SAYINGS OF SUBSCRIBERS Sprague's Journal of Maine History VII AUG. SEPT. OCT. 1919 No. 2 pages 108-111 SAYINGS OF SUBSCRIBERS Mrs. Georgia Pulsifer Porter, Secretary of Esther Eayres Chap- ter, D.A.R., Old Town, Maine: Perhaps you would like to know that Esther Eayres Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution of Orono, Maine, is interested in local history and to promote a study of the same this chapter through and by the request of its Patriotic Education committee, Mrs. W. J. Morse of Orono and Mrs. C. B. Porter of Old Town have offered prizes for the best and second best essay written of the subject of the first railroad in the section of these two towns -- Orono and Old Town -- The railroad commonly called the Veazie railroad and said to be the second railroad in the United States. This offer is made because the members of the Chapter believe a study of local history will lead to the study of history in a broader sense and thus promote the best sort of patriotism and really bring the best patriotic educa- tion. These essays will not be asked for until the closing of the schools for the Thanksgiving recess -- the prizes will be $2.00 for the best essay written by the pupils of the Old Town high school and $1.00 for the second best in this school also $2.00 for the best essay on this subject in the Orono high school, and $1.00 for the second best. The judges will be selected by the members of the Esther Eayres Chapter. Perhaps you will be inter- ested to know that the Esther Eayres Chapter is named for the first white child born in Orono. Date of her birth April 30, 1777. It is also expected that this Chapter will later mark some sections were this railroad passed in the two places -- Old Town and Orono -- and thus begin its work of calling to public attention the history of which we should be proud. The majority of the members of the Esther Eayres chapter have been members of D.A.R. chapters for some time but there has not been a chap- ter in either of these two towns and now that there is, and a chance for a united effort for the study of local history and historical markings it is expected much good work in this line will be done. I am sending this to you hoping you will deem it of sufficient historical importance to either print it as it is or to make a readable article of it for a number of your valuable Journal. Honorable John C. Stewart, York Village, Maine: In receiving my check in payment for the Journal, the satisfaction is not all on your part. If you knew the pleasure and profit I get out of it you would know how to value it. _______ James W. Sewall, Old Town, Maine: Permit me to congratulate the Journal on it's continued good work. _______ Honorable George C. Wing, Auburn, Maine: I was particularly interested in the last copy of your valuable magazine and for fear that I am in arrears, I send you herewith pay for a year's sub- scription and assure you the State of Maine is greatly indebted to you for your researches and accumulation of facts touching the early history of the state, and while a great many feel as I do, they may neglect to give you the same assurance which I feel you are entitled to receive. Do not be discouraged for you are accomplishing much that has hitherto been sadly neglected ________ Selden Hinkley Kilgore, Topeka, Kans.: I certainly feel that the native sons of Maine should give Sprague's Jour- nal strong support, as it is needed to secure and publish many very important fact of Maine history, that might otherwise be neglected until such information would be lost to future generations. Research into the past history of our country reveals the fact that very many events of consequence have never been published or only slightly referred to. Wishing you success in this work, I am proud to subscribe myself a Native Son of Maine. ________ Honorable Clarence Hale, Portland, Maine: I congratulate you on making a very valuable work. I preserve the volumes of Sprague's Journal with great care. ________ From the very beginning the Journal and its work have had many staunch friends whose frequent acts of kindness we prize more highly than we are able to express in words. Recently it afforded the editor immense pleasure to receive the lines following and the splendid gift referred to, from one of the best of these --Honorable E. C. Carll, Augusta, Maine: I remember you once wished for a copy of Hakluyt's Discourse on West- ern Planting, Vol. II, Documentary History of the State of Maine. I am reminded of it be seeing a copy advertised by Huston. When the residence of the late Mrs. Georgania Staples Davis of Augusta was cleared of its contents a lot of books were junked that had belonged to here and to her brother, Augusta's beloved Col. Henry G. Staples, whose name is now borne by our Sons of Veterans Camp. I picked up a fine copy of Hakluyt in the lot, and Mr. O'Connor gave it to me. I now take great pleasure in present- ing the book to you. In 1584 the brilliant Sir Walter Raleigh was thirty-two years of age, related to the Champernouns, a great name in early Maine history, was well upon his career as a founder of British Colonies. England was at war with Spain. Raleigh, learning the military and naval weakness of Spain in the New World, advocated attacking her at the source of her great wealth, and as part of that policy, the settling of British possessions in America. With this policy in view he employed Richard Hakluyt, a preacher at Oxford, thirty-one years of age, who had a high reputation as an authority in maritime studies, to write a Discourse to Queen Elizabeth, showing why the American possessions should be settled. It appears that Elizabeth was close in money matters, and it was difficult to induce her to loosen up. If the great people of those early English times can see things as they are here today, how they must compliment the author on the wisdom of his arguments. An interesting thing is the change in the English language. Hakluyt used the good English of his day. Note the advice on things an expedition to America should provide; these from a lis of several pages. Hoggs fleshe, barrelled and salted, in great quantitie. Befe, barrelled, in lesse quantitie. Passeneape Sede Syders of Ffraunce, Spaine, and England. Bores, Sowes. Cockes, Hennes. Graffers for frute trees. Mastives to kill heavie beastes of ravyne and for night watches. Men experte in the arte of fortification. Capitaines of longe and greate experience. Souldiers well trayned in Fflaunders to joyne with the younger. How many years, up to our own time, has England had soldiers in Flanders Fields of Poppies. All of these things you know, but it interests me to write them. I trust you will welcome this book into your well selected and valuable historical library. ________ Charles F. Marble, Executive Secretary of the National League of Patriotic Propagandists, Portland, Maine: While I consider any commendation that I may give your Journal of Maine History and your personal efforts in the compilation of that excel- lent publication, a very humble tribute, I am anxious to accord the same to you, and it, because I believe such an enterprise to be in direct line with the demand of a great national need, a more pronounced and intelligent Americanism, an outstanding patriotism and a citizenship convinced of the wisdom of democratic government, and that can at all times give a reason for the faith that is in them. This can only come from a somewhat more definite knowledge of the history of our country, the testing times that have shaped its destiny and, in all, what our country means to us. To be sure, your educational work is largely confined to the State of Maine, but inasmuch as the citizen who is most loyal to his state is the citizen who is most loyal to his country, your work is of most vital impor- tance. I trust such success may follow your efforts that you may greatly enlarge your scope and that your Journal may be officially adopted as a recognized authority in the curriculum of the schools. I personally welcome your Journal as an important factor in the great business of elevating the standard of American citizenship and helping to make the future of the nation safe by laying the foundation of intelligent citizenship in the minds and hearts of the prospective citizens, the students of the public schools. 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