USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Wilton > An address delivered at the centennial celebration in Wilton, N.H., Sept. 25, 1839 > Part 8
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* Extract from the Records of the General Court of Massachusetts, dated Thursday, June 19, 1735.
SALEM CANADA.
A Petition of Samuel King and others, who were in the expedition to Canada in the year 1690, and the descendants of such of them as are dead, praying for a Grant of Land for a Township, in consideration of their or their ancestors' suffer- ings in the said Expedition.
In the House of Representatives : Read and Voted that the prayer of the petition be Granted And that Mr Samuel Chandler and Mr John Hobson together with such as shall be joined by the Honble Board, be a Comtee at the Charge of the Government to lay out a Township of the Contents of Six miles Square and west of the Narragansett Town called number three, and that they Return a Plat thereof to this Court within twelve months for Confirmation ; and for the more effectual bringing forward the settlement of the said new town, Ordered the Said Town be laid out into Sixty three equal Shares, one of which to be for the first settled minister, One for the ministry, and one for the school ; and that on each of the other Sixty shares the Petitioners do within three years from the Confirmation of the Plan have settled one Good family, who shall have a house built on his Home Lott, of eighteen feet square and seven feet stud at the least, and finished ; that each Right or Grant have six acres of land brought to and ploughed or brought to English Grass and fitted for mowing. That they settle a learned orthodox Minister and build and finish a Convenient meeting house for the public worship of God; provided that in Case any of the Lotts or Rights are not duly settled in all Regards as aforesaid, then such Lott with the Rights thereof to Revert to and be at the Disposition of the Province.
In Council Read and Concurred, and Samuel Wells, Esq., is joined in the affair.
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them as are dead, praying for a Grant of Land for a Township, in consideration of their and their ancestors' sufferings in the said Ex- pedition."
It will be recollected that Massachusetts, at the time of the date of this petition, included within her territorial limits the present State of New Hampshire, and, both on that account and because most of the original settlers of this town were natives of that State, she may with great propriety be called, as she is in the sentiment to which I am permitted to respond, "Our good Mother." With what judgment and fidelity she discharged the duties of the maternal relation this doc- ument bears honorable witness. In accordance with the prayer of the petitioners, the General Court of Massachusetts ordered a committee to be appointed to lay out a town six miles square, under the name of " Salem-Canada," and to divide it into sixty-three shares, reserving "one share for the first settled minister, one for the ministry, and one for the school." The grantees are required " to settle a learned orthodox minister, and build and finish a convenient meeting-house for the public worship of God." Compare this ample provision for edu- cation and religious instruction with what was deemed an adequate provision for the physical comfort of the first settlers; a house small- er than many single apartments in the dwellings of the present inhabit- ants, viz. " eighteen feet square and seven feet stud," which each peti- tioner was required to build within three years after the confirmation of the plan returned by the Committee to the General Court. Who can fail to perceive how justly " our good Mother" appreciated the superior claims of the mind and heart above those of the body, and with what foresight and wisdom she sought the true and lasting welfare of her children ? What monarch or state can contest with her the glory of setting the first example of making legal provision for the educa- tion and religious instruction of the hardy pioneers, who go forth to subdue the wilderness and extend the domains of civilization ? And how much to her wise policy in this respect is New England indebted for the intelligence and virtue that distinguish its inhabitants !
This document is interesting in another point of view. It con- nects the first settlement of this town with one of the most reinarka- ble events recorded in the early history of New England, the expedi- tion under the command of Sir William Phips, undertaken in 1690, by the Province of Massachusetts. Its object was the conquest of Canada, as a means of securing the Colonies against the frequent in- cursions of the Indians at the instigation of their French allies. In
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that expedition many of the petitioners were personally engaged. They who recollect the disasters that attended the ill-fated enterprise, disasters of war, disasters by fire, by tempest and by plague, and also the courage and fortitude with which they were endured, will not be slow to acknowledge, that to have voluntarily braved its dangers and sufferings argues in the petitioners no small share of that courage and energy, which fit men to encounter the hardships incident to the con- dition of the early settlers of the wilderness, and which they have transmitted to not a few of their descendants. The impoverishment of the Treasury of Massachusetts, after the utter failure of the expedi- tion, led to the issue of bills of credit to pay the soldiers and to defray the other expenses that had been incurred. The depreciation of these bills, which soon took place, gave to the soldiers who had received them, an equitable claim for further remuneration. Accordingly, in repeated instances, grants of land were made by the Legislature of Massachusetts, under the general name of " Canada," with the name of the town prefixed to which the grantees belonged. It is to be pre- sumed, therefore, that the signers of the petition, to whom the north- ern part of Wilton and a part of the present town of Lyndeborough were granted under the name of " Salem-Canada," were inhabitants of Salem and its vicinity. I beg leave to offer in conclusion this sentiment : -
The People of Wilton, - May they ever emulate the courage, energy, and patriotism of the men, who were rewarded with the grant of Salem-Canada for their sufferings in the cause of their country.
