USA > Maryland > Talbot County > History of Talbot county, Maryland, 1661-1861, Volume II > Part 45
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a progressive ratio, and in less than fifteen years all would be liberated, and every holder that chose to resign them would receive a valuable consideration.
He wishes it distinctly to be understood that no man should be com- pelled to part with his slaves at this price, but he apprehended that more would from year to year be offered than there would be money to pur- chase, and he states he would be willing to part with his own upon the terms mentioned.
He had, or seemed to have, a high opinion of his bank, for he remarks:
I will say that it will be the safest bank now in operation, because it will not only have its capital in specie, but thirty thousand
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dollars worth of such real property, as it is well known I possess, mort- gaged without stay, and will thus bid defiance to suspicion.
But at the same time it seems to have crossed his mind that his scheme somewhat smacked of the ridiculous, for he says:
Some persons no doubt because this institution is set on foot by Jacob Gibson will ridicule it as fanciful but when 30,000 dollars are de- posited or secured in the hands of those gentlemen mentioned as direc- tors or trustees, who will say he will not receive its notes with as much. confidence as those of other banks?
Man of business as he was, he does not disdain laying bare the motives that actuated him in setting on foot this project. He declares his in- come to be more than sufficient for all his wants, and that his objects were higher and loftier than the acquisition of wealth.
My objects, he says, I most solemnly declare, are principally to benefit the public, when no injury can derive (?) to myself, and to open a door to the liberation of our black population, in whose behalf all nature cries aloud. I hold 40 or 50 of these people, for whom I paid cash, five or six excepted, and who are very profitable to me. I am as unwilling to give them up as most persons, and like others resort for apology for holding them to a customary finesse, that it would be impolitic and dangerous to the community, at this time, to liberate them: but if any man or institution will give me their value, they shall go tomorrow to that liberty of which I daily taste the sweets.
Mr. Gibson concludes his address with these words, a most singular peroration :
Finally, after the accomplishment of the object before mentioned the funds may be transferred to the support of the clergy, who are the worst paid people in this country, and whose functions are indisputably necessary. It may also aid charity, schools and manufacturers. If the public will give me cash for good bonds and judgments, I will put the bank in motion immediately; otherwise it will be suspended until the time mentioned. I will guarantee the assignments.
JACOB GIBSON.
Maringo, Talbot county, Feb. 28, 1804.
Think of supporting the clergy by a bank! But this is not more cu- rious than the building churches by lotteries as used to be commonly done, or the endowing theological schools with the winnings at the stock board, as has been done recently. In this last paragraph we see adum- brated that correlation of intellectual activity (shown in a desire for common schools), of material prosperity (shown in the wish for man- ufactories), and of moral sensibility (shown in a solicitude for the support
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of ministers of religion), which is referred to in the beginning of this contribution.
Mr. Gibson was so well pleased with his production, that he requested Mr. Smith, the editor, to republish it, taking care to retain all the typo- graphical errors of the original. This was truly characteristic of the man. He possessed such individuality and egotism and yet such open honesty that he wished to appear just as he was, with all his own faults about him, and not tricked out in the borrowed though better garments of another. Accordingly in the Star of March 6th, 1804, the article reappears, word for word as before, but with this as a portion of the preface:
I am happy to inform the public that the proposition meets with general approbation; and that some gentlemen whom I had accommo- dated with money on loan, have informed me that I shall receive their money in all the spring. With this sum, and some other funds which I can raise from sales of my grain now on hand, the bank will open on or before July next, or as soon as I can obtain plates and a mill for the institution.
Let the reader observe the archaism of calling the bank note press a Mill, and how like a jibe it reads in this day of excessive paper money. It were well if we should take to heart the lesson imparted in this word "Mill," and ward against the dangers that are now threatening us, from that great money Mill in the Treasury department, which may be made to give us too large a yield of paper meal for the smaller grist of gold, or other wealth that is in the national hopper.
It is hardly necessary to say, Jacob Gibson's Bank never went into operation. Our farmers, mechanics, and country merchants, however, soon had bank accommodation from the branch bank at Easton of the Farmers' Bank of Maryland; but emancipation was deferred for 60 years, and then it came without the moderate average compensation to the master of 120 dollars for each of his slaves, and without that higher and better compensation that flows from a sense of having per- formed voluntarily, and without compulsion an act of justice and hu- manity.
