USA > New York > New York City > New York city and vicinity during the war of 1812-15, being a military, civic and financial local history of that period, Vol. II > Part 27
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437
RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.
would belong to the captors. The only way to run the blockade was to start out secretly at some opportune moment when wind and tide were favor- able and hope that the enemy would not see them. The President had about four hundred and twenty- five men on board. The time chosen was on Satur- day evening, January 14th, and they hoped to be out of sight of the enemy before daylight, or to be safely ahead of them.
The following is an extract of a letter from Com- modore Decatur, published at that time, giving an account of the start and capture :
"The night we left the Hook, owing to some blunders of our pilots, we struck on the bar and there remained thumping for two hours until the tide rose. At daylight we fell in with the British squadron, consisting of the Majestic, Endymion, Pomona, Tenedos and Despatch brig. My ship, owing to her getting aground, lost her sailing. I lightened her as much as possible, but the enemy gained on us. The Endymion, mounting 24-pound- ers on her gun deck, was the leading ship of the enemy. She got close under my quarters and was cutting my rigging without my being able to bring a gun to bear upon her. To suffer this was making my capture certain, and that, too, without injury to my enemy. I therefore bore up for the Endy- mion and engaged her for two hours, when we silenced and beat her off. At this time the rest of the ships had got within two miles of us. We made all the sail we could from them, but it was in vain. In three hours the Pomona and Tenedos were along-
438
CAPTURE OF COMMODORE DECATUR.
side, and the Majestic and Endymion close to us. All that was now left for me to do was to receive the fire of the nearest ship and surrender ; for it was in vain to contend with the whole squadron. My loss has been severe, the precise number I do not know, but I believe it to be between 80 and 90 ; of this number 25 are killed. Babbitt, Hamilton and Howell are among the slain."
* * * *
The firing was distinctly heard at Stonington and Newport.
The loss on the President was twenty-four killed and fifty-six wounded. That of the enemy was eleven killed and fourteen wounded.
The captured vessel and the prisoners were immediately taken to Bermuda. The prisoners were paroled and left to make their way to the United States or elsewhere, as they might choose.
It was thought by many that traitorous informa- tion of the sailing of the President had been given within twelve hours after her sailing, which led to her capture. It appeared that before sunrise on Sunday morning the British ship Majestic, which lay near Plumb Island, got under way in great haste and proceeded to sea, leaving her water casks principally on shore. A remarkable circumstance, said the New York Commercial Advertiser, which leads to the suspicion that information had been given to the enemy of the sailing of the President.
Among the young men on board from New York city who were captured and taken to Bermuda as prisoners was Ogden Hoffman, son of Recorder
439
WAR VESSELS SAIL.
Josiah Ogden Hoffman, who afterwards became an eminent lawyer and member of Congress and United States District Attorney and Attorney Gen- eral of the State. At that time he was a midship- man.
The remainder of the squadron sailed from New York and passed the blockade on January 22d and proceeded to the East Indies, and did not return to the United States until after the termination of the war.
The last battle at sea was by the Hornet, that cap- tured the Penguin on 23d March, 1815. The last hostile gun fired in the war was from the Peacock when the Nautilus surrendered to her on the 30th June, 1815.
-
CHAPTER LI.
Prospects of the Campaign of 1815-Feeling in New York-Pros- pects of Peace-The Negotiations at Ghent-The Congress of Vienna-A National Day of Fasting and Prayer-Longing for Peace.
OW the campaign of 1814 was over and it had been favorable to American arms, our national pride and feel- ing had been aroused for continued exertion. Although peace was desired by all, yet there was a more united feeling for exertion and effort to repel invasion, and confidence in the conditions to do so.
The prospects for the campaign of 1815 were more encouraging than that of 1814 at the beginning of the latter year. The thorough awakening of the nation to its danger from experiences of 1814, as well as of its victories and rallying of means of defence were encouraging, as well as a modification of the offer for terms of peace, which, for some months, had seemed almost certain of acceptance.
