The Portland daily press., 1893-08-12
won FAME IN '7e.
Doughty Deeds Commemorated by the
Gift to the Machias.
IT WAS A GREAT DAY FOR THE
OLD MAINE TOWN.

=
All the Country Round Celebrated the
Visit of the Towns Namesake-The
Banquet and the Presentation-speech
es by Governor Cleaves, Commander
Train and Others-The Governor
Speaks of the States Prosperity.
Especial to the Press.]
East Machias, August 1.-THE gun
boat Machias steamed up the bay Thurs
day afternoon, and anchored at Round
Island. There was some misunderstood
ing as to the time of her arrival and the
place of anchorage and several hours
elapsed before the tug Sam Jones with
the Machias committee on board came
alongside. Tt had been planned to have
the ship go up to Machias village on the
flood tide Friday forenoon and remain
until the ebb, but after consultation
with the committee and the river pilots,
Commander Train decided that the chan
mel was impracticable for a vessel of the
draught and width of the Machias. This
noon, however, the ship got under
way and steamed slowly up the river as
far as the point in East Machias and
then returned to the deep water anchor
age at Round Island. A small battery
of ancient brass nine Founders on the hill
above Machiasport blazed away in salute,
but to the disgust of the small boys the
gunboat was silent Later it was learned
that saluting guns are among the articles
still lacking in the vessels equipment.
The vessel made fine appearance as she
passed the wharves, and the people of
Machias have every reason to be proud OF
their namesake. After returning to her
anchorage, visitors were cordially
welcomed on board and large numbers
availed themselves of the privilege.
Though the vessel is in very incomplete
state as to equipment, enough could be
seen to show the interior workings OF a
ship of this class. OF her full complement
fciency being mainly in the marine
guard. The officers expect to sail for
China as soon as they are fully ready for
service. This has been a red letter day
for the little village of Machiasport.
Governor Cleaves and staff arrived on the
steamer Frank Jones and were met at
the landing by committee of Machias
citizens with band of music. Several
other.bands joined the procession and pro-
ceeded to Machias. The Jones was crowd
ed with passengers from Jonesport and
Millbridge. EARLY this morning, steamer
Lubec from Eastport arrived, and other
small steamers from different points
added their passengers to the crowd, and
their whistles to the lively din. The
weather was fine, the bay like glass and
all available sail and row boats were
filled with people without much idea of
what they might expect to see, but
who were evidently enjoying themselves
sTbe principal interest in the affair, how
ever, centered in the banquet and re-
ception given at Machias to its namesake
ship. A date in July had been fixed for
this, at which time it was hoped that
Secretary Herbert, who was then on the
coast in the Dolphin, would be present,
as well as Representative Boutelle and
Senator Hale. Unexpected delays in the
equipment of the vessel at Portsmouth
made a postponement necessary, and in
the meantime pressing public duties
called the Secretary and Congressman to
Washington.
There was no lack of guests, however,
at the banquet today. Hon. Harrison
Hume of Boston presided. Governor
Cleaves responded briefly to the toast
''The State,' and in speaking of the gem
eral business of the state said: And
during these days of temporary depres-
sion, the State of Maine may well boast
of the permanency of her business in
terests and the soundness of her fnan-
cial institutions. Her savings banks, her
national banks, her trust and loan asso-
Citations and other moneyed institutions
are as sound and stable as thesgovern-
ment under which they exist. Well may
they enjoy the, fullest confidence of the
people, for their management is in the
hands of able, judicious, conservative
business men who have regard for the
security of their depositors.
Commander Train expressed the
thanks of the officers of the Machias for
their entertainment The speeches which
followed were mainly devoted to the
memory of the ancient worthless whose
doughty deeds gave the town it's revolu-
tionary fame and so led to the selection
of it's name to be born by war vessel.
Rev. Henry Harding of East Machias re-
sponded for jeremiah o. Brien, who led
the desperate attack which resulted in
the capture of the British schooner Mar
garetta and who afterwards commanded
her as ppivateer. Hon. John G. Talbot
of East Machias called to mind the fame
of Col. Benjamin Foster who took
prominent part in resisting the British
attacks on these settlements and after
ward rose to high rank in the continental
army. Many other speeches of the same
character followed which must have
given the towns visitors vivid idea OF
the spirit which animated our ancestry
in the glorious but uncomfortable days
of rs and '76. Nearly every town in
Washington county was represented
among the guests at the banquet.
A ball and reception were given to
the naval officers at Libby Hail. Machias,
this evening at which DR.. Henry II.
Smith of Machias presented the towns
memorial gift to the United States navy
for the use of the gunboat Machias.
The present is massive silver bowl,
with the date Of the battle inscribed on
one side and picture of the Margaretta
and sloop Unity hauling alongside the
warship, and the men leaping., on board
ready to haul down the British flag.
The present was made by the people of
Machias in recognition of the name given
the ship and in commemoration OF the
bold deeds of the towns first settlers.
Captain Train spoke in acceptance and
pledged his care in whatever sea he
sailed or country he visited that any son
or daughter of Maine should have the
chance to see the beautiful gift to his
ship OF the Dao,,Io of NachiaS