USA > New York > Erie County > Sardinia > History of the original town of Concord : being the present towns of Concord, Collins, N. Collins, and Sardinia, Erie County, New York > Part 6
USA > New York > Erie County > Collins > History of the original town of Concord : being the present towns of Concord, Collins, N. Collins, and Sardinia, Erie County, New York > Part 6
USA > New York > Erie County > Concord > History of the original town of Concord : being the present towns of Concord, Collins, N. Collins, and Sardinia, Erie County, New York > Part 6
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 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
In August, 1778, he was appointed a member of the stand- ing Committee of Finance.
The years 1778 and '79 were the most distressing periods of the war. The finances were in a wretched condition, and Mr. Morris not only advanced his money freely, but put in requisi- tion an almost unlimited individual credit.
In 1781 (a period of despair), in addition to other contribu- tions of money and credit, Mr. Morris supplied the almost fam- ishing troops with several thousand barrels of flour. This timely aid came when it was seriously contemplated to authorize the seizure of provisions wherever they could be found ; a measure which would have been unpopular with the whole country, and probably turned back the tide of public feeling flowing in favor of the Revolution.
There is upon record a long catalogue of transactions simi- lar to those which have been related. Not only the Comman- der-in-Chief but Generals of divisions found Mr. Morris the dernier resort when money and provisions were wanted. To private means, which must have been large, and a large credit, he added astonishing faculties as a financier. When he had no other resources, he would compel others to use their money and credit. In financial negotiations, with him, to will a thing was to do it.
He was appointed to the office of Financier, or what was equivalent to the now office of Secretary of the Treasury. Never, perhaps, in any country, was a minister of finance placed over a treasury, the conditions of which were worse. To use a phrase of the play-house, it was
"Beggarly account of empty boxes."
It had not a dollar in it and was two millions and a half in debt. Those who have seen Gen. Washington's military journal of the first of May, 1781, can form some idea of the condition of the army and the finances.
55
APPOINTED FINANCIER.
It was the province of Mr. Morris to financier for Congress and a country and cause in such a crisis. He began by restor- ing credit and establishing confidence: promulgated the assur- ance that all his official engagements would be punctually met, and put in requisition his private means, the means of his friends, to fulfill the promises he had held out. When apprised of his appointment to the management of financial affairs, he replied : "In accepting the office bestowed upon me, I sacrifice much of my interest, my case, my domestic enjoyment and internal tranquility. If I know my own heart, I make these sacrifices with a disinterested view to the service of my country. I am willing to go further, and the United States may com- mand everything I have except my integrity, and the loss of that would effectually dissable me from serving them more." Among his financial expedients to resuscitate public credit, was the establishment of the Bank of North America. Collateral security was given for the performance of engagements of the institution, in form of bonds, signed by wealthy individuals. Mr. Morris heading the list with a subscription of $10,000.
In a private interview with Washington, the subject of an attack on New York was broached. Mr. Morris dissented, assuming that it would be too great a sacrifice of men and money ; that the success of the measure was doubtful; that even if successful the triumph, as to results, would be a barren one ; the enemy having command of the sea could, at any time, land fresh troops and re-take it, &c." Assenting to these objec- tions, the Commander-in-Chief said : "What am I to do? The country calls on me for action ; and moreover, my army cannot be kept together unless some bold enterprise is undertaken." To this Mr. Morris replied: "Why not lead your forces to Yorktown ? There Cornwallis may be hemmed in by the French fleet by sca and the American and French armies by land, and will ultimately be compelled to surrender." " Lead my troops to Yorktown!" said Washington, appearing sur- prised at the suggestion, "How am I to get them there ? One of my difficulties about attacking New York arises from the want of funds to transport them thither. How, then, can I . muster the means that will be requisite to enable them to march to Yorktown?" "You must look to me for funds," rejoined
56
MORRIS AND HANCOCK.
Mr. Morris. "And how are you to provide them ?" said Wash- ington. "That," said Mr. Morris, " I am unable at this time to tell you, but I will answer with my head, that if you will put your army in motion, I will supply the means of their reaching Yorktown." After a few minutes reflection, Washington said : "On this assurance of yours, Mr. Morris, such is my confidence in your ability to perform any engagement you make, I will adopt your suggestion."
