USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > History of Newburyport, Mass., 1764-1905, Volume I > Part 43
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When the vessel owned by Jacob Boardman and others had completed her voyage and discharged her cargo in Newbury- port, the General Court passed the following resolution :-
In the House of Representatives May 7, 1776.
Resolved that Col.Orne Mr Webster & Major Moody or the major part of them be a Committee forthwith to apply to Mr. Jacob Boardman and
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CLXXX., p. 249.
2 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CLXXX., p. 249 1-2.
564
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
others who have lately Imported Powder into Newburyport for the Pur- chasing the said Powder on acct of this Colony and if the said Boardman and Company shall refuse to sell said Powder agreeable to the Encourage- ment given them by this Court for the Importation thereof (as is reported) that the Committee aforesaid purchase the same on the best terms it can be obtained not exceeding six shillings per pound.
In Council Read & Concurred Consented to by Fifteen of the Council.I
The above-named committee was instructed to store the powder, " provided the whole quantity is purchased," in suit- able places in the following-named towns :- 2
In Falmouth in Casco Bay 900 lbs.
" Gloucester 1000 “
" Marblehead 1000 “
" Danvers
2500 "
" Salem
500 “
Beverly
250 "
Watertown 4000 “
" Roxbury 4000 “
Concord
5000 “
Stoughton
2000 “
The owners of the powder evidently declined to sell it at the price offered and the General Court authorized the committee, consisting of Colonel Orne and others, to seize it for the use of the army.
[May 10, 1776] Resolved that Coll Orne and others who are a Com- mittee appointed to purchase a Quantity of Powder lately imported into Newburyport be and they hereby are impowered to impress sd Powder and secure it for the use of this Colony provided that the Importers of sd Powder, or others who have or may have the Disposal thereof, have not sold it & refuse to sell it on the terms on which sd committee are author- ized to purchase the same, and the said Committee are directed to assure the owners of the said Powder that the Genl Court will be ready to hear any reasons that may be offered why they should have a higher price for the same than has been offered by this Court.3
In January, 1776, the following communication from the commander-in-chief at Cambridge was sent to Jonathan Jack- son, chairman of the committee of safety in Newburyport :-
Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXIV., p. 856.
2 Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXIV., p. 857.
3 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCIX., p. 155.
565
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
CAMBRIDGE, January 28, 1776. To JONATHAN JACKSON, EsQ. Chairman &c.
SIR: The great need this Army is in for good armes makes it neces- sary to endeavor to procure them in any place where his Excellency thinks they may be had without great inconveniency ; he has commanded me to beg your consent that the arms you were pleased to lend General Sullivan on his last excursion to Portsmouth, may be sent to this camp, for which the appraised value will be cheerfully paid. Col. Parsons will deliver you this, and has the General's instructions to send them to Cambridge, provided your honorable Committee have no objections to parting with them. When they Know that it will be of the greatest service to the glo- rious cause we are engaged in, that these arms should be put into the hands of our soldiers, I dare say they will readily comply with his Excel- lency's request and give Colonel Parsons an order for them which will very much oblige the General.
I have the honor to be, &c, &c. [Unsigned.] [
January 29, 1776, the inhabitants of Newburyport voted to provide heavy guns and ammunition for the defence of the town.
Voted to purchase one gun carrying an eighteen pound ball, three guns called twelve pounders, & four nine pounders.2
On the twenty-eighth day of February following, the select- men drew an order in favor of Capt. David Coats " for one pr pistols & journey to Salem for cannon as per his Acct on File £2, 125," and the next day they gave Messrs. Blake, Lane and Nason an order "for carting cannon from Portsmouth £4,.16$.''3
A committee, consisting of Capt. William Coombs, Moses Nowell, David Coates, Edward Wigglesworth, and William Noyes, was chosen by the inhabitants of Newburyport, on the eighth day of May, to erect a fort on Plum island, and the same day the town voted to purchase two tons of gunpowder " and all the cannon lately bro't into the town by Capt. Willson."4
May sixteenth, David Moody, treasurer of the town, was authorized to hire a sum not exceeding four thousand pounds
1 American Archives, fourth series, vol. IV., p. 877.
2 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 247.
3 Newburyport (Selectmen's) Records. Another bill amounting to £4, 15s., was paid Samuel True November 25, 1776 " for carting sundry cannon from Ports- mouth."
4 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 255.