The American people had more confidence in themselves and in their military leaders than they had at any previous time during the two preceding
441
FEELINGS ABOUT THE WAR.
years of the war. This feeling showed itself among all classes, and now that all plans of the conquest of Canada were abandoned, and self-defence and self-respect were the common object, the discussions of the causes of the war were idle, and the invader must be bravely met, if need be, at the homes and firesides of the American people.
During the winter of 1814-15 the Rev. Alexander McLeod, D.D., pastor of the Reformed Scotch Pres- byterian Church, located on the north side of Cham- ber street, back of City Hall Park, preached a series of sermons on " A Scriptural View of the Character, Causes and Ends of the Present War." He was one of the most eminent and talented clergymen of that time, and I may add of modern times, of which we have any record. Among other remarks made in the closing sermon in 1815, before the treaty of peace was known, he said :
"Fourth. As another effect of the contest, the American name, respected abroad, will communi- cate at home the impulse of patriotism. The love of country, weakened by familiarity with its ene- mies, and destroyed by the love of wealth, shortly after the war which established the independence of America, will be revived by this second war of independence ; and the several moneyed interests which are set in operation independently of British commerce, as well as the growing influence of domestic literature and arts, will serve to cherish that passion in the breasts of the rising generation."
On the other hand, Great Britain was better pre- pared and more able to continue the war than in the
442
PROSPECTS OF PEACE.
two previous years, particularly with the naval aid now available.
From a report in March, 1815, the number of ves- sels in the British navy was 829; of these 523 were in commission, 270 subject to orders and 36 were building.
Four of these of forty guns each and one of fifty guns were fitted out for the American service in the fore part of the year 1814.
There was no fear of invasion by a winter cam- paign on land by the enemy on the northern border. The example of Napoleon's winter campaign in Russia settled the policy and probable result of such an undertaking. The northern seaboard also felt safe from any attack during the winter. Admirals Cochrane and Malcolm departed from the Atlantic coast in October, and went to Jamaica to await further reinforcements from Europe, probably for the purpose of a winter campaign against Louisiana and the Floridas. The arrival of Admiral Cochrane and his reinforcements, consisting of a total of more than fifty vessels and seven thousand Jand troops, on the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico, in the fore part of December, left no doubt of the intention of the enemy to attempt the conquest of Louisiana. This was not known in New York until near the middle of January.
General Jackson had command of the Southern department, but very little was known of his forces and the facilities he had to resist an attack upon New Orleans. The news from that quarter was vague and scattered, but something more definite
re
443
THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE.
was anxiously looked for by many as days and weeks rolled on. The capture of New Orleans would mean the "conquest of the newly-acquired State and vast territory of Louisiana, while a vic- tory there would add to our national pride, and give further courage to all, and tend to a sooner termi- nation of the war.
The prospects of peace were not encouraging from the action on the part of the enemy in the negotia- tions.
About the middle of October intelligence of the commencement and progress of the negotiations at Ghent had been published, and the offers of the new terms were well understood by the people at large.
The British commissioners did not arrive at Ghent until 6th August, and a meeting was held on Sth, at which time the claims of Great Britain were fully presented. On the evening of that day the United States commissioners received the in- structions of June 25th and 27th. A meeting was held next day and the negotiations proceeded on the terms and demands offered by the United States.
On the 19th August the British commissioners proposed another conference, and as preliminary thereto asked further concessions on the part of the United States. These documents from the commis- sioners were received at Washington on October 10th, and in a few days were before the country. No citizens of the United States wished the Govern- ment to make any further concessions than the
444
CONDITIONS IN EUROPE.
instructions already given and stated in a former chapter (ante, p. 290).
Making public these negotiations caused much complaint on all sides, so much so that nothing further could be found out about their progress from that time, only from rumors and private sources and conjectures.
About December 1, 1814, a Wilmington (Del.) newspaper published the substance of letters from Mr. Bayard, one of the negotiators, dated Ghent, October 26th, in which he stated that the negotia- tions on part of Great Britain were exclusively to her own purpose, and not with any direct intention of making peace between the two countries, and Great Britain was disposed to wait the issues of the congress at Vienna before she would close the negotiation one way or the other.
