USA > Maine > The history of the state of Maine; from its first discovery, A. D. 1602, to the separation, A. D. 1820, inclusive, Vol. II > Part 45
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 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
+ Dearborn, afterwards of Pittston, (Me.) Secretary of War. McCobb of Georgetown, (Me.) afterwards Brigadier-General. Lieutenant Hutch- ins, afterwards resident of Fryeburgh. Morgan belonged to Virginia, and commanded the riflemen .- Aaron Burr, then of New-Jersey, and a young man, was a volunteer, afterwards Vice-President of the United States. Meigs was father of the late Post-Master General.
441
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XVI.]
Kennebeck to Dead river, 30 miles above Old Norridgewock, A. D. 1775 or the mouth of Sandy river. All proceeded over immediately, except the division of Col. Enos, who stopped on the banks of the Kennebeck to build a small block-house. He then followed the main army, which passed the third pond of the carrying place, on the 15th, and arrived at Dead river the next day. During the subsequent week, the advanced forces ascended it about 30 miles to the mouth of the river, which comes from the west ; having previously met the exploring party on their return. As late rains had flooded the country, and rendered the river rapid, by reason of which several barrels of provisions, some cash, clothes and guns were lost; the army encamped on the 24th, when a council ordered the sick to return. On the 27th, the army passed a portage of 4 miles and the height of land, where they met with rugged steeps and other obstacles, sufficient to ap- pal the stoutest heart. It was in this mountainous wilderness, probably not far from the mouth of West river, that Col. Enos, Enos re- Colonel turns. having charge of the sick, and still commanding the rear divis- ion, equal to a fourth part of the army, separated from the main body and returned ; believing the whole must inevitably perish through famine, if they continued together. His arrival at Cam- bridge, at first excited indignation, yet on his trial, the causes and reasons alleged were deemed a sufficient excuse.
Arnold and the other divisions, pursued their march about 100 miles from the Kennebeck river, as they supposed, through a ceeds to rugged country, " represented as being never before trodden by any foot but that of Indians and wild beasts," passed the Nepess Lake on the 29th, and the next day at night encamped near the Oct. 30. north end of Lake Megantic, where the Chaudiere issues from it. They were extremely exhausted, for they had endured all the miseries incident to storms, fatigue and cold :- aggravated by the maladies of a prevailing sickness, and the dismays of famine. " It would be difficult to find any thing in the histories of war, or indeed to conceive of greater hardship, labor and resolution, than attended the exertions of this body of men." When they reached the head waters of the Chaudiere, the scanty remnants of provision were divided among the companies ; and they were directed by their commander, to pursue their march, regardless of military order, to the nearest Canadian settlements. Even a VOL. II. 56
Arnold pro- Quebec.
442
THE HISTORY
[VOL. II.
A. D. 1775. month or more, they travelled this hideous wilderness, without seeing a house, or any other human being, than their own com- panions ; and when they were about ten leagues from the frontier habitations, every morsel of food was consumed. There were a few dogs in the army which they killed and ate ; and some did not spare even their moose-hide breeches, moccasins and bayo- net belts ; for they tried by first boiling and then broiling them on the coals, to relieve the dire cravings of hunger .* Preceded by Arnold, however, who went forward to provide for his men the best and earliest means possible, to satisfy the demands of nature, the troops still persevered in their march, unsubdued by the hardships they had encountered, until they once more found Nov. 3. themselves, Nov. 4, at the mouth of the de Loup river, in regions frequented by human beings, though still more than twenty leagues from the St. Lawrence.
No farther time was allowed for rest or repose, than was bare- ly sufficient to collect the rear, which was greatly scattered, and to refresh the men. Here Arnold published his letter of instruc- tions received from General Washington, for the information both of his troops and the Canadians .-
General Washing- ton's in- structions to him.
Dear Colonel :- " You are entrusted with a command of the utmost importance to the interests and liberties of America. Upon your conduct and courage, and that of the officers and soldiers detached on this expedition, not only the success of the present enterprize and your own honor, but the safety and welfare of the whole continent may depend. I charge you, therefore, and the officers and soldiers under your command, as you value your own safety and honor, and the favor and esteem of your country, that you consider yourselves as marching not through an enemy's country, but that of your friends and brethren : for such the in- habitants of Canada and the Indian nations, have approved them- selves in this unhappy contest between Great Britain and Amer- ica ; and that you check by every motive of duty, and fear of pun- ishment, all attempts to plunder or insult the inhabitants of Can- ada. Should any American soldier be so base and infamous, as to injure any Canadian or Indian in his person or property, I do
* " Many men died of fatigue and hunger-frequently four or five min- utes after making their last effort, and setting down." Maj. Meigs passed several, Nov. 1, who were sick and had no provisions, and who " must have perished in the wilderness."
