The Portland daily press., 1881-11-17
MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
FALL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION
Interesting Papers Read.


DR.. Warren. Hon. Israel Washbirn, Jr., Rev.
81. S. Burrage, Gen. John M. Brown, Dr.
VIM. Wood, E. FL. Elwell, s. T. Pickard,
Henry Deering, Geo. F. Talbot Mr.. Barrows
of Fryeburg, NJ. N. Rich, John T. Hull,
Judge Symonds and others.
The exercises of the afternoon opened by
the reading of the report of the librarian and
cabinet keeper, Mr.. Fl. w. Bryant. From
this report we learn that since the annual
meeting in July the acquisitions to the library
foot up PIG bound volumes and 206 pamphlets,
some of the prominent donations and ex-
changes being from the following persons:
Department of the Interior, Washington;
Miss Ellen d. Larned, Connecticut; Dr.. s. A.
Green, Boston; Lieut.. Geo. Holden; Geo. VIM.
Boyd; Judge A. w. Paine, Bangor; Rev. z.
HI. Pope. Thomastan: Mrs. j. E. Moore,
Thomaston; Geo. A. Thomas, Portland;
Horatio Hight, Portland; Gen. j. T. Cilley,
Rockland; N. j. Historical Society; Pennsyl-
vania Historical Society; Col. Thomas G.
Amory; State Department of Maine; State
Department of Vermont; State Department OF
Michigan; City of Baltimore; Samuel Wal
colt, C'eveland,s O.; Mr.. Phenix, New York;
Jeremiah Colburn, Boston; Capt. J Nc
Mrs Elliott Smith, Norway; Chas II. Hart,
Philadelphia, and many others who are
Damed by the librarian as having presented
one or two pamphlets each.
The additions to the cabinet are reported as
follows:
81. S. Thrasher-Ancient theodolte and two
commissions issued to BENZ. Thrasher
Perez G. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. cutlass.
f. G. Forsyth-MS. Forsyth pedigree.
John G. Tukesbury-Ancient French ak,
dug up in Portland.
81. w. Decentralization of 80 visiting
cards used by distinguished men and women,
in frame.
]. q. Lamson-Co Collection of cabinet photo
graphs, in frame.
J. f. Pratt, Chelsea--Photograph
e. M. Patten, San Francisco-Cards auto
graphs, &c.
Nathaniel Pearson-Bronze medal granted
to Zachary Taylor.
FL. W. ongfellow-Moccasins of Rain-in-
the face, who killed Gen. Custer.
M. N. Rich-Map of the United States, 1920,
MSS. and newspapers.
c. A. Norton, Washington-MSS. and COM
missions.
M. f. Photograph of Lancaster Hall.
Geo. w. Royd-Bullets and fragments of
HotchkisS she'll, from Vlcksburg.
Geo. Walker-Ballast stone, 1875.
Charles Rogers-Ship's passport.
Geo. S. Hunt-Photograph of old house on
India street.
DIR. H. c. Levensaler, Thoma ston-Au.o-
Charles VI. Gore-Newspapers broadsides
and pamphlets.
Rev. a. S. Burrage- Door lock and hinges
from Knox mansion.
Mrs. Elliot Smith, Norway Taber money,
broadsides and circulars.
Cyrus Woodman, Cambridge, Mass.-2 vols
of letters relating to 33d regiment of infantry,
war of 1912, commanded by Col. Isaac Lane.
Horatio HighJ--Report GU town line between
Falmouth and Scal ooro, 1870
Lieut.. Geo. Walden-Lithograph carica-
lures, old coins, Alaska idol, African arrows,
&c.
The work Of cataloguing the library has now
extended through the departments of Biog
raphy, Genealogy, Indian, North America,
Early Voyages and Maine local history.
The special need of the library is work for
reference.
The librarian suggests that Feb 9th, 1882,
will be the Goth anniv srsary of the incorpora-
ton of the society, and April 18th the anniver-
sary of its organization. and that these are
suitable dates for meetings.