The congress at Vienna originated in the thirty- second article of the treaty of Paris, dated May 30, 1814, the professed object of which was to restore European powers as nearly as possible to the condi- tion in which they stood previous to the French Re- volution in 1792.
This treaty was well known in the United States, having been published in full in some of the New York newspapers and elsewhere in the summer of 1814.
The thirty-second article provided "In the space of two months, all the powers who have been en- gaged on one side or the other in the present war, shall send plenipotentiaries to Vienna to regu- late in general congress the arrangements which
,
445
POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES.
are to complete the dispositions of the present treaty."
It was claimed on the part of the United States commissioners that under this the United States should have a formal representative. This the con- gress would not allow. But the exclusion of a formal representative could not prevent the consid- eration of the facts and existing conditions. It was seen that no better or abler advocate of Ameri- can interests could be had than M. Talleyrand, who represented France in the congress. He had always been, and still was the friend of America, and a skilled diplomat, as well as one of the most active and leading members of the congress of Vienna. Albert Gallatin, one of the American Commission- ers, was his friend and an old acquaintance. In this way American interests and desires could be considered in the action of the congress.
Other influences in favor of France and America ยท against undue British supremacy were the Russian representatives in the Congress of Vienna.
It was published in the United States about 1st December that the congress had adjourned to No- vember 1st, and that M. Talleyrand had presented a memorial to the envoys of the congress of Vienna protesting against the aggrandizement of other powers, particularly Great Britain, and claiming that they should return to the possessions of 1792, the same as France under the treaty of Paris of April 23, 1814.
It was apparent, if this condition was to be observed, that the negotiations at Ghent must fol-
446
POSITION OF GREAT BRITAIN.
low them as to America, because so many Euro- pean powers were interested in colonial possessions on the North American continent and the islands contiguous.
We have before seen (ante, Vol. I., p. 397) that Great Britain had claimed with much authority that under the law of nations the United States was an ally of France. Upon the surrender of Napoleon and the treaty of Paris on 23d April, 1814, to suspend hostilities against France, a different view was taken of the position of the United States.
On 6th May, 1814, the prince regent, in the name of the king, issued a proclamation which, among other things, provided : "We do hereby strictly charge and command all his majesty's officers, both at sea and land, and all other of his majesty's sub- jects whatsoever, that they forbear all acts of hos- tility, either by sea or land, against the kingdom of France, her allies, her vessels or subjects, under the penalty of incurring his majesty's displeasure."
It was apparent to all that if Great Britain now continued the war against the United States that it was for the purpose of her own aggrandizement and power, and the acquisition of more territory on the American continent, and this meant a maritime power which would be a menace to the peace and freedom of other European powers.
Again, if Great Britain was allowed to retain the extensive territory of the United States already obtained by conquest in the war, the same condition would confront European nations. The thoughtful American people had this in view. It therefore
441
HARTFORD CONVENTION.
remained for the congress at Vienna to say whether Great Britain must accept the terms of peace offered by the United States and surrender the conquered territory and cease hostilities and stop any fur- ther attempt to acquire any more territory or power over sea or land.
Another confirmation of this view was that Lord Hill, who was to take command of the British forces against America in the latter part of 1814, still remained in England, and it was reported and fully understood there as well as elsewhere that he was awaiting the action of the congress at Vienna in regard to the terms of peace between European nations.
Thus the American people were kept in hope of peace and in calm suspense and subdued determina- tion to bravely meet the worst if it should come.
The Hartford convention commenced its session on the 15th December, composed of twenty-six delegates, representing the discontented portion of those in the New England States. It was regarded as a traitorous conclave opposed to the action of the Government in the conduct of the war. It sat with closed doors for three weeks, and caused much alarm at Washington. On the 4th January the convention adjourned, and a report and the resolutions adopted by them were announced. Their proceedings were still kept secret. It was all a source of great apprehension of trouble to the general Government and to the inhabitants in New York, and more than anything else caused an earnest desire for peace.