443
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XVI.]
most earnestly enjoin you to bring him to such severe and exem- A. D. 1775. plary punishment, as the enormity of the crime may require ;- should it extend to death itself, it will not be disproportionate to its guilt at such a time and in such a cause.
"But I hope and trust, that the brave men who have volunta- rily engaged in this expedition, will be governed by far different views ; that their order, discipline and regularity of behavior, will be as conspicuous as their valor. I also give it in charge to you, to avoid all disrespect to and contempt of the religion of the country and its ceremonies. Prudence, policy and a true christian spirit will lead us to look with compassion on their errors, without insulting them. While we are contending for our liberty, we should be very cautious of violating the rights of conscience in others, and should ever consider that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case are they answerable.
" Upon the whole, Sir, I beg you to inculcate on the officers and soldiers the necessity of preserving the strictest order, during their march through Canada :- to represent to them the shame, disgrace and ruin, to themselves and country, if they should, by their conduct, turn the hearts of our brethren in Can- ada against us. And on the other hand, the honor and rewards, which await them, if by their prudence and good behavior, they conciliate the affections of the Canadians and Indians to the great interests of America, and convert those favorable dispositions they have shewn into a lasting union." " Yours, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON."
As Colonel Arnold had been furnished with £1,000 in specie to defray contingent expenses, and his troops were now supplied by the Canadians " with great cheerfulness," he paid them fully, for all the provisions received of them, resumed the line of march, Arrival be- Nov. 8. and, November 8, reached Point Levi, opposite to Quebec. The bec. fore Que- town was almost entirely without a garrison ; and the unexpected appearance of an army, emerging from the depths of an unex- plored wilderness, threw the place into great consternation. Had the troops immediately crossed the St. Lawrence, Quebec must have submitted to a capitulation. But the men were greatly fatigued,-boats and small craft could not be readily procured, to transport them over the river-the winds were high,-the weather was chilly-and there being a consequent delay of several days,
444
THE HISTORY
[VOL. II.
A, D. 1775. the fortunate moment was lost. For though Arnold and Mont- gomery joined forces in a bold attack upon the garrison and Dec. 31. Repulsed. city, December 31, they were repulsed ;- the gallant Montgomery fell ;- Arnold was wounded ;- and in about eight months, the Americans evacuated Canada, *
General Post office.
Reimburse- ment to Massachu- setts.
Before the close of the year 1775, the Continental Congress established a General Post Office, and soon "put it in operation" from Georgia to Maine.t It was also ordered by the same body, that £65,000 be reimbursed from the Treasury of the United Colonies to the Province of Massachusetts, for advances she had made to her troops in payment of services rendered prior to Aug, 1st, when the Continental army was formed, About 2,000 men were stationed by the Province at different places upon her At- lantic shores, as the people were constantly exposed to insult and plunder ; and it was desirable also to prevent the enemy from collecting any supplies for the army in Boston. }
New ap- pointment cers. To every department of the Provincial government, which was of civil offi- susceptible of political revolution, were now given system, form and permanency. New Judges of the Supreme Judiciary, § Com- mon Pleas, and Judges of Probate; and new Justices of the Peace and Sheriffs, |-were all appointed ; and the General Court
* 1 Coll. Maine Hist. Soc. p. 357-416, by Dr. Allen .- 2 Williams' Vt. p. 50-2 .- Also Arnold's 50 Letters-from Sept. 27, to Dec. 5, 1775,- Mon- tresor's Journal, A. D. 1760 .- To Arnold's army of 650 men at Point Leyi, may be added 40 or 50 Indians, who had joined him. Two of them were Sabbatis and Natanis-Abenaques. General Montgomery arrived Dec. 1, with 600 men and 3 armed schooners, ammunition, provision and clothing. The remains of Montgomery were removed from Quebec, in June, 1818, to N. York, and deposited in St. Paul's cemetery .- Arnold died, June 14, 1801, in London. t Samuel Freeman of Falmouth, Ist Post-Master in Maine. # 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 66-7.
