A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time, Part 79

Author: Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1822-1885
Publication date: 1853
Publisher: Albany, N.Y. : Little & Co.
Number of Pages: 750

USA > New York > Franklin County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 79
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 79

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).

dered his arms. The steamer Oneida, in the service of the United States government, and having on board a detachment of troops, was ir the river when the boat in which Johnston and his son were escaping, was run on shore. The officers in charge of the steamer immediately steered towards the point where the boats landed, to afford any assist- ance that might be found necessary, and the captured party was convey- ed on board the steamer, and taken to Sacketts Harbor.

On the Monday after the capture, the Hon. John Fine, in company with Charles G. Myers, consented at the solicitation of some of the friends of the prisoners to visit Kingston to carry a contribution of se- veral hundred dollars to supply their wants, make inquiries into their condition, and offer legal counen. The season of travel being passed and there being no direct communication with Kingston, they wrote to Colonel Worth at Sacketts Harbor, asking if he could be sent over from thence, and furnished with a letter to the commanding officer at Kings-

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ton, both of these requests were declined. They then crossed the river to Prescott, to confer with Major Young, and on being escorted from the wharf to his quarters by a sentinel, they were kindly received, and furnished with a note of introduction to Colonel Dundas, at Kingston. A citizen of Prescott gave the use of a small steamer, without charge. At the hotels in Kingston, they found several Americans from Oswego, Salina, &c., on a similar errand, who stated that they had been there some time endeavoring to get access to the rooms of the prisoners but the sheriff had denied every application which had been made for this purpose. The next morning, they called upon Colonel Dundas, who stated that he had delivered the prisoners to the care of the sheriff, and that application must be made to him. He was told that the sheriff had positively refused, under any circumstances, any interview under orders from the governor, to several similar applications. They then added as a last resort, that being both lawyers they had some right to serve the prisoners in the capacity of legal counsellors, having been employed by their friends for that purpose. It was the boast of the English law which the Americans had inherited from the mother country, that every one was presumed innocent of a crime until proved to be guilty, and that the prisoners had a right to legal advice in this case, and the privilege of obtaining witnesses for their defense. Upon this the colonel arose and accompanied them to the fort, introduced them to the sheriff and re- quested that they might be permitted to see the prisoners. The sheriff said that the governor had sent orders that no one be permitted to visit them, but the colonel said that he would risk the responsibility, and requested the keys, which were given him. Several military officers were introduced and joined in the visit to the different rooms. These were above ground, large, cleanly, and contained about fifty prisoners each. Inquiry was made of those from St. Lawrence county, of their want of clothing, &c., which was afterwards procured and sent to them .* They said that they were furnished with good and sufficient food and were well treated. In one room was a company of about fifty boys under twenty-one years of age, and some as young as sixteen. Several of them alluded to the late events and the causes which had in- duced them to engage in the foolish enterprise, with sobbing and tears. Several of the officers present were much affected and proposed to leave. The Ogdensburgh citizens remarked to the boys, that there was hope in their case. The power of England was not so feeble as to fear the loss of Canada by the hands of boys, and the glory of England would not be enhanced by their sacrifice.

They were advised to plead their infancy, and throw themselves upon the mercy of the government. The court martial was organized and one of the prisoners was on trial. Solicitor General Draper, con- ducted the examination of the prisoners with fairness. He allowed the accused the opportunity to state all the extenuating circumstances which he wrote down, and said he would send to the governor. In the even- ing an interview was had with Mr. Draper, at the rooms of the council, and at the suggestion of some of the citizens, an application was made to the governor general of Canada, through the medium of Judge Jones of the Queen's Bench, for the pardon of the boys. An answer was re- turned, that if the friends of the boys would exert their influence to prevent further aggressions, they should be released, and as an earnest of the performance of this promise, six were set free. Froin time to

* One of these boys on being questioned as to his wants, solicited some candy.

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time others were liberated until most of those under age were allowed to return to their friends.

