Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-19


took place on the steps Of the State House at New
port, on Thursday last In presence Of a large as
sembly Of ladies and gentlemen The occasion wal
entirely civic one, Commodore Perry having re
quested that there should be no military display
The testimonial consists Of only one piece OF plate
a silver salver, weighing $40 ounces, Of the mos
beautiful workmanship, and bearing the following
inscription
Presented 10
COMMODORE MATHEW cALBRETH PERRY,
In the name of the people Of the State of Rhode
Island, by their General Assembly, in testimo-
ny of their appreciation Of his services to
his country, In negotiating treaty
Of amity and commerce with
and In acknowledgment OF the honor he has con
ferred 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.
February %, 1855.
Governor Hoppin, in presenting the plate, made
an appropriate address, to which Commodore Per
ry responded as follows:
Your ExcELLEscY: 1t is impossible for me Il
express the feelings of gratitude with which my
heart responds to the fatterng expressions you
have this moment uttered in your capacity of Gov
and as the organ of both branches Of its Legislative
body.
You may well imagine my pride and satisfaction
in being permitted to stand before this assembly
and upon spot sancti6ed by the most agreeable
associations.
1t was in my earliest boyhood, before the intro
duction of steamboats, or railroads, that Otter
watched upon the shore for the first glimpse of the
gaily decorated packetsloop that in those days an
nually brought the Governor from Providence to
this town--and witnessed with child-like delight
in sight Of this very edifce, 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 a century, when in de-
Ginning life, to be called by the representatives o.
my native State back to these hallowed precincts
here to receive from the lips OF its Chief Magis
trate the commentator OF my fellow citizens, il
an honor little expected, when as a boy-midshp
man, forty-six years ago, first embarked upon an
element then and always the most congenial to my
aspirations for honorable enterprise.
And should not feel doubly honored in finding
my services associated with those of lamented
brother, the memory of whose heroic deeds has &c
far been, and trust ever will be, fondly cherished
by every true-hearted Rhode Islander.
In conducting the mission to Japan which CON
fding government intrusted to my sole charge,
was fully impressed with the magnitude of the re-
sponsibility imposed upon me; and true to this
generous reliance upon my judgment and discre'
ton, was the more ambitious to accomplish an OBJ.
ject which to many seemed unattainable. 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 l am satisfied.
The valuable testimonial, now presented with sc
much eloquense 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 of blood to the grateful recipient who
begs to tender to your Excellency, and all here
present, his profound and heartfelt thanks.