New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-08-17
ran CoNGnEssIOSAL EXCURSION.
Psrtiand-rmportance Of in Fosifie"-Thc
Committee Looking ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
tians-A Levee.
PORTLAND, Aug. TO, lSC4.

Ibelieye the question as 20 the Importance OF
Portland as n seaport town. and the place OF ter
minus of the two lines of railroad. which more
than ary others connect the Provinces OF Great
Britain with the New England, Middle and
Western States has long since been settled In
New York. the great commercial center the
state OF Maine seems great way Of, but does 1t
aver occur that il is so far Off that il borders up
on the colonies OF country with whom war at
one time seemed ilnminenti There are many
who yet believe that the cloud has only blown
over, has not been dispersed. and that In good
time il VIII come bsVli, to break In another war
storrn over our land The value OF the posses
sion Of this city to the English, is frankly talked
of by them. and no efforts would be spared to
grasp at it upon the slightest provocatiOn. say
att, because the citizens are fully alive TO the
danger which might threaten from that quarter
The eagerness which the deiiizens OF the Prov
inces have manifested TO aid any projected nya-
sion Of the state by the traitors. and privates
vhs ksve found refuge upon their soil, has also
opened the eyes Of the inhabitants to whatever
trouble might come from that quarter
With harbor at once beautiful and eapac.or.s,
sheltered by continuous chain Of islsnds and
thus admirably adapted for defence. it has
reemed but Just to the people Of the city and
state, that ths natural advantages given IT, be
!mrreved BY the skill Of the Military Engineer
10 that end the subject has from time to time
been brought before Congress, ard has from time
10 time met with such encouragement III u"
shape of appropriation. IS the zeal of its egisls
tors has been enabled to wiring out Of the US.
Heuse OF Representatives and the Senate Since
the rebellion, work has progressed vigorously on
The forts in the harbor. The war cloud Win
England. called the pnblic attention to tho &C.
fences and means OF defence of the northeastern
frontier, and at the last congress committee on
The moth eastern defences was appointed, con-
listing Of Hons JOAN II. kioe, Maine, chairman,
yshn y. Allen, Mas, Samuel 8. Cox. Ohio. James
T. Hale. Penn, James W Patterson Nh. VIM
esdf,rd NY, and john T. Digs Of Mich
The committee with view to Z better under.
rtanding of the wants and capacity OF the conn
try upon which they we're called to report have
projected AL excursion along the entire COST OF
Maine, up the ST Johns and the St Lawrence to
&s.iunction OF the River De LOup.
p will be remembered that the committee
made report i'll June, recommending the con-
rtruction Of military road from Bangor to tho
e.. Johus river and also reported bill granting
nd in fursherance of the construction Of such
road.
The Committee with ths exception OF MessTs
Cox and briggs with their invited guests assem-
sled in this city to-day.--The projected eNcur-
risn has met with hearty favor Throughout the
sites OF tie State and ample preparations have
been made for the establishment and comfort Of
khe distinguished guests. The Board OF Trade o. ,
Ibis city 81 u meeting recently held for that pnr-
pose appointed various subcommittee TO attend
10 all the details of the visit Of the strangers 70
Ibis city, and the city government also deter
nined to extend every hospitality possible.
Assembling at the Preble Eouse this morning.
Il nine CLOCK, the members OF the Congressional
Committee and of tho other committees ex-
changed congratulations, and then proceeded TO
NE City Hail, where tney were more formally
uecomed to .he Forest City by Mayor Mcclellan
and the members Of the City Council
After some little time had been passed in in
greeting the New City Hall--which by the wsy
"a handsome and spacious edascc, situated on
Congress street at the head Of Exchange street
aud built with view 10 the ultimate removal OF
The seat of the State Government from Augusta
10 Portlsnd--the party took carriages and rode
around the city. They could not bnt be charmed
with the broad, clean streets, many Of which are
Hned with large and beautiful shade trees, whose
overlapping branches meet, forming perfect
bower. The houses betOaen an air Of wei-to-do
comfort, such as is seldom seen 70 so general an
extent, = indeed, it has been remarked that
everybody seems "well off in Portland. TIE
Eastern and Western Promenades at either end
Of the city, afford views Of the harbor it'll its
beautiful islands and Of the surrounding coun-
cry while far in the distance the White Noun-
Gains rise as background.
Returning from pleasant drive, the Commit
see and guests proceeded on board the quarter
masters boat on tour OF inspection down the
AaTbor.
Amongst those present were ex-Gov. Wash
hurne, Gov Goodwin, OF New Hampshire, Hon
Justin S. Morrill,, of Vermont, Oakes AInes, OF
Mass, ~ Perry, Of y. Jersey, Horatio King, ex-
2. N. General, - Brown Navy Agent at Wash.
!ngton Mr. Hilgard. Of the Coast Survsy at Wash
,ingtOn. President Wood, Bowdoin College, Rev.
Nr. Boles Of the Maine Historical Society,
Mayor Mcclellan and members Of the city gov
eminent Lt-Col, Lewis e. Smith. Of Cen COny's
STAFF, and number of military gentleman, under
che guidance Of Maj Tho's l.. Casey, Z. S. Eng,
the party left the wharf and proceeded to Fort
Georges past the U. s. frgate Sabine, with her