When the army arrived at Philadelphia Mr. Morris had the utmost difficulty in furnishing the supplies he had promised, but at last he hit upon the expedient of borrowing twenty thousand crowns from the Chevalier de Luzerne, the French Minister. The Chevalier objected that he had only funds enough to pay the French troops, and could not comply unless two vessels with specie on board for him arrived from France. Fortunately, about the time the troops were at Elk, preparing to march to Yorktown, the ships arrived, the money was pro- cured and especial pains taken to parade the specie in open kegs before the army. The troops were paid, and cheerfully embarked to achieve the crowning triumph of the Revolution.
John Hancock, President of Congress, writing to Mr. Mor- ris in a severe crisis of the Revolution, says: " I know, how- ever, you will put things in a proper way; all things depend upon you, and you have my hearty thanks for your unremitting labor." Gen. Charles Lee said to. him in a letter, when he assumed the duties of Secretary of an empty treasury : " It is an office I cannot wish you joy of ; the labor is more than her- culean ; the filth of that Augean stable is, in my opinion, too great to be cleared away even by your skill and industry."
During the Revolution, the commercial house in which he continued a partner, was prosecuting a successful business. The close of the Revolution must have found him in possession of immense wealth, exceeding by far that of any individual cit- izen of the United States. But he was destined to a sudden reverse of fortune. There followed the revolution a mania for land speculation. Mr. Morris participated largely in it, in- vesting in large tracts of wild land as they came into market in different parts of the United States, realizing for a time vast profits upon sales. A reaction ensued, which found him in
57
ILLFORTUNE AND DEATHI.
possession of an immense landed estate, and largely in debt for purchase money. From the opulence we have been speak- ing of, he was reduced to poverty ; and ultimately some mer- ciless creditors made him for a long time the tenant of a prison.
Upon Mr. Morris had devolved the financiering for our coun- try in a period of peril and embarrassment. When the army of Washington, unpaid, were lacking food and raiment, mur- muring as they well might be, it was his purse and credit that more than once prevented its dispersion and the failure of the glorious achievement of independence. His ships were upon the ocean, his notes-of-hand forming a currency, his drafts hon- ored everywhere among capitalists in his own country and in many of the marts of commerce in Europe.
A reverse of fortune occurred, which is saddening to those who are now enjoying the blessings to which he so eminently contributed, and who wish that no cloud had gathered around the close of his useful life.
Mr. Morris died at Morrisiana, N. J., Nov. 6, 1806, aged sev- enty-three years.
MARY JEMISON.
In the Summer of 1755, during the French and Indian wars, Mary Jemison's father's house, situated on the western frontier of Pennsylvania, was surrounded by a band, consisting of six Indians and four Frenchmen. They plundered and carried away whatever they could that was valuable, and took the whole family captive, with two or three others, who were stay- ing there at the time. They were all immediately hastened away into the wilderness, murdered and scalped, with the exception of Mary and a small boy, who were carried to Fort Du Quesne. Little Mary was there given to two Indian sisters, who came to that place to get a captive to supply the place of a brother that had been slain in battle. They took her down the Ohio to their home, and adopted her as their sister, under the name of Dehhewamis-a word signifying " a beautiful girl." The sorrow and regret which so sudden and fearful a change in her condition produced, gradually yielded under the influence of time ; and she began to be quite reconciled to her fate,
58
MARY JEMISON AND INDIAN SISTERS.
when an incident occurred, which once more revived her hopes of being redeemed from captivity and restored to her friends. When Fort Pitt fell into the possession of the British, Mary was taken with a party who went there to conclude a treaty of peace with the English. She immediately attracted the notice of the white people, who showed great anxiety to know how one so young and delicate came among the savages. Her Indian sisters became alarmed, and fearing that they might lose her, suddenly fled away with her, and carried her back to their forest home. Her disappointment was painful and she brooded over it for many days, but at length gained her usual cheerful- ness and contentment. As soon as she was of sufficient age, she was married to a young Delaware Indian named Sheninjee. Notwithstanding her reluctance at first to become the wife of an Indian, her husband's uniform kind treatment and gentleness, soon won her esteem and affection, and she says: "Strange as it may seem, I loved him!" and she often spoke of him as her "kind husband." About 1759, she concluded to change her residence. With a little child, on foot, she traveled to the Genesee river, through the pathless wilderness, a distance of near six hundred miles, and fixed her home at Little Beard's Town. When she came there, she found the Senecas in alliance with the French; they were making preparation for an attack on Fort Schlosser; and not a great while after, enacted the tragedy at the Devil's Hole. Some time after her arrival, she received intelligence of the death of her husband, Sheninjee, who was to have come to her in the succeeding Spring. They had lived happily together, and she sincerely lamented his death. When the war between England and France ended, she might have returned to the English, but she did not. She married another Indian, named Hiakatoo, two or three years after the death of Sheninjee. When General Sullivan invaded the Genesee country, her house and field shared a common fate with the rest. When she saw them in ruins, with great energy and perseverance, she immediately went to making prepara- tion for the coming Winter. Taking her two youngest children on her back, and bidding the other three follow, she sought
59
THE GARDEAU RESERVATION.
