Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-06
INTERESTING LETTERS.
"Reminiscences - His
tOrical Facts.

The following letters and historical facts
will be found interesting and instructive
Hon. Hannibal Hamlin of Bangor f,vors us
with letter; we have also one from Hon II.
X Baker of HaIlowell, and one from John
+. Weymouth, Esq of Troy. Mr. Wey-
mouth was representative to the legislature
of 1927. We know of no other member OF
that legislature or of any legislature before it.
who is now living. If he lives until the llth
of March next he will be 81 years old. The
old gentleman is now suffering severely from
a fractured limb. He will have the sympa-
thy of every member of the reunion in his
sore afflction
Hon Hannibal Hamiin's Letter.
Mr. EDITOR In 1887, Hon. John Holmes
of Alfred and VIM. Vance, E>q., of Read
| field, were members of the House of Repre-
sentatives They were both distinguished
men, each in his own particular way. A
Renaissance. growing out of a debate be-
tween these two men, may be of some inter
est to ex-members of the legislature, who are
about to hold a reunion If you can spare a
space in your columns, | will give an account
of IT. 1t will be, however, impossible to con-
VeN 10 tIlp Tedltr ANY suCtl IMPRESSION as was
made upon the legislature under an able and
exciting debate, when all eyes were watching
| and all ears were listening.
Mr. Holmes at that time possessed nation
| al reputation. He was lawyer of distln-
guished ability man of cultivation "A states
man of large and varied experience: rarely
exceled in eloquence and famed for his sar-
casm and ready wit. He had been a membe.
of both the House and Senate of the Massa-
chusetts Legislature when Maine constituted
a part of that State. He had been appointed
and served As commits ioner to run and mark
the boundary line between the United States
and New Brunswick as defined IN the treaty
! Of 81. He had also been a representative in
Congress. and L. $. senator for two terms.
from Maine. During the latter service he had
become so formidable to his political oppo-
nent. that they designated him as the leading
man, in political firm of John Holmes.
Felix Grundy and the Devil
Here let me give an instance of Mr.
Holmes quick and ready wit One dav Gen.
| Macon of North Carolina was standing in
front of the Capitol at Washington, as a
drove of mules was passing Thinking to
perpetrate a joke upon Mr.. Holmes he sent a
page to call him. Mr.. Holmes promptly made
his appearance when Gen. Macon quantity
and quietly said. "Mr. Holmes, here is a body
of your constituents and | presumed YOU
would be pleased to see Them" to which Mr..
Holmes instantly replied, yes sir, and they
are on the way as schoolnasters TO teach
your constituents"
| Under Mr.. Holmes az commiss oner the
starting point of the boundary line was d.
termined upon and the line run for some dis
lance. The line so far as run and determined
upon. conceded the islands of Grand Mauan
and Csmpobeilo, lying near to Esatport to
the British government 1t was contended,
under international law, that these islands
justly belonged to the United States and that
the line should have so settled it. While
| Mr.. Holmes was acting as commissioner, he
had been elected to Congress as a member of
the House of Representatives. Being anxious
to close up the boundary line before entering
upon his duties as a representative. he wrote
several letters to Washington, urging more
vigorous action SO that his duties could be
co .neleted as commissioner. ''before he would
be obliged TO assume another official posi-
ton That his presence would soon be
| required in Washington" We do not pretend
TO quote the precise language used in bis let
tiers But there were several expressions in
his letter, substantially of that character
His letters were urgent to close up the COM
mission, and there could be no mistaking that
| the course was that he must soon take his