566
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
to defray the cost of building and equipping the fort on Plum island, and on the twenty-ninth the following vote relating to the proposed adoption of the declaration of independence was passed :-
Voted that if the Hon'ble Congress should, for the Safety of the United Colonies, declare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain this Town will with their Lives & Fortunes support them in the measure. I
The General Court in session at Watertown directed the commissary-general, June 27, 1776, to send three heavy can- non to Newburyport, and also provided for the enlistment of two military companies that were subsequently stationed on Plum island.
[In the House of Representatives], Resolved that the Town of New- bury Port be supplied with three pieces of cannon out of those in and about Boston ; one forty-two pounder and two 24 or 18 pounders, one swivel, provided it is not under Improvement in any of the Fortifications in Boston, or Nantasket Harbour, the other with one or both trunnions off, with necessary apparatus in lieu of six nine pounders before granted by this court for the use of that town and that the Commissary General be, and he hereby is directed to deliver the same to Capt Edward Wig- glesworth, or order, as also twenty rounds of shot for each of said Can- non, and forty rounds of shot for ten nine poundrs now at Newbury Port, and three hundred weight of Gunpowder for the use of Newbury Port he to be accountable to this Court for the same.
And it is further resolved That One Company of fifty men including Officers be raised on the Sea Coast establishment for the defence of the said Town, and also one Company of matrosses on the same establish- ment to consist of fifty men including Officers to manage the Cannon there. Consented to by the Council.2
Edward Wigglesworth was elected captain, Michael Hodge, first lieutenant, and Joseph Whittemore, second lieutenant of the company of matrosses ; Moses Nowell was elected captain, Elias Davis, first lieutenant, and Moses Greenleaf, second lieutenant, of the company of seacoast men, and Jonathan Titcomb was appointed muster-master and authorized to mus-
1 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 259.
2 Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXV., p. 99.
567
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
ter the two companies into service for the defence of the town.I
When the news reached Newburyport that the united colo- nies had declared themselves free and independent, Tristram Dalton sent the following letter to Elbridge Gerry, a mem- ber of the continental congress in Philadelphia :---
NEWBURYPORT, July 19, 1776.
DEAR SIR :- I wish you joy on the late full Declaration,-an event so ardently desired by your good self and the people you particularly represent. We are no longer to be amused with delusive prospects. The die is cast. All is at stake. The way is made plain. No one can now doubt on which side it is his duty to act. We have everything to hope from the goodness of our cause. The God of justice is omnipotent. We are not to fear what man or a multitude can do. We have put on the harness and I trust it will not be put off until we see our land of secur- ity and freedom,-the wonder of the other hemisphere,-the asylum of all who pant for deliverance from bondage.
Wishing every blessing to attend you, I am, dear sir, with great regard your obedient servant.
TRISTRAM DALTON.
To the Hon. Elbridge Gerry.2
At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of Newburyport, held September 2, 1776, at five o'clock in the afternoon, Joseph Pearson, Jr., and Enoch Plummer were drawn as jurors "to serve at the Court of the General Ses- sions of the Peace to be held in Newburyport on the last Tues- day of September current & at the Inferior Court of Common
1 Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXV., p. 117; and American Archives, fifth series, vol. I., pp. 297-310.
In the House of Representatives, Oct. 24, 1776.
Whereas by a Resolve of the General Court passed the 27th June last there was a Company of Sea Coast Men established at Newburyport and there was not then, nor has been since any Commissary appointed for said Company, therefore
Resolved that Mr. Nath1 Tracy be commissary for said company from this time till their Inlistment is out & that Capt. Moses Nowell who has since the raising of said Company Supplied them with provisions & other necessaries, be allowed to exhibit his acct of supplies to this Court or such Commtee as shall be by them ap- pointed for examination & payment.
In Council read & Concurred. Consented to by 15 of the Council.
(Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXVI., p. 73.)
May 3, 1777, Samuel Tufts was appointed commissary of the company under the command of Captain Nowell, and on the thirtieth day of June the inhabitants of Newburyport " Voted to allow the soldiers stationed on Plumb Island candles & sweetning for Beer."
2 American Archives, fifth series, vol. I., p. 461.
568
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
TRISTRAM DALTON.
Pleas to be holden at the same place"; but on the margin of the page where this fact is recorded the town clerk made the following memorandum :-
This meeting was illegal because the venire for calling it was in the name of the British Tyrant whose name all America justly execrates.I
At that date the town of Newburyport having a large num- ber of heavy guns on hand decided, on the ninth day of Sep- tember, to loan them to the state or sell them at public auction.
' Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 261.
569
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Voted to lend this state five nine pounders they giving security for the same at the rate of five pounds Lawful money per cwt. if they are not returned in six months.
Voted to give this state the offer of five other nine pound cannon at five pounds Lawful money per cwt. & if they refuse them to fix the sale of them to Friday the 13th inst at 5 o'clock P. M. by Public Auction.1
The General Court passed the following preamble and res- olution on the twelfth day of September, accepting the offer on the terms and conditions named :---
Whereas the town of Newbury Port have offered to sell to this state five pieces of Cannon, nine pounders, at the rate of five pounds per hun- dred weight, and the carriages belonging to the same at the prime cost ; and as it is apprehended the same may be of great use to this State for its defence
Therefore, Resolved, that Brigadier Palmer be a committee for pur- chasing the same.2
August 21, 1775, Jeremiah O'Brien was appointed com- mander of the armed schooner Diligent and the sloop Machias Liberty, then in the harbor of Machias, and two days later the General Court voted to supply the vessels with men and am- munition for the defence of the sea coast3. These vessels were evidently fitted out and employed in the public service until suitable ships-of-war could be built. In a petition presented to the General Court February 8, 1776, Captain O'Brien states the following facts :-
He has been in the Colony service since the Ist day of August last as Commander in Chief of the Sloop Machias Liberty, and schooner Dili- gent which two vessels now lie at Newburyport completely equipped for sea with about fifty men on board them, ready for any service the hon- orable Court shall think fit to employ them in ; one vessel has four car- riage guns, ten swivels; the other has five carriage guns and twenty swivels ; has ports for eight carriages, has accommodation for sixty-five men each. We are all waiting the determination of the honourable Court, whether we are to be discharged or further employed in the Colony ser- vice ; your petitioner can recommend to the honourable Court the under officers and gunners to be men well skilled in the business.4
1 Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 262.
2 American Archives, fifth series, vol. II., p. 765.
3 Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXIII., pp. 135, 136 and 153 ; also, vol. CCVI., pp. 221 and 277-280.
4 American Archives, fourth series, vol. IV., p. 1294.
570
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
Captain O'Brien, with the advice and consent of the com- mittee of correspondence in Newburyport, was authorized by the General Court to purchase supplies and fit the sloop Ma- chias Liberty and the schooner Diligent for sea. One-third of the proceeds arising from the sale of prizes captured and condemned according to law was to be divided among the officers and men in addition to their monthly wages.'
On the twenty-fourth day of February, Tristram Dalton wrote " to the Honble the Council of the Colony of Massachu- setts Bay " as follows :-
The Committee of Safety, Correspondence & Inspection of Newbury- port beg leave to acknowledge the Receipt last evening of a Resolve of the honble Gen Court passed the 8th of the present month appointing them, " with Capt. Jeremiah O'Brien a committee to prepare & in all Respects equip & man with fifty men each including officers the sloop Machias Liberty & Schooner Diligent now lying at Newburyport."
The Committee with pleasure will undertake & perform all in their Power & can engage to purchase the necessary articles wanted except Gunpowder. Of that essential article they with reluctance say, not a cask can be procured here at any rate. The pressing demands of this town have called for every Exertion in their power to raise Monies, not- withstanding the town is greatly in debt, not being able to furnish enough to pay the necessary Current Services, therefore to make it pos- sible to comply with the afores'd Resolve, the Committee humbly hope the honble Council will furnish them by the bearer, Capt. Michael Hodge, one of their members, with as much money as the present occasion calls for. Which by a moderate calculation for two months cruise only, with the fixing the vessels, will amount to five hundred pounds lawfull money exclusive of the casks of gunpowder (which is not to be had here) & of which Capt. O'Brien thinks there ought to be five hundred pounds weight be- side one hundred and twenty pounds now in hand. The committee ap- prehend that the fifty men for each vessel, or any considerable number of them, cannot be found in this Town, owing to a large number being in the Continental army & to several Privateers out on cruises. Capt. O'Brien says he can make up the deficiency in the Eastward Harbour if your Honours think it proper to let him depart hence without his full com_ plement. As Capt. O'Brien must probably collect his men from thence and his present officers, whom he approves of, may be most agreeable to such men the committee hope the honble council will excuse them from
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCVIII., p. 166.
