18 



here was food that saved a colony. Whose hands sent it? 

 Elicit the truth ; even if it be that settlers of Pemaquid, 

 Sheepscott Farms, Monbegan or elsewhere, were "the 

 friends in need who were the friends indeed." 



Washington's riding up and down the lines after one of 

 the hardest fought battles of the Revolution, and ex- 

 claiming, "God bless the Massachusetts line," never fails 

 to nerve the average Maine man when he for the iirst 

 time discovers that the praise was bestowed on troops 

 from York and Cumberland counties. And now my last 

 question, on this point, comes to you? Does general his- 

 tory point to the spot where the feet of the pioneers of 

 English colonization first pressed American soil? No. 

 It was the Isle of Monhegan. An unfortunate Maine island ! 

 When starting on this paper I had no intention of instan- 

 cing so many cases of neglect or of apparently wilful injust- 

 ice to our good State ; but do you not agree, that as long 

 as these things remain neglected, unrecognized and un- 

 taught, this York Institute has a duty to perform of the 

 highest character? Its duty is one of widespread publica- 

 tion after patient, special and thorough investigation. 



There is another duty for the society, namely, to pre- 

 serve facts regarding prominent people in the county. 



When a boy, one poem, almost a hymn in sentiment, 

 used to affect me wonderfully. It seemed to swing me 

 away out of myself, and has not yet lost its power. Its 

 title was, 



TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 

 Wake your harp's music ! — louder, — higher, 



And pour your strains along ; 

 And smite again each quivering wire. 



In all the pride of song ! 

 Shout like those godlike men of old, 



Who, daring storm and foe, 

 On this blest soil their anthem rolled 

 Two hundred years ago ! 



