USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers > Part 38
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A meeting of the Washington Benevolent Society, which seemed to be mainly a Federalist organization, was held July 14, 1814, at which the following circular was prepared: "To whom it may con- cern :- These may certify that the Washington Benevolent Society
*The following is a copy of the letter from Capt. Charles Goullett the irate commander of the tender of the Nymph: "His B. M. Frigate Nymph Tender: Gentlemen-Having read in the Boston daily advertiser, a paragraph stated to be an extract of a letter from this Town wherin a number of Falsehoods are stated which although to absurd to obtain general credit might have sufficient effect on the weak minded to create a belief that the circumstances therein stated are correct, I have come to a determination that the author of the letter shall make an apology in the same paper, for his malicious and unfounded assertions, and I should wish that a number of the principal Inhabitants to sign a Memorial of their unbelief of the above mentioned paragraph. as I understood the latter part of my request is at present in agitation I shall wait until 3 P. M. to hear your determination thro' a flag of truce, before I commence a Fire on the Houses of the Principal people, previous to which I anxiously wish the removal of the women & Children.
Charles Goullett Commdg His Majestys Frigate Nymph Tender." +Unpublished M. S.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
having by their Committee applyed to Capt. Milne,* commanding Ship Bulwark & Commodore of his Britannic Majesty's squadron stationed in Boston Bay & having obtained liberty for Vessels to proceed from Nantucket to Kennebeck or other eastern ports for the purpose of bringing firewood only for the sole use of the in- habitants of this island-they now have to request that the bearer hereof will in their behalf apply to the commanding officer of the Blockading squadron off New London & to ask as a favor that Ves- sels be permitted to bring firewood for the use of the Inhabitants of said Island from ports and places to the Northward & westward thereof.
WM. COFFIN Pressd't C. W. CARTWRIGHT, Vice do BENJ' COFFIN.
NATH. BARNEY, Sec.
Admiral Milne's reply to the original petition, is not to be found, but the following letter shows that some parties were trying to make trouble for the people of the Island :---
H. M. Ship Bulwark
Boston Bay, 5th Aug, 1814.
A petition having been presented to me in the Name of the Washington Benevolent Society of Nantucket, the bearers whereof were Messrs David Myrick, Isaac Gardner and Joseph Plaskett and signed by C. W. Cartwright, Vice President of the Society, repre- senting the calamitous and distressed situation of the Inhabitants and soliciting relief &c &c &c.
In consequence of which said petition, I agreed to allow the Inhabitants in general to send one of their own Vessels for Provis- ions for the Private use of their respective Families, such Vessels to have a general Manifest of the Cargo, declaring the names of the different families to which the provision belonged-
I also allowed the Vessels belonging to Nantucket to carry Wood for the private use of the different Families.
Instead of a proper use being made of this Indulgence the very first Vessel spoke with by the squadron, belonging to Nantucket was loaded with provisions belonging to two individuals or one and in- tended to be sold at a profit or otherwise not to the advantage of the Inhabitants in general, but to the benefit of the Two or one of the persons on board the Vessell.
In consequence of such a wicked and fraudulent proceeding I give notice that not a Vessel or boat of any discription will be allowed to leave or go into the Island of Nantucket, so far as the Squadron under my Orders can prevent it and private property of any discription will be captured or destroyed."
DAVID MILNE."
"To the Washington Benevolent Society of Nantucket."
There can be no reasonable doubt that matters were grossly misrepresented to Admiral Milne, for it is inconceivable that with the people actually suffering for fuel and provisions, and the li- censed vessels liable to be overhauled daily and compelled to show their permits, any captain would be so crazy as to violate the terms
*There does not seem to be any record regarding this application. The Society long ago went out of existence.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
under which he sailed. There were enemies unscrupulous enough and ready to make such charges, and they too often were spoken into willingly credulous ears.
