The Popham Colony : $b a discussion of its historical claims, with a bibliography of the subjectPoole, William Frederick
History
The Popham Colony : $b a discussion of its historical claims, with a bibliography of the subject
Poole, William Frederick
Maine -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
It will be seen that I have not noticed his argument relative to the
craft built by the French at Port Royal, and which by almost a miracle
carried the survivors to their homes; for the reason that we were
considering English occupation of New England, and that alone. French
enterprise and colonization was an entirely different affair, and had
nothing to do with the subject under consideration; and the writer of
"the letter" could not fairly have anticipated that it could be made
to refer to any but Englishmen. It will also be noticed that I have
not undertaken to advocate or indorse the Popham enterprise and its
effects in general, but only to show up some of the errors of its
opponents. There is and will be a wide difference of opinion on that
point; but all will agree that it has been of great benefit to
printers, and that they have shed a larger quantity of ink in
elucidating these controversies than was lost in blood in "P.'s"
imaginary fights with the Indians at Sabino.
Having made a running review of "P.'s" long columns, I would in
conclusion offer him some advice, which, I trust, he will receive in
the same kind way in which it is given. First, do not fear that Popham
history will ever in the slightest way overshadow the lustre of Old
Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. They stand too firm to be shaken:
their true glories will continue to brighten and expand through ages
yet to come, till they are appreciated and acknowledged throughout the
world. Don't look on the very worst side of history: much of it is bad
enough at best; and we can hardly read some of the annals of our own
ancestors, written by themselves, without a blush. Do not write so
ferociously: people are not frightened by ink, particularly
Pophamites. "A kind word turneth away wrath." Don't ruin that preface
to the reprint which you have had some two years in process of
incubation, by bringing Popham and Gorges into it, when there is no
occasion for it. And, as a general amnesty, even for the deepest
crimes, is the order of the day, you had better accept it on the
following cheap terms, viz., as hot weather is approaching, and, if
you have not killed out the Pophamites entirely,--and I don't really
think you have even ruffled a feather,--they will in August have their
picnic celebration at Sabino as usual, now let us both attend. Then,
after partaking of their chowder, we will smoke the calumet of peace;
drink inspiration--if we can--from that ancient well, but certainly
good cool water, and something in it, if you say so; and finally bury
the hatchet in the remains of that old ditch, and pledge ourselves to
everlasting peace.
JUNE, 1866. SAGADAHOC.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE POPHAM COLONY.
DOCUMENTS CIRCULATED BEFORE AND AT THE FIRST CELEBRATION, AUGUST 29,
1862.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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