CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE
July 23, 1968
Page 22855
DEDICATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. CROIX ISLAND AS A NATIONAL MONUMENT.
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, It was my privilege recently to take part in the dedication of St. Croix Island in Maine as a national monument.
The island, in the St. Croix River, the international boundary between Maine's Washington County and Canada's Province of New Brunswick, was the first settlement in the northern part of the new world.
This tiny island, picturesque and serene today, gives no hint of the dramatic life and death struggle that took place there in 1604 when Samuel De Champlain and Sieur deMonts and 100 soldiers and traders landed and tried to found a settlement.
The program for the dedication ceremony includes a brief history of St. Croix Island and describes the island's significance to us today. I ask unanimous consent that appropriate parts of the program, as marked, appear in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the excerpts were ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. CROIX ISLAND
Saint Croix Island, selected by Sieur De Monts and Samuel De Champlain in June, 1604, as the site of the first European settlement on the Atlantic Coast north of Florida, is deeply rooted in a number of aspects of the culture and tradition of the North American civilization. On this Island was heralded New France and the permanent occupation of America by one of Europe's most virile races, who together with the English would later subdue and populate the New World.
Here, too, Christianity was established in both of its great forms, because both Catholicism and Protestantism were represented in the De Monts' party by a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister together with communicants of both faiths. The North American tradition of enduring severe adversities in the hope of great accomplishments was clearly demonstrated by the courage and determination with which these original settlers faced the hardships experienced on the Island during the winter of 1604-05.
When the settlers came ashore on Saint Croix, to lay out and construct their abodes and fortifications, they set in motion the long struggle between the two great European Empires for the conquest and control of the world's richest continent.
In the year preceding the arrival of the French settlers at Saint Croix Island, De Monts, who had been deeply interested in certain futile attempts to establish a French Colony on the Saint Lawrence River, obtained from King Henry IV on November 8, 1603, a patent appointing him Lieutenant General of the territory called Acadia between the fortieth and forty-sixth degrees of latitude with power "to take and divide the lands, to create offices of war, justice and policy, to prescribe laws and ordinances, to make war and peace, to build forts and establish towns, establish garrisons and convert the savages." Later, on December 8, 1603, De Monts patent was extended to provide him with a monopoly on the fur trade between the fortieth degree of latitude and Cape Razo (Cape Race).
As the Lord of Acadia, De Monts set sail from France on April 7, 1604, in company with over 120 men in two vessels of 150 and 120 tons capacity. Among the members of the expedition were many skilled workmen and a number of vagabonds. (De Monts had a clause in his commission which enabled him to round out the strength of his party by impressment of idlers and vagabonds). With him as King's Geographer and, as it proved, historian, sailed one of the great men of France, Samuel de Champlain. The vessel carrying De Monts and Champlain reached Cape La Have on May 8, 1604, the other made land at Canso and proceeded to Port Mouton (all on the eastern shore of the Nova Scotian peninsula). De Monts remained with his vessel at Cape La Have and dispatched Champlain in a small bark of eight tons, to explore the coast. Champlain sailed westward around Cape Sable and entered the Bay of Fundy. He then returned to report his findings to De Monts and a few days later the vessel was brought to anchor in Saint Mary's Bay. Failing to find a suitable place for fortification in the area of Saint Mary's Bay they explored a number of other points, including what was later to be the site of Port Royal, but finally entered Passamaquoddy Bay and discovered the Island which De Monts called Saint Croix or Holy Cross Island because of the resemblance of the meeting of the rivers above the island to a cross.
Landing was made on Saint Croix Island between the 25th and 27th of June, 1604 (no accurate record of the exact date exists) and a decision was made to settle here and thus, the first settlement of New France was established.
The selection of the Saint Croix Island was dictated to some extent by the strategic advantages offered by the island's terrain. Champlain described the island as easy to fortify and pointed out that vessels could pass up the river only at the mercy of the mounted cannon.
Work was begun at once to establish "a stout defense" of the island and the workmen were engaged in building houses "for our abode." An oven was built and a hand operated grist mill constructed for grinding wheat. Searching parties were dispatched in different directions and at intervals to search for copper mines.
De Monts sent his vessels back to France and they departed Saint Croix Island in August 1604.
Gardens were planted on the island and according to Champlain, thrived at first but soon withered because of the sun, sandy soil and lack of fresh water other than natural rainfall.
