The Champlain tercentenary. Report of the New York lake Champlain tercentenary commission
New York (State). Lake Champlain tercentenary commission | Hill, Henry Wayland, 1853-1929 | Knapp, H. Wallace
.3f.VVW.^.\. >4 . K * . "*^ .^^^'^<^ 1 V , t • ( ■^^c,^' .^ 0^ O'^^ ' '^'' 4°. ^^"^. '^, ••" .^° «, -.."* ..V^. v^ .i^ C> ^^V .'■'•. 0 ♦''°- -^ .^" .^y?^^:-. %^ .^^ .>^^^>. 'e..^_^^^ ;' M\%.^^- ' .• .V ■ . . . . o .0^ , ■%. • '.'.*."'. • ^-f" /■\ ^.o...<: •Vr^tv. ,' * ■:- 0(7 • ■ d* • >%~ rj ' » •, * '" ■ ^y .•V '^ -^o. ;.:♦-%. L-i- '- V 'A ' /.c:^^'*'°o /.^<,\ ^°^^^.^°^ Z^-^;' m T-. "-^-0^ .^ -^o^ f-'^^.. .f 5- .»^»v %^^^ ^^MIA" -i^^^-y m o V-^^ ^ v./ •« '"^o '" J' -'jl:'',% 0° ♦V^r??^-' O ■V. 1 o '% '' /-V -.^ '%. '" • • ° vi. .CV V3_ i'. ^^•n^^ V'^^ J o. 'If" •^ 'W t. CONVENTIONAL PORTRAIT OF SAMUEL CHAMPLAIN The Champlain Tercentenary Report of the New York Lake Champlain Tercentenary Commission Prepared by Henry WaYLAND Hill. LL.D., Secretary; of the Commission ALBANY J. B. Lyon Company, State Printers 1911 CONTENTS Part ONE: PREPARATION I. Historical Introduction 1 II. Evolution of the Celebration Project - • • • 1 I III. Report of the First Lake Champlain Tercentenary Commission 19 IV. Federal Recognition and Aid 41 V. Legislation and Organization 45 VI. Work of the New York Commission 53 Part TWO: CELEBRATION I. General Features: Military and Naval and the Indian Pageants. ... 71 II. Champlain Sunday 91 III. Monday, July 5 : At Crown Point Forts 115 IV. Tuesday, July 6: At Ticonderoga 1 37 V. Wednesday. July 7: At Cliff Haven, Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh Barracks, and Hotel Champlain 1 89 VI. Thursday. July 8 : At Burlington 251 VII. Friday. July 9: At Isle La Motte 299 VIII. The Proposed Champlain Memorial 337 APPENDIX Samuel Champlain and the Lake Champlain Tercentenary 353 The Geology of the Champlain Valley 369 Episodes in the History of the Champlain Valley 383 What Early Travelers Said of the Champlain Valley 401 Libretto of the Play of Hiawatha 425 INDEX ILLUSTRATIONS Conventional Portrait of Chcunplain Frontispiece Facing Page President Willicun Howard Taft 8 Governor Charles E. Hughes of New York 16 Governor George H. Prouty of Vermont 16 Senator Elihu Root of New York 24 Hon. Jacob M. Dickinson, Secretcuy of War 24 Hon. j. J. Jusserand, French Ambassador 32 Rt. Hon. James Bryce, British Ambassador 32 Hon. Rodolphe Lemieux, Canadicin Postmaster-General 40 Sir Lomer Gouin, Premier of Quebec 40 Lieutenant de Vaisseau Benoist d'Azy 40 H. Wallace Knapp 44 Henry W. HQl 46 Walter C. Witherbee 48 James J. Frawley 50 Jcimes A. Foley 52 James Shea 52 William R. Weaver 54 Howland Pell 56 John H. Booth 60 John B. RUey 62 Louis C. Lafontaine 64 Governor Horace White 66 Hon. George R. Malby 68 Hon. David J. Foster 70 Hon. Frcuik Plumley 70 Lynn M. Hays 72 Frank L. Fish 74 John M. Thomas 76 Horace W. Bailey 78 Walter H. Crockett 80 George T. Jarvis 80 William J. Van Patten 82 F. O. Beaupre 84 Arthur F. Stone 86 Hon. Seth Low, Hon. Albert C. Barnes, Dr. Hamilton W. Mabie, Hon. Wen- deU P. Stafford 96 Clinton Scollard, Percy Mac Kaye, Daniel L. Prevel, Mgr. A. Racicot 1 84 Mgr. E. P. Roy, Cardinal Gibbons, Rev. P. J. Barrett, Rt,Rev. Thomas M. A. Burke 192 Hotel Champlain 232 Invitation to Banquet 232 Floats in Plattsburgh Parade 248 Grandstand Exercises at Plattsburgh Barracks 248 Throngs at Plattsburgh During Tercentenary Celebration 248 President Tcift and Others Saluting the Flag at Barracks 248 Chciirman Knapp, Commissioner Witherbee, Governor and Mrs. Hughes eind Secretary Treadwell 248 Review of Troops at Burlington by President Tcift 256 Crowds Listening to Speeches at Burlington, July 8th 256 Burlington's Greindstcmd During Indian Pageants 256 President Taft, Governor Prouty, Ambassadors Jusseremd and Bryce, Governor Hughes, Admiral Uriu and Hon. Seth Low 256 Governor-General's Foot Gucirds from Ottawa 256 Mayor W. B. Mooers of Plattsburgh, New York 296 Mayor James E. Burke of Burlington, Vermont 296 Senator Henry W. Hill Delivering Address at Isle La Motte 304 Witnessing Indian Pageants at Isle La Motte 304 Boulder Unveiled at Isle La Motte 304 Tercentenary MemoriaJ to Samuel Chcunplain 336 Monument, Crab Island, Lake Champlain 336 Steamer Vermont During the celebration 352 Cuts of Steamers Phoenix, Conquest, General Greene and Franklin 352 Hull of Arnold's Schooner, Revenge 352 Commodore Macdonough's Victory at Battle of Lake Champlain 352 Official Invitation to the Tercentenary Exercises 352 The Don de T>ieu 360 Statue of Champlain at Champleiin, N. Y 368 Statue of Champlain at St. John, N. B 368 Statue of Champlain at Quebec 368 Souvenir Badge and OfficicJ Guest Badge of New York 376 L. O. Armstrong 384 Indian Wcir Party in Canoes 400 Scenes from Indian Pageants 424 Map of Restoration of Fort Ticonderoga 432 A Plan of the Town and Fort of Carillon 432 Historical Map of the Champlain Valley 464 The Tercentenary Celebration of the Discovery of Lake Champlain Part One PREPARATION I. