USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Portland > The history of Portland, from 1632 to 1864: with a notice of previous settlements, colonial grants, and changes of government in Maine > Part 43
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On the 22d of September, a town meeting was held at which Enoch Freeman, the representative of the town, was empowered to join the other members in a provincial Congress, if it should be thought expedient to form one; at the same time a large committee was chosen to receive complaints against any per- son who may exorbitantly enhance the prices of his goods after the non-importation agreement should take effect. But the town did not exhaust itself in good resolutions, measures of defense were also adopted, and the selectmen were directed forthwith to provide arms and ammunition, and make provision for the same by a rate according to law. Joshua Moody, Dan- iel Ilsley, Jabez Jones, William Frost, and Benjamin Winslow
1 Mr. Tyng received his appointment as sheriff in 1767, on the resignation of Moses Pearson. See the proceedings of this convention in Appendix XIV.
2 As the proceedings of the convention will be found entire in the appendix it is not necessary to dwell more particularly upon them here : the report is believed to have been drawn up by the late Judge Freeman who was secretary of the convention and chairman of the committee. Enoch Freeman was president of the convention.
503
PROCEEDINGS OF FALMOUTH.
were appointed captains, with power to appoint suitable officers under them, of such volunteers as would put themselves under their respective commands.
On the 24th of October, 1774, the continental Congress unanimously adopted articles of association for "non-importa- tion, non-consumption, and a non-exportation agreement," and recommended its observance to the people of the several colo- nies, which, they say, if "faithfully adhered to will prove the most speedy, effectual, and peaceful measure" to obtain re- dress of grievances. These articles, fourteen in number, re- ceived the hearty approbation of the town, who appointed a committee of eleven, to see that they were duly observed by the inhabitants.1 December 26, a committee was chosen to re- move the cannon from the fort and secure them as they thought proper, as also the powder, balls, and gun carriages belonging to the town ;2 and the officers of the several companies were ordered to enlist minute men agreeably to the recommenda- tion of the provincial Congress.
Thus ended this anxious and eventful year with the busy note of preparation which rung from Nova Scotia to Georgia. The hope yet was that it would all result in an abandonment by the mother county of the fatal measures which had hurried on the people of the colonies, with a maddening impulse, to rise as a single man in defense of their rights, and that the sad necessity of a civil war would be averted. The people in every act exhibited a calmness and fixedness of purpose, which, to an unprejudiced and intelligent observer, might have furnished a prophetic vision of the termination of the controversy. The proceedings of the continental Congress were resolute and with- out noisy precipitation, the members had taken their lives in their hands, they kept one object, the maintenance of their lib-
1 This committee consisted of E. Freeman, John Waite, B. Mussey, William Owen, Theophilus Parsons, Alexander Gray, Daniel Ilsley, Daniel Dole, Jabez Jones, Samuel Knight, and Thomas Sanford.
2 This committee consisted of B. Mussey, Joseph Noyes, and Joseph McLellan.
504
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
erty, steadily in view, and their march was onward. The House of Representatives of Massachusetts, which met at Salem on the 5th of October, resolved itself into a provincial Congress, and on the 8th adjourned to Concord. This body took the government of the province into their hands, and made vigorous preparations for the approaching contest. October 27, Jedediah Preble of this town, with Artemas Ward and Col. Pomeroy, were ap- pointed general officers of the provincial forces, the chief com- mand of which was offered to General Preble, who declined on account of his health and advanced age, and it was bestowed upon General Ward.1
The English authorities both at home and in this country pursued without relaxation, measures of severity toward the colonists ; the whole tendency of their policy was to compel them to acknowledge the supremacy of Parliament .? In this scheme they were supported by overwhelming majorities in both houses, although a few great men like Cliatham, and Cam- den, and Burke, threw themselves between the uplifted arm and the victims of arbitrary power. Boston had sometime be- fore the commencement of this year, exhibited the appearance of a camp, the neck was guarded by a breastwork, at which sentinels were placed, and the inhabitants were made to feel the evils of military power.
