USA > Massachusetts > Nantucket County > The history of Nantucket County, island, and town : including genealogies of first settlers > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
306
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
formation, directed Commodore Hotham to send a vessel to Nan- tucket, and make the foregoing provisions of neutrality."
But the journal of the Hawk under date of September 7, says that a Committee evidently "from the Federalists had already interviewed Commodore Hotham and made an Arrangement with him." This was before he received the dispatches from Admiral Cochrane carried by Commissioners Coffin and Macy. It would seem therefore that this was a Committee of which no record was preserved and of which Mr. Macy makes no mention.
The day after the Town meeting at which the Town had voted to remain neutral the Experiment, carrying the Town's Committee, sailed for Gardner's Bay, accompanied by the Nimrod. On August 30 the Committee returned having successfully accomplished its mission. Commodore Hotham received them on his flagship, the Superb, and treated them very courteously They gave an account, in some detail, of the distressed condition of the people of Nan- tucket and explained to him that there were no arms, artillery, ammunition or other warlike stores nor any other Government property of any kind on the Island, save the two lighthouses with a scanty supply of oil, barely sufficient for the season which they desired they might be allowed to retain. Negotiations were com- pleted satisfactorily and the Commodore signed the following agree- ment:
"By the Honorable Henry Hotham, Commodore, commanding His Majesty's ships and vessels employed on the coast of North America, betwene Nantucket and the Delaware:
"The Island of Nantucket having been this day declared neu- tral by a deputation appointed at a legal Town Meeting, held on the 23d instant, to wait on me to stipulate for the relief of the inhabi- tants, who engage they shall take no part whatever in the war be- tween Great Britain and the United States of America, and that such refreshments as it can afford, without distressing themselves, shall be as free for the use of His Majesty's ships as at other friendly places; and having, by the direction of Vice Admiral, the Honorable Alexander Cochrane, K. B. Commander-in-Chief, &c &c. &c., in consideration thereof, granted them permission to import provis- ions, live stock, fuel, and other necessaries of life, from the Contin- ent of the United States, and furnished certain Vessels with pass- ports to perform such voyages, unmolested by the Ships and Vessels of His Majesty and by the private armed Vessels of his Subjects :-
"These are to request and direct, that no hostilities nor dep- redations be committed by those which may arrive at or communi- cate with that Island.
"Given under my hand and seal on board His Majesty's Ship Superb, off New London, the 28th of August, 1814. "HENRY HOTHAM.
"To the Commanders of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels, and of the private armed Vessels of his subjects.
"By command of the Commodore JOHN IRVING."
307
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
Agreeably to the terms of the agreement, Mr Macy states that three passports were granted to go to the Delaware, and three to go to New York; to procure provisions, and other necessaries; fif- teen vessels were licensed to bring wood .*
The following is the particular form of permit granted: "(Seal)
By the Honourable Henry Hotham, Commodore, commanding His Majesty's ships and vessels employed between Nantucket and the Delaware.
"Having, by the direction of the Vice-Admiral, the Honourable Sir Alexander Cochrane, K. B., Commander-in-Chief, &c. &c. &c., stipulated with the magistrates and Selectmen of the Island of Nantucket for the Neutrality of that Island, and, in consideration thereof, granted permission to the Inhabitants to import provision, live stock, fuel, and other necessaries of life for their use, from the United States of America :- "These are to require and direct the Commanders of Mis Majesty's Ships and Vessels, and of the private armed Vessels, not to molest or interrupt the Sloop of about fifty-five tons burthen, navigated by inhabitants of Nan- tucket, carrying no guns or other arms of any kind, in the employ- ment of conveying the above described articles from the Delaware to Nantucket; or sperm candles or oil from that Island, provided she be not found carrying on any other trade, or commerce, with His Majesty's enemies, nor fishing in the open sea; in either of which cases, she will be committing an infraction of the agreement made this day by the aforementioned parties respectively, and will be liable to capture.
Given under my hand and seal on board His Majesty's ship Superb, off New London, 28th August, 1814.
"HENRY HOTHAM."
"To the Commanders of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels and of the private armed vessels of his subjects.
"By command of the Commodore. "JOHN IRVING."
