The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-14

AUGUSTA, FEB. IL, 1858.
To the Editors Of the Press:
A few weeks ago 1 saw in the Press no.
tice of Jarvis Williams, Esq, now of the firm
of Hinckley, Williams d Co., OF Boston, in
which it was stated that Mr.. Williams was
formerly superintendent Of the foundry at
Bddeford. This is not strictly correct Mr..
Williams is a native of this city, and neph-
ew of the late Hon. Ruel Williams. He went
to Bddeford in 1874, built the foundry there,
and ouned it. In lS47 he enlarged his works
to such an extent that IL became the largest
establishment Of the kind In the State, and
continued TO own and manage them, his sales
some years exceeding 100000, until 1854,
when he sold to the Saco Water Power Com
pany.
The firm of Hinckley, Williams & Co. are
now employing more than two hundred hands,
turning out cannon equal at least to any in the
world.
Gov. Coburn has received and laid before
the Legislature, communication from S.
Brannan, Esq, of San Francisco, Cal, present.
ing to the State of Maine copy OF the por-
trait of Sir William Pepperell by Smibert,
made by II. C. Pratt, Of Boston, the one which
/ am permitted to make some interesting ex-
tracts from his letter:
1t is hardly necessary for me to state the
claims 10 remembrance OF this eminent man,
who was the most distinguished son OF Maine
during the period Of her colonial history, and
always earnestly devoted to the interests of
his native colony. Born in Kittery OF hum
Bile parentage, Lie engaged in active business
and became successful merchant and large
shipbuilder. He was not wholly engrossed,
however, with the cares of business and the
accumulation OF property, but gave to the
public service liberal portion of his time
and energy He was for many years Chief
Justice OF the county of York, then embrac-
ing the entire Province ofMaine, and for near
ly thirty years President of the Governors
Council, and commander-in-chief of the mill
tary forces of Maine. He was lieutenant-gen-
erai OF the provincial forces in the expedition
against Fort Edward.
But the great achievement of his life was
the capture OF Louisburg, in lI45, by an ex-
petition of which he was Commander-in-Ch Chief
an event which difiused the liveliest ioy all
over the Colonies aud was received with hard
ly less satisfaction in Great Britain. Or the
capture OF Louisburg, Mr.. Everett truly says,
great powers ofEurope, this poor little New
England conquest was all that Great Britain
had TO give As equivalent for the restitution
OF all the conquests made by France in the
course of the war" Ii was for his brilliant
success in the reduction of Louisburg, that
Sir William Pepperell was created by George
the Second Baronet. of Great Britain, an
honor never before conferred on a native of
the Colonies. He also received commission
of Colonel in the royal army ana rose to the
rank OF Lieut.. General. Tie private life of
Sir William was rs exemplary for its virtues,
as his public life was distinguished and sue
cessful- In commemoration of the public ser
vices and private worth of this distinguished
man, present this portrait to my native State,
and request that ii may be preserved in the
Capital, as proof that the present generation
of the Sons OF Maine are not forgetfu of the
past nor unmindiul of the virtues of their
fathers.
The debate on the National Resolutions re-
ported by Mr.. Kingsbury, commenced yester-
day Mr.. Lyman Of Machias, supported his
proposed amendment at great length and has
the floor to-day. His speech was patriotic in
its general tone, but he committed, think, the
common error of making it too long.
The Land Office matter Is TO be settled in
the Senate to-day. The bill passed by the
House will probably be adopted without es-
sential modification. l understand that Mr..
Norris desires reelection in any event, as q
vindication of the aspersions thrown upon him
in the course of this debate. JONATHAN.