§ The Judges of the Superior Court, commissioned in November, were John Adams, William Cushing, Nathaniel P. Sargent, William Reed, and Robert T. Paine. But Adams, Reed and Paine declined : and in a few months, Jedediah Foster, and James Sullivan were appointed in their stead, Robert Treat Paine was appointed Attorney-General,
I COUNTY OFFICERS IN MAINE, to wit ; YORK COUNTY.
Judges-Nathaniel Sparhawk, of Kittery. James Gowen, "
Rishworth Jordan, Biddeford, John Bradbury, and Judge of Probate, Buxton, Sheriff-Johnson Moulton, York.
445
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XVI.]
say in their proclamation, 'we have seen a large and populous A. D. 1776. ' Colony, subsisting for more than a year in great harmony and ' order, under a suspension of the powers of government.'
During the winter session, the General Court arranged the The Militia militia anew ; and formed Massachusetts proper into three Divi- ed. re organiz- sions,* and Maine into one. To the command of the militia in each county, there was appointed a Brigadier-General, and the three in Maine were John Frost of Kittery ; Samuel Thompson of Brunswick, and Charles Cushing of Pownalborough. Each brigade was divided into regiments, the officers of which were a Colonel, a Lieutenant-Colonel, and a first and second Major. The complement of a militia company was sixty-eight men in- cluding non-commissioned officers. All able-bodied males be- tween sixteen and sixty years, were enrolled and compelled to do military duty, except Quakers, settled ministers of the Gos- pel, the officers of Harvard College, colored men and Indians. Any one drafted, or detailed, who refused to go into the public service, was finable £12, and if he did not pay the money im- mediately, he was committed to prison.
At the May session, the General Court enacted, that all civil May session. and military commissions, and all writs, precepts, and recogniz -. all commis- ances should, after the first day of the ensuing June, be " IN sions and le- THE NAME OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF MASSACHU- cepts; and gal pre- SETTS BAY IN NEW-ENGLAND ;"-and bear date in the year of oaths,-al- the form of the christian era, without any mention of the British sovereign. tered. The oath of office was so changed as to require the incumbent,-
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
The style of
Judges-Enoch Freeman, and Judge of Probate, Falmouth. Jeremiah Powell, North-Yarmouth. Jonas Mason, Solomon Lombard, Gorham.
Sheriff-John Waite, Falmouth.
Clerk-Samuel Freeman,
LINCOLN COUNTY.
Judges-William Lithgow, Georgetown. Aaron Hinkley, Brunswick. Thomas Rice, Wiscasset. James McCobb, Georgetown.
Judge of Probate, Jonathan Bowman, Pownalborough. Sheriff-Charles Cushing, "
* The Major-Generals were John Hancock, Benjamin Lincoln, and Azor Orne,-and P. Wadsworth was Adjutant General.
446
THE HISTORY
[VOL. 11.
A. D. 1776. ' honorably, faithfully and impartially to execute all the duties of ' his office, according to the best of his skill and abilities.'
'The enemy The British forces after evacuating Boston, March 17, 1776, leave Bos- and hovering upon our coast more than two months, opened ton. their summer campaign, by operations against New-York and Charleston, South Carolina ; and thither was shifted from New- England, the theatre of the present war. Still there was kept in vigorous exercise, a constant assiduity to guard the eastern Defence of seaports. A small force was stationed at Falmouth, furnished Mainc. with six cannon and a suitable quantity of military stores. Also one fourth of all the male inhabitants of sixteen years and up- wards, except those eastward of Camden, were required to be arranged into companies, either by enlistment or draft, and equipped with a good gun and bayonet, or in lieu of a bayonet, with " a tomahawk, cutting sword or hatchet ;"-ready to march at a moment's warning, and serve in the continental army three months, under officers appointed by the General Court. Yet so much exposed and so critically situated were the eastern Provin- cials, when Congress called on Massachusetts for 5,000 men, that only 105 were taken from York, 39 from Cumberland, and none from Lincoln. There were Committees in the several counties employed to aid and encourage the enlistments ; and to those in York and Cumberland, there were entrusted £1,265, from which advances were to be made of the usual bounty, a month's wages and some articles of outfit, to each soldier re- cruited .*
Reconcilia- tion imprac- ticable.
