USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers > Part 39
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ously treated. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the three Admirals returned to the Flag-ship, accompanied by Major General Ross and a Chaplain. The Commander-in-Chief at once disposed of the Commissioners, telling them all he was willing to grant them, and directed them to proceed to New London, with dispatches for Rear Admiral Henry Hotham, Commander of the Blockading Squadron, a passport for the Hawk, and an order to Captain Alexander Skene, Commander of the Asia, to release to them Peter F. Coffin, Jacob Barney, and Alexander Russell and liberty to convey Ammiel El- kins to Nantucket in the Hawk. The Admiral also granted a' pass- port to the sloop Charlotte to proceed to New London.
Under date of Wednesday August ye 31st, 1814, the log says: "This Morning small Wind. Weighed Anchor and Sailed down the Petuxent River in Company with Twenty Five Sail of Vessels Ships of the Line, Razees, Frigates, Sloops of War, Briggs Schooners and Transports bound out for the same New Expedition The Ad- mirals, Generals and Troops being on board. the Sloop Hawk lead the Van and we had the Wind baffling all Round the Compass. at Night we Anchored in the Mouth of the Petuxent River in Com- pany with the Fleet. had it calm the most of the Night. so ends the 24 Hours. all well."
The next day the Hawk got under weigh again. On Saturday, September 3, they boarded the Asia, which was at anchor off Cape Henry, and took on board the three Nantucket men who were re- leased. Despite the nearly doubling the men on the Hawk they were unable to purchase any supplies from the commander of the Asia.
On Sunday they got under weigh again and on September 7, they sighted Long Island. The next day they were close in with Gardners Island. There they found the Superb 74 gun ship, the Flag ship of Admiral Hotham. They found also that Joseph Chase, Zenas Coffin, Josiah Barker Esquire and Aaron Mitchell, who evi- dently were a Committee from the Federalists, had interviewed the Admiral and already "made an Arrangement with him." There seemed to be nothing more for the Commissioners to do, so on the afternoon of Thursday, September 8, in company with the Char- lotte they weighed Anchor bound for Nantucket. They passed Tar- paulin Cove early on the morning of the 9th., and found there the Frigate Pomona and the Sloop of War Nimrod. They were brought to by two muskets fired over them and the Pomona sent a boat with an officer who examined the Hawk's papers. A little later the Hawk ran into the Cove and anchored without molestation and the Commissioners "bought some Mutton, Gin, Potatoes and On- ions and other things." Early in the afternoon they weighed an- chor again and resumed their voyage to Nantucket where they arrived on the morning of September 10.
Following the journal of the voyage is a memorandum giving a more detailed account of the interview with Admiral Cochrane on August 29. After some delay their boat was allowed to run up
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alongside of the Flag-ship. Commissioner Coffin was first up the gangway, and called for the Officer of the Deck, who at once re- sponded. "I Asked him if the Commander in Chief was on board. he said he was but he had his doubts whither he could be spoke with and Asked me what Complaint we had to make. I told him none; then what Names must I tell the Commander-in-Chief? I told him Silvanus Macy and Isaac Coffin of Nantucket who came in the Sloop Hawk. he returned in five Minutes and said the Ad- miral wished to see us Immediately, and said 'please to follow me.' we did into the Great Cabbin. he spoke to us handsomely and Asked us to set down by him which we did, and shewed him our Papers. he said the Papers were Correct and we were a proper Flag of Truce. he then Asked me whither we were of the Demo- cratic Party or the Federal Party. I told we were of the Demo- cratic Party, but we had not come to him on any party Business but as the Representatives of the Town of Nantucket, the Repre- sentatives of the whole Island. he then Asked who fitted us out whither the Selectmen fitted us out. I told him that they did. he then told us that we should meet with a very cool Reception from him if what he heard or Received was true and he believed that his Information was Correct. He said we were two of the Select Men of the Town of Nantucket, that the whole board of Select Men the Captain and all the Owners of the Sloop Hawk together with others had Addressed President Madison and made him a Tender of their Lives and fortunes to prosecute the War with Energy against Great Britain, and had Actually furnished him with Money told him that it was all Incorrect, to carry on the War. I he said what that I am Informed so is Incorrect;" I told him no, I hoped I had more manners than to tell him so. he said he hoped so too. I told him that Statement was no part of it true. he said you have a good right to Contradict it if it is not true, but you must tell me truths. he then went to his Scrutare and brought out A Letter and shewed it to us, under such an Injunction of Secrecy that we never can tell any body who the writer was, nor cannot ever speak. to the Writer on the subject; but he Received it before we got here. He then asked us