A history of Ohio, with biographical sketches of her governors and the ordinance of 1787, Part 6

Author: Ryan, Daniel Joseph, 1855-1923
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Columbus, Ohio, A. H. Smythe
Number of Pages: 436


USA > Ohio > A history of Ohio, with biographical sketches of her governors and the ordinance of 1787 > Part 6


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Mary Curtis,


Mary P. Brown, -


Jane Heylin, Nancy Kerr,


Catharine Hougli, Eleanor Worthington,


Martha Scott, Sally McLean."


Major Croghan responded :


" LADIES OF CHILLICOTHE : - I have received the sword which you have been pleased to present to me as a testimonial of your approbation of my conduct on the 2d instant. A mark of distinction so flatter- ing and unexpected has excited feelings which I can- not express. Yet, while I return you thanks for the unmerited gift you have thus bestowed, I feel well


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From 1810 to 1825.


aware that my good fortune (which was bought by the activity of the brave soldiers under my command) has raised in you expectations from iny future efforts, which must, I fear, be sooner or later disappointed. Still, I pledge myself (even though fortune should not again be propitious) that my exertions shall be such as never to cause you in the least to regret the honors you have been pleased to confer on your ' youthful soldier.' "


The rout of Proctor by. Major Croghan destroyed all prospect of British invasion in Ohio, and ended active military land service within its boundaries.


Lake Erie was still in possession of the British and remained so until Perry's famous victory.


Oliver H. Perry, a young sea captain from New- port, Rhode Island, first conceived the idea of disput- ing the English supremacy to the inland seas. He fixed upon Lake Erie as the place where the most good could be accomplished. He knew that if a Can- adian invasion was ever to be attempted it could be effected only after the defeat of the British naval forces upon Lake Erie. Accordingly, in the spring and summer of the year IS13, Captain Perry built a fleet of vessels, that constituted the American navy of the Lake. From Put-in-Bay, on the Ioth of Sep- tember, Perry set sail to meet the enemy. His fleet consisted of the "Lawrence," his flagship, with twenty guns ; the "Caledonia," with three guns ; the "Ariel," with four guns; the "Scorpion," with two guns and two swivels, and the "Tripp," "Tigress" and " Porcupine," with one gun each, making alto- gether nine vessels, with fifty-four guns and two swivels. The British fleet which, under a brave


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commander, had protected the Canadian border, and was at this time displaying anxiety to meet the new American navy consisted of six vessels, under com- mand of Commodore Barclay. They were the "De- troit," with nineteen guns; the "Queen Charlotte," with seventeen guns; the "Lady Provost," with thirteen guns and two howitzers ; the " Hunter," with two guns; the "Little Belt," with three guns, and the " Chippewa," with one gun and two swivels-in all sixty-three guns, four howitzers and two swivels.


Commodore Perry was on board the "Lawrence," and at a few minutes past ten o'clock he flung to the breeze his battle flag inscribed, "Don't Give Up the Ship." Turning to his crew, he said, "My brave lads, this flag contains the last words of Captain Lawrence. Shall I hoist it?" Amid the cheers of his men he hoisted the battle signal. All the vessels were ready and the decks were cleared for action. At fifteen minutes to twelve the " Detroit" and "Queen Charlotte" opened fire on the "Lawrence ;" the Brit- ish bands played "Rule Brittania;" and amid the booming of the guns, the sweet strains of the mar- tial music broke upon the ears of the gunners with queer effect. The "Lawrence" received the fire without reply; she was not within distance to do any execution with her short guns. For two hours the flag-ship suffered from the concentrated fire of the British. In the general action between the other vessels the carnage was terrible, and from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon the con- flict was a desperate struggle for supremacy. Both sides realized the value of a victory and the disaster of a defeat. Perry acted with reckless bravery


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From 1810 to 1825.


throughout the entire action; indeed a superhuman power seemed to guide and preserve him. The "Lawrence" after the terrific attacks she had sus- tained, became useless and unmanageable. Her crew was absolutely mowed down and her guns crippled. Perry himself, assisted by his chaplain and purser, had fired the last gun. It was evident that the "Lawrence" could no longer be of service to the fleet. Perry ordered the pennant with the historic words of Lawrence to be lowered, and wrap- ping it about him he was transferred to the "Niagara" in an open boat. The pennant was again run up, and to the dismay of the British, they saw the brave Perry on the quarter deck of the "Niagara" fresh for a continuance of the contest. Then followed close and deadly action. At three o'clock in the afternoon the British flag-ship "Detroit" lowered her flag. The battle was won. Then it was that the famous message to General Harrison was written :


" We have met the enemy and they are ours : two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop. Yours with great respect and esteem, O. H. PERRY."


