USA > Maine > Washington County > Machias > Memorial of the centennial anniversary of the settlement of Machias > Part 5
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Soon afterwards he published and caused to be distribut- ed the following :
" DECLARATION.
By Sir GEORGE COLLIER, Commander of His Majesty's ship Rainbow, and having the direction of the King's ships and vessels employed on the coast of New England and Nova Scotia.
The inhabitants of Machias, not satisfied with the quiet they enjoy, whilst a great part of America are suffering the inconveniences attendant on war, have thought proper, with-
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out the least provocation, several times to invade and ravage the possessions of their innocent and peaceable neighbors (faithful subjects of the King,) in the Province of Nova Sco- tia, and likewise had the temerity last winter to invest Fort Cumberland, in the Bay of Fundy, belonging to His Majesty :
Such repeated outrages could not pass unnoticed, and ac- cordingly I thought proper lately to convince these ill-judg- ing and misled people that their harbour was accessible, and their town at our mercy, if it was judged necessary to re- duce it to ashes. His Hajesty's ship Hope, therefore, after proceeding up to the town, in spite of all the opposition that could be made against her, showed the inhabitants at the same time a proof of lenity and moderation by sparing the ยท place, and doing no injury to individuals, in the wish that such forbearance might be the means of preventing a repe- tition of the cruel and injurious inroads they have made on their neighbors, wantonly and without reason.
In order, however, that these motives of the lenity and for- bearance shown not only at Machias but in Townsend harbor, and other places, may be properly understood, and let the subjects of His Majesty in the eastern parts of New England know what they have to trust to in future, I think proper to declare that if any more preparations shall be made in those parts, for ravaging and invading the province of Nova Scotia, or that the inhabitants should either attempt collecting fresh magazines or associating themselves for such a villanous purpose, the consequence will inevitably be, laying in ashes every house, mill, store-house and other building belonging to them, of which the inhabitants of Machias, Narraguagus, Goldsborough, and all the neighboring places on and near the sea-coast will take notice ; besides which, their harbours shall be so effectually blocked up by the ships and vessels of His Majesty, that even their fishing boats will not be suf- fered to come out before the rebellion is over.
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With this generous caution before them, the inhabitants on the eastern coast will act as they think proper ; but they must remember, if they draw down the threatened punish- ment, that they have nobody to blame for it but themselves.
And, in order that every proper method to induce the King's subjects before-mentioned to live inoffensively and peaceably shall be used, I hereby declare that if they do so, His Majesty's cruising ships of war will have orders not to injure or molest the fishermen in their occupations of catch- ing fish, provided their vessels carry no arms, and that the number of men do not exceed eight in any one of them.
Given on board His Majesty's ship Rainbow, in the har-
bour of Townsend, in New-England, the 2d day of September, 1777. GEO. COLLIER.
To the inhabitants of Machias, Narraguagus, and Golds- borough, and the rest of the settlements on the eastern coast of New England."
The truth is that with the exception of burning the Guard- house at the Rim, and the dwellings and barns of Mr. An- drews and Mr. Scott, and a Gristmill on Butterfield's creek, no other destruction of property was accomplished. The provisions, &c., intended for the expedition had not arrived at Machias, and if they had they would have been placed in charge of the Truck-master at the village, which the enemy did not reach.
In consequence of this attack, several companies were ordered here for our protection-some of them from Cum- berland County. They remained here till late in the Autumn. But Machias was not again visited by the enemy during the remainder of the war.
It was on this occasion that the following ballad was writ- ten by Betsey Scott, a daughter of Sylvanus Scott, whose buildings were burned by Capt. Dawson. As a memorial of
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the defeat of the British, it may not be deemed unworthy of a recital, at the present time.
'Twas August on the thirteenth day, Late in the afternoon, At the brave town of Machias, When men were in their bloom, We heard alarm below the fort, Which made our spirits fear, We sent down boats immediately To see what's coming near.
And when the boats came back They brought this news we hear,
There were three ships, a brig likewise, A coming very near. Two anchored in the harbor's mouth, The others coming up,
A brig and seven barges Came to fire against the fort,
They fought awhile that afternoon, But night a coming on, They fell below the fort And anchored in the stream.