if we were in favor of the American Government. Silvanus Macy then told him the People of Nantuck- et were mostly Quakers and they had no unity with Wars at any time, but that we were fond of our Government until they declared War, that it was Intirely Inconsistent with the Quakeristick prin- ciple to fight at any time. he said you can find Money and that will answer the same purpose at any time, but we told him we had no Money nor Men: He said then Gentlemen if all he had heard was so he did not see how we could have the face to come to him on this Mission: Silvanus Macy then told him he was not one of the Select Men, he said then you are one of the Magistrates, he said no it is my Friend here that is both, he said you are both Rep- resented to me as two of the strongest Democrats belonging to the Island; which we see by his Letters. we told him we were counted in the Republican party, but were no Advocates for War; He said that he never despised a Man for being in favour of his Government so long as that Government acted right. he then said now give me a plain statement of Facts which you can support if they are Com- batted: which we did as follows Vizt. The Sloop Hawk which we are in, is Owned as follows Peleg Mitchell 14, David Starbuck 1/4, Paul Gardner & Sons 1/8, Samuel M. Macy 1/8, James Barker 18, Isaac Coffin, myself 1/8. The above are all Quakers excepting myself, and we none of us did ever loan one Cent of Money to the Government of the United States, at least I have no knowl-
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edge of any such thing: The people of Nantucket are a De- fenceless People and mostly Quakers. They never did Ad- dress the President of the United States with a tender of their Lives and Fortunes to support the War with Energy against Great Britain. The Island of Nantucket doth not Raise provisions enough for One Quarter part of the Inhabitants- They never owned a Privateer nor Letter of Marque in this War nor have they had a man in the Sea or Land Service of the United States Employed by the Town of Nantucket. they never had a Privateer nor Letter of Marque fitted from there or Owned there in the Last War, neither has there been an Organized Militia there these Fifty years last past. There is not a Tree on the Island of Nantucket of Natural Growth for Fuel. The Harbour of Nantucket is very Shallow not more than Nine and a Half Feet Water at full Sea Spring Tides .-- We are the Representatives of the Whole Island and not of a Party. We have Spermaceti Oil and Spermaceti Candles, but no Cattle- We have not nor Cannot have Prisoners to Exchange for any of our. Men that has or may be taken by his Britanic Majesty's Forces. We have had Twenty Sail of Whale Ships taken since this War Commenced besides Merchantmen and Small Vessels in the Coast- ing business, besides Cod Fishermen. We then made a full state- ment to him concerning the Sloop Earl from her Sailing from Nantucket up to her being taken and sent to Bermuda and about Peter F. Coffin, Jacob Barney, and Alexander Russell that were in the Sloop Earl. he said that Vessel ought not to have been taken, but it was too late now, and there was no help for it, but he would take it into Consideration about the Men and decide up- on it tomorrow. as for Whaling on the American Coast or any other Coast he said he could not nor would not grant any permits neither would he do anything about Fishing for that would be Completely Declaring us to be in the King's Peace and we were a part of the Government of the United States, and it could not well be other- wise, that he could send some Troops there and Erect the British Standard but he believed that would only worst us he said; that he did not wish to starve the People of Nantucket, but this mat- ter needed much Consideration. he hoped we had given him a statement of Facts which Could not be Controverted for he see that we were determined to have something done from him, that if we (he) Granted us any Indulgence we must not convey any Intel- ligence to the Americans and he would not request any from us. he then looked over our papers again and when he came to Cap- tain David Starbuck's Name he then Asked . us whither we were Acquainted with Mr. Starbuck that Moved from Nantucket to Hali- fax, Nova Scotia. * we told him we were well acquainted with him and all the Rest that Moved there. then Silvanus Macy In- formed him that his friend I. Coffin was one of the very people that went there and Sailed from there five or Six Years. then he asked in whose Employ and I Informed him the Cochrain. then he quite Insisted upon my going there and Reassuming my Alli- giance and carrying on the Whale Fishery from there. he said Great Britain had seen their Error in not Carrying on the Business from the Colonies and giving Bounties for the Encouragement of it as she did from England. he then Informed us that if we wished it he would Write to the British Minister on the Subject, and he
*Probably Samuel Starbuck. On the 27th of the 7th mo. 1785, Samuel Starbuck and his son Samuel and their families went to Hali- fax hoping to establish the whale fishery there. Conditions did not seem propitious, so they did not remain. On the 29th of the 7mo. 1793 they formally left Nantucket for England where they with quite a number of Nantucket people, founded in Wales the whaling post of Milford Haven.