JACOB GIBSON'S PRANK
"And there was mounting in hot haste: the steed, The mustering squadron, and the clattering car Went pouring forward with impetuous speed, And swiftly forming in the ranks of war; While thronged the citizens with terror dumb,
Or whispering, with white lips,-the foe! they come! they come! -BYRON.
It is proposed in this paper to present an amusing and instructive episode of the war of 1812, the scene of which was laid in this county of Talbot. It was not altogether ludicrous, for it has its serious aspect, and as will be shown in the sequel, it came near to having a very tragic termination. It will be found instructive, inasmuch as it will serve as an illustration of the state of society here, and of the public sentiment of the time to which it refers. As to the antiquarian no object, which has come down from a former age, however trifling is without its interest and value, so to the annalist, or student of local history no incident of the past, however simple, is without its worth or significance.
The story that is to be told is of one of the most remarkable men this county has produced, whether we regard his undeniable merits or his equally undeniable faults of character and conduct. Oral tradition and written record have transmitted so much concerning this worthy that there are ample materials for the formation of a proper estimate of one who was as stalwart in mind as in body, and who was as rugged in his virtues as in his manners. In a study of his character it is impossible not to be reminded of the half mythical heroes of antiquity-he was so strong and so full of lusty life, and yet so simple and so natural. Here- after a complete account may be given of this notable man, who for a generation kept himself more prominently in the public view, than any one of his day in this county. Mr. Gibson resided at Marengo, in Miles River neck, opposite St. Michaels-a plantation named by him soon after the great victory of Bonaparte, of whom he was a most ardent admirer. He had other farms and plantations in the county, including the one made up of Sharp's or Claiborne's island. All of these he tilled, by means of overseers and his slaves. He was as enthusiastic a farmer as he was a zealous partisan, and he carried into agriculture the same force
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of character as that he bore into politics. His plantation of Sharp's island being distant from the main, in visiting it during the war, he was liable to capture by the enemy's fleet if he should venture into the bay; so it was his custom to cross from his farm at Marengo to St. Michaels, and then take a boat in Broad Creek for his island farm, thus diminishing his dangers, and shortening his voyage.
For some time after the declaration of war between the United States and Great Britain, the last mentioned country was content to blockade the coast and harbors of the former along the Altantic, and without attempting any permanent lodgment, to harass the enemy by marauding expeditions along the shores, wherever boats could penetrate. These expeditions regarded from a military point of view were of no benefit to the invading party, but were so far serviceable to the invaded that they were most influential in uniting the people of this county who had been much divided in sentiment as to the policy of the war, in their opposi- tion to the enemy. The British forces acquired some plunder, but much more reproach and detestation. The Americans lost some property but they obtained a greater determination to resist. In the early part of the year 1813, Admiral Warren, who was in chief command of the British fleet on the coast, arriving in the Chesapeake, ranked near Admiral Cockburn, who had been in command of the naval forces in the bay, and who had acquired already an infamous name, subsequently made more infamous by the outrages committed at Hampton and else- where in Virginia and Maryland. In April of this year Admiral Warren with a strong fleet sailing up the Chesapeake, or on about the 12th of the month took possession of Sharp's Island, and made a prisoner of Mr. Gibson, who had just come over from the mainland to look over his property with a view to its removal from the reach of the British. Find- ing himself as well as his island and the property upon it in the possession of the enemy, he asked of Admiral Warren that protection should be given to whatever was not required for the use of the fleet, so that there might be no wanton destruction. This protection was granted, and further, permission was given to Mr. Gibson, who was very quickly released, to remove certain property from the island, for which the fleet had no use, but the removal of any live stock was interdicted. Admiral Warren made use of but a small part of the stock, for which Mr. Gibson received a partial compensation in money and orders upon the British treasury. The value of the stock seized was estimated at 255 dollars. This money Mr. Gibson refused to accept as belonging to himself, and on the 24th of April he addressed a letter to the Hon.
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James Monroe, Secretary of State, for the United States, and to his Excellency, Levin Winder, the Governor of Maryland, detailing the circumstances of its being in his hands, and requesting instruction as to its disposition. This letter, as well as the orders of Admiral Warren, to which reference is made in the letter, are here inserted as interesting historical documents. They are copied from a curious hand-bill entitled "Federal Treason and Democratic Gratitude " now in the hands of the compiler of this paper, and dated May 10th, 1813.