The permits as granted were so limited by restrictions that they afforded but little relief. The people could not fish or whale
*Hist Nantucket p. 194. Mrs. Fanning in her Diary thus describes this affair: Monday Aug 22. "The British Brig Nymrod, is at our Barr sent this afternoon ashore her Barge as a flag-1st Lieut: in her- with a Lett from the British Ad to the Magistrates of this town, the purport of which is-that if we will declare ourselves Neutter & suffer them to come here unmolested-& grant them any little refreshments if we have them to spare, we shall be permitted to bring provisions and fuel to the place.
"Tues Aug 23-Officers ashore from the Nymrod-Capt. & other of- ficers-are treated with the greatest politeness-invited among the Mitchells & others-to dine, tea &c-eve .- 6 o'clock. Town meeting call'd all unanimity-Feds & Demos-Voted That this Island should be Neu- ter during the War. That we will suffer British Vessels . to come here unmolested-that if they are in want of refreshments we will supply them, they paying for the same. Voted that Zenas Coffin, Jo Chase (Demos) & Josiah Barker & Aaron Mitchell feds should be a committee to go to the British Ad & conclude the negociation-all harmony-the Demos are obliged to comply & fall in with the feds.
"Wed Aug 24 "the Maria Packet went off to the Nymrod-Large numbers of Gentlemen & Ladies went off-had a dance on board some tarried till 9 o'clock.
Fri Aug 26 "Nymrod sail'd today-Experiment in Co with our Com- mittee bound to L. Island."
Tues Aug 30 "Our Committee returned 3 vessels licensed to go to Philadelphia-3 to N. Y."
308
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
nor could they carry fish to market. The passports being granted to specified vessels could of course only be used by them and their capacity was not sufficient to supply the reasonable needs of the people. Naturally those whose vessels were lying idle at the wharves chafed some at not being able to use them, but that was a condition naturally to be expected.
The danger that some evil-minded person might maliciously misrepresent to the Government at Washington the arrangements with the British authorities became a source of worriment So forcibly was this danger impressed upon the people that a Committee was selected to wait upon Vice President Elbridge Gerry and state candidly the situation. Mr. Gerry had not gone on to Washington, but was at his Massachusetts home. There the Committee found him and told him frankly the condition the people were in and what they had been forced to do for their own preservation. After attentively hearing them he told them that he could not condemn their action, and that he knew of no other way in which they could have accomplished the needed results. He promised to bring the matter to the attention of the Government and do all in his power to secure its approbation. He recommended further that a statement of facts be forwarded to Congress.
In the meantime the Commissioners who had returned from the expedition in the Hawk to interview Admiral Cochrane made a report of their stewardship. A postscript had been added to the dispatch which the Admiral had delivered to them to the effect that "If Nantucket paid the Direct Tax, or internal duties, the stipula- tions entered into for their relief &c., should become void." This injected a new and entirely unexpected complication into the situ- ation. The Commissioners were at a loss to see how that restric- tion could be complied with .*
The communication which Commodore Hotham sent by the Commissioners read thus:
*The dispatch given the Commissioners for transmission to Com- modore Hotham read:
"Surprise, in the Patuxent River 30th of August, 1814.
"Sir :- A deputation froni the Island of Nantucket having waited on me in this river, under a flag of truce. to solicit permission to ob- tain supplies of food and fuel from the continent of the United States, I have referred them to you, and you will be pleased to grant, them such indulgences as you may deem proper, consistently with what is prescribed in my letter No. 6, of 26th July, 1814, respecting the inhabi- tants of that Island.
"I have the honor to be, Sir, "Your most obedient humble servant ALEXANDER COCHRANE.
"Vice Admiral and Commander in Chief &c &c
"Rear Admiral the Hon. Henry Hothan, &c &c
"P. S. You will be pleased to signify to the inhabitants of the Island of Nantucket, that, if it is found they pay any direct taxes, or internal duties. for the support of the Government of the United States, I will withdraw this indulgence forthwith, and will call on them to pay double the amount to His Majesty's Government.
ALEXANDER COCHRANE.
309
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
"His Majesty's Ship Superb
off New London, 8th September, 1814.