The issue of this expedition, did much to render the Patriot cause unpopular, and a healthy reaction was soon felt along the frontier, but a spirit of jealousy and hostility had been engendered that led to much difficulty. On the 21st of Dec., the village trustees resolved to organize a company, to be held ready at a minute's warning to act in preserving order, and repell if necessary any aggression. Arms were to be procured for them from Russell. On the last day of Dec., a crowded meeting was held to unite in a petition to Congress for protection of the frontier and intervention in favor of the prisoners. In support of the latter, they asserted for our government an equal merit in the capture, inasmuch as the Patriots had been cut off from their supplies by the official seizure of the schooners and armament. A becoming tribute was paid to the valor and courage of the misguided youths who had been seduced into the measure. On the 2d of Jan., 1839, another public meeting was held to discourage all further invasion of Canada. The call for this was signed by nearly seventy prominent citizens of all parties, and it was addressed by several of the inhabitants and by Major General Winfield Scott, in a very able manner. In his address, Gen. Scott, after conceding that a feeling favorable to Canadian independence pervaded the country, went on to enquire what act of that people had evinced their desire for a change, and pointed out in a masterly manner the folly of attempting to force upon them a measure which their acts proved that they did not desire. A series of resolutions was passed embodying the sentiment of the considerate of all parties, and appealing to all good citizens to aid in putting an end to these proceedings so destructive of the public peace and so perilous to our national welfare.

As the steam boat United States, Capt. Whitney, was leaving Ogdens- burgh on the evening of April 14, 1839, with a large number of passen- gers, from 6 to 10 rounds of musket shot were fired from a wharf in Pres- cott, at which a crowd was assembled, but a subsequent inquiry failed to fix upon any one as the culprit, and the same evening she was fired upon from the wharf at Brockville. These insulting measures were greatly aggravated by a high handed outrage upon the schooner G. S. Weeks, Turner, master, on Friday, May 17, 1839, at Brockville, where she had stopped to discharge some merchandise. The usual papers were sent to the custom house, and a permit to unload was issued by the deputy col- lector. There was lying on deck a six pound iron cannon belonging to the state, consigned to Capt. A. B. James, to replace the one that had been seized by the Patriots, upon discovering which an attempt was made to seize it, but was resisted by the crew until the collector of the district came up and took possession of the vessel under some alleged irregu- larity of her papers. The gun was then taken by the mob, who paraded the streets with it and fired it repeatedly. Word was immediately sent to Col. Worth, at Sacketts Harbor, who repaired without delay to the place in the steamer Oneida, and sent a respectful inquiry to learn on what grounds the schooner was detained. To this the deputy could give no direct answer, and, but from what he could learn, Col. Worth inferred that the seizure was without justification, and resolved to vindicate our na- tional honor in recovering the cannon that had been taken from it. On Saturday evening he repaired to Prescott, and peremptorily demanded of Col. Frasier, a release of the vessel and her cargo, to which at 10 o'clock the next day answer was given that the vessel and cargo should be re- leased, but doubts were expressed whether the cannon could be got from the mob. To be prepared with an intelligent and prudent witness

