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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle Domestic News May 30, 1766
Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Boston celebrated the repeal of the Stamp Act with bells, cannon, illuminations, fireworks, a 280-lamp pyramid on the Common, and entertainments by John Hancock and others; the pyramid accidentally caught fire and was consumed after the festivities.
Quality green show the numbers
Measured from the scan
— how cleanly the OCR engine read the characters
- Mean ink quality
- 98.0% The length-weighted average confidence across the OCR lines — the mean of exactly the per-line scores whose tails the two figures below report. Typical is 99%.
- Illegible ink
- 0.0% Text sitting in OCR-detected lines that scored below 80% confidence — very shaky reads. Weighted by line length, so one long bad line counts for more than a short one.
- Uncertain ink
- 1.4% Text in lines that scored 80–90% — somewhat shaky reads.
- Matches source
- 96.32% How closely the served text matches the raw OCR of the same boxes, letter by letter, after collapsing spacing and case. This measures agreement, not correctness: the OCR is often wrong and the extractor corrects it, so 100% does not mean perfect, and a low figure usually means poor scan text was rewritten rather than that text was lost (length vs source shows loss).
- Length vs source
- 99.73% Below 100% means text was dropped from the OCR; above means text was added to make it read.
Assembled by the extraction model
— whether the stitched-together text holds up; catches layout and segmentation errors, which the scores above cannot see
- Transcription confidence
- 96.0% (typical 96%) How cleanly the extractor could assemble what it was given. Low here with clean ink scores points at layout analysis — the characters were read correctly but grouped or ordered wrongly.
- Comprehension
- 94.0% Whether the piece reads coherently start to finish. Can stay high while transcription confidence drops, when only part of the component is affected.
Clipping
Full Text
BOSTON, May 22.
Monday last being the Day appointed for the Public Rejoicing on the Repeal of the Stamp Act; the Morning was ushered in with Music, Ringing of Bells, and Discharge of Cannon, the Ships in the Harbour and many of the Houses in Town being adorned with Colours—Joy smiled in every Countenance, Benevolence, Gratitude and Content seemed the Companions of all. By the Generosity of some Gentlemen remarkable for their Humanity and Patriotism, our Goal was freed of Debtors.—At One o'Clock the Castle and Batteries, and Train of Artillery fired a Royal Salute; and the Afternoon was spent in Mirth and Jollity.—In the Evening the whole Town was beautifully Illuminated:—On the Common the Sons of Liberty erected a magnificent Pyramid, illuminated with 280 Lamps: The four upper Stories of which were ornamented with the Figures of their Majesties, and 14 of the worthy Patriots who have distinguished themselves by their Love of Liberty. The following Lines were on the four sides of the next Apartment, which referred to the Emblematical Figures on the lower Story, the whole supported by a large Base of the Doric Order.
O thou whom next to Heav'n we most revere,
Fair LIBERTY! thou lovely Goddess bear!
Have not we woo'd thee, won thee held the long
Lain in thy Lap and melted on thy Tongue:
Thro' Death and Dangers rugged Paths pursu'd,
And led the Smiling to this SOLITUDE:
Hid thee within our Hearts most golden Cell,
And brav'd the Powers of Earth and Powers of Hell
GODDESS! we cannot part, thou must not fly,
Be SLAVES; we dare to scorn it—dare to die.
While clanking Chains and Curses shall salute,
Thine Ears remorseless G—le, thine O B—e;
To you blest PATRIOTS! we our Cause submit
Illustrious CAMPDEN, Britain's Guardian PITT:
Recede not, frown not, rather let us be
Depriv'd of being, than of LIBERTY.
Let Fraud or Malice blacken all our Crimes,
No Disaffection stains those peaceful Chimes;
Oh save us, shield us from impending Woes,
The Foes of Britain, only are our Foes.
Boast foul Oppression, boast thy transient Reign
While honest FREEDOM struggles with her Chain;
But know the Sons of Virtue, hardy, brave,
Disdain to lose thro' mean Despair to save;
Arrous'd in Thunder, awful they appear,
With proud Deliverance stalking in their Rear:
While Tyrant Foes their pallid Fears betray,
Shrink from their Arms, and give their Vengeance way;
See in th' unequal War OPPRESSORS fall,
The Hate, Contempt, and endless Curse of all.