The student of affairs of those days can but notice that even in negotiating with the English for the means whereby to live, there was little unity of purpose between the Democrats and the Federalists. The former still continued to dominate the Town meetings, while the latter carried on their negotiations merely as a group of citizens, without official responsibility or backing. The marked division was especially noticeable in 1814. It was appar- ently late in the summer of 1814* that a petition was addressed to Admiral Cochrane signed by 225 citizens. The petition repre- sented that "We, the undersigned, Inhabitants of the Island of Nantucket, and of that class generally called Federal Republicans and Friends of Peace, who have been universally opposed to the War which now exists and which has prostrated our happiness, and taken away the means by which we have lived, Ask leave re- spectfully to approach you with our petition for relief, with a de- gree of confidence becoming a people in absolute want, who are de- pendent on the generosity of the British Government and her na- val Officers, famed for their disinterested and generous conduct in relieving the miseries of the distressed, by a mitigation of the rigors of War. We are situated on an Island at the distance of thirty Miles from the Continent.
Our soil is light and infertile, and its productions insufficient for the support of one eighth part of its inhabitants; nor have we the pecuniary means to enable us to remove to more fertile regions, or to engage in occupations with which we are totally unacquainted-A large proportion of the un- dersigned, are destitute of Capital or employment, with large and dependent families-Our Island has not a tree of natural growth, and we are consequently dependent on the continent for our fuel- We are in all parts accessible and unfortified, and our Town is in a peculiar manner exposed to depredations. We are wholly de- pendent on the clemency of a Generous and magnaminous: enemy- Our Island has never in any degree been protected by Government: but exempt from all military duty, by reason of its insular situa- tion-Our stock of provisions is very limited at this time, owing to the risk attending a voyage to any part of the Continent, the only practical method being to send open boats, which should they arrive in safety will bring but ten or fifteen barrels .; Unless we should obtain assistance from you (for we do not Expect any from
* There is no date attached to the petition nor is any reply to it to be found.
¡Under date of June 17, 1814 the following petition was sent: "To the Commander in Chief, or either of the Commanders of his Britanic Majesty's Ships-
Sir :- The subscribers, Justices of the Peace, for the County of Nan- tucket, beg leave respectfully to state, that a large proportion of the Inhabitants of this Town are destitute, not only of the means of pro- curing a subsistence but of even the common necessaries of life-and that unless an immediate supply of provisions (from the Continent) can be obtained, the situation of many, of our Inhabitants must be deplor- able beyond description-The subscribers, duly acknowledge, with Sen- timents of gratitude, the many indulgenc'es extended to the Inhabi- tants of this Town, by British Cruisers near our Coast-And would now take the liberty respectfully to solicit your further indulgences, and to request that ' the Boat named the Recovery, Christopher B. Hussey, Master, Owned by George Myrick, William Coffin, Peter Chase and Obed Mitchell, may have liberty to proceed to Matomkin and to return (See next page.)
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
our own Government being without their protection) we shall be destitute of fuel and provisions and our families must be reduced to the extremes of hunger and want- If we the undersigned had been in any degree accessary in producing our calamities, we might Justly be forbid to complain, and be made silently to suffer: but our unwearied and continued opposition to the War, as well as to the restrictive systems which have beguiled the Nation into the fa- tal delusion, claim for the undersigned a speedy relief.
To whom shall we apply for relief, but to those in whose pow- er only it is to grant it to us-Assured of your disposition to relieve, us, and confident of the ease with which you can do it, we are not anxious to lengthen out our tale of WOE. We have selected from among us the following gentlemen viz. Obed Mitchell, Christopher Mitchell, John Cartwright, Robert Folger, and Thaddeus Coffin as our Agents, to ask and receive such relief as you in your wisdom, m'ay deem expedient to grant-In making this selection we have endeavored to fix upon men, in whose integrity, discretion and up- rightness the utmost confidence may be placed .*
to Nantucket with a load of Corn for the needy Inhabitants of our Town-
The subscribers would furthermore beg leave respectfully to state that the Captain and Owners of the vessel above mentioned are gentle- men of respectability; and are eminently distinguished; for their spirited and decided opposition to the present unnatural, unnecessary and de- structive War :- We are, with all due respect,
Your humble Servants
JOSIAH BARKER ZACCHEUS HUSSEY BENJAMIN COFFIN
Signed
SAMUEL BIGELOW JOSIAH HUSSEY
Their commissions, signed by Gov. Strong,
were certified to under oath before Ben-
jamin Gardner Esq. Notary Public.
