USA > Maine > The history of Maine > Part 37
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
The general history of this war belongs to the history of the United States rather than to that of Maine. But in many respects the conflict was disastrous to the District. Maine was peculiarly a commercial district, and commerce was annihilated by the war. Money became scarce, prices high, and many of the rich became poor, and the poor suffered severely. The English declared the whole of our Atlantic coast in a state of blockade. The entire seaboard was infested by British cruisers. Still, in this sad world of sin and sorrow, adversity often intro- duces renewed prosperity. There is, however, but little comfort in the thought that the prosperity of one must be purchased at the expense of the ruin of another. The destruction of our commerce rendered it necessary for us to engage, more than ever before, in mechanic arts and manufacturing establishments. Thus England "gained a loss " in this cruel war.
The government of Great Britain claimed the right of stop- ping, by the menace of her guns, any American vessel found upon the seas, of sending a lieutenant on board, who would
* Diary of Rev. Samuel Deane, p. 403.
-
THE HISTORY OF MAINE. 419
muster the crew before him, and pick out any number he was pleased to say were of English birth. These he would seize, drag on board the British men-of-war, and compel them to fight Britain's battles. Where resistance was attempted the cudgel and cutlass were freely used. Official records prove that more than a thousand American citizens were thus torn from home and friends, and were compelled for years to man British guns, and, when war was opened against America, to fight their own countrymen. Even our armed vessels were thus searched, and fired upon if they refused to submit. Over six thousand men were thus taken from the American vessels upon the simple assertion of a British lieutenant, that he considered them subjects of Great Britain.
It was in the enforcement of such an atrocious claim as this, that the British Government commenced war against the United States ; thus blighting the prospects of humanity, filling lonely farmhouses with widows and orphans, and creating an amount of wretchedness which can never fully be known until, at the Day of Judgment, all things shall be brought to light. It is hard for any one, whose heart is moved by the moans and tears of the helpless, to forgive such crimes on the part of haughty foes, who were rioting amidst the splendors of their castles and their palaces.
The victims of this impressment were not allowed any trial. There was no chance for any appeal. A pert young lieutenant from a British war-vessel, followed by his armed band, would descend the deck of any American vessel, pick out from the crew any men he pleased, and saying, " I think these men are Englishmen," carry them off.
We give England's plea in justification of this outrage, in the language in which the prince regent himself, subsequently the infamous George IV., endeavors to soften down its atrocities. In a cabinet manifesto dated Jan. 8, 1813, he wrote, -
" I am surprised that the exercise of the undoubted and hitherto undis- puted right of searching neutral merchant-vessels in time of war, and the impressment of British seamen when found therein, could be deemed any violation of a neutral flag ; or to take such seamen from on board such vessels, could be considered by any neutral state as a hostile measure, or a justifiable cause of war."
1
-
420
THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
In the year 1813, the taxable property in Maine amounted to one million five hundred thousand dollars.1 Notwithstanding the desolations of war, nine towns were this year incorporated ; namely, Phippsburg, - where the earliest colony ever attempted in Maine was located, and where Popham's fort was reared, - Searmont, Belmont, Bloomfield, South Berwick, Westbrook, Sangerville, Hermon, and Newport.
The Bloomfield region was called by the Indians, Wessarunset. The first settlers, in 1771, were so delighted with the beauty and fertility of the country, that they called it Canaan. In the year 1777, several men were captured by the Indians, and carried to Canada. They were however, it is believed, all eventually restored to their friends. In the year 1807, an academy was incorporated here, which obtained much celebrity throughout the State.
South Berwick was in a region called Quampeagan by the Indians. Here also a flourishing academy was established. From the beginning Maine has manifested great zeal in the education of her sons and daughters.
During the first two years of the war Maine was not actually invaded by the enemy, though often menaced. A small military force was stationed at Eastport. Major Perley Putnam, of Salem, was in command, with two companies of militia.
On the 11th of July, 1814, a British fleet of five war-vessels and several transports anchored abreast of Eastport, and de- manded the surrender of the fort, allowing five minutes for an answer.2 Major Putnam did not need even that time to reply, " The fort will be defended against whatever force may be brought against it." But the inhabitants rose promptly in strong remonstrance against resisting an armament, which, in an hour, could lay the whole town in ashes. Major Putnam was thus compelled to strike his flag.
