Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-21

The presentation Of plate which was voted by
the General Assembly Of Rhode Island to Com
modore M. c. Perry, as token of appreciation
OF his distinguished services in the Japan Expe-
diton, took place on the steps of the State House
at Newport, on Thursday last, in the presence of
large assembly of ladies and gentlemen. The
occasion was entirely a civic one, Commodore
Perry having requested that there should be no
military display. The testimonial consists of only
one piece of plata silver sdlver weighing 800
ounces, of the most beautiful workmanship, and
bearing the following inscriptions:
Presented to
COMMODORE MATTHEW cALBRETH PERRY.
In thename of the People of the State of Rhode
Island, by their General Assembly, in testi-
mony OF their appreciation of his SER
vices TO his country, in negotiating
Treaty Of Amity and Com
with Japan;
and III acknowledgment of the honor he has con-
TERED upon his native State; in ever main
tanning the renown Of the name he bears,
and adding to the triumphs Of his
profession, those of humanity
and peace.
Feb %, 1855.
Governor Hoppin, in presenting the plate,
made an appropriate address, to which Commo-
dore Perry responded asfollows:
Your Ercellency:-lt is impossible for me to
express the feelings of gratitude with which my
heart responds to the lattering expressions you
have this moment uttered in your capacity of
Governor of the gallant little State of Rhode
Island, and as the organ of both branches of its
Legislative body.
You may well imagine my pride and satisfac-
ton in being permitted to stand before this assem-
bly,, and upon spot sanctifed by the most agree
able associations.
1t was in my earliest boyhood, before the intro
duction of steamboats, or railroads, that | often
watched upon the shore for the first glimpse of
the daily decorated packet-sloop that IN those
days annually brought the Governor from Provi-
dence to this town, and witnessed with child-like
delight, in sight Of this very edifice, the pomp,
the parade, and festivities of ELECTION Day"
Since then have traversed almost every part
of the globe, in the prosecution Of the duties of
profession of which | am justly proud; and now
after lapse of nearly half century, when IN
declining life, to be called by the Representatives
of my native State back to these hallowed pre-
cncts, here to receive from the lips of its Chief
Magistrate the commentator of my felow-citi-
zens, is an honor 1 little expected, when as
boy midshipman 46 years ago first embarked
upon an element then and always the most con-
genial to my aspirations for honorable enterprise.
And should not feel doubly honored in find
ing my services associated with those of lamen-
ted brother, the memory of whose heroic deeds
has so far been, and | trust will be, fondly
cherished by every true-hearted Rhode Islander.
In conducting the mission to Japan, which a
confding government entrusted to my sole charge,
/ was fully impressed with the magnitude of the
responsibility imposed upon me; and true to this
generous reliance upon my judgment and discre-
ton, was the more ambitious to accomplish an
object which to many seemed uhattainabe. You
have just now, sir, told me how these services are
appreciated by those of my compatriots who are
nearest and dearest to me, and | am satisfied.
The valuable testimonial, now presented with
SO much eloquence and grace, shall be preserved
in my family as an heirloom, to commemorate
an event to be remembered by all who may be
allied by the ties oblood to the grateful recipient,
who begs to tender to your excellency and all
here present, his profound and heartfelt thanks.