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in case the necessity for extreme measures should arise, the Colonel in- vited Mr. Bishop Perkins, a legal gentleman of high standing in his pro- fession to accompany him to Brockville. He had on board a company of about 100 regulars, who were well supplied with a double number of muskets and ammunition sufficient for the occasion. The steamers took up a position alongside the schooner, and a demand for the restoration of the gun was sent. The wharves and block house were densely crowded with an excited and furious mob, many of whom were armed, and all of them partaking of the excitement which the occasion called forth. The civil authorities endeavored to procure the restoration of the piece, but found themselves incapable of persuading or compelling the rabble to surrender it quietly. Had any of the crowd on shore in the exitement of the moment fired upon the steamer, there is little reason to doubt but that the fire would have been promptly returned by the regulars on board the Oneida, and the effect upon the crowded masses upon the wharves must have been signally fatal. Matters thus remained several hours. during which a collision was momentarily expected. At 4 P. M., a steamer from Kingston, with British regulars arrived, which had been sent for by the magistrates of the town, with the aid of which several of the ring leaders of the mob were arrested and lodged in the guard house. Having waited sufficiently long, Col. Worth notified the authorities for the last time that the cannon must be instantly returned, which was done with the utmost haste, and the prize was released. Col. Worth expressed the opinion that the civil magistrates evinced commendable zeal in their ef- forts to restore order and recover the cannon, but the utmost insolence was shown by the rabble towards the bearers of messages from Colonel Worth. The tidings of this event brought his excellency Governor Sir George Arthur, to Brockville, where he was presented an address signed by 266 persons, as an attempted justification for the recent outrage. They protested against the manner in which the gun liad been given up at the demand enforced by the presence of an armed steamer in their harbor, and declared that they submitted only through the improper interference of some of his excellency's prominent and courageous officials in civil authority. In his reply the governor admitted that the seizure was illegal, and regretted that greater caution had not been exercised before that act. The step once taken he regretted that the seizure was abandoned without due authority, and more especially under the circumstances, although he admitted that some magistrates had acted with honest zeal and from a sense of public duty to advise the measure. He declared the seizure and firing of the cannon after it had been taken by the revenue officer, was a lawless proceeding, and regretted that personal abuse had been offered to the foreign officers who had entered the country on public duty. It is due to the Canadian press and the more considerate portion of the in- habitants, that they mostly denounced the seizure as wholly unjustified. The collector of Brockville was removed from office by Governor Arthur.

On Tuesday, June 25, 1839, a party from Prescott attempted to abduct a deserter from Ogdensburgh, but their plans being discovered, the gang was surrounded by a large concourse of people, covered with tar, and marched back to their boat under an armed guard. The leader of the gang was said to have committed suicide the next day. The British steamers commenced touching at Ogdensburgh in the latter part of June, and were well received. It was hoped that a renewal of friendly inter- course would do much to allay the animosity existing between the border inhabitants of the two nations.

As the American steam packet St. Lawrence, was passing down on her

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regular trip on the 4th of August, 1839, she was fired upon by an armed British schooner lying in the stream opposite Brockville. The particulars of this infamous outrage committed not by a lawless rabble, but by a government vessel, became the subject of a correspondence between the officers of the two governments in command of the naval and military forces along the frontier, a copy of which is before us. It appears that the steamer having numbers of passengers of both sexes was passing at about 5 p. M., when on approaching Her Majesty's armed schooner Mont- real, she was hailed and ordered to show her colors, which being disre - garded, several musket balls were fired by order of W. N. Fowell, com- mander. This being communicated to Col. Worth, an explanation was demanded, and the act was feebly attempted to be justified on the ground that they were afraid the steamer contained Patriots, that they wanted to know to what nation it belonged, &c. &c. These frivolous excuses, some of which would have been applicable on the high seas, when ap- plied to the St. Lawrence, became extremely ridiculous.

On the 10th of August, 1840, Gen. Scott arrived at Ogdensburgh, in the Telegraph steamer, then in the service of government. He was on his way to Plattsburgh.

The continuance of secret lodges for the agitation of the Patriot ques- tion, led President 'Tyler to issue a proclamation September 5, 1841, call- ing upon all good citizens to discountenance them as tending to evil con sequences.

The following is a list, as nearly as could be procured, of the prisoners taken at the wind mill, and tried at Kingston.

The following notes and abbreviations are used: g., plead guilty ; n. g., plead not guilty ; t., transported to Van Dieman's Land; h., hung at Fort Henry; a., acquitted; w., wounded in the battle; r., released without trial ; p., pardoned. Numerals denote the ages of prisoners. All, except those in italics, were sentenced to be hung.

