History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 189

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 189

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In 1789 the burdens of taxation had become so heavy on the people of the Commonwealth that au insurrection broke out in some of the counties, which has gone into history under the name of "Shay's Re- bellion." A company was raised in Newburyport to join the expedition against Shay, the leader of the dis- turbance, and in March, 1789, the town voted "to grant to the soldiers that went against Shay a sum sufficient to make up their pay to forty-eight shillings per month." Capt. Ezra Lunt, who raised the first company in the War of the Revolution, took com- mand of the company, but before he reached the seene of the insurrection news was received that it had been successfully quelled.

In the same year, as has been already mentioned, Washington visited Newburyport, and spent the night of Friday, the 1st of November, at the house of Nathaniel Tracy.

The troubles of the United States with France may be said to have begun with the commencement of the French Revolution in 1792. During the American Revolution our government and France entered into a treaty dated February 6, 1778, by the eleventh ar- tiele of which France guaranteed our independence, and our government in return promised assistance in protecting the interests and possessions of France. The article was as follows :

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"The two parties guarantee, mutually, from the present time and forever, against all other powers, to wit ; The United States to His Must Christian Majesty, the present possession of the Crown of Fraoce in America, as well as those which it may acquire by the future treaty of peace. Aod his Most Christian Majesty guarantees, on his part, to the United States their liberty, sovereignty and independence, absolute and unlimited, as well ia matters of government as commerce, and also their possessions, and the additions or conquests that their confederation may obtain during the war."

At the date of the treaty the islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe belonged to the French. The latter island, discovered by Columbus in 1-193 was settled by the French in 1635, and continued a French possession until 1794, when it was taken by the English. After that date, during the next half-century, it was captured and recaptured and finally ceded to France in 1814. At the time of the French and American treaty, in 1778, it was in the hands of the French. The island of Martinique, also discovered by Columbus in 1493, was settled by the French in 1635, and continued a French possession until 1794, when it was taken by the Euglish and restored in 1802, to be again taken in 1809, and finally given up to France in 1814. This island also, at the time of the French and American treaty, was in the hands of the French.

During our Revolutionary War, France faithfully met all her obligations under the treaty. During her own revolution her possessions in the West Indies were threatened by the English ; but our government not only failed to meet its treaty obligations, but in 1793 issued, tbrough President Washington, a procla- mation of neutrality. The town of Newburyport sup- ported the President in his proclamation, and in town-meeting unanimously voted :

" That in the opinion of this town the nontrality of the United States during the war now waged by the several belligerent powers in Europe, is consistent with the honor and good faith of our government, and not repugnant to any treaties existing between the U'nited States and any of those powers."

It was also voted unanimously :

"That in the opinion of this town a strict and uniform adherence to that neutrality is of the atmost importance to the best interests and happiness of our Country ; That in the opinion of this town the late proclamation of the President declaring that neatrality was a coostito- tional and wise measure, resulting from his ardent affection for his follow-citizens, his knowledge of, and vigilant attention to, their just rights and interests ; That in the opinion of this town any infraction of the laws of neutrality by any of the citizens of the United States fitting ont, or being interested in, armed vessels to cruise against the citizens or subjects of either of the belligerent powers, or personally engaged in such cruise, will naturally tend to injure essentially the agricultural, manufacturing and commercial interests of this Country."

The United States government was placed in a peculiar attitude. The eleventh article of the treaty of 1778 could not be carried out without violating its "treaty of peace and amity " with Great Britain. A severe pressure, however, was brought to bear upon the government and people by those having, at the time, authority in France; and Citizen Genet was sent to America, commissioned to make the observance of the article a condition of our free commerce with the West Indies. Through the ingenious machinations of Genet a party sprang up among our people in favor of the French claim and in hostility to the neutral

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

policy of Washington. Ilis influence extended so far as to cause the House of Representatives to refuse to vote the necessary supplies for carrying out the treaty with England. There seemed to be danger of a new war with the mother country, and aların spread far and wide. At this juncture the inhabitants of Newburyport, ever on the alert to maintain the national peace and honor, met at the town-house and unanimonsly voted to present a petition to the House of Representatives, praying that the treaty concluded between Great Britain and the United States might be carried into operation, which they considered " essential to preserve the faith, honor and interest of our young and rising Republic."

