USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston; with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix > Part 37
USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of East Boston : with biographical sketches of its early proprietors, and an appendix. > Part 37
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The war was unpopular, and, in New England especially, was considered as unjust ; but it was no time now for discussion. As was well said in one of the newspapers: " If we are de- fended, the State government and individual exertion must defend us, as the United States, who ought to do it, have aban- doned us to our fate. It is not a question now, whether the war was, or was not, conceived in weakness or wickedness; nor whether it has, or has not, been conducted in the most use- less or ruinous manner ; we must settle such questions as these hereafter. The question is whether we will, or will not, defend our homes against those who come to possess or destroy them, at the point of the bayonet. . .. . In this hour of gloom and peril, every man must consult his own heart, and his means of being useful. It is, and ever will be, gratefully remembered, how many of our worthy fellow-citizens have promptly left their business and their homes, and have come a long distance to dwell in camps, and risk their lives for the protection of the metropolis ; that the spirit of defence against invasion has em- bodied all classes of our vicinity, even those who could not be legally called upon to take arms. It must be taken into view also, that the preparations which voluntarily flow from this spirit, will, in all human probability, save us from the calami- ties and awful scenes which this town and its vicinity might
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HISTORY.
[1814.
have exhibited, if we had been as careless of our honor and safety as the United States have been." 1
Such sentiments as these gave an earnestness to the work of defence, and elicit our admiration of the determined zeal with which the people labored for the desired end.
An actor in these scenes,2 in a note to the writer, says : -
" When the war of 1812 took place, the general government left Boston defenceless, and the State government was obliged to take charge of the defences of the harbor, and the high land at Noddle's Island was selected as one point to be fortified. Loammi Baldwin laid down the lines, and gave the topographi- cal plans of the fort. It was of earthwork, and sodded. There was a water battery, with a covered way from it to the main fort. This work was done principally, if not wholly, by the voluntary labor of our citizens ; detachments of the military, of merchants, mechanics, sailors, etc., and sometimes whole parishes headed by their pastors. I remember the venerable Rev. Dr. Lothrop, with the deacons and elders of his church, each shoul- dering his shovel, and doing yeoman's service in digging, shovelling, and carrying sods in handbarrows.3
" The fort was finished, a few guns were mounted, drafts from the militia were made in turn to man it, and a right merry time we had of it there doing guard duty. The enemy's ships were in sight, standing into the bay, sending out their barges, and sometimes landing on the islands. I remember one night there was an alarm that the enemy's boats were approaching Chelsea point, and we were drawn down to the shore on the back part of the Island, well supplied with ball-cartridges. But they did not land, and we returned again to our quarters. It was sup- posed that they intended to destroy the navy-yard; but had they attempted it, their warm reception would have been very different from their reception at Washington."
1 Boston Gazette, Sept. 26, 1814; also see the same paper of Oct. 10th, for a valuable report to the legislature of Massachusetts on the governor's message.
George Darracott, Esq.
3 This fact is particularly mentioned in his funeral sermon by the Rev. Dr. Parkman, his successor.
415
THE FORTRESS NAMED.
1814.]
In addition to the defences thus described in the above letter, the New England Guards were stationed at the navy-yard to guard the passage over Chelsea bridge, and to protect the ship of war then building at the yard under the direction of Commodore Bainbridge.
The fortress had been called " Fort Strong" from the com- mencement, in compliment to the steadfast governor, yet it had not been publicly named. On the 26th of October, on the eve of its completion, the ceremony took place. The Centinel of that date says: "The ceremony of naming this excellent fortress will positively take place this day at 11 o'clock. The Executive Council will be received on the Island by the Wins- low Blues, and escorted into the Fort, where a salute will be fired by the New England Guards, and be repeated by Major Harris's battalion of Artillery."
