USA > Delaware > History of Delaware : 1609-1888 > Part 69
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" We have len thformed by the Prestbent of the E'uttel States, and have seen in the guildfre don moments, that motnodiate ly after the war was deslated the President proposed Tothe British tionvernment the terms on which it's progress might be arrested. These to rus required that the orders in runner should be regarded, as they affected the Cuited States
Jitstice killen, and on teaching his majority removed to sussex County ated devoted lon-elf to agricultural parents He was elected Hovering 1×11 to 1-14, and agan mu 1-24, and died on January 2, 1:24, during las Incumbency.
interbudge Houses, a distinguished member of the Delaware har, was lost its somerset only, that state, in ITY, and having received finishe dalmation, studied law under Den. Jaun . A. R.ward. He le- state in the Listed Protre serate from Isin ta I-21, and was chingen attorney - general of Pelawang, hlling the ottis with honor for many yes, Ile dord at Nredwood, Maryland, Jute 9, 1-1.
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282
HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
without a revival of blo kade, violating acknowledged rules, and that there should be an immediate discharge of American content from British ships, and a stop to mmpre -- ment trem Ane: pat char, with an understanding that an . velysion of the spanien of each soantry free the ships of the other should be improved into a definitive and umjachet Five adjustment of depending controversies" From these terms flie wol. fre of our country requires that our government should never toode. We can never ronsent to peace, leaving the commeres a prey to law less Videre, our country men in bondage od our enemy in pan di claim to enslave them whenever she finds them on the ocean The reasonableces of these terms, the conciliatory manger in which the" were proposed and the manner in which they were received and repeated by the British Government, if there hal not already "Alsted abadant evidence on the salget latore, are sufficient to convince us that we can hope and expect nothing from the justice ur friendsmip of Great Brit. att. It only remains for us to compel her to grant to um power what we have so often solicited her to yield to unr rights.
" A war thus waged tor the protection of our property and cont. trymen, for redress of accumulated wrongs and for futniy's wurity against such wrungs, minst have the undivided support of this ni.fivb. England openly calenlites npon our division. During the Revolution- ary War ler muster publicly professed the ungeneris having- ' Divide and Govern.' She was mistaken then ; she is mistaken now. The fundamental principle of mir constitution is, the will of the majority shall rule. To suppose a case in which this will, constitu- tionally expressed, shall not carry the obligation to chey, is to suppe at a case which cannot happen. If ever anch suppeition shall be nertously arted upon, the Union will be dissolved. Nor can I understand the reasoning, which admits to the general gorrone pr and its several branches certam constitutional powers, but denies to them the right to determine the time and manner of exercising these powers. To Je ly themt such right of determination is to divest them of then authority. It is the most effectual step towards a separation of th . States.
"L'rgeil by con-perations which this sulgert presente to me, I must again and earnestly solicit your attention to our militia laws. The propriety of revising those laws and so framing them as to foritt an efficient militia, has been su often dwelt upon, that I can present it to you in no new light I can only add, that mir natino is now en zagod in war ; that our enemy abound, in wealth and is powerful in arms. War has long been her trade; from her we bin-t pypect nu common struggle. Pour situation is exposed to danger. Our safety requires that we should prepare to defend ont-elves. Our anlitta must be our prin- cipal defence. If we will organize our militia it will be suficient for us and I deem it of the first importaner that the multis shall be efficiently organized. To this purpose an energetic militia law is indispensably necessary ; such a law as shall command the personal services of all liable to military duties. The militia law cannot be intended as a me .. ns of taxationt. It must be wo framed as to exclude the probabilities that the duties which it etyjoins will be commuted by the fines that it in- poses, or little good will result from it."
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Thoughi a difference of opinion existed as to the policy and necessity of the war against England, there was no uncertain sound in the call of the Gov- ernor of Delaware upon the Legislature and people of the State for its vigorous prosecution. Though the declaration of war was in strict accordance with the will of the people of the United States, there were some, undoubtedly men of elevated patriotism and great abilities, who, while freely admitting the justice of all the claims advanced by the United States, as founded on the immutable laws of reason and right, were yet desirous to waive their rigid exactions at that time, believing that at a general peace the practice of impressment, with the principles of the Orders in Council, would be abandoned. "1 am among the last men in the Senate," said Mr. Bayard,'
"who would justify or defend the orders in Conucil. They violate the plainest rights of the nation. The ground of retaliation was never more than a pretext, and their plain offert is to deprive France of niet. tral traude, It never was contended, nor does Britam now contend, that she would be justified by the Laws of wages of nations to interdict our commerce with her rummy. She navers her injustice with the clash of retaliation, and tosiste that she has a right to retort open her enemy the evils of his own pohey. This is a doctrine to which Iam not dis- posed to agree. It is destruction to bentrals. It makes them the mey of the belligerenta."
