USA > Maine > A brief history of Maine > Part 16
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value of the fences and buildings ; the proprietor then had his choice-either to sell the land to the tenant at the price appraised, or pay him the price set upon his improvements ; otherwise he must lose the land.
4. Many of the settlers whose rights were disputed formed companies to defend themselves in their lands and houses ; and whenever proprietors, or their survey- ors, came into these neighborhoods they were haunted by bands of armed men, and warned to depart. Many times it looked as if there would again be war in the District of Maine,-a war of tenants against proprie- tors; but in one instance only was life actually taken.
In September, 1809, as four men were engaged in run- ning land in the town of Malta (now Windsor) they were assailed by nine men disgnised as Indians. They wore peaked caps of parti-colored cloth, and had a covering over their faces pierced with holes for the mouth and eyes. Some wore blankets also. Two or three carried long staves with pieces of scythes fas- tened upon the end, but the others were armed with guns and pistols. At the word of their leader, three guns were fired at Paul Chadwick, one of the survey- ing party, who instantly fell, mortally wounded. The surveyor and one assistant immediately fled ; but the "Indians" made no attempt to pursue them. The dying man, was soon removed by his companions to a house in the vicinity. Some of the gang had been recog- nized by Chadwick ; and when the sheriff arrived they were found to have fled to the woods, where they re- mained concealed. At last by their friends' advice, they gave themselves up to the officers of the law, and were placed in the jail at Augusta to await their trial.
5. As the time of court sessions approached, the friends of the prisoners began to fear for their fate, and to regret that they had advised them to surrender. Rumors of resque began to reach the officers, and the prison was strongly guarded and a strict watch kept. An intense interest prevailed throughout the commu-
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nity ; for the land proprietors were anxious to see whether their rights could be sustained, while the pris- oners had the sympathy of all settlers on doubtful claims. Next, it was announced that the woods be- tween Augusta and Malta were full of armed men dressed as Indians, who only waited a favorable moment to burn the county building and the houses of the land proprietors; and such was the known state of feeling among the squatters that the rumor was readily be- lieved. A cannon from the old fort was mounted on cartwheels, loaded with musket balls and set at the west end of the bridge, ready to sweep down the rioters whenever they should attempt to cross the river. Sentinels were posted, the patrol was enlarged, and excited citizens kept anxious watch about their dwel- lings. Still the expected attack did not come.
6. The court sat on the third of October. At mid- night the guard stationed east of the river perceived a body of armed men approaching from the hill. When within about thirty rods of the bridge they halted, and sent one of their number forward. The spy came so near the post of the sentinels that he was caught almost before he was aware of their presence. Three of the guard were hastening away with him, when some twenty or thirty of the insurgents rushed for- ward, beat off the sentinels, and rescued their comrade. Major Weeks, who had just come to learn what was the matter, was made a prisoner and hurried away to the woods. In a few minutes the city was in wild comino- tion. Guns werefired, bells were rung, and the streets were thronged with excited people. The August: light infantry company reached the scene of conflict, but the foe had disappeared. Before daylight two other companies had been ordered out; but the insurgents were not to be found.
7. In the few days following, companies came in one after the other from Hallowell, Gardiner, Winthrop, Fayette, Readfield, Vassalboro and Sidney. Perhaps
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my readers will think this was a great and unnecessary array to oppose to three or four score half armed squat- ters; but you know that a very few men can set a city on fire-and the authorities wished to protect prop- erty from the flames as well as prevent a rescue of the prisoners. However, only one or two companies were retained in the city, the others returning home for the time, but alternating with each other until the trial was concluded.
The indictment was for murder; but only seven of the nine men in the party who killed Chadwick were included, since his death resulted from gunshot wounds-and two of them had no guns. The trial commenced on the sixteenth of November, and con- sumed eight days in the examination of witnesses and in the argument of the counsel. The charge of Judge Parker to the jury presents so many thoughts import- ant to be remembered by all who live under a free government, that I insert a part of it for the benefit of boys who will soon be my fellow citizens.
