An Oration Delivered Before the Municipal Authorities of the City of Boston, July 4, 1859 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859. Excerpt: ... ORATION. Eighty-three years have passed since the delegates of thirteen feeble colonies proclaimed the immortal truths of that Declaration to which we have just listened. This act, pregnant with consequences to all mankind, stands in history as the record of the birth of a new nation. In 1776 the great powers of Europe were at peace, and England was at full liberty to throw on our shores the whole force of her arms. In the great contest which ensued--a contest for self-government and for the equal rights of man--perils were encountered and sufferings endured, which we, calmly enjoying their fruits, remember with gratitude to the men who toiled for us, and with fealty to the principles which they proclaimed. The struggle was long and unequal; and when the enemy succeeded in gaining possession of New York, the timid began to falter. All eyes were now turned to Europe. Delegates had been already despatched to seek the assistance of France, and their hopes were not disappointed. One million of francs were given from the French treasury; cannon and military stores furnished from the arsenals of France; other stores to the value of a million of dollars placed in colonial ports accessible to our vessels; and a series of friendly acts commenced which, on the 6th of February, 1778, were consummated in a treaty of alliance, and in a declaration by which France bound herself to make no peace with England until the independence of the United States. was fully recognized. But it was not France alone which came to our aid. During that summer of '76, one of those brave men who were the creators of the naval glory of our country, Captain John Lee, of Marblehead, cruising under a commission from Congress, having taken and sent home five valuable prizes, and finding it nec...