The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-06-20
rnE TESTIMONIAL TO COMMODORE PERRY


A correspondent of she Phsdelphia Bulletin at New
port Rhode Island thus notices the presentation 10 Com
odore Perry Of the testimonial voted by the legislature Of
that State in January lasti
This being the day THURSDAY last appointed By Coy.
Hoppn present the testimonial voted BY the general
sembly at the January session. 10 Commodore Perry for
their appreciation Of his services his country in negotiating
treaty Of amy and with Japan, the ceremony
took place clock p M the balcony In front Of the
State House. large number OF the good citizens and
strangers assembled AZ the appointed hour embracing tho
beauty and fashion Of Newport II proposed Ia have
military display the occasion, but with the mcdes and
good which mark every act Of the distinguished officer
the recipient OF the testimonial he preferred
that the ceremony should far possible be confined 70
the civil authorities particularly the members OF the sen
and house Of representatives would be present tno
tunately Of rain Tell while the people assem-
bling but il was Of brief DURATION and succeeded by
bright
"on the balcony stood table, upon which placed
the piece plate be presented that could be seen by the
assembled people, Hoppn stood at side OF
this and Commodore Perry in full UNIFORM the other.
Lieutenant Bent Of the navy Sheriff Lake several senator's
and other State officials with many distinguished citizens
strangers filed the remaining space while the other
and members Of tho house occupied places near
In presenting the testimonial to Commodore Perry Gov
Hoppn made short and exceedingly appropriate speech
to which the gallant commodore replied as follows
sYoua ExoELLgNoy: apostolic for express the
feelings of gratitude with which my heart responds to the
hatteng expressions you have this moment uttered
capacity governor Of the gallant little State of Rhode
Island and the organ Of both branches Of its legislative
body.
You may well imagine nv pride and satisfaction in being
permitted thus stand before this assembly, and upon spot
sanciied by the most agreeable associations
It was in my earliest boyhood before the introduction N
steamboats, railroads. that often watched upon the shore
glimpse of the gay decorated packetsloop that
DAYS annually brought the governor from Providence
this town. and witnessed with chdke delight in sight OF
this very edce the pomp, parade and festivities OF cleo
ton day.
Since then have versed almost every part of the
globe the prosecution of the duties oa profession of which
am Justly proud and now after lapse of nearly half
century, when in declining life to be called by the repre-
enatiyes native State back to these hallowed
cnc here receive from the lips Of its chief magistrate the
concentrations my fellow citizens is an honor little ex
peeed when, boy -pidhipman forty six years ago,
first embarked upon element then and always the most
congenia to my aspiration for honorable emprise
And should feel doubly honored in finding my pub
lie services with those Of lamened brother the
memory whose heroic deeds has far been and trust
win be- iondy cherished by every rueheared Rhode
Islander?
ain conducting the mission to Japan which conhding
government intrusted my sole charge fully inn
pressed with magnitude of the responsibility imposed
upon me and this generous reliance my udg-
and discretion the more ambitious to accomplish
object which many seemed unattanable. You have
now told how these services appreciated by
my cppatrio who nearest and dearest to
and am satisfied
sThe valuable testimonial, presented with much
eoauence grace shall be preserved in my family
heir loom event to be remembered by
all who allied by the ties of blood to the grateful
cpient beg tender your exceency and all here
present his profound and heartfelt thanks"
The testimonial consists Of magnificent silver salver Of
unusually large dimensions massive in weight and most
deliberately chased 1t has the heaviest border
featured in this country The following is the inscrp
ton
the the people the State Rhode saad by their
general assembly testimony of their appreciation of his
his country in negotiating treaty OF amy and
with Japan and in acknowledgment OF the honor
upon his native State, mainanir the
the he bears and adding TO the triumphs of
his profession those Of humanity and February 80
1852