On the other hand the colonists had not been inactive spec- tators of the work of oppression ; they were not only bringing their minds to contemplate the last argument which it was in the power of freemen to use, but they were preparing their bod- ies and their resources for the conflict. . Committees had been chosen by the provincial Congress in October, of supplies and safety, who were making arrangements for defense; and the whole people, in pursuance of recommendations from the same
1 Gordon, pp. 414. 486.
2 The haughty Wedderburne in a speech in the British Parliament, exclaimed, "Shall that Congress with woolen caps and leathern strings in their shoes, dare oppose the right of Parliament taxing them ?"
505
PREPARATION FOR WAR.
body were organizing themselves into companies, which were regularly disciplining themselves in military practice. Some of them under the name of minute-men held themselves in constant readiness to move when occasion required. In January, this town assessed the inhabitants eighty pounds to purchase pow- der, and directed the collectors and sheriff to pay the prov- ince tax levied upon the town into the town treasury for the use of the provincial Congress, and voted that "they would cheerfully raise their proportion of money to pay the minute- mell."!
The legal government of the province was at an end, and public opinion bore the sway which was due to just laws. But this powerful machinery accomplished all the purposes of the most perfect government; each town was a little republic, ob- serving with magnetic influence the recommendations of the continental and provincial Congresses. The government of this town was exercised principally by committees of corres- pondence, safety, and inspection ; they watched vigilantly over all concerns of a public nature, and issued from their commit- tee rooms decrees which had the effect of laws .? They main- tained inviolably the non-importation agreement, refusing .to relax it on any occasion, even at the earnest solicitation of those friendly to their cause. Such a universal exhibition of patriotism throughout the whole country, and such entire self- devotion to the cause of liberty were probably never before displayed.
At the annual meeting in March, no person was elected to office who was not known to be decidedly favorable to the cause of the people.3 Great hope had been entertained that
! In the first four months of this year five hundred and seventy-five pounds were assessed for the purchase of powder and other public charges-when in 1773 only one hundred and twenty-three pounds were raised for town charges. .
2 For proceedings of these committees see Appendix No. XV.
3 Captain John Waite, moderator, Deac. Moody, clerk, Smith Cobb, treasurer, Maj. Freeman, B. Mussey, William Owen, - Brackett, and H. Merrill, selectmen. 33
506
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
when news of the resolute spirit of the colonies should reach England, it would produce a more temperate consideration of the grievances than ministers had been disposed to take, es- pecially as the manufacturers and merchants were generally in favor of a repeal of the obnoxious laws. But when instead of perceiving a relaxation in their favor, they found the admin- istration determined to force down their arbitrary doctrines at the point of the bayonet, they despaired of reconciliation and prepared with more vigor to resist encroachment. The feel- ings of the people became exceedingly irritated against those who still countenanced the course of the mother country, and personal quarrels often took place between individuals.1 Capt. Coulson, who was largely concerned in the masting business, was violently opposed to popular measures; and became very troublesome.2 The committee of inspection had refused him permission to land some rigging, sails, and stores which he had just imported for a ship he was building here, and or- dered them sent back to England. Coulson was very angry at this order, and instead of obeying it, he procured the assist- ance of Capt. Mowatt, in the sloop of war Canceau to rig his ship, and sailed with her in company with Mowatt in May.3
1 A rencontre of this kind took place in King street in this town between Gen. Preble and Sheriff Tyng, noticed in Dr. Deane's Diary as follows. "The 8th day of April, Gen. P. said to Mr. T. it is talked that there will be a mob. They met Mr. O. (Oxnard), T. said to O. we are going to have a mob to night : The Gen. denied that he said so. T. contradicted him and called him an old fool, and threatened he would chastise him if he were not an old man. The Gen. threat- ened to cane him or knock him down if he should repeat those words : then T. drew his sword and threatened to run him through. Then Preble collared and shook T .; afterward T. asked pardon of the Gen. and it was granted. The popu- lace inquired if the Gen. was satisfied, and told him he should have all the further satisfaction he desired, but he desired nothing more."
2 He had resided here about three years ; he had married Dorcas, a daughter of the elder Dr. Coffin, and lived in the old doctor's house in King sireet. Ed- ward Oxnard in his M. S. Journal, under the years 1776-'77, frequently speaks of meeting Mrs. Coulson in Bristol, England. In one instance he says Mr. Wis- wall came to her from her husband in Ireland, wishing her to go over to him. She died about the year 1800.