The result of this victory was of great advantage to the Americans. The only barrier between General Harrison, who was on the south side of Lake Erie near Sandusky Bay, and the British base of supplies, Fort Malden, was destroyed. It left Detroit and the Territory of Michigan at the mercy of his arıny. Subsequent events proved that this was all true, for the victory achieved at the Battle of the Thames de- stroyed British power in Upper Canada and resulted in the recovery of the Territory of Michigan.


The Battle of Lake Erie was the last engagement


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A History of Ohio,


of the War of 1812 that occured within the territorial limits of Ohio. It was fought in the western portion of that lake, west of the island called the Western Sister. In song and story, and on the painter's can- vas, Perry's Victory has been celebrated as an event of gallantry and patriotismn that has added to the glory of the Republic. "We have met the enemy and they are ours " has become an epigram of national literature and will live with the memory of the Amer- ican navy, for around it cluster the bravest deeds of her seamen.


To the expenses of the War of 1812, Ohio contrib- uted very largely through taxation levied by the government. Under the act of August 13, 1813, she contributed $104,150, and under that of January 9, 1815, she raised $208,300. This tax was in the nature of internal duties on the manufacture and sale of distilled spirits, licenses on carriages and auctions, and bank stamps. Governor Meigs won for himself the approbation of his state and country by his ener- getic and patriotic efforts in behalf of his flag. The legislature of Ohio encouraged and supported the Governor with all the measures and means necessary to make the proper military movements. Governor Meigs resigned his office Marchi 25, 1814, to become Post-Master General in President Madison's Cabinet.


The general effects of the war in Ohio were good. Upon the declaration of peace, December 24, 1814, a great many of the soldiers remained in the state, or removed here after they had passed through it in their marches. This additional population stimula- ted the markets, and greatly increased trade. While in the East the war brought depression in business,


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From 1810 to 1825.


in Ohio it was just the reverse. It is true, though, that speculation followed the successful years subse- quent to the war, and much distress and financial ruin resulted.


On December 2, 1816, the General Assembly met for the first time at Columbus, the new seat of gov- ernment, where it has assembled ever since. In 1812, when the law was passed making the change, the site of the proposed capital was covered with a dense woods. The prospect of its being the seat of gov- erninent gave it stimulus and increase. In February, 1816, it was incorporated, and had a population of over seven hundred persons. This same year the State Library was founded by Governor Worthington, and from the few volumes gathered by him it has grown to be a fine collection of more than 54,000 volumes.


The second United States Bank, rechartered in 1816, opened its branches in Ohio in ISI7 at Cincin- nati and Chillicothe. On February 8, 1819, the General Assembly of Ohio passed a law taxing each of the branches fifty thousand dollars. The banks refused to pay, and the state collector, as he was em- powered to do under the law, entered with force and arms into the branch bank at Chillicothe on Septem- ber 17, 1819, and levied upon and took away in gold, silver and bank notes the sum of one hundred thous- and dollars as the taxes due from the federal banks. Prior to this act, the United States Circuit Court had enjoined the State officers from proceeding under the statute of Ohio. This they disregarded. All con- cerned in the Chillicothe transaction were arrested and punished for contempt. At the same time and in


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the same court suit was brought by the bank to recover the money from the State, which suit was successful, and the money was returned. The resistance of the State of Ohio to the federal courts created much ex- citement throughout the country. It was altogether the work of the political party opposed to the national bank. So intense did the party feeling become that the protection of the laws of the State was withdrawn from the Bank of the United States, and the courts of the State were closed against it. It was made a punishable offense for a judge, justice of the peace or any other judicial officer to take any official recog- nition or acknowledgment of any deeds or convey- ances for the banks. Sheriffs were forbidden, under a severe penalty, to serve any process, and notaries were likewise prohibited from making protest of national bank paper.