*It is quite interesting to know the signers of the above petition and note the names of prominent citizens, always remembering that a large number of New Englanders were opposed to the War. Those who signed were:
Benjamin Winslow Alex'r Ray
Thadds Coffin Juni
Reuben Glover
Josiah Hussey Geo. B. Cartwright
Sam'l Barker
James Law
Wm. Coffin 2d
Sam'l Bigelow Shubl Barnard Jr.
Peter Hussey
Fred'k W. Mitchell
David Myrick
Robert Swain 2d
Geo. Myrick
Jos. Winslow
Dan'l Gardner
Jos. W. Plasket
Uriah Gardner
Charles Pitman
Owen Folger
Isaiah Ray
Rich'd Mitchell Jun'r
Rich'd Hozier
John Fitch
Joseph Starbuck -
Reuben Starbuck
David White
James J. Coffin
Ariel Coffin John Widderhold
Walter Folger
Chs. H. Barnard
Elisha Folger Jr.
Obed Cash
Paul Mitchell
Christ'r Starbuck
H. B. Gardner
Levi Starbuck
Edw'd J. Gardner
Albert Hussey
Jos. Earl
Wm. Hussey
Wm. Riddle
Benj'n Whippey Jr.
And'w Myrick
James M. Hosier
Geo. Russell
Thos. Smith
Uriah Swain
James Easton
Isaiah Crocker
He'zh Pinkham
Thos. King
David Worth
David Cushman
David U. Giles
Matt'w Barker
Brown Coffin Jr.
Thad's Joy
Aaron Mitchell
Latham Bunker
Zep'h Hayden
Charles Coleman
Josiah Macy
Rob't Swain
Sam'l Riddell
Joshua C. Riddell
Rob't Coggeshall
David Coleman
Sam'l Burnell
Wm. Coleman
Peter C. Myrick
David Baxter
John B-
Thadd's Folger
Edw'd
Jona E. Barnard
John Gorham
Roland Gelston
Henry Riddell (See next page. )
Charles Macy
Obed Fitch
Dan'l Thornton
Christ'r Wyer
Axel D. Bunker
Valentine Long
Seth Clisby Starbuck
David Jenkins
Thaddeus Coffin 2d
John Riddell
Aaron Snow Edw'd Dixon
Benj'n Worth
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Just what answer was returned to this memorial does not appear. The situation, however, continued to grow more serious, and the Selectmen were finally requested to call a meeting of the Town, that some official action might be taken. The meeting was held July 23d. At that meeting the Town, after due consideration, voted : "That we appoint the Selectmen of this Town a committee, with full powers to make use of such means as may appear to them most Eligible for this Town to pursue, which the Constitution and Laws of our Country do not forbid, for the inhabitants to bring wood, provisions and other necessaries, from the Continent of the United States, for the consumption of the inhabitants of Nantucket."
Under the authority vested in them by that meeting, the Se- lectmen prepared to communicate with the commanders of the British naval forces, to endeavor to procure some concessions which would allow the Town to be supplied with provisions' and fuel. Accordingly they fitted out the sloop Hawk, David Starbuck, mas- ter; and qualified her as a flag of truce. They appointed as Com- missioners to represent the Town Silvanus Macy and Isaac Coffin, Esquires and officially qualified them for that duty. They were instructed in writing to proceed to the commanding officer of the British naval forces on the North American coast, and to repre- sent to him fairly and impartially the conditions confronting the
Nath'l Chadwick
Alfred Alley
Moses Joy
Thos. V. McCleve
Joseph Davis
Jer'h Lawrence
Jona Colesworthy
Robert M. Joy
John Swain
Jos. Folger
Peleg Macy Jun'r.