Neutrality was sustained, and the treaty of peace and amity with England was observed. But new com- plications arose. English cruisers, on the one hand, claimed the right to seize goods of France found on board American vessels, and France, indignant at our failure to observe the treaty of 1778, adopted meas- ures of retaliation and made our merchantmen the prizes of her privateers. Again, England, with the allied powers, agreed to prevent neutral ships from supplying France directly or indirectly with the necessaries of life. In accordance with this agree- ment, seizures or detentions of many vessels belonging to Newburyport occurred, causing great annoyance and serious loss. The annoyances of French cruisers and privateers were especially distressing, and the government of the United States at last issued letters of marque and ordered the construction of cruisers of its own to protect its commerce. At this time and for this purpose the frigates "Hancock," and " Bos- ton," and "Protector" were built for the State by Stephen and Ralph Cross, and the brig " Pickering" by Orlando B. Morrell, for the general government. At this juncture, also, the " Merrimack " was built, as has already been stated, by the merchants of New- buryport and loaned to the government. It looked again like war, but this time with France. The pco- ple of Newburyport, however, were ready to meet the emergency and make the needful sacrifice. At a town- meeting held on the 30th of April, 1798, a commit- tee, consisting of Benjamin Greenleaf, Charles Jackson, Theophilus Parsons, Samuel A. Otis, Jr., and Jonathan Boardman was chosen, and by direction of the town sent the following address to President Adams:

" To the President of the United States :

"SIR-The inhabitants of the town of Newburyport, fully impressed with the present important crisis of public affairs, are prompted, no less hy n sense of duty than by their owo feelings, to express those sentiments which the occasion so naturally inspires in the breast of every Americau. From the long experience of your conduct in the many public othces te which you have been called by your own country, they feel the most perfect confidence in your wisdom, integrity and patriotism ; and they with cheerfulness declare their entire approbation of your attempt to adjust all existing disputes with the French Republic by an amicable negotiation of that spirit of conciliation which dictated your instructions to our ministers, and of the principles of justice on which they were funiled. They learn, with equal indignation and astonishment, that this spirit of conciliation has been repelled with contempt, that these principles of justice have been disregarded, and that a heavy tribute,

with humiliating concessions en our part, have been proposed to us in a maoner arbitrary and nufriendly, as the price at which we must pur- chase the right of beiog beard. The inhabitants of this town duly ap- preciate the blessings of peace and neutrality, but they will oever con- plain at the loss of these blessings wheu constrained them, to the honor, the dignity and the essential interests of the country. They consider the present interesting state of public affairs as a solemn appeal to the hearts of all independent Americans, and a call on them to come forward with unanimity and firmness in support of the government and the bien ot their choice, to resist with becoming dignity any vain attempt to derogate from our commiou sovereignty, or to derogate our national character from the rank it now justly holds umong nations, to convince the world that we are alike uninfluenced by corruption and by frar, and that we will not be a divided people, the miserable slaves of a foreign power, or the despicable tools of foreign influence.

"Iompressed with these seotiments, aod relying with full confidence ou the wisdom and patriotism of every branch of government, they take this occasion solemuly to pledge their lives and fortunes to support the measures judged necessary by the President and Congress, to preserve and secure the happiness, the digoity and the essential interests of the United States."

President Adams replied as follows:

" To the Inhabitants of Newburyport :

"GENTLEMEN-The address of the inhabitants of the ancient, populous and wealthy town of Newburyport, passed without a disseotient voice, at a late meeting, as certified by your selectmen, and presented to me by your representative io Congress, Mr. Bartlett, does me great honor.