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION The Strife for Control Historical Introduction By Senator Henry WaYLAND HlLL, Secretary of the New York Commission I. The Strife for Control N A survey of the discovery and settlement of the territory comprising Eastern Canada and the northeastern part of the United States, attention Is drawn to the skilful navigator, Intrepid explorer and dis- coverer of Lake Champlain, who brought the light of civilization into that valley, and was the first white man to set foot upon the soil now embraced In the confines of the State of New York. Had Samuel Champlain taken possession of the territory of New York in the name of the King, Henry IV, whom he represented, under the claim of right thereto on the ground of discovery, and had that possession ripened Into French occupancy, such territory might even now be dominated by other language, laws and institutions than those that did prevail. The results of the French settlement In and occupancy of the north- eastern provinces of the Dominion of Canada seem to warrant such a conclusion. The nearest approach to similar conditions in New York were the few French forts and French settlements in the Champlain valley and along the south shore of Lake Ontario, and the seigniorial grants of extensive tracts of territory In and about Lake Champlain, made prior to the conquest of Canada by the British, and sought to be confirmed at the International Conference at Windmill Point in 1 766, " involving," says Lord Dartmouth in an official communication to Governor Tryon, November 4, 1 772, " a consideration of great difficulty and delicacy, and by no means of a nature to admit of an hasty decision.* Its confirmation was opposed by Edmund Burke before his Majesty's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations on November 1 2, 1 772, he State of New York having requested that " he might be heard by his counsel as well in behalf of the Province of New York, as of sundry persons, proprietors of lands within the said Province under grants from the Governor and Council thereof against the confirmation by the Crown of any grant made by the French King or the Governor of Canada within the limits of the said Province of New York." These grants were not upheld for reasons stated elsewhere. These settlements were wholly ineffectual in making any permanent impression upon the language, laws and institutions of this Province. In the evolution of National development, the extent and permanency of social forces largely condition their effectiveness, as seen in the impress made upon the early institutions of the Province of New York by the Dutch, who settled in the southeastern part of the Province and ruled it for half a century. Had the French followed up the discovery of Lake Champlain in 1609, and settled and permanently occupied the territory south of the 45th parallel of latitude, as effectively as did the Dutch the southeastern part of the State, the result, it is safe to say, would have been vastly different. It is not unlikely that a part of New York under such conditions would have been included within the domain of the Dominion of Canada; for under the conditions as they existed, the Long House of the Iroquois Confederacy, which stretched from the Mohawk on the east to Lake Erie on the west, was the only barrier to the predatory incursions and warlike expeditions of the French and Indians from the Canadian territory on the north. Anomalous as it may appear, that was made so largely by reason of the battle on Lake Champlain between the Algonquins and Hurons on the one side, and the Iroquois on the other, in which Champlain's use of firearms, to the utter surprise and loss to the Iroquois of three of their chiefs, made them thereafter deadly enemies of the French. This hostility of the Iroquois to the French was one of the principal causes which prevented the French from gaining or maintaining a perma- nent settlement within the confines of the Province of New York. Among other causes, however, were the abandonment or loss of Ticonderoga The Champlain Tercentenary and Crown Point in I 759, the year following the defeat of the British under General Abercromby at Ticonderoga by the French under the command of Montcalm. This gallant officer achieved with his small force of less than 4,000 men so signal a victory over the British, number- ing about 15,000, as to prove very dispiriting to William Pitt, who in a communication to Grenville said: " I own the news [from the Champlain valley] has sunk my spirits and left very painful impressions on my mind." Notwithstanding the signal victory of the French under Montcalm at Ticonderoga in I 758, Governor Vaudreuil, said to be jealous of Mont- calm, one of the ablest soldiers France had ever sent into the field, assigned de Bourlamaque to the command of the French posts in the Champlain valley in place of Montcalm, who was needed for the defense of Quebec; and shortly after ordered de Bourlamaque " not to think of defending Forts Carillon and Frederic, but to abandon them as the British approached and fall back to Isle aux Noix." This was done, as General Amherst, who succeeded Abercromby in command of the British forces, advanced from Lake George with large reinforcements, comprising an army of 5,743 regulars, including Royal Americans and Colonial troops. As the British under General Amherst were about to assault the works at Ticonderoga, de Bourlamaque retired from Fort Carillon to Fort Frederic ; and