Paul Coggeshall
Gorham Coffin
Roswell Marsh
Abner Swain
James Barnard
Wm. Whippey
Albert Gardner
Henry Clapp
James Moore
Wm. Coffin
Wm. Coleman Jr.
Gorham Macy
Josiah Barker
Elisha Starbuck
Gideon Worth
Abner Briggs
Geo. C. Chase
Wm. Nichols
Paul Hussey
David C. Chase
Thos. Cary
Obed Luce
Reuben Barnard
David Joy Jr.
Edw'd Cary
Geo. Easton
Wm. Gaston
Zebulon Fisher
Geo. Cobb
Jara B. Wood
.John Bunker Sim'n Russell
David Pease
Eliphalet Paddack
Obed Clark
Geo. Brown
Peter Macy
James Gurney
Wm. Cobb, Jr.
Thos. Hiller
Francis Hussey
Cromwell Coffin
Sam'l Cary
Silv. Crosby
James Bunker
Reuben Swain 2d
Will'm Cobb
Josiah H. Riddle
David Coffin 2d
Coffin
Charles Hussey 2d
Simeon Macy
John R. Caswell
Wm. Simson
Matthew Myrick
John Elkins
Charles Easton
Charles Gardner
David Chadwick
Jonnathan Hall
Zacc'h Hussey
Edmund Gardner
James Chase
John Brock, Jr.
Owen Swain Obed Marshall Jr.
David Wood
James Athearn
Seth Cleveland
Ebenz'r Coffin
Lindzey Riddell
Sol'n Smith
Kimble Starbuck
Wilson Rawson
Elihu Marshall
Stephen West
Ab'm Gardner
Edw'd Swain
Reuben Baxter
Francis Coffin
Jethro Mitchell Jr.
Charles Macy
James Coffin
Seth F. Swift
Jas. McCleare
Alex. Macy
John M. Beebe
George G. Coffin
John Fitch
Reuben Chadwick
Sam'l Raymond
Eben'r Drew
Reuben Russell
Obed Marshall
Valentine Swain
Shub'l Barnard
Peter Paddack
Benj'n Walcutt
Thad's Hussey
Seth Folger
Clement Folger
Arnold Rawson
Wm. Joy
Brown Coffin
Henry M. Pinkham
Barna Coffin
Wm. Perkins
Charles Alley
Joseph Chadwick
Geo. Russell, Jr.
Reuben Jov
Charles J. Hilborn
Trist'm Starbuck
David White
Edw'd Dixon
Isaiah Ray
George C. Pinkham
Alex Cartwright
Micajah Swain
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
people of Nantucket, and to obtain if possible permission to im- port wood, provisions and other necessaries and leave to whale and fish along the coast. The instructions given by the Selectmen were as follows:
"By this present instrument you are hereby appointed and legally qualified, by the Selectmen of Nantucket, as Commissioners, to embark in the sloop Hawk, Captain David Starbuck, who has received instructions to carry you without delay to the British na- val Commander-in-Chief on the North American Station.
"When you may meet the Commander-in-Chief, you will care- fully and faithfully represent to him the present state and condi- tion of the inhabitants of this Town, adding, also, that they are seriously apprehensive of the overwhelming effects of famine, which it seems can neither be evaded or eluded except permission can be obtained of the Commander-in-Chief to import the necessary provi- sions and fuel from the Continent to the Island; but as you are ac- quainted with every particular, it is considered needless to add any- thing more on this subject, than to mention our confidence that you will give it all the attention which its importance may seem to demand.
