Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-24
SPEECH OF HON ROBERT c. WINTHROP,
Al the Celebration at Grotoa Heights, Coaaecticat
September 6, 1853


am greatly honored and obliged feow-citizens, by
this friendly and hattering reception thank you for
this cordial greeting Most heartily do wish that
were in better state of preparation for doing justice
either to the occasion to myself Circumstances be-
yond my CONTROL however, rendered it extremely
tain until the very last moment whether should be able
to be with you at ALL and have at last upon the
express understanding and condition that not to be
responsible for any thing in the nature Of formal or
ceremonious address. But cannot decline to attempt
some response to the call which has just been made
me, cannot emit such opportunity of expressing
the high qualification have enjoyed in being present
this OCCASION witnessing these interesting ceremonies
in meeting my distinguished friend, Judge Wayne, and
his excellency the Governor Of Connecticut and yourself
Mr.. President, with all of whom have had SO many
pleasant associations at Washington and in forming SO
many and valued acquainances among the people Of
New London
Mr. President, almost ashamed to confess it, but
it the first time in my life that have ever paid visit
to New London, stood upon these consecrated
heights 1t is, indeed, almost the first time in my life
that have ever passed day night within the limits
OF the State Of Connecticut. Let assure you how
ever, that have not come here with the feelings Of
stranger have not forgotten by whom the Connect-
cut Colony was originally led out and planted have
not forgotten by whom its charter Obtained from
Charles the Second | have not forgotten what names
to be found the roll Of its earliest Chief Maris
for PERIOD father and together Of more than
quarter of century. Still less have forgotten by
whom the good old town of New London was founded or
whence came the Of this ancient village Groton
/ For myself, my friends am Massachusetts, man, a
native Bostonian, born within biscuits throw of that
old Mix street corner which will be always distinguish
cd as the birth place Of the ustrious franklin All my
personal interests and all my present associations
connected with that noble old sister Commonwealth of
yours, and with its proud and prosperous capital God
bless them But cannot but remember on this occa-
sion that, If the blood in my veins were subjected to
chemical analysis, by far the largest part of it, on the
paernal side ut least would be found to be Connecticut
blood-New London blood No wonder that it gows and
kndes and with something than its wonted
fervor, find myself nhaling for the first time this an
cesral air and readng for the FIRST time this almost
natal SOIL
For nearly hundred and fifty years New London was
the residence of those from whom lineay descend
ed Here my honored father born about the year
1760, and here he passed the happy years Of his child
hood and his boyhood having left here to enter college
after the death of his father and only few years
before the very event which you this day assembled
to commemorate. Had he been few years older and
remained here few years longer he might have fallen
victim the British bayonets and his name and race
been altogether cut off, Or haply, he might have fallen
victim to the hardly less powerful less piercing shafts
Of of the mothers grandmothers of the fair
daughters whom see around me- and the birthplace of
his children might thus have been the with his
But here, at any rate, still Of my esteemed
atives and knsolk occupying the old places, and some
Of them keeping alive the old name where it org
naly introduced than two centuries ago. Nor
be mistaken in the idea that the very heights which
gathered and the township in which they are in
cuded derived their from that ancient Manor of
Groton which granted to the Wnthrops in the time
of Henry the Eighth and which continued be their re-
sdence until they came over TO America in 1880. Was
not justified, then, in the remark that had
here with the feelings of stranger; and may not be
pardoned for adding that cannot help feeling little at
home among places and persons that have never
in my life seen before?
But pray your forgiveness my friends for al
udng to these passages Of and family history
must not, will not dwell on them an instant longer.
The day, the OCCASION belong other names and other
themes and turn for few moments the event which
you have met together to commemorate without another
word of preface.
And certainly | know Of few events in the whole
history Of Revolutionary struggle worthy Of
commemoraton or which present to contemplation
incidents Of more striking and impressive character
The 9th Of September 1881 What New Londoner, what
New Highlander, what American forget the
currence which has rendered that date memorable Its
details sure, familiar household words to you
ALL before your memories have been refreshed by
the address of the eloquent and distinguished gentleman
who is TO follow me-
The British feet entering your beautiful harbor early
dawn; the alarm and CONSERVATION of the inhabitants
the removal Of the aged and nr the flight Of the tmid
the raying of the brave the noble exclamation of your
heroic Ledyard, he babe last farewell to his friends
before crossing the ferry take command Of the Fort
81 lose, to-day, honor life you who know
tell which will be - landing of the British regiments
with their gorgeous uniforms and gterng bayonets the
repeated surrender the final response antc
pating almost terms the reply of the gallant and la
mented Taylor Buens Vista, Eve shall not surrender
let the consequences be what they may " the desperate
conflict these heights the treacherous and blood
cd Of Ledyard and his little band after they
ceased all resistance against such Overwhelming odds
the cruelty to the wounded the deliberate burn
ing Of New London with all its circumstances Of cowardly
brutality all, all impressed upon your minds and
hearts with dstinctness and viyidDess which Ian
guage increase and which length OF time can
eface.
One Of the accomplished daughters Of New London let
add, has recently embodied them alnot forgetting
the angelic mnisratons Of her to the wounded
and the dyng-in history which is credtable to her
pen it is to the people whose fortunes she has de-
scribed.
That was indeed my friends asad day for New London
and its vicnitya sad day for New England and for all
the confederated colonies. And yet, after ALL 1t was
proud day. and which. think, you would hardly be
willing spare from the historic pages of our country
The monument before us is, indeed, monument Of
triumph Ii tells of victims, not OF victors But 1t tells
Of those who have noby dared and died in defence Of
American liberty And what can any desire
better rs the eptaph OF himself Of those with
whom he is connected? II is monument like that at
Thermopyl@ of old and well might have borne the very
same inscription
Go stranger" was the aforementioned inscription
tle etonn erected IN Ieonidas Of