The Portland daily press., 1862-09-10
COMMUNICATIONS.

MIR. N. J. DAVIS STATEMENT.

MIR. N. J. DAVIS STATEMENT.
The committee in charge of the Popham
Celebration saw fit TO employ me (perhaps
without consulting John Neal) to provide
chowder for 100 people, they guaranteeing
500 people, price 81 IL cents, and agree
ing none should be admitted to the pavil-
lion without a ticket. l provided liberal
supply for 1900 people. No doubt about that
number partook of the chowder, although
there were but $50 tickets sold, which amount
ed to 1925, instead of, as Neal would have it,
$3.50. The public can judge what monstrous
speculation made by Il. Neal complains of
the chowder being very offensive, sinking and
unwholesome, potatoes not half cooked, &c.
The highest price was paid for the clans, and
the utmost pains taken to keep them in good
order. When the chowder was commenced
examined them closely. l said then, and still
say, the clans were sweet and good as the best
to be had at this season of the year. Had they
not been sweet, no money would have induced
ine to have used them for chowder. II there
was any fault at all it was not because the
CLAIMS were bad. Ten forty gallon kettles full
OF chowder Is large quantity to make, and re-
quires great care. The kettles were new, and
although great pains were taken to clean
them, yet 1t might be those the clam chowder
was made In might have given 1t an odd taste,
although in trying it myself failed to no
tice 1t. did not las Neal says) put in extra
seasoning to kill bad taste. As to the potatoes
not being cooked, there might have been ket-
tie full that was not sufficiently done to suit
the taste of all. Bad as Neal says it was, the
bowls came back empty, and many TO be refill
ed. The clam chowder, which Neal complains
of as being so very bad, was all eaten, while of
the fish chowder, which he admits was tolera-
bic good, there was enough left for 800 people.
That looks little as though people like
"stinking chowder" the best.
At about half past ten o'clock had the
misfortune to have the Pavilion blown down
over my head, although no fault of mine, but
Of those employed by the committee, complete
ly upsetting and disarranging every thing
had Professionally done. could not proceed
any farther with my business until the Pavil-
ion was reerected, which consumed some two
hours and a half time, which left me but a
few minutes TO complete my arrangements
that ought to have had two hours and half
to have fulfilled to my satisfaction. Mr.. Neal
has not seen fit to make any allowance for the
Pavilion blowing down, or for the large guam
tity Of chowder had to make, but seems de-
+. termined to throw the blame on me that the
multitude were kept Gagged in the hot sunshine
and then turned loose upon the tables covered
with bowls and spoons. Was / to blame for
peoples 3sputtering, swearing, stopping, and
spilling" Did Neal expect me to have watt
ers to pass the chowder to such a multitude OF
people, and for them TO remain In their seats
If so, the committee did not expect it. The
committee have not expressed one word OF
dissatisfaction, to my knowledge. have pro-
vided great many dinners, collations, and
suppers, prices varying from so cts, to 81, so
and never before in single instance have |
failed to give entire satisfaction.
He seems determined to throw the whole
blame on me for his not enjoying himself from
the time he leaves Portland till he returns a.
gain. N. j. DAVIS.