11th Toast. The Orator of the day, - Though long gone from among us, he has this day shown himself a true son of Wilton, and well acquainted with its history. -
Rev. E. PEABODY responded ;
Mr. President, - I believe that it is deemed proper that a toast should be responded to. After having, however, 1 fear, more than wearied out the most generous patience, I shall not venture this after- noon to lay an additional tax upon it. I would only say with refer- ence to the sentiment with which I have been honored, that it requires but little of filial virtue in the sons of Wilton, however far distant or long absent they may be, to remember their native place. For what have they, or rather what have they not, to remember. Here are the hills and streams on which their eyes first opened ; here were the schools and religious institutions and the examples of wise and good
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men to whose influence in early youth they owe all that they now have, which they most prize and cherish ; here were their early com- panions, now widely scattered or no longer among the living ; here were the friends of their parents, and here too perhaps are their parents' graves. If the spot consecrated by the affections is home, then here, however far they may have wandered, must their home continue to be. When we revisit these scenes, we still claim the privilege of saying that we return home. And when we number our own blessings, we count among the greatest of them, the fact that . here we had our birth, and, however unworthy our after lives may have proved, that amidst the good influences and institutions of this place we received our first direction in the path of life.
Permit me, Mr. President, to give a sentiment in which every emi- grant son of Wilton will, I know, join me.
Wilton, our birth-place, - The home of early years and ever the home of grateful memories.
12th Toast. The Emigrants of Wilton -dispersed far and wide - though not all this day with us, yet they are of us; our good wishes attend the absent, and to the present we give our " welcome home."
[Song. - The Boatman's Welcome Home.]
Remarks of Rev. A. A. LIVERMORE, of Keene.
Mr. President,-It is pleasant to be so cordially welcomed home ; yet there is one painful feeling which the emigrant, as well as the resident, finds it difficult to suppress. A name* has more than once been mentioned, which touches a cord in every heart. And though remarks have already been made upon him, who is thus brought freshly and sadly to mind, I may be permitted to dwell upon the sub- ject a little longer. Indeed, there would be something wanting to the solemnities of this day, if he who looked forward to it with so much interest, and was so deeply engaged in preparing for its observance, should be passed by in silence, or with only a hasty notice. And yet I feel that his character cannot be set forth truly in any words I can speak, but that it has long ago been written in the fleshly tables of your hearts, and engraved in durable lines upon your memories and sympathies. For he was known and read of all men, and he is canonized in the affections of his friends and fellow-townsmen. He just lived to complete the first century of this town, and then by a
* Samuel Abbot, Esq.
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sudden and dreadful death was removed hence. As we commemo- rate the past, and enter upon a new epoch, it is good for us to medi- · tate upon his life, for the lessons it teaches are suggestive and beau- tiful.