3 Coulson's ship was one thousand tons burthen and was built at the ship yard east of King street.
CHAPTER XIX.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR-PROCEEDINGS IN FALMOUTH-MOWATT TAKEN PRISONER-PROCEEDINGS AGAINST TORIES-TROOPS RAISED-DENUNCIATION OF GOV. HUTCHINSON-ARRIVAL OF MOWATT AND DESTRUC- TION OF THE TOWN-APPLICATIONS FOR RELIEF-MEASURES OF DEFENSE-PRIVATEERING-SACRIFICES OF THE PEOPLE-CAPTURE OF BAGADUCE-EXPEDITION TO THE PENOBSCOT-CAPTURE OF GENERAL WADSWORTH-SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS-CIVIL AFFAIRS OF THE REVOLUTION-CONSTITUTION PREPARED AND ADOPTED-ACTS AGAINST MONOPOLIES-CLOSE OF THE WAR-THE FISHERIES- PEACE.
On the 21st of April, in the midst of the excitement and irritation produced by Coulson's inviting the sloop of war here to assist him in violating the articles of association, news of the battle of Lexington was received. Much consternation and alarm was produced by this event, which was viewed as the commencement of a civil war ; the same day a company of sol- diers belonging to this town set off to aid the people in the neighborhood of Boston. On the 23d, a town meeting was held and the selectmen were authorized "to borrow instantly one hundred and thirteen pounds six shillings and eight pence" to purchase powder ; it was also voted that the minute-men on the Neck should turn out four days in a week to exercise two hours for each day for two months, to be paid by the town six pence a piece for each day, and that those who lived off the Neck should turn out three times a week and be allowed eight pence a day. It was voted at the same meeting to pay twenty- four shillings bounty to each minute-man who shall march out of the county when required. The town treasurer was di-
508
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
rected to forward the amount of the province tax, in his hands, to Henry Gardner, the treasurer of the provincial Congress, "instantly," and hire what remained due of the tax and trans- mit it without delay. A committee of safety was chosen at the same meeting, who were directed to procure "instantly," such a quantity of provisions for the use of the town as they should think necessary, and deposit it in suitable places, for which the town treasurer was authorized to give his notes of hand.1 Jedediah Preble, William Frost, John Fox, William McLellan, and Simeon Mayo were added to the committee of in- spection, and Joseph McLellan, Enoch Ilsley, Thomas Smith, and Paul Little to the committee of correspondence. These prompt and spirited proceedings were adopted, notwithstanding the Canceau was then lying in the harbor, whose commander was constantly urged to check them, by the vindictive feelings of Coulson and others, who had suffered for their non-compliance with the decrees of the popular party. The people however were alarmed the day after these spirited proceedings by the arrival of two tenders, which were supposed to be intended to reinforce Mowatt and enable him to pursue offensive measures. Many people under this impression moved their property out of town.2
Although the apprehension from these vessels, which were on their return from Penobscot, where they had been to dis- mantle a fort, proved to be groundless ; yet the people from the country entertained the idea of destroying Mowatt's ship under an expectation of ridding themselves of future trouble from that quarter. But the inhabitants of the Neck dissuaded them, reasoning with good judgment that the attempt would
1 This committee consisted of Timothy Pike, Daniel Dole, William Frost, Enoch Ilsley, B. Titcomb, and Stephen Waite.
2 "April 25, we sent away to Windham our principal things. Our people are many of them doing the same."-Smith's Journal. "People moving their goods out of town in great numbers. The country people are flocking in to bny corn and other provisions."-Deane's Diary.
509
REVOLUTION-PREPARATION FOR WAR.
not only be futile, but be attended with dangerous consequences to themselves. The mad zeal of some would not listen to the suggestions of prudence, and on the 7th of May, Col. Samuel Thompson of Brunswick came here with about fifty men, with a design to destroy the ship.1 He was a Lt. Colonel of a mili- tia regiment, and a member of the Provincial Congress. They encamped in a thick grove of pines which then stood on the northern side of Munjoy's hill, near Sandy Point. Their ar- rival was unknown to our inhabitants, until the same day an opportunity occurring, they seized Capt. Mowatt, his surgeon, and the Rev. Mr. Wiswell, who were walking upon the hill. This event created among the inhabitants both surprise and consternation, especially that when the affair was known on board of the ship, the officer in command gave notice that un- less the prisoners were given up immediately, he would lay the town in ashes.2
Some of the principal persons in town endeavored to per- suade Col. Thompson to deliver up the prisoners, which he resolutely refused to do; and Col. Phinney of Gorham, who was in town, fearing that there would be a rescue, immediately sent off for his regiment. In the mean time the prisoners were marched from the hill to Marston's tavern.3 Thompson con- tinued unwilling to release the men, insisting that Providence had thrown them into his hands, that it was open war between
[ Each soldier had a spruce bough in his hat, and their standard was a small spruce tree stripped of all but its head branches.