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Insisted on my sitting down with his Secretary at his Table and Writing to the British Minister on the Subject, of the People of Nantucket moving to Dartmouth Nova Scotia. he said we should quickly have an Answer and he would send an Armed Force to take us to Halifax with (out) Expence as many as had a mind to Remove there. we Informed him that our business was to get Relief from starvation from him at this time, but that we would lay his offer before the Select Men of the Town of Nantucket and we thanked him Kindly for his Offer. he said we were Charged with no such mission it was True and it was prudent in us not to act upon anything we were not Charged with, but he was Confident that we should find our Account in it if we Acted upon it and I want you should write home to England on this Business. now he said you can Whale & fish. he then told us he was going to send a Dispatch to England giving an Account of the Destruction of Washington City, and wished something of this kind to go forward at this time. there were several Captains of the Men of War a Waiting a standing with their Hats in their Hands-He then said you will state what you want of us which we did. Vizt: We wished to get Liberty to Whale and Fish as we did under the British Ad- mirals Arbuthnot and Digby in the American War as he was pleased to call it-He said that could not be done and he went largely into Explanations why it could not be done and why it was done in the Revolutionary War, but the case was altered. We then Asked
for Permission to bring Provisions and Fuel for the Consumption of the Inhabitants of the Town of Nantucket-He said he would take that into Consideration and act upon it. We Asked then for Permission to carry a load of Bread Stuff to Nantucket in the Sloop Hawk but he said he hardly thought that would be Granted, but he would take it into Consideration. We then Asked for the libera- tion of Peter F. Coffin, Jacob Barney and Alexander Russell as we had not nor could not have any Prisoners for to Exchange for them. he said he would take that matter into consideration, and decide seperately on our several Requests but signified that it was better to have our request in Writing as is done in paper Number Three. * he then Dismissed us handsomely as many people were waiting and told us he would wait upon us tomorrow morning at Nine of the Clock observing that he hoped we had given him a Statement of facts for if we had not, that he should find it out. so we left him and left the Ship and Returned on board Our Ves- sel between Eleven and Twelve of the Clock at Noon (Returned on board of the Hawk).
"In the Afternoon at Four of the Clock the Admiral's Cutter came after the Captain David Starbuck Silvanus Macy and Isaac Coffin. now what was going to take place we did not know. we went on board of the Surprise Frigate and found it was a Mistake in the Officer of the Cutter that we were not sent for by the Ad- miral but it was the Charlottees Crew so we were not to be Hanged or Burned at this time neither-The Admiral told us in the pres- ence of Major General Ross and Ten Captains of the British Men of War that he was very sorry that his Officers had given us so much Trouble for nothing. we told him we were satisfied as we had nothing else to do but to wait upon his Excellency: He then Reprimanded Benjamin Coffin severely; and told us to call to- morrow Morning as he was going aShore with the General and the Captains of the Men of War Immediately. so after hearing the Band of Music we Returned on board the Sloop Hawk not much
* Probably not preserved.
tWhat Benjamin Coffin had been guilty of does not appear.
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displeased with the Rout Number Two-To Morrow Morning then we are to know whither we are to be Hanged or Burnt as our Friend Obed Mitchell said we should be." What followed the interview with Admiral Cochrane has already been fully described in the Journal of the voyage. The Memorandum seems to end as abrupt- ly as the Log began, much of the manuscript doubtless being lost or destroyed.