He was a good representative and embodiment of Wilton charac- ter. In enumerating the elements of his mind, you would find the traits for which this people have been most distinguished. More than any other son of the place that has deceased, he might probably be taken as the fruit and expression of the last century's doings and gainings in this humble town. Ingenuity, integrity, thoroughness, public [spirit, simplicity, liberality and piety were blended together in him, and for these traits the people have been notable. But in him there was no predominance of one over another, so as to mar the propor- tion, but all were harmoniously combined ; so that you could not say, here is too much, and there too little, but that all is good and fair. In his manners he was simple and unassuming ; never obtruding himself, but rather shunning notice ; gentle and attentive to all. In conversation, rich and original, bringing into play the strength of a refined intellect, the varied stores of science, literature and religion, and, with a keen zest for truth, a deep vein of humor. In mind, acute, logical, thorough and intensely active. In business, prudent, ener- getic, economical, just, and of a wise forecast. In knowledge, ac- curate, varied, and profound. As an inventor, remarkable for his power of reducing abstract principles in science to an easy, practical application. As a citizen, public spirited, and ready to sacrifice pro- perty and popularity for the good of society ; foremost in every use- ful enterprise, a friend of education, lyceums and libraries, watching with a deep attention over the young, and taking the liveliest interest in their intellectual and spiritual culture. As a Christian, firm and decided in his own belief, but charitable in his opinions towards others, fruitful in good works, unblemished in life, an observer of the ordinances, and a strong upholder of the institutions of the gospel. Tenderly attached to his friends, social in his feelings, he was the joy and enlivener of the domestic circle. But why need I describe what many feel and know. He has gone, and for him to die was gain. But the tears of a whole town bore witness how much he was loved and respected, how deeply mourned. All felt that the com- munity was bereft of one of its noblest mnen. Yet all has not per- ished with him. Though dead, he yet speaketh. His virtues will inspire many hearts, and kindle, as with electric touch, the souls of
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his fellow-men. He lived not to himself, nor has he died to himself. Peace be to liis bright and holy memory !
But, sir, it is well to ask here, whence and how came lie and such as he ? What has made Wilton what it is, New England what it is ? Was it a chance culture, an accidental education, that developed the minds and characters of the last century, and changed one unbroken wilderness into a highly civilized land, and reared the noblest insti- tutions of the world ? No. There was a cause. And we ought to learn it, and ponder upon it. I say there is a cause for the virtue, and activity, and happiness of our people. And that cause, I hesitate not to say, lies here. The people of this community have, with few exceptions, been trained up in happy, virtuous, holy homes. We sat, in infancy and youth, in heavenly places, and rich influences brooded over our pliant spirits as dew upon the tender plant.
True, here in New England, and especially here in Wilton, Nature has lavished her fairest scenes, and breatlied from the Most High the breath of life into our souls. Yes, blessed be these hills and valleys for the choice, sweet influences they have shed upon the young communities, springing up here. Blessed be these granite moun- tains, that stand like vast citadels of safety around the blue ring of the horizon, and, gilded by the glories of the setting sun, carry up the thoughts to sublimity and God. Blessed be the fair skies which bend over us here with all their sparkling hosts of light and glory. Blessed be the pure breezes which sing from the northwestern hills, and bear health and exhilaration on their wings. But thrice blessed be our honies. Our homes, where love and happiness wove a charm and a spell for our hearts, never, never to be unloosed. There "heaven lay about us in our infancy." The blue sky was more dear to us, because it arched proudly over the cherished roof of home. The sun and wind and rain and snow were loved because they brought their treasures and laid them at the feet of our sanctuary. The for- ests and vales and roaring brooks have been sweet in association from this great central attraction.
And what made our homes in this great wilderness so happy and genial - so fitted to tempt forth both heart and mind, and develope the elastic energies of a free people ? I will name, sir, two things, not because they are the only two, but because they are the niost im- portant - Woman and Religion.
Much has been said of the part woman played, or rather worked, in the grand drama of these settlements. But the theme is an inex-
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haustible one. What would have been the Pilgrim Fathers without the Pilgrim Mothers ? Shaggy barbarians of the woods. But woman came to cheer and refine the rude settlers. She bravely dared the terrors of the wilderness to plant the pleasant amenities of social life in the log cabin. She forded rivers and penetrated forests to come hither. She came to dwell under the shades of the vast and savage woods. Her employments were humble, but her aims lofty. " She looked well to the ways of her household, and ate not the bread of idleness." Through long days and sleepless nights, she watched over her tender children. And when distant labors, or still worse, the trumpet of war, summoned her husband away from her side, she steadily plied her lonely tasks, watching his return, or learned, dreadful news, that he would return no more forever. We have often read of the horrors of the wars of that period, and got by heart the story of the labors, dangers and sufferings of our forefathers. It would be unjust to forget that those who staid at home often en- dured far more than those who braved the flaming lines of battle - far more in heart-sickness, hope deferred, hope destroyed, and all the nameless, haunting terrors of the deep woods, where the wild beast and wilder Indian were their only neighbors for miles and miles. But why need I say more ? The subject has already been anticipated. I will only say, let us never forget what heroic, much- enduring woman has done for the happy homes of New-England.