And early when the morning came, They landed on the shore, And marched up into the fort Where cannons loud did roar.
They drove our men from out the fort, Who ran into the woods,
They burned our buildings at the fort, And plundered all our goods,
And there they kept possession Until 'twas almost dark, And Dawson he commanded them On board for to embark.
They marched then upon parade And exercised there,
And then embarked on board the brig, The wind it being fair,
To take them up the stream, so bold, In order for to burn Our mills, our houses and our barns, And then for to return.
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But when they got in sight of town Our men on them did fire,
And they received a shot from town, Which caused them to retire,
And sprung their main mast by the board, And put them to a flight.
They tacked about their brig again And back they went that night.
Soon as they turned, brave Stillman cries, "Drive on to the attack,
"For if we fight courageously "We soon shall beat them back :
"Fight on ! fight on ! my hearts of gold ! " Till all your blood ye spill,
" For I will fight until I die "Before to them I yield." Our men upon the Britons kept A constant firing then,
And 'fore they got down to the fleet,
They lost a hundred men.
But for our loss it was not so, As I the truth unfold,
We had one valiant soldier slain Who fought with courage bold.
Success unto our officers That valiantly did fight !
Success unto our soldiers Who fought with courage bright !
Success to General Washington, To Putman and to Lee, And as my ditty is ended, Success to LIBERTY !
In the spring of 1781, Penobscot had been for nearly two years in the possession of the British. The people east of that river having suffered for the last six years many pri- vations in consequence of the war, straitened many a time and oft for the absolute necessities of life, and the comman- der at Bagaduce, now Castine, having offered every induce- ment in the shape of a profitable intercourse and trade be- tween the enemy and the inhabitants : it is not surprising
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that some of them might feel that under a system of neutral- ity, they would gain some little more of the comforts of life and still be benefited by a prosperous issue of the war .- And the Tories,-for there were some of them in our midst -took every opportunity to sow the seeds of dissention and dissatisfaction among them.
It was probable under the pressure of such considerations and influences as these that some of the leading inhabitants in the vicinity of the Penobscot, were very urgent to adopt a system that would afford them some degree of rest and quiet, and were led to join a representation and appeal to the more eastern settlements in favor of a strict neutrality while the contest should continue between Great Britain and the Colonies.
From what we have already learned of the character of our people here, one can easily imagine the spirit and tem- per with which such a proposition would be received by them. But happily we have a record of the doings of a full meeting of the inhabitants held on the 26th day of March when the proposed neutrality system was acted upon. The record is as follows :-
" At a full meeting of the inhabitants of Machias assembl- ed on the 26th day of March, 1781, was presented by Ste- phen Jones, Esq., a letter which he received from
of Gouldsboro, with a representation that came enclosed to said Jones. The same being read in open meet- ing, the inhabitants came to the following votes :-
1. Resolved, That the said Letter and Representation be deposited with the Committee of Safety and Correspond- ence, to which the said Jones cheerfully agreed.
2. Resolved, That the inhabitants of this plantation do hereby express their utmost abhorrence both of the subject matter of said letter and representation, signed by
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who hath made it evident that he hath private interest at heart rather than the good of his country. And we do here- by declare that we are ever ready to defend the rights and liberties of the United States of America against Great Britain, or any other enemies to the freedom and indepen- dence of America, whether internal or external, and that we despise. a neutrality in the present contest-holding it as an indisputable truth that those that are not for us are against us.
3. Resolved, That the Committee send the proceedings of this meeting together with said letter and representation to the Committees of the other Plantations west of us as far as Frenchman's Bay, desiring to know their determination in the matter.
4. Resolved, That the Committee be desired to prepare a letter to be sent to his Excellency the Governor, and that the same be laid before this meeting for approbation.
5. Resolved, That the Committee be desired to wait on the Commanding Officer with the proceedings of this meet- ing and consult with him what measures are best to be taken for the safety of the place.
WM. TUPPER, CLERK.
Machias, April 11, 1781."