8. "In this free and happy country, where every man's claims are to be decided by his neighbors and peers, men of like passions and like interests with him- self, and under laws of his own making, can there be any exense for resorting to violence? Do not the most abject and miserable find countenance, support and encouragement in the maintenance of their rights, when they claim it under the laws? Have not the legislature done everything within their constitutional power to aid those who are supposed to have stronger claims upon humanity than upon strict justice ? Why then do we hear of our citizens assuming the garb of savages, and perpetrating acts at which even savages would tremble ? To what will all this lead ? If men of similar interests may combine and, by menaces and violence, deprive their antagonists of the evidence essential to the just determination of their disputes- or if men may with impunity oppose the laws-such
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system must go to the destruction of every man's com- fort, security and happiness, as well as the constitution and laws under which we live. There have also been menaces that the courts of justice will be stopped by violence; and it is notorious that assemblies of men have appeared for the avowed object of rescuing the prisoners before trial. There is reason likewise to apprehend, in case of a conviction of the prisoners, that there will be similar attempts to prevent the execution of the law. But have not the prisoners had a fair, patient and impartial trial? It has occupied an unprecedented portion of time. Every indulgence to which they are lawfully entitled has been cheerfully allowed them. They have had the best talents and the best efforts in their defense. If they are not proved to be guilty, though themselves may know that they are not innocent, they will still be acquitted, and allowed to return to their families and friends. If they are convicted the law must have its course. Will this government, abounding in loyal citizens, yield to the violence of a few deluded men, and tamely sce its authority defied and its prisons violated without stretch- ing forth an arm to prevent its overthrow ? Should its powers be exerted, what must be the destiny of these wretched, mistaken men ? What, but either to be killed in battle, executed on the gallows, or to fly from a land of freedom and security, to seek a misera- ble shelter in some foreign country. Their habitations will become desolate, and they will be fugitives on the face of the earth."
9. The evidence had not shown by which of these seven men the three guns had been fired, so that it was still doubtful whose act had caused his death. The jury, therefore, gave to all the benefit of this doubt ; and, after deliberating two days, they brought in a verdict of "Not Guilty."
Yet the trial had a good effect on the community, and on the prisoners themselves -even their leader
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professing with tears his penitence and shame; and both proprietors and tenants became more disposed to peaceable settlement.
What noted men became owners in the Muscongus patent ? What services were rendered in the revolution by Major General Knox? What can you say in regard to other patents ? What law was made to enable the squatters and proprietors to make a settle- ment ? What happened in 1809 in the town of Malta? When the murderers were about to be tried what occurred at Augusta ? Did this affair show that anything is to be gained by mob vio- lence ?
CHAPTER XXVIII.
1. Hardly had the excitement from the Malta "Indians" ceased, when fears of another war with Great Britain began to agitate our people. Napoleon Bonaparte was now in the full tide of his victories, and England had joined the alliance against him. The United States had carly issued a proclamation of neutrality; but both England and France committed many outrages upon our unprotected merchantmen. Then the English claimed the right to search our ves- sels for seamen, and many were impressed into their service on the claim that they were British subjects. Our government often protested against these out- rages, but it did no good; for they knew our navy to be very small, and supposed that our vessels were no match for theirs. At length they became so bold and overbearing as to search our armed vessels; and such as refused to allow it were fired upon. The British
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sloop of war, Little Belt, for some offense of this na- ture, fired upon the American ship, President; and the President fired back, giving the Little Belt such a drubbing that she sailed off as fast as she could to Halifax and complained of the outrage !
2. Over six thousand of our seamen had been impressed and were held to service in the British navy. In all British ports and on the seas our ships were detained by search and seizure, and were not free from molestation even in our own harbors; therefore in April, 1812, an embargo* was laid for ninety days on all vessels in our ports. A treaty had been made with France-that country being now at war with England-by which the edicts of Bonaparte were modified in favor of American shipping; but England gave no attention to our protests, and still persisted in her outrageous proceedings; therefore, in June, war was declared to exist between Great Britain and the United States.
