common with all the members of our City Council, I appreciate very much the kind invitation of your citizens to be present at the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of the incorporation of your town of Gloucester, Mass.
It would have given me great pleasure to have been able to accept the honor and to participate in the celebration, but the time is not convenient for me as our Musical Festival commences on Sep. 6th and I must be present on the occasion.
We have also just entered into the occupation of our new Guild hall which takes up a good deal of my time for the present.
It would have been all the more pleasant to me as I have some little knowledge of your City, and have experienced the hospitality of one of your predecessors.
In the summer of 1882, I had business in Boston and took the oppor- tunity of visiting Gloucester, I made myself known to your excellent city clerk Mr. John J. Somes, as a Councillor of the old Gloucester, he introduced me to your Mayor Mr. Wm. Williams who was exceedingly kind and in the after- noon accompanied by Messrs. Fears and Gaffney, past and present presidents of aldermen, took me a delightful drive to Rockport and St. Anns head, and afterwards entertained me at his house.
Our City Council have resolved to send you an address of congratulations, which they will sign, and also an album illustrating various objects of interest in our city present and past.
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OF THE TOWN OF GLOUCESTER, MASS.
I have asked my son John Platt who is at present resident at Riverton, New Jersey, to convey the album to you, which I hope he will be able to do at the time of your festivities.
Wishing you a very successful celebration and continued prosperity,
I remain dear Mr. Mayor, Yours faithfully, (Signed) JAMES PLATT, Mayor.
Hon. ROBERT C. WINTHROP : -
BROOKLINE, MASS., 13 July , 1892.
Mr. Winthrop presents his grateful acknowledgments to the citizens of Gloucester and their Committee, and regrets that he is compelled to decline their kind invitation for the two hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of the incorporation of the Town.
ASA G. ANDREWS, JOHN J. SOMES, CHAS. P. THOMPSON, JONAS H. FRENCH, Esquires, AND OTHERS. Committee of Invitations.
Hon. WILLIAM C. ENDICOTT : - DANVERS CENTRE, Aug. 8, 1892.
JOHN J. SOMES, Esq. :
My dear Sir, - An official invitation addressed to the Hon. W. C. Endicott was received, asking him to be present at the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Gloucester. Mr. Endicott is in Europe and will not return until the late autumn.
In his name I desire to thank the committee for their kind and cordial invitation and to express regrets that absence will prevent him from accepting.
Yours respectfully, (Signed) WILLIAM C. ENDICOTT, Jr.
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT, Esq. : - MAGNOLIA, MASS., Aug. 3, 1892. JOHN J. SOMES, Esq., Chairman, Gloucester, Mass. :
Dear Sir,- Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt has received your polite invitation to become the guest of the citizens of Gloucester on the occasion of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, and has requested me to acknowledge the same for him and to thank you for the courtesy tendered him.
I am sorry to say, however, that it will be impossible for him to take part in the interesting ceremonies proposed, because of a recent very sad bereavement which he and his family have suffered.
Yours very truly, (Signed) C. F. Cox.
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TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
Hon. WALBRIDGE A. FIELD, Chief Justice Massachusetts Supreme Court : -
BOSTON, Junc 30, 1892.
My dear Sirs, - I thank you for the invitation to attend the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the town of Gloucester, of its incorporation I mean, for its settlement is older.
I expect now to be absent from the Commonwealth in the latter part of August and I probably shall find myself unable to be present. I hope that as a city God may be to you as he has been to the town.
Yours sincerely, (Signed) WALBRIDGE A. FIELD.
To ASA G. ANDREWS, Esq., and Others,
Committee on Invitations.
Hon. EBEN F. STONE, Ex-Congressman : - NEWBURYPORT, 2d August, 1892.
Mr. DOLLIVER, Sec'y :
Dear Sir, -I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your invita- tion to attend the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of your town.
Circumstances beyond my control compel me to deny myself the pleasure of being present upon the occasion, which will, I doubt not, be one of unusual interest.
Regretting my inability to be present, I am,
Yours truly,
(Signed) E. F. STONE.
Dr. WILLIAM F. DALE : - " HOMESTEAD." NORTH ANDOVER, MASS., Aug. 19, 1892.
To His Honor ASA G. ANDREWS,
Mayor of Gloucester, and Associates of the Committee of Invitations :
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the invitation to attend the Celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of the incorpora- tion of the Town of Gloucester.