Jacob Gibson's communication to James Monroe, Esq., Secretary of State of the United States, and Levin Winder, Esq., Governor of the state of Maryland.
BALTIMORE, 24th April, 1813.
JAMES MONROE, ESQ., Secretary of State.
Sir :- On the 9th inst., I was in this city, and on the arrival of the news of the affair in the Rappahannock, I was much alarmed at the ex- posed situation of the property in and bordering on our bay, and imme- diately proceeded to remove my grain, stock and slaves from Sharp's Island. I reached my place of residence on the 10th, and crossed to my island on the 11th. On the morning of the 12th I was made prisoner while in the act of removing my property. My stock, consisting of cat- tle, sheep and hogs, was interdicted and forbid removal, by order of Sir John B. Warren. I was detained on the island until the 17th, when I returned to my family. The enemy took from the island 4 sheep from 100, 12 cattle from 57, and 28 hogs out of 50, sixteen of which were small pigs. I was treated by all the officers, but particularly by the Admiral, with marked politeness and delicacy. The purser of the Ad- miral's ship left on the island $54 in specie, and informed me he should leave bills on his government for the balance of the stock taken. I protested against any agency in a transaction with the enemies of my country that might contribute to their aid, but they forced a deposit for the stock they had taken, amounting to about $225. Considering that I have no control over the money or bills thus left, until the pleasure of the government is communicated as to its disposal. The exposed situa- tion of my island, being nearly four miles from the main, entirely excludes it from defensive measures. I asked from the Admiral a protection for my property there, which he instantly granted to prevent further depredations, otherwise my growing crops might be sacrificed; as you will find by the enclosed document (it being a copy from the original left on the island). He also permitted me to transport the remnant of my last crop to the county where I resided as per docu- ment No. 2. I have now remaining on the island upwards of 90 sheep, 44 cattle and 22 hogs, which if the government thinks advisable, will please to order off by the proper authority; but I am fearful such an event might, after what has taken place, aggravate the destruction of
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my buildings, slaves, crops, &c. However, I solicit no indulgence if the government consider the common cause will be advanced by the measure.
The enemy has, I believe, by this time left Sharp's Island, and taken possession of Poplar Island, where I believe they intend making a ren- dezvous.1
*
I shall remain here until you do me the honor to answer this letter; and as my absence from my family and concerns is attended with great inconvenience, may I hope to hear from you by the earliest mail-and I have the honor to be your obedient servant, JACOB GIBSON.
Address to the Post Office, Baltimore.
NUMBER 1
By the Right Honorable Sir John Borlase Warren, Bart., K. B. Admiral of the Blue, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels employed and to be employed on the American and West Indian Station, &c., &c.
Whereas his majesty's squadron under my command, having occasion for refreshments, and Sharp's Island, in the bay, producing live stock, I have directed the said stock shall not beremoved. Whatever cattleany of the officers, of his majesty's ships, under my orders, may take, as well as any other stock, is to be paid for by regular bills or cash, and no depredation or injury is to be committed on the houses and farms, serv- ants or slaves, upon the above mentioned island. Given under my hand, and on board his majesty's ship St. Domingo, off Sharp's Island in the Chesapeake, April 12th, 1813.
JOHN BORLASE WARREN.
To the respective captains and commanders of his majesty's ships and vessels.
By command of the Admiral, THOMAS Fox, Pro Secretary.
NUMBER 2.
By the Right Honorable Sir John Borlase Warren, Bart., K. B. Admiral of the Blue and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's ships and ves- sels employed, and to be employed, on the American and West Indian Station, &c., &c.
The captains and commanders of his majesty's ships and vessels are hereby required and directed to permit the vessels bearing this pass,
1 This vacuum in the publication is a necessary omission (here) from my letters to the governments. It relates to matters unconnected with this business. How- ever, the friends to my country may see it at the printing office-none else have a a right, and are forbid. [The "friends to my country" were the Democrats of course: those that are "forbid" were the Federalists, whom Mr. G. regarded as even worse than British enemies.]
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JACOB GIBSON'S PRANK
and having on board the quantity of corn and fodder specified in the margin, belonging to Jacob Gibson, Esq., to transport the same from Sharp's Island, in the Chesapeake, to any place in the river Choptank, or St. Michaels river.