The population of Maine was now over two hun- dred and twenty-eight thousand, while her exports were above eight hundred thousand dollars in yearly value, and she had shipping afloat amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand tons. With such an amount of exports and shipping, of course the em- bargo told very severely on our interests; and there were many who opposed the war, believing it to have been declared more to aid the French than because it was a necessity for the country.
3. General Henry Dearbon, formerly of Pittston, in this State, was made commander in chief of the national forces, which were now stationed along the northern frontier from Lake Champlain to Lake Michi- gan. In August, General Hull cowardly surrendered Detroit, while other divisions of the army did nothing this year to redeem its honor; but on the sea our little navy achieved several brilliant victories. Yet neither the army nor the navy had been idle since the Revo-
* See close of chapter.
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lution ; the army having fought successfully with the Indians from Florida to the great lakes, while our navy had reduced the Barbary States to terms. In the latter service Commodore Preble, a native of Port- land, bore an honorable part. The first noted achieve- ment of this officer was during the occupancy of Castine by the British in the Revolution. Being then first lieutenant of the sloop of war, Winthrop, he with a few men boarded a British vessel in the harbor of Castine and brought her off under an incessant fire from the battery and troops. In 1803 he was placed in command of the famous frigate, Constitution, and sent with a squadron of seven vessels to obtain the release of Americans held in slavery by the Barbary States, and to protect our commerce against their piratical navies. He had brought Morocco to terms and was proceeding against other States when he was relieved by Commodore Barron, his senior, and re- turned home on account of ill health. Congress recognized the value of his services on the African coast, and voted him the thanks of the nation, and ordered him an elegant medal commemorative of the actions in which he had won distinction. He died in 1807 at the early age of forty-five, and was buried with military honors in his native city.
4. During the summer of 1813 the brig Enterprise was stationed on the eastern coast, where she was the terror of the British privateers fitted out in the pro- vinces to prey upon our commerce. She carried six- teen guns and one hundred and two men, and was at this time under the command of Captain William Burrows. On the 4th of September the Enterprise sailed from Portland in search of British cruisers, which had been reported near Monhegan. On the 5th she discovered in a harbor near Pemaquid, a large vessel just getting underway. She proved to be the Boxer, a British brig of eighteen guns, carrying one hundred and four men, and commanded by Captain Samuel
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Blyth. She had been sent out especially to capture or destroy the Enterprise. On observing the Enterprise the Boxer displayed four ensigns, and fired several guns to call her boats from the shore ; then, spreading her sails, she bore gallantly down toward the vessel.
5. Captain Burrows cleared his ship for action, but ran a few miles southward to secure ample sea-room for the impending conflict ; then he shortened sail and turned upon his foe. They met off Seguin Island, at the mouth of the Kennebec. At twenty minutes past three the vessels were within half a pistol shot of each other, when they opened fire at almost the same mo- ment. In the course of the action the Enterprise ran across the bows of the Boxer, whence she deliv. ered such a destructive fire that at four o'clock the officer in command shouted a surrender through his trumpet; for the flag had been nailed to the mast. Captain Blyth was dead, being cut nearly in two by an 18 pound ball; forty-six of his men were killed, and twelve more wounded. Captain Burrows was mor tally wounded early in the battle, while assisting to run out a carronade; but he refused to be carried below until the sword of the British commander was placed in his hand. None on board the Enterprise were killed, and of the fourteen wounded, only Cap- tain Burrows and Midshipman Waters died of their wounds. Lieutenant M'Call succeeded to the com- mand of the Enterprise; and the next morning he took both vessels into Portland Harbor.
Captain Burrows died eight hours after the fight ; and the two brave commanders, foes no longer, were buried side by side in the old cemetery beside the sea. Longfellow, in the poem called "My Lost Youth," wrote of this scene,-
"I remember the sea-tight far away, How it thundered o'er the tide; And the dead captains as they lay In their graves o'erlooking the tranquil bay, Where they in battle died."
