The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-10-29

| NnsM Dwight
U@ MASONIC II
Portland, and remained some days, com.
plotting their outfits. May 8 they left
Falmouth. and the next day arrived of
Georges river, and there tarried seyeraI
days. From thence the Gov. sent a part
of his force across the country to Bel.
fast. where the shipping met them the
18th of the month. and took them on
board. On the 17th they reached what
is now known as Fort Point Harbor.
Gov. Pownal here landed his forces
with all the precaution which would
have been necessary if the surrounding
| forest had teemcd with vigilapt foes.
One at this day can hardly suppress a
smile as he reads the Governor account
of the landing, when he remembers that
the once powerful nation of the Tara
tines had become so reduced that their
warriors amounted to only about 70 or 80
men. "There was no enemy-nor," says
the Governor, ''did expect any. But |
could not have justified myself if any
thing had happened, il did not take all
the same precautions as though there
were.
The landing, think, took place at the
angle formed by the point and the 18TH
mus, on the west side of the harbor.
They reconnoitered the place, and en-
camped on the point, then called Was
saumkeag Point. The Indians had car
rying place across the Isthmus between
Ilhsion Harbor and Fort Point Cove.
Forty men were sent with axes to clear
the carrying place about rod wide.
Here a log redoubt was built with a
guard room to accommodate 25 men.
This was completed in three days after
the landing. A like avenue was cut
across the narrOwest place in the point
and the same kind of redoubt and guard
house built there. A road was also cut
two rods wide in a direct line from this
avenue to the point. On the 2lst nine
FOUNDER was brought ashore, and exper
iment made of its capacity to command
the river. Placed horizontally it threw
shot into the channel about half way
across. At certain elevation it threw
shot across into the woods on the op-
p )site shore.
Although the spot seemed so well
adapted for the purpose. the Governor
would not decide here to build his fort
till he had made further explorations.
With detachment of 1876 men he as
cended the river May 22d. On the next
day he landed on the East side Of the
river "a few miles above Bangor. The
History of Maine says the landing
was on the West side, but Gov. Pow
nails journal, which must be regard
ed as unquestionable authority, says
East" side. Here he buried a leaden
plate with this inscription: 'May %,
1759-Province Massachusetts Bay, Dom
inions of Great Britain; Possession con-
frmed by L. Pownal, Governor This
in private life would be a novel and
amusing way of obtaining and confirm
ing the possession of property,
While ashore at this place, Gen. Sam
uel Waldo, who had accompanied the
expeditions, dropped down of an apo
plexy, and expired in a few moments.
| He was a man of much distinction-the
son of wealthy merchant of Boston
and the proprietor of the Waldo Patent.
"He was an accomplished gentleman,
active and enterprising; had enjoyed the
advantage of foreign travel, having
crossed the ocean fifteen times, and was
an elegant military officer, tall and port
ly,"
Gen. Waldo having large landed inter.
ests in Maine, was ever watchfuD to pro-
mote her best welfare. He proposed tC
give 100000 acres of land, provided the
Government would erect a Province
House on the Penobscot. He attended
Gov. Pownal in his expedition, not. as
it would appear, in an official capacity,
but as a matter of personal interest
The sudden death of one so eminently
qualified to counsel him, must have beer
deeply affective to the Governor.
A story regarding the last words OF
Gen. Waldo, which, however impressive
and striking, am constrained to regard
as apocryphal, has gained so much ere
dence as to find place in the history Of
Maine and sundry other writings, The
story is, that having landed with Gov
Pownal a few miles above Bangor
Withdrawing a few PAGES he looked
round and exclaimed, here is my bound,
meaning the limit of the Waldo Patent
and instantly fell dead of an apoplexy.
Two circumstances make it evident tina
this story is without foundatlon.tlrst
Gov. Pownal makes no mention of it il
his journal; secondly, and principally
the Waldo Patent did not extend to the
East side of the river; it's limit, there
fore. could not be reached on that side
His death occurred May 23d "a few
weeks before that of his distinguished
friend Sir William Pepperill, one of thu
most useful and honored men of the las
century.
The expedition returned to Fort Poin
the next day. bringing the remains o
the deceased General. The Governor
caused a vault to be prepared, and o.
the following day at evening, May rs
1859, the hero was buried with mill tar
honors and religious services. "Upo
the landing of the corpse it was receive.
by guard-minute guns were fired til
it arrived at the place Of interment
Upon coming to the ground the troop
under arms formed circle. Divin
service was performed, and sermon
suitable to the awful occasion preached
by the Rev. Mr. Phillips. Three vollley
were fired over the grave.
Shall we pause moment to refec
upon the impressiveness of the scene
On these very grounds stood 400 men
gathered about the remains of man o
! renown, who, far from home and friends
had been smltten down without mo
ment's warning. -The blue canopy is tn
dome of their temple. The sun is alread
declining, and casting It's lengthenln
shadows over the wild scenery. Tn
birds are warbling their evening songs
Thus in the presence of august nature
in her pristine glory, and under the ey