Dorephus Abbey, 47 (Watertown), n. g., h. Dec. 12; Philip Alger, 23 (Bents, N. Y.), w. r .; Charles Allen, p .; David Allen, 24 (Volney), t .; Duncan Anderson, 48 (Livingston co.), h. Jan. 4; Oliver Aubre (L. C.), w. r .; Samuel Austin (Alexandria, N. Y.), p .; Thomas Baker (Winder, N. Y.), t .; Hiram W. Barlow, 19 (St. L. co.), p .; Rouse Bennett, 17 (Herk. co.), p .; Ernest Berentz (Poland, Europe), p .; John Berry, 40 (Columbia co.), t .; Orlin Blodget, 23 (Jeff. co.), g. t .; Geo. Bloudeau, 19 (Canada), p .; John Bradley, 30 (Ireland), t .; John A. Brewster (Henderson, N. Y.), p .; Chas. S. Brown (Oswego co.), p .; Geo. T. Brown, 23 (Le Ray, N. Y.), n. g., t .; Bromley (died of wounds in hospital); Christopher Buckley (Onondaga co.), h. Jan. 4; Chauncey Bugbee, 22 (Jeff. co.), t .; Hugh Calhoun (Ireland), t .; Paschal Cerventes (Vt.), p .; Levi Chipman, r. July 29; Truman Chipman, p .; Culver S. Clark, 19 (F. co.), p .; Eli Clark, (Oswego co.) p. on account of age and infirmities; Robt. G. Collins, 34 (Og'h), t .; Philip Condrat (Germany), p .; Hiram Coultman, 19 (Jeff. co.), w. r .; Peter Cranker, 19 (Jeff. co.), p .; John Cronkheit (Otsego co.), t .; Chas. Crossman (Jeff. co.), p .; Jas. Cummings (Canada), r. on account of insanity ; Lysander Curtis, 33 (Og'h), w., t. (died in V. D.'s Land) ; Luther Darby, t .; Leonard Delino, 25 (Jeff. co.), t .; Wm. Denio, 18 (Le Ray), g. p .; Joseph Dodge (Mont. co.), p .; Aaron Dresser, Jr., 22 (Alexandria, N. Y.), t. (released in 1843); Joseph Drummond (Oswego co.), p .; David. Dufeld, 22 (U. C.) p .; Moses A. Dutcher (Dexter, N. Y.), t ; John Elmore (Jeff. co.), p .; Shelah Evans, 35 (Jeff. co.), r. ; Ebon Fellows, g., t .; David Field (Granby, N. Y.); Lorenzo F. Finney, 21 (Watertown) w .; Michael .Friar, 23, t .; Francis Gagnion, 18 (Canada), p .; Emanuel Garrison (Vt.) ,