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6. A few days later the brilliant victory of Com- modore Perry over the British fleet on Lake Erie, filled the whole country with rejoicing. The next year our naval successes continued, while the victories of Chippewa and Bridgewater, in Canada, covered our armies with glory. But in August the British entered Chesapeake Bay in great force; and, penetrat- ing to Washington, they burned the capitol, the presi- dent's house, and the public offices.
The enemy's cruisers were now so numerous on our coast that no vessel thought of making a foreign voy- age, and nothing was done on the water except a little coasting and fishing. As a result, all important arti- cles became very high. Yet there was an advantage in this; for it stimulated native production so much that this year some thirty companies were incorporated in Massachusetts and Maine for the manufacture of cotton, woolen, glass and metal.
7. On the eleventh of July, 1814, was made the first attack of the war on the soil of Maine. On that day a British fleet swept over the waters of Passama- quoddy Bay and came to anchor off Fort Sullivan, at Eastport. This fortification was the sole defense of the place. It mounted but six guns, and was manned by two companies of soldiers under the command of Major Perley Putnam. The armament of the enemy was under the command of Sir Thomas Hardy. It consisted of his flag-ship, Ramilies of seventy-four guns, the sloop Martin, the brig Boxer, the schooner Bream, the bomb-ship Terror, and several transports with troops under Colonel Thomas Pilkington. A message was speedily sent to the fort demanding its instant sur- render, and allowing but five minutes for consideration. To the brave Putnam this time was more than suffi- cient ; and the messenger bore back the reply,-"The fort will be defended against any force whatever."
8. The armed ships were now put in a position for attack, while at a little distance below the village the
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transports landed upwards of one thousand men, with fifty or sixty pieces of artillery. The inhabitants were intensely alarmed for their property and families ; and they besought Major Putnam that he would not expose the town to destruction by a hopeless defense. In deference to their wishes Putnam surrendered the fort. with the condition that his officers should be released on parole, and that the property and persons of the inhabitants should be secure.
On taking possession of the place the British found in the custom-house nine thousand dollars in United States treasury notes, which only lacked the signature of the collector to become valid. Promises, threats and menaces were all brought to bear on that officer to induce him to sign the notes-and thus rob his government of so many thousands for the benefit of the British; but the noble man persevered in his refu- sal to perform the traitorous act, declaring that "Death itself would be no compulsion."
9. A proclamation was issued announcing that the only intention of the British government in the present expedition was to take possession of the islands of Passamaquoddy Bay, which belonged to it by the treaty of 1783; and that the inhabitants of the main- land would not be harmed, unless their conduet should provoke severities. Having established a custom- house of their own, the British now issued another proclamation, commanding the citizens to appear and take the oath of allegiance to his Britanic Majesty, or depart from the islands within seven days. About two-thirds of the inhabitants submitted; and the com- mander announced that the crown now had its due. New batteries were erected, and between forty and fifty cannon mounted, and the place was garrisoned with about eight hundred troops; then the squadron departed sonthward, spreading alarm along all the coast. A strong party of British soon after marched against Robbinston, a few miles up the bay on the
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mainland. This place was garrisoned by only twenty- five men. under Lieutenant Manning; who, knowing his inability to withstand a siege, destroyed such prop- erty as could not be removed, and retired to Machias.