In the meantime matters had assumed new conditions at Nantucket. On the 22d of August the English privateer brig Nimrod anchored off the Bar and sent a boat ashore with a flag of truce .* The Selectmen at once met and sent a messenger to the officer in charge notifying him that they were in session and ready to receive any communication he had to make to them. The officer informed them that he had a communication from Com- modore Hotham, which would be delivered on board the Nimrod to the person or persons designated by the Town to receive it. The Selectmen appointed a Committee from their own member- ship; and the following morning the Committee repaired on board the brig where they were courteously received by Capt. Newton and his officers. The Captain told them his mission was to arrange for an agreement of neutrality, to be observed by the people of Nantucket. He read to the Committee a communication from Commodore Hotham to the effect that if Nantucket would main- tain a strict neutrality during the war, he would permit a specified number of vessels to import wood, provisions and other needed supplies. Naturally the Committee did not feel impowered to act on so important a matter without consulting the Town and so they came ashore for further instructions. They were promised a copy of the Commodore's proposition but notwithstanding the fact that the Nimrod's barge came ashore at the same time as the Com- mittee it was two hours before the message reached them. In the meantime their associate Selectmen had been summoned so that the full Board awaited the pleasure of the officer of the boat. When the communication was received it was found that the ac- tion of the Town was required and a meeting was called forthwith convening at 6 o'clock the same afternoon. Jethro Mitchell Jr. was chosen Moderator. There was so large an attendance that the Town House could not accommodate them and the meeting was "Adjourned out of doors Round and about the Town Cistern," which was located near the Friends' South Meeting-house.
The communication of Commodore Hotham was read and pro- posed "That the people of Nantucket shall observe a strict neutral- ity between the two contending powers during the existence of the
*Mr. Macy in his personal diary says of this affair-Members of the Federal party treated them "with more familiarity than any strangers ever here before."
The Hawk returned to Nantucket Sept. 10, 1814.
July 23 the Town appointed the Selectmen a committee with full powers to use such means as they legally could to secure permission to import fuel, provisions and other necessaries of life from the con- tinent.
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present war; shall refrain from taking up arms against the subjects of Great Britain; shall surrender up all public arms, guns, ammu- nition, and all other public property of every kind and nature.
"In case of a compliance the British authorities would per- mit a limited but a small number of vessels to import wood, pro- visions, and other necessaries, to the Island, and if a surplusage should appear, all British vessels coming to Nantucket should have liberty to purchase refreshments, provided it did not distress the inhabitants; and that a deputation from the Town should meet the Commodore at Gardners' Bay to conclude the treaty."
There was a brief discussion as to the terms and conditions, the general purport of which was that they were not unreasonable, and if complied with would bring a much needed relief. The opinion was generally expressed that where our own Government was unable to help the people of the Island it could not reason- ably object to the Town availing itself of this opportunity to avert an otherwise assured condition of severe suffering. To many it seemed a matter of life or death. The Town thereupon voted:
"That This Town will not take up arms against Great Britain during the present War between Great Britain and the United States of America severally or Individually.
"That This Town will surrender up all such publick Arms, Ammunition, and other publick property that shall be found in said Town.
"That this Town will not take up Arms to Defend any pub- lick property.
"That this Town will make no opposition against any Brittish Vessel Coming into this harbor to Refresh.
"That this Town will choose a committee to await on Commo- dore Hotham, in Gardner's Bay or Elsewhere agreeable to his Re- quest.
"Voted that the Committee provide a Vessel for them suitable for their purpose."
The Committee chosen was Capt. Joseph Chase, Zenas Coffin, Josiah Barker, Mr. Aaron Mitchell.
It was voted "That the Committee inform Captain Newton, Commander of the Brigg Nimrod, of the proceedings of this meet- ing, and that they are appointed to wait on Commodore Hotham in Gardner's Bay, or elsewhere."*
*Under the caption of "Nantucket Neutral!" the New Bedford Mer-
cury of Sept. 21, published the following extract from a letter from Nantucket, dated Aug. 22 to a man in Boston-"Since I wrote you on the 20th
in the whole island has been an uproar. -The British brig Nimrod, Capt. Newton, came up
the bar yesterday after- and anchored just outside
noon-a lieutenant came on shore with 16 men in a barge, with some kind of a mission to the Selectmen; they tarried till near dark and returned .- We knew nothing of the nature of this proceeding till this forenoon .- The Selectmen and two or three of the principal inhabi- tants went down in two boats with flags, at about 10 o'clock. In about an hour they returned with Capt Newton and several of his officers .- the Captain went up into the Hall of the upper office, where about 150 of the inhabitants were assembled, and delivered to the Moderator of the Meeting a paper containing sundry proposals. Pre- vious to his arrival, however, a letter was read in the hall, which was brought by the Nimrod, from Com. Hotham, dated yesterday off Gard- ner's Island, on board, H M. ship Superb-this letter stated that the Vice Admiral (Cochrane) had received the communications of the (See next page.)
