Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1889-11-15
Pilgrim Fathers Memorial.
A Proposition to Erect a Menus
meat at Dclftshaven,
Holland.

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partment of state: ..,. ,9.s> s..s s..
Sir: / have the honor to transmit
to you herewith copy of,hc dispatch
from our minister at The Hague, in
which he caves an account Of recent
visit which he made to Debts.
haven, Holland, and in which he
suggests the prepriety of erecting. a
monument there to commemorate the
embarkation Of the pilgrim fathers.
Suggesting that the enclosed dis
patch be laid before the appropriate
society of, Massachusetts Tor its in
formation and consideration, I have
etc., ALVEY A. ADEE,
Acting Secretary of State.
Washington, Sept. 81, 1889.
(Enclosule.)
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES
HE HAGUE,
Aug. IS, 1889.
Hon. James G. Blaine, Secretary Of
State:
Sir: The recent dedication of the
"Pilgrim Statue at Plymouth, Mass,
which has ava kened such general
interest in the events of our early
history, naturally directed my atten-
ton to the connection of Holland with
the particular event thus celebrated.
l have the honor to state that it has
recently been my privilege to retrace
the steps Of the Pilgrims from the
commencement Of their journey this
country to the place where they
finally embarked upon their memoir
able enterprise.
Leaving their homes in Leyden,
where during II years they had en-
joyed a safe and hospitable asylum
under the auspices of the Dutch Re-
PUBLIC, they travelled by canal through
the city Of Delft to the point where
the canal enters the river Mas, and
which for this reason is called Debts
haven, or the sport of Delft" where
lay the Speedwell, the vessel which
they had bought to convey them to
America.
Following the banks of the canal
to the place where it joins the river,
l took especial pains to note the point
Of land which the Speedwell must
have doubled as she entered the
Mas to follow its course to the sea.
Upon this sport, doubtless, John
Robinson and that portion of the
company who were to remain in Hol-
land till later, took leave of their
brethern, as the vessel commenced
its voyage. I observed that the spot
was one eminently favorable for being
marked by some memorial. The river,
with broad sweep, bends around in
such way to either side of it, that
it can be seen from a great distance
both to the east and west, that is, as
one approaches the busy port Of
Rotterdam from the North sea, and
as one descends the river on the
outward journey, while hundreds of
vessels Of every size and description
are constantly passing in going or
coming from every part of the globe.
On inquiry ascertained that ali the
territory Immediately adjoining the
harbor was public land belong to the
city Of Rotterdam, to which corpora
ton Delftshaven has been annexed
within very recent years. l also per-
ceived that fine sea wall of brick
and blocks Of basalt rock was being
constructed, and would soon thorough
ly fortify the point in question against
the entertainments of the powerful
tides which here prevail, as we'll as
the OCCASIONAL foods.
Surely the cause of civil and relig-
'ous liberty never claimed greater
sacrifices than those made BY the
Pilgrim fathers of New England and
the inhabitants Of the Dutch republic,
who gave them from the first that
substantial aid and encouragement
without which their organization
would doubtless never have been per-
'ected. In view Of the above named
facts and the interest the national
government has recently taken in the
Pilgrim memorial just dedicated, |
have the honor to submit to the de-
partment for its consideration the
propriety of making an effort for the
erection of a suitable monument on
the spot indicated, as tribute to the
heroism Of both people and as a
further measure Of strengthening the
bonds of friend ship between two
nations in whom love of liberty is a
common inheritance.
l have the honor to be, sir, your
obedient servant.
SAMUEL R. THAYER.