In accordance with the fourth vote, the Committee of safety prepared and sent to Gov. Hancock an address, (with a copy of the letter and representation referred to) from which we make the following extracts. After referring to the contents of these papers, the Committee say :-
"We herewith send your Excellency a copy of said letter and of the paper which accompanied it, not doubting but your Excellency will take such measures as will not only frustrate the designs of our enemies but deter others from following such counsel as must end in their own destruction.
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"We have no doubt of the good disposition of your Ex- cellency and the other branches of Government towards us. We have often experienced your bounty and care-without which, we would now be groaning under that tyranny which our internal enemies are now striving to bring on us, under the specious pretext of Neutrality. We therefore hope we shall not now be given up for prey, but that our political fathers will continue to protect us, and animate us still to hold out and persevere in the defence of the liberties to which we are entitled, and until the independence of Ameri- ca shall be acknowledged by our enemies.
"Your Excellency may rely upon the affection and fideli- ty of these Plantations in general, notwithstanding all their present difficulties ; and that they will exert themselves to the utmost against all the enemies of the peace and inde- pendence of the United States of America. We therefore humbly request that your Excellency and the Honorable the General Court, will be pleased in their wonted goodness and generosity to grant us as expeditiously as possible, such aid and assistance as may be necessary to enable us to take proper measures to avert the designs of our enemies."
The Committee of Correspondenec and Safety, at this time, were Dea. Joseph Libby, Stephen Smith, Benjamin Foster, Jeremiah O'Brien, and James N. Shannon.
Gen. Cooper,-who came to Machias about 1790 and was for many years High Sheriff of this County-a gentleman of much observation and intelligence-in a communication made by him to the Massachusetts Historical Society, con- taining a description of Machias, makes the following re- marks :-
" After the British troops had taken possession of Penob- scot in 1779, it was expected that all the country to the
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eastward of it, would submit to their jurisdiction, yet, not- withstanding their proclamations denouncing vengeance in case of refusal, the inhabitants of Machias, with most of the townships Westward, still adhered to the country's cause, and continued to act offensively to the close of the war .- The extensive, and well deserved influence of Gen. Alex- ander Campbell, (of Narraguagus,) which at all times secur- ed the ready obedience of the militia-the exertions of Col. Allen who had the direction of the friendly Indians, and the efforts of the inhabitants of Machias, united, preserved to the country a valuable extent of territory, as the boun- dary line between New Brunswick and Massachusetts, when hostilities ceased, was determined rather by possession than the treaty of peace or the compass."
Having thus given a narrative of the early settlement of the place by which we may have learned something of the trials and hardships our ancestors endured-having recount- ed some of their valorous and successful feats of arms, showing how much they dared to do in the most perilous hours, for the liberties of our country, and having shown their steadfastness and loyalty at a later period in the war when the future was as dark and as uncertain as its com- mencement, we leave their memory and their example to be transmitted to our children and our children's children, even unto the third and fourth generation.
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LETTERS FROM NATIVES OF MACHIAS RESIDENT ABROAD, AND OTHERS.
From George S. Smith, Esq., of Biddeford, Me.
BIDDEFORD, Me., May 1, 1863.
GENTLEMEN :-
Your note extending to me an invitation to unite with you in the celebration of the settlement of the old town of Machias on the 20th instant, has been received. It would give me great pleasure to be present on that occasion, and again meet with my old friends and fellow-townsmen; but embarassment from protracted sickness will prevent me from going so long a distance. Though I am not able to be present personally, my heart will be with you, and I trust you will have a celebration worthy of the occasion.
With much respect, GEORGE S. SMITH.
Messrs. Harris, &c., Committee.
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From Hon. Geo. S. Hillard, of Boston, Mass.
BOSTON, Mass., May 16, 1863.