Eastport was very eligibly situated on Moose Island, which the British claimed belonged to them by the treaty of 1783.
1 Williamson, vol. ii. p. 636.
2 The fleet consisted of "The Ramilies," a seventy-four-gun ship, having on board the Commodore, Sir Thomas Hardy ; "The Martin," a sloop-of-war ; the brigs " Rover," "Breame," and "Terror ; " a bomb-ship, and several transports crowded with troops.
-
Y
THE HISTORY OF MAINE. 421
They took possession of the place and all the public property it contained, hoisted the British flag, dragged the American sol- diers on board their prison-ships, and commanded all the inhabit- ants of Moose Island, and of the other islands in Passamaquoddy Bay, to assemble at the schoolhouse in Eastport on the 16th instant, and take the oath of allegiance to his Britannic Majesty, or within seven days to depart from the islands.1 About tivo- thirds of the islanders submitted to this requirement.
The success of this expedition encouraged the British to fit out another against Penobscot (now Castine) and Machias. The fleet consisted of three seventy-four-gun ships, two frigates, two sloops-of-war, an armed schooner, a large tender, and ten transports. The number of troops embarked were probably about three thousand five hundred, though some have placed the number as high as six thousand.2 On the 1st of September, 1814, this formidable armament cast anchor in the harbor of Castine. Successful resistance was impossible. The garrison blew up the fort, and fled back into the country. The British took undisputed possession. One of the generals then, with six hundred men, crossed the bay and captured Belfast. They plundered the unfortunate town, and returned to Castine. This was the second time this quiet village had been ravaged by this British soldiery. Their first visit was in 1780, when their brutal treatment drove the inhabitants into the woods.
The fleet ascended the bay and river until the ships were within about fifteen miles of Bangor. They cast anchor near Hampden Village, and landed a strong force. The Hampden militia made a feeble resistance, but were soon dispersed by the fire of the British regulars. The conflict of an hour placed Hampden at the mercy of the enemy. They plundered the houses and the stores, killed the cattle, treated the most prom inent citizens with shameful abuse, burned several vessels, and spared others by extorting a bond of twelve thousand dollars. The loss which the little village of Hampden experienced from
1 The British claimed all the islands in Passamaquoddy Bay as within their boundary line.
2 It is certain that the forces consisted of the Sixty-second and Ninety-eighth Regiments, two rifle companies of the Sixtieth Regiment, and a detachment of royal artillery.
-
1
422
THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
this raid was estimated to amount to forty-four thousand dollars. A committee of the citizens waited upon the British commander, Capt. Barrie, and implored him to treat the community with more humanity. He angrily replied : -
" Humanity ! I have none for you. My business is to burn, sink, and destroy. Your town is taken by storm. By the rules of war we ought to lay your village in ashes, and put its inhabitants to the sword. But I will spare your lives, though I mean to burn your houses."
An order came from the more merciful British commander at Castine, Gen. Sherbroke, not to burn the houses. The vessels again spread their sails to ascend the river, while two-thirds of the troops marched along by land. No terms were allowed to Bangor but unconditional surrender. The ships anchored at the mouth of the Kenduskeag. A few Congreve rockets were thrown over the village, as an intimation of the doom which awaited the citizens should they attempt any resistance.
The best buildings in the place were taken as barracks for the soldiers. All public property was seized. One hundred and ninety-one of the principal men were compelled to sign a document declaring themselves prisoners of war, and stipulating not to serve against the British Government until exchanged.
But little respect was paid to private property. Many stores were plundered ; and several vessels were saved from the flames only by giving a bond to the amount of thirty thousand dollars, that four, which were on the stocks, should be delivered at Castine. Fourteen vessels were burned, mostly on the Brewer side of the river ; and six were carried to Castine.1 It was esti- mated that the losses at Bangor amounted to forty-five thou- sand dollars.
After a stay of about thirty hours in Bangor, the fleet de- scended the river to Frankfort. Here they took from the people
1 In this case, as in most other narratives of deeds of violence, there is some slight diversity in the details. There is, however, here no question in regard to the general and important facts. The narrative, as we give it, is probably as accurate as can now be ascertained. Williamson gives the following summary: "Burnt, the brig 'Caravan,' 'Neptune's Barge,' 'Thinks I to Myself,' 'Eunice and Polly,' ' The Gladiator,' 'The Three Brothers,' the sloop 'Ranger,' three un- launched vessels in Brewer, and one in Bangor. There were also three others in the harbor that were destroyed: fourteen in all." - Williamson, vol. ii. p. 648.
