The Portland daily press., 1885-12-23
MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Report of the Proceedings of the
Winter Session.
Several Valuable Papers on Import
ant Topics Read.

ii. Gardiner ESQ.,, of Gardiner, DR.. w. S. Hill Of
Augusta, Rev. Henry o. Thayer of Woolwich, E.
E. Bourne Esq, of Kennebunk, j. G.. Elder,
Esq, of Lewiston.
The afternoon meeting was called to order by
President Bradbury at shortly after halfpast two.
MI. Bryant presented his report as librarian and
cabinet keeper from which the following facts are
taken:
1t appears that 141 bound volumes and 237
pamphlets have been added to the library since
the July meeting A number of works of refer
ence have been purchased with funds given by
Robert H. Gardiner, Esq Edward Johnson Esq.
of Belfast, has presented reprint copy OF John
sons Wonder Working Providence OF Slon's Sa-
graphical Encyclopedia of Maine" has been re-
ceived from Chief Justice Peters. A considerable
number OF town reports haye been received from from
Mr.. j. G. Elder of Lewiston. Sets of town re-
ports and directories are especially desired 9th
er interesting additions to the library are these:
Whitmore's Elements of Heraldry.
FairbairDS CrestS
Family Pedigrees and Memorials, from Edward
E. Salisbury OF New Haven.
Bonnells English Heraldry.
Glossary of Heraldry.
The Visitations Of Essex County, England, pub
lished by the Harleian Society.
Index to Savage's Genealogical Dictionary.
The Waldo Family.
The Leighton Family OF Kittery.
Journals and Memoir of Samuel Shaw, aide-de-
camp Of Gen. Knox.
Histoire des Abenakis, par rAbbe Maurault.
The Christian Mirror, Vol. 1, Portland, 1922,
from Miss p W; Hayes Of Springfield, Mass;
The Universalist Palladium, Portland, 1S40-41,
from S. III. Colesworthy, Sr.
An Arabic Ms, believed to be a book of prayers;
found among the papers OF Commodore PreDle In
1907 Presented by Philip Henry Brown, ESQ.,
In the cabinet the Manning collection of Indian
utensils, clothing, ETC., has been placed in glass
case presented by Mr.. NJ. G. Palmer. Albums
have been provided for cabinet photographs of
members past and present, which are desired.
Among the additions to the cabinet are these;
A full length silhouette of Captain Enoch
Preble, cut by Master Hanks of Portland about
the year 1882. From the late Admiral Preble.
A badge of mourning worn in memory OF wash
ington. From Gilman Davis.
silver mounted opium pipe, from Japan.
From Walter A. Macdonald
Small Turkish coins, from Deacon L. +. Duren.
foot stove, from ID. Bryant of Boston.
An old sextant, from Miss Harriet X. Atkins OF
Portland.
In addition to the donations acknowledged in
the report of Mr.. Bryant, Hon. j. W. Bradbury
yesterday presented the association with large
crayon portrait of himself and Bible printed at
Edinburg in 1886. The book is in the original
binding and is exceptionally well preserved.
The Secretary read a communication from Cur
tis NJ Sawyer, Esq, of Mechanic Falls calling the
attention of the society to the fact that the traces
of Indian settlements in Maine are now rapidly
disappearing, and suggesting that some means
should be adopted to mark the sites of Indian
villages. cultivated lands and shell heaps
Hon. Geo. f. Talbot read a memoir of James
Shepard Pike, the paper being OF great interest
and value. Mr.. Pike was born in Calais, Sept 8,
1911, of good family, his ancestors being among
the best stock of the Puritan settlers of New
England He attended school until IA years old,
when, being obliged to begin life for himself, he
developed rare aptitude for business, so that
while Still young man he had acquired q compe-
tence and was able to withdraw from active busi-
about 1888, corresponding with the Portland
Advertiser and Boston Courier from Washington,
where his great ability made him the trusted
Mr. Pixies life business was that of a publcist,
aiming to shape public thought through the
press. He needed no qualification for the work
but his own commanding ability. His mind was
keen and incisive, taking note OF facts rather
than ideas he saw the world as u Is rather than
Sentimentality was offensive to him and he some
times gave men less credit than might have been
properly bestowed upon them. He acquired
clear, direct and vigorous style.
In 1850 Horace Greeley sent note to MIR.
Pike saying that his letters in the Courier were
so poor that he must be putting all his unreason
into them and could probably give the pure juice
to the Tribune. This curt invitation was accept
ed and during the troubled times that preceded
the civil war Pike was the soul of all that was
anti-slayery in the Tribune He was Wing and
actively opposed the compromise measures to
Civil war was predicted by Mr.. Pike if the South
maintained her course. He declared in the
Courier that there could be no peaceable disso-
luton of the Union, The letters written by Mr..