2 Our women were, I believe, every one of them in tears or praying or scream- ing ; precipitately leaving their houses, especially those whose husbands were not at home, and widows; hurrying their goods into countrymen's carts, never asking their names though strangers, and carrying their children either out of town or to the south end."-Letter Freeman's Extracts, 2d part, p. 32.
3 This tavern house stood opposite where the Old City Hall stands ; it was moved in the summer of 1833, to make room for the block of stores erected on the lot by Joseph Noble and Thomas Hammond. It was for many years the stage house after the revolution, and was kept successively by Graffam, Paine, Folsom, Boston, etc.
510
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
the colonies and Britain, and that it was his duty and policy to retain them. But perceiving the town generally against him, and the prisoners consenting to give their parole to deliver themselves up the next day, he permitted them, under the guaranty of Gen. Preble and Col. Freeman to return on board the ship, about nine o'clock in the evening.1
Before morning, not only Col. Phinney's men, but militia from Gorham, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, and Stroudwater, to the number of six hundred, hearing the news of the preced- ing day, came into town. They were exceedingly exasperated that Mowatt had been discharged and seemed determined to destroy his ship. When it was ascertained that Mowatt did not intend to keep his parole, they vented their rage upon his hostages, Gen. Preble and Col. Freeman, whom they kept in confinement that day without dinner, and refused to per- mit their children to speak to them .? Toward evening they were released on condition of their furnishing refreshment to the military then in town.3
The town was now under military government and the offi- cers resolved themselves into a board of war. Being thus or- ganized they proceeded to call before them persons suspected to be tories ; old Mr. Wyer, Rev. Mr. Wiswell, and Jeremiah Pote attended upon their summons.4 They exacted from Capt.
I One strong argument urged for the liberation of Mowatt was the expectation of several vessels from the south with flour and corn, of which the people stood in need, and which would have been exposed to severe treatment. In the course of two months several vessels arrived with six or eight thousand bushels of corn and five or six hundred barrels of flour.
2 Mowatt gave as a reason for not surrendering himself, that the people told one of his men that if he came on shore he would be shot.
3 The number of men was about three hundred and thirty-seven ; they taxed Gen. Preble some barrels of bread, a number of cheeses, and two barrels of rum for each company ; the expense was about ten pounds lawful.
4 Mr. Wiswall declared his abhorrence of the doctrine of passive obedience, and that Great Britain had no right to lay internal taxes : he declined giving any opinion relative to the late acts of Parliament.
511
CONDUCT OF THE MILITIA.
Pote, money and provisions and required him to give a bond of two thousand pounds to appear before the provincial Con- gress and give an account of his conduct. The soldiers not being under proper subordination conducted in an irregular and disorderly manner, to the disgust and danger of the inhabi- tants, all whose persuasions did not prevent them from com- mitting some excesses. They rifled Capt. Coulson's house and used it as a barrack, and from Sheriff Tyng's house they took a silver cup and tankard and his gold laced hat.1 The confu- sion was considerably increased by the free use of liquor found in Coulson's cellar ; under this inspiration, a man by the name of Calvin Lombard, went to the water side at the foot of King street, and fired a musket, loaded with two balls, at the Can- ceau, which penetrated deep into her side. The same day a party of Thompson's soldiers seized Coulson's boat on the shore, and next day nearly a hundred men hauled it through the streets to the fields near where the meeting-house of the third parish stands ; the day after, another boat was hauled to the same place. These repeated aggravations called from Mowatt a demand for retribution ; he required that Lombard should be given up, that the inhabitants should dispel the "mob from the country," as he called them, and restore the boats, or he would fire upon the town. These requisitions created consid- erable alarm, but the inhabitants at this time averted the dan- ger by assuring Mowatt that the disturbances proceeded from the country people and were beyond their control .?