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Macy says* "The forementioned communication from Commo- dore Hotham appeared, from its tenor and other circumstances to have originated from certificates given by the Selectmen and mag- istrates of Nantucket, to qualify a vessel to go and meet the Brit- ish commander-in-chief, and from him to endeavor to obtain per- mission to bring a load of bread stuff from Virginia for the sole consumption of the inhabitants, stating the distressed situation of the Island at that time. Admiral Cochrane, on receiving this in-
magistrates of Nantucket" (dated June 17) "requesting relief, and representing the inhabitants to be in a state of starvation, and that he had sent the Nimrod to inquire into the truth of the statement. The paper handed by the Capt. contained proposals to this effect, viz-The inhabitants of the Island shall declare themselves neutral, and con- tinue so during the war. They will be allowed to import from the con- tinent, fuel and provisions, in a small and limited number of vessels, which are to be licensed by the British Commodore. All government property, if any, shall be given up or destroyed-such as artillery, arms, ammunition &c (there is none here.) The inhabitants will not be al- lowed to carry on "their fishery"-(I presume he meant the whale fishery)-they may export as well as import-such articles however as will not pay a duty to Government-oil and candles I presume, pay no duty. Should any of his Majesty's vessels arrive here, they are to be allowed to take whatever provisions and supplies they may want, not distressing the inhabitants therefor, paying for the same. A deputa- tion of the magistrates or Selectmen are to proceed hence to the Com- modore in Gardner's Bay, tomorrow, if possible, to conclude the treaty. There is to be a town meeting this evening. All the inhabitants are rejoiced at the prospect which this arrangement affords them- particularly the Democrats-who are the first to beg favors from the very enemy whom they have insulted and abused. Capt. Newton is quite a gentleman-He has been treated as such by all those who bear the same character themselves. He stayed on shore nearly all this day, riding out of town, &c. He dined on shore with several of his officers.
"This evening at 6 o'clock, the inhabitants met in the open street near the Town House, that building being too small for their accom- modation .. The proposals of the British Commodore being read, they passed the following resolutions, nem. con .- 1. We will not bear arms against his Britannic Majesty during the present War ..- 2. We will deliver up all public property on the Island .- 3. We will not oppose any British vessels who may arrive here for provisions, &c, such as may be spared without distressing the inhabitants,-paying for the same .- (This vote was originally expressed thus, by recommendation of a Democrat; "We will supply the British vessels of war with such provisions as they may demand" which being opposed by a Federalist was modified as it now stands) .- 4. A committee of four of the Select- men and Magistrates shall proceed forthwith to the British Commo- dore to ratify this arrangement .- 5. This Committee shall consist of Joseph Chase, Zenas Coffin, Josiah Barker and Aaron Mitchell (two demos and two feds).
"The inhabitants of this Island by this measure are inconceivabl relieved-They will soon be supplied with abundance of provisions, fuel, &c by means of those vessels which will be licensed for the pur- pose. Those who have not paid the Direct Tax, will get clear of the same-for the U. S. jurisdiction over the Island, ceases, I presume dur- ing its Neutrality. Vessels will be going direct to Boston. There will not be any obstructions to the navigation of the Island, while the De- putation is away-the Nimrod being ordered to convoy the vessel con- veying them. (the packet sloop Experiment,) to Gardner's Bay. It is expected they will be absent about a week.
"23 Evening .- I have just returned from on board the Nimrod, where I have been treated with great politeness and hospitality. We were saluted and cheered as we left her. About 70 vessels have ap- plied for licenses: It is not likely they will all be granted."
* Hist. of Nantucket p. 192. The New Bedford Mercury reported the English Frigate Pomona at Holmes Hole Aug. 16 waiting for a pilot for Nantucket. The pilots told the Captain she drew too much water to go to the Island. He did not credit the story and sent an- other boat to bring a pilot or six men. Capt Peter West went off and was treated very civilly. The Captain said he had written orders to go to Nantucket and relieve it and give the people, liberty to trade with the continent. His designs on Nantucket were not ill but good. Cant West advised him to go around South of the Vineyard as it was not safe on the Shoals. He thanked him and went, and evidently met the Nimrod south of the Island.
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