USA > Connecticut > The history of Connecticut, from the first settlement of the colony to the adoption of the present constitution, vol. II > Part 42
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* The question whether the governor of a state had a right to decide in regard to the existence of the exigences contemplated by the Constitution of the United States, was referred by the authorities of Massachusetts to the supreme court of that state. The court gave its decision in the affirmative.
At the session of the General Assembly in August, the following resolution was passed.
" Resolved, That the conduct of his excellency the governor, in refusing to order the militia of this state into the service of the United States, on the requisi- tion of the Secretary of War, and Major-General Dearborn, meets with the entire approbation of this Assembly."
484
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
miles of sea-coast had been left almost entirely defenseless. Not only had the ships of war been withdrawn from our waters, but the United States' troops that had, in times of peace, been stationed at the forts along the coast, had been ordered away-at a moment, too, when, in the words of the secretary of war, "there was imminent danger of the invasion of the country."*
I have deemed it incumbent upon me to say thus much on a subject that once elicited much attention throughout the Union, and concerning which many misrepresentations have gone abroad. The militia of the state, in large numbers, were frequently called out, not only for purposes of self- defense, but for the defense of the property of the United States. At New London, they were long employed in pro- tecting the government squadron. The only ground of con- tention was, whether the militia of the state should be under the command and control of the state or of the United States.
At the same time, the gallantry of Captain Hull, on the ocean, was a theme of general admiration throughout the country. His noble frigate, the Constitution, rode the waves "like a thing of life," outstripping the fleetest sails of the enemy in the chase, t while her heroic commander seemed to defy the thunders of the boasted mistress of the seas. During the month of August, Captain Hull had captured several prizes, and on the 15th of that month, he achieved his celebrated victory in the capture of the Guerriere, com- manded by Captain Dacres, one of the ships that had so lately chased the Constitution off the New York coast. Taking on board the remnant of the officers and crew, as prisoners of war, together with the sick and wounded, Captain Hull set fire to the wreck of the Guerriere, and returned to Bos-
* Letter from secretary Eustis, to Lieutenant-Governor Smith, of Connecticut, dated July 14th, 1812.
+ On one occasion, the Constitution was chased for three days and three nights by some eight or ten British ships of war. They were all at last compelled to abandon the pursuit.
485
GOVERNOR GRISWOLD.
[1812.]
ton, where he arrived on the 30th. "It is not easy," says Cooper,* " at this distant day, to convey to the reader the full force of the moral impression created in America by this vic- tory of one frigate over another. So deep had been the effect produced on the public mind by the constant account of the successes of the English over their enemies at sea, that the opinion of their invincibility on that element gener- ally prevailed ; and it had been publicly predicted that, before the contest had continued six months, British sloops of war would lie along side of American frigates with comparative impunity. But the termination of the combat just related, far exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine." The loss of the Constitution was only seven killed, and seven wounded. On the other hand, the Guerriere was completely dismasted, had seventy-nine men killed and wounded, and, according to the statement of her commander, when on trial before a court-martial for the loss of his ship, "she had received no less than thirty shots as low as five sheets of copper beneath the bands."t
During the sitting of the October session, his excellency, Governor Griswold, died at his residence in Norwich. He was a gentleman of high character and commanding talents ; a true patriot, wise in council, and efficient in action. His decease, particularly at that interesting period of our history, was felt to be a public calamity .¿ The Lieutenant-Governor,
* " Naval History," vol. ii. p. 56, 57.
t In October, 1817, the legislature of this state "Resolved, That they enter- tain a high and respectful sense of the virtues, gallantry, and naval skill of their fellow-citizen, Commodore ISAAC HULL, that an elegant sword, and pair of pistols, both mounted with gold, with suitable inscriptions, and manufactured in this state, be procured ; and that his excellency the governor, be respectfully requested to present the same to the commodore, with a copy of this resolve, as honorary tokens of the high esteem in which he is held by the people of this state, for his personal worth and public services : and that his excellency be requested to do this in a manner which he shall deem most expressive of the sincerity of that esteem."