"The astonishment and indignation you express ut the contempt with which a spirit of conciliation has been replied to; your resolution never to complain at the loss of the blessings of peace and neutrality, when constrained to sacrifice them to the hovor, dignity and essential interests of your country ; to resist, with becoming dignity, any vain attempt to derogate from our common sovereignty, or to degrade our national char- acter from the rank it now justly bolds among nations; to convince the world that you are alike nuinfluenced by corruption and by fear; that you are not a divided people, the miserable slaves of foreign influence, do equal honor to your hearts and judgment.

" Your reliance, with full confidence, on the wisdom and patriotism of every branch of the government, and the solemin pledge of your lives und fortunes to support the measures of the legislature and the adminis- tration to preserve and secure the happiness, dignity and essential inter- ents of the United States, are all the assurances which the best of gov- eruments conld desire from the best of citizens.

" l'hiladelphia, May 8, 1798."

" JOHN ADAMS.

But not until the year 1800 were the complications of our government with France settled. In the mean time those losses occurred which formed the basis of what are now called the "French Claims." Of these losses Newburyport had its full share. After 1793, whenever either Martinique or Gandaloupe was in the possession of the English, French vessels of war, under orders from their government, captured all vesse's bound to such port with supplies, whether neutral vessels or vessels flying the flag of an enemy. Among the neutral vessels were many belonging to the United States. On the 30th of September, 1800, in order to be released from the embarrassing entangle- ments of the treaty of 1778, our government entered into a new treaty with France, by which it was re- leased from its obligations on the condition that it would assume and pay all claims which American citizens had at that time against France for the cap- ture and condemnation of their vessels and cargoes. These are what are called the French Claims, and only those are valid which are based on losses before the ratification of the treaty, September 30, 1800. There were losses occurring after that date, but in 1803, at the time of the purchase of Louisiana from the

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French, the claims for these were denominated in the treaty of purchase a debt, and for the liquidation of this debt our government retained twenty millions of francs out of the eighty millions of the purchase money, and paid the claims to the claimants. There were still other losses occasioned by the French, and at the time of the purchase of Florida from Spain, in 1819, a part of the purchase money was retained for the payment of claims by American citizens for losses by the capture by the French of vessels in Spanish waters. These claims, called "Spanish Claims," were also duly paid by our government to the claimants. In 1831, during the administration of President Jackson, representations having been made that other captures had ocenrred after Septem- ber 30, 1800, a schedule of these losses, amounting to nearly a million of dollars, was prepared and a per- emptory demand made for the payment. These claims also were allowed by the French government, and the claimants have been reimbursed by the gov- ernment. It is hoped that by recent legislation the claims which have been so long pending for losses, of which $682,608.05 were incurred by the merchants of Newburyport, will at last, before many months have expired, reach a final settlement.

The invasions of American commerce continued to be carried on. Not only England and France, but Holland and Naples and Denmark, joined in the dep- redations, and were rapidly sweeping American ships from the seas. Without either the ability or desire to check these ravages, our government entered upon a series of restrictive measures which changed the method of the destruction of our commerce, but did not avert it. In 1805 Congress passed a law forbid- ding armed vessels to leave the United States -- adopt- ing the policy of avoiding collisions instead of that of defending our rights. In 1807 a second law was passed forbidding vessels to go to foreign ports. Wherever this law was obeyed foreign trade was killed at a blow. In 1802 the duties on imports received at Newburyport amounted to two hundred thousand six hundred and ninety-five dollars, and in 1812 had fallen to forty-six thousand one hundred and ninety-one dollars. But when it was found that this law was successfully evaded, additional restric- tions were imposed, and, in 1808, even the coasting trade was forbidden. Against this last act of the government the merchants of New England zeal- ously remonstrated, and the merchants of Newbury- port were not less zealous in their remonstrances than those of other towns along the seaboard. In 1809 the embargo was repealed, and once more trade and commerce revived. The non-intercourse act followed, prohibiting trade with Great Britain and France, and hung for a time like a cloud over the sea-but the restrictions which it imposed soon gave way before the concessions of these powers.