But, sir, there was another agent that helped to make us what we are as a people, that consecrated our homes as holy places, and nerved our fathers' and mothers' hearts to do and dare nobly. It was religion. They brought with them the word of God as the ark of their safety, the shechinah of the Divine presence and favor. Morn- ing and evening they offered praise to heaven from their forest dwell- ings. The house of God gathered them, from near and far, weekly to pay their adorations to the Great Guardian of their exposed lives, and hallow their minds with the influences of the Sabbath and the sanctuary. Every thing around and within them tended to keep alive their sense of dependence on God, and their value of the gospel of Jesus. Endangered, tempted, weary, suffering, alone, they looked to the source of comfort and strength, and found rest and courage and patience unto the end. With them religion was first, religion last, and religion midst. Other lands may boast richer soils, other climates may be more bland, other mountains may yield more 'pre- cious minerals, other skies may shine with softer hues, but where
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shall we look for homes as pure and religious, as free and happy as our dear New England ? These have been the glory of the past ce tury ; they are the hope of the new one. Woman and religion ha made them what they have been ; they alone can make them wh they ought to be. Guard well our homes from evil, and our nati is girded round about with a munition of rocks, and a wall of fil Permit me to offer this sentiment.
The Homes of Wilton, - Endeared by woman, sanctified by religion ; fou tains of living waters, which made the wilderness and solitary place glad, and t desert rejoice and blossom as the rose.
Remarks of REV. SAMUEL BARRETT, of Boston.
Mr. President, -1 feel grateful for the kind word from the cha inviting me to address the meeting; but at so late an hour whe many of our friends must be thinking of their liomes, and after ever topic appropriate to the occasion seems to have been touched upo by one or another of those who have already spoken, it ought, n doubt, to occur to me, and indeed it does, that the best thing I coul do would be to offer a brief sentiment expressive of my hearty goo wishes, and then sit down.
Nevertheless, I will venture to avail myself, for a few moments, c the opportunity afforded me ; and the more readily, because I thin' our revered mother, whose hundredth year we are celebrating, deserve a little more commendation than she has yet received, and because being but an adopted son, I may feel at liberty to say some thing respecting her good qualities which one of her own offspring might from a delicate sense of propriety, be reluctant to utter.
My first words, Mr. President, must declare, as fitly they should the grateful feelings 1 cherish towards the inhabitants of Wilton, - from no one of wliom did I ever, during the whole period of my resi. dence here, receive any other than tokens of good will, and to not a few of whom I am indebted for acts of great kindness. And in this connexion, let me, as my heart prompts, make respectful and affec- tionate mention of him who ministered at this altar, both when I came, a little child, to the town, and when, in early manhood, I left it - of him who, on the spot where I now stand, poured upon my head the sacred waters of baptism, from whose hands I received for the first time the elements of the holy communion, and to whom as pastor, instructer and friend, I was for many years under obligations that cannot be cancelled. When my brother, who preceded me, pro-
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nounced the name of Beede, and spoke of the services he rendered to the children and youth of his flock in the early period of his minis- try, many, very many, I am sure, were the hearts in this assembly, which, with mine, responded most feelingly and gratefully, and sent up the prayer that his last days might be his happiest.
And now, sir, while my thoughts are recurring to the advantages enjoyed here when I was a boy, let me dwell a little on two of the many institutions, highly creditable to this town. Lyceums, as all know, are the boast of recent times, far and wide. Thanks to my brother before alluded to, for noticing as he did the one that existed here, though under another name, a quarter of a century ago. Well do I remember all the initiatory steps that led to its formation, and it was my privilege to be present at its first meeting. It is very pleasant to me to see so many to-day, who were among its earliest members, and who can testify to the satisfaction and improvement derived from its exercises. For one, I shall ever be thankful for the benefit I re- ceived from it; and I rejoice to know that its salutary influences have not ceased to be felt by others. Nor is it less gratifying to me to learn that the Lyceum, as re-organized in 1830, proved inter- esting and useful as well to the older as to the younger classes of this community, and that, as now conducted, it is an instrument of great good. Sunday schools too, as every one is aware, have for many years been regarded with high favor in all parts of our country. You, sir, need not be told, though others may, that one was in successful opera- tion in this town so long ago as 1816. I now see before me one of the two ladies* who had the principal agency in establishing it. Where, in the United States, was there a Sunday School at an earlier date- one, I mean, designed for the children of the parish indis. criminately, and having for its main object their moral and religious culture ? If any would know how well it was conducted at that period, let me refer him to the orator of the day, for he was a pupil. And as regards the school at the present time, it delights me to hear that it is in a flourishing condition, having on its list, notwithstanding the formation of two others in the town, the names of no less than one hundred and thirty pupils and teachers, and pos- sessing a remarkably well selected library of four hundred volumes. May the Sunday Schools never cease to be objects of deep interest to this whole people.