The ceremonies took place under the direction of Loammi Baldwin, the chief engineer, assisted by Colonel Geo. Sullivan and Major Freeman. His honor Lieutenant-Governor Phillips, the executive council, the general and brigade staff of the Massa- chusetts Guards, the general and field-officers of the Boston mi- litia, and others, embarked from Long wharf, and were received with plaudits at the gate of the fort. The Winslow Blues per- formed the garrison duties, and were drawn up in front of the governor's marquee, pitched in the centre of the fort. The lieu- tenant-governor advanced from the marquee, and made the fol- ing short address : -
" Impressed with the strongest sensations of respect and esteem for the venerable Commander-in-Chief of the State of Massachusetts, I with pleasure comply with the request of my fellow-citizens, in raising this Flag, and in publicly proclaiming that this Fort will ever hereafter bear the name of FORT STRONG."
The flag was then hoisted amid the cheers of the spectators, and honored by a salute from the artillery of the National Guards ; which was echoed by two companies of artillery, posted at North Battery and India wharves. A collation was then partaken of, which was provided by Mr. Williams, the tenant of the Island. The ceremony was highly pleasing, the day uncommonly fine, and the spectators were numerous. Joy
416
HISTORY.
[1814.
filled all hearts at the completion of the strong defence, and the people retired to their homes well satisfied with their labors and with the good results accomplished.
On the 29th of October, the selectmen announced that " the important post of Fort Strong was completed." This fact was the occasion of great joy to the inhabitants, who for seven weeks had made every exertion and strained every nerve to protect their town, and now that the work was done, now that a large and strong fortress was completed, which was considered as amply sufficient to accomplish the end desired, they enjoyed a feeling of pleasant security and a comparative freedom from anxiety. The fort being done, but few men would be needed on the island so long as the enemy left them unmolested. Consequently, in the early part of the next month, and on the approach of winter (8th Nov.), the guard was reduced to one sergeant, two corporals, and ten privates, and so continued with immaterial change until the 28th of February, 1815; thus making the whole time the fort had a guard a little more than five months, or from the 21st of September, 1814, to the 28th of February, 1815.1
At the session of the legislature in January, 1815, Governor Strong presented a message which ably vindicated the state policy, and a brief statement of the antecedents of the war may with propriety be extracted. He says : " Before war was de- clared, when we saw the tendency of the national measures, we expressed our most ardent desire that hostilities might be avoided. We could hardly conceive it possible, that, under the pretence of guarding our commerce, we should adopt a course by which it must be annihilated; or that, to protect our sea- men, we should engage in a war that would lead to their destruction. We knew, that, whenever the war between France and England should terminate, the evils we complained of
1 Order Book, Adjt .- Gen .; Order Book, and 20th Cong. 2nd Ses. House Dec. 3, p. 95; General Orders of Nov. 30th, for furnishing a guard from 3d brigade, 1st division, consisting of one sergeant, two corporals, and twelve privates, for Fort Strong, for two months, to be either volunteers or detailed for the service. General Orders, Jan. 30th, 1815, continue the guard at Fort Strong for thirty days, unless sooner discharged.
1
417
PEACE DECLARED.
1815.]
would cease; and that our commerce, if unobstructed by inter- nal restraints, would be more profitable during the war with Europe, than after peace should be established. If in the ardu- ous conflict between Great Britain and France and their respective allies, the combatants did not always suspend their blows when we happened to go within reach of them, yet we could see no reason for our interference in the quarrel. But the government became impatient, and though there was appar- ently some embarrassment in deciding which of the belligerents should be attacked, and whether it would not be expedient to attack both at once, it was soon determined to select that peo- ple for our enemies with whom we were most nearly con- nected, whose commerce was most important to us, and who were able to do us the most mischief."
This is not the place to discuss the merits or demerits of the policy which led to the war of 1812, and only so much has been said as seemed necessary to a tolerably clear understanding of the circumstances attending the construction of Fort Strong.1 The principles which guided the governor and influenced the people of the State are better shown in the extracts which have been given, than could otherwise be said in many pages.
To those interested in the general subject, reference is made to the journals of that time, which are accessible in many of our libraries.