# The Hon. Roger Griswold, LL. D., was a son of the Hon. Matthew Griswold, formerly governor of the state, and was born in Lyme, May 21, 1762. Having graduated at Yale College, and completed his professional studies, he commenced the practice of law in Norwich, in 1783, and soon became an eminent advocate.
486
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
John Cotton Smith, became the acting governor, and in May following, he was duly elected to that office.
On the 4th of December, Commodore Decatur, with the frigate United States, attended by his prize, the Macedonia, came into New London harbor. In April following, a formidable British fleet passed through the Sound. The British flag was raised on Block Island, while Sir Thomas Hardy, in the flag-ship Ramillies, with other vessels, cruised along the coast. On the 1st of June, Decatur's squadron, consisting of the frigates United States and Macedonia, and the sloop-of-war Hornet, having sailed from New York, attempted to pass out to sea by way of Montauk, but were arrested in their progress near the entrance to the Sound by Commodore Hardy, and driven into New London harbor. The enemy's ships anchored off Gull Island, so as to com- mand the mouth of the river, and completely blockaded the port. The British fleet having been soon after augmented by the arrival of two ships of the line, two frigates, and several smaller vessels, it was anticipated that the enemy would either bombard the city, or sail up the river and attack the American squadron. The militia from the neighborhood were summoned to the coast, the specie of the banks was conveyed to Norwich, and the women and children, together with such valuables as could readily be removed, were car- ried back into the country. Great anxiety and confusion prevailed for several days in New London, nor could quiet be restored until it was ascertained that the enemy had
In 1792, when but thirty-two years of age, he was elected to Congress, and re- mained a member of that body for a period of ten years. In 1801, he was nomin- ated for the post of Secretary of War, but he declined to accept it. In 1807, he was appointed a judge of the superior court ; in 1809, he was chosen lieutenant-gov- ernor ; and in 1811, he became governor of the state. He died at Norwich, Oct. 25, 1812, aged fifty years.
The legislature appointed Calvin Goddard, Theodore Dwight, and Frederick Wolcott, of the Council, and Messrs. D. Humphrey, Putnam, Sherwood, and N. Terry, of the House, a committee to attend the funeral. Elizur Goodrich, A. Smith, Hubbard, and Caldwell, were appointed a committee to make arrangements for suitable public services in Hartford ; and the Hon. David Daggett, was chosen to pronounce a funeral eulogy.
487
THE TORPEDO.
[1813.]
selected their anchorage ground about five miles from the city. Even then, as the blockade was kept up, a reinforce- ment or any unusual movement among the ships, was sufficient to arouse the suspicions of the people, and not unfrequently occasioned great alarm. The American ships having been taken as far up the river as possible, Decatur threw up intrenchments on Allyn's mountain, from which point he had a fine view of the harbor .*
Toward the latter part of June, an American schooner called the Eagle, had been fitted out as a kind of torpedo vessel, and sent into the Sound. As she had a show of naval stores on board, she was captured by the British a short dis- tance west of New London-the crew having effected their escape to the shore in the small boats. The captors attempted to tow their prize up to the Ramillies, but not succeeding in this, they anchored her about three-fourths of a mile from that vessel. In three hours after her seizure, the Eagle blew up with a tremendous explosion, throwing a shower of pitch and tar upon the Ramillies, and filling the air with timbers and stones. A second lieutenant, and ten men, who were on board, were instantly killed, and several men in the small boats were badly wounded. The hold of the Eagle, under the appearance of ballast, contained four hundred pounds of powder, with a quantity of ponderous stones, and destructive implements, together with a secret piece of mechanism, which when set in motion, would explode in a given length of time.t
In consequence of this event, the blockade was extended to vessels and boats of every description, and was kept up with more rigor than ever.
About the same time, General Burbeck, in obedience to the orders of the General Government, arrived from New- port, and assumed the military command of the district. As the governor and legislature claimed the control of the militia
* Caulkins' New London.
+ Caulkins' Hist. of New London. This was one of Bushnell's " American Turtles."
488
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
of the state, the troops stationed at New London, numbering about one thousand, were dismissed on the 12th of July, by order of the secretary of war, and the town was left without a single soldier on duty. Simultaneously with this event, it was ascertained that the fleet of the enemy had been rein- forced, and as the firing of cannon had commenced on board the ships, the greatest panic was excited among the people on shore. They charged the General Government with hav- ing betrayed them, and purposely left them to destruction. General Burbeck himself appears to have participated in the alarm, and at once applied to the governor for a temporary . force, who authorized General Williams to call to his aid as many of thé militia as the circumstances of the case might seem to demand.