* Miss Sarah W. Livermore and Miss Phebe Abbot.
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It would give me pleasure, sir, to say something of other means of intellectual, moral and religious culture, enjoyed here, as for instance, the three Churches, the ten Public Schools, the Temperance Society, the Sunday noon Reading Room, the Ministerial, Parish and Juvenile Libraries ; but I pass them all by for the sake of having a moment's time to suggest the inquiry, - deserving attention especially from the young, upon whom the future character of the town will so much de- pend, - whether it is not owing to considerations of the kind just noticed, far more than to any and every other cause, that we find the occasion on which we have now met, one of such high, unmingled satisfaction ? Or to give the question a general bearing, - what, in the view of reason and common sense, to say nothing of Christianity, is the best ground of one's pride and joy, as he thinks of the place where he was born or bred ? Is it that the landscape around is more beautiful to look upon, or the air is purer and more invigorating, or its soil is more fertile, or its hills and valleys are covered with more numerous flocks, or its water-falls move a greater amount of ma- chinery, or its houses rise in larger numbers and more showy mag- nificence, or its inhabitants multiply faster and grow rich more rap- idly, than can be the boast of other places ? Oh! no, sir. These, and like considerations, though, when connected with others of a higher order, they help to strengthen the regard one feels for his native town, yet do not, in any proportionate degree, excite and nourish his love and respect for it, as do its intelligence, its morality, its piety - as do those traits of character in its inhabitants which ennoble and adorn our nature. No, sir. Physical advantages, of whatever sort, are not to be compared with those of an intellectual, moral and reli- gious kind; and therefore one's feeling of attachment to his old home is most elevated and best founded only when the mind that is there is free and active, and knowledge abounds; when the heart that is there is pure and alive, and noble sentiments prevail ; when public opinion is on the side of truth and virtuc and piety, and the affairs of the town are conducted in uprightness and for the common good, and the influences of a useful education are to be traced through- out society, and the people are liberal in support of the schools, and the temples of God are the resorts of devout multitudes who in rational and fervent homage acknowledge their dependence and obli- gations.
Whenever such, sir, is the condition of a town, who, whether he be emigrant or resident, does not and ought not to feel very deeply,
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especially at a time like this, the greatness of the privilege of having had his birth-place and training there ? Who must not be elevated with sentiments of self-respect, of gratitude, of joy, as he dwells on the blessing of such an allotment ?
Now, Mr. President, will you allow me the liberty to say, that such in most respects, is the town in which we have inet on the present occasion. Let not the passing stranger smile as if any thing said in praise of Wilton ; hilly, rocky Wilton; containing but forty five inhab- itants to the square mile; without stage-coach or post office, even so recently as when most of us were entering upon mature life ; having now but one doctor and no lawyer; and, what some may deem a still greater deficiency, not a drop of rum to be bought at its centre; - let not the stranger smile, I say, as if any thing said in praise of such a town, must needs partake of exaggeration. Sir, let me tell him, that, on these steep hills, in these narrow valleys, by the side of these rocks, there grow up noble men and noble women. And for his better satisfaction, let him be assured that I do not speak ignorantly on this subject. Though not a native of the place, yet I was very young when my parents brought me to it; for ten years I lived here constantly ; during the next ten years I felt that my home was in this town more than in any other ; and ever since, I have been kept ac- quainted with the habits of the people almost as much as if I had continued to reside in it. Besides, - pardon, sir, tliis egotism, for it is indulged in with good intent, - my opportunities for comparing this with other communities have not been very limited. It has fallen to my lot to sojourn, more or less, in most sections of New-England ; and recently, this very season, I have made a journey four thousand miles south and west, have travelled in fifteen of these United States, have visited forty cities and I know not how many towns; - and now, after all I have seen, I am free to declare, that, in my opinion, it would be difficult to find within the borders of the land, another spot of territory, possessing no greater natural advantages, that sur- passes - I might, perhaps, say, equals- this, as regards those quali- ties of character in the inhabitants, which truly deserve the respectful consideration of the wise and good. -- Of course, no one will under- stand me as speaking thus of all the dwellers here, indiscriminately. In this town, as in others, - sorry am I to say it, - there are individ- uals, who, if noticed at all, must be spoken of in terms of reproach. Nevertheless, in what other community, I confidently ask, are excep- tions of this sort less frequently to be met with ? Where are fewer