The treaty of peace between England and the United States was ratified on the 17th of February, 1815; and on the 20th, the general orders directed that salutes be fired in Boston on the 22d, the anniversary of Washington's birthday, to celebrate the "joyful event of peace."2 The same day was selected for
1 In this connection, the author does not deem it out of place to remark, that he has in his possession a large amount of original and hitherto unpublished material relating to the administration of Governor Strong and the national government during the war of 1812, and many manuscript volumes of original letters, and matters of personal knowledge which his official relations to Gover- nor Strong and his own proceedings in the province of Maine enabled him to collect, and which these circumstances have made accessible to no one else. Should a favorable opportunity present itself, and the writer's health be spared, he may place these documents before the public, feeling assured that by them much light would be thrown upon Gov. Strong's administration, and his course of action vindicated from the aspersions which have been thrown upon it.
2 Order Book, p. 212.
418
HISTORY.
[1815.
a general celebration. The legislature was in session, and it chose a committee, of which Josiah Quincy was chairman, to make arrangements for a "religious celebration." The news- papers of the 20th contained numerous notices respecting the arrangements for the forthcoming celebration, signed by the committee of the legislature, the selectmen, and the officers of military companies. The 22d was ushered in by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon. At 10 o'clock, the legislative, executive, and judicial departments formed a procession under the escort of the Independent Company of Cadets, and pro- ceeded to the Stone Chapel, where the religious ceremonies of the day were performed by the chaplains of the legislature, and a Te Deum Laudamus was sung. On the return to the State house, and under a salute from the forts and the common, a grand civic and military procession was arranged, and marched through the principal streets of the town, under the direction of Col. Daniel Messenger and Major B. P. Tilden and their aids. In the evening, all the public, and very many of the private, buildings were illuminated, fireworks were displayed, and every demonstration of joy was made which happy hearts could dic- tate.
A treaty of peace is a cause for rejoicing ; and the New Eng- landers were especially thankful, as it relieved them from a con- test which had been forced upon them by the measures of the national administration. They had kept aloof from the war until compelled to provide means for their own defence against an enemy unnecessarily brought upon them by their own gov- ernment. Then, in an incredibly short space of time, they erected large and numerous defences, and awaited the result with firmness. Peace was now announced, and the people with joy left the sword and musket for the plough and the workshop; and instead of
the clash of steel, The volley's roll, the rocket's blasting spire,"
they thought of
" Nothing but peace, and gentle visitation,"
and each man sang,
" The merry songs of peace to all his neighbors."
419
FORT STRONG DISMANTLED.
1815.]
The expense of constructing Fort Strong was not very great, for the labor was mostly gratuitous. But there were some pe- cuniary disbursements which were with propriety charged to the national government. Mr. Baldwin's account of payments to the mechanics and laborers, between the 23d of September and the 14th of November, 1814, amounted to over $7,000. Thomas Williams, the tenant of the Island, estimated the damage done to his corn, potatoes, and other crops, at $175; and he also presented a bill of $250 "for stoning and furnish- ing the well at Fort Strong, laying a platform thereon, and levelling the dirt around the well." The proprietors of the Island presented a bill of $1,020 for damage done by the erec- tion of the fort and the water batteries. This damage was estimated by Artemas Ward, Aaron Dexter, and Josiah Quincy, who charged sixty dollars for their " time and trouble in esti- mating the damages done the proprietors of Noddle's Island by the agents of the Commonwealth, by digging up their soil, and erecting Fort Strong." We know of no state, during that war, which kept so minute and exact an account of its expen- ditures as Massachusetts ; and, did space permit, most particular details could be given of each man's labor, the implements used, and the various articles furnished.
Were it not foreign to our direct narrative, much might be said here relative to the justice of the Massachusetts claim, in reference to which the author has a great deal of original mat- ter, which would place the whole subject in a plain and conclu- sive light. These documents he hopes, at some not far distant day, to present to the public.
The war being finished, there was no further use for the fort. It was dismantled and abandoned, and around the place where then the long cannon showed a deadly front, and the sentries paced their measured grounds, now blossoming gardens and elegant private residences speak of peace and plenty. The well, dug at the time the fort was constructed, still remains, and " is under the side-walk, some seventy-five feet from the north- east corner of the square." 1
1 See article on Water, in Chap. XVI.
420
HISTORY.