" As one of Gloucester's absent children " I thank you, sir, and your associates on the Committee of Invitations for this pleasant courtesy.
I regret to say, that circumstances beyond my control, will prevent my attending so interesting and pleasant an occasion.
I trust that the ceremonies so auspiciously inaugurated will have an agreeable and satisfactory ending and the retrospect delightful to all the children of your honored city.
I recognize among your associates the names of honored and revered
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OF THE TOWN OF GLOUCESTER, MASS.
fathers whom it was my privilege to look up to and revere in childhood and am happy to add, the record of their honorable lives, their honesty and manly courage with good citizenship is most honorably maintained by their sons.
With high respect and esteem for yourself and associates, I remain, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) WM. F. DALE, M. A.
JOHN G. WHITTIER, Poet : HAMPTON FALLS, N. H., August 14, 1892. To J. J. SOMES and EDW. DOLLIVER, Committee :
I acknowledge with thanks your letter of invitation. No son of New England, certainly no son of Massachusetts, whose State House holds over the heads of her legislators the emblem of one of her great industries ; no antiquarian, who recalls the romantic story of the Cape's discovery and settle- ment, can be indifferent to the proposed celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Gloucester.
Your city has long been the nursery of brave, hardy and patriotic men, whose skill and daring have made the ocean their tributary and field of harvest. You are to Massachusetts what Bergen is to Norway. Your situa- tion and surroundings on one of the most picturesque capes of our Atlantic coastline, suggest beauty as well as utility ; and pleasure as well as profit. The salt sea odors of flake and store house, are overblown by inland breezes, laden with the fragrance of wild roses and magnolias; and Gloucester has attractions for the summer tourist, and pleasure seeker, as well as for the man of business.
I regret that I am unable to testify by my presence my interest in the coming celebration. With all good wishes for the continued prosperity of your city, I am, Very sincerely your friend,
JOHN G. WHITTIER.
SALLY STEVENS, New Gloucester, Maine : -
NEW GLOUCESTER, ME., Aug. 23, 1892. To the Citizens of Gloucester, Cape Ann, GREETING :
I regret very much my inability to be present at the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of our parent town. Being in my eighty-fifth year and not sufficiently strong to undertake the journey, I must deny myself the pleasure.
I am a daughter of Paul Stevens, whose father, William Stevens, was one of the first settlers of this town. In the first division of lots the lot of William Stevens was No. I, where I now live.
My mother's name was Collins. She was a native of Cape Ann and the family originally resided in Gloucester.
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TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
Thus as one of the direct descendants of two of the oldest families in your honored and, most honorable town, I hereby extend my heartiest con- gratulations, and I hope that the future may hold even greater success and higher attainments for you than the past.
(Signed) SALLY STEVENS.
BENJAMIN H. CORLISS, Esq. : - GLOUCESTER, Aug. 15, 1892. Hon. ASA G. ANDREWS AND OTHERS,
Committee on Invitations :
GENTLEMEN : I am in receipt of your kind invitation to be present as a guest of the city on the occasion of the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation as a town and to unite in the cere- monies incident thereto, and I desire to acknowledge the same and to express to the committee my thanks for their courtesy.
A life-long resident of Gloucester, I have been a witness of all that per- tains to more than a quarter of its municipal history, in part of which at least I have been personally identified and an active participant.
While I may not contribute by my presence so fully as I might wish, to all the ceremonies of the celebration, I may be permitted to rejoice in the event, remembering that its history has always been an honorable one, a record of industry, of patience and of most unexampled heroism, and that its prosperity and present vantage ground have been won from hard conditions by the high character and dauntless energy of its citizens.
I shall be pleased therefore to accept your invitation and will unite with my fellow citizens to the extent of my ability in celebrating this important and eventful occasion.
With my best wishes for that success, to which your efforts do justly entitle you, and my personal regards to the members of the committee, I remain,
Very respectfully yours, (Signed) BENJ. H. CORLISS.
HON. CHARLES P. THOMPSON, Judge Massachusetts Superior Court :-
GLOUCESTER, Aug. 3, 1892.