GENTLEMEN :-
I regret extremely that it will not be in my power to join the citizens of my native town in celebrating their Cen- tennial Anniversary. It would have been a great pleasure to me to revisit scenes now but indistinctly recalled, and to greet the many friends who would extend to me a welcom- ing hand for the sake of the blood that runs in my veins ; but it is impossible for me to leave home at the present time. I hope to have the pleasure of visiting my birth-place this Summer. You have done well to celebrate the settle- ment of your town, to recall the sufferings and virtues of your fathers, and, as you so justly and appropriately say in your Circular of Invitation, "to honor the first establish- ment here of those municipal, ecclesiastical, and social in- stitutions to which we all owe so much." You have a right to look back with pride upon your origin and loyal history, not wrapped in the mystery of fable, but standing out in the "open daylight" of truth. It is a history dignified by reli- gious faith, heroic courage, patient toil, and pure domestic affections. Other communities have had the doubtful bless- ings of a more genial climate and a more fertile soil. Other communities have been more largely endowed with the ele- ments of material prosperity and the sources of wealth .- Your increase has been but moderate, and yours is not one of the instances, so common in our land, in which, in the course of a single generation, a grain of mustard seed be- comes a mighty tree. But if you have missed the advan- tages of being a great city, you have escaped its perils and its temptations. You know nothing of those masses of pov- erty and crime which are the dark shadows of our brilliant social civilization. He was a wise man who prayed that
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God would give him neither poverty nor riches. The safest communities, the most desirable to be born and reared in, are those in which there are none very rich and none very poor, where intelligence is generally diffused, and all are united by the ties of a common sympathy. Such are the towns of New England, as a general rule ; and from them, I need not say to you, how much of the virtue and energy of the land has gone forth.
I trust that your celebration may in all respects respond to your hopes, and that it may prove an occasion upon which all who take part in it may look back with gratification .- Patriotic hearts like yours cannot but be somewhat sadden- ed by the condition of our common country. Clouds and darkness rest upon our future. It has pleased the God of our fathers, who tried them with poverty and privation, to visit us with sufferings which may be traced to the moral defects produced by extreme prosperity. As in the night of toil and struggle He was to them a guiding pillar of fire, so may He prove to us the pillar of cloud, refreshing and renewing the manly virtues that were ready to faint in the glare of noon. Yours faithfully,
GEO. S. HILLARD.
Messrs. Harris, &c., Committee.
From Frederic Talbot, Esq., of New York.
NEW YORK, May 14, 1863.
GENTLEMEN :-
I duly received your circular notice of the "Centen- nial Celebration of the Settlement of Machias" to be held on the 20th this month.
I regret exceedingly that I cannot be present with you
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on that occasion. I would join with others, natives and for- mer residents, in testimony of the high appreciation in which we hold the sacrifices and heroism of our fathers in establish- ing those institutions to which we all owe so much.
. It is highly gratifying to us to know of the patriotic sac- rifices being now cheerfully made, by hundreds from the old town, in support of our Government, and in upholding the principles of Liberty in the present struggle with Re- bellion.
May the Old Township be cultivated and blossom like a garden in all its length and breadth, and continually gain in population intelligence and wealth, and be able to divide yet into many more flourishing villages ; and may its inhabitants never forget the trying times passed through in its early History, but ever cherish the memory of those few sturdy men who dared to oppose a mighty foe in support of Liberty.
Very Respectfully Yours, &c.
FREDERIC TALBOT.
Messrs. Harris, &c., Committee.
From Mrs. Hannah O' Brien, of Thompson, Conn.
THOMPSON, Conn., May 12, 1863.
GENTLEMEN :-
Your letter of invitation to attend the festival of May 20th in honor of old Machias did not find me, as direct- ed. Hence the delay in answering, as requested.
Allow me to express my appreciation of your politeness in summoning me to this pleasant gathering, to which neither birth nor residence entitled me, but in which I should delight to participate, if in my power.
I should feel that I stood in the reflected glory of those
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"brave old days" in which my honored ancestors of Revolu- tionary fame, with their many patriotic associates, gave the initial pledge of our naval renown.
We were then threatened by the tyranny of an insolent and aggressive monarchy, our foes now, are even more for- midable, being "of our own household," aided and streng- thened by the complicity of our ancient enemy, who can never forget the beginning or the end of that old fray.
I trust this memorial day may be improved as the occa- sion of remembering that the God of our fathers is our God, and that, as He helped us then, He will help us now, if, look- ing back with gratitude, and forward in faith, we recognize His power and invo ke His leadership.
Accept my best wishes for the happiness and good fellow- ship of the 20th of May.
Very truly and respectfully yours, HANNAH O'BRIEN.
