Mr. Gregg's Oration Requested (The Polynesian, 1854)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, July 15, 1854

As stated in our last, a vote was unanimously passed by the immense assembly on the 4th of July, thanking Mr. G. for his Oration, and requesting a copy for publication in the English and Hawaiian languages.

Subsequently, a Committee was named to carry out the design of the meeting, and the following correspondence will show what has been done in the matter.

The Oration is now in the hands of the Translator, and the whole will be issued in a pamphlet form, as soon as possible after the translation is completed.

HONOLULU, 6th July, 1854.

SIR, -It is our honorable duty, as a Committee by appointment, to make known to you, that the following resolution was passed by an unanimous vote, after the delivery of the Oration on the 4th inst., at the celebration of American Independence.

"RESOLVED, That the thanks of the American Residents be tendered to the Hon. David L. Gregg, for the very eloquent, patriotic and independent oration delivered this day, and that a copy of the same be requested for publication in English and Hawaiian, for gratuitous distribution."

Requesting your acceptance of the thanks tendered, the Committee would express their earnest wish that you should comply with the desire of the American residents, by furnishing us with a copy of the oration for publication.

We have the honor to remain your obedient servants,

BARNUM W. FIELD,

EDWIN O. HALL,

RICHARD COADY

HON. D.L. Gregg,
U.S. Commissioner,
&c. &c. &c., Honolulu.

__________________

REPLY OF MR. GREGG.

HONOLULU, July 8, 1854.

GENTLEMEN, - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 6th inst., and as requested, to place in your hands for publication, a copy of the discourse pronounced by me on the late anniversary of American Independence. 

I am grateful to my countrymen for the kind manner in which they have testified their approval of my humble effort to do justice to the men and the principles of the revolution of 1776. I only claim the credit of a disposition to express and carry out, on all suitable occasions, the sentiments and policy which become an American citizen, -yielding to the "rest of mankind" a proper and considerate courtesy, but never submitting to the arrogance of those who hate our free institutions, and make it the business of their lives to misrepresent, to vilify and bring them into contempt. To such persons, whoever they may be, I profess no obligations, and for them, feel no respect. If what I thought it incumbent on me to say, places the stamp of falsehood upon their conduct, the fault is their own, -not mine. It is enough for me to enjoy your sympathy and confidence, and that of my fellow-countrymen. I ask no prouder distinction than that of an American citizen, and desire no higher earthly approval than such as comes from those who boast of the same glorious privilege.

Tendering, through you, my sincere thanks to the American residents of Honolulu, and the many who joined them on the 4th, in honoring the principles of American Independence,

I remain your obedient servant,
DAVID L. GREGG.
To Messrs. FIELD, HALL AND COADY,
Committee, &c.