Given under my hand, on board his majesty's ship San Domingo, off Sharp's Island, in the Chesapeake, April 17th, 1813.
JOHN BORLASE WARREN.
By command of the Admiral, THOMAS Fox, Pro Secretary.
To the letter addressed to the Governor of Maryland, which was the same as that addressed to Mr. Monroe, Sec'y of State, Mr. Gibson secured a reply, to the effect that the matter had beed referred to the President of the United States. To the letter to Mr. Monroe, if any answer was returned it has not yet been discovered.
During Mr. Gibson's absence from his home, and detention upon the island the most extravagant stories were put in circulation concerning him and his movements, the gist of which was that he was aiding the enemy by furnishing them with supplies, and benefiting himself by trading with the fleet. Public sentiment was aroused against him, and even his political friends were too ready to accuse him of dishonorable conduct while in communication with the British fleet. After his return, and his explanation of what had occurred, there were still those who could not believe that Admiral Warren would have granted such indulgence and favor as was indicated by the orders just presented, unless he had derived corresponding advantages. To these Mr. Gibson made this characteristic reply:
I had no right to expect to be favored, but on the contrary, to be the first victim of British vengeance. Fortunately God has made me of strong nerves, that I can shine, when I please, in a church, a drawing- room, a grog-shop or a brothel; and if by my address and urbanity of manners, I softened the roaring lion to a kind lamb and obtained papers that helped my country, and rendered no aid to its enemy, was I not justifiable? * * * The federalists, I could persuade myself
to forgive * but for democrats cowardly to shrink from the support of their first main pillar! From the federalists I had nothing to expect. They forced me to ride them rough shod. I have never spared them, nor ever will, when I see them err. I have given them whip and spur. I rolled them, in this county, from a high political standing to the bottom of the valley. I took democracy from its slum- bering ashes. Yes-I, Jacob Gibson, did it. With my zeal, persever- ence, justice of the cause, and my purse (and I dare contradiction) raised you democrats from the bottom of the lowest valley to the top of the political hill. I placed your feet on the neck of federalism, and when you got there, you forgot how it happened.
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HISTORY OF TALBOT COUNTY
1
The presence of the British forces in the bay, the taking possession of Sharp's and Poplar Islands, the seizure of the bay craft plying be- tween Baltimore and the rivers and creeks of Talbot, the penetrating of their boats from the fleets, into every water course that was unde- fended, created the utmost alarm in all parts of the county, which led to the formation of many military companies for defence against attack. Guard boats were placed at the mouths of the rivers. Batteries were erected in positions commanding the water approaches to the towns of St. Michaels and Easton. Cavalry companies were organized, which acted as scouts, and transmitted accounts of the movements of the en- emy's fleet, or barges. St. Michaels was thought to be particularly exposed, and liable to attack. It was regarded as the outpost of Easton, the county town; and besides, within its limits and in its immediate vicinity, there were several vessels on the stocks, among them a barge for naval warfare, which the enemy desired to destroy. The people of St. Michaels and its neighborhood were in constant dread and mo- mentary expectation of an attack. The town was accessible both by St. Michaels river, and by Broad Creek, for on either side it could be ap- proached by small boats; while from the bay side it could be easily attacked by land forces. Among the military companies organized for the defence of the county, was the troop of horses commanded by Capt. Robert Banning, of the Isthmus. This company was made up of gentlemen living in the vicinity of Royal Oak. It was in pretty con- stant service as videttes or scouts, keeping watch from Knapp's narrows to Easton. In the town of St. Michaels there was an infantry company, commanded by Capt. Jos. Kemp, subsequently, Col. Kemp. This body of men gave special guard to the town, and held itself in constant pre- paredness.
Such was the condition of affairs in the lower part of Talbot in the middle of April, 1813-the enemy near at hand, and the people sensitive to alarm-the enemy threatening and the people expecting an attack. On the morning of the 18th or 19th, as near as the exact time can be determined, a barge-like vessel was discovered making her way, under sails and oars, up that branch of Broad Creek which approaches St. Michaels. At the mast head was displayed a red flag which was very naturally supposed to be the dreaded Union Jack of Great Britain. At the same time the beating of a drum on board the barge or boat was distinctly heard. This, though hardly consonant with hostile intentions, was thought to be done in bravado, as though the enemy was confident of success and had no need to employ any secrecy in his movements.