All expectations of effecting a reconciliation between Great Britain and these colonies, had by this time, come to an end. The Americans were declared to be out of the royal protection ; and Parliament at the last session, even took measures for em- ploying 16,000 foreign mercenaries, to effect our subjugation. But oppression exacting more than is due, often loses the bene- fit of all just rights and legal claims. The object of the contro- versy had hitherto been ' Constitutional Liberty,'-not Indepen- dence. Protection and allegiance were considered reciprocal ; and as the one had been refused, the other, it was thought, might
* The wages were per month, for a Colonel £15, Lieutenant-Colonel £12, Major £10, Captain £8, Lieutenant £5, 8s., Chaplain £7, 10s., Sur- geon £7, 10s., Adjutant £5, 10s., Quartermaster £3, 10s., and a private £3.
447
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XVI.]
justly be withholden. If the parent state calls in the aid of stran- A. D. 1776. gers to crush us, we must seek similar aid for our own preserva- tion. If foreign auxiliaries and succors then, be desired by us, they must be sought in the capacity and character of Indepen- dent States, else the Colonists would still be deemed mere sub- jects rebelling against their king, though relying on their own re- sources in the mighty struggle. To declare ourselves indepen- dent-is only announcing to the world, our true political state, and the grounds and reasons of the controversy. For in the short period of two years, nearly three millions of people have passed over " from the love and duty cherished by loyal subjects, to the rancor and resentment usually felt by settled enemies ;"-the great question of final separation having been, for several months, deeply and extensively considered. Therefore, on the ever July 4. Indepen- memorable July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared dence de- these thirteen United Colonies to be, " FREE, SOVEREIGN AND clared. INDEPENDENT STATES."
The declaration of Independence, everywhere received with Published. joy by the people and the army, was printed by order of the Executive Council, and sent to the ministers of every denomina- tion within the State ;- to be read by them, to their respective congregations at the close of divine service, on the first Lord's day after it was received ; and to be recorded by the town clerks at full length in their respective town books. The country was now absolutely our own. No royal functionary had a shadow of authority in any of the Colonies ; nor had British troops actually a print of foot impressed within our territories. Relieved from Its conse- the embarrassments occasioned by the refined distinctions between quences. liberty and authority,-rights and prerogatives,-every individual knew on what ground he stood, and every thing assumed a re- generate appearance. The question became single, shall we be conquered Provinces, or free and independent States ?- In poli- tics there were none allowed to be neuters. It was a momentous crisis, and the friends of liberty were bold to stake their lives on the issue. Their more traitorous foes had sought an asylum in the enemy's arms ; and all lukewarm citizens were suspected. There had in fact arisen a mortal aversion to the very name of tory, and to every relic and vestige of royalty. Yes, the prop- erty of all absentees was deemed meet for destruction, or at least
448
THE HISTORY
EVOL. II.
A. D. 1776. for confiscation ;* and if it were in the hands of confidential de- Passion of the times. positaries, it ought to be drawn from them by coercive power. Even the portraits or pictures of any who belonged to the royal family, it was considered patriotic to deface ; the emblems of the king's arms, crown or scepter, appearing upon any article, ren- dered it detested ; and all India teas were looked upon with dire antipathy and prejudice, as if they had infected the whole com- munity with some deadly epidemic. Only the active and de- cided friends of freedom could have a single particle of true patriotism ; in short, nothing averse to republican equality, pris- tine freedom and plain economical habits, could possibly possess the least attribute of good. Whereas the man who took arms, was the legitimate son of liberty, and he who lost his life in the war, died a blessed martyr.
* 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 89, 105 .- Some returned, after they retired with the enemy from Boston, and were taken into custody, till their penitence was fully tested.
449
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XVII.]
CHAPTER XVII.
Amity of the eastern Indians-Measures for defence-Nova Scotia and the enterprize of Jonathan Eddy and his party there-They flee repulsed to Machias-An army raised for three years or during the war-Warren incorporated-Brilliant successes of the Americans-Firearms and military stores arrive from France- Treachery punished-Defence of the eastern towns-A garrison established at Machias-Fryeburg and Thomaston incorporated -A British force sent against Machias repulsed-Expedition to Nova Scotia unsuccessful-Surrender of Burgoyne-Commodore Tucker's success -- New State-Constitution rejected -- Lyman and Gray incorporated-Estates of Absentees confiscated-Ar- rival of a French fleet and army-Maine formed into a District -Pittston incorporated-Majorbiguyduce taken and occupied by the British-Force raised to drive them from the peninsula- Expedition fails-Particulars of it-Towns and Islands ill- treated by the enemy-The Tories-Defence of the eastern people -Gen. Wadsworth in command-Dark day-Arnold's treason- New State-Constitution formed and ratified -- Members of the Provincial Council in the District of Maine for twenty years prior to the Constitution.