Commodore Decatur, tired of the inglorious idleness forced upon him by the blockade, had long meditated a plan of escape. During the months of October and November, his ships had been quietly dropping down the river toward New London, and by the 1st of December, they were anchored in the harbor, opposite market wharf, where everything was put in the best trim for sailing. His designs were, so far as pos- sible, kept a profound secret, both from friend and foe. The night of the 12th of December, which had been fixed upon for the attempt, proved to be dark and the wind favorable, and as soon as the tide turned they were to set sail. While thus waiting, word was brought to Decatur, that at different times between eight and ten o'clock, blue lights had been seen on both sides of the river, near its mouth. It was imagined by the timid, that they were designed as signals to the enemy to be on their guard. The Commodore gave heed to the stories, instantly relinquished his plan of escape, and never again attempted it.
The story of the "blue lights" was eagerly circulated throughout the country, and an attempt was made to cast re- proach upon Connecticut, by stigmatizing her citizens as traitors. It is to be lamented that in some instances the partizan press of a later day, within our own borders, for the
489
BLUE LIGHTS.
accomplishment of party ends, have not scrupled to reiterate the statement, and attempt to fasten the stigma of treachery upon the state. It may be difficult, at this distance of time, to decide upon the facts in the case. That the story was confidently denied and disbelieved by many of the most intelligent persons in New London, at a time when all the facts and circumstances that could be elicited on the subject, were fresh in the minds of the public, of itself affords sufficient grounds for a reasonable doubt in the case. It was averred that "accidental lights kindled by fishermen, or the gleams from country windows, or reflec- tions from the heavens upon water, might have been mista- ken for treasonable signs."* But even if the lights were designed as a warning to the enemy, it does not follow that they were kindled by the torch of the traitor. The officers and soldiers of the British fleet had free access to the city, and to the adjacent coast. "It was rumored," says Miss Caulkins, "that spies were often in town, under various dis- guises, and that suspicious persons appeared and disappeared strangely." It is not unreasonable to infer that officers from the fleet might have mingled with the crowds of anxious citi- zens who daily gathered at the corners of the streets, in the hotels, or other public places-that they secretly watched the movements of Decatur and his men-that they ascer- tained their intentions of attempting to escape during that very night. If "traitors" could contrive to possess them- selves of the secret, why might not an accomplished spy do it? Certain it is, that no attempt was ever made to fasten the treasonable act upon any citizen of Connecticut, nor does it appear that any person was ever suspected of being con- cerned in it.
All the vessels of the American squadron withdrew up the Thames early in the spring, except the Hornet, which re- mained at New London, and in November, 1814, managed to pass the blockading fleet, and reached New York in safety.
* History of New London.
490
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
Several spirited adventures took place on our coast during the war. Frequently a sloop or schooner would be pursued by the enemy's ships into some one of our many harbors or inlets, and the people on shore would rally to defend it. The sloop Victory, having been chased into Mystic, in June, 1813, a party of fifteen men, under the command of Jeremiah Haley, drove off the enemy after an action of fifteen minutes. The sloop Roxana, in November, was thus driven ashore near the light-house, by three British barges ; and in half an hour a crowd of people had assembled to rescue her. The enemy, after setting fire to their prize, escaped. The Ameri- cans attempted to extinguish the flames, but were prevented by a heavy cannonade from the ships.
The historian of New London mentions the singular fact, that Captain John Howard, of the packet sloop Juno, continued to pass back and forth between New London and New York, during the whole war, in spite of the vigilance of the blockading squadron. He usually chose a dark or stormy night for leaving or entering the harbor, and was al- ways successful in passing the blockade, notwithstanding he was narrowly watched by the enemy. Four cannon were kept constantly loaded on his deck, and he carried with him an ample supply of ammunition, and shot. He was often way- laid and pursued, but a spirited discharge of his guns had the desired effect in keeping the assailants at a respectful dis- tance, though he was once driven into Saybrook, and had his mast shot away.