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No soldiers were seen on board, but they were supposed to be concealed in the hold of the vessel. No one was visible but the two or three men engaged in sailing the suspicious craft. The people along the shores first took the alarm. The farmers placed messengers on fleet horses and sent them to town to announce the approach of the British, of whom the boat was thought to contain but the advance. Men with families prepared to send their wives and daughters up the county beyond the reach of a lascivious and brutal soldiery, as they had shown themselves to be farther south. Live stock was to be driven off from the shores into secluded places so they might escape the marauding bands of Cockburn. In the town the announcement of the approach of the British created the greatest consternation, except in the breasts, let us believe, of the brave citizen soldiers. Capt. Kemp's infantry company, the St. Michaels Patriot Blues, was immediately under arms, while Capt. Banning, with his horsemen were more than usually active, hastening hither and thither in quest of the most recent intelligence of the progress of the approaching enemy, and in summoning the other military companies from the surrounding country.
But neither the citizens nor the soldiery were kept long in suspense. The boat continued its easy course up, with its red flag flying and its deep drum beating. As the river or creek became narrower a nearer view of the craft and her crew was obtained from the shore. The vessel was soon discovered to be one which had lately left Broad Creek, probably Capt. Richard Spencer's of Beverly, for Kent Island, and then the burly form outlined itself against the sky, and the loud and ringing voice was heard to echo along the shores, of Jacob Gibson. A gentle breeze blew out from the mast the dreaded flag, which proved to be unmarked by St. George's cross, and was only a red handkerchief; and the tacking of the boat displayed, not a gaily decked drummer boy and his rattling instrument, but a ragged negro man thumping with his fists upon the head of an empty rum barrel. The whole affair was explained. It was Jacob Gibson returning from Sharp's Island, and playing a practical joke upon the people of St. Michaels and vicinity. Being naturally of buoyant spirits, and now, more than usual, elated by his successful negotiation with the British commanders for the protection of or probably pay for his property, he thought to have a little innocent sport at the expense of his countrymen, by feigning to be their enemy. By the time he had reached the back landing, at that part of the town called San Domingo, the feelings of the people and soldiers had undergone a great change; the fears of the former had given place
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to indignation, and the courage of the latter to a desire for revenge. Neither was in a state of mind to laugh at Mr. Jacob Gibson's prank, and both were ready to inflict punishment for his having caused the one to betray timidity, and the other to show their bravery without a cause. So when he reached the town instead of meeting a hearty welcome back from the hand of the enemy, he encountered emphatic objurgations. Those who had been reluctant to credit the rumors of his having been trading with the enemy, and thus committing overt treason, did not now hesitate to brand him with this infamous accusa- tion; while his political enemies saw, as they thought, evidences of his guilt in the cargo of his vessel, some barrels of rum which he declared were taken from a wreck he encountered in his trip from the island. The soldiers of Captain Kemp's company were ready to take vengeance upon him for a transaction which they were not in a state of mind to regard as a practical joke; and but for the interposition of their com- mander, his life would have paid the penalty for its perpetration. The muskets of these men were actually pointed at his breast, and undoubt- edly would have been discharged but for the firmness and decision of Capt. Kemp. The gentlemen of the troop of horse were calmer and more considerate than their commander, who being an old political opponent of Mr. Gibson, from whom he had received many severe rubs in the electioneering campaigns, was not averse to seeing him, humiliated, if not harmed. As a Federalist he would have been pleased to see a pronounced war Democrat convicted of illicit traffic with the enemy, and if injured in person, his grief would not have been inconsolable. For the part Capt. Robt. Banning took in this affair, Mr. Gibson made a most violent and vituperative attack upon him in the handbill hereto- fore referred to in this paper. The soldiers were at last quieted, and the offender was allowed to depart without injury for his home, across St. Michaels river, after having publicly apologized for his conduct, and explained his proceedings while upon Sharp's Island. There are traditions that he was compelled, while making these apologies, to suffer some humiliating indignities: but these traditions are probably at fault, and from what is known of the sturdy character of Mr. Gibson, it is very safe to say he could have done nothing but what was becoming a haughty man, who would have lost his life rather than debase himself by an abject act, while making the only amends possible to an honorable mind, for an offence innocently committed.
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