Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-17
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
COMPLIMENTS TO LORD ELGIN.


General of the Canadas was held in our border
States appears naturally to have received large
addition by his instrumentality in the recent re-
puted adjustment at Washington of the Fishery
and Colonial Questions On his way back to his
provinces last week he was greeted with public
reception at the city of Portland, where he was
feted and treated to every mark Of attention which
could testify respect and consideration. In answer
to the address of reception by the Mayor of the city,
Lord ELGIN delivered speech, from which we
extract the following passages:
Mr.. Mayor, Ladies' and Gentlemen: am really quite
with the kindness Of this welcome and the
magnifcence of this reception. have had some expe
rence in such matters and il you will permit me to say
it, must say never arrangements more comfnete
and perfect l think considering what the Mayor has
said of the shorness of for preparation that they
reflect all the greater credit upon the committee and the
citizens.
felt proud as was riding through your streets to-
day and saw the martial bearing and gallant conduct Of
that noble body of soldery who escorted u.s. cheers
say rejoice think that the great work to which
have devoted large part indeed may say the whole
Of my official fe-the maintenance of good feeling and
sympathy between yourselves and my own Government
has been successfully carried out and that the friendly
relations in which stand were never more complete.
Allow me to say 1t is the cordialty with which
received that is most gratifying to me at this time.
When my friend Mr. Merrill, came to Washington so
kindly few days ago to bear the note of invitation
you good send me, obliged to confess
10 him that should not be able to answer whether
could come not was afraid should never get away
from Washington had the Government of both nations
contend wththe Government of the United States
flank, and the Government of England the other
that between the fires found 1t rather difficult to
get away. But he told must come, for the people
Of Portland would have it GCheers just
going to apologize for keeping you in such state of
certainty in regard to coming here but my time was
my disposal and yesterday it rained all day
Just enough wash the streets and lay the husband
now to-day the shines goriousy, changing the
tear-drops into pearls, and showing us
''There's a Divinity that shapes ends.'
One word more and will not detan you longer.
have been told there three points in which Portland
ahead of every other city in the world First in the
excellence of its harbors second in the estmable quail
esof its citizens and thirdly in the beauty of its ladies'
(Rousing cheers.1 Now, ladies and gentlemen, when
received your invitation and decided to come here, de-
termned would not leave without judging for myself
Cheers. AS to the third point, my mind is fully made
up ICheers saw, was riding through your beau
tful town this morning, many lovely faces that said
the Mayor there could not be any left to go
TO the hall but he is gallant man, and he told me to
wait till got there and confess have found out
my mistake. Laughter and cheers. Nowhere have
many pretty girls have since Ihave been
in Portland [Appause. | only hope that if we sue
coed in establishing free trade, have been endeav
oring do that this description Of property will often
find it convenient travel the border. AT any
rate charge duties such goods, except such
At the public dinner at Lancaster Hall the first
toast was, "The President of the United States"
Lord ELGIN rose and proposed three cheers Appause
He said his for making this proposition was that
while he was in Washington he told the President that
he should take the liberty of making Portland Cana
dian city, and the President said he had objection
Laughter
The next toast was, The Queen Of England" and then
came I" Tie Health ofZord Elgia, Governor General of
British North America" Lord ELGIN, in response said
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: assure you it is no
very easy for my American friends astonsh
with any display of their kindness Ihave had many
proofs Of their generosity and instances Of their
munifcent kindness that felt myself proof against all
surprises in hatdirecton. But not prepared for
this hearty cordial reception your hands Thought
was as we'll of could be while under the
of the city authorities; but that the citizens have
got hold Of me, find still better off than was
while under their protection. ICheers.
1t is stranger that stand here, but friend,
if you will allow say so, old and familiar friend,
who forgotten by his friends when absent and who
10 ready be greeted by them his return Applause
! do not feel as stranger in the United States.
1t has long been my opinion that the only difference
between Great Britain and the United States grew out Of
kind of misunderstanding of the true interests of the
countries which second to for their pro-
gress in civilization for their advancement in arts, for
their efforts for the promotion of the liberties Of the
world cheers and for those things which the only
security have for the realization Of those great bless
ings appropriately alluded to the prayer which
offered the commencement of this festival Applause
Allow here to far as 1t is possible for to
judge this misunderstanding has passed away, never,
Judging from human belethere is certainty of FORE
telling future return The good feeling which
has fully established between the States and the
Provinces has already justified itself by its works APP
plause. In the British Provinces have had many
evidences prove your kindness towards and within
the last years than in any previous seven
years since the settlement of the countries Cheers
Let ask you who is the off for this display of
good feeling and fraternal intercourse Isit the Cana
das Sir the representative of her Majesty, permit
say the Canadians more loyal than at
this moment. [Applause.1
Standing here United States ground beneath that
flag under which proud to live, repeat that
people loyal than the Canadas their
her Msjestys Government make the people Of Canada
prosperous and happy that other nations shall envy
them their good fortune [Cheers.
In doing what could to advance the interests Of the
Provinces and the States if there is subject which,
more than other has been my earnest study from
the commencement Of my assuming the Government Of
Canada, It has been to conduct it prevent the
continuance of the misunderstanding which all know
has formerly existed Cheers.
When look back to the past, find what tended, in
degree, to create this misunderstanding In the
first place. believe the government these Provinces
conducted erroneous principles. The rights of
the people somewhat restrained large numbers
prevented from exercising those privileges which
belong free people. From this very naturally
discomfort the part of the people the Provinces in
which the people Of the States sympathized. Though
this sympathy and this discomfort not always wise it
is not wonderful that it existed. Applause
What have done to put end to this We