To crown all these acts, the General Assembly passed the following resolutions :


"That, in respect to the powers of the gov- ernments of the several States that compose the American Union, and the powers of the Federal Government, this General Assembly do recognize and approve the doctrines asserted by the Legisla- tures of Kentucky and Virginia, in their resolutions of November and December, 1798, and January, 1800, and do consider that their principles have been recognized and adopted by a majority of the Ameri- can people.


"That this General Assembly do assert, and will maintain, by all legal and constitutional means, the right of the State to tax the business and property of any private corporation of trade, incorporated by


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From 1810 to 1825.


the Congress of the United States, and located to transact its corporate business within any State.


" That the Bank of the United States is a private corporation of trade, the capital and business of which may be legally taxed in any State where they may be found.


"That this General Assembly do protest against the doctrine that the political rights of the separate States that compose the American Union, and their powers as sovereign States, may be settled and de- termined in the Supreme Court of the United States, so as to conclude and bind them in cases contrived between individuals, and where they are, 110 one of thein, parties direct."


This declaration of nullification and States rights doctrine was, fortunately, disregarded at Washington, but it remains as an exhibition of official weakness that has never been approved by the people of the State. The whole controversy was ended in 1824 by the Supreme Court of the United States declaring the Ohio law taxing the banks unconstitutional, and sustaining the decision of the Circuit Court in order- ing the money returned. To the credit of the anti- bank party it can be recorded that there was an ac- quiescence to this decision of the Court. The reso- lutions, however, were none the less unpatriotic and pernicious, and they worked much mischief at the time. They were discussed in a period of threatened dissolution of the Union, and their only result was to feed the flames of State sovereignty that enveloped the country. For an anti-slavery State, and that State, Ohio, to advocate the doctrine of nullification, when the nation was racked over the question of


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A History of Ohio,


slavery, under threats of disunion from the leaders of nullification, was indeed not comforting to consti- tutional unity. The extension of slavery was the great and dangerous question of the time. The fainous controversy, "like a fire bell in the night," filled the patriots with fear and alarm. Ohio only increased the danger. It was the first and last time in her history that she wavered in her devotion to the Federal Constitution, and her acceptance of the final decree showed that it was a hot headed Legisla- ture that spoke, rather than the deliberate people.


The census of 1820 found Ohio with a population of 581,295, an increase 152 per cent. over that of ten years before. She had moved up the scale of states from the thirteenth in population in 1810 to the fifth at this period. In that interval she had contributed a half million of dollars and sacrificed some of her best blood to preserve the young Republic from in- vasion and conquest. She had become greater in population than the state that sent her the pioneers to found Marietta. The only states in the Union that exceeded her were New York, Virginia, Penn- sylvania and North Carolina; she had outstripped in the race of population every other one of the original thirteen. Thus had the young Giant of the West developed in strength.


Marked as had been her progress up to this date, an era of still greater improvement was in store for Ohio. The agencies of this revival proved to be the canals and the common school system, both of which, by a singular co-incidence, can trace their birth to the same General Assembly, and in fact to the same day and hour. Their wonderful and far-


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From 1810 to 1825.


reaching influences in developing the intellectual and material resources of Ohio, forins one of the most interesting subjects in our civil history. They are worthy of all the details that the historian can bestow upon them, and no student can fully under- stand why Ohio has become so steadfastly progres- sive without taking into account, as the most powerful factors, her internal improvements and educational system.


The connection of the Ohio River with Lake Erie was broached very early by Washington and Jeffer- son, even before the passage of the ordinance of 1787. The policy of projecting and constructing internal improvements was practically introduced into American politics by a Senator from Ohio --- Thomas Worthington, who, in 1814, became Gov- ernor of his State. He was the author of a resolution proposed in 1807, asking the Secretary of the Treas- ury (Albert Gallatin) to report to the Senate " a plan for the application of such means as are within the power of Congress, to the purposes of opening roads and making canals, together with a statement of undertakings of that nature, which, as objects of public improvement, may require and deserve the aid of the Government." This power was dis- puted strenuously by a school of strict constitutional objectors, who claimed that there was no power in the Federal Government to make such projects or expenditures. But the march of improvement could not be stopped, and the ideas of Thomas Worthing- ton entered into and became elements of our National policy. The Government never at any time contem- plated the construction of canals in Ohio, but it gave 7


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A History of Ohio,


National aid by grants of land, as we shall see here- after, amounting to vast areas and of great value.