The next event touching the interests of Newbury- port was the War of 1812. It is unnecessary to

rehearse its causes and the long list of aggressions which led to it. It is sufficient to say that in that year war was declared with Great Britain. At that time the navy of that power comprised 254 ships of the line, 247 frigates, 183 brigs and enough other smaller vessels to make up the number to 1082 ves- sels. The United States had ten frigates, ten sloops and 165 gun-boats. Private enterprise must be invoked to enlarge and strengthen the resources of the govern- ment. At that time the population of Newburyport was about 8000; its tonnage was 22,933 tons ; its duty on imports $46,181; its total property valuation $6,074,600. The war was no more popular in New- buryport than in other parts of New England, and spirited addresses were adopted by the town; and in anticipation of requisitions for troops, a general dis- inclination was felt to go beyond the lines of the State to fight. Votes were passed refusing to pay bounties to stimulate enlistments, and the almost universal feeling among the Federalists was opposed to any participation in the war. There were, however, many who not only obeyed the dictates of patriotism, but were inclined to follow where the hope of profit led, and there were soon fitted out privateers to engage in the struggle. The early capture of the "Guerriere " by the "Constitution," of the " Frolic " by the "Wasp," of the " Macedonian" by the "United States " and the "Java" by the "Constitution," excited national pride and tended to blunt the edge of opposition in the minds of some, but the Peace party con- tinued strong and persistent. It is not certain that the heat of party feeling did not serve to stimulate the supporters of the government and induce greater activity in its behalf than would have otherwise prevailed. At any rate, before the summer of 1812 had passed, Newburyport had a busy fleet of privateers on the sea. The town, through a committee, on the declaration of war, in June uttered its protest to the Legislature, declaring that its people would march to the war only under the orders of the Governor and Council, and while they would defend their soil, they would "not stir an inch beyond." This committee was composed of Jeremiah Nelson, John Pierpont, Joseph Dana, William Bartlett and William Farris. But, nevertheless, troops were raised, armed men were sent to Plum Island and Cape Ann for coast defense, and a company of artillery served in the battles in Canada.

The first privateer to sail from Newburyport was the " Manhattan," and she was followed by the "Yankee," and the "Decatur," and the "Bunker 1Till." Before the summer had passed, the United States sloop-of-war "Wasp," after capturing the " Frolic," had herself been taken, and another United States sloop bearing the same name was built by Orlando B. Merrill and launched in September. The " Argus" and "Antelope" letters of marque were soon at sea and all did good service in thinning out the merchant fleets of the enemy. The career of

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Captain Wm. Nichols, of the "Decatur," deserves a more extended mention. He was the son of Captain William Nichols and was born in Newburyport in 1781. 1u 1796 he began his sea life, and at the age of nineteen he had been taken twice by the French-once in the "Fox," in 1798, and again in the "Rose" in the following year. After the last capture he was sent into Guada- loupe, from which place he escaped in a Swedish vessel and finally reached New York. Before the War of 1812 he was placed in command of the brig "Alert," owned by Captain Benjamin Pierce, one of the prominent ship-owners of Newburyport of that day. Captain Pierce gave the vessel to the govern- ment, and in the Smithsonian Institute at Wash- ington a picture of the brig is preserved. While in command of the "Alert," Captain Nichols was chased by the British frigate "Vestal," soon after leaving Bordeaux and obliged to surrender. A prize crew was placed on board, and Captain Nichols and his mate and three sailors were lett in her. Soon after the departure of the " Vestal" Captain Nichols, watching his opportunity, with the assistance of his mate, regained possession of the brig, putting the Englishmen in a boat with provisions and a compass and setting them adrift. Shortly after the recapture he was overhauled by another British frigate, and although he claimed that he had already been searched, he was taken prisoner and carried into Portsmouth, England, where the "Alert" was con- demned and sold. This was one of those outrages which finally led to the War of 1812. Captain Nichols managed to escape his captors at a public inn, where, with prudence in drinking on his part, he induced imprudence on theirs, and gave them the slip. After many trials he succeeded in reaching Liverpool and securing a passage home.