thence, on July 31,1 759, after blowing up the latter fort, withdrew to Isle aux Noix with his artillery and such provisions as he could transport. This was approximately 1 50 years, to a month, of French occupancy since the discovery of the lake by Champlain. The period of French domination was followed by British possession and occupation and the thrilling events of the P^evolutionary struggle for the independence of the Colonies, with Vermont an independent republic, not yet admitted into the Union nor recognized by the other thirteen states, but still loyal to the cause which led to their independence. The various military expeditions through the Champlain valley, and the two cele- brated naval engagements on the lake, had an important bearing upon State of New York the sovereign control of that part of our National domain, and exerted a marked influence on American institutions in the formative period of their history. Three nations there contended for the possession of that " Gateway of the Nation." The military ruins still to be seen attest its strategic importance in three wars for the sovereign control of that territory. Long prior to the discovery of Lake Champlain it was the theater of the fierce and bloody encounters upon its waters of the three most power- ful of the savage nations, namely, the Iroquois, the Algonquins and the Hurons. Many are the legends handed down from that remote period of the struggles that made it impossible for any of these aboriginal nations to gain a permanent settlement along the shores of the lake; struggles which resulted in dri\ing them back to the strongholds and fastnesses of the mountain sides overhanging the lake, and into the valleys and up the hillsides surrounding it. It was a paradise for the aborigines, whose native costumes, and adventurous but precarious life were a startling revelation to such an explorer as Champlain, coming as he did from the refinements of the French courts of the 1 6th and 1 7th centuries. These warlike tribes continued to traverse the lake long after its discovery. Their canoes formed picturesque flotillas on its blue waters surrounded by densely shaded, lofty and alluring mountains, which ever since have been the admiration of tourists. The first attempted settlement of the whites in the valley was at Isle La Motte, once the camping ground of the Algonquin and Iroquois Indians, where a Jesuit mission station was established in 1642. A fort was built there by Sieur de la Motte in 1 665-6, which was dedicated to Ste. Anne on the 26th day of July, 1 666, when high mass was cele- brated for the first time, in the presence of the famous Carignan-Salieres Regiment of 600 veterans and 1 50 Indians that had rendezvoused there at the command of M. de Tracy. Thereafter Fort Ste. Anne was the stopping place for such expeditions as those under Captain John Schuyler in 1690, Major Peter Schuyler in The Champlain Tercentenary 1 69 1 , Captain John Schuyler on September 2, 1 698, and Richard Mont- gomery and General Philip Schuyler in I 775. Parkman has said : " Through the midst of the great Canadian wilder- ness stretched Lake Champlain pointing straight to the heart of the British settlements — a watery thoroughfare of neutral attack, and the only approach by which without a long detour by wilderness or sea a hostile army could come within striking distance of the colony." In 1 73 1 the settlement was begun at Windmill Point, where a stone windmill was built. In 1731 Fort St. Frederic was built at Crown Point in honor of the French Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Frederic Maurepas, by Marquis de Beauharnois, Governor-General of Canada; and in 1 755 Fort Carillon was built at Ticonderoga, and attempted settlements were made at each of these places and at Chimney Point; the latter place was said to be abandoned when visited by Robert Rogers, the famous scout, in 1 756. In 1755 Baron Dieskau, in command of 3,573 men, including such troops as could be assembled at Montreal, made an expedition through the lake to Crown Point and Ticonderoga, where he left detachments of troops; and marching southward, engaged the British troops under com- mand of General William Johnson at the head of Lake George, where General Dieskau was wounded. The latter was taken a prisoner to the tent of General Johnson; his forces were repulsed and retreated to Ticon- deroga. Montcalm succeeded him in command, proceeded up the lake with his forces in 200 canoes and arrived at Fort Carillon in July, 1 757. After some months devoted to preparation, he succeeded in taking Fort William Henry. Captain Robert Rogers and Captain Israel Putnam, while the French were at Lake George, attempted to capture Fort St. Frederic, but without avail. Of this entire period the historian, Peter S. Palmer, says: "The lake now presented a most lively appearance; canoes, bateaux and schooners were constantly passing and repassing between Canada and Crown Point and Ticonderoga, transporting troops from point to point, and were loaded with supplies and ammunition. It so con- State of New York tinued during the Revolutionary period." Following the French and Indian War, settlements were made about Lake Champlain, the most important of which was