As soon as war was declared privateers began to be 1 Speech October 31, 1x12.
fitted out with great speed. to prey upon British com- merre. Sion the Delaware swarmed with these "skimmers of the - ," sent out by Philadelphia and Wilmington. on July 9th three privateers, lying in the Delaware, were fitted out and tired salutes ; they were the " Atlas," Captain David Maffett ; the "Spencer." Captain More : and the " Matilda," Cap- tain Noah Allen. The " Matilda" sailed July 7. ancier Captain Taylor, but she had not proceeded far before a mutiny took place on board, and forty of her crew were lodged in New Castle jail. Captain Allen then as noted command of the " Matilla," and pro- ceeded on his voyage, which proved highly success- ful, she having captured the British ship " (hotellet." the " Ranger," a privateer brig, and the schooners "Jingle," " Margery " and " Woodburn."
The privateer fleet in the Delaware continually in- creased during 1812, and was of considerable size to- ward the close of the war. The " Rattlesnake," one of the later additions, a vessel of eighteen guns, wa- upset off Reedy I-land in a sudden gale, and the pilot and twenty of her crew were drowned. The first to volunteer service in the State of Delaware was Cap- tain Goodwin, of Sussex County. In July he and forty-five others organized a company of light intan- try, uniformmed themselves and unanimously offered their services to the Governor to help make up the State's quota of the ten thousand militia called for by acts of Congress. Other offers soon followed, and reference to the Governor's register shows a long list of commissions i-sued soon afterwards.
Though the town of Wilmington was not occupied by the enemy during the war, it was kept in a con- stant state of suspense, being endangered by an inva- sion from the west and bombardment from the river. The citizens at all times displayed the greatest pa- triotism, by tendering their services and treasure tor the common defense. A fort was built at "the Rocks," near the original site of Fort Christina, and frequent- ly the inhabitants of the town and surrounding country were in arms to meet threatened invasion. As early as May 2, 1812, before war was declared, such was the patriotic impulses of the town, Captain Grindage, of the United States army, opened a re- eruiting office in Wilmington, and many young men enlisted. As an inducement Captain Grindage offered eight dollars per month to those who would enlist for five years, with a bounty of sixteen dollar> and one hundred and sixty acres of government land. :
On August 24th Governor Haslet issued commissions to our of a company of light infantry attached to the First Battalion, Sixth Be zt- went ; John Mais, captain ; John Bevil, hontenant , Thomas Halden, ensign. On the same day commissions were issued to a trumpet tis- ly attached to the Third Bristol , others-samuel Las. wylan George Path, first lieutenant . Client White, wcoud heute nant . Wit- ham Laws, contert. Vo ta Nathan Pratt, enogn, and Jauns White. captain Sonety Pe mapati, with Regiment : to Joseph Both, I mena Third Company, Hand Regiment : to William Garretsan, We uteranit Third compris, First Rezident , to Jedin Sek, explain. - Au- strong, lieutenant ; Joseph Springer, Jr., ensign Sixth thepains, first Re giment. N. le mah bodand, of Nutter, cit. n id'a company at night infantry attached to the First Battalion ot thie Srtenth Regnoent. In September ". 1-12. on recommendation of John Stockton, lotsofbergen- eral of the First Busade, and on informations that there were not thee full troops of casalis, the Governor atto hed to the intgade and contain --
283
THE WAR OF 1812-15.
The chief seat of the military operations during the umtner of 1812 was in the North and West. Along the region of the great lakes and through Northern New York and Southern Canada the most hotly. contested struggles were being carried on. The Northwestern army, the fortress of Detroit and the Territory of Michigan had fallen into the hands of the enemy. General Hull, who had been in command of the American army in the North, was court- martialed on charges of treason, cowardice and ne- glect of duty, and sentenced to be shot, but was re- commended to the mercy of the executive. The President granted a reprieve and ordered his name to be stricken from the roll of the army .!
Farther sonth, although no serious conflicts had oc- curred, the petty skirmishes and encounters had proved more successful to American valor. On August 14th the British ship " Mary Ann" was brought to Cape May, a prize of the American pri- vateer "Paul Jones."