Pike were widely read at the North and had
great influence. He later served as United states
Minister at The Hague, and the last years of his
life were spent quietly, portion of his time be-
ing devoted to a study Of the condition of the
emancipated slaves. Mr. Pike died suddenly at
Calais on Nov. 29, 1882, aged III years.
Mr.. Talbot Illustrated Mr.. Pixies writings and
influence by an exhaustive review of the causes
which led to the rebellion.
After Mr.. Talbot's paper, Rev. Henry o. Thayer
of Woolwich read paper entitled "Notes on the
Popham Colony" Mr. Thayer took up in detail
many of the assertions made by different histo-
rians in regard to the site of the colony and its
settlement The best authorities would indicate
the settlement was situated upon HunnewelPs
Point. In regard to the character of the settlers,
Mr. Thayer thought that the evidence evinced
the fact that they were not of the stuff ct which
successful colonists are made. The Popham col
but was organized with view of gain. Gold
mines were imagined to exist in this new
SeGlI Se pfoftabe able undertaking. Very likely many Of
its members had been criminals. At any rate
their colony lasted only comparatively short
had some foundation in fact, the colonists had
trouble with the Indians, if indeed they did not
come to warfare.
After the reading of Mr.. Thayers paper, the
meeting was adjourned until evening.
EVENING SESSION.
There were about twenty gentlemen in the
rooms Of the society at quarter to O'Clock
when the president took the chair. He simply
said ''It is time to begin,' and the meeting came
to order without tumult or ceremony.
Mr.. L. Fl. EIwell began the exercises with a
paper on "The British View of the Ashburton
Treaty" The treaty was regarded by the people
of Maine with great disfavor. They felt that the
diplomats of the American government had not
got whatwas due their country The four points
concerning which there were doubt-as to the
st. Croix river as to its att1uentS, as to certain
Islands in PaSSamaquoddy Bay, and as TO the
highlands separating the waters of the ST. Law
renee from those of the Atlantlc,-had each been
settled in manner which the American people
considered very unfair to themselves. The En-
glish people also considered themselves aggrieyed
by the final settlement. That such was not the
view taken by the English statesmen who negOti-
ated the treaty. Mr.. Elwell showed by reference
to papers and letters which belonged to Sir
Richaid Crocker, an English lord OF admiralty
nd a contemporary of Lord Ashburton. By those
letters it is shown conclusively that the English
tatemen, unlike the English people, thought
heir nation well used by the Ashburton treaty
When Mr.. Elwell had concluded, Mr.. Bradbury
spoke few moments of circumstance which
had come under his own observation. By the
Ashburton treaty the contracting governments
agreed to indemnify those settlers along the newly
defined border whose titles might be inyalidated
by the provisions of the treaty. When State sur
veys were made in 1S45, the State of Maine
promptly gave to those settlers on this side OF the
border who held their lands under English grants
deeds to secure their titles This assumption by
the State of Maine of debts payable by the
United States was afterwards, through Mr.. Brad
bury's efforts, recognized by Congress, and bill
granting Maine moderate recompense was
passed.
Hon. Joseph Williamsons paper on "The Rum
ored French Invasion of Maine" was read by Mr..
Stephen Berry. The treaty OF 1895 with Eng
land gave to France great ofense, and resulted in
a decree of the French government prescribing
all vessels carving British goods. Two thousand
American sails were swept from the ocean. Ihree
enyoys sent 10 France could gain no satisfaction,
and were treated with contempt. In those times
originated Pinckney's famous expression, mil
lions for defence; not cent for tribute An
army was formed, and Washington was called to
its command OF this army Names share was
% 900 men who were raised with alaerity. .Icha-
bod Goodwin commanded them. Fort Sumner
was erected on Munjoy Hill for the defence OF
Portland harbor; and the whole province was
greatly aroused. By reason OF Names extended
yiting attack and invasion, the situation was one
of great anxiety for her people. Their anxletes
rpened into rumors and the rumors reached the
ears of the governor of Massachusetts. He COM
municated his fears to President Adams, who
wrote in reply that au investigation ought to be
set on foot to determine if the Province OF Maine
was in any danger from French invasion. But
no invasion was attempted, and with the nse OF
Napoleon settlement OF the dispute was effected.
LAT the close of the paper, Mr.. Bradbury explain
ed briefly the origin of the French spoliatiOn