IN the present war, the Indians had continued quiet. A truck A. D. 1776. house had been established at Fort Pownal, and another recently July 19. at Machias ; and the political relations which had long subsisted The amity and alli- between the government and the Tarratines at Penobscot, had ance of the been lately confirmed. Under their influence, the tribe at Passa- dians. eastern In- maquoddy, had given such indications of good-will towards the Americans, that there was little doubt what course they would pursue. Moreover a delegation from the Marechites at the river St. John,* and from the Mickmaks of Nova Scotia, went to Wa- tertown and entered, July 19, into a treaty of alliance and friend-
* This tribe (it is said,) promised the government of Nova Scotia, 1774-5, either to aid in the defence of that Province or remain neutral. But if so, it seems they had changed their minds; though they received large pres- ents from that government for their families .- See Chubb's Sk. p. 104. VOL. II. 57
450
THE HISTORY
[VOL. 11.
A. D. 1776. ship with the government of Massachusetts, which was subscrib- ed by ten of their chiefs. Its preamble recognized the indepen- dence of the United States and their power to levy war, form leagues and treaties, and conclude peace. By its articles, an alliance offensive and defensive, was established ; and those tribes bound themselves to withhold all aid from the British king. The treaty likewise strictly prohibited all private revenge, and provided, that if there should be any quarrel, outrage, wrong or misunderstanding, the suffering party should apply to the gov- ernment and laws for redress. It further stipulated, that the In- dian tribes, then treating, would send 600 men to join the army of General Washington at New-York, and continue in the ser- vice three years ; that they should be formed into companies, each one find his own gun and be allowed a dollar for its use, and all receive their other supplies at Machias truck house ; and that a vessel should be provided to transport them from that place to the army .* The Indian delegates also engaged to per- suade, if possible, the Indians at Passamaquoddy and other places, to enter into the public service ; and their endeavors were partially successful, as we soon find that tribe generallyt united with the others in the alliance.
Defence of the eastern country.
For the defence of the country between Camden and Machias, government raised about 200 men ; loaning and sending to the Committees of towns and plantations, on their personal security, powder, balls, flints, and other articles to the amount of £1,543, 6s. to be distributed among the inhabitants in reasonable propor- tions ; and granted to the people of Machias the value of £170 in corn and rye, for their relief and encouragement. A party of thirty men, ten of whom were Indians, under the command of Andrew Gilman, was stationed at Fort Pownal, for the de- fence of the settlements upon the Penobscot; and the Tarra- tine tribe were furnished with 200 lbs. of gunpowder and 200
* This treaty was signed by Ombruis Var, Newel Wallis, J. Francis, delegates from St. Johns ;- Joseph Denaquaza Charles, Mattahee On- trane, Nicholas, John Battis, Peter Andre, and Sabbattis Netocombuit, delegates from the Mickmaks .- See the treaty in 10 articles, Secretary's of- fice Boston.
t " The Whig and Tory principles ran high among the tribes ; but the " Whig Indians being much the most numerous, the Tories remained at " home as neutrals."-Hon. S. Jones' Letter
451
OF MAINE.
CHAP. XVII.]
lbs. of lead, besides an appropriation made of £400 in money, A. D. 1776. to procure necessaries for the tribe. A company of Matrosses Muster- was established at Cape-Elizabeth ; a Muster-master was ap- masters. pointed in each eastern county ;* and all the interior military operations of the State were under the direction of a Board of Board of
war. war, lately established, consisting of nine gentlemen, chosen by. the two Houses of the General Court in joint ballot.
There was a great number of families in Nova Scotia, who Nova Sco- were connected by the ties of consanguinity+ or interest with tia. the people of Massachusetts and Maine, and who had, as it was believed, a strong desire to see that Province a member of the American confederacy. A free intercourse had been encour- aged, or rather allowed, and also a representation was made to General Washington, that an expedition thither, might afford re- lief to many persons, well disposed towards the American cause, and produce a result favorable to the United States. To learn their condition and views, therefore, he despatched to the Prov- ince two agents ; but when they had ascertained what extreme suspicions the British authorities were entertaining of all inter- course, they thought it imprudent to proceed farther than the lines.
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.