423
THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
forty oxen, one hundred sheep, and an indefinite amount of poultry. On the 7th, the ships returned from this marauding excursion to Castine.
The inhabitants of the Kennebec valley were terror-stricken. It was apprehended that the same fleet would visit their river with the same destruction. The whole surrounding region was kept for a time, in a state of great alarm. Wiscasset was menaced ; and the militia from a region of nearly thirty miles around flocked to its defence.
The region between Passamaquoddy Bay and the Penobscot River had passed under the control of the English. Castine was made a port of entry. Several war-vessels guarded the harbor, and two thousand two hundred troops were placed there in garrison. The British commander organized a provincial government for the territory. All the male inhabitants over sixteen years of age were compelled to take the oath of alle- giance to the British king. A custom-house was opened at Hampden for the introduction of British goods.
Castine became quite a gay resort for the officers of the British army and navy. A temporary theatre was opened, and there were music and dancing. Many of the officers were gentle- men by birth, culture, and instinctive sentiment. On the 11th of February, 1815, news reached our country that peace was established by the treaty of Ghent, which was signed on the 24th of December, 1814. The glad tidings were received with every demonstration of joy, throughout the whole country. The British troops evacuated Castine on the 25th of April, after an encampment there of eight months.
War is always demoralizing. The two great vices which this war augmented throughout Maine were intemperance and pro- faneness. But Maine sustained no diminution in her population. The loss experienced from the casualties of war was more than made up by immigration. In 1815 Woodstock was incorpo- rated. Twelve new towns were organized in the year 1816. These were, Kingfield, Moscow, Wales, Greenwood, Weld, Guilford, Cherryfield, Dexter, North Hill, Brooks, Corinna, and Ripley.
There were now two hundred and twenty-one towns in the
-
Y
72317
424
THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
State. The whole number of legal voters was thirty-seven thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight. The following ques- tion was submitted to the people, convened in their several towns and plantations, -
" Is it expedient that the District of Maine be separated from Massachusetts, and become an independent State ?" 1
The unexpected result of this vote was, 11,969 yeas, and 10,347 nays. A convention was chosen to assemble in the meeting-house at Brunswick, count the votes, and, if a majority of five to four were found in favor of separation, to appoint a committee to draft a constitution. Though the majority was less than the statute required, the convention declared the vote to be in favor of an independent State, and chose two com- mittees ; one to draft a constitution, and one to apply to Con- gress for admission into the Union. A large minority protested against these measures ; and the General Court, being then in session, disapproved of the illegal decision, and dissolved the convention.
There arose at this time what was called the " Ohio fever." Hundreds were seized with the almost insane desire to emigrate to Ohio. The journey, generally taken in wagons covered with canvas, was long, expensive, and exhausting. Often the suffer- ings by the way were very severe. The flat, rich, alluvial plains of Ohio seemed to be covered with a malarious atmosphere. Whole families often wilted down together, now shaking with exhaustive chills, and again burning with fever. Many mourned the day in which they departed from the healthy, invigorating breezes of Maine. But return was impossible. Their means were entirely exhausted. It is estimated that Maine lost between ten and fifteen thousand inhabitants by this sad infat- uation.
There was a dispute respecting the north-eastern boundary of the State, which subsequently came near involving us in another war with England. There was but one town, Brooks-
1 Such is the form of this question, as given by the accurate Mr. Williamson The form suggested by the General Court was, "Shall the Legislature be requested to give its consent to the separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts and the creation of said district into a separate State ?"
1
425
THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
ville, incorporated in the year 1817; but the next year seven were established, - China, Monroe, Perry, Mexico, Dennysville, Swanville, and Jackson.