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persons to be found voluntarily ignorant or wilfully idle or studiously perverse ? Where are the burdens growing out of pauperism and crime lighter to be borne than here ? What people, as a whole, more industrious and independent, or more sober-minded, orderly, peaceful and exemplary ? What people more generally intelligent, moral and religious ? In what town do a greater proportion of the inhabitants devote their leisure to useful reading and elevated thoughit ? Where are schools better supported, or churches better attended ? Where are the prevailing customs of the people less exceptionable, or their recreations and amusements more in accordance with reason and good sense? And as touching the great cause of Temperance, where, except here, and perhaps a very few other places, could a cen- tennial celebration, like this, be gotten through with without the aid of strong drink ? * Moreover, sir, what town in the Union, of equal population, ever, in the same number of years, sent so few of her sons to prison, or so many to college ? In a word, what soil of like means and facilities for the cultivation of human minds and hearts, is trodden by men and women of better character, or covers the remains of more virtuous dead ?
God knows, Mr. President, my purpose in saying these things has not been to please the inhabitants of Wilton; had such been my ob- ject, I should have chosen another method of effecting it, - aware as I must have been that their characteristic sense of modesty would be offended rather than gratified by bald commendation, offered in their presence. But I wished, - and in the motive is my apology, - I wished, by pointing out some of the intellectual, moral, and religious habits and privileges of the town, and thus fixing attention, for a moment, on the true causes of the gratitude and joy we all so deeply feel to-day, to remind this community, particularly the youthful portions of it, of their high responsibleness and many obligations ; - the youthful portions of it, I repeat, for to them I meant chiefly to speak ; - yes, to you, young men and young women of Wilton - to you, upon whom it will depend, in so great a degree, whether or not, this, your native town, so honorably distinguished in the past, and so richly furnished now, shall go forward, henceforth, through another century of years, in- proved and improving, in what deserves and gains the respect and love of the wise and good among men, and what God, from his holy hea- vens, looks down upon with the smiles of his approbation.
* No ardent spirits, nor even wine, were used on the occasion.
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Mr. President, I beg pardon for having occupied so much time, at this late hour, and close with offering the following sentiment :-
The good people of Wilton, - Ever may the highest objects of their ambition be the worthiest distinctions alike of individuals and communities, to wit, INTEL- LIGENCE, PIETY, and VIRTUE.
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In making up the foregoing account of the proceedings, we acci- dentally omitted to insert one of the regular toasts, viz. : -
" The Miller Guards, -if called to the field of their country, may their motto be, 'I'll try, sir.'"
As regards the various performances of the singing choir, the effect of which was so delightful, we, of course, could only name them in the order in which they occurred.
At intervals, during the day, the audience was very agreeably en- tertained with instrumental music, by a band composed chiefly of members belonging to the neighboring towns.
It may not be wholly without interest to some to be informed, that with the above exception, nearly all who contributed to render the exercises of the occasion what they were, are natives of Wilton; and that the few who had their birth-place elsewhere either are, or have been, residents in the place.
We have only to regret, that several sons of the town from abroad were prevented, by want of time, from giving utterance to the thoughits and feelings they had come prepared to express.
It was about sunset when the meeting broke up ; but the multi- tude had been made too happy to be in haste to depart. Long did many of them linger in and around the old church, collected here and there in groups, conversing now on the high satisfactions the day had afforded, now on one and another of the many affecting scenes of for- mer years brought vividly to mind, and seeming only to regret that the shades of evening were forcing them so soon to separate, and that it could never fall to. their lot to meet on such an occasion again.
God grant, that the impressions of that blessed day may be lasting and salutary, and that all of us may so seek the true interests of our beloved town, as to cause our memories to be precious to our de- scendants who shall gather themselves together at its Second Centen- nial Celebration.
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