57I
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
recommending said officers, for this reason only that they are entire strangers to them.
per order of the committee
TRISTRAM DALTON, Chairman.I
After some delay arrangements were made to supply the sloop Machias Liberty and the schooner Diligent with pro- vision and the commissary-general was directed by the coun- cil to deliver two hundred pounds of powder to Capt. Jeremiah O'Brien.2 The vessels probably did not sail from Newbury- port until the latter part of March. The following letter in- dicates that they were nearly ready for sea on the eighteenth of that month.
NEWBURYPORT, 18th March, 1776.
To the honble Council of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay.
Immediately after the date of the before mentioned Letter Capt Hodge who was the Bearer of it set out for to deliver it, but met with some of the Council who informed him that the honble Board were adjourned up- on which he returned home. The Committee after some Delay procured an Agent to Supply Capt. O'Brien & he is now nearly fitted for sea. They would still beg your Honours Directions whether Capt. O'Brien should depart hence without his full Complement of men which it does not appear probable he can procure in this place,
p. order of the committee
JONA JACKSON.3
On the first day of April, the General Court passed an order to pay Michael Hodge £950, 18s., 2d., for the committee of safety and inspection in Newburyport, " for fitting out Two Armed Vessels called the sloop Machias Liberty and the schooner Diligent commanded by Capt. Jeremiah O'Brien which was done by order of this Court " and the same day an order for £21, 45., 5d., payable to Michael Hodge, for supplies furnished the above-named vessels by Jackson, Tracy & Tracy, was adopted by the General Court and consented to by the council.4
In February, 1776, the General Court voted to build ten
1 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CXXXVIII., pp. 299-301.
2 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCVIII., p. 205.
3 Massachusetts Archives, vol. CXXXVIII., p. 302; and Massachusetts Archives (Revoluionary Rolls), vol. XLIV., p. 329.
4 Massachusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXIV., p. 706.
572
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
sloops-of-war for the defence of the sea coast but subsequently reconsidered that vote and authorized the committee on naval affairs to build five vessels and purchase five more already built.I
Two of the five new vessels, the Boston and the Hancock, were built in Newburyport, near the foot of King, now Federal, street, by Jonathan Greenleaf and Stephen and Ralph Cross.2
The Boston, carrying twenty-four guns, was launched Mon- day, June 3, 1776.3 Hector McNeil was appointed command- er, and September fourteenth the General Court adopted the following order :-
And further Ordered, That the Agent for building the conti- nental ships at Newbury Port be furnished by the town of Newbury Port, for the purpose before mentioned, with the five pieces of Cannon this State has lately purchased of said town, and also with five other Cannon, nine- pounders, which the town of Newbury Port has agreed to-lend to this State with their carriages &c : the Agent agreeing to redeliver all the Cannon with their carriages and other apparatus before mentioned, to the order of this State, in case leave cannot be obtained from the honour- able Congress for said vessels to cruise on this coast for the protection of the trade of this state. And it is strongly recommended to said Agent to be as expeditious as possible in fixing out said ships.4
1 American Archives, fourth series, vol. IV., pp. 1435 and 1456.
2 February 27, 1776, a committee consisting of Tristram Dalton, Jonathan Jackson and John Bromfield, was chosen to confer with Hon. Thomas Cushing in regard to building the ships of war "in the places where the said Messrs. Green- leaf & Cross propose to erect them." Newburyport Town Records, vol. I., p. 249.
3 American Archives, fourth series, vol. VI., p. 800. June 28, 1776, the petition of Thomas Cushing for fifteen hundred pounds of lead for the frigates building at Newburyport was granted by the General Court. "Lead wanted for one frigate in order that she may go to sea without delay.'' (Massachusetts Archives, vol. CCIX., p. 393.)
4 American Archives, fifth series, vol. II., p. 772.
March 22, 1777, the General Court passed the following preamble and resolu- tion in regard to the return of the cannon borrowed for the use of the ship Boston : " Whereas the Town of Newbury Port did in the month of September last lend to this state, for the term of six months, five, nine pound, double fortified, can- non with their carriages and appurtenances for the use of the ship Boston under the command of Hector Mc'Neill, Esq: and whereas the Time is now expired for the return of said Cannon and the Continental agent has not been able to procure others to supply their place on board said ship, and moreover it appears by a letter from the Marine Committee of Congress that they are desirous of purchasing said Cannon for the use of said ship if this state is willing to dispose of them, therefore:
" Resolved that there be allowed and paid to the Town of Newbury Port, out of the Treasury of this State, the sum of six hundred and twenty-one pounds, six- teen shillings & eleven pence, in full of their Demands for said Cannon and Ap- purtenances and that the same be charged in the Continental Account." (Mass- achusetts Archives (Court Records), vol. XXXVII., 92.)
