The Portland daily press., 1867-02-11

The annual meeting of the Maine Historical
Society was held at Augusta on Thursday
last. The members were called 10 order by the
Vice President. Hon. j. w. Bradbury, who
smoke briefly in relation to the purposes of the
society DR.. Ballard of Brunswick presented
the orderly book of David Merritt of Yor,
clerk of company at Fort William Henry in
1759 and read papers ON certain Indian names
and notice OF Thomas Purchase, the first set
tier on the banks of the Androscoggin. A col
lection of Indian relics from the penobscot
were presented by Hon. Elijah s. Hamlin of
bangor, who made an address on the early
history OF Maine, beginning in 1852.
AT the evening session Hon. Edward E.
Bourne of Kennebunk, President Of the So
ciety, read an able and interesting address on
the Office of historical societies and the neces-
sity for a greater interest in historical studies
and in the preservation of material. A copy
OF this paper was, by vote of the Society, asked
for publication. The lecture of Gov. Cham
berlain on the battle of Gettysburg was also
asked for for the same purpose.
A short discussion took place on the propo-
sition to procure copies of the documents in
the collections of the British and French gov
ernments relating to the early history of the
State, from which it appeared that the pros
pect is good OF obtaining them soon. Govern
OF Chamberlain, who was present, stated that
he had authorized General John M. Brown, a
member OF has staff, commissioner to the
Parls Exposition, and member of the Socie-
w. now IN France, to procure copies of certain
papers in the British Museum.
An interesting feature of the meeting was a
summary, by Mr.. Frederic Kidder of Boston
of the result of his researches IN the early b;s.
tory of Maine, which is soon to be publisbed
in volume. He has ascertained bayond q
doubt, from original documents, that very ex-
tensive operations were made IN the eastern
part of Maine during the Revolutionary war.
A certain Colonel Allen, a native of Scotland
held the Passamaquoddy and neighboring tribes
of Indians firmly to allegiance to the patriotic
party during many years. He commanded
them in battles with the British, and with re-
markable diplomatic talent resisted the insidi-
GUS approaches of loyalist agents sent TO seduce
them from us. When from absolute necessity
they were compelled to go hunting, he requir-
ed hostages of them, and on one occasion,
when the Indians became dissatisfied and
loudly proclaimed their intention of deserting
If he would not give them hostages, he deliver
ed up, as an earnest of his good faith, bis two
little children, to be carried many miles into
the wilderness, where they remained almost a
year. Among other things stated incidentally,
Mr.. Kidder mentioned having observed, in his
very thorough exploration of the route follow
ed by Colonel Allen and, his Indians when
they were pursued by the British troops from
the st. John river near Woodstock back to
Machias, an Indian road which had been SO
long in use that the moccasined feet of the In
dians had worn away the solid granite over
portage to the depth of several inches He
considers it one of the Oldest roads in New
England, hardly less than 600 or ZOO years DID,
Mr.. Kidders remarks were listened to with
great interest, and a vote of thanks was re-
turned to him on motion of Mr.. Poor.
Some further discussion took place on the
importance OF preserving carefully everything
of interest relating to the part Maine took
in subduing the rebellion. His Excellency
the Governor, narrated some interesting Incl
dents, and urged the preservation of letters
from home to the soldiers as well as the reports
from the battlefield. He had large mass OF
| papers, which it was his intention to prepare
and file away when he had leisure
A committee consisting of Gov Chamber
lain, Hon. G. j. Gilman and Rev. DR.. Ballard
was appointed to procure any papers, docu
ments, SC, relating to the late rebellion, for
preservation in the archives of the Society. 1t
was also voted to raise Committee to visit the
Legislature and ask its cO-operation i'm the mat
ter OF Historical publications. The society also
voted to memorialize Congress ON the subject
of the purchase of Peter Forces library, urg-
ing that itbe done, as has lately been proposed
in Congress. -