that of Major Philip Skene at Skenesborough, now Whitehall, in I 761, although a settlement was undoubtedly effected at Swanton Falls sometime prior thereto, and several other settlements were formed about the lake from that time on. One of the most thrilling episodes in Champlciin history was the capture of Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys, on May 10, 1775, and on the following morning Colonel Warner captured Crown Point. On May 14th of that year Captain Benedict Arnold proceeded with a small force on a schooner down the lake toward St. John's, where he seized a sloop, and immediately returned up the river and reached Crown Point in safety. These daring exploits won popular confidence in the ultimate success of the Colonies, and it was decided to assemble such troops as were available at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. In the meantime boats were built at Skenesborough, Ticonderoga and Crown Point for transportation down the lake to meet the forces assembling under Governor Sir Guy Carleton on the Richelieu river. Brigadier- General Richard Montgomery embarked at Crown Point on September 4, I 775, with such troops as were there, and was followed by General Philip Schuyler with the remaining troops. General Schuyler overtook Montgomery at Isle La Motte, and they proceeded to Isle aux Noix, which they fortified to prevent the passage of any sloop up the river into the lake. General Montgomery afterwards captured St. John's and Montreal, and proceeded to Quebec, where he afterwards lost his life in attempting to scale the Heights of Abraham, while General Schuyler, owing to ill health, returned to Albany. In the spring of 1 776 General Sullivan, finding the American forces reduced by sickness, desertion and death, decided to abandon the con- quest of Canada, and to return to Ticonderoga. The sick w'ere taken on board boats at St. John's the last of June and transported to Isle aux Noix, Point au Fer, and Isle La Motte. Point au Fer was fortified, and the sick there cared for until they could be sent to Crown Point, which The Champlain Tercentenary transfer was made under most unfavorable circumstances, in leaky boats, with more or less exposure to the inclemency of the weather. Benjamin Franklin, in returning from Montreal to Ticonderoga in June, 1 776, was conveyed in a similar manner, in an open boat, although seventy years of age and not in the best of health. The preparation for the naval engagements on Lake Champlain taxed the resources of the colonists about Lake Champlain in the building and equipping of a small fleet in command of Benedict Arnold, which engaged the enemy at Valcour Island on October 11,1 776. Captain Pringle was in charge of the British fleet, which was larger and better equipped and heavier gunned than the American fleet. The skill and bravery exhibited by Benedict Arnold on that occasion won for him the plaudits of General Washington and the Continental Congress, and his escape with such of his vessels as were not destroyed, is considered one of the remarkable achievements in the annals of American naval warfare. Several places in and about the lake were made memorable by that engagement, which consisted of two engagements, one on the 1 1 th and one on the 13th of October, and extended through a large portion of the lake; and though he was unsuccessful in overcoming the stronger British fleet, he acquitted himself with such adroitness and valor as to satisfy the colonists that in such commanders as he there were not lacking naval and military qualities of a high order. Captain A. T. Mahan, in an article in Scribners Magazine for Feb- ruary, 1898, says: " Considering its raw material and the recency of its organization, words can scarcely exaggerate the heroism of the resistance which undoubtedly depended chiefly upon the military qualities of its leader; the little American navy on Lake Champlain was wiped out, but never had any force, big or little, lived to better purpose or died more gloriously, for it saved the lake for that year." Crown Point fell as a result of the defeat of the American navy, and was occupied by the British for two weeks, when General Carleton became satisfied that Ticonderoga was sufficiently manned by the force under General Gates to withstand an assault. On November 3d General State of New York Carleton withdrew his troops to Canada, and the force under General Gates at Ticonderoga immediately took possession of it. During the following year Lake Champlain was the scene of the most important military expedition, under the command of General John Burgoyne, who with his troops embarked at St. John's on vessels, and proceeded through the lake, feasting 400 Indians, including the Iroquois, Algonquins, Abenakis and Ottawas, at a camp upon the River Boquet, at Willsborough, on June 21, 1777, on which occasion he appealed to them to unite with his Majesty's forces in America in making war against the common enemy. Answer was made to this speech by the chief of the Iroquois, in which he said: " In proof of the sincerity of our pro- fessions, our whole villages able to go to war, are come forth." Bur- goyne was censured in Parliam.ent by Fox, Burke and Chatham, for employing Indians as