Clearings were made on the mainland for gardens and some wheat was sown in land cleared "at the falls, three leagues from the settlement." The wheat came up well, ripened and was presumably harvested.
Winter came early in 1604 and caught the settlers unprepared. Snow fell on October 6, 1604, and on the third of December Champlain recorded that ice passed down by the island. The cold was sharp, and more severe than the settlers have ever experienced.
A serious illness, described by Champlain as mar de la terre broke out among the colonists and before the spring of 1605, thirtyfive members of the settlement died of its effects and were buried on the island. Detailed description of the sickness as set forth in Champlain's writings suggest it was severe scurvy.
During the winter the settlement's liquor was frozen except for the "Spanish Wine." Champlain said "cider was dispensed by the pound." The settlers were obliged to use very bad water and melted snow for drinking purposes as there were no springs or brooks on the island.
The dependence on food preserved in salt, the widespread sickness, the many deaths and the severity of the cold winter produced much discontent in Sieur De Monts and others of the settlement.
In March 1605, the local Indians brought game to the island and exchanged it for bread. Fear began to spread in April, 1604, as the vessels dispatched to France during the previous August failed to return. On June 15, 1605, a shallop arrived bearing one of the Captains of De Monts' ships informing the latter that his ship was anchored only six leagues away. On June 16, 1605, the vessel from France anchored off Saint Croix Island and word was received that another vessel was enroute from France with provisions and supplies.
On June 18, 1605, De Monts together with Champlain set out in a barque "in search of another abode ... better adapted . . , and with better temperature than our own." The search was unsuccessful and De Monts returned to Saint Croix Island resolved to return to France. The arrival of Sieur De Pont Grave with forty men to aid him, caused De Mont to change his mind about returning to France and it was decided to move the settlement to a place called Port Royal.
Two barques were loaded with the framework of the principal buildings on Saint Croix Island and these were moved to Port Royal, "twenty-five leagues distance, where we thought the climate was much more temperate and agreeable."
Such is the history of Saint Croix Island in resume form and as extracted in part from Samuel de Champlain's narrative.
Here on Saint Croix Island the French settlers met the wilderness of North America in its most robust setting. Here was begun the chain of events which would culminate in the comparative success of Port Royal (1605) and the establishment of a solid French community at Quebec (1608). This Saint Croix Island was the harsh training ground, the crucible for the establishment of French power on a continent. Here the restless drive of Samuel de Champlain was fed by the natural wonders of the area and the challenges of its potential. From this small island would spring New France, only to be challenged by the superior strategy of the English in a struggle that eventually ended in British supremacy.
U.S. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FUTURE PLANS FOR ST. CROIX ISLAND NATIONAL MONUMENT
The purpose of St. Croix Island National Monument is to commemorate the early French settlement in North America and to provide the visitor with an understanding of the significance of this event.
To attain these objectives, the National Park Service has prepared a comprehensive plan to develop, administer and interpret this national monument. This plan includes the following: extensive archeological and historical research; erosion control of the south end of the island; construction of visitor use and administrative facilities on both the mainland and the island; provision of boat access to the island; preservation and exhibition of remains of the settlement; provision of skilled interpretive services during the summer season; and acquisition of additional lands needed to fully interpret the settlement.
Physical remains of the French colony have survived below the surface of the ground. A comprehensive and thorough archeological project will be undertaken to locate such remains and, if possible, stabilize them for display to the visitor. Funds for this project have already been made available, and it is anticipated that this "dig" will be begun in the near future.
Present day maps compared with Chainplain's 1604 map reveal that tidal action has caused extensive erosion of the island's south shore. A study is planned to determine what can be done to arrest the erosion of the island's southerly bluffs and to implement the most practicable measure of control.
A visitor center with parking area is planned for construction on the peninsula just north of Beaver Creek Cove, also known as Plaster Mill Cove. Space will be provided in this building for the following: a lobby for reception and information; an exhibit room; a glassed terrace to face the island with viewing and audiovisual devices; an open deck leading to the dock; restrooms;an administrative office; a library; and a maintenance facility.
On St. Croix Island an interpretive-maintenance building will probably be integrated with the docking facility there.
Boat access to and from the island is planned as a concession operation, if possible. A main dock will be constructed at Beaver Creek Cove, also known as Plaster Mill Cove, with another along the northwest shore of St. Croix Island.
