“I now take great pleasure in behalf of the American Irish Historical Society and in behalf of its committee, in presenting to the State of Rhode Island the Sullivan memorial, which Mr. Hardy will now unveil. (At this point the flags draping the memorial were drawn aside by the sculptor.) “And now I have the great honor to present to you a gentleman well-known and highly-honored by all Rhode Islanders, one who has shown deep interest in this, as in all other worthy projects, Hon. James H. Higgins, Governor of Rhode Island.” Governor Higgins spoke as follows: “_Ladies and Gentlemen_: In behalf of the State of Rhode Island, I am not only pleased but proud indeed to accept this splendid memorial. Rhode Island has a particular interest in the career and achievements of General Sullivan. He was delegated to the command of the forces in Rhode Island largely through the recommendation of General Greene, the greatest soldier of all in the Revolution next to Washington. Through the joint recommendations of Washington and Greene, Sullivan was placed in command of the forces in this State. “There was perhaps no State in the Union which, in proportion to its size and population, suffered more of the hardships of that great struggle than our own. Some historians have suggested that one section of our State, Newport and the Island of Rhode Island, have never recovered from the blow dealt it through the long occupation of that section of the State by the British forces. We of Rhode Island, therefore, have a particular interest in the efforts of General Sullivan to expel the British from this State. “We are proud, therefore, to know that the American Irish Historical Society has taken this matter up and has shown such active interest in perpetuating the memory and the exploits of General Sullivan. I am sure that I can say on behalf of our united citizenship that the State appreciates this activity, this patriotism, on the part of the American Irish Historical Society, and we want to say to you, sirs, that the fruit of your interest—this memorial—will ever be preserved by our State as a remembrance of his splendid achievements, as well as of the generosity and the patriotism of the organization which prompted it. May your activity, my friends, be continued throughout the length and breadth of the land and throughout the entire period of your career in the same creditable and patriotic manner that has characterized your work concerning General Sullivan.