The Portland daily press., 1874-12-10
CampobelIO Isl and and its Former Own
To the Editor OF the Press:

To the Editor Of the Press:
The special despatch to the Press announc-
ing the sale of the Island of Ca npobello TO a
company of New Workers, and that the pa
pers were ''on the way to England to be
s;gned'' called up recollections of the great
railroad convention at Portland in the sum-
mer Of 1850. Its object as announced in the
call was 'sa plan for shortening the time of
passage between New York and london.
OF course it originated with, and was engi-
neered by the late Hon. John A. Poor, who
was recognized by the convention as prime
mover OF the scheme. 1t will be recolected
by many of your readers, as composed OF
prominent men from the lower Provinces,
New England, New York and Canada. 1t
was the most notable convention ever gath
cred in Maine. The result was the construc-
ton of railroad from Bangor to Halifax, ac
complshing the object intended
The convention was held in the old City
Hall, which was decorated within and with
out, with the American and British flags side
BIZ side. Governor Hubbard, then in office,
acted as president, but called other distin-
guished men from different localities 10 the
chair at each session during the three or fur
days of its continuance. Among the many
vice presidents on the platform, was vener-
able white haired patriarch from New Bruins
wick, admiral the Honorable VIM. Fitz-
william Owen," resident and the owner of
Campobello-his name is frequently seen on
English charts.
On the last day Of the sittngs, after plan ,
had been agreed upon. the two nationalities
pu. their '.best men, forward to make con-
gratulatory speeches. The most eloquent
and most elegant speech of The many eloquent
efforts during the convention, was made on
that day by Gen. Henry A. S. Dearbon of
Roxbury, Mass. He was the son of Gen.
Henry Dearborn, Sscre tary of War under
President Jefferson, and his military career
commenced at BunkerHili in IT'S and ended
with his capture of Little York, now Toron.
to, in 1918. Both father and son hac held
the office of collector of Boston: the one
was removed to be made senior Major
General of the army in 1872, when the
son was appointed TO the collectorshlp
and he was removed in 1929 because he had
lot favored the election of Gen. Jackson to
the Presidency. But it was of his speech l
was writing-it was so admirable TIA. the
New Brunswick delegation in body called
on him at the residence of his son-in law,
Hon. A. W. Fl. Clapp. to express their
thanks. At the close of his speech Gen. ID
,ll,,,Jo1 70 d,,iraI Ouan in paarlv the fol-
lowing words: Gentlemen, 1 am proud to
see among us gentleman of the naval service
of Great Britain-one who has earned
higher reputation than that which follows
upon victory. Some fifteen years since,
work was put into my hands by friend-a
survey of the coast of Africa and the Persian
Gulf, by British Naval Oficer-it was a
scientific and pacific labor; but the service
was one of difficulty and danger, far more ap
palling than the battles of the Nile or
Trafalgar. Sickness and death came
upon their expedition, recruits were obtained
from England, but man after man fell VIC
tins to the fatal disease, until, at the close OF
the expedition he alone of all that first went
out upon it, he, OF officers and men, was the
sole survivor!
thought if were sovereign OF England,
would make him an Admiral of the White,
under the Banner of Peace! This duty was
nobly done, and many other duties has he
since done for his country, and yet although
time has impaired his strength and frosted
his venerable head, you see gentleman that
he cannot remain, but has left his home, in
the British Provinces, and is here amongst
US, ready at the call of his country and OF the
world, in the front rank of their own enter
prise.'
BY his complimentary and euloglstlc re-
marks concerning the Provinces, their dele
CATION, and the mother country, the speaker
had wrought up the audience to high pitch
of excitement. ard now his allusion to the
venerable hero who was before them was like
adding the acid in sedlitz powder; they
e6ervesced at once, and at the close of tue
remarks the entire audience as one man
sprang to their feet and gave cheer after
cheer for Gen. Dearborn and then for Ad-
miral Owen.
Amidst the waving Of hats and the widest
enthusiasm anG above all could be heard the
peculiar chip, hip, hurrah" of the Provin-
cals. When cheers were called for for Ad-
miral Owen, the plain dressed old man, then
nearly eighty. rose and stood leaning on his