History of Newburyport, Mass; 1764-1905 Volume 1 (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. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ...which you offer to the gracious Father of Lights, for his inspiration of our public councils with wisdom and firmness to complete the national Constitution, is worthy of men, who, devoted to the pious purposes of religion, desire their accomplishment by such means as advance the temporal happiness of their fellow men. And here, I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe, that the path of true piety is so plain, as to require but little political direction. To this consideration we ought to ascribe the absence of any regulation respecting religion from the Magna Charta of our country. To the guidance of the Ministers of the Gospel, this important object is, perhaps, more properly committed. It will be your care to instruct the ignorant, and to reclaim the devious: and in the progress of morality and science, to which our government will give every furtherance we may confidently expect the advancement of true religion, and the completion of our happiness. I pray the munificent Rewarder of virtue, that your agency in this good work may receive its compensation here and hereafter. G. Washington.1 After the President had arrived at the house prepared for his reception, a Feu-de-joy was fired by the several companies of Militia; and in the evening some Fire-works and excellent Rockets were plaved off opposite thereto. Much praise is due to the citizens of Newburyportand others, assembled on the occasion, for their orderly behaviour through the day and evening.1 At an early hour, Saturday morning, October thirty-first, while Washington and other invited guests were at breakfast, 1 Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet, November 11, 1789 (American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass.). at the residence of Hon. Tristram Dalton, occurred an...