! The property taken from Coulson's was valued at one hundred and forty-one pounds one shilling and one penny, and from Tyng's at fifty pounds .- Res. of Prov. Cong. The articles were carried to Gorham by Phinney's men and secured. Mr. Tyng's plate was delivered to Mrs. Ross, the mother of Mrs. Tyng, by order of Congress.
2 The chairman of the committee of safety in a letter describing the confused state of things, May 11, exclaims, "Good God! give us a regular government or we are undone," and again May 13, "God grant that order may come out of con- fusion, and that Congress would give such directions in all parts of the province that no such tumultuous assemblies may be seen, heard, or felt again."-Free- man's Extracts, 2d part, p. 41.
512
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
After much exertion the people of the town succeeded in per- suading the soldiers to return home ; the last company left town May 13. The soldiers had not at this time learned sub- jection to their officers ; they made their own wills the guide of their conduct, and when Col. Phinney and Col. Thompson required them to yield obedience to their orders, replied "we have obeyed them long enough considering what we have got by it." While this force remained in town Mowatt felt uneasy for the safety of his ship: having heard that cannon were to be brought from the country to be used against it, he sent two letters on shore in which he declared that the moment a shot should be fired upon him, he should consider the town in a state of open rebellion and should fire upon it. The inhabitants met as early as eight o'clock in the morning and voted their disapprobation "of the proceedings of the armed body, but that they were unable to resist them." All further trouble was avoided at this time by the departure of the soldiery, which was soon followed by Mowatt and Coulson's ships, and the peo- ple began again to enjoy some repose.
On the day after the battle of Lexington, the provincial Congress having resolved that an army of thirteen thousand and six hundred men should be raised in the province, trans- mitted to every town a circular letter, conjuring the inhabitants by all the considerations which have weight among men, to give every aid in forming the army. One regiment was raised in this county and placed under the command of Col. Phinney. A convention of the county assembled on the 29th of May and. petitioned Congress that the regiment might be stationed here for the defense of the town and county ; but it being consid- ered that there was more urgent need of the troops in the neighborhood of Boston, four hundred of the men were ordered there, and the remainder employed for the defense of the sea- board, under command of Col. Freeman of this town.
On the 7th of June, the Senegal, a ship of sixteen guns, with two tenders, arrived in the harbor, and on the 12th, the
513
TROOPS RAISED.
old disturber, Coulson, appeared again in his new ship to take in his cargo of masts which he had procured sometime before. His arrival was the signal of new disturbances ; the people began to get his masts and timber afloat, and to move them up the river beyond his reach, as advised by the committee of safety. Sheriff Tyng, who had left town soon after the battle of Lexington to put himself under the protection of his friends in Boston, was with Coulson, and at their request their wives were permitted to visit them;' but the committee wrote to them and the Capt. of the Senegal, that as Coulson was a de- clared enemy of the country, and had put the town to great charge and trouble, they would not consent that he should take in his cargo.2 On the 22d of June, one of Coulson's boats which was sent up the Presumpscot in search of masts and spars, as was supposed, was seized by the people, with five men and three guns. The men were released in two or three days, but the property was kept. In the same month there was a general muster of the soldiers, including Col. Phinney's regi- ment on the Neck, which made a fine display, and inspired the people with confidence in their strength ; commissions had been granted to Phinney's regiment by the provincial Congress in April, and on the first of July they were confirmed by the continental Congress. Two companies commanded by Cap- tains Bradish and Brackett of this town, belonged to this regi- ment. Capt. Brackett marched his company for Cambridge on the 3d of July ; Capt. Bradish followed in a few days ; a lecture was preached to Capt. Bradish's company, who all be- longed to this town, by Dr. Deane on the 6th of July, previous to their departure.3 Capt. Joshua Brackett served in the 1 Mr. Tyng had received from Gov. Gage, in 1774, a colonel's commission.
2 There was a resolve of Congress to prevent tories carrying their effects out of the country.
3The names of Capt Bradish's company are in Appendix XVI. Three com- panies were raised in Falmouth, Scarborough, and Cape Elizabeth. Bradish was an excellent officer, and served through the war. He was commissioned
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