HON. ASA G. ANDREWS, Chairman, EDWARD DOLLIVER, Esq., Secretary of Committee on Invitations :-
Dear Sir: I have received your favor inviting to be a guest of the citizens of Gloucester on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of August, A. D. 1892, to partici- pate in the ceremonies of the two hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Gloucester, and highly appreciate the com- mittee's consideration, and accept the invitation with much satisfaction. Although not a native of Gloucester I have resided in Gloucester for the
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OF THE TOWN OF GLOUCESTER, MASS.
past thirty-five years and most cheerfully bear testimony to the high character, intelligence, patriotism and energy of her people. She has just cause to be proud of her record, progress and future prosperity, and I am certain she will enter upon her second quarter-millennium with the kindest wishes of all for her future prosperity.
With the highest respect, I am very truly Your obedient servant, (Signed) CHARLES P. THOMPSON.
Letters of regret were also received : -
Hon. Levi P. Morton, Vice President ; Hon. John W. Foster, Secretary of State ; Hon. Stephen B. Elkins, Secretary of War; Hon. Charles Foster, Secretary of the Treasury ; Hon. Benjamin F. Tracy Sec- retary of the Navy ; Hon. John M. Rush, Secretary of Agriculture ; Hon. John W. Noble, Secretary of the Interior ; Hon. William H. H. Miller, Attorney General ; Major-Gen. John M. Schofield; Rear Admiral, L. A. Kimberly ; Chief Justice United States, Melville Fuller ; Hon. Charles F. Crisp, Speaker United States House of Representatives ; Hon. George F. Hoar, United States Senator; Judge Circuit Court United States, Hon. Thomas L. Nelson ; Ex-Governor Hon. Alex. H. Rice ; Hon. William Claflin ; Hon. William Gaston ; Hon. John Q. A. Brackett ; Cornelius Van. Cort, Postmaster, New York City ; Hon. Alfred S. Pinkerton, President Massachusetts State Senate ; Comman- der Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr., Navy Yard, Boston ; Mayors N. Matthews, Jr., Boston, Elihu B. Hayes, Lynn, Charles S. Ashley, New Bedford, John W. Coughlin, Fall River, William W. McClench, Chicopee, John B. O'Donnell, Northampton, John L. Peck, Pittsfield, Francis A. Harrington, Worcester ; and from many others.
Tthy Bloncester ought to Celebrate.
WHY GLOUCESTER OUGHT TO CELEBRATE.
F ROM the many strong articles and letters published previous to the celebration, urging upon our citizens the importance of suitably observing the event, we have deemed it best to publish only a brief number. The concurrence of opinion in favor was so strong, the drift of public sentiment so decided, that there was no reasonable excuse why the celebration should not take place. The result of the agitation, both through the columns of the press and in the many meeting places of our people, was manifested in a unity of action, a generous out- pouring of subscriptions, and an enthusiasm so remarkable as never to have been equalled in any similar event in Massachusetts.
To make a proper representation of the honorable and venerable position which Gloucester holds among the municipalities of the nation, to honor the memory of the fathers and keep alive a sentiment of local pride and patriotism. FITZ J. BABSON.
Such celebrations tend to greatly increase an intelligent interest and pride in our national and local history, by bringing the imperishable facts freshly before the mind. Such occasions also enable a city to develop wisely and harmoniously, by exhibiting anew the sources of its life, and the processes of its growth. And it is only by such celebrations that the youth of to-day can at all understand the tremendous cost at which our free institutions were bought and have been maintained. REV. F. B. MAKEPEACE.
Leaving entirely out of consideration the question of ancestral pride and historic sympathy, feelings that have always been powerful factors in stimu- lating national activity, I can conceive of no opportunity that is likely to occur within the next hundred years that is likely to give such an impetus to the material prosperity and the political and historical reputation of this city, as would the proper, dignified, and honorable commemoration of this noteworthy historical event. PROF. R. F. LEIGHTON.
I assure you of my hearty sympathy and cordial co-operation in the move- ment for the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of our ancient city. CHAS. A. RUSSELL.
293
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feel the honor done me by the recognition of my interest in old Gloucester, and I will co-operate in the matter as far as I am able. PROF. LOUIS C. ELSON.
I think it will be a grand thing for Gloucester as well as for the colonial history of New England for you to hold this celebration. If I may be par- doned, I should like to lay special stress upon the appropriateness of making Gloucester folk-lore an important feature of the occasion. There will be no lack of Gloucester records and history on such an important anniversary ; but there are hundreds of valuable stories illustrating the habits, the dangers, the joys, of the early settlers of Gloucester, and of their seafaring descend- ants. To collect such as are available and worth while into a volume would not only add value to the celebration, but widespread interest in this and other countries. HERBERT D. WARD.