10. A part of the vessels which had acted against, Eastport continued to cruise off our coast; and one of them, the Bream, a schooner carrying eight guns, greatly harassed Bristol and the neighboring towns. At last the citizens met to consider what could be done to rid themselves of this troublesome craft; and Commodore Tucker was sent for to take lead in the business. The old hero was living upon his farm a few miles off, and at once answered the request of his townsmen by his presence. A wood schooner was procured and armed with an old swivel; and forty-five volunteers were quickly on board, armed with mus- kets, bayonets, and scythe points bound on poles for boarding pikes. After cruising along the coast for several days, they discovered an armed vessel in, or near, Muscongus Bay. As the vessels approached each other the stranger was found to be the schooner Crown, a British privateer of six guns. Tucker kept most of his men below, so that the enemy should not detect his purpose and fire too soon; but when a shot came tearing through the sails the men sprang upon deck. The commander formed them into platoons, directing them, when the order was given, to fire and kneel, while another row in the rear fired over their heads. The enemy's guns all this time kept banging away, the sails of the sloop were riddled beyond re- pair,-and not a gun on board of her had yet been fired. But the commodore had now got his favorite position, and in a voice of thunder uttered the word, "Fire !" Volley after volley followed from the suc- cessive platoons; the crew of the privateer rushed below, and every gun was silenced. The captain alone remained on deck, lying beside the rudder to steer. One of Tucker's men caught sight of his head through
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a port hole, and sent a bullet so close as to knock off his hat. The Americans now prepared to board; and a stalwart young fellow six feet and six inches in height was stationed at the bows with a kedge anchor lifted over his back ready to throw on board the enemy for a grapple. The vessels neared each other. "Commodore, shall I heave?" shouted the young giant with the anchor. The British captain waited no longer, but cried out for quarter. The prize was found to be full of provisions which had been sent to supply the Rattler, a seventy-four gun ship cruising somewhere on the coast. The crew, consisting of twenty-five persons, were placed in the jail at Wiscas- set ; while the provisions were distributed among the suffering families along the coast.
* The government had, carly in 1808, laid an embargo upon ali shipping of American ownership in our ports, thus cutting off the coast trade as well as foreign commerce. It continued fourteen months, depressing business to the lowest point in Maine. In March, 1809, the embargo act was rendered nugatory by another called the "non-intercourse act," which prohibited commerce with France and Great Britain only ; affording at once great relief to business. On the 211 of November this, also, ceased to have effect against France ; that power having rescinded her obnoxious edicts against the United States.
What causes brought on the war of 1812? What citizen of Maine was made commander-in-chief of the national armies? What can you say of Commodore Preble? Give an account of the battle of the Enterprise and Boxer. What other brilliant vic- tory happened soon after? What effect did the destruction of our commerce have upon manufactures? When and where was the first attack made on the soil of Maine? What sea-fight occurred near Muscongus Bay.
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CHAPTER XXIX.
1. The pleasant town of Castine on Penobscot Bay has had a varied experience for a place whose history is not so old by many years as several others in New England. Six different attacks upon it by armed ene- mies have already been recorded in these pages ; while it has been held by five different nations. We must, of course, reckon the Indians as the first nation; after whom it was held by the French, Dutch, English and Americans. I will now tell you of its seventh and last experience of the miseries of war.
In the year 1814 the village of Castine consisted of a few dozen dwellings and stores, a small church, a custom house, and, possibly, a court house-for it was then the shire town of Hancock county. Its only de- fense was a small fortification on the peninsula in such position as to command the channel of its harbor. This was an earth-work in the form of a half moon, armed with four 24 pounders and two field-pieces, and garrisoned by about forty men, under Lientenant Lewis.
On September 1st, the garrison and inhabitants were alarmed by the appearance of a British fleet in the bay, bearing toward their harbor. About sunrise a small schooner ran up near the peninsula, and sent to the garrison a summons of surrender. Lewis saw that resistance would be useless ; so he gave the schooner a volley from his cannon, then spiked them, blew up the redoubt, and departed with his men up the river. So the British took possession of the place without further resistance, and with it gained the control of the Penobscot.
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2. The armament was under the chief command of Sir John Sherbrook, and consisted of the 74 gun ships Dragon, Spenser and Bulwark, the frigates Bacchante and Tenedos, the sloops Sylph and Peruvian, the schooner Pictu, a large tender, and ten transports. On board these were about four thousand troops, under the command of General Gerard Gosselin.
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