The Portland daily press., 1871-02-18
letter from Augusta.

AUGUSTA, Feb. II, 1871
To the Editor Of the Press.
The usual semi-anpual meeting of the Maine
Historical Society was held here Yesterday.
The attendance was small, but the exercises
were full of interest. The meeting was called
to order by Judge Bourne, President; Prof.
Packard, the Secretary, was also present.
The first matter considered was the publca-
ton of the second volume of Maine Historical
Publications. 1t was voted to stereotype it.
The matter of procuring memorial window
in the church of the late Secretary, Dr. Bal
lard, was called up by letter from Mrs. Stone
of Brunswick. Hon. j. w. Bradbury favored
the plan, spoke eulogistically of DR.. Ballard,
but thought the memorial would be filter if
made by the contributions of personal friends
than by the funds of the Society. Messrs.
Sewall and Williamson concurred
The matter of field day the ensuing season
was next considered, and committee was
raised to make selection of time and place,
President Bourne being chairman.
1t was suggested that an excursion to Pema-
quid and thence to Mt. Desert and other places
might furnish field.
The following papers were then read by the
Secretary:-A letter from Dr. True giving an
analysis of Indian words. A letter from
Humboldt Co., Cal, in relation to shell
mounds in Louisiana and this State, furnish
ing further proof of an antediluvlan race on
this continent.
Mr.. Sewall, of Wiscasset, read the report of
subcommittee on the investigations at Penn
aquid and Damariscotta. Valuable discov-
cries have been made of remarkable specimens.
He gave an interesting description of the
Hackleton claim, covering territory cores
ponding to ancient jamestown. Within the
remains of Jamestown are three fortified
places which were described. There ancient
| implements were found which were exhibited.
| Mr.. Hackleton gave some further facts rela-
| tive 70 the streets of Pemaquid. From Ia
boier who had in 1884 disturbed them be
learned that they were as well paved as the
| streets of Boston. The pavement was removed
| for the plough. He also aided in filling twelve
stoned cellars. The same tacts were learned
| from others He gave some description of the
| brick structure.
The Secretary presented the History of Au-
| gusta by Hon. Mr.. North.
Mr.. Williamson presented a hatchet found
| on the site of the fort at Castine.
Mr.. Williamson read paper upon the total
eclipse OF Oct q, 1880. Also a resolve of the
| Government of Massachusetts providing for the
expedition to the place of observation, which
| was on the east side of Long Island in Penob-
scot Bay.
/
copy of the Redemption of Maine, written by
herself.
The evening session was begun by the read
| ing of a series OF resolutions commemorative
Of the Society. Appropriate remarks were
made by Hon. J. w. Bradbury, of Augusta,
and R. K. Sewall, Esq.
| Judge Bourne read a paper, in which he ad-
| vocated the Importance of historical study.
He urged the importance of a familiarity with
L 40 hiatnru Af OIyr ntrvyo &c
| wisdom gathered from results. He was greatly
| encouraged to witness the growing interest
among our own people in historical studies.
| Forty years ago he was member of the Legs-
| lature. At that time it would have been i'm
possible to have obtained State aid to publish a
| book like that published by the assistance OF
the State in 1867. Ho could see that the peo.
| pie Of Maine had attained higher and broad
er cultivation. Mr.. B. description of legsla-
ton forty years ago would lead us to conclude
that at that period the degeneracy of modern
legislation obtained more largely than at pres.
/ ent.
Mr.. B. said that the means of correcting his
tory were constantly occurring, of which he
gave several instances. 1t is generally accept.
ed that the Pilgrims of 1920 were the first set
tiers and that those who came iu the Mayf1ow-
er were The pilgrims Of history, founded the
institutions of New England. Upon them
promlseuously was charged the intolerance
and persecution of New England. He was
astOnished that man SO learned, so just ana
able as Hon. r. C. Winthrop should declare al
he did at the Pilgrim Anniversary, that, ex
cept the Jamestown COLONY in 1907, the Puri
tans in 1920 were the first Englishmen to settle
in America. The shores of Maine had beer
visited by thousands before 1920. A settlement
at Pemaquid furnished the Pilgrims with sup
plies in their first years. Popham came il
1907 and the same causes that drove him ava,
would have driven any colony. Monhegan wa!
settled in 1913, Mt Desert in 1909, Saco in 1913
He thought it was time that Maine people were
disabused of the errors that prevail respecting
the settlement of their State.
Prof Packard next read an Interesting &C
count of the "feld days. or days which tool
place Aug. 3Oth and 31st and Sept 1st at Yorl
and Kittery. The paper was full of topics o
Incidents. In house at York was a clocl
Keeping time 200 years old; also of meeting
in church built in 1747. At Kittery the chai
was shown in which Washington sat when ht
came from Portsmouth across to the District o
Maine.
The Secretary next read paper from Judge
Godfrey relative to the Penobscot Indians, ful
of interest concerning a tribe that iD ali the
loyal to them. The name Penobscot has only
sixty different spell.ngs according to the writ
| er. Tho early hisrorians do spoak- W. Ii O.
| the sons of Baron Castine, as they were drunk
en- and otherwise dssotute. The paper con
| tains detailed account of the various treaties
of the Massachusetts colony with the Penob
scots. 1t seems that these councils were con
Quoted in very solemn manner and all the
pledges kept. The first treaty was made il
August, 1856, near where Bangor now is; The
next council was at the Oldtown island il
1888; the third in 1896 at Bangor; the next wa.
at Bangor in 1917 and 1878, when the Penob
scots transferred all their lands, except foul
townships and the islands above Oldtown tt
the State.
INF .