Hon. Joseph Williamson of Belfast read an
following is an abstract:
MEMOIR OF GEN. KNOX
After referring to the fact that he held in
his hand a little pamphlet entitled . cata-
logue of Books, Imported aud to be Sold by
Henry Knox at the London Bookstore. little
southward or the Tognhouss in Cornhill
Boston, 1772,'' Mr. Williamson said that the
recent visit of the Society to the house of
Knox in Maine and the more recent COM
memor4tiop of the scene in which he was an
actor, made appropriate review OF his life
and character.
Henry Knox was born in Boston, July 25th,
in an
is still standing. His paternal ancestors were
Scotch-Irish, a race whose stock m1ngi1ng with
the Saxon, procuring such as Stark, Fulton,
Calhoun and Horace Greeley. Knox was
honest generous geff-sacrinctng tue lntfruaJe
friend and companion OF Washington;
strengthening the great commander hand aud
encouraging his heart on every OCCASION. ihe
writer gave very minute and Interesting ac-
count of Knox's life up TO and throughout the
Revolution, much of which was, OF course,
historical, and inclndiug reference to the
fall of Yorktown and surrender OF Cornwallis
which KEox did so much to bring about
During the period between the peace OF 1883
and the adoption Of the constitution, nve
years later, period more critical IMAM tnas q
the war itself, Knoxs apprehenslons we're
freely and feelingly expressed, He wrote TO
Washington saying "there must Do general
government of unity, as the local legislatures,
most naturally and necessarily tend to retard
any other kind. Something ia wanting which
yolved in all the horrors OF failure, ana OF
civil war; without a prospect OF its termlna-
tion,v A letter was read from Knox TO
Washington on the subject OF proper form
of government, in which the plan OF the con-
stitution of the United States, afterwards
adopted, was Swallowed forth. After that con-
stitiltion was adopted, and previous to its
ratification by the people, Washington sald,
when about to sign the document, should the
states reject this excellent constitution, the
probability is that an opportunity Will never
again be afforded to cancel another in peace
the next will be drawn in blood" Knox
wrote expressing similar views to LAFAYETTE
When Washington formed his cabinet Knox
was made secretary of war. The yigor and
ACTIVITY shown by Knox as Q general he as
played as a statesman. He early framed a
militia system, and was guided in his policy
towards the Indian tribes By enlarged and
liberal views. On the question OF forming
national bank, the cabinet was divided, knox
and Hamilton being in favor OF such Dapk.
The President sustained the notion ana the
United States bank was established.
After the war broke out between England
and France. the question arose whether the
minister from France should be received. A
qualified reception was accorded him on bhe
ground advanced by Hamilton and Knex that
no fixed government existed in France line
result established the soundness OF tnelr
views Jefferson and Knox who disagreed IN
the cabinet at first before the close OF the ad-
minstration wefe in unity. Our navy, iden'
tilted with our country's glory, owes its ex-
istence to Knox.
At the close of 1894 Knox retired from pubic
| life The President reluctantly accepted his
| resignation, and wrote him most conpl'.
mentary letter At Boston he was honored
| with public dinner and similar demonstra
| lions met him at Thomaston, which he had
| selected for his future home. Through bis
| mother, who was daughter OF General
| Waldo, Mrs Knox inherited larg'
tract of land known as the "Waldc
PATENT" comprising portions OF the countie
| of Penobscot, Waldo aud Knox. The remain
| ing shores Gen. Knox acquired by purchase
| Here he applied his energies to cultivatlng M
| estate, and established his residence near th'
| village of Thomaston erecting spaciou
mansi IN, three stories in height, with CORES
| ponding outbuildings, all in the style OF
| French chateau. The mansion was situate'
| on swelling slope commanding splendi,
| view of ten miles in extent down the Georges
river. Its premises were unequalled for beau
ty and symmetry in New Eug nd In thi
charming spot to which he gave the name 0
Montpelier, in the society of his wife and chi
dren, Knox enjoyed larger degree OF happines
than he had ever before known. Here he ex
tended most generous hospitality. Mrs
Knox, when upwards of sixty, is described a
remarkably fine looking woman, with brillian
black eyes and blooming complexion. She ha
| a mind of high cast and exerted a great lnhu