The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-13
ments-the FIRST Justly distributed, tho latter
Justly administered at the foundation OF
all healthy social progress
The First Naval Battle OF the Revo-
luton.

That the Revolution, whose early events the
American people are now commemorat!ng,
was not the result of hasty anger, kndled by
the blood shed at Lexington and Concord, but
was brought about by universal spirit OF re-
sstance to long series of unjust interferences
with colonial liberties on the part of the
British throne, even the imperfect history of
those times establishes. Freedom seemed to
have q simultaneous growth in the thirteen
colonies from Maine to Georgia, and the Revo-
luton was not the result of consultation be-
tween the leaders, but OF the inspiration of the
people of Boston, Philadelphia, New York,
Mecklenburg, Concord and Lexington. AS
these events quickly occurred the col
onies became aroused and the skir-
compelled the Declaration of Independence
in 1776. An illustration of this is furnished
by the first naval battle of the Revolution,
which was celebrated yesterday with appro-
pirate ceremonies at Machias Me. When
this battle was fought Machias was but set
Element of twelve years. hidden in the
pine forests of an almost unknown land Its
people were few and poor, but they were
resolved to be free. 1t was colony from
Massachusetts, and the inhabitants inherited
the stern, uncompromising spirit of that pio-
nser State, to which all America owes SO much
of intellect and energy. The people of Machias
were brought into the preliminary rebellion
against Great Britain by almost an accident
They had raised liberty pole as a protest
against certain exactions. and were ordered by
Captain Moor of the British cutter Mar
garetta, TO take it down. Instead Of yielding
Captain Benjamin Foster, aided by Colonel
jeremiah O Brien and other colonial heroes
resolved to take down the Margaretta. The
expedition was hastily organized, but il was
bravely executed. Colonel O'Brien pursued
the British cutter, boarded her. and was left
alone on her deck Jumping into the water
and escaping to his own sloop. The Mar
garetta was finally captured, her captain NOR
tally wounded and the prize brought trium-
phantly to the town. The story, as it is related
and, as usual in romances, fictitious or real,
women play an important part in the action.
The names of Hannah and Rebecca Weston
two young girls who brought forty
pounds of powder ten miles through
the wilderness for the use of O'Brien
and his daring comrades, have long been
hidden in antiquarian darkness, but in few
days this publication will make them famous
throughout the country. They have waited a
century for their reward, but it has come at
last The battle of the Margaretta and the
Unity prefgured the glories afterward achieved
by the little but gallant American navy, and
the eloquent Grafton of Mr.. Talbot will be
read everywhere with the extreme interest
which is naturally attached to the events in
which the American Revolution was founded.
At this time the history of the contest is to be
rewritten: it was told before, but now it has
an audience of forty millions who treasure
every heroic deed, every patriotic character,
as we reverently brush away the dust of
hundred years from the immemorial past