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Three weeks later, the following orders, providing for the delivery of twenty swivel guns to Captain McNeil for the ship Boston, were adopted.
Council Chamber, October 3, 1776.
Ordered, That the Committee of Correspondence, Safety and Inspec- tion of the town of Newbury Port be, and they are hereby directed to deliver Captain Hector McNeil for the use of the ship Boston, eight swivel guns brought in said town the last year by one Captain Johnson, who was from the West Indies, in the service of this state.
JOHN AVERY, Deputy Secretary.I Council Chamber, October 3, 1776.
Ordered That the Committee for fortifying the Harbour of Boston, be, and they are hereby directed to send, by water, to Newbury Port twelve swivel-Guns out of the Row Galley in Boston Harbour, to be de- livered Captain Hector McNeil, for the use of the ship Boston.
JOHN AVERY, Deputy Secretary.1
September 18, 1776, the General Court voted to furnish thirty-two guns for the continental frigate Hancock, John Manly, commander, building at Newburyport, " if they can be obtained by purchase or other ways," provided that leave can be obtained from congress for " said vessel to cruise on this coast for the protection of the trade thereof." 2
The Hancock was probably launched the latter part of August or early in September. She sailed from Newbury- port, and arrived in Boston December 5, 1776.3
Jonathan Jackson, representative to the General Court held in Boston in October, 1776, was also a member of the board of war and actively engaged in procuring military supplies for the government when the following letter was sent to the firm, of which he was senior partner, in Newburyport :-
WAR OFFICE, BOSTON, 3d December, 1776.
Messrs. JACKSON, TRACY & TRACY,
GENTLEMEN : Your Mr. Jackson mentioning to us your offer to freight a parcel of oil now at Newburyport to Bordeaux in your ship Montgom- ery, Captain Rowe, you will oblige us to apply to the owners of said oil, which we suppose to be train oil, and if it be of good quality, and they
1 American Archives, fifth series, vol. II., p. 804.
2 American Archives, fifth series, vol. II., p. 777.
3 American Archives, fifth series, vol. III., p. 1089.
574
HISTORY OF NEWBURYPORT
JONATHAN JACKSON.
will take four pounds per barrel, or thirty-two pounds lawful money, per ton of two hundred and fifty-two gallons, please to purchase the whole for account of Government, provided you will carry it in said ship. We will pay for the freight of it three pounds, ten shillings sterling per ton ; and if you can afford it for a less sum, we presume you will not insist upon our offer. Enclosed you have a letter to Nathaniel Carter, Esq., also to Mr. John White with applications to them for some shipping furs they have. If either or both those gentlemen incline to part with them for the service of their country please to receive them, and ship them per Captain Rowe for Bordeaux. Enclosed you have a letter to Mesfrs Penet & Son at Bordeaux which you will please to send forward to them, with an invoice or bill lading, provided you obtain any oil or furs as mentioned. By order of the Board of War:
JAMES WARREN, President of the Board of War.I
1 American Archives, fifth series, vol. III., p. 1065.
575
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
At that date, vessels ready to sail with cargoes of lumber and other merchandise were frequently detained in port, by the local authorities, until petitions similar to the following were presented to and granted by the General Court.
To the Honble the Council and House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay.
The Petitioner Albert Salleron an Inhabitant of the Island of Martini- co, humbly sheweth that in September last he arrived here with Sundry usefull articles for sale viz : 27001bs Gun Powder, some Fire Arms & Dry Goods which he has Disposed of and with the Neat proceeds there- of has purchased a Brigantine called the three adventurers and a cargo of Lumber with which he was about sailing for Martinico intirely on ac- count and Risque of himself and his two Friends there viz: Mesfrs Dis- mass & Begen, when the Embargo took place. Your petitioner there- fore Prays for your Honble Licence to Depart this Port with his said Ves- sel and Cargo for the said island of Martinico the Embargo notwithstand- ing, as the Detention of his vessel here for any considerable Length of time must be greatly to the Damage of himself and the other owners, and as in duty Bound shall ever pray.
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