On the island itself a suggestive re-creation of the historic scene is possible and should be undertaken. The habitation area will be developed through use of surviving foundations; markers or plantings will indicate the various buildings and structures of the settlement; and if data is available, one of the smaller buildings may be reconstructed as an aid to visualization of the early scene. The garden should be replanted if evidence of its appearance can be found, and the cemetery area should be kept in lawn and appropriately marked. A self-guiding tour route with interpretive signs at the exhibit sites will be developed.
St. Croix Island National Monument is planned to be operated on a seasonal basis as a coordinated area under the superintendent of Acadia National Park. General oversight will be the responsibility of a permanent interpretive staff member based at Acadia but resident at St. Croix during the visitor season. His services will be supplemented by trained seasonal interpretive personnel. A permanent caretaker-maintenance man resident in the area will provide year-round maintenance and protection.
A modest increase in acreage on the mainland is desired in order to develop and interpret the mainland garden site as well as to provide public access to an especially advantageous viewing point west of U.S. Route 1, which is within the present Monument lands.
OTHER NAMES BY WHICH ST. CROIX ISLAND HAS BEEN KNOWN
Based on extensive research accomplished by historians of the 19th and early 20th century, reasonably acceptable explanations are available for the names given to Saint Croix Island during the centuries following its discovery. Although originally named St. Croix Island by its European discoverer, De Monts, and so recorded in the accounts written by Champlain and Lescarbot, the early history of the island dimmed in the years that followed and other names were given to the island at intervals down through the years.
Matnagwish
The Passamaquoddy Indians called it by a number of variants of Matnagwish. This name even survived the De Monts-Champlain settlement and appeared several times in the manuscripts of the Boundary Commission in testimony taken from the Indians in 1796-1797. It was so called because the Indians left their stores on the island when they went hunting, "as no bears or other wild beasts sat down there."
Neutral
During the war of 1812, despite the fact that the United States was locked in combat with the British Empire, much business was conducted under near normal conditions between New England and British merchants. St. Croix Island apparently served as a base where British and American merchantmen met, safely away from the U.S. Customs Office in Eastport, to exchange cargoes. Through this sort of activity, the island became known as Neutral Island and this name appears on a number of maps drawn subsequent to 1812.
DeMonts
The name of DeMonts was formally given to the St. Croix Island in 1866, by the officers of the United States Coast Survey. This action was apparently based on a descriptive name rather than a formal title used in the preceding year by Parkman in his "Pioneers of France." While the name DeMonts was used for a while by the U.S. Coast Survey, its use was later discontinued in the publication of Lighthouse Lists and the Hydrographic Charts.
Bone
The name Bone Island first appears on Wright's map of the region made in 1772. This name persisted until 183I and then disappeared in usage. No facts exist to explain the basis for this name.
It is believed that the cemetery containing the bodies of the 35 scurry victims of the winter of 1604-1605 may have become opened by the tidal erosion thus exposing their bones and giving rise to the name. No documentation is available.
Big or Great
Big or Great appeared in some deeds relating to St. Croix Island in 1820 and again in 1869. These forms did not come into general use.
Dochet
For many years, St. Croix Island was known as Dochet Island. Research on the name conducted by 19th and early 20th century historians established no documented basis for the name. It was discovered in documents dated as early as 1797 when it was spelled Doceas. It later appeared in manuscripts as Dochez and in 1848 it was spelled Dochet in Owen's Chart, "Quoddy Head to Cape Lepreau."
Canadian Maps of 1859 called it Douchetts and in 1880 Douchette. Local legend would have the name Dochet derive from the name of a young Bayside, St. Andrews or St. Stephen woman named Theodosia who apparently was an active belle of her day. One variant of this legend suggests she had a love affair on the island, accounts of which lived for years in the area, thus causing the island to be referred to as Dosia's Island. Later, it is suggested, historians and map makers incorrectly believing the name Docia to be of French origin proceeded to give it more of a French pronunciation and spelling, thus Dochet and its variants.
Hunts
On some maps printed in 1885, of the St. Croix region by the U.S. Coast Survey (sheets not published as distributed maps), the name Hunts was used for St. Croix Island. Later inquiries in 1886 to the Superintendent of the Coast Survey revealed that this name had been used in error. It was never known or used locally.