"Gentlemen :- I have received instructions from Vice Admiral the Honourable Alexander Cochrane, K. B., Commander-in-Chief, &c. &c. &c., which will require that the inhabitants of the Island of Nantucket should distinctly understand that the terms, on which they have stipulated for the neutrality of that Island, will not permit them to pay any Direct Taxes, or Internal Duties, for the support of the Government of the United States of America; and that I should receive an assurance from you, that they conceive a strict neutrality will preclude them rendering any support of that nature to that Government; in failure of the execution of which, I am instructed forthwith to withdraw the Passports I have granted to their Vessels, and to call upon them to pay double the amount of the Taxes to His British Majesty's Government they pay to that of the United States of America.
"I have the honour to be, &c. "HENRY HOTHAM, Commodore."
"Directed to the Town's Committee."
"P.S. A Nantucket Vessel having been found whaling with a counterfeit protection, orders will be given to His Majesty's Ships to capture or destroy all Vessels belonging to that Island, which shall be found with any other than the original Protection granted to them."
This was putting the Islanders "between the devil and the deep sea." They were escaping the Scylla of English depredation to be wrecked on the Charybdis of American legal requirements. No recourse was open to them save to petition their own Govern- ment to exempt them from all taxation.
A town meeting was at once convened, a petition to Congress was drawn up read and accepted and it was voted to forward it to Congress. The following is the petition as it appears on the Town Records:
"To the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled :
"The inhabitants of the Town of Nantucket are compelled, by Calamities beyond their control, once more to petition the Con- stituted Authority of the Nation, to contribute at least so far to the alleviation of their sufferings, as to suspend the collection of the Direct Tax and Internal duties which, by Law, are, or may be, lia- ble to be exacted of them. they are convinced that a Reiteration of the peculiar, Multiplied, and overwhelming evils which assail them, is not Essential to procuring the Relief for which they are Now Con- strained to petition. Exposed to the free and undisturbed access of the Declared Enemies of the Government of the United States, it is indispensable to their Existence as a component part of that Government that They should not during the Existence of the War, Contribute to the means by which it is carried on. Indisposed as your petitioners sincerely are to Injure their own Country, or to Contravene its wholesome Laws, they cannot be less anxious to avoid affixing the Seal to their own misery and destruction. It is Evidently certain that while they Continue without the protection of the Government of the United States, and Exposed to all the
310
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
depredations that may be Committed upon them, they cannot justly be Reduced to misery and starvation, for a pecuniary Contribution so inconsiderable to the Government, as that which is Required of them. this Consideration alone is not only sufficient to justify the Respectful application, but it ought we believe to Claim for it that attention which will lead to a complete attainment of its object.
"Signed in behalf and by Direction of the Town of Nantucket, in Legal Town meeting Assembled on the 15th day of September, 1814.
"Attest- JAMES COFFIN, Town Clerk."
At the same Town Meeting it was agreed to send a letter to Commodore Hotham, of which the following is a copy: *
Nantucket, 15th September, 1814.
"The Honorable Henry Hotham, Esquire, commanding his Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed on the Coast of North Am- erica, from Nantucket to the Delaware:
"Sir-We have the Honor to Acknowledge the receipt of your Communication, dated on the 8th instant, and we now beg leave to reply to the Subject of it. The Inhabitants of the Island are under a full Conviction of the heavy pressure, the Payment of the Direct and other taxes would have upon them at this time of in- creased and increasing distress, but they have had to act on this subject with much obvious embarrassment, reflecting on the effect that a refusal of the payment would have on the one hand, while they contemplated on the other, with no less anxiety the intimations that the payment should cause the generous privileges granted them to be withdrawn. In this extreme, critical, and perplexing condi- tion, they assembled in Town-meeting, and resolved to petition the Congress of the United, if not to remit, at least to suspend the collection of the taxes during the existence of the present unhapy conflict. But to remove all doubt of the intention of the inhabi- tants fully to comply, as far as practicable, with the requisitions of the Honorable Sir Alexander Cochrane, the officer deputed to col- lect the taxes upon the Island was prevailed upon immediately to resign his commission.
"We feel confident, that no inhabitant of the Island will ac- cept the appointment as collector, and that no stranger will expose himself so much, as he necessarily must, to hold this undesirable office. Under these circumstances, we are persuaded no taxes will be paid; but we think ourselves justified in believing, that a public and direct refusal will not be required of us; for the peculiar favors already granted to this place evince, in his Brittannic Majestys Government, and in his naval commanders a determination not to embarrass and distress, but to aid and relieve the unoffending inhabitants.