The first steps toward the construction of canals can be traced to Hon. Ethan Allen Brown, of Cin- cinnati. In 1816, while he was Judge of the Supreme Court, he corresponded with De Witt Clinton, of New York, upon canal projects. Clinton at that time was the leading figure of the Board of Canal Cominis- sioners of the State of New York. Judge Brown saw the immense importance of connecting the Ohio River with the lakes, and urged upon every occasion the consummation of such an enterprise. He accom- plished nothing, however, until he was elected Governor, in 1818. Here he had the power and influence to keep before the people of his State the great idea of his life. In his inaugural address, December 14, 1818, he said :


" If we would raise the character of our State by increasing industry and our resources, it seems necessary to improve the internal communications, and open a cheaper way to market for the surplus produce of a large portion of our fertile country."


Again, in his first message to the Legislature, on the 8th of January following his inauguration, he urges that body to action -


"You will bear in mind that our productions, which form our only great resource, are generally of that bulky and ponderous description as to need every easement in conveyance that we can afford. Experience is a faithful monitor; and the millions expended for transportation during the late war may teach an useful lesson ; another may be learned from the present difference between the price of salt on


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From 1810 to 1825.


the lake shore and on the Ohio. I have already evinced an anxiety on this subject, excited by a strong sense of its vital importance. Roads and canals are veins and arteries to the body politic that diffuse supplies, health, vigor, and animation to the whole system; nor is this idea of their extensive and beneficial influences new.


" The evidence in the old world is ample -in the United States sufficient. Massachusetts, Virginia, North and South Carolina, have proved the useful- ness of artificial navigation. New York is making progress in a work in grandeur not surpassed by the achievements of art that connect by water the North Sea with the English Channel, the Caspian with the Baltic, or the Mediterranean with the Bay of Biscay.


"Nature strongly invites us to similar enterprise. The aspect of the face of this state announces capa- bilities for the grand object in question, exceeded, I presume, by few regions of the same extent, yet with what exertions practicable, or how far within our means, cannot be ascertained without the assist- ance of an engineer. I appeal to each individual member who has considered the bill introduced into the Senate for incorporating a company to cut a canal from Lake Erie to the Ohio whether he has not felt a difficulty in deciding, from want of infor- mation which a skilful survey could have furnished ? Unwilling to act in the dark, yet fearful of discourag- ing a project so grand and magnificent, fraught with an influence upon our relations, commercial and fiscal, almost incalculable. Unconscious, on the one hand, what privileges the company might be justly entitled to as to their reward -what other encour -.


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A History of Ohio,


agement they might deserve -and what sacrifices, public and private, justifiable, for completing a work so immense, yet sensible, on the other hand, that the resources at present within your control may be inadequate to the construction and formation of great commercial roads and extensive canals; and for the latter purpose dependent in a great degree upon indi- vidual enterprise and private capital.


"Your acquaintance with mankind, and with the condition of the country, forbidding the expectation that individuals will embark an immense capital in an arduous undertaking and incur the risk and inci- dent delay before their stock shall become productive ; unless induced by ultimate prospect of great advan- tages. The report of your engineer would relieve you from much hesitation."


The result was an act which provided for the appointment of three commissioners to locate a route for a canal ; but obstructions were placed in the way of its execution and nothing was accomplished under it. In 1821 and 1822 Governor Brown again called the attention of the Legislature to the much needed internal improvements, and on the 3d of January of the latter year, Micajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati, reported very fully upon the question of canal navi- gation between Lake Erie and the Ohio River.


