The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-05-27

Torchlixhs Demon.sration Of Americans.
Pursuant to a very short notice issued on Tues.
day afternoon, a large concourse of American cit
liens assembled in the evening of that day mt the
residence of Thomas Spencer, ESQ.,, and at 81
O'Clock formed in procession, and, carrying torch
lights. preceded by a band of music, marched to
the residence of the Hon. David L. Gregg, late
Commissioner of the United States. Hon. James
W. Borden, the new Commissioner, is also a
guest of Mr.. Gregg, and thus the occasion was
. made doubly interesting to American residents in
rendering at the same time their farewell to Mr..
Gregg as their representative, together with their
hearty appreciation of his qualities as a man and
a Commissioner, while they extended a cordial
welcome to his successor.
On the appearance of the Ex-Commissioner on
the veranda, three cheers were given with good
emphasis for the Hon. David L. Gregg. Barnum
W. Field, Esq, then stepped forward and adj
dressed Mr.. Gregg as follows:
Mr.. Gregg: The American citizens of Honolulu
having learned that you had this day delivered up
the Portfolio of the American Legation to a gentle
man recently arrived from the United States, by APP
pointment of the present administration, could not
resist their inclination to call upon you for the pur
pose of expressing their full approval of your course
of conduct as the representative OF the American Gov
eminent Mt the SlndWIch ISLANDS, -FOUR nuenty 10
the American Union during your four and n half
years. residence at Honolulu as United States Com
missioner. has won the admiration of all in the COM
munity who pride themselves in their birth as Amer
leans, and 1t has always been n source OF great plea
sure to your countrymen at these islands to witness
the zeal manifested by You in disseminating their
national principles and in keeping them, at all times,
aware of their duty to their nation while absent.
As an American, you have never been found want
ing. and most sincerely do we accord to you the honor
IF 61aI;sv 70 tho land of birth In remember-
ing and celebrating our national holidays you have
not only led us as the representative of our country,
but Joined with us as n private citizen, doing all in
your power to impress upon our minds the occasion
that whatever situation in life you may hereafter oc-
cupy you may infuse as warm n sentiment of esteem
in the breasts of your fellow citizens as you have done
in ours.
In your official intercourse with the Hawaiian Gov
eminent your course has been such that the interests
of the American residents have been promoted. To
the commercial interests your aid has always been
promptly rendered, and the American citizen who
has ella med your protection has ever found in you a
ready champion for his rights. Consequent upon all
this, you merit our unbounded thanks and most sin
cerely do we tender them.
As the representative Of the United States we shall
always remember you for your devotion and zeal Of
this, sir, be well assured. To you, as n friend and
private citizen, we can but express our deepest regret
Mt the slightest indication that we may soon lose you
from our midst, but in this, perhaps, We are prema-
toiCs 2t n iNtOs w Jun E''a fAS INV
have our best wishes for your prosperity and happi-
ness. IN whatever cline you may be placed.
Mr.. Gregg replied nearly as follows
Friends and fellow countrvmen Allow me to re-
turn YOU nv most sincere thanks for this very fat
tering demonstration of your esteem and kind regards
and for the still more fattering words which You have
addressed TO me through Mr.. Field. Tins Is certainly
a surprize, but n very agreeable one, for to know that
l retire from official life with your plaudits of appro-
baton is a consideration which, wander where | may,
whatever be my lot, l shall ever cherish az one of the
happiest recollections of my life. But having simply
done nv duty towards my countrymen in so far as I
may have been called TO act in my official capacity, 1
cannot but think that the warm commentators you
have been pleased TO bestow upon me have been all
undeserved. But, gentlemen, | thank you again most
sincerely. Words are wanting in which to express
the feelings of my heart To-day, | am no longer
your Commissioner, and my official connection with
you ceases from henceforth, but the remembrance of
this nights cordial approval of my course among you
always be remembered with pride and ~satisfic-
ton.
Mr.. Gregg's speech was listened TO with marked
and greeted with frequent cheers. and
at its conclusion he introduced to the audience
the Hon. James W. Borden, US. Commissioner
Mr.. B. w. Field addressed Mr.. Borden as fol-
MI. Borden In behalf of the American residents
here congregated, I greet you and bid you welcome.
And in welcoming you permit me to say, that the
complimentary mention of you by Mr.. Gregg this eve
ming is the best credential that we could wish in this
You will find in the American COM
munity of the Hawaiian Islands many elements, but
be assured that they are all Union men, and you will
find them true to their nation. May the mantle
that has this day fallen upon you, be worn with the
same grace as by your predecessor. and may your res
idence amongst Us be a pleasing and happy one for
yourself and family. We welcome you.
Judge Borden in coming forward was greeted
with hearty cheers. He observed
That as far az the visit could be considered ne n
mark of respect to him, he sincerely thanked his
assembled co~untrymen. The courtesies and many
kind attentions extended to himself and family during
the few days they had been in the city, fully justified
the worldwide reputation which the citizens of
had gained for hospitality and every social
virtue. The reports had not been exaggerated: in
The half had not been told him. He was truly
grateful for the friendly greetings with which his
arrival among them had been received, and he hoped
while he had the honor to reside here as Com
of the United States, nothing would ever
occur that should tend to mar the friendly relations
under such favorable auspices He was
now the guest of Mr.. Gregg, and he fully agreed
Mr.. Field in all he had said Of that gentleman.
hoped that he should be so fortunate ms to main
as fully the rights of his fellow citizens, as had
done by his predecessor, if not with so much
ability. He remarked that he observed with pleasure
his demonstration of respect for Mr.. Gregg, as it
conclusively that they were not disposed to
orget former friends even when their term of Office
i"A eAphe.. 0icsg ~ opserVeu, III ne chose to
-eturn to his native state, would at once be offered
he honorable position of one of its representatives
N the councils of the nation, as an appreciation
his abilities as n statesman. But he hoped that
circumstances would be such that we would long con-
inue to greet Mr.. Gregg in that social circle of which
he was so estimable a member. In concluding his
MIR. Borden said he should always be most
iappy to meet his countrymen at all times, either
or collectively, and to render them any
which might lay in his power.
We regret that we are unable to give at more
ength the eloquent extempore remarks which
we're made by both the distinguished gentlemen,
put our reporter hints at the difficulty of taking
notes on the crown of ones hat by the Pickering
light of a torch. Moreover, in the middle of one
If the speeches a false alarm of fire was given,
md an excited fireman, in his frantic efforts to
get out of the crowd, upset both our reporters
notes and his equilibrium.