"Respecting the counterfeit protection referred to in your hon- or's communication, we have made strict inquiry, which has pro- duced in our minds a conviction that the supposed counterfeit pap- ers were merely an attested copy of the votes of the town, and a copy of the protecton granted the town, attested by a notary public. These copies were procured to show the neutrality of the island, in the event of the vessel's capture and destruction, to induce the discharge of the' men, if such discharge should be consistent with the instructons given to his British majesty's commanders. We do not discover that any injury can result from these copies; but if this use of them, as thus explained, does not comport with your honor's
*Macy Hist. of Nantucket, p 203.
311
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
views, no pains shall be spared on our part to suppress the use of them.
"In order that you may be better able to judge of the tenor of these instruments granted, we here inclose you a true copy of all the papers which have been given to those vessels who have no protection.
"We have the honor to be, etc." "(Signed by the Committee)"
A letter was received from Commodore Hotham soon after by the Committee demanding to be informed by the Committee "whether the Town is determined to refuse the payment of the Di- rect Taxes and Internal Duties, which are or shall be required by the Government of the United States?" This was a question that the Committee did not believe they had authority to answer and it was referred to the Town.' A Town Meeting was convened on September 28, 1814, at which Josiah Barker, Esq., was chosen Moderator .* At that meeting the following action was taken:
"Voted That this Town will not pay any Direct Tax or Internal Duties during the present war between the United States of Ameri- ca and the Government of Great Britain."
"Voted That their be a committee appointed to Carry into Effect the Neutrality which is agreed on with Admiral Henry Hotham which shall consist of four persons."
The Committee elected comprised Aaron Mitchell, Jr., Mr. Roland Gelston, Mr. Benjamin Coffin, Josiah Barker Esq.
"Voted That the Committee above chosen be a Committee to Treat with the Commanders of all Publick and private Armed British Vessels that are or shall be visiting our shores."
"Voted That the Town do now discontinue all other Commit- tees that hath been heretofore appointed by said Town to Treat with any of the Commanders of his Britannick Majesties ships or Vessels in behalf of the Town."
"Voted That the Town will prevent the Carrying away any provisions from off this Island more than shall be permitted by Admiral Hotham."
A delegation from the Committee was sent to Commodore Hotham to communicate to him the above votes. They made an in- effectual attempt to obtain further concessions from the British commander.
For awhile the protections granted by the English were of material benefit and were properly appreciated but their limitations
*The close observer of political affairs will note that temporarily the Federal Republicans have displaced the Democrats in public af- fairs. Mr. Macy does not allude to that feature at all but he says (page 205) "Many of the inhabitants, believing that the business was about to be conducted in a way that might bring the censure of their government, if nothing more, upon them, concluded that it would be safest for them not to attend the meeting. The meeting was, therefore, slimly attended. At this lapse of time it is difficult to see what just- ification there was for the Democrats to avoid a meeting to act on a report from their own Commissioners.
312
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
fomented jealousies not only among the Americans but among the English as well. Their value soon became greatly lessened and those who owned them hardly dared venture away from the home port.
On the 10th of October, 1814, one of the most remarkable con- flicts in naval history took place off the south side of the Island. The Privateer Brig Prince de Neufchatel, 310 tons burthen, her- mophrodite rigged, mounting seventeen guns and accompanied by a recent prize, the Douglas from Jamaica with a valuable cargo of sugar, rum and cotton, had anchored off Maddequecham, the wind light, from the northward. The Privateer had taken several prizes and was laden with the most valuable parts of their cargoes. Manning them to send them into port had greatly reduced the num- ber of her crew, and several from Nantucket went aboard to assist her crew in getting into port .* Among them was Charles J. Hil- burn, who acted as pilot. A large ship was discovered wide in the offing to the south-west, which proved to be the British Frig- ate Endymion, the commander of which, evidently not daring to stand in too far on account of the shoals, thought to cut out the Privateer with his boats. Late in the afternoon five barges, loaded with men, were discovered coming from the Frigate, and Captain Ordronaux of the Privateer, prepared to give them a warm reception. At, about 9 o'clock they came within musket shot of the Neuf- chatel,, and the action commenced. The plan of attack was one barge on each quarter, one on each bow and one on the stern. The boats carried 111 men, t all told. The action continued about 35 minutes, every attack made being promptly repulsed, at the end of which time the English cried out for quarter which was granted. One barge, containing 43 men had been sunk and only two of her crew saved; one barge was captured; and three drifted from along- side with apparently no living person on board. Captain Ordronaux stated that he was unable to save the drowning men as he had no evailable boat and only eight men who were unhurt.# Six of the crew of the Privateer were killed, 15 severely and nine slightly wounded. Pilot Hilburn of Nantucket, was the first man killed.