Meanwhile the citizens of Stonington were kept in a state of constant alarm, growing out of the fact that the British employed in the blockade of New London, were in full view from the village, and their boats almost daily reconnoitered along the coast. They transmitted an earnest appeal to Congress for assistance and protection, but without avail. Governor Smith sent them a small guard of militia, to aid them in keeping a nightly watch ; and the citizens threw up temporary breastworks in different positions, on one of which a flag-staff was planted and a platform erected for the recep-
1
491
BOMBARDMENT OF STONINGTON.
[1814.]
tion of their two eighteen-pounders. On the 9th of August, 1814, the ships of the enemy were seen entering Stonington harbor. They were the Ramillies, the frigate Pactolus, the bomb-ship Terror, and the brig-of-war Despatch. Casting anchor, a barge put off from the nearest ship for the shore, bearing a white flag. Several gentlemen immediately entered a boat and proceeded to receive the flag. The offi- cer of the barge presented them with the following commu- nication, and immediately returned to his ship.
" His Britannic Majesty's ship PACTOLUS,
"9th of August, 1814, half-past 5, P. M.
"Not wishing to destroy the unoffending inhabitants resid- ing in the town of Stonington, one hour is granted them from the receipt of this, to remove out of town.
" T. M. HARDY,
"Captain of his Majesty's ship Ramillies."
The consternation which followed this message, especially among the women, and children, can hardly be imagined. The fearful import of the communication, the overwhelming force of the enemy, the defenseless condition of the town, and the brief space of time allowed for the removal of their families, and to prepare for the conflict, were considerations which forced themselves upon all, and for a moment seemed to appal the stoutest heart. Soon, however, the citizens began to recover their self-possession, and before the hour had elapsed, a goodly number of bold volunteers had taken possession of the breastworks, and were watching the move- ments of the enemy, while others were employed in collect- ing whatever ammunition could be found in the possession of individuals.
About eight o'clock in the evening, the Terror began the bombardment, and continued all night to throw fire-bombs and carcasses into the town. At daylight on the following morning, the barges drew up on the east side of the village, and commenced firing rockets at the buildings. The Ston- ington volunteers dragged one of their guns across the point,
492
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
opened a fire upon the barges, sunk one of them, compelled the others to retire, and then returned to their intrenchments in safety. The brig of war and the Terror, about sunrise, commenced firing upon the town, and discharging rockets, shells, and carcasses. While some of the citizens were man- ning the guns, others were following the rockets and car- casses wherever they might strike, for the purpose of extin- guishing the fires that they kindled. At last their ammuni- tion failed the artillerists, and they were compelled to sus- pend their firing until the express which they had sent to New London should return. At eleven o'clock, A. M., to their great joy, the messenger arrived. Nailing their colors to the staff, they renewed their fire with such effect that the brig, to avoid being sunk, cut her cables and retired .*
The bombardment continued until the third day, when Commodore Hardy sent a flag on shore, with a message, demanding that Mrs. Stewart, the British consul's wife, should be sent on board his ship, and that the inhabitants should give a pledge that they would set afloat no more tor- pedoes to annoy his vessels! He promised, if these terms were complied with, that the bombardment should cease. In reply, he was told that his requisitions could not be regarded, and that they asked no favors of him beyond what the rules of honorable warfare required. The ships renewed their fire, and kept it up until noon on Friday, the fourth day of the siege, when the enemy retired to their old quarters off New London, with little cause to boast of the success of their expedition.
When we consider all the circumstances of the attack, the gallant defense, and the length of time employed in the bom- bardment, it is a matter of surprise that not a single individual in the town was killed. One young man received a wound in the knee and died six months afterward. Though the vigilance of the citizens prevented conflagration, several
* The anchor and cable, which were left behind are still preserved.
493
LAKE CHAMPLAIN.