The Indian tribes had dwindled almost to extinction. Of the Penobscot Indians but about two hundred and fifty remained. Two-thirds of these were women and children. They had become a dispirited, humiliated, and inefficient people, supported mainly by charity. Quite readily they relinquished their claim to all the extensive territory still recognized as theirs, for four townships, each six miles square, and for a yearly contribution of five hundred bushels of corn, fifteen barrels of flour, seven of pork, one hogshead of molasses, a hundred yards of broad- cloth, fifty blankets, a hundred pounds of gunpowder, four hundred of shot, one hundred and fifty of tobacco, six boxes of chocolate, and fifty dollars in silver.
Henceforth the Indians cease to be of any consideration in the history of the State. The dwindling families became pub- lic paupers ; and now probably not a single full-blooded Indian can be found in all the wide realms of Maine, over which, two centuries ago, they roamed in almost undisputed power. In the year 1819, another effort was made for separation. Seven- teen thousand and ninety-one votes were cast. Of these but seven thousand one hundred and thirty-two were nays. A committee of thirty-three, selected from each county, was chosen to report a constitution. John Holmes, one of the most dis- tinguished sons of Maine, was chairman. This document was submitted to the people, and ratified by a large majority of votes.
Gov. Brooks announced the event in his message to the Gen- eral Court, in January, 1819. After alluding in almost, affec- tionate terms to the harmony which had so long prevailed between Massachusetts and her foster-child, he added, -
" But the time of separation is at hand. Conformably to the memorable act of June 10 last, the sixteenth day of March next will terminate for- ever the political unity of Massachusetts proper and the District of Maine; and that District, which is bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, will assume her rank as an independent State in the American confederacy."
.
CHAPTER XXIII.
PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
Wilnam King - William D. Williamson - The Maine of Half a Century Ago - A Journey to Boston - Succeeding Governors - The Aroostook War- Origin of the Difficulty - Warlike Measure - Interesting Incidents - The Truce - Final Settlement.
ITHE first governor of Maine was William King. He is often spoken of as " the first and best of our governors." He was born in Scarborough, in the year 1768. Native strength of mind and elevated character supplied the place of a liberal education. He was one of the most prominent in advocating the separation. With superior business qualifications, he be- came opulent, and when elected he was a prosperous merchant in Bath. He resigned the office upon being appointed one of the commissioners of the National Government on the Spanish claims.
The remainder of the term Mr. William D. Williamson, Pres- ident of the Senate, became acting governor. Mr. Williamson became the author of the voluminous and admirable history of the State, which will ever secure to him the gratitude of the sons of Maine. One of the first acts of the Legislature was the adoption of a State seal. The moose, the noblest animal in our forests, and the majestic pine-tree, the most valuable of our timber, became the central figures. An anchor and a scythe, as the emblems of commerce and agriculture, were placed upon either side. Above, the north star shines, signifying the posi- tion which Maine occupies in the constellation of the States. Two figures, representing a sailor and a farmer, are conspicuous. Over all is the Latin word " Dirigo " (I lead).
The Maine of half a century ago was very different from the 426
1
427
THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
Maine of the present day. Before the Revolution there was not a four-wheeled passenger carriage in the State. Two- wheeled chaises were not introduced into Portland until 1760. They were then not in common use, but were articles of luxury which were brought only on festive occasions. It was about the year 1800 when the first four-wheeled carriage was seen in the streets of Augusta. Men and women generally journeyed on horseback. The women sat on pillions behind the men. The horse-block, for mounting, was a very important adjunct to the churches.
It was deemed a memorable event when, in the year 1787, a stage-coach was established to run between Portland and Portsmouth. The line was extended to Augusta in 1806. At a very early hour in the morning the stage left Augusta, and in four or five hours, if the travelling were good, reached Bruns- wick to breakfast. At Freeport they dined ; worn and weary they reached Portland in the evening to lodge for the night. Starting the next morning at an early hour, the coach stopped at Kennebunk for breakfast, and Portsmouth for dinner, and lodged at Newburyport the second night. At two o'clock the next morning the coach again started, breakfasted in the early dawn at Salem, and reached Boston about noon of the third day. In the year 1823, Capt. Seward Porter commenced run- ning & steamboat, " The Patent," from Portland to Boston. Five passengers were considered a very goodly company. The boat was about a hundred tons burden. In the years 1823 and 1824, queer looking little steamboats, with stern-wheels, began to run up the Kennebec River.
