- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
Source: Diman, J. Lewis. The Nation and the Constitution: An Oration Delivered Before the City Authorities and Citizens of Providence, July 4, 1866. Providence: Providence Press Company, 1866. Digitized by Google from the library of Harvard University. Internet Archive.
Remarks of Mr. Phelps
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are assembled to celebrate our country’s ninetieth national birthday—a day sacred in the memory of every true American, and dear to the heart of every friend of liberty, here and everywhere. While we are in a measure strangers and in a strange land, yet as the friends of liberty, we are all brethren and in good harmony in our patriotic sentiments.
And although most of us are far away from our dear native land, we meet within the bounds, and under the flag and protection, of our elder sister Republic—the country of William Tell and Zwingli, of Calvin, Berthelier, and a host of kindred worthies; and also in this famous city of Geneva, whose streets have flowed with the precious blood of many martyrs to the same holy cause of civil and religious liberty for which our patriot fathers so freely bled and died. Thus surrounded and inspired by kindred associations, sympathizing strangers, and congenial spirits, let us, with becoming thanksgivings and rejoicings, commemorate the deeds and hallow the memories of those who, under God, wrought out for us our blessed inheritance and our national glory.
But first, in conformity to the time-honored usage of our patriot forefathers, let us invoke the favor of Him who is the author and bestower of our every blessing—and who has ever been our country’s constant friend and great benefactor.
The Rev. Dr. Ames of Massachusetts, being called upon, invoked the Divine blessing, after which the company partook of the good things so bounteously provided by the worthy proprietor of the hotel. At the close of this entertainment, the President suggested that, as the company appeared to be quite satisfied with the physical comforts provided for the occasion, they would now be invited to the intellectual feast prepared by the Committee of Arrangements. He then announced the regular toasts in order, as follows:
First toast — “The President of the United States.”
This, after the President’s Grand March, was responded to by Charles Upton, Esq., United States Consul in the city of Geneva.
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