Allen stepped back and fell outside the
track and disappeared in the darkness. The men were called and by the
aid of lights Allen was found in a pit about ten or twelve feet in
depth that had been made by removing ice. By the help of a ladder he
was taken out, much frightened, but not injured seriously. Mr. Allen
was the son of Sam. C. Allen of Northfield, formerly a member of
Congress. Mr. Elisha H. Allen was elected to Congress in 1840 from
the Bangor district, State of Maine. He went to Hawaii in 1849 and he
returned in 1851 or 1852. Upon his return I had several interviews
with him as he lived at the Adams House, Boston, for a time, where I
was then living. From him I received the impression that he was
authorized to say to the Secretary of State that the authorities of
Hawaii were prepared to enter upon negotiations for the cession of the
Island to the United States. I understood from Mr. Allen that Mr.
Webster did not look with favor upon the scheme. In later years I
renewed my acquaintance with Mr. Allen. He was a man of quick
perceptions, of much general information, and as a debater in the
Massachusetts House of Representatives his standing was always good.
As to his integrity it was never brought into question.
[* I was elected a member of the American Academy on my birthday, 1857.
J. Lothrop Motley and Charles Francis Adams were elected at the same
time.
Pages:
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156