Our FAITH approv'd, our LIBERTY restor'd,
Our Hearts bend grateful to our Sov'reign Lord;
Hail darling Monarch! by this act indear'd,
Our firm Affections are thy best Reward;
Should Britain's self, against herself divide,
And hostile Armies frown on either Side;
Should Hosts rebellious, shake our Brunswick's Throne?
And as they dar'd thy Parent, dare the Son;
To this Asylum stretch thine happy Wing,
And we'll contend, who best shall love our KING.
On the Top of the Pyramid was fix'd a round Box of Fireworks horizontally. About one hundred Yards from the Pyramid the Sons of Liberty erected a Stage for the Exhibition of their Fireworks, near the Work House, in the lower Room of which they entertained the Gentlemen of the Town. John Hancock, Esq; who gave a grand and elegant Entertainment to the genteel Part of the Town, and treated the Populace with a Pipe of Madeira Wine, erected at the Front of his House, which was magnificently illuminated, a Stage for the Exhibition of his Fireworks, which was to answer those of the Sons of Liberty: At Dusk the Scene opened by the Discharge of twelve Rockets from each Stage; after which the Figures on the Pyramid were uncovered, making a beautiful Appearance. To give a Description of the great Variety of Fireworks exhibited from this Time till Eleven o'clock would be endless—the Air was filled with Rockets—the Ground with Bee hives and Serpents—and the two Stages with Wheels of Fireworks of various forts.—Mr. Otis and some other Gentlemen who lived near the Common kept open House, the whole Evening, which was very pleasant; the Multitudes of Gentlemen and Ladies, who were continually passing from one Place to another, added much to the Brilliancy of the Night: At Eleven o'Clock the Signal being given by a Discharge of 21 Rockets, the horizontal Wheel on the Top of the Pyramid or Obelisk was play'd off, ending in the Discharge of sixteen Dozen of Serpents in the Air, which concluded the Shew. To the Honour of the Sons of Liberty we can with Pleasure inform the World, that every Thing was conducted with the utmost Decency and good Order, not a Reflection cast on any Character, nor the least Disorder during the whole Scene.—The Pyramid, which was designed to be placed under the Tree of Liberty, as a standing Monument of this glorious Era, by accident took Fire about One o'Clock and was consumed:—The Lamps by which it was illuminated not being extinguished at the Close of the Scene it is supposed to have taken Fire by some of them.
On Tuesday Evening some of the Sons of Liberty apprehending the Lanthorns hung on the Tree of Liberty, which the Night before amounted only to the ever memorable No. 45, would have made a more loyal and striking Appearance if increased to the glorious Majority of 108, met and procuring that Number, disposed them on the Tree in a very agreeable picturesque Manner. The Houses next adjoining and opposite were decorated with Figures characteristic of those to whom we bear the deepest Loyalty and Gratitude: Here, an imperfect Portrait of their Majesties, our most gracious King and Queen—there, the Royal Arms;—here, the illustrious Campden, Pitt, Conway, Barre, and others of late so conspicuous in the cause of Liberty and their Country: In short, Imagination must supply the Variety exhibited on this Occasion, which Words are wanting to express.
The Honorable His Majesty's Council, at a previous Invitation of the Governor, met at the Province House on Monday Afternoon, where His Majesty's Health, and many other loyal Toasts were drank; and in the Evening his Excellency with the Council, walked in the Common, to see the Fireworks, Exhibitions, &c. who were well pleased with the Regularity the Inhabitants carried on their Demonstrations of Loyalty and Joy on this happy Occasion.
A Correspondent informs us, that the well conducted Rejoicings on Monday last were ushered in very early in the Morning with a Subscription for liberating all the poor Prisoners in Goal for Debt, the Motion was readily agreed to by all the Humane. On that joyful Day, the Money raised, and the Prison cleared. The charitable Deed originated in a fair Boston Nymph.