News of the capture of the British frigate "Guer- riere," Captain James R. Dacres, by the United States frigate "Constitution," Captain Isaac Hull, was received September 3d, and created the greatest enthusiasm. In the desperate encounter Lieutenant Win. S. Bush, first lieutenant of marines on board of the " Constitution," was killed while leading a board- ing party. Lieutenant Bush was a native of Wil- mington, a son of Captain John Bush, and a nephew of Major Lewis Bush, who fell at the battle of Bran- dywine in the Revolution. He entered the navy in 1809, and was promoted first lieutenant two years later. He was distinguished for bravery and his many private virtues.
In September, 1812, an incident occurred in the
sioned .John Warner, captain ; Joseph Stidham, first lieutenant ; Wil- liam P. Broleon, serund liente nant ; and Phillip R .--- , cornet. Sep- temiber Inth, commissions were issned to Robrit Ockeltice, lieutenant, Et-never Morton, ensign Thud Company, Second Regiment ; Juob Ash, captain, Joseph Ash, hentenant, John Miller, ensign sixth L'olil- pany, Second Regiment ; Richard Laurenson, captain, Richard Graves, lieutenant, and Jonathan Faris, Pirsign Lighth Company, second Regi- ment. On September 17th, those commissioned were damir- Kerr, ad- jutant of a battalion of cavalry attached to the First Brigade in place of George Read, Ji , resigned ; William Whitaker, lieutenant, and Richard Mitchell, ensign Fitth Company, Sixth Regiment.
On June 20th Generad John Stockton called a meeting in Wilmington of the colonels and majors belonging to the First Prigole of Delaware militia, and erected New Castle County into regimental and battalion districts. About the same trine Senator Bayard piratited a memorial to Congress from the citizens of Wilmington .und New Castle County, pray- ing for measures of defense On June With a vessel arrived at the mouth of the Christina and reported that three Butish arnold vessels were off the tages of the Delaware, which created con-aberalle excite- went in Wilmington, and meisttes were immediately put into effect to de l'en the place, On the 20th the young men of the town organized a rifle corps, with Cesar \ Rodney, captura ; A Hamilton, Ist lenten- ant ; and Elwand S. Mendenhall, +cond buentenant. The Ladies of the town presented the company with a handsome silk Has.
th August 2th Colonel Allen M. Lane, collector of the port of Wil- mington, instructed all sailor - on the Delaware River to carry arms for their defense. He said if they were " issued by atmed from you are to mit on the defensive and appeal to the civil anthority for podoption, You are not at your peril to be the as tilint. The callertur of Itlaaware will hot suffer the sovereignty and independence of Delaware to be vielsted with Impunity."
I Captain H. Grimlage, of the sixteenth Regiment of United States infantis, lett Wilmington on the 25th of October, I-12, for the North- Western army, "with Ito as micely equipped and as brave looking menny ever graded any army " Two heavy wagons followed them with provisions and baggage.
Delaware, which caused some comment at the time. Sir James Yeo, the commander of the British frigate "Southampton," having heard that Captain David Porter, of the United States sloop-of-war " Essex," had maltreated a British seaman on board of his ship. sent him the following challenge, which was published in the Democratic Press of Philadelphia :
" Sir James Yeo presents his compliment- to C'aptain Porter, conunan- der of the American trigate . Esses,' and would be glad to have a tete. tete anywhere between the Cape of Delaware and the Havana, where he would have the pleasure to break his own sword over his dauntied head, and put him forward in italy."
To this Captain Porter replied the same day :
"Captain Porter, of the I'united States frigate ' E-es,' presents his compliments to Sir Junes Yen, commanding II. B M.'s frigate "Southampton,' and accepts with pleasure his judite invitation Agterable to sir James, Captain Potter would prefer a meeting near the Delaware, where Captain Porter pledges his honor to sir James that ho other Amencan vessel shall interrupt their tole & tête. the 'Bort' may be known by a day Wearing the motto . Free trade and sailots' rights, and when that is stuck to the " Southampton " Captain Porter will deserve the treatment [nomised by sir Jammrs."
Sir James, however, did not respond."