The report was a powerful and elaborate argument for canals as a promoter of the agricultural, manu- facturing and commercial interests of Ohio. With painstaking detail, it gave the advantages of cheap transportation to the farmer and manufacturer, and demonstrated its powerful influence in cementing the bond of union between the states by its far-reaching


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From 1810 to 1825.


intercourse and interest. Even the canal as a mil- itary factor was considered at length, and its political importance was shown to be great. In short, this report viewed the proposed canal system from every conceivable standpoint. Its practicability, its utility, its expense, its effect, its growth, its influence, all were treated with a pen worthy of the vast subject, and from a decidedly statesmanlike point of view. Upon the reading of the report, Mr. Williams pre- sented a bill "Authorizing an examination into the practicability of connecting Lake Erie with the Ohio River by a canal." By its terms Benjamin Tappan, Alfred Kelly, Thomas Worthington, Ethan A. Brown, Jeremiah Morrow, Isaac Minor and Ebenezer Buck- ingham, Jr., were constituted a commission to make the necessary examinations and estimates, looking toward the construction of a canal. This bill became a law January 31st, 1822. In the meantime, January 4th, Governor Brown resigned, having been elected United States Senator; but he held his position of commissioner for some time afterward. So enthusi- astic and determined was he in behalf of the pro- posed canals that their opponents designated the entire project as "Brown's Folly." But the commis- sioners worked industriously, and as the result of their labors a law, providing for the improvement of Ohio by navigable canals, was passed February 4th, 1825. The vote in the Senate was 34 yeas and 2 nays; in the House, 58 yeas and 13 nays.


The construction of the canals was placed in the hands of Canal Commissioners, and a Canal Fund Commission was appointed to borrow money on the credit of the State, and have general financial con-


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trol of its expenditure. On the day of the passage of the bill, the Legislature, by joint resolution, ap- pointed as Canal Commissioners, Alfred Kelly, Mi- cajah T. Williams, Thomas Worthington, Benjamin Tappan, John Johnson, Isaac Minor and Nathaniel Beasley, and by the law itself, Ethan A. Brown, Ebe- nezer Buckingham, Jr., and Allan Trimble were designated as Canal Fund Commissioners. Thus committed to the greatest work and expense ever proposed in her history, Ohio at once took steps for practically carrying into effect her legislation.


On the 4th of July, 1825, the construction of the Public Works of Ohio was formally commenced. Governor DeWitt Clinton, of New York, and his staff, were the invited guests of the State on this oc- casion. The place where the work was to be started was on the Licking Summit near Newark. Gov- ernor Jeremiah Morrow was present representing Ohio. The Chief Executives of the two states first in advancing internal improvements initiated the labor of breaking the ground by each digging a shovelful of earth, amidst the applause of thousands. The work that was to give Ohio power, population and wealth had begun. For ten years all that ener- gy, men and money could do was directed to the canals. The general government was appealed to by the State for aid, and in response 1, 100,351' acres of land were granted for canal use. Of this amount 333,826 acres were for the Miami and Erie Canal, 266,535 acres for the Wabash and Erie, and 500,000 acres for general canal purposes. This land was sold and the proceeds, about $2,200,000, were used for the construction of canals. In the development of her


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From 1810 to 1825.


public waterways the State of Ohio built a canal system comprising the following trunks and branches: The Miami and Erie system, being the main canal, from Cincinnati to Toledo, 250 miles, the canal from Junction to the state line 18 miles, and the Sidney feeder 14 miles, making in all a total of 282 miles ; the Ohio Canal, extending from Portsmouth to Cleve- land, a distance of 309 miles, together with 25 miles of feeders, or a total of 334 iniles; the Hocking Canal, 56 miles long, and the Walhonding, 25 miles ; the Muskingum Improvement, extending from Dres- den to Marietta, a distance of 91 miles, cannot now be listed as a part of the state's property-the gen- eral government controls and maintains it. So, ex- clusive of the latter there is a total canal mileage of 697 miles owned by the State of Ohio. In addition to this, there are necessary adjuncts and a part of the Public Works in the shape of reservoirs. These are as follows: Grand Reservoir in Mercer County, covering 17,000 acres; the Lewistown in Logan County, 7,200 acres; the Lorain in Shelby County, 1,800 acres ; Six Mile in Paulding County, 2,500 acres ; Licking in Licking County, 3,600 acres and the Sippo in Stark County, 600 acres, making a total in reservoirs of 32,100 acres.




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