The second lieutenant of the Frigate, three midshipmen, two of whom were severely wounded, with one master's mate, who was also wounded, were taken on board the Privateer. The remaining pris- oners, 15 seamen and marines, were kept in the launch astern all night, as the Captain did not dare to take them on board, having already 37 prisoners from other vessels confined below.
*Coggeshall in his "American Privateers" makes the date Oct. 11 (p. 242). He locates the Privateer half a mile south of Nantucket and tells of Captain Ordronaux sighting the Endymion "off Gay Head," an impossible condition. Macy in his history (p. 202) as well as in his personal diary fixes the date on the 10th. As Mr. Macy was within hearing of the guns he is more likely to be correct.
¡A semi-official report in the Boston Advertiser says 104 men. #Coggeshall states (p. 243) that at the commencement of the action the Privateer had only 33 men including officers, at quarters.
313
HISTORY OF NANTUCKET
The next morning, the captured officers signed a parole, for themselves and the seamen and marines, not to serve against the United States during the war, unless regularly exchanged, and were then landed on Nantucket. Mr. Macy says in his Diary two of the English prisoners died of their wounds and were buried at the South Shore. On the 12th, he continues, "the Privateer landed some of her wounded at Sesachacha; several of them appear to be m'ortal. Such as could bear the fatigue were brought to Town,* the others remained at Sesachacha. The Brig then stood northward around the Point. The prize had been aground on Pochick, but being afloat headed along northward. She got abreast of Squam and received information that barges were coming from the westward. It proved a fabrication, perhaps the work of some evil-minded person, who wanted the ship to come ashore, which, if so, had the desired effect, for they ran her ashore." In his weakened condi- tion Captain Ordronaux thought it wise to run into port, so he head- ed for Boston, where he arrived October 15. It was said that the English commander admitted a loss of 33 killed, 37 wounded and 33 prisoners. He gave the privateersmen great credit for their successful defence.
The report of the fight as published in the Advertiser of October 17 states that the Commander of the Endymion, not having any report from his boats, sent another boat to Nantucket to inquire what had become of them.t
*The Nantucket Inquirer of April 29, 1823 published the following- "In the War of 1812, after the fight between the American privateer Neufchatel and boats of the English frigate Endymion the wounded of both parties were landed at Nantucket. One of them had his under jaw badly shattered by a musket ball, and another had a wounded wrist making it necessary to amputate his hand. After the surgical operations had been performed they were soon invited to a friend's house to dinner and were observed to stick to each other pertinaci- ously. The company fell to: but our wounded heroes were disabled for the manual and maxillary exploits being performed around them. After having complacently surveyed the scene without any offer of as- sistance from the busy guests whose diffidence perhaps outweighed their inclinations, he with one flipper, thus sternly, though with much point of humor, addressed his broken-jawed companion: "I say Jack, since you can't grind, nor I carve, and the land-lubbers are all tucking the beef under their jackets, what do you say for splicing? If you'll cut for me, I'll chew for you."
Mrs. Fanning in her Diary gives the following report of the af- fair "Monday, Oct. 10 very pleasant, wind small, S. E .- about noon a privateer Brig & a ship, her prize, hove in sight to the S. W. of the Island-a Frigate in chace-The Privateer haveing Toe to the ship- with her sweeps gained in shoar-the air very small, before sunset the P. & prize were close in Shoar-to the south side several Barges dis- covered coming from the ship to her-At 9 o'clock firing of cannon & small arms for nearly 1% an hour was discovered where the Privateer was at dark."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.