Messrs. Harris, &c., Committee.
From Lieut. S. C. Talbot, of East Machias.
HEADQUARTERS 1st Reg. Heavy Arty. Maine Volunteers, Fort Alexander, D. C., May 18, 1863.
GENTLEMEN :-
I have this day received your comunication invit- ing me to be present at the "Centennial Celebration" to be held at Machias on the 20th inst.
I need not assure you it would afford me great pleasure to meet with my friends and fellow townsmen on this oc- casion and participate in the festivities of the day, but in the present state of affairs in this vicinity it is difficult to
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obtain even a short "leave of absence." Regretting my inability to be present in person, I shall certainly be with you in spirit.
Very Respectfully, Your friend and ob't serv't, S. C. TALBOT.
Messrs. Harris, &c., Committee.
From Prof. Roswell D. Hitchcock, of New York. 1
NEW YORK, May 14, 1863.
FELLOW TOWNSMEN :-
Ever since I had notice of your contemplated Cen- tennial, it has been my fixed purpose to be with you, if pos- sible, on the 20th of May. Public engagements, private plans, and whatever else has been under my own control, have all been shaped and ordered with reference to an oc- casion to which I have looked forward with the greatest eagerness. But circumstances have occurred, it pains me to say, which absolutely forbid my taking part with you in the celebration. It only remains for me to express to you my profoundest regrets over this constrained and unexpect- ed absence ; and to put in my claim, as well as I may by letter, to a place upon the roll with those, who, though now resident in other parts of the country, or the world, are still proud of having been born in Machias.
It is quite a number of years since 1 last visited the old town, and many years since I first left it to enter College in Massachusetts. Many people have passed away, and many changes of many kinds have taken place within these years. But my recollection is very vivid of certain features of the scenery which will haunt me forever; as well as of certain
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magnates in Church and State, who have since given place to others ; to say nothing of ambitious young companions and competitors in the Academy, some of whom died early, and others of whom have come to distinction.
In my boyhood, there was a sharp rivalry between the East and West villages. I was an East River " shag," though I never knew exactly what it meant ; but as my mother was of the West River "gannets," and I had a strong liking for my Longfellow uncles, and aunts, and cousins, it cost me not a little to be wholly loyal to my own proper flag. And yet I must claim for myself the credit of having never faltered in my allegiance. I declare now upon my honor, that I al- ways looked upon the East Machjas Artillery as of more im- portance to the State and nation than the West Machias Light Infantry. I confess I considered the West village the prettier of the two, and greatly to be envied for its posses- sion of the county buildings ; but I always fell back upon the East Machias Academy, (and it was a great institution in those days) as the chief glory of the whole eastern section of the State. I trust I may be forgiven if I confess that I never even criticised the architecture of the edifice.
Tholuck once said, he would not like to live in this coun- try, because we have no history. But history is growing upon us very rapidly. A hundred years have now passed since white men pitched their tents so far down east on the banks of the Machias. Where I now sit writing, institutions are older. Farther westward, there are settlements much younger even than yours. And over all these waves, thank God, our flag, blushing now with new blood, and blazing with new glories. Through these hot flames of civil war we are marching swiftly to a new national renown, built on new foundations of truth, justice, and freedom.
All hail to the State of Maine, who has borne her part so gallantly in this terrific struggle. She is on the outmost
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rin of the Union ; all the more needful is it, that she should hold her place like iron.
Fellow townsmen, I send you my heartiest greetings on this auspicious day. The century behind us has had its impress for eternity. The century before us, is in our hands, under the Providence of God, to make it wiser and better than any which has preceded it.
Yours with affectionate remembrance,
ROSWELL D. HITCHCOCK.
Messrs. Harris, &c., Committee.
From Capt. Z. A. Smith, of Ellsworth, Me.
HEADQUARTERS 1st Reg. Heavy Art'y. Maine Volunteers, Fort Alexander, Md., May 16th, 1863.
GENTLEMEN :-
Your very kind invitation to attend the "Centennial Celebration of the settlement of Machias" is at hand. I sin- cerely regret that my situation and duties are such that it will be utterly impossible for me to participate in the exer- cises of a day so worthy of commemoration.
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