The Evening following, all the Gentlemen in the Town contributed Lanthorns to illuminate Liberty Tree till the Boughs could hold no more, which made a most beautiful and splendid Appearance. And the Sashes of the Houses round were covered with illustrated Figures as large as the Life, the Colours all in a glow with the Lights behind them, representing the KING, the immortal PITT, CAMDEN, BARRE, &c. &c. &c. to whom Liberty addresses herself in an Inscription, [Days
Hail. PITT! Hail Patrons! Pride of GEORGE'S,
How round the Globe expand your Patriot Rays!
And the New WORLD is brighten'd with the Blaze.
An elegant Portrait of Mr. PITT, was on Monday Evening fixed up in the Front Window of the Houses of Capt. Dawes, and Mr. Thomas Symmes, Merchant, with the above Inscription.
Monday last being the Day appointed for the Public Rejoicing on the Repeal of the Stamp Act; the Morning was ushered in with Music, Ringing of Bells, and Discharge of Cannon, the Ships in the Harbour and many of the Houses in Town being adorned with Colours—Joy smiled in every Countenance, Benevolence, Gratitude and Content seemed the Companions of all. By the Generosity of some Gentlemen remarkable for their Humanity and Patriotism, our Goal was freed of Debtors.—At One o'Clock the Castle and Batteries, and Train of Artillery fired a Royal Salute; and the Afternoon was spent in Mirth and Jollity.—In the Evening the whole Town was beautifully Illuminated:—On the Common the Sons of Liberty erected a magnificent Pyramid, illuminated with 280 Lamps: The four upper Stories of which were ornamented with the Figures of their Majesties, and 14 of the worthy Patriots who have distinguished themselves by their Love of Liberty. The following Lines were on the four sides of the next Apartment, which referred to the Emblematical Figures on the lower Story, the whole supported by a large Base of the Doric Order.
O thou whom next to Heav'n we most revere,
Fair LIBERTY! thou lovely Goddess bear!
Have not we woo'd thee, won thee held the long
Lain in thy Lap and melted on thy Tongue:
Thro' Death and Dangers rugged Paths pursu'd,
And led the Smiling to this SOLITUDE:
Hid thee within our Hearts most golden Cell,
And brav'd the Powers of Earth and Powers of Hell
GODDESS! we cannot part, thou must not fly,
Be SLAVES; we dare to scorn it—dare to die.
While clanking Chains and Curses shall salute,
Thine Ears remorseless G—le, thine O B—e;
To you blest PATRIOTS! we our Cause submit
Illustrious CAMPDEN, Britain's Guardian PITT:
Recede not, frown not, rather let us be
Depriv'd of being, than of LIBERTY.
Let Fraud or Malice blacken all our Crimes,
No Disaffection stains those peaceful Chimes;
Oh save us, shield us from impending Woes,
The Foes of Britain, only are our Foes.
Boast foul Oppression, boast thy transient Reign
While honest FREEDOM struggles with her Chain;
But know the Sons of Virtue, hardy, brave,
Disdain to lose thro' mean Despair to save;
Arrous'd in Thunder, awful they appear,
With proud Deliverance stalking in their Rear:
While Tyrant Foes their pallid Fears betray,
Shrink from their Arms, and give their Vengeance way;
See in th' unequal War OPPRESSORS fall,
The Hate, Contempt, and endless Curse of all.
Our FAITH approv'd, our LIBERTY restor'd,
Our Hearts bend grateful to our Sov'reign Lord;
Hail darling Monarch! by this act indear'd,
Our firm Affections are thy best Reward;
Should Britain's self, against herself divide,
And hostile Armies frown on either Side;
Should Hosts rebellious, shake our Brunswick's Throne?
And as they dar'd thy Parent, dare the Son;
To this Asylum stretch thine happy Wing,
And we'll contend, who best shall love our KING.
