Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-24
THE RAILROAD CELEBRATION AT ST. JOHNS

railroad celebration in that city on the l4th which has
been mentioned by telegraph.
ST. Johns crowded with visitors, including many
hundreds Of our citizens from Boston and Portland In
addition to these the U. s. Princeton Com.
SnUBRcK, and Fulton Capt WATSON, arrived the evening
before and received with salutes from the city bat
terry. The Lieut.. Governor had proclaimed HOLIDAY
throughout the PROVINCE, all business was suspended
The regular formalities Of the day commenced
grand procession exceeding any thing of the kind
in the Province, which proceeded to the ground
where the of the European and North Ame
rican Railway" was to be laid
After an address from ROBERT JARDISE, Esq, and
prayer by Dr. GRAY, the ceremony of raising the first
shoyeful Of earth performed by Lady HEAD. The
cornerstone then laid with Masonic ceremonies,
amidst the cheers Of immense of spectators
The procession then returned to the city where lunch
was served up hundred guests, in large
room of the custom house. which had been tastefuly de-
corated for the occasion At this entertainment ROBERT
JARDINE Esq presided, surrounded by Lieut. Gov HEAD
Commodore SuUBRIcK, WM JACKSON, ESQ.,, NJ. p, Hon.
]. w. JOHNSTON of Halifax, Hon. Mr.. CoLE of Prince
Edward Island the Mayor of Portland, c. Belts, Esq.,
Capt WATSON Hon. JOHN NEAL of Portland, Hon. N p.
BANKS Speaker of the House Of Representatives of Mas
sachusetts, &c.
The first toast after the removal Of the cloth, to
the Queen which replied to by Sir Edmund HEAD
who alluded to the Importance of the enterprise to
the prosperity of New Brunswick and trusted that
nimy of action should peryade al the Provinces
and that New Brunswick, Nova Scota, Prince Edward
Island and Canada should be proud of the collective
of British North America" He concluded follows
But to be mistaken he must observe that he
far from entertaining any feeling but that Of the greatest
friendship towards neghbors the western border
of whom such distinguished member and officer (al-
udng to Commodore SnUpRIcx was now present. II
1Yf,o nj inter IN f,p nd
hope that peace between Great Britain and the United
States should be perpetual that the advantages re-
specyey possessed BY the two countries might be per-
petuay nterchanged Respect for law ana order was
characteristic of both countries and he hoped that the
conduct of all both sides the border would continu
ally show that they all belonged to the same race These
sentiments intimately connected with the railway
scheme which hereafter to form iron link between
these Provinces and the United States and by
which facilities for INSTRUMENTATION to be
| tended in both directions"
His Excelency then proposed, amidst tunders Of ap
plause the health of thc President Of the United
which was drank with all possible honor.
The next toast was "to Com SHrBnIcK and the United
States Navy" to which the gallant Commodore replied
He remarked that far the personal to
himself he could give nothing in return but his thanks
With regard the Navy of the United States perhaps it
did not become him to say much At home they usually
called it the infant navy and he supposed il was
sdered rs an infant Hercules. 1t very far from
fugrown Hercules at present. and therefore they must
leave the infant gradually to develop himself But he
would word or two about the service to which he
belonged very exrayagant idea existed in the United
States Of the Of the fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico
and Of the Of affairs between the fishermen of these
Provinces and the fishermen Of the United States 1t
supposed that they all preparing to cut each others
throat that swivels bowie knives and revovers were
the order Of the day among them and that Therefore 1t
was necessary send yesselsofwar on both sides, to
keep the peace. But he found such thing when he
came among them lie found them fishing together, side
by SIDE in perfect amty and if any thing annoyed them
it was that the ofwar there with their revoyers
and padde-whees the fish and hinder their bu
siness And what did he find when he came here2 On
returning from short cruise, and on his way home his
anchor had scarcely touched the ground when commit
tee came board to invite himself and his officers to be
present this interesting occasion For his part there
was nothing farther from his thoughts than the being
invited lie had thought about the subject and there
fore he prepared to say but very little about it, But
he found the people here preparing to build railroad TO
bind the State of Maine land if the State of Maine then
the whole Of the United States because they all
united together and ndvisbe to the province Of
New Brunswick This railroad was necessary conse
auence Of their natural position and connexon The Pro-
vnces and the States naturally in interest and
sympathy You could not separate them; imaginary
geographical lines could not do it God had made them
one. and those whom God had joined together man
could separate. There might be, doubtless there
were points of difference between the different peoples
and their institutions and customs but these must be
down and gradually assimatcd II was the busi-
of those who make the laws to do this. lie did not
how it to be done, but he supposed would be
DONE and he thought the time not ardsant when it
would be effected"
In conclusion, Com. SHUBRIcK offered the sentiment
Prosperity to the great European aud North American
Railroad" which was duly honored by the company
The Hon. J. W. JOHNSTON late Attorney General Of
Novs Scotia, the next speaker He stated that the
great railway just commenced had originated three years
ago the Convention held in Portland Maine and spoke
considerable length Of the benefits which he confident
ly predicted would be conferred upon the British Pro-
yinces by the construction Of the work.
The assemblage entertained BY other addresses I'm
til late in the evening when separation became neces
sary, that they might witness splendid display Of fire.
works and prepare for the great bali with which the fes
ytes of the day were close This took place at q
pavilion the point where tho cornerstone was laid
and here happened the only accident which married the
general Joy. The ball was grand affair, and passed of
excellcntly until about o'clock in the night, when it
was interrupted by the breaking down Of Of the gal
eres Fortunately but few persons were injured, yet it
was an accident Of the righul character The fol-
lowing account of ii is copied from the st. Johns Times
Of the 10th instant:
"Tbe Bali had been prepared and commenced under
the most favorable circumstances His Excellency the
Lieutenant Governor Lady aud suite the officers Of the
Army Commodore shsbriek and the officers Of the Anne