employment. She found an opportunity to husk corn, and secured in that way twenty-five bushels of shelled corn, which kept them through the Winter.
After the close of the Revolution, she obtained the grant of a large tract of land, called the " Gardeau Reservation," which was about six miles in length and five in breadth.
In 1831, preferring to pass the remainder of her days in the midst of those with whom her youth and middle age had been spent, she sold the rest of the land at Gardeau Flats, purchased a farm on the Buffalo Reservation, where the Senecas, among whom she had lived, had settled some five years previous. She passed the remainder of her days in peace and quietness, embraced the Christian religion, and on the 19th of Sept., 1833. ended a life that had been marked by vicissitudes such as it is the lot of but few to experience.
60
PREPARATIONS OF WAR.
CHAPTER X.
WAR OF 1812-15-CAMPAIGN OF 1812.
War Declared-Troops Called For-Colonel Swift-First Detachment of Mili- tia-Council with the Indians - Excitement, Bustle, Confusion and Flight -Active Preparations on the Canada Side-General Brock-Fear of the Indians-The Caledonia and Detroit-The Defeat of General Van Rensselaer-General Smyth and His Failures-Disgust of the Sol- diers and the Public.
After a debate of several days' duration, an act declaring war against Great Britain was passed by Congress, and was approved by the President on the 18th of June, 1812. On the 19th the President issued a proclamation declaring that war existed between the United States and Great Britain and her dependencies.
Congress authorized the President to enlist 25,000 men for the regular army, to raise a force of 50,000 volunteers, and to call out 100,000 militia.
On the 17th of May, Colonel Swift, of Ontario county, came to Buffalo to assume command on the frontier. On the 18th, the first detachment of militia marched through that village on their way to Lewiston. They were from the south towns, and were commanded by Major Benjamin Whaley.
On the 26th of May, Indian-Superintendent Granger held a council with the Chiefs of the Six Nations of Indians, living on this side of the Niagara. He did not seek to enlist their ser- vices in the war, but urged them to remain neutral. To this they agreed.
On the 23d of June, Colonel Swift, whose headquarters were at Black Rock, was in command of 600 militia ; besides there was a small garrison of regulars at Fort Niagara. There was no artillery except at the fort.
The preparations for war on the other side were somewhat better, there being six or seven hundred British regulars along the Niagara and a hundred pieces of artillery.
. On the morning of the 26th of June, a small vessel, which had just left Black Rock, was noticed entering Lake Erie by some
61
VAN RENSSELAER TAKES COMMAND.
of the citizens of Buffalo, and presently a British armed vessel from Fort Erie was seen making its way toward the American ship. The latter was soon overtaken and boarded, and then both vessels turned their prows toward the British stronghold. The vessel was captured, and a few hours later an express-rider from the east arrived bearing the President's proclamation of war. The Canadians had received the news the earliest. The express-riders spread the news as they passed upon the main roads ; thence it spread rapidly in every direction from settle- ment to settlement.
The usual avocations of life were temporarily suspended ; here and there in all the detached neighborhoods were small collections of citizens deliberating and consulting upon meas- ures of safety, defense or flight. Many made hasty prepara- tions and were soon on their way seeking asylums beyond the Genesee river. Many families who left, returned after a few weeks' absence. All was bustle and confusion ; soldiers were mustering, volunteers and drafted militia were marching to the frontiers from the back settlements in small squads and larger companies. By the 4th of July, the aggregate militia force upon the frontier was about three thousand. Soon after the declaration of war, Gen. William Wadsworth, of Geneseo, assumed command. On the 28th of July, the command devolved upon Gen. Amos Hall, of Ontario county, and on the IIth of August upon Major-General Van Rensselaer, of Albany (these were not officers of the regular army but of the New York State militia). General Van Rensselaer established his headquarters at Lewiston.
