“Resolved—That the ladies and gentlemen here assembled gratefully acknowledge the courtesy, kindness, and generous hospitality of Captain John Bertram and the other owners of the Witch of the Wave, on this festive day, and tender their best wishes for the success of this noble vessel.
“E. H. Derby, Chairman.
“Charles H. Parker, Secretary.�
After this, Jonathan Nicholas, of Salem, recited the following impromptu lines:
“I wonder what’s the dreadful row
They’re kicking up in Portsmouth now!
The people running up and down
Crying ‘All Salem’s come to town!’
Clear the track, the ship is starting!
Clear the track, the ship is starting!
Clear the track, the ship is starting!
And Portsmouth hearts are sad at parting.
“They say a man came down to-day
To carry the Witch of the Wave away;
And the people think he oughtn’t oughter
Just because he’s been and brought her.
“They called it rainy yesterday,
But I know better, anyway;
’Twas only Portsmouth people crying
To see the good ship’s colors flying!
“But Captain B. said, ‘Hang the sorrow!
The sun is bound to shine to-morrow.’
And when he speaks it’s no use talking—
So the clouds and the blues, they took to walking.