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t .; Wm. Gates (Lyme, N. Y.) t .; Daniel George (Lyme), h. Dec. 12 (pay- master); John Gilman, t .; Cornelius Goodrich, (Salina, N. Y.), p. 7 y'rs penitentiary ; Gideon A. Goodrich (Mass.) t .; Price Gould, 21 (Jeff. co.), p .; John Graves (Plattsburgh), r? Jerry Griggs (Ct.), t .; Nelson J. Griggs (Onon. co.) t .; Hiram Hall, 15 (Jeff. co.), 7 y'rs pen'ry, p. ; Jacques Herod (France), w., r .; Garret Hicks, 27 (Jeff. co.), t .; Edward Holmes (Syra- cuse), p .; Chas. Hovey (Lyme), p .; David Houth, 24, t .; Daniel D. Hus- tace, 27 (Watertown), t .; Jas. Ingles (Scotland), t .; Henry Jantzen, 29 (Ger.), p .; John M. Jones (Phil., N. Y.), p .; Geo. H. Kemble, 18 (Brown- ville), w., p .; John O. Koinski (Cracow, Poland), p .; Hiram Kinney, 20 (Onon.), p .; Oliver Lanton (Alb.), p .; Sylvester A. Lanton, 23 (Lyme), h. Jan. 4 .; Andrew Leeper, 42 (Jeff. co.), t .; Joseph Lee, 21 (Oswego), p .; Joseph Lefort, 19 (Cape Vincent), t .; Lyman N. Lewis, n. g .; Daniel Liscomb (Lyme), t. ; Samuel Livingston (Lisbon, N. Y.), r .; Hiram Loop, 26 (Oswego co.) n. g., t .; Foster Martin (Ox Bow), t .; J. II. Martin, t .; Calvin Mathers (Salina), t .; Chauncey Mathers, 24 (Onon. co.), t .; Fred'k Meals, 21 (serv't of Von Schaltz, w., died of wounds); Alonzo Mignoteth, ?? Phares Miller (Watertown), p .; Justus Meriam, 17 (S. H.), r .; John Marriset, 26 (Canada), w., t .; Andrew Moore, 26 (Malta, N. Y.), w., t .; Peter Meyer (Syracuse), r .; Sebastian Meyer, 21 (Bavarian), p .; Joseph Norris, a .; Wm. O'Neil, 38 (Alex.), n. g., a .; Alson Owen, 24 (Oswego), t. (died in V. D.'s Land); Jacob Paddo k: 17 (Jeff. co.), t .; Joel Peeler, 50, n. g., h., Dec. 22; Lawton S. Peck, 20 (J ff. co.) p .; Ethel Penny, 18 (Jeff. co.), p .; Russell Phelps (Watertown), & Jan. 4; Jas. Pierce (Oneida co.), t .; Ira Polly (Jeff. co.), t .; Lorenzo Phinney, w., r. ; D. S. Powers, (Brown- ville); Gaius Powers, r .; Asa Priest, 43 (Auburn), w., t. (died in V. D.'s Land); Jacob Putnam, 19 (M. co.), p .; Levi Putnam, 21 (do.), p .; Timo- thy P. Ransom, 21 (Alex.), p .; Solomon Reynolds (Salina), t .; William Reynolds (Orleans), t .; J. B. Razeau (L. C.), r., very young; Asa H. Richardson, 23 (Oswego), t .; Andrew Richardson (Rossie), p .; Lawrence Riley, 43 (Vt.); Edgar Rogers ; Orson Rogers, 23 (Jeff. co.), r .; Hiram Sharp (Onon. co.), t .; Henry Shaw, t .; Truman Shipman (Morristown); Andrew Smith, 21, p .; Chas. Smith (Lyme), p .; Owen W. Smith, 26 (Watertown), t .; Price Senter, 18 (Ohio), n. g., p .; Jas. L. Snow, 21 (Os. co.), r .; Wm. Stebbins, 18 (Jeff. co.). p .; Joseph Stewart, 25 (Mifflin co., Pa.), t .; Tho's Stockton, 26 (Felt's Mills), t .; John G. Swanberg (Alex., N. Y.), t .; Dennis Suete (do.), n. g., t .; Sylvanus Sweet, 21, g., h. Dec. 22; Giles Thomas, 34 (Onon. co.), w., r .; John Thomas, 26 (Madrid, N. Y.), t .; John Thompson (Eng.), p ; Abner Townsend, 17 (Jeff. co.), g. p .; Nelson Truax, 20 (Antwerp) ; Oliver Tucker, 17, n. g., p .; Geo. Van Ambler, 17 (Jeff. co,), p .; Cha's Van Warner, 21 (Ellisburgh), p .; Mar- tin Van Slyke (Watertown), a .; Hunter C. Vaughan, 19 (S. Har.), p (from intercession of father); Nils Szoltereky Von Schoultz (general), g., h. Dec. 18; Joseph Wagner (Salina), p .; Saul Washburn (Warren co.), t .; Simeon H. Webster, p .; James M. Wheelock, 22 (Jeff. co.), w .; Patrick White, 22 (Irish), t .; Riley Whitney (Vt.), t .; Nathan Whitney (Ct.), t .; Hosea C. Wilkie (Orleans, N. Y.), p .; Cha's Wilson, p .; Edward A. Wilson, 23 (Pompey), t .; Sampson Wiley (Watertown), p .; Cha's Wood- ruff, 19 (Salina), g., p .; Martin Woodruff, 24 (Onon. co.), h. Dec. 19; Beman Woodbury, 24 (Cayuga co.), w., t .; Wm. Woolcot, 20 (M. co.), w., p .; Stephen S. Wright, 25 (Denmark), t., released 1843.