a part of his military forces. His defeat at Saratoga wrought his discomfiture and his condemnation by Parliament. After the withdrawal of his forces from Lake Champlain, it con- tinued to be the scene of military expeditions and " mysterious naval movements of the British," whose vessels frequently entered the lake and " kept the northern frontier," says Palmer, " in a state of ceaseless inquietude and alarm." The British did not give up possession of Point au Fer until 1 788, five years after the treaty of peace. Thereafter Lake Champlain passed into the sovereign control of the United States and so remained until the second war with Great Britain. The naval engagement on Lake Champlain in the War of 1812 was one of the two principal engagements of the American navy, and was conducted with much skill on the part of Commander Thomas Mac- donough, in command of the American fleet, against Captain George Downie, in command of the British fleet, which was larger and heavier gunned. Mr. Walter H. Crockett, in his " History of Lake Champlain." says that the American fleet consisted of fourteen craft, aggregating 2,244 tons, manned by 882 men and carrying 86 guns, and that the British fleet was composed of 16 vessels, aggregating 2,402 tons, carry- Copyriplit ami by c<nirtisy of Ilnrris .V Ewint;. W:ishingtr.n, D. C. PRESIDENT WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT The Champlain Tercentenary 9 ing approximately 937 men and 92 guns.* The engagement lasted two hours and a half, and nearly every spar on both fleets was shot away. Macdonough's victory was complete, and a gold medal was awarded to Macdonough by Congress, thanking him for his " decisive and splendid victory." TTieodore Roosevelt, in his " Naval War of 1812," pays this tribute to him: " Macdonough, in this battle, won a higher fame than any other commander of the war. * * * Down to the time of the Civil War he is the greatest figure in our naval history." This victory cleared Lake Champlain of British war vessels, and made the lake famous the world over. Since that time its sovereign control by the United States has been secure, and its waters became the highways of a peaceful and prosperous commerce, and its attractiveness and beauty have been such as to engage the attention of Americans and tourists from other lands, who are wont to compare it with the Lakes of Como, Lugano and Maggiore, the resorts for centuries of pleasure seekers of European nations. * Nceser's " Slalistical Tables of the U. S. Navy" slates that Dovvnie had 16 vessels, carrying 95 guns and 897 men. II. EVOLUTION OF THE CELEBRATION PROJECT II II. EVOLUTION OF THE CELEBRATION PROJECT THE DECISIVE EVENTS which have been noted may serve to point out the successive periods of domination in the Champlain valley, by the aborigines, by the French, the British, and the A^mencan patriots. Without entering here more fully upon the general course of history, it will be seen that the Champlain valley, even in its wars, rivals in importance any other portion of our national domain, the greater battle- fields of the Civil War alone excepted. But the significance of its history is not merely in its military record. It has been closely identified with many of the great civic events and political movements which have exerted a marked influence upon the character of our institutions. In its story are inseparably woven events of colonial, state, national and international sig- nificance, many of which have had a direct bearing on the course of our national life and in moulding our institutions. The marking of anniversaries of historic events with celebrations of an historic character, has long been, in many lands, a popular and a worthy form of commemoration. The use of historic costumes, of floats and other devices in brilliant pageants, has especially in recent years come into high favor, notably on great historical occasions at London, Warwick, St. John and Quebec. At the last two named, the celebrations com- memorated the exploits and fame of Samuel Champlain. The people of the Champlain valley, desirous of suitably observing the 300th anni- versary of its discovery, early conceived the idea of an historical celebra- tion, which should combine historical or symbolic pageantry with appro- priate religious and literary features. Tlie interest of the American people in such celebration as that at Yorktown in 1881, the centennial of the inauguration of George Wash- ington as the first President of the United States at New York in 1889, the historic phases of the Philadelphia Exposition of 1876, the Columbian 13 14 State of New York Exposition at Chicago in 1893, the St. Louis Exposition of 1904, and still others, leaves no room for doubt but that Americans, quite as gen- erally as the people of other nations, are deeply concerned in whatever has contributed in any way to the extent and development of their country and to the formation and character of its civil and religious institutions. They believe that the more these are studied and the better they are under- stood, the stronger will be the reliance of the people on the broad and humane principles that underlie the fabric of our republican form of government, for whose preservation should be begot