[1815.
With the history of this fort, the military account of the Island closes ; and it is to be hoped that the chapter will never be reopened. Peace crowns the Island with a glorious renown. It has its victories ; and nowhere are they more nobly won than upon the spot where Fort Strong was a tower of defence to the city across the channel.1
1 A few years later, an incident occurred, which, if not of a military char- acter, is an event which requires to be noticed. The fewest words will best explain it. Francis B. White, a lieutenant of the Marine Corps, U. S. N., sent the following note to Lieutenant William Finch, of the Navy, then upon this station, under Commodore Bainbridge.
" Charlestown, 17th Sept. 1819.
" SIR, - An opportunity has never before occurred for demanding of you satisfaction for the many indignities you were pleased to offer me when on board the Independence, in 1815. I cannot doubt that you will be prompt in rendering atonement for those indignities, which one gentleman can never ex- pect to offer to another with impunity, and I send to you my friend, Mr. God- frey, for the purpose of making such arrangements as are necessary to this end.
Respectfully yours, &c.
" To Lieut Wm. Finch.
F. B. WHITE."
The challenge was accepted ; and on the following Saturday, the 25th, about eight o'clock in the morning, Lieutenant Finch and Lieutenant White marked out the ground near the two elm trees then standing on the Island, now be- tween Meridian and Border streets, third section. White fell, and died upon the spot. His body was taken to the navy-yard, from which it was buried under arms the next day. He was the only son of Major Moses White, of Rutland.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE FORMATION OF THE EAST BOSTON COMPANY.
THE project of connecting Noddle's Island with the city proper, and of making it a valuable addition to the metropolis of New England, was early entertained by the writer, and to the accomplishment of this desirable end he directed his thoughts and endeavors for a long course of years. After the death of his father, and immediately upon reaching his major- ity, namely, on the 6th of July, 1801, he was appointed attor- ney for his mother, and took the charge of her property, a part of which consisted in a share of Noddle's Island ; from that early time he was ever devising plans to improve the estate. From his boyhood he had been conversant with its locality, and in after years he perceived the natural advantages which it possessed from its proximity to Boston, from the deep water upon its shore, deeper than in any other part of the upper harbor, and consequently the superior wharfage, and from its varied surface, and salubrious climate, and unequalled prospect, which would render it desirable for residences. This idea of improvement he cherished and kept uppermost in his thoughts, and labored for its realization until, after long-continued and varied exertions, he saw all accomplished that had been plan- ned, and all his early hopes fulfilled.
In presenting to the public a history of these transactions, the writer is aware that he may subject himself to the charge of egotism, and yet he hopes to escape this remark, inasmuch as the necessity of a correct historical detail of the events to be recorded requires a frequent allusion to his own actions in them ; and, in order to avoid stiffness in the recital, he hopes
36
422
HISTORY.
[1801.
the circumstances will afford sufficient apology for speaking of himself as he would of a stranger.
Various projects were devised for bringing the Island into public notice, and for connecting it with the city ; but the ear- liest plan which took a definite form, and seemed at the time feasible, was when a turnpike from Salem to Boston was under contemplation. This enterprise was started in 1795 or 1796, and it was some years before the act of the legislature was obtained. In June, 1801, General Sumner, who at that time had not reached his majority, addressed a letter to Moses Brown, Esq., of Beverly, chairman of the committee for the petitioners for the Salem turnpike, and in it he represented the advantages to be gained by locating the road over Noddle's Island. As this letter shows the early and earnest interest which the writer took in the prosperity of the Island, and the full knowledge he even then had of the circumstances connected with its situation and its relation to other towns, it may with propriety be here introduced :-
" Boston, June 5, 1801.