448
HUMILIATION AND PRAYERS
The desire for peace was universal in America as well as in Europe. In November the two houses of Congress, by a joint resolution, expressed a desire "that in the present time of public calamity and war a day be recommended to be observed by the people of the United States as a day of public humiliation and fasting, and of prayer to Almighty God for the safety and welfare of these States, His blessings on their arms, and a speedy restoration of peace." The President issued a proclamation, dated 16th November, 1814, by which he recommended "that Thursday, January 12, 1815, be set apart as a day on which all would have an opportunity of voluntarily offering at the same time, in their respective religious assemblies, their humble adora- tions to the Great Sovereign of the Universe, of confessing their sins and transgressions, and of strengthening their vows of repentance and amend- ment " The proclamation further continued : " They will be invited by the same solemn occasion to call to mind the distinguished favors conferred on the American people in the general health which has been enjoyed ; in the abundant fruits of the season ; in the progress of the arts instrumental to their comforts ; their prosperity and their security, and in the victories which have so powerfully con- tributed to the defence and protection of our country ; a devout thankfulness for all which ought to be mingled with their supplications to the Be- neficent Parent of the human race, that He would be graciously pleased to pardon all their offences against Him ; to support and animate them in the
449
PRAYING FOR PEACE.
discharge of their respective duties ; to continue to them the previous advantages flowing from political institutions so auspicious to their safety against dangers from abroad, to their tranquility at home, and to their liberties, civil and religious ; and that He would, in a special manner, preside over their nation in its public councils and constituted author- ities, giving wisdom to its measures and success to its arms, in maintaining its rights, and in over- coming all hostile designs and attempts against it ; and finally, that by inspiring the enemy with dis- positions favorable to a just and reasonable peace, its blessings may be speedily and happily restored."
This proclamation and request by the President was dated 16th November, and was given out long before the day appointed, for it then took three or four weeks to reach the most remote portions of the United States.
The Common Council of New York officially "re- commended that all citizens abstain on that day from all secular employments and devote themselves to those duties which the solemnity of the occasion demands."
On the 12th January the day was universally ob- served by all persons in every class and condition by refraining from amusement, business and work as on a Sunday. No newspapers were issued on that day in the United States.
In some parts of New England many stores and places of business were kept open. but the churches held the service. In some instances the clergy took occasion to denounce the war. ,
450
LONGING FOR PEACE.
The devotion, supplication and thankfulness ex- pressed on that day were wonderfully impressive, more so, perhaps, than on any other similar occasion before or since that time. The long fast was brok- en by a dinner at the close of the day, after sunset.
There was an oppressive feeling and longing for peace that could not be thrown off.
CHAPTER LII.
Colonel Bogardus in Command at New York-Presentation to General Brown by the City -- Salutes for Victory at New Orleans -Treaty of Peace Arrives-Demonstrations of Joy in New York-Salutes From the Forts -- Action of the Common Coun- cil-Preparations for a Grand Celebration.
HEN Gen. J. P. Boyd took his depart- ure from New York on 24th Janu- ary to serve on court-martial of Gen- eral Wilkinson, at Utica, Governor Tompkins designated Col. Robert Bogardus, of the Forty-first United States Infantry, to act as commander of Third Military District of New York .*
The news of the capture of the President arrived in the city on the 28th January. A movement was at once set on foot to build another frigate for Com- modore Decatur. In a few days it was announced that the ship carpenters of the Brooklyn Navy Yard
# Col. Robert Bogardus, of the Forty-first United States Infantry, and nearly all his regiment, were residents of New York city. He afterwards became a general of militia and a prominent lawyer in New York city. He died September 12, 1841, from a cold contracted while he was attending the inauguration of Gen. William Henry Harrison as President of the United States.
452
PRESENTATION TO GENERAL BROWN.
volunteered upwards of sixteen hundred days' work towards building a frigate for the Commodore.