On the 13th of October, 1812, the sloop-of-war . " Wasp" left the Delaware on a cruise to the West Indies, with a full complement of men, about one hundred and thirty-five in number. The "Wasp" mounted sixteen thirty-two-pound carronades and two long twelves, and also carried, usually, two small brass eannon in her tops. Her commander was Captain Jacob Jones, a brave officer, and a native of Delaware.' His officers were: Lieutenants, George W. Rodgers, James Biddle, Benjamin Booth, Alex- ander Claxton and Henry B. Rapp; Sailing-master, Wm. Knight; Surgeon, Thomas Harris ; Purser, George L. Price; Boatswain, John MeCloud ; Gun- ner, George Jackson: Midshipmen, George Van Cleve, A. S. Ten Eyck, Richard Brashear, John Hol- comb, Wm. J. MeChumey, C. J. Baker and Charles Gaunt ; Surgeon's Mate, Walter W. New. On Octo- ber 18th the " Wasp," when off the West Indies, dis- covered a fleet of armed merchant vessels under the protection of the British sloop-of-war "Frolic," mounting sixteen thirty-two-pound carronades, two long six-pounders and two twelve-pound carronades on her forecastle. She was manned with a crew of one hundred and eight persons under Capt. Thomas Whingates.
The two vessels ranged up elo-e and immediately began one of the fiereest naval engagements of the war. Within five minutes after the action began the main-topmast of the " Wasp" was shot away. It fell with the main-topsail yard, and lodged across the
" Tossing's " Pictorial Fieldl-Book " of the War of 1812, pp. 410-41.
" Comemore Jarah Jones was born near smyrna, m Match, 17. He grainabed in medicine, but abandoned his profession to accept the office of leik of the supreme Court. on April to, 170, he entered the west Hr was an otherr of the frigate .' Philadelphia " when she was captured in the huber of Tried, in Isud, and was for righton months it prisoner. He was tele comunicadores April 20. 1'de, and when the Wu od Is12 broke out was in command of the shop " Wasp." He wasmade in het du's squadron. At the close at the wu Commentare done .a. mandel the Mediterranean and Bu ffie squadron, atul was for some years a member of the Navy , Board and Governor of the Naval Asylum at Philadelphia. He died at the latter city August 3, 1 -. 0.
284
HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
larboard and fore-top-ail braces, rendering the head- yards unmanageable during the remainder of the ae- tion. In a few minutes more her gait and main-top- gallant-mast was shot away, and fell heavily to the deck ; and at the end of twenty minutes from the opening of the engagement every brace and mast of the rigging of the " Wa-p " was disabled. She was in a forlorn condition indeed, and had few promises of victory.
But while the " Wasp" was receiving these serious damages in her rigging and top, the " Frolic" was more seriously injured in her hall. The latter gener- ally tired when on the erest of the waves, while the former fired from the trough of the -va, and sent her
COMMODORE JACOB JONES.
missiles through the hull of her antagonist with de- structive force. The two vessels gradually approach- ed each other until the bends of the " Wasp " rubbed against the " Frolic's " hows; and, in lading for the last broadside, the rammers of the "Wasp's " gunners were shoved against the sides of the " Frolic." Fin- ally the combatants run foul of each other : the bow- sprit of the " Frolic " passed in over the quarter deck of the " Wasp," and foreing her bows up into the wind. This enabled the latter to throw in a close raking broadside that produced dreadful havoc.
The crew of the " Wasp" was now in a state of the highest excitement, and could no longer be restrained. With wild shouts they leaped into the tangled rig- ging before Captain Joties could throw in another broadside, as he intended before boarding his enemy. and made their way to the decks of the " Frolic," with Lieutenants James Bildle and Rodgers, who, with Lieutenanta Booth, Claxton and Rapp, had exhibited the most undaunted courage throughout the action. But there was no one to oppose them. The last broad- side had carried death and dismay into the " Frolic," and almost cleared her decks of active men. The wounded, dying and dead were strewn in every direc-
tion. Feveral surviving officers were standing aft the most of them bleeding, and not a common seaman or marine was at his station, except an old tar at the wheel, who had kept his post throughout the terrible encounter. All who were able had rushed below to escape the raking fire of the " Wasp."
The English officers cast down their swords in sub- mission, and Lieutenant Biddle, who led the board- ing-party. springing into the main rigging struck the colors of the " Frolic" with his own hand, not one of the enemy being able to do so. The prize passed into the possession of the Americans after a contest of three-quarters of an hour, when every one of her officers were wounded, and a greater part of her men were either killed or severely wounded. Not twenty persons on board of her remained unhurt. Her ag- gregate loss in killed and wounded was estimated at ninety. The " Wasp" had only tive killed and five wounded.
The " Frolic" was so injured that when the two vessels separated both her masts fell and with tattered sails and broken rigging covered the dead on her deck. Captain Jone- placed Lientenant Biddle in command of the prize with orders to take her to Charleston, while he pursued his voyage. As they were about to part company the British ship-of-war " Poic- tiers," of seventy guns, commanded by Captain John Poo Beresford hove in sight and captured both ves- sels. The " Wasp " and her prize were taken to Bermuda, where the American prisoners were ex- changed, and departed for home.