The second governor of Maine was Albion K. Parris. He was elected in the year 1822. A farmer's son, born in Hebron, Me., he worked on the fields of his father until he was four- teen years of age. At fifteen he entered Harvard College. At twenty-six he was chosen representative in the national Con- gress ; at thirty he was appointed judge of the United States Dis- trict Court; and when but thirty-three years old he was elected governor. He was a man of great energy, of indomitable per- severance, and of great administrative ability. His unblemished integrity and courteous manners secured the affection and respect of all who knew him.
--
1
428
THE INSTORY OF MAINE.
Enoch Lincoln succeeded Gov. Parris in 1827. He was a very able man, a well read lawyer, and had enjoyed the educa- tional advantages of a seat in the national Congress. His mes-
1
·
p :
POST OFFICE, AUGUSTA, MAINE:
sages were much admired for the comprehensive views they presented in language remarkably terse and expressive.
Jonathan G. Hunton, of Readfield, succeeded Mr. Lincoln. Under his administration Sebago Pond was connected by a
-
429
THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
canal with Casco Bay. In the year 1831, Samuel E. Smith was chosen governor, and was reelected in 1834. During Mr. Smith's term of office the seat of government was removed from Portland to Augusta. The State House, built of the finest granite, cost about a hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Half of this sum was paid from the proceeds of the sale of ten acres of land. It is a beautiful building ; but, unfortunately, it is never approached from its front, and the side views are not imposing.
Robert P. Dunlap, of Brunswick, succeeded Mr. Smith in the chair of chief magistrate. His irreproachable character and suavity of manners rendered him very popular, and he continued to fill the responsible office for four years. Under his adminis- tration our first scientific survey was undertaken, and the admir- able asylum for the insane was instituted at Augusta. In 1838, Edward Kent of Bangor was chosen governor. He was suc- ceeded in 1839 by John Fairfield of Saco.
The question respecting our north-eastern boundary had for some time been attracting much attention. It soon culminated in a series of measures which threatened to involve the United States in another war with Great Britain. These events demand some minuteness of narrative.1
What was called the Aroostook War was quite a memorable event in the history of Maine. By the treaty of 1783, at the close of the Revolutionary struggle, one-half of the St. John's River belonged to Maine ; but, at the close of the war of 1812, Great Britain claimed the whole, including both banks. There was, at this time, on the north or eastern side of the river, an American settlement of scattered log huts, extending for a dis- tance of nearly twenty miles. The inhabitants were principally of French descent, and had emigrated to that American region when the English took possession of Acadia.2 This plantation had been incorporated as the town of Madawaska, and a repre-
1 For most of the facts of the Aroostook War I am indebted to a lecture delivered in the Representatives Hall in Augusta, by Mr. George J. Varney of Brunswick. Mr. Varney is the author of the admirable "History of Maine for Young People." In this small volume he has, with great skill and accuracy, com- pressed most of the essential facts in the history of the State.
2 Description of New England, by Coolidge and Mansfield, p. 969. .
-
... .
a
دمية
13.
INSANE HOSPITAL, AUGUSTA, MAINE.
431
THE HISTORY OF MAINE.
sentative was sent to the Legislature of Maine; but the British authorities, in the vicinity, remonstrated against this, sent an armed force, and broke up the meetings.
In June, 1837, Congress sent an officer to Madawaska to take a census of the people, and, at the same time, to distribute the surplus money which had accumulated in the United States treasury. A British constable arrested this agent, and carried his prisoner to the nearest English shire-town. But the sheriff there, alarmed in view of so reckless a procedure, refused to receive the prisoner ; and he returned to Madawaska, and con- tinued to prosecute his mission.
Gov. Harvey of New Brunswick, hearing of the distribution of money to the people, assumed that it was a bribe to induce the inhabitants to continue their allegiance to the United States. He therefore ordered the agent to be re-arrested, and he was lodged in Frederickton jail. Gov. Dunlap, who then occupied the gubernatorial chair of Maine, issued a general order an- nouncing that the soil of our State had been invaded by a foreign power. The militia were therefore called upon to hold themselves in readiness for active service. A flame of indigna- tion swept over the State. A few weeks after, the British authorities, influenced by a message from Pres. Van Buren, set the imprisoned agent at liberty. There had been a great mus- tering of forces on both sides, and many ludicrous events which provoked much ridicule. But both parties wisely decided to refer the question to arbitration, and the Madawaska war was ended.
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.