The following from the Gazette shows how well New York city was prepared for war at that time :
"We yesterday visited the arsenal near the Col- lect, and wish every citizen of this metropolis would embrace an early opportunity of inspecting this Tower of London in miniature. There we behold in perfect order, most fancifully displayed, from 12,000 to 15,000 stands of arms which were used during the last campaign, together with every requisite appendage so admirably arranged that one thousand men can, without the least confusion, be completely equipped in an hour, and 15,000 men may be accontred for the field of battle in fifteen hours. "
Gen. Jacob Brown, the hero of Fort Erie and of the battles on the Niagara frontier, had been officially invited to visit the city of New York and sit for his portrait, and have a gold box and the freedom of the city presented to him. He arrived in the city on the 26th January, 1815. On the 4th February the ceremony of presentation took place in the City Hall, in the Common Council chamber. It was the same in manner and form as was usual in such cases, which have already been described (Vol. I., pp. 128, 131, 319, 371).
His portrait was subsequently painted at the expense of the city and placed in the Governor's Room in the City Hall.
This is notable as being the last presentation of the kind during the war. General Macomb and
453
VICTORY AT NEW ORLEANS.
Commodore Macdonough had each been similarly honored a few weeks previous. *
On Monday, 6th February, in the forenoon, news from New Orleans was received that the enemy had been repulsed with great loss on the Sth January. The Commercial Advertiser issued a hand bill, as it was called, containing an account of the battle. The Gazette issued an extra containing some letters dated January 13th, with more detail of the battle.
The Columbian published both of the above ac- counts, and added some more information from other sources.
It was expected that the official account front General Jackson would arrive in a day or two.
A national salute was immediately fired from the forts on Governor's Island in honor of the vic- tory at New Orleans.+ In the evening Tammany Hall building and the front of the theater were brilliantly illuminated.
The official account of the battle arrived about noon on the 7th, and was published in an extra by the New York Gazette. New Orleans was not then deemed safe from any further attack by the enemy.
# The portraits of the heroes of the war of 1812-15 in the Gover- nor's Room in the City Hall were by the. following-named painters : Commodore Perry, by Jarvis ; Commodore Bainbridge, by Jarvis ; Captain Hull, by Jarvis ; Commodore Macdonough, by Jarvis ; Commodore Decatur, by Sully ; General Williams, by Trumbull ; General Swift, by Jarvis ; General Morton, by Jarvis ; General Macomb. by Jarvis ; General Brown, by Jarvis,
+ A national salute was eighteen guns. The guns used at the forts and posts for salutes were from six to twelve pounders, and of no higher calibre. This was prescribed by the army regulations.
454
FLAG OF TRUCE.
It was several days later before news arrived that New Orleans was safe from any further attack.
The winter was very severe about this time. The Hudson was frozen across to Jersey City, and the Sound was frozen across from the mainland to Sands Point. For many days at a time no vessels arrived in the port of New York.
On the afternoon of February 11th the British sloop of war Favorite spoke the Endymion and Tenedos of the blockading squadron off Sandy Hook, and informed them that she was the bearer of special messengers with the treaty of peace. She then learned of the capture of the President. She was permitted to approach Sandy Hook under a flag of truce.
It was there ascertained that she desired to sail up to the city. In order to safely pass the forts a permit must be obtained from the military author- ities, whose headquarters were in the city. This was done as soon as circumstances would permit, which took several hours from the time of the arrival off Sandy Hook and the return from New York city with the permit to pass the forts.
The military district headquarters were then at No. 16 Broadway, but the pass of this kind must be by authority of the Commander personally. and authenticated by the Adjutant-General. Colonel Bogardus was not at headquarters and had to be sought for elsewhere. He then resided at 56 Cherry street, and his law office was next door to his resi- dence. After some delay he was found, and signed the following permit :
455
TREATY OF PEACE ARRIVES.
"ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, 3D MILITARY DIS- TRICT.
"NEW YORK, 11th February 1815. "After Orders. -
"The commandants of the several forts within the harbor of New York will permit his Britannic Majesty's ship Favorite, commanded by the honor- able James A. Maude, under a flag of truce with Anthony St. John Baker, Esquire, bearer of a treaty of peace between Great Britain and the U. S., to pass up to the city to such anchorage as may be deemed desirable to the commander of said ship.
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