in the minds of all classes unwavering loyalty and the willingness to pour out the last full measure of personal devotion. The historic portions of our country, young in years though they be, have been the theaters where have been enacted deadly tragedies, involving human life and our national sov- ereigntj' and are therefore suggestive of many examples of true and lofty patriotism, " the type most needed in this age and most useful to mankind,' as was said by the historian, Leclcy, m defining an ideal. The discovery, subjugation and settlement of various parts of the country involved efforts, sacrifices and hardships on the part of many, worthy of emulation, and these through pageant, realistic presentation, or other- wise, cannot too often be called to the attention of successive generations, destined to occupy and ultimately to control this land, dedicated as it is to the principles of civil and religious liberty. Love of country is born of a knowledge of its institutions, its traditions and history, wherein are revealed the lives of its people and their heroic achievements. Such motives as these from time to time have actuated the people of this country to celebrate some of the important events in our history and led to the inception of the Tercentenary Celebration of the Discovery of Lake Champlain by Samuel Champlain in the month of July, 1609, which with attending circumstances proved to be crucial in determining the character of the language, laws and institutions of the people of the Province of Ne^v York. It was thought that such a cele- bration might also very properly commemorate some of the thrilling events of state, national and international import, that occurred in the The Champlain Tercentenary Champlain valley during the two centuries following its discovery, for no other part of our domain is richer in historic lore. This conception of the scope of the celebration was largely realized as will be seen from a perusal of the programme of exercises that followed. The Quebec Tercentenary, under the direction of the well known manager, Frank Lascelles, a graduate of Oxford, who was consulted on several occasions in relation to the scope of the Champlain celebration, was such a success that the people of Vermont and New York con- cluded that a celebration less pretentious and less spectacular, but still realistic enough to picture the discovery and aboriginal life of the Cham- plain valley and extensive enough to recall some of the stirring events which have made Lake Champlain famous in two hemispheres, might very properly engage the attention and warrant the participation of these states and of the Federal Government in its preparation and fulfillment. To Vermont belongs tlie credit of taking the first official action in the matter. Early in November, 1906, the Hon. Robert W. McCuen, a member from Vergennes, introduced in the House of Representatives of Vermont, a resolution which, as finally adopted and approved by Governor Proctor, November 15th, read as follows: Joint Resolution for the Appointment of a Commission for the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the Discovery of Lake Champlain. Resolved fcj) the Senate and House of Representatives: Whereas, The discovery of Lake Champlain was an event in history fully as important as many others that have been recognized by various States, as well as by the National Government, and Whereas, The three hundredth anniversary of such discovery will occur on July 4, 1 909. it is hereby Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives: That this event should be observed in a fitting manner, and to bring about an observance commensurate with its importance there is hereby provided a commission consisting of the Governor, who shall be chairman, ex officio, and six other members to be appointed by the Governor before January I, 1907, one of whom shall act as secretary. Said 16 State of New York commission is hereby empowered to adopt such measures as in its judgment may be reasonable or necessary to bring about the fitting observance of such event. And, as the interests of the State of New York and the Dominion of Canada are alhed with those of Vermont in such observance, it is hereby recommended that said commission confer with the proper authorities of New York and Canada to ascer- tain what action they or either of them will take with Vermont in making the observ- ance of this event successful and a credit to all : and that the commission report the result of such efforts, together with its recommendations to the General Assembly of 1908. The members of said commission shall receive no pay for services rendered, except their necessary expenses. The secretary of said commission shall be allowed such sum for services rendered as may be fixed by said commission. The Auditor of Accounts is hereby authorized to draw an order for such expenses and allowance when approved by the Governor. Thomas C. Cheney, Speaker of the House of Represenlalives. George H. Prouty, President of the Senate. Approved November 15, 1906. Fletcher D. Proctor, Governor. Immediately upon its approval. Governor Proctor called the matter to the attention of Senator Henry W. Hill, of Buffalo, who was at Mont- pelier, Vt., at