All of those who were transported were after several years pardoned, and most have since returned. While detained in the penal colonies, they suffered incredible hardships, and numbers of them died. Those who survived, mostly came back with impaired constitutions from pri- vations, and the hard labor to which they had been subjected.

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CHAPTER XI.

GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, METEOROLOGY, &c.

E have extended the foregoing chapters, so that the present must be necessarily concise From the map, opposite page 467, it will be seen that the southern part of these counties is underlaid by primary rock, as the oldest, formed of rocky masses, are designated by geologists. It is made up of a mixture of simple minerals, which often show in the structure and mode of ar- rangement, that they have been at some period subjected to the ac- tion of heat. The constituents of these primitive rocks, are generally quartz, hornblende, and feldspar, arranged in irregular and often very tortuous strata or layers, which are generally highly inclined. This pecu- liar mixture and arrangement of simple minerals is denominated gneiss rock. When stratification is wanting, it becomes sienite, and when mica takes the place of hornblende it is called granite. A great variety of minerals occur in gneiss rock in certain localities, and it is a valuable re- pository of lead and iron ores. In some places simple minerals occur in large quantities, to the exclusion of everything else, as serpentine, lime- stone, &c., which of themselves often become rock formations. The boundaries of the gneiss rock are very nearly as follows. They consti- tute the Thousand islands, the last of which lie before Morristown, although both shores of the St. Lawrence are here composed of newer rock. A narrow strip of this rock extends from Chippewa bay, up the valley of the creek of that name, two or three miles, being bounded on each side by a formation, which geologists have named Potsdam sand- stone, of which a further account will be given hereafter. The gneiss rock next enters the county from Jefferson, near the line of the military road in Hammond, and its northern margin runs nearly in a direct line to Black lake, and forms all the islands in that water, although the north shore is sandstone. It leaves the lake in Depeyster, and runs across that town, De Kalb and Canton, leaving the most of these towns underlaid by gneiss, and passes across a small part of Potsdam into Parishville and the southern part of the settlements in Hopkinton, and thence through township No. 7, 8, and 9, of Franklin county, and the northern edge of Bellmont. With small exceptions to be mentioned, near Somer- ville, the whole of the country south of this line is primary, and to this region metalic ores, except bog ores, must be necessarily limited. At the village of Potsdam, the same rock comes up to the surface, like an island in the midst of sandstone, and at other places the same thing is observed. However irregular the strata of gneiss may be, they will gen- erally be found to dip, or slope down towards the north, which explains a remark made by Mr. Wright in his early surveys, that the mountains [like all in the southern forest] afford very good land on the north side, and gradually descending, but on the south side have high perpendicular ledges."

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The extensive forest of northern New York, is underlaid entirely by pri- mary rock, which seems to have been thrust up through newer formations, that surround it. In some places, the latter are thrown into an inclined position by this intruded mass. Gneiss rock has but few useful applica- tions. In early times (and still for coarse grinding), it was used for millstones, and in some places it occurs suitable for building, but is gener- ally too hard to be wrought with profit. In the south part of Canton, a very fine grained and durable variety occurs, which has a uniform grey color and close texture, that recommends it where permanence is re- quired. Towards the western part of St. Lawrence county, white lime- stone is of common occurrence with this formation, and it has given rise to much discussion, whether the limestone be primitive and coëval with the gneiss, or whether it be a later deposite, altered by heat. As this inquiry would be out of place in this work it will be omitted. One fact is well established, viz: that the white limestone underlies the sand- stone, and many instances of this occur in Rossie, Antwerp, &c. In some cases there is a relative position between limestone and granite that strongly indicates the primitive character of the former, of which Prof. Emmons has figured, one near Hailesboro, which we give in figure 3, opposite page 684, in which a is limestone, and b granite. Another example is given below, in which a is a limestone, with a wavy structure, and b granite. This locality is in Lyndhurst, Canada.

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A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time, Part 79

Author: Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1822-1885 Publication date: 1853 Publisher: Albany, N.Y. : Little & Co. Number of Pages: 750

Author: Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1822-1885
Publication date: 1853
Publisher: Albany, N.Y. : Little & Co.
Number of Pages: 750