Through a strong affection for Gloucester, I have felt a great interest in the discussion about the coming celebration, and shall be very glad to help, should any plans be fixed upon fitting to the dignity of the occasion. MARION HOVEY.
I am in full sympathy with the movement and shall be pleased to assist in any way. MRS. JOHN LLOYD.
I hold myself in readiness to do all that I can to further the cause, believing that the occasion demands, and should command, the earnest support of every loyal citizen. WM. H. POMEROY.
I assure you of my hearty co-operation in the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of old Gloucester, and hold myself in readiness to do anything and everything in my power to assist
D. S. PRESSON. you.
I fully believe in Gloucester coming to the front with other cities of our Commonwealth and nation, in the line of anniversary celebrations, and whatever lies within my power as a private citizen of. Gloucester I cheerfully pledge myself to do. DAVID I. ROBINSON.
I shall be glad to have my mite accompany my sympathy for the move- ment when the hat is passed. FREEMAN PUTNEY.
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OF THE TOWN OF GLOUCESTER, MASS.
I wish every possible success to the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of this city's existence. . . . I' would suggest that the day be commemorated by some really valuable charity whose inauguration shall be associated with the anniversary.
Gloucester bitterly needs a hospital. Other towns of our size have one ; why not we? Why not start one in honor of the day you celebrate ? Gloucester needs always help for her families bereft by the sea. There is another end sure to interest the people. For my own part (since you ask me) I would earnestly recommend the spending of time, toil, and money, not upon useless noise and passing show, but upon some fine cause worthy of the best character and best hopes of our people.
ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS WARD.
Believing that private subscription must be largely relied on for material aid, whatever I can give will be cheerfully given to celebrate an occasion which cannot come again, and which no true son or daughter of old Cape Ann would wish to see pass by unnoticed. HIRAM RICH.
I hasten to express to you my interest in your arrangements, and shall take pleasure in doing what I can to further your plans.
COL. C. C. G. THORNTON.
Both Colonel French and myself are entirely in sympathy in regard to this matter, and we are ready and willing to do anything we can to make the celebration a perfect success. I shall be rather more interested, I presume than most ladies, as I have asked to be put upon the standing committee on fish and fisheries in connection with the World's Fair, because of my residence here in Gloucester. Therefore I shall be very earnest to do my part.
NELLA J. FRENCH.
If the people of Gloucester desire a celebration they ought to have it, and I should be glad to aid it, in an humble way, both by word and deed. . . . Popular subscription seems to me a fit means of testing the views of the public in the matter. Each citizen could then have opportunity to answer two pertinent questions : Do I want a celebration? If yes, how much do I wish it, expressed in dollars ? M. J. MCNEIRNY.
Therefore, I argue that attempt should be made to put the celebration upon such a footing as will abound in motives so high in character, and details so well and discreetly arranged, that little opportunity will be allowed
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for the indulgence of the lower passions. In the language of the Rev. J. J. Healy, on the evening of the "mass meeting," " It should be something more than sky-rockets and fireworks." It should be something more than the hurrah of jubilation, or the feast of the passions and appetites. The honor and the reputation of the city should be the foremost idea in the program. And, in the language of Mr. A. W. Bacheler, principal of the High School, " The celebration should bring something to which we can look for many years," with pride, I would add.
There was on the above occasion a deal of inspiration in the remarks of the Rev. Mr. Rider and Rev. Mr. Hibbard, as also in those of Mr. Bacheler. Although citizens by adoption they could see much in the progress as well as in the beginning of this city worthy the pen of the historian, not only, but deserving of a grand and appreciative demonstration by its citizens.
The position, dignity, and honor of the city of Gloucester in the Common- wealth of Massachusetts demand a demonstrative appreciation of its existence and worth by its people at occasional epochs or periods. If it has been thought expedient that the patriotism of our nation should be kept alive by no less than a yearly demonstration, why should the love of one's birthplace be of so little account as not to be worth a rekindling once in half a century ? It is a duty we owe our children and our children's children, to inspire in them by a public demonstration a love of their native place, and to surround it by a halo of attractions that shall make it a place desirable to live in as well as to be born in.
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