the time, and suggested that he prepare and introduce a similar resolution in the Legislature of New York. Governor Proctor, who was ex officio chairman of the Vermont Com- mission, appointed as the other members thereof the followmg gentle- men: Walter E. Howard, Lynn M. Hays, Horace W. Bailey, M. D. McMahon, R. W. McCuen and Walter H. Crockett. Some members of the Vermont Commission presented the matter to Governor Hughes, Senators H. Wallace Knapp, Henry W. Hill and others, at Albany, and also to Sir Wilfred Laurier at Ottawa. Both executives were impressed with the importance and desirability of such Copyriplit nnd l-y courtesy of MolTett Studio, Chicago, 111. GOVERNOR CHARLES E. HUGHES GOVERNOR GEORGE H. PROUTY Chairman of the Vermont Commission The Champlain Tercentenary a celebration. On April 1 5, 1 907, Senator Hill offered in the Senate of New York the following concurrent resolution, which passed the Senate that day and the Assembly on the next day : Whereas, The discovery of Lake Champlain by Samuel Champlain in July, 1 609, antedates the discovery by the whites of any other portion of the terri- tory now comprising the State of New York, and was an event worthy of com- memoration in the annals of the State and nation; and Whereas, The State of Vermont, in 1906, appointed a commission consisting of the Governor of that State and six other commissioners, to confer with commis- sioners to be appointed on the part of New York and the Dominion of Canada, to ascertain what action, if any, ought to be taken by such States and the Dominion of Canada for the observance of such tercentenary; therefore, be it Resolved (if the Assembly concur). That a commission, consisting of the Governor, who shall be chairman ex officio, two citizens to be designated by him, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, two Senators, to be designated by the Lieutenant-Governor, and two members of the Assembly, to be designated by the Speaker, be appointed to represent the State of New York at such confer- ence, with power to enter into negotiations with the commissioners representing the State of Vermont and those representing the Dominion of Canada for the observance of such tercentenary, and that such commission report the results of their negotia- tions, together with their recommendations thereon, to the Legislature of 1 908. That such commissioners receive no pay for their services and that their necessary expenses be paid by the State, but such payment shall not exceed the amount expressly appropriated therefor; Resolved (if the Assembly concur). That the resolution relating to the same subject, introduced by Senator Hill, passed by the Senate on the tenth day of April, and concurred in by the Assembly, be and is hereby rescinded. In support of the resolution Senator Hill dwelt upon the fact that Champlain was the first white man to enter what is now New York State. He called attention to the great part the Champlain valley has sustained as a highway both for the passage of war parties and of armies, and of the messengers of peace, of civilization and of commerce. Its agreeable summer climate and scenic charm were additional arguments in favor of the proposed celebration. 18 State of New York Under this concurrent resolution of April 15, 1907, was created the Lake Champlain Tercentenary Commission of New York State. The report of that first or preliminary commission was sent to the Senate by Governor Hughes on March 23, 1908. As it contains a full record of the action taken in behalf of New York State, up to the time when it was sent to the Senate, and includes many matters germane thereto, it may properly constitute the next chapter in our narrative and is given in full, in the following pages. Hi. REPORT OF THE FIRST LAKE CHAMPLAIN TERCENTENARY COMMISSION April 15. 1907. to March 23. 1908 19 III. REPORT OF THE FIRST LAKE CHAMPLAIN TERCENTENARY COMMISSION To the Legislature of the State of Neiv York: The Lake Champlain Tercentenary Commission of New York State respectfull)'^ submits the following report of action taken, and suggestions for proposed action in the matter for which the Commission was created. April 15, 1907, Mr. Hill offered in the Senate the following Con- current Resolution, authorizing the appointment of a commission to con- fer with Commissioners from Vermont and the Dominion of Canada in relation to the observance of the tercentenary of Lake Champlain : RESOLUTION CREATING THE COMMISSION Whereas, The discovery of Lake Champlain by Samuel Champlain, on July 4, 1 609, antedates the discovery by the whites of any other portion of the territory now comprising the State of New York, and was an event worthy of commemoration in the annals of the State and nation, and Whereas, The State of Vermont, in 1906, appointed a commission consisting of the Governor of that State and six other commissioners, to confer with com- missioners to be appointed on the part of New York and the Dominion of Canada, to ascertain what action, if any, ought to be taken by such States and the Dominion of Canada for the observance of such tercentenary ; Therefore, be H Resolved (if the Assembly concur), that a commission, consist- ing of the Governor, who shall be chairman ex