The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-03-30
yoI the Midllebury Ersi.ler
"reminiscences of a Weei. in Boston and
its Einvirons.-No. ..

tie ofl775-Bnnker Hill Monumcnt-Pros
poet from its summit-Thc Navy Yards
Its original cost and pre- ens yalue--Manu-
features Of ChaTlos.own--iss Ice trade
States Prison-lIogues about to take the
intiatory rights.
go years have elapsed, since a small
fleet bringing more than 1900 persons.
came over the broad ocean and anchored
in Massachusetts, Bay. Among the pas.
scngers were Gov Winthrop and several
other distinguished gentlemen. They
erected cottages. booths and tents. about
the hill, which was afterwards called
Charlcstown, in honor of Charles l the
reigning sovereign in England at the
time of its settlement The shadow of
a large tree was their only temple of d.
vine worship The peninsula, on which
Charlestowh is built, is of an oval form,
and its surface quite irregular and varie-
gated 1t is united to Boston as port
of entry, and in it's various commercial
and manufacturing pursuits. This town
is noted for its sacrifices in the cause of
liberty. Its soil drank the bloods of
many patriot. and will ever be dear to
every lover of his country.
On the 18th of June, l775, one Of the
most important and decisive battles of
the Revolution took place on this hill
The British troops were routed and driv-
en- from this important post. In this
battle, 1866 British soldiers were slain
and left upon the bloody field, as mark
of British weakness, insolence and folly.
The loss on the American side was 449.
The town was burnt by the enemy the
same day, but the spirit of heroic liber-
ty lived, and has since reared a noble
monument to commemorate its valiant
deeds just 80 years after the memo
rable battle, viz the 18th of June, 1925,
the illustrious Lafayette laid the corner
stone of this beautiful column The
site of the monument is 62 feet above
the level of the sea 1t is of hewn gran
lite, so feet square at the base, and Is
feet square at the top, and 800 feet in
height 1t was finished and its compile
ton celebrated on the 18th June, lS43,
Is years from the time of laying the
corner stone. 1t is truncatcd quad
rangular pyramid, aud its summit is
reached by winding stairway within
its walls We found it toilsomc Jour
ney to travel up these IA rods-have no
doubt we travelled more than twice that
distance of circuitous winnings, to reach
the daylight above. From the top of
this lofty structure, the view is in the
highest degree pleasing. On the east,
lies the ocean, glanclng in the sunbeams
like silver sea. Far in the north east,
at distance of Q or 10 miles, can be
distinctly seen the spires and the white,
neat dwellings of the town of Lynn. On
the west, within an amphithea.rc Of hills,
are Cambridge and the adjacent towns !;
and on the south appear Roxbury, Dor
chester and South Boston. with its pub
lie buildings and memorable heights ;
and beneath is seen the L. S. navy yard,
with its wharves and dry docks, its large
ship-houscs. mechanics shops, storehous-
es, dwelling houses, marine barracks, aud
battle.ships The view of the city alone
as it lies at the feet Of the spectator. is
well worth the toll Of the ascent but
when to this is added "A view of the
ocean, and the lovely and picturesque
country. enclosed within a circle Of 60
or 10 miles in circumference the travel
er thanks his stars, that have led him to
such a glorious spot, aud sets down the
day when he assembled the top Of Bunker
Hill Monument, as one pf the bright
ores Of his life
We never had any very strong love
for the smell Of gan-powder- but yielded
to the request OF another to visit the
navy yard Our friend sad he should
deem it want of etiquette in US, not to
pay Uncle Sam the honor. to visit these
munitions of defence. So we consented
The yard was purchased by the United
States in the year 1900. The sum paid
to the several proprietors, including
commissions, was about $4,000 On the
side next the town, the yard is protected
by wall of stone masonry 10 feet in
height On the harbor side are several
wharves and dry dock This dry-dock
is built of beautifully hammered granite,
in the most workmanlike and substantial
manner. 1t is Sal feet long, so feet
wide, and 80 deep, and cost $4,000.
Except the approach to the dock aud
wharves, a sea wall is extended the whole
water line. More or less ships of war
are at all times lying here IN ordinary.
There is a sufficient depth of water for
the largest ships of war to be ahoat at
all times at the end of the wharves.
The yard contains within the walls a
bout 100 acres, and independent of all
buildings and works, the site would now
readily command more than one million
of dollars.
Charlestown is largely engaged in va
rious manufactures, the yearly value of
which, we were informed, exceeds half a
million of dollars. In 1903, they COM
menced what is called the ice trade.
This has been greatly extended, and
large cargoes Of this staple of New Eng
land are sent to the most distant parts
of the commercial world, to the south
ern portions Of our own country, to the
West Indies, South America, the East
Indies, and even to England, to please
the palate of that prince Of epicures,
John Bull himself. In ls4S, there was
exported from this place $4,000 tons.
In 1850, 10000 tons. Some 5 or 49,
900 tons of ice are annually used in BOs'
ton and its vicinity.
1t has been found necessary, in all
well regulated communities and States,
to erect depot for such rogues as abuse
their liberty, and prey upon the rights