"You are also so well acquainted with the exhausted state of our finances, and the necessity of ways and means to replenish them, and that the fishery has heretofore been our constant de- pendence for that purpose, but little need be said on the occasion; we would, however, recommend that you mention the facts of things to the Commander-in-Chief, and, if possible, to obtain per- mission to prosecute it as heretofore.
"It is presumed we need not add anything more, than to call your pointed attention to the several particulars herein contained. (Signed by the Selectmen.) *
Nantucket, July 27, 1814."
*The asperities of modern politics hold no monopoly over those of the days of our forefathers. The correspondent of the New Bed- ford Mercury, under date of July 28 thus records the above event from the Federal Republican standpoint:
"A strange event occurred here. Some days since our War Hawk Selectmen notified a Town Meeting, for the purpose of authorizing them to 'take means to obtain the introduction of provisions and fuel
into this island." Accordingly an assemblage of about 100 democrats, including the most insolent brawlers for the present War, convened and voted, unanimously, to clothe the Selectmen with the authority desired; and the Selectmen immediately appointed Isaac Coffin Esq and Sylvanus Macy, Commissioners to proceed to the British fleet, to so- licit of Ad Cochrane the permission desired: And this morning these Commissioners sailed in the (War) Hawk, David Starbuck, master, in search of the British Admiral. Great pains were taken by the leaders of democracy to obtain a numerous meeting: but notwithstanding the peculiar suffering's of the people of this island, only the above num- ber could be found to support a measure so inconsistently proposed by the most noisy advocates of the War, and voters for the adminis- tration who so unjustly and improvidently made it.
What success will attend the proceeding is unknown. The pro- ductions of the soil of Nantucket are insufficient for the support of one-eighth of its inhabitants; and there is not a tree on the island of its natural growth. The people, also, have been deprived by this wicked War, of the Whale Fishery, their principal support; and they are dependent on the continent for fuel and provisions. The war men now find that unless those whom their darling Rulers have made enemies, take pity on them, and permit supplies to pass to them, that starvation must be their lot and portion: Such, then, is their situa- tion, and their misrulers, who have involved them in the calamity, cannot, or will not help them! the most violent war men now confess in the third year of the war that they lie at the mercy, and are com- pelled to supplicate the magnanimity and generosity of their denounced enemy. How such war men and British cursers as Isaac Coffin and (See next page.)
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
The following orders were given for the guidance of Capt. Starbuck:
"To Capt. David Starbuck:
"It having been determined by the Selectmen of the Town of Nantucket to despatch the sloop Hawk, now under your command, to Chesapeake Bay, or elsewhere, as a flag of truce,-you will, with all possible convenience, prepare your vessel for that under- taking, and, after being equipped for the voyage, you will embrace the first favorable opportunity, and proceed to the place of your destination, subject, however, to the following instructions, viz:
"You are to display the white flag at your topmast head, and . continue it abroad (as occasion may require) during the time you are considered as a cartel.
"As Silvanus Macy and Isaac Coffin, Esquires, will embark with you, as Commissioners, to negotiate or transact the business of the Town, under direction of the Selectmen, you will, in every case; be subject to their control, and attentive to their orders, keeping constantly in view that one important point of your duty will be to convey them to the British naval Commander on the North American Station, with the least possible delay.
"You will not admit any passenger or article of merchandise whatever, at any time during your voyage, to be taken on board your vessel, except it be by the express direction of the above- mentioned Commissioners.
(Signed by the Selectmen)
"Nantucket, July 27, 1814."
The Commissioners sailed on July 28.
Macy says (p. 188) that "A private vessel was also sent at the same time, with a committee, and, as was said, for similar pur- poses, but, as this was a measure taken by individuals, and not by authority of the Town, we shall say but little about it; not being in full knowledge of their commission, or of the effects thereof." It is not unlikely that this party was the one carrying the Memor- ial previously alluded to as signed by a large number of Federal Republicans.