Soon after his return, on the declaration of war, he was placed in command of the brig "Decatur," of one hundred and ninety-seven tons burthen, costing twenty thousand dollars and mounting fourteen guns, with one hundred and fifty men. HIer principal owner was the owner of the " Alert," Benjamin Pieree. Soon after leaving New- buryport, by his courage and good judgment, he quelled a mutiny among his men and only a few hours after, so completely had he made himself the leader of his crew, he captured the bark "Duke of Savoy" and the next day the brig " Pomona." Within a week from leaving port he had takeu one bark and four brigs. His prizes had so far depleted his crew that he decided to return to the United States. On the way he was overhauled by the English ship "Com- merce," carrying fourteen guns, and a desperate fight ensued, in which Captain Nichols, by giving orders to shoot every man at the wheel, rendered his antagonist unmanageable and won a signal victory. The cargo of the "Commerce" consisted of 325 hogs heads of sugar, 118 puncheons of rum, 77 bales of cotton, 225 bags of

coffee and some other general cargo. The "Decatur" arrived safely in port, having in fifty days captured ten prizes.

After refitting, Captain Nichols started on a second cruise in the "Decatur " capturing several prizes, whose prize-crews had so reduced the number of her men, that, when overtaken, on the 18th of Jan- uary, 1813, by the British frigate " Surprise, " of thirty- eight guns, he was, after a desperate struggle, obliged to haul down his flag. He was carried into Barbadoes, where he was recognized by the captain of the " Ves- tal," from whom he had recaptured the " Alert," and placed in close confinement on board the prison ship. His place of imprisonment was a cage built on the quarter-deck, five feet wide and seven feet long, and after thirty-four days confinement, he was taken on board the frigate "Tribune," and carried to England. Upon his arrival there he was subjected to the same severe treatment, heavily ironed and refused all parole. A remonstrance of the United States government was followed by the close confinement of Captains Wood- worth and Barrs, two British privateer masters, with the same treatment as that under which Captain Nichols was suffering. After a sharp correspondence between the two governments, the English authori- ties yielded and issued the following, for a copy of which the writer of this narrative is indebted to the files of the Newburyport Herald, from which also this sketch of Capt. Nichols is almost literally drawn :

" By the Commissioners for conducting His Majesty's transport ser- vice, for taking care of sick and wounded seamen, and for the care and custody of prisoners of war.

"These are to certify that Mr. William Nichols, as described oo the back hereof, an American prisoner of war, late master of the 'Decatur,' American merchant vessel or privateer, has been released from ('hatham, and permitted to return to the United States of America in exchange for Mr. W. Barre, taken when master of the ' Liverpool Packet,' British pri- vateer, late a prisoner of war. And whereas the said Mr. Nichols is per- mitted to proceed direct and without delay from Chatham to Dartmouth, where immediately on his arrival he is to present himself to Mr. Jno. Puddecombe, the board's agent, for the purpose of being embarked on the 'Saratoga ' cartel for America. All and singular, His Majesty's officers, civil and military, are hereby desired and requested to suffer him to pass accordingly, without any hindrance or molestation whatever, provided he leaves the kingdom within fourteen days from the date hereof ; but if he should deviate from the route hereby pointed out, or be found in this country after the time allowed to him, he will be liable to immediate apprehension and imprisonment. Given under hand and seal of office at London this twenty-fourth day of June, 1813.

"GEORGE N. GEORGE. " J. DOUGLAS. "JOHN FORDES. "

Soon after the return of Capt. Nichols he was placed in command of the brig "Harpy," of Balti- more. She was fitted out in Portsmouth, New Hamp- shire, and sailed Oct. 1, 1814. While in command of that vessel he captured the ship " Amazon," Oct. 10th ; the ship "Bridget," Oct. 15th ; the brig " Halifax Packet," Oet. 16th ; the ship "Garland " and schooner "Britannia," Oct. 19th ; the ship "Jane," Oct. 29th ; the brig " William Nielson," Nov. 13th ; the schooner "Nine Sisters," Dec. 24th ; the ships " William and Alfred," and " Jane," and the

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brig " Louisa," January 3, 1815, making eleven vessels in eighty-five days. One of these prizes sent home was valued at $300,000, and among his prisoners were a major-general and other officers of the British army.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 189

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672