Resolved that a committee he appointed to superintend the publication of the proceedings, accompanied by a history of the Press of Western New York, in pamphlet form, and to solicit subscriptions to defray the expenses thereof.
The chair appointed the following named gentlemen such committee:—Everard Peck, A Mann, H. Winants, Henry Cook, and J. A. Hadley.
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to designate the place of holding the Festival for 1848, and that every Printer within the district called Western New York, be earnestly and especially requested to be present.
The chair appointed the following gentlemen members of said committee:—F. Follett, Batavia, J. O. Brayman, Buffalo; J. A. Hadley, Rochester; R. Northway, Utica; and G. W. Dana, Ithaca.
The following resolution was adopted by acclamation:
Resolved, That the thanks of this company are due the Committee of Correspondence and the Committee of Arrangements, for their successful efforts to render this Festival what it was promised to be—a " feast of reason and a flow of soul."
The meeting then adjourned, at the early hour of half past ten.
A large number of letters were received from gentlemen who were unable to attend.
Old Papers
A number of old papers, specimens of the typography of former days, were presented for inspection at the Festival:
1. The "Connecticut Gazette," Jan. 21, 1758; published at New Haven. Name of the publisher not given. This is a very curious specimen of typography. It was presented some years since to the editors of the Democrat, by Mrs. Corey, of Chili.
2. "Essex Gazette," Nov. 1, 1774; published by Samuel and Ebenezer Hall, at Salem, Massachusetts. This paper is filled with revolutionary matter.
3. "Supplement to the Essex Journal and Merrimack Packet;" Dec. 4, 1778, containing the proceedings of the meeting in Boston which threw the tea overboard. It is about seven inches by nine, and was distributed gratuitously. Printed at Newburyport, by I. Thomas and H. W. Tinges.
4. "Poughkeepsie Journal," of December 31, 1799, clad in mourning for the death of Washington, and containing a full account of his funeral.
5. "Columbian Centenial," of November 19, 1794; printed by Benjamin Russel, Boston, filled with general news of the day.
6. A Boston paper, name tern off, dated Jan. 4, 1791, presented by Mrs. C. U. Hamilton, of this city. It has for its motto, " A Free Press maintains the majesty of the people."
7. "Hampshire Gazette," March 1, 1815, containing the Treaty of Peace between the U. States and Great Britain. Published at Northampton, Mass., by Wm. Butler. Presented also, by Mrs. Hamilton.
8. "Auburn Gazette," June 10, 1818; published by Thomas M. Skinner, filled with the general news of the day. From Mrs. Hamilton.
9. "Hampshire Federalist," Jan. 28, 1808, printed at Springfield, Mass., by Thomas Dickman. This paper is rather severe upon Mr. Jefferson and his measures.
Isaac Butts presented a copy of Puffendorf's Law of Nations, in a good state of preservation, printed at Oxford, England, in 1710.
Copies of the "Oregon Spectator" and "Matarooras Reveille," were presented by H. L. Winants.
The Band.—We deem it scarcely necessary to repeat what is so well known to our readers, that Capt Adams' Band acquitted themselves in the handsomest possible manner. The music was appropriate and displayed great taste, in selection. Every sentiment, grave or gay, had its appropriate air. The presence of the Band gave additional animation to the Festival.
SONG,
Written for the 141st Anniversary of Franklin's Birth Day.
BY W. H. C. HOSMER.
Air—"Star Spangled Banner."
Ere the glorious Art that we love was invented,
Restoring the lustre Earth wore in her morn,
A picture the map of Creation presented,
How dread and forbidding—how lost and forlorn
More dark than the midnight of dreary November,
A pall was spread over the region of mind;
The fires of the Past had gone out and no ember
Was saved from the wreck to illumine Mankind.
The Genius of Liberty, bleeding and fettered,
Lay weak and heart crushed in a pestilent cave.
While cowled Superstition, morose and unlettered,
Consigned with rude hand murder'd Hope to the grave.
Truth walked through the world, with a visage dejected,
And Error, appareled in sable, was King;
The Harp of the Poet hung mute and neglected,
The red rust of ages corroding each string.
Then hail to the Press by which fetters were broken,
And dungeons unbarred to the visit of Day-
Our glorious Art that in thunder hath spoken,
The night-hag of Ignorance scaring away.
Plumed minions of Pomp, with their pagentry hollow,
Before its effulgence dissolving, grew pale
As vapory clouds at the smile of Apollo
Roll back, and the face of the waters unveil.
And hail to our brother, calm Tamer of lightning,
The Pride of his country, and Terror of Kings!
Whose fame, though his body in dust, ever bright'ning
A pure, holy light on America flings.
The Staff of the Sage in his hand was a weapon
That aided in conflict a Washington's glove;
While prize we the relic, no foe the will dare step on
The green turf that covers a Patriot's grave.
Avon, January 12th, 1847.