War preparations were as active in Canada as upon this side of the lines. The militia in the Upper Province were ordered out en masse. Fort Erie was put in repair ; a redoubt was thrown up opposite Black Rock, a battery erected at Chippewa and another below the falls ; defences were also erected on Queenston heights directly opposite Lewiston village, and Fort George was strengthened. One of the incipient steps in Canada was to secure the services of the Indians in the Province. This had been too long a favorite policy of England to be aban- doned. General Brock, the acting Governor of the Province, assumed the immediate command of the troops.
62
CAPTURE OF BRITISH VESSELS.
After the first turmoil and bustle were over, there succeeded comparative quiet-weeks and months of inactivity upon the lines. The usual avocations were partially resumed in the settlements, though frequently disturbed by militia drafts and harrassing, unfounded rumors of actual or contemplated incur- sions of the British and Indians.
There was little real cause for anticipating danger of this nature, for the preparations on the other side were wholly defensive, and the state of alarm among the inhabitants there was as great as here. Among the inhabitants on each side of the lines there was mutual fear of invasion.
One of the most fruitful sources of apprehension and alarm in the earlier stages of the war was the fear that the Seneca Indians would become allies of the British and Canadian Indians. Their neutrality, however, was early secured by a talk in council. This position of neutrality, taken in the first stages of the war, was not long maintained, The Senecas rightly determining their true position and interests, soon became fast friends of the United States, and useful armed allies. On the 8th of October, a detachment of sailors arrived on the frontier from New York, and were placed under the command of Lieut. Jesse D. Elliott, stationed at Black Rock. Two British armed vessels, the brig Detroit and the schooner Caledonia, had just come down the lake, and were at anchor near Fort Erie. About one o'clock, on the morning of the 9th of October, three boats put out from the American shore with their prows directed toward Fort Erie. The first contained fifty men under Lieutenant Elliott in person ; the second forty- seven, under Sailing-Master Watts, while the third was manned by six Buffalonians under Dr. Chapin. The boats moved stealthily across the river in the darkness. Arriving at the side of their prey, the three crews boarded both vessels almost at the same time. In ten minutes, the enemy was overpowered, the cables cut, and the vessels on their way down the river. The Caledonia was brought to anchor near Black Rock, but the Detroit was carried by the current on the west side of Squaw island, and ran aground. The prisoners taken in this gallant affair numbered seventy-one officers and men; besides these, the captors released about forty American prisoners who were
63
DEFEAT OF VAN RENSSELAER.
captured at the River Raisin, and were on their way to Que- bec. This was the first hostile enterprise which took place in or started from Erie county during the War of 1812.
If the settlers on the Holland purchase were somewhat cheered by the achievement of Lieutenant Elliott and his com- mand, they were at once cast down again by the news of the defeat of General Van Rensselaer at Queenston. He had col- lected a force, principally New York militia, at Lewiston, on the Niagara river. At Queenston, on the opposite side of the river, a British force was stationed. On the 13th of October General Van Rensselaer crossed a force under Col. Solomon Van Rensselaer (his nephew), and attacked the British fort and captured it. General Brock now arrived with a reinforement of 600 men and endeavored to regain the fort, but was defeated and killed. General Van Rensselaer hastened back to the American side to bring over more troops, but his men refused to obey his orders, alleging that they could not be ordered out of the state without their consent. The British were heavily reinforced, and the Americans were attacked and defeated, all who crossed to the Canada side being killed or captured.
General Van Rensselaer was succeeded in command on the Niagara frontier by Brigadier-Gen. Alexander Smyth, of the regular army, who had been on the lines a short time as Inspec- tor-General. Immediately on taking command he began con- centrating troops at Buffalo and Black Rock, preparatory to an invasion of Canada. On the 12th of November, he issued a flaming address to the men of New York, calling for their ser- vices and declaring that in a few days the troops under his command would plant the American standard in Canada. A considerable force came to Buffalo ; a brigade of militia arrived from Pennsylvania; three or four hundred New York militia reported themselves. Peter B. Porter was assigned to the com- mand of these New York volunteers. On the 27th of Novem- ber the General commanding issued orders to cross the river the next day. There were then about four thousand men at and near Black Rock, but as a large portion of them were militia, it is not certain how many he could have depended on to enter the enemy's country. There were boats sufficient to carry at least 3,000 men.