The log of the Hawk gives the following particulars of the cruise of the Commissioners: { On August 8 at 1 p. m. they anchored in the Harbor of St. Georges, where they found the sloop Charlotte, of Nantucket, George Cartwright, master. On inquiring of the Gov- ernor of the Island they ascertained that Sir Alexander Cochrane, the Commander-in Chief, had sailed for the Chesapeake. Evident-
Sylvanus Macy, can make up their mouths to ask favors from Admiral Cochrane, puzzles many; and shews at once the folly and servility of democracy. Thank Heaven the friends of Peace on this Island have done their duty-Before the war was declared, they forewarned the advocates of it of the evils it would entail on the country, and par- ticularly on this island. But the democrats were deaf as adders to the admonition or loaded the men who gave it with every foul-mouthed reproach."
*Macy pp. 187-8. The Selectmen were Joseph Chase, Francis Macy, Daniel Coffin, George Gardner 2d, Gideon Folger.
"The log of the voyage was kept by Isaac Coffin Esq. one of the Commissioners, and was among some papers that were preserved by his descendants. The first part of it seems to have been lost for the first entry is on August 8, and begins in the middle of a sentence. At that date they were at the Bermudas.
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HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
ly the Commissioners had been informed that Admiral Cochrane was at the Bermudas and hoped to find him there. While they were there George Meader arrived from Edgartown in the schooner Betsy, with a deck load of sheep. They learned that William Chase, son of Judah, was a prisoner there on board the Ardent, Prison Ship, and made an attempt to get him liberated, but orders recently re- ceived by the Governor required that all prisoners be sent to Eng- land. The Governor promised to try to get a mitigation of the or- der and if he could Chase could return on Meader's vessel.
They were informed on Thursday, August 11, that they must sail under convoy of the frigate Madagascar, the Commander of which would put them in touch with the Commander-in-Chief.
They sailed on Sunday, in company with a frigate, two brigs and the Charlotte mentioned above, and on Tuesday, August 23, passed Cape Henry. They were boarded by a barge from the Asia, a new 74 gun frigate. They anchored under the stern of the Asia and were informed by her Captain that the Commander-in-Chief was up the Bay. The Commissioners went on board the Asia and dined with her Commander, and remained until midnight. They found on board the Asia Peter F. Coffin, Jacob Barney and Alexan- der Russell, who had been captured with the sloop Earl, of Nan- tucket, off Cape Henry.
On Wednesday, August 24, in company with the Madagascar, frigate, the 18 gun brig Fairy, two transport brigs and the sloop Charlotte, they started up the Bay in search of Sir Alexander Cochrane. On August 27 they were informed that there were three British : Admirals in the Petuxen River-Admiral Cochrane, the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Cockburn and Admiral Malcolm.
On the 28th, they arrived where Admiral Cochrane was. In his fleet were "seven line of Battle Ships, a Large number of Fri- gates, a Large Number of Transports and some Briggs of War, be- sides Schooners, Sloops, Swedish Vessels and some small Crafts."
The next day the Commissioners went on board the Frigate Surprise which was Admiral Cochrane's Flag-ship. They were treated politely and invited to call on him the next day. They requested the release of Capt. Peter F. Coffin and Jacob Barney and his crew. The log says-"we Represented the Distressed sit- uation : of the People of the Island of Nantucket. the Commander in Chief Informed us that he did not wish to starve the People of our Island, but that he could not nor would not grant us Permission to Fish or Whale on the American Coast, or on any Coast, for that would be declaring us to be in the King's Peace, and we were a part of the Government of the United States of America, but as he was engaged he wished us to call tomorrow morning at Nine of the Clock."
The next morning they went on board the Admiral's ship, but he had gone ashore, leaving orders for the Commissioners to follow him, but they failed to receive the word. They remained on board the Flag-ship, dining with the officers, and being courte-
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