" SIR, - Having heard you observe that it was the object of the subscribers for building a turnpike-road from Boston to Salem, to pursue the most practicable route, in order to pre- vent any shortening hereafter from being made; I beg leave to suggest to you, Sir, in my opinion, that the circular route from Chelsea thro' Charlestown to Boston is about & of a mile far- ther than a direct course over Noddle's Island to Boston: The actual saving of distance, however, can only be obtained by admeasurement. The course suggested will be almost in a direct line, and from my knowledge of the land, I think that, on this route, it will not only be practicable to build a road, but I think the land is highly favorable. On the back part of the Island is a muddy creek, and the distance from the Island to Boston is not so great by one third, I presume, as it is from Chelsea to Moreton Point in Charlestown. The channel is within four rods of the Island, and is one fathom deeper than where the Charlestown Bridge stands, so that a heavy abutment may be made on the edge of the channel ; there is a sufficiency of stones on the Island for this purpose. On the Boston side there is a long bar of gravel which is formed by the current of
1801.]
THE SALEM TURNPIKE. 423
Charles river. The channel is narrow, and I have circuitously heard that Mr. Coxe is of opinion that there is no doubt of the stability of a bridge properly erected in this place.
" There is no doubt but that the necessities of the town of Boston will some time require a connection with Noddle's Island with the town of which it is a part. This connection was some time since contemplated for the sake of speculation. Whatever the necessities of the town now are, I believe it is a desirable object with the selectmen, and with many influential characters in the town, to have this connection now take place. Should the turnpike proprietors prefer this route over the Island, they will unquestionably have the weight of Boston in their scale, and will save in distance at least & of a mile and the toll of Charlestown Bridge.
" The objections to this plan are easily foreseen; of their weight in comparison with the advantage gained, the Com- mittee who have attended to the subject are the best judges. Although the Charlestown Bridge will retain the travel to Andover, Haverhill, the back parts of Vermont and New Hampshire, to New Concord and Portsmouth by the upper road, they will use all their influence to oppose it. The repre- sentation from Charlestown will oppose it, on the ground that it will diminish the travel through the town. But why shall Salem, Marblehead, Beverly, Newburyport, Ipswich, and the District of Maine be obliged to take a turn through Charles- town streets to please Charlestown people ? The navigation of the town will in some degree be obstructed, no doubt; but I think the gentlemen of the Committee cannot but have observed the decrease of Charlestown navigation since the erection of the West Boston Bridge; it is seldom that an outward bound ves- sel enters at Charlestown, and seldom do they go there with more than half freight. All their wood and lumber they receive at their wharves. But we shall throw no greater obstruction in the way of Charlestown navigation than they did to the navigation of Cambridge and Watertown, and they cannot now come forward and inconsistently endeavor to diminish the weight of it; 'we will build a very convenient draw' Land is likewise purchased for a navy-yard at Charlestown. Under the late administration, the establishment of a navy-yard would
-
424
HISTORY.
[1801.
have been consequential. This, I conceive, will have no great weight under the present. But should any change of system take place, and the deadly hatred to a Naval Establishment be removed, the Committee by inquiry will be informed, that it was the resolution of the British Government previous to the Revolution, after an accurate survey of the Harbor by the King's Surveyor, to establish it at Noddle's Island. That the water is better there than at any other place in the harbor, and that the conveniences and cheapness with which it may be built there, in comparison with the place at Charlestown, will be more consistent with the Administration system of economy.
"An idea which will not be publicly acknowledged, will be of great private importance to the advocates of this route, which will not operate in the case of the Petitioners for a bridge to Moreton's Point in Charlestown. They will be sure of the hearty cooperation of all those who are opposed to a Naval Establishment, and the gentlemen of the Committee are best acquainted with their power in the house. They will conceive the erection of a bridge to Noddle's Island will be sufficient to justify their friends in the Federal administration already pre- disposed to this object if they delay the establishment of a navy-yard at present.
" The objections to the route over the Island being obviable, and the advantages resulting from it being so important, I think Sir, that the Committee will not readily relinquish this object or this favorable crisis for obtaining it, and run the risk of being cut off at some future time.
" I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your most Obdt. and very humble Servt., " WM. H. SUMNER."
The committee to whom this letter was addressed through Mr. Brown, the chairman, consisted, so far as is now recollected, of Moses Brown, Israel Thorndike, and Samuel Davis, of Beverly, Hersey Derby, of Salem, and one other, whose name is not now recalled.
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