The victory of the "Wasp" over the "Frolic" occasioned much exultation in the United States. The press teemed with landations of Captain Jones and his gallant companions, and a stirring song, com- memorative of the event, was soon upon the lips of singers at public gatherings, in bar-rooms, workshops. and even by ragged urchins.
The lines ran thus : 1
. The for bravely fought, lost his arms ware all broken. And be fed from his death-wound asbest and anchted But the thep darted forward hier de the doing sfins, Ani full un hi- Innum, like bghtning alzhned She pierced through his entrants. she wouldoned his main. And he writhed and be greand is it ten with the cult ; And long shalt, John Bull rue the terrible day He net the American Wasp on a Pole."
A Philadelphia caricaturist materialized the idea and sent forth a colored picture called " A WASP ON A FROLIC, OR A SPING FOR JOHN BULL, ' that sold by hundreds during the excitement of the public mind. Under the picture were the following lines :
"A Hisp took a Fondo, and met Jolies Hall, Wirdways fights that when his belle is hul! The Hoop thought him banges lo has month open wide. So, his lully to Fill, just a song in his able."
Captain Jones, npon his return to the United States, was received with demonstrations of gratitude and admiration. According to the usual custom, a court of inquiry was held on his conduct in giving up the " Wasp" and her prize, and the opinion of the court was, "That the conduct of the officer- and crew of the ' Wasp *was eminently distinguished for tirti-
THE WAR OF 1812-15.
285
news and gallantry in making every preparation and exertion of which their situation would admit."
In the cities which Captain Jones had occasion to pass, brilliant entertainment- were given in his honor. The Legislature of Delaware appointed a committee to wait on him with their thanks and to express " the pride and pleasure" they felt in reeng- nizing him as a native of their State, and at the same time voted him thanks, an elegant sword and a piece of silver plate with appropriate engraving -. The Common Council of New York voted him a word, and also the "freedom of the city." On motion of Hon. dames A. Bayard, the Congress of the United States appropriated twenty-five thousand dollars as a compensation to Captain Jones and his companions for their loss of prize-money occasioned by the re- rapture of the " Frolic." They also ordered a gobl medal to be presented to the captain, and a silver one to each of his officers. On one side was a bust of Captain Jones. Legend : "JACOBE'S JONES, -- VIRTUS IN ARDUA TENDIT." On the reverse were two ships closely engaged, the bowsprit of the " Wasp." he- tween the masts of the " Frolic." Men on the bow of the " Wasp " in the act of boarding the " Frolic."
Wach couldy .... Such aThing !!
"WASP" ON A " FROLIC."
The main-topmast of the "Wasp" shot away. Legend : " VICTORIAM HOSTI MAJORI CELERRIME RAPUIT. EXERGUE-INTER WASP, NAV. AMERL. ET FROLIC, NAV. ANG. DIE XVIII OCT., MDOUCAI." Captain Jones also received a more substantial token of his country's approbation, by being promoted by Congress to the command of the frigate " Macedo- nian," which had lately been captured from the Brit- ich and taken into the service. Lieutenant Biddle also shared in the honors-besides receiving thanks, was presented with a silver urn and medal.'
But though our naval victories were thus glorious. dlefeat and disgrace attended the American army. Hull's expedition and surrender, the Queenstown de-
fent," Smythe's strange inaction, retreat and failure, Dearborn s mortrying disasters in the Lake Cham- plain region, ali contributed to rouse the spirit of the people and teach them gooded lessons. A disciplined navy never failed . an andiscipline;] army never tri- umphed. Canada, the key of the situation, lay open Lo assault, and good pereralship would have captured both the Upper and Lower provinces in a single cam- paign -thus, perhaps, changing the entire political history of the norther :: half of this continent. In- efficient emmmanders prolonged the war far beyond its natural duration.
Active operations of the Delaware had not begun in 1812; but precautions were nevertheless taken to gnar.1 against my surprise from the enemy. The Delaware Legislature met in special session at Dover on the 9th of November. The Governor announced that six hundred muskets, with bayonets and all the equipments necessary. had been delivered to the mil- itis, and the remaining three hundred contracted for were .esly for delivery. The Assembly, at this ses- sion, passed laws for distributing and keeping the-e arms, and then adjourned. In addition to these, the State receive.l five hundred stands of arms from the government and equipments for five hundred mu -- kets, as its quota in the general distribution of 1812. pursuant to the Act of Congress of April 23, 140%, "for arming the whole body of the militia of the United States."
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