USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics, Volume I > Part 48
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
Human Nature.
Gnothe seauton. Know thyself ;-- was the sub- lime lesson which one of the ancient philosophers spent a life time in inculcating on his disciples, & reducing to practice in his own case. Burns, in a couplet which his genius has rendered im- mortal, exclaims,
"Oh would some power the giftie gie us, "To see ourselves as others see us "
and a wiser either than the ancient sage or mod- ern bard says, "Let not any man think more highly of himself than he ought to think," but the world still goes on, despising or neglecting the pursuit of self-knowledge, though of greater importance than any other worldly knowledge, being the foundation of all the rest.
I have met in my life time with many illus- trations of this subject, of various characters, -- Let me specify a few.
Travelling once in the Western Reserve, ma- ny years since, I put up at a public house at the town of Canfield, Trumbull county. The township election had been that day held; the votes were just counted off, and the result de- clared, it seems, a short time before I reached the house. The candidates successful and oth- erwiee, were regaling themselves and others with potations at the bar, and the bar-room was a perfect babel of sounds. My horse had been attended to, and I seated myself on one of the benches, waiting till supper should be made ready for me and my fellow travellers. In the crowd was an unsuccessful aspirant for offico, named Jacob Humiston, who believed and spar- ed no pains to convince those who chose to lia- ten to him, that he had been cheated out of his election. He succeeded by dint of brazen lunga in obtaining a hearing amidst the discordant sounds, and made a speech of which I recollect at this lapse of time, the peroration merely .- " He had run for Constable, he had got votes en- ough to elect him, there was no doubt of that . how he had been swindled out of the election he could not say, but he meant to find out, nud
922
when he did"-Ilere he made an awful and sig- nificant pause,-"all Canfield should hear of it --- Trumbull county should hear of it --- the Reserve should hear of it --- the whole State should hear of it --- the United States should hear of it," --- and rising in tone and energy at every step in the climax, finished by declaring "the whole world should hear of it !"
But what was this compared to the case of a constable I knew in Pennsylvania. He had ser- ved a legal precept of some sort on a particular friend of his, greatly his superior in strength, who being particularly drunk at the time, rebel- ed against the law and its myrmidon, scizing the officer and shaking him as though he meant to shake him to pieces. The parties meeting a few days after, Jim. the offender, was profuse in his apologies. "You know Jake, says he, I would not have served you so if I had been du- ly sober, it was all the devilish whiskey did it. The official at last mollified and relented under Jim's expostulations. "As to the sh aking" said Jake, "I don't bear any malice, I don't vally it a cent on my own account, but as an officer, rec- ollect next time Jim, whoever shakes me, shakes the commonwealth."
I have only one incident more to relate on this subject. A few weeks since I met an ac- quaintance residing across the canal, a German who makes sour kraut, very extensively. As lie approached, I saw something was wrong by his countenