The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-28
Mr.. web.t.r It nr.r.hisld.

at his farm near MaT6hneld, MASSACHUSETTS,
was warmly greeted by his neghbors and
friends, and was addressed in speech by the
Hon. SETH SPRAGUE warmly complimentng
him for his civic worth and great craftsmanship
MIR. WEBSTER, in reply to this address,
spoke in substance as follows
Ma. SpRAGUE, AND NEIGHBoRs AND FRIENDs: :
thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, for
this welcome home (which SO many of you have
assembled to offer me tot day. II was unexpected.
l had not looked for such testimonial of your re
gard; but it draws from me, as it ought to draw,
the most grateful acknowledge of my heart.
1t is not for the graceful display of vehicles. nor
the numbers of your cavalcade; but the fact that
you, among whom have 30 long lived and dwelt,
and who know me 30 well, have manifested such
esteem; il lie this that calls forth my gratitude, and
pour out to you, friends and neighbors, my part,
from my heart. the feelings of mutual and respon-
sive regard and friendship. And it is my SINGER
est prayer that Almighty God will preserve you
and yours in prosperity and happiness.
Friends and neighbors, it is now above twenty
years that / have been in the mids. Of you, pass
ing here on the seaside all that portion OF the
years when have been able to enjoy some relax
Of public life. Happy have they been to me and
mine; for during all this period know not OF an
unkind thing done, or uniriendly word spoken, by
any one here to me or mine, or to any one near
and dear to me. .... ...
Gentlemen, most of you are farmers, and take
great concern In your interests, because have
wish to promote the general prosperity OF the
whole country. Others OF You have your occupa-
ton on the seas. Some OF you have found there,
and had the pleasure to mingle in your pursuits-a
pleasure lhope to enjoy again. .s. .g.
Gentlemen, MIR. Sprague has been pleased to
refer to recent occurrences. As to some OF them,
say one word now. The time has not yet come
But would say may venture to hope, without
presumption, that am not entirely unknown at
home or abroad. lCries Of "No, no."J And say
further, If have any thing good or valuable, l
hold it in my own keeping, and will not trust it
to the way wardness ofothers. Friends and neigh.
bors, the time in which you offer me this welcome
is not altogether inappropriate. ! am about to be
occupy must soon be vacated in the ordinary
course of events; and 1t may be vacated very
shortly. .,.. a.. sL T.. p
am sensible of the kind manner in which the
events Of my life have been recited. l am will
ing to admit that am glad to receive the approba-
ton of my countrymen in any manner in which
they may be disposed to express it. am willing
to believe in relation TO the alluded to
by Mr.. Sprague, that, by the blessing OF Provi
dence and the favor Of my countrymen, l have
done something to uphold the Constitution and
liberty, and maintain the rights of the country.
There ID an end to all human labors and effort
am no longer q young man, but am thankful
nevertheless, for the measure OF strength still en-
Joy. / hope enjoy the pleasure Of your kindness
and society for some years to come, if such may
be the pleasure of the Almighty.
MIR. Sprague has made alusion to recent occur
rences, threatening disturbances to this country,
account Of the fisheries 1t would not become
me to say much ON that subject until speak OIL
cially, and under direction Of the head Of the Gov
ernmcnt. And then shall speak. In the mean
time, be assured that that interest will not be
elected by this administration, under any circum-
stances. The fishermen shall be protected in all
their rights Of property, and in all their rights of
To rhl nh fk,x,
shall be protected shook and line, and bob and
sinker." And why should they moi? They are
vast number who are employed in that branch of
naval enterprise. Many Of the people Of our own
among you some who, perhaps. have been on the
Grand Bank for forty successive years. There
they have hung on to the ropes in storm and
wreck. The most important consequences in
volved in this matter. Our fisheries have been the
very nurseries Of our navy. II our flag ships have
met and conquered the enemy on the sea, the fish.
cries at the bottom of il. The fisheries were
the seeds from which these glorious triumphs were
born and sprung. ...... ..
Now, gentlemen, may venture to say one or
two things more on this highly important subject.
In the first place, this sudden interruption Of the
pursuts Of our citizens, which had been carried
more than thirty years without interruption
molestaion can hardly be justified by any princi-
pie or consideration whatever. 1t is now more
than thirty years that they have pursued the fshe.
ries in the same waters and on the came coast in
which and along which notice has now come that
they shall be no longer allowed these privileges
Now such a thing cannot be justified without pre-
vious notice having been given. A mere indul-
gence OF long continuance, even If the privilege
we're but an indulgence, cannot be Withdrawn at
this season Of the year, when our people, accord
ing to the custom, have engaged in the business,
without notico-Without just and reasonable notice
cannot but think the late dispatches from the
Colonial Office had not attracted to sufficient de-
gree the attention Of the principal Minister of the
Crown, for l see matter in them quite inconsistent
with the arrangement made in lS45 by the Earl
of Aberdeen and Edward Everett At that time
the Earl of Derby, the present first minister, was
Colonial Secretary. II could not well have taken
place without his knowledge, and, in fact, without
his concurrence and sanction. cannot but think,
therefore, that it's being overlooked ia an mad
vertcnce.
The treaty of 1918 wus made with the Crown of
England. II fishing vessel ia captured by one Of
her vessels OF war and carried to British port for
adjudication, the Crown OF England is answer
able, and then know whom we have to deal
with. But it ia not to be expected thai the United
States will submit their rights to be adjudicated
upon IN the petty tribunals of the provinces that
we shall allow our vessels to be seized on by con-
stables or other petty officers, and condemned by
the municipal courts of Quebec and Newfound-
land, New Brunswick or Canada. No, no, no.
[Great cheering ]
Farther than this, gentlemen, do not think it
expedient to remark upon this topic at present
But you may be assured it ia a subject upon which
no one sleeps at Washington. i regret that the
state OF my neaItn caused my absence from wash
ington when the news came Of this sudden change
in the Interpretation Of the treaties My health
requires repose and relaxation from labor. l shall
feel il my duty, as soon as my health and strength
will justify me in undertaking the journey, to re-
turn To my post, and discharge the duties devolvng
upon me, to the best Of my abilities.
And now, gentlemen, l consider the welcome
you have to-day given me personal kindness =
tribute OF personal regard. have always found
your houses, your hands, and your hearts open W
me. And trust may say that you have never
found my door closed against you, whether calling
upon business, or for the purpose of social inter
course and the offices OF good neighborhood.
Gentlemen, deem it great piece of guod for
tune, coming as did from the mountains, that
came to the place where you now me; that
when came from The mountains descended to
the seashore. Many people when they come down
here wonder what in the world could have in :
duced MIR. Webster to have come to Marshfield. l
answer, partly good sense, 4 more good fortune.
had no particular fancy for rich lands, but had
a regard for kind neighborhood; and myself and
friends, when come here, had we'll understood
covenant that would talk to them about farming
but not a word about law or politics. You have
kept your word, and hope have kept mine.
And now, my friends and neighbors, accept from
a grateful heart my warm acknowledgements TINT
you have come here with countcnanoes SO open
and frank, to give me the assurance of your per-
sonal regards and continued friendship. Again
thank you with all my heart, and my prayers are
that the Almighty Power will preserve you, md