64
CAPTAIN KING AND MEN TAKEN PRISONERS.
About one o'clock the next morning two detachments were sent across the river, one under Lieutenant-Colonel Bærstler and the other under Captain King, with whom was Lieutenant Angus of the Navy and fifty or sixty seamen. Bærstler returned without accomplishing anything of consequence, but the forces of King and Angus behaved with great gallantry. They landed at three o'clock in the morning. Angus attacked and dispersed a force of the enemy stationed at what was called " The Red House," spiking two field-pieces and throwing then; into the river. The sailors and some of the soldiers then returned, bringing a number of prisoners, but through some blunder no boats were left to bring over Captain King, who with sixty men remained behind. King and his men then attacked and captured two batteries, spiked their guns and took thirty-four prisoners. Having found two boats, capable of hold- ing about sixty men, the gallant Captain sent over his prisoners, half his men and all his officers, remaining himself with thirty men. He doubtless expected Smyth's whole army in an hour or two, and thought he would take care of himself until that time. The general embarkation commenced but went on very slowly. About one o'clock P. M., the regulars, the twelve- months volunteers and a body of militia, the whole making a force variously estimated at from fourteen hundred to two thousand men were in boats at the navy-yard, at the mouth of Scajaquada creek. General Smyth then ordered the troops to disembark and dine. He then called a council of war, to see whether he had better cross the river or not. It is not surpris- ing that, with such a commander, several of the officers con- sulted were opposed to making the attempt. It was at length decided to postpone the invasion until more boats could be made ready. Late in the afternoon the troops were ordered to their quarters. The gallant Captain King was left to his fate and was taken prisoner with all his remaining men.
The next day was spent in preparation. On Sunday, the 30th, the troops were ordered to be ready to embark at nine o'clock the following morning. General Porter advocated post- poning the expedition till Monday night, when the troops should embark in the darkness and land about five miles below the navy-yard, where the stream and the banks were favorable.
65
GENERAL SMYTH'S RESIGNATION.
These views were seconded by Colonel Winder and adopted by General Smyth, his intention being to assault Chippewa and march through Queenston to Fort George.
Then it was found that the Quarter-Master had not rations enough for two thousand five hundred men for four days. Never- theless, the embarkation commenced at three o'clock on Tues- day morning. Again some fifteen hundred men were placed in boats. It was arranged that General Porter was to lead the van and direct the landing, on account of his knowledge of the river and the farther shore.
But the embarkation of the regulars was greatly delayed and daylight appeared before the flotilla was under way. Then the redoubtable Smyth called another council of war, composed of four regular officers, to decide whether Canada should be in- vaded that season. They unanimously decided it should not. So the shops were again ordered ashore and the militia and most of the volunteers sent home, and the regulars put into winter quarters.
The breaking up of the command was attended by scenes of the wildest confusion : four thousand men firing off their guns, cursing General Smyth, their officers, the service, and every- thing connected with their military experience. The disgust of the public was equally great. Smyth became the object of universal derision. The mere fact of his twice waiting till his men were in boats for the purpose of invading Canada before calling a council of war to decide whether Canada should be invaded, showed him to be entirely deficient in the qualifica- tions of a general.
On the 22nd of December, Smyth resigned his command to Col. Moses Porter, and retired to Virginia on leave of absence. Before his leave expired, Congress legislated him out of office.
4
66
ARRIVAL OF PERRY.
CHAPTER XI.
CAMPAIGN OF 1813.
Arrival of Captain Perry, of the Navy-Fitting out a fleet-General Dearborn in command of the northern frontiers-Toronto captured-Fort George evacuated by the British-Americans occupy it-Americans occupy the whole Canadian side of the Niagara-Fortifying in Holland, Hamburg and Boston-Chapin's gallant exploit-The Senecas take part in the war -Battle at Black Rock, the British defeated-Perry's victory on Lake Erie - Harrison's victory on the Thames - General McClure - Fort Niagara captured-General Hall.
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.