[1814.]
buildings were badly shattered, and some were wholly destroyed .*
During the year 1814, General Burbeck was removed to another station, and General Thomas H. Cushing was ap- pointed to the command of this military district. f
In the spring of 1813, Captain McDonough had taken command of the American fleet on Lake Champlain, and from his well known spirit, energy, and bravery, much was expected of him. No decisive action, however, occurred on the lake until in the month of September, 1814. Early in that month, Sir George Provost, the English commander-in- chief, advanced against Plattsburg, then held by Brigadier- General Macomb. The English army, consisting of about twelve thousand men, was divided into four brigades, led by Lieutenant-General de Rottenburg, and Majors General Brisbane, Power, and Robinson. The British fleet on the lake was commanded by Captain Downie, and numbered six- teen vessels of various kinds, mounting ninety-five or ninety- six guns, and carrying one thousand men. The total force of the Americans on the lake, consisted of fourteen vessels, mounting eighty-six guns, and containing eight hundred and fifty men. Captain McDonough had the personal command of the Saratoga, while Captain Downie's own ship was the Confi- ance, the largest craft in his fleet. On the 11th of Septem- ber, a fierce conflict ensued between the two fleets, which resulted in the capture, by McDonough, of one frigate, one brig, and two sloops of war. The loss of the Americans, in killed, and wounded, was one hundred and twelve; that of the enemy something over two hundred.
Sir George Provost, on hearing the fate of the British squadron, made a precipitate retreat, leaving behind him
* Hist. of New London.
t General Henry Burbeck, became a resident of New London soon after the war, and died there Oct. 2, 1848, aged ninety-four. General Cushing, a native of Massachusetts, entered the army in 1776, and continued in the service until 1815, when he was appointed collector of the port of New London. He died Oct. 19, 1822, aged sixty-seven.
494
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
much of his heavy artillery, stores, and supplies. From that moment to the end of the war, our northern frontier remained unmolested .*
Besides the usual medal from Congress, and various com- pliments and gifts from different towns and states, Captain McDonough was promoted for his services, and the legisla- ture of New York presented him with a small estate on the lake shore overlooking the scene of his triumph. *
Commodore McDonough was a son of a physician in New Castle county, Delaware. When quite young, he obtained a midshipman's warrant, and sailed for the Mediterranean. During the whole of the war of 1812, he proved himself an efficient officer. He resided at Middletown, Conn., where he died, Nov. 10, 1825, aged thirty-nine. In May, 1819, the legislature of Connecticut voted, that "a pair of pistols, with suitable devices, and manufactured in this state, which now claims the hero as her son, be procured, and that his excel- lency the governor, be respectfully requested to present them to Commodore McDonough, with a copy of this resolution, in such manner as he shall judge most expressive of their gratitude and esteem."
At the October session of the Connecticut legislature, the governor was desired to purchase for the use of the state, six tons of powder, three tons of cannon shot, two thousand stand of arms, and twenty-six cannon, with other suitable implements, and materials for the use of the troops when on duty. The Assembly also took into consideration a plan that had been submitted to Congress by the secretary of war, for filling up the regular army, which placed the militia and the troops raised for the defense of the state, at the disposal of the General Government. By the principles of the proposed plan, the Assembly say, "our sons, brothers, and friends, are made liable to be delivered, against their will, and by force, to the marshalls and recruiting officers of the United States, to be employed, not for our own defense, but for the conquest of Canada, or upon any foreign service which the adminis-
* Cooper, ii. 224.
[1815.]
PROPERTY ON OUR COAST. 495
tration might choose to send them." They further declare the plan to be, " not only intolerably burdensome and op- pressive, but utterly subversive of the rights and liberties of this state, and the freedom, sovereignty, and independence of the same, and inconsistent with the principles of the consti- tution of the United States." In case the offensive measure should become a law of Congress, the governor was directed forthwith to convene the legislature to consult on the mea- sures to be adopted.
It is quite evident that the controversy between the admin- istration and the New England states, be the blame where it might, was now assuming an alarming character, and that the eastern sea-coast, where were the oldest settlements, and where was accumulated more property than lay on the whole ocean-line from the Jersey shore to the gulf of Mexico, was sadly exposed to the ships of a powerful nation that were pirating along our borders, and, in defiance of the rules of civilized warfare, were laying waste some of the finest towns in the Union. What was the honest feeling that pervaded the state at that time, may be gleaned from the following extract from Governor Smith's speech to the General Assem- bly, at the May session, 1814 :
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