officio, two citizens to be designated by him, the Lieutenant-Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, two Senators, to be designated by the Lieutenant-Governor, and two members of the Assembly, to be designated by the Speaker, be appointed to represent the State of New York at such conference, with power to enter into negotiations with the commissioners representing the State of Vermont and those representing the Dominion of Canada for the observance of such tercentenary, and that such commission report the results of their negotiations, together with their recommendations thereon, to the Legislature of 1908. That such commissioners receive no pay for their services and that their necessary expenses be paid by the State, but such payment shall not exceed the amount expressly appropriated therefor. 21 22 State of New York The foregoing resolution was adopted by the Senate April 15, 1907, and by the Assembly concurring without amendment April 1 6, 1 907. For the expenses of the Commissioners appointed under this resolution, $2,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, was appropriated by Chapter 578 of the Laws of 1907. Governor Hughes appointed as members of said Commission the Hon. Frank S. Witherbee of Port Henry, and the Hon. John H. Booth of Plattsburgh. The Lieutenant-Governor designated the Hon. Henry W. Hill of Buffalo, and the Hon. John C. R. Taylor of Middletown. The Speaker of the Assembly named the Hon. Alonson T. Dominy of Beekmantown, and the Hon. James A. Foley of New York city. JOINT MEETING OF THE NEW YORK AND VERMONT COMMISSIONS At a joint meeting of the New York and Vermont Commissions, held at Hotel Champlain, Bluff Point, September 6, 1907, His Excel- lency Governor Hughes presiding. Governor Proctor, of Vermont, and six members of the Vermont Commission were present, as were also all of the New York Commission, except the Lieutenant-Governor, the Speaker, and the Hon. Frank S. Witherbee, absent in Europe. Mr. Victor H. Paltsits, State Historian of New York, also attended by invitation. Mr. Frank H. Severance of Buffalo was chosen Secretary of the New York State Commission. The Chairman stated the general purpose of the Commissions and the desirability of reaching definite suggestions for carrying out the work. On motion of Senator Hill, a sub-committee of three was created, to be appointed by the Chair, the Governor being Chairman ex officio of the said sub-committee, who should confer with the Secretary of State at Washington as to advisable steps to be taken in regard to bringing the proposed celebration to the attention of the Republic of France, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Dominion of Canada. The Champlain Tercentenary 23 The sub-committee subsequently appointed consisted of Hon. Henry W. Hill, Chairman; Hon. Frank S. Witherbee and Hon. John H. Booth. A TOUR OF INSPECTION A tour of inspection of historic sites on Lake Champlain having been determined upon, members of the two Commissions, including the Governor of New York, the Governor of Vermont, and a few guests, left Hotel Champlain on the morning of September 7, 1907, on two yachts. As they passed northward, places of historic interest were pointed out, and every island, every bay and headland, was found to have its asso- ciations. The attention of your Commission was especially directed at the outset to Valcour island, just off the New York shore near Platts- burgh. This island, now in part owned by the Federal Government, has played an important part in three wars. On October 13, 1759, Captain Loring of Amherst's army pursued a French schooner and three sloops under the shelter of Valcour. Two of the sloops were here sunk, and the third was run aground by her crew. The naval engage- ment of October 11,1 776, between the American and British fleets, was off Valcour; which was also within the theater of the engagement of September II, 1814. Other islands in this part of the lake share the history of these events. It was from Schuyler's island, October 1 2, I 776, that Benedict Arnold wrote to General Gates, announcing the loss of two vessels of the Ameri- can fleet. The commissioners crossed the bay which was the scene of Mac- donough's brilHant victory of September 11, 1814, in which the American loss was, according to Neeser's " Statistical Tables of the U. S. Navy," 52 killed and 59 wounded, and the British loss, accord- ing to the same authority, 84 killed and 1 1 0 wounded. Special note was taken of Crab Island, where the Americans placed their sick, September 7th to 10th, and where the convalescent soldiers built and 24 State cf New York manned a battery. Here is the burial-ground where were interred the soldiers and marines killed in the battle of September 11, 1814. Just beyond we passed Cumberland Head, with associations not only of the War of 1812, but of the Revolution. Here it was, in June, 1 111 , that Burgoyne's army rested for several days. Further north, on the New York side. Point au Fer was passed. This famous point, visited by many of the early expeditions, was fortified by General Sullivan in 1 776. In June of the next year it was occupied by Burgoyne; and the British remained in possession until 1788, after the close of the war. 