The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-10
The Hamblin Guard-COmp iimcntary Cor
respOndcnce.
New YoRK, November 9, 1840

The Hamblin Guard-COmp iimcntary Cor
respOndcnce
NEw YoRk, November 6, 1s49
T. s HAMBLrr, ESQ
have watched your career as gentleman, actor,
manager and . man. and who find in the history of
condemn, avail them selves of an opportuns mo-
mept to address and sxtend to you lasting proof
Of their friendship and honest esteem.
IL Is now twenty years since many of them have
known you most Of them personality and
have learned how to appreciate your worth aistn
guished talent, and your genius, and merits
son, as brother, . father, and friend
During the period referred to, they have witnessed
the struggles you have made to exa and chasten the
dramatic profession to establish national drama,
and render the stage what IL should bethe foster
rent Of the the patron Of genius and the mbem
OF the world in its pristine excellence and purity
When they make this avowal, they take pride and
pleasure In recording the universally admitted fact
that, OF all men, OF all managers in the Union you
have done most to encourage reward the talent
digenous to the American republic and that whilst
others have resorted to Europe, and imported from
England artistes, who the substance of fictitious
Transatlantic reputation, have foised them the peo
have been cultivate and encourage our own
countrymen and call from the ample of
own republic, the proud Representatives, OF the
nerees of Shakspeare-the props and future pride Of
the Anglo American drama No man who has been
nected with the theatre since the days of David Gar
rick, mas struggled more assiduousy to reform and
exalt the stage than you have simi-
larry, or correspodiDgy, engaged in the prosecution Of
q noble enterprise requited with such q series of buff
feting and misfortune
Three large theatres each and all erected at the cost
of an outlay that would stagger the man of common
enterprise came into existence under your Immediate
auspices during the period in question: and all In rapid
have fallen before the hand of the ucendia
or become the victims OF accide ntal cOnagration
But notwithstanding these repeated misfertunes and
unprecedented losses, which, of themselves, were
enough to depress and destroy a thousand common
men; you stand firm undsunted and erect holding all
ordinary imPedmtnts at defiance resolved to perevere
in your honorable vocation.
On occasion like the present It may well become
us to indulge in the language OF eulogium; but we
scarcely do It, when we refer to your well known and
acknowledged action in originating the American
Actors Dramatic Fund. We are spprised, for are
well and authentealy informed. that you conoeiv ed
this noble charity when you were in England, In the
year 1885, and that when you its creation
and contamination, to distinguished American actor
then in London, the project indferently IL not
coldy received the ground that however successful
such a scheme might be in Great Britain, 1t never
could succeed in the United States For the able and
determined stand you have taken in behalf of the fund
both sides of the ocean, entitled only to
the regard OF every actor but OF every citizen
ganized and 1t was ascersined that the Legislature
had wisely decreed that one Of its trustees appointed
TO protect its fortunes and its treasury should be
ected from the theatrical profession respectable aud
responsible for his integrity character, ana standing
lected. The tribute thus paid to your standing in
society was Mt memorial to your worth and the more
least four thousand individuals.
Behoding In you all the high attributes that give
dignity to man; regarding you professionally, as the
leading, and the abest Of the time and cherish
ing for you the highest respect citizen aud gen.
tieman we solicit you to permit u.s. as an evidence OF
regard profound and unalerabe friendship to
distinguish . military corps have just organized
by calling IL The Hamblin Guard"
With the highest respect and consideration have
the honor to be your sincere friends aud fellow citizens
III. STEVENS,
Committee In behalf Of hssfIamblin Guards.
SIS BnoApwAv, Nov :. 1910.
GENTLEMEN IL have had the honor Of receiving
letter from you, addressed to the 9th inst
qusstpg me to allow you to give my name to . mill
tsry company which you have organized; and 1t can
With yr ID suS cay n@t ys,a 70 your S a
terng terms In which have been pleased to
your wishes beg you, gentlemen to accept my sincere
acknow lecgments.
Nearly quarter OF a century has elapsed since
landed on your shores, young mnn, with but little
other capital at my disposal what youth, yigor-
Gus constitution some little professional experience,
and an unsulied integrity, afforded aud commenced
my actor, without the remotest idea vi
ever engaging In vast theatrical enterprises.
BY the American people, or by that portion OF them
VINO iotef the srsmatc art was kindly and most cor
daily 7, ceiysd and the success that attended me,
wherever went, far exceeded the most exaggerated
day dreams Of my ardent aud waiting ambton.n
W Wealth and fame seemed to be accumulated without
effort my part, for was in the hands OF n people
who appeared resolved to shower upon every favor
and b.nefaeiion that man could hope for without
Fost.red. battered aud rewarded by a nation which
bad manifested affixed determination to exalt me In
MY Profession award 70 me all the behests OF honor
able Independence, ! resolved TO make the United
states the country OF adopton-the future abiding
place o. my descendREts In carrying out this design,
engaged In the vast theatrical enterprises TO winch
you refer. and which though always crowned with
at the outsst subsequently, signalzed by the
most calamitous consequences
Three theatres Of the largest class either and all of
which would have reflected honor on the proudest
trcpolis In Chrstendom which erected under my
sud paid for offunds nired by honest In
dusiiy and labor have successfully fallen beore the
deyouriBg elemtDts and hundreds ~ thousands OF doll
lars have thus, In the brief period Of eg hours been
swept down the gulf Of ruin The losfer and misfor-
tunes that lave attended me have, you justly
mark been quite sufficient to depIess and destroy
thoufaBd men.
And whilst DO not boast Of any superiority my
fellow and do not afroyate TO myself any
binary merit, must tell you gentlemen, that too
violence 20 tnsow with nerve, physical strength
miisble and enduring spirit which has not
been sUbdntd by the reyusions OF fortune and shch
fti remains unconquered aud undismayed because 1t
Away has aud always will place ana firm re
in your gnsterable support and friendship And
ndeIeDdebty Of all other assurances and cancellations
that each day presented themselves, to encourage me
In the hour Of cmsrgtbcy, felt that | safe, be-
cause was the adopted citizen Of a country whose
their hberaiiy and hospitality In peace and for their
rsadnefs and determination TO cherish and sustain
merit and worth, aud persevering industry pledged
myself to myself, that nay adopted countrymen would
stare b. me, and have not been disappointed. ] AZ
cured myte that had hosts Of friends. aud this last
Of yours gratifying TO my better feelings and so
soothing 20 my pride-so encouraging to my ambition,
has than abuDdanty satisfied me that have not
miscaleulsttd the position in which stand towards
my fellow citizens.
RerewiDg to you, again aud again, my Of
gratitude respect and the most unqualified friendship
have the honor to be- gentleman.
Your most obedient servant