On the Top of the Pyramid was fix'd a round Box of Fireworks horizontally. About one hundred Yards from the Pyramid the Sons of Liberty erected a Stage for the Exhibition of their Fireworks, near the Work House, in the lower Room of which they entertained the Gentlemen of the Town. John Hancock, Esq; who gave a grand and elegant Entertainment to the genteel Part of the Town, and treated the Populace with a Pipe of Madeira Wine, erected at the Front of his House, which was magnificently illuminated, a Stage for the Exhibition of his Fireworks, which was to answer those of the Sons of Liberty: At Dusk the Scene opened by the Discharge of twelve Rockets from each Stage; after which the Figures on the Pyramid were uncovered, making a beautiful Appearance. To give a Description of the great Variety of Fireworks exhibited from this Time till Eleven o'clock would be endless—the Air was filled with Rockets—the Ground with Bee hives and Serpents—and the two Stages with Wheels of Fireworks of various forts.—Mr. Otis and some other Gentlemen who lived near the Common kept open House, the whole Evening, which was very pleasant; the Multitudes of Gentlemen and Ladies, who were continually passing from one Place to another, added much to the Brilliancy of the Night: At Eleven o'Clock the Signal being given by a Discharge of 21 Rockets, the horizontal Wheel on the Top of the Pyramid or Obelisk was play'd off, ending in the Discharge of sixteen Dozen of Serpents in the Air, which concluded the Shew. To the Honour of the Sons of Liberty we can with Pleasure inform the World, that every Thing was conducted with the utmost Decency and good Order, not a Reflection cast on any Character, nor the least Disorder during the whole Scene.—The Pyramid, which was designed to be placed under the Tree of Liberty, as a standing Monument of this glorious Era, by accident took Fire about One o'Clock and was consumed:—The Lamps by which it was illuminated not being extinguished at the Close of the Scene it is supposed to have taken Fire by some of them.
On Tuesday Evening some of the Sons of Liberty apprehending the Lanthorns hung on the Tree of Liberty, which the Night before amounted only to the ever memorable No. 45, would have made a more loyal and striking Appearance if increased to the glorious Majority of 108, met and procuring that Number, disposed them on the Tree in a very agreeable picturesque Manner. The Houses next adjoining and opposite were decorated with Figures characteristic of those to whom we bear the deepest Loyalty and Gratitude: Here, an imperfect Portrait of their Majesties, our most gracious King and Queen—there, the Royal Arms;—here, the illustrious Campden, Pitt, Conway, Barre, and others of late so conspicuous in the cause of Liberty and their Country: In short, Imagination must supply the Variety exhibited on this Occasion, which Words are wanting to express.
The Honorable His Majesty's Council, at a previous Invitation of the Governor, met at the Province House on Monday Afternoon, where His Majesty's Health, and many other loyal Toasts were drank; and in the Evening his Excellency with the Council, walked in the Common, to see the Fireworks, Exhibitions, &c. who were well pleased with the Regularity the Inhabitants carried on their Demonstrations of Loyalty and Joy on this happy Occasion.
A Correspondent informs us, that the well conducted Rejoicings on Monday last were ushered in very early in the Morning with a Subscription for liberating all the poor Prisoners in Goal for Debt, the Motion was readily agreed to by all the Humane. On that joyful Day, the Money raised, and the Prison cleared. The charitable Deed originated in a fair Boston Nymph.
The Evening following, all the Gentlemen in the Town contributed Lanthorns to illuminate Liberty Tree till the Boughs could hold no more, which made a most beautiful and splendid Appearance. And the Sashes of the Houses round were covered with illustrated Figures as large as the Life, the Colours all in a glow with the Lights behind them, representing the KING, the immortal PITT, CAMDEN, BARRE, &c. &c. &c. to whom Liberty addresses herself in an Inscription, [Days
Hail. PITT! Hail Patrons! Pride of GEORGE'S,
How round the Globe expand your Patriot Rays!
And the New WORLD is brighten'd with the Blaze.
An elegant Portrait of Mr. PITT, was on Monday Evening fixed up in the Front Window of the Houses of Capt. Dawes, and Mr. Thomas Symmes, Merchant, with the above Inscription.
What sub-type of article is it?
Celebration
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Stamp Act Repeal
Boston Rejoicing
Pyramid Fireworks
Liberty Tree
John Hancock
What entities or persons were involved?
John Hancock
Mr. Otis
Capt. Dawes
Mr. Thomas Symmes
Where did it happen?
Boston
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Boston
Event Date
Monday Last And Tuesday Evening (Reported May 22)
Key Persons
John Hancock
Mr. Otis
Capt. Dawes
Mr. Thomas Symmes
Outcome
no disorder; the illuminated pyramid accidentally caught fire about 1 o'clock and was consumed.