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS LEADING TO THE RECOGNITION OF ST. CROIX ISLANDS AS A NATIONAL MONUMENT
1904 -- Bronze Plaque placed on St. Croix Island as a part of an international celebration marking the 300th anniversary of the French settlement of 1604.
1932 -- Stimulated by the interest of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Parker and other local residents, the National Park Service completed a study of the island and approved it as a historical site of national significance.
1935 -- Senator Wallace White of Maine introduced a hill into the Congress to authorize St. Croix Island as a National Monument. No final action was taken on this bill.
June 8, 1949 -- Through the interest of Senator Owen Brewster and other members of the Maine Congressional Delegation, the Act to authorize St. Croix Island National Monument was approved and signed into law. The Act specified that when sufficient lands had been donated, the Secretary of the Interior could establish the area.
1954 -- Attorneys Elbridge B. Davis and Francis A. Brown, both of Calais, take over the title search effort begun for the Parker family by their close friend and attorney, Ernest L. McLean of Augusta, Maine. This voluntary effort required extensive work over a period of years as some of the fractional titles were as small as 1240th. They were assisted by Louis E. Ayoob, city manager of Calais.
1958 -- All United States Coast Guard lands on the island with the exception of a 100' square plot were transferred to the National Park Service.
September 15. 1967 -- Deeds to lands donated by the Parker family to the Federal Government were recorded in Washington County, Maine. This action cleared the way for the formal dedication and establishment of St. Croix Island National Monument.
June 30, 1968 -- Formal dedication of the St. Croix Island National Monument was accomplished under the sponsorship of the United States Park Service and the Calais Chamber of Commerce. A dedication committee headed by Frank H. Fenderson of Calais planned and conducted the dedication ceremonies.
INVOCATION
St. Croix (Holy Cross) Island, you are very fortunate! Two beautiful countries look down upon you, the Dominion of Canada, and the United States of America.
Then, O Lord, the wonders of creation caused a De Monts and a Champlain to land on your shores.
They offered prayers and masses of Thanksgiving. They paid homage to you, their creator for protection from the cold, a place of shelter, a chance to replenish their stores. Here they thanked you for a haven from the open seas.
They in 1604, today we in 1968 pay this same homage to you.
Please keep our countries safe, give us that same moral worth and courage, spiritual motivation and group integrity you gave them. Amen.
(Pronounced by the Rev. J. Andrew Arseneau, pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, Calais, June 30, 1968.)
BENEDICTION
O gracious God, the Lord of all history, we beseech Thee to add Thy blessing to these ceremonies setting aside this island as a national monument. Lord Jesus, who didst stretch out thine arms of love on the hard wood of the Cross, that all men might come within reach of Thy saving embrace, we remember that this island was named in honor of the same Cross and first settled to further the same cause.
Eternal God, we remember before Thee this day all who have preceded us here, especially the native Abenaki to whom Thou first entrusted this land; the first explorers from across the great waters, be they Viking or Portuguese; the first settlers; Sieur de Monts and Samuel de Champlain and their brave company; the settlers from Holland and Great Britain and all others whose lives touch ours in the history of this island of St. Croix.
To our prayers of thanksgiving and remembrance for these brave and adventurous souls, we ask Thy continuing blessing and guidance for this and future generations who will walk these paths once trod by these brave men. At this moment in time as we look with pride to the past, and forward with hope to the future, we acknowledge Thee our Lord. Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
(Pronounced by Rev. Kenneth L. Lindsey, L.TH., pastor of St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Calais, June 30, 1968.)
REMARKS OF ERNEST ALLEN CONNALLY AT THE DEDICATION OF SAINT CROIX NATIONAL MONUMENT, JUNE 30, 1968
Standing here today, all but lost in the beauty of this river valley, I perceive a motive in the French having chosen to make this their first settlement. This is a motive that is not usually considered by historians, but one I feel perfectly in all its forms. And it was undoubtedly love at first sight for the Sieur De Monts in 1604.
I would like today, on this occasion, with citizens of two nations gathered in observances at a celebrated international boundary, to pay tribute to the power of cooperative endeavor. Nineteen years ago almost to the day, representatives of France, Canada. and the United States commemorated here the first settlement of new France. That was the year Congress passed the bill providing for establishment of St. Croix Island National Monument. The principal speaker viewed the island as a "Talisman of international accord," important in that day as it is in this. He saw the island as the beginning point, 3,000 miles from the western terminus of an undefended boundary, significant of mutual accommodation and a shared defense of freedom. A spectacular conception. Today, I would add to this conception to include not only the ability of our peoples to get along together but, as well, to do things together.
Certainly this is in the tradition of St. Croix Island. The conception I have in mind had its start at the beginning of settlement here longer ago than many of us today would suspect. The 79 adventurers from Picardy, who brought France's Fleur de Lis banners to these shores, represented as diverse a lot as could be found anywhere: gentlemen and artisans, traders and men of the professions, the dregs of society as well as priests and ministers.
Like most of you here today, I was brought up to know the name of Champlain, as the first and foremost. Yet we find at their head Pierre Dugua, Sieur De Monts, a member of Henry of Navarre's royal household. De Monts had distinguished himself on the field of battle as one of them -- Calvinist Henry's Protestant supporters during the war of succession. While conducting a crucial military operation he won his Seignury. Now a leader of the settlement, principal figure in the fur-trading company that backed it, he held royal and naval commissions granting him extensive authority. In all fields of activity from exploration to colonizing, he had the final say. When evil befell the adventurers, during the first tragic winter and loss of life was great, so were his burdens. He resolutely shouldered his responsibility, meeting its every demand. His was a colonizing enterprise, expansion to increase commerce, but failure brought with it obscurity. Unlike his principal associates, he wrote no book about his experiences. Yet, in the pages of one who did is this poem of appreciation:
De Monts, it is you whose high courage has traced the way for such a great undertaking, and for this reason, in spite of the effect of times, the leaf of your fame will grow green in an eternal spring.
Samuel de Champlain, the royal geographer, had no interest in gain and went on to larger fame in his chosen field. A Catholic, he was also a zealous Frenchman and he worked well with De Monts. He comes to us through his work as "sedate, sober, observing, insatiably curious, one of the great voyagers of history, desirous of verifying everything."
There were men of the stamp of Marc Lescarbot, who himself had not yet made an appearance. Lescarbot, a lawyer, clever and entertaining writer that he was, explained that he voyaged to the New World "to examine the land with his eye, and to flee a corrupt world." While hunting in the New World's forests he observed that the "solitude and silence which accompany it bring beautiful thoughts to the mind."
There were also vagabonds and ex-convicts among them who discouraged easily when tested.
And there were men of the cloth, Protestant and Catholic. Eleven years before Quebec the mission of the Church began at St. Croix Island. We are told that "a priest and a minister, having died at almost the same time, the sailors who buried them, placed them together in a single grave to see whether when dead they would remain together in peace, since living together they were never able to agree." The ecumenical spirit had already been felt in the New World -- among the laity, at least.
These then were the men of De Monts settlement on St. Croix Island. They might disagree on particulars, but they shared a comraderie that has come down in history. They might dispute points of religious differences, but they held the first observance on Christmas in this entire northern region. And they were the same men who later at Port Royal were capable, though in the wilderness, of organizing the Order of the Good Times.
The next episode demonstrating the peculiar significance of St. Croix Island in the affairs of men took place almost two centuries after De Monts' men had quitted it. It was in the aftermath of the American Revolution, when the time came to define the boundary as laid down in the Paris treaty of 1783. Considerable numbers of Loyalists from New England and New York had occupied lands in New Brunswick, many of them on the island of Passamaquoddy Bay. Wartime feelings were still strong in 1784, when Rufus Putnam, a famous soldier of the continental army, appeared in these waters to make a survey for Massachusetts, whose lands then included the District of Maine. Putnam undertook his commission in full knowledge of its importance, for, as he confided to his Journal, "ascertaining the bounds between the two nations so that no disputes should arise hereafter was a matter of very great consequence to the peace of the two nations."
Not long thereafter, the sheriff of Washington County appeared with a brace of pistols to cow the Loyalists inhabitants of Campobello into paying the poll tax, thus signifying allegiance to Massachusetts. This would prepare the way for a cession in kind.
Such drastic measures led finally to establishment of an international commission another "first" in the history of this country, by the way, to fix the boundary. At this stage Ward Chipman, formerly an attorney in Massachusetts, now one of St. John's Loyalist founders, visited St. Croix Island as agent of the British Crown.
To Chipman's legalistic mind, pinpointing the island would win yet another case -- in this instance establish the St. Croix River, cited in the deed treaty as the boundary between Canada and the United States. This he set out to do by reference to the De Monts settlement, which, as he explained it to Lt. Governor Thomas Carleton, was on the River St. Croix, "called by that name by the Sieur De Monts and Champlain upon their discovery of it in the year 1604 and which has since that time, by the way of eminence, been so called." Had he but known it, he was about to perform an act of rediscovery. Realization finally came on a summer's day in 1796. In Chipman's own words: "Your Excellency may easily imagine my impatience . . And I must confess I have never experienced greater satisfaction than I did . . upon being conducted . . . to a small island not lain down in any Map I have yet seen, situated three or four miles below the Devil's Head......
But his point was not yet won. General Henry Knox, recently retired Secretary of War acting perhaps unofficially for the United States was that moment sailing farther up the same river in a sloop. Naval power itself was among the stakes. Upon the Commission's findings would depend the disposition of acreage comprehending "a most valuable tract remaining in America for the supply of Masts." An unfavorable settlement would cut off "all communications with Lower Canada by the river St. John." What was involved, Chipman concluded, was nothing less
than "the welfare of the Empire at large as well as of this Province in particular." As it turned out, he gained his point. The Commissioners properly identified the St. Croix River, thanks to his carefully prepared briefs; the Empire did not crumble. In backing the accommodations that eventually disposed of the issue, he provided impetus for a settlement.
But in drawing the boundary line right down the middle of the river, the Commissioners in effect put St. Croix within the territorial limits of the United States, as the island stood nearer to the American bank than the Canadian. Chipman alone appears to have mourned the loss to Canada's posterity of what he called fondly "our dear little island." Despite his depth of personal feeling, about what even then could be discerned as an element of Canada's historical heritage, Chipman proved capable of being conciliatory for the sake of the future. A Loyalist who had suffered during the American Revolution, he rose above the past to contribute his bit to an understanding between countries. He gave something and gained something. He had come to recognize the value of working with people.
But to return to this idea of mine, the 19 years since Congress acted on the St. Croix Island bill, have seen many changes in the Federal agency of which I am a part, and with them changes in the way of doing things. While the requirements for ownership of this site were being met, the historic preservation movement in the United States has grown. Ultimately, through the Historic Preservation Act from 1966, the Congress has acknowledged new responsibilities on all levels for support of this movement. My office in the National Park Service has become one of the instruments for realization of the goals laid down by the Congress.
Consistent with this new impulse will be the manner of developing the St. Croix National Monument. This much I can tell you today. A thorough reworking of plans is presently in progress. Historical research had been underway for some time now, research that will leave unturned no document or manuscript, in this country or abroad, of possible value to the project. A phased archeological project, to last two seasons or longer will set out this year to uncover every remaining scrap of evidence beneath the surface of the ground relating to the settlement. What we call in the National Park Service a Master Planning Team is at work putting the pieces together in a plan at once ambitious and practical.
With today's dedication we are on the verge of a new era. It is my privilege to propose here publicly for the first time a return to the spirit of the St. Croix Island and Port Royal settlements.
I am authorized to announce that this country's National Park Service will, as a matter of policy, do everything in its power to make the development and visitor programs for St. Croix Island National Monument joint undertakings, to be shared in full partnership by the United States and the Dominion of Canada.
St. Croix Island is one of the several sites within the territorial limits of the United States having historical importance to the people of Canada -- in this case exceptional importance. It is the most obvious missing link between earlier explorations and the settlement of Acadia, a break in the continuity of sites and story over which Canada's historic sites authorities at present have no control. Now we propose to correct this discrepancy. We would hope that this site would in every sense become the companion site to Canada's Port Royal Habitation. We feel that not only simple justice and reason can be served by joining forces, but that both our historic sites programs can be enriched in the doing and, of course, the principle lends itself to further fruitful application if we succeed in working together now. Not long ago discussions to this end were instituted between representatives of the two services.
Perhaps in time this will become an international monument, or better yet, one segment of a combined site or a combination of sites in one international historical park on both sides of the Bay of Fundy.
A precedent already exists. In these parts you are all doubtless aware of joint Canadian and American enterprise for administering Roosevelt Campobello International Park. In that case and in this, the far-sighted generosity of a family, New York's Hammer Brothers set the project into motion.
I can visualize St. Croix Island as a major point of interest drawing visitors to this locale from United States and Canada, from France and many other places as well as to share the sense of adventure, courage, and gallantry of these first French settlers. I can perceive the time when it will be possible for these visitors to proceed from one point of discovery to another in a meaningful sequence, much of it over routes followed by the first Europeans on these shores.
The spirit of St. Croix Island, of people made to be different, adventuring together in the New World will, I am confident, prevail here in the future.
ERNEST ALLEN CONNALLY
(Chief, Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation, United States Park Service)
A graduate of the School of Architecture, University of Texas, he received the Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Harvard University and has studied and travelled extensively abroad. Recognized as an architectural historian, writer, lecturer, and authority on the preservation of historic buildings, he joined the National Park Service in June of last year aften ten years as Professor of the History of Architecture at the University of Illinois, where he was also Associate Member of the Center for Advanced Study. He has been visiting professor at Harvard University, Washington University, St. Louis, and the University of Melbourne, Australia. A contributor to scholarly journals, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and other encyclopaedias, he is now on the editorial board of Momentum, the new international publication on historic preservation. He is a director of the Society of Architectural historians and has served as consultant on the restoration of a number of historic buildings and had directed various projects for the National Park Service before taking up his present post.
CLOSING REMARKS BY FRANK H. FENDERSON, CHAIRMAN
If I were to follow the usual form, which a Chairman might use in summing up the work which has been involved in implementing this dedication, I would say that there is always a woman behind every man providing the inspirational drive which made for its successful conclusion, but on this occasion, with all due respect to my good wife, I must say it was not a woman but a committee which kept me on my toes throughout the planning and implementation phase.
Although, I have been a part of and, on occasion, headed up a number of community endeavors during my life in the Saint Croix Valley, I have never worked with such a fine group of gentlemen. Their counsel and guidance, the work performed by each one of them and their determination to bring this significant event to a successful conclusion exceeded all expectations.
I hope that you will express your personal appreciation to each for their contribution to another step forward in the development of the Saint Croix Valley area.
Had it not been for the generous support of the patrons, whose names appear on the inside of the back cover of the Dedication Booklet, which I hope you all hold, the financial end of this endeavor would have been beyond solution. I hope you will thank each of these gentlemen and the firms for their voluntary support.
As you are aware, this dedication was sponsored as a joint undertaking by the United States National Park Service and the Calais Chamber of Commerce. Working with Superintendent John M. Good and Chief Ranger, Robert O. Binnewies of Acadia National Park at Bar Harbor was a rewarding experience.
To our speakers here today, to the Calais Memorial High School Band, to our local American Legion, the local and State Police and the many others who have joined the committee in this truly community effort, I extend appreciation.
Now that Saint Croix Island has become a U. S. National Monument, it passes into the hands of our National Park Service and, as you have heard and read, extensive plans are about to be implemented to make the island available to all who wish to visit it and pay respect to its great historical significance. While I do not want to indulge in a commercial vein, I do want to point out the tremendous potential this perpetual attraction will have for the economics of our area. Thousands of people throughout our nation make it a hobby to visit every U. S. National Monument regardless of expense or distance. We have added a great asset to our growing economic status here in Washington and Charlotte Counties.
Yesterday, Saint Croix Island was largely ours. Today it belongs to America, to every American -- to be shared with our Canadian neighbors and friends for all the generations to come.
SECOND COMMEMORATION OF ST. CROIX ISLAND
On July 2, 1949, the second commemoration of the De Monts-Champlain settlement of St. Croix Island was held in Memorial Park, Calais, as a part of a larger program called the International Jubilee. Dignitaries from France, Canada and the United States made a tour of inspection of the island prior to the commencement of the commemoration ceremony. The portion of the "Four Day Jubilee" (which included the formal dedication of the then newly finished Calais Memorial High School) devoted to St. Croix Island, was inspired by Congressional passage on June 8, 1949, of the act which authorized the establishment of the St. Croix Island National Monument.
Representing the French Ambassador to the United States was Monsieur Albert Chambon, French Consul General in Boston. Canada was represented by Hon. R. H. Winters, Minister of Reconstruction and Supply, Ottawa. Senator Owen Brewster of Maine and Hon. G. Gerard Davidson, assistant secretary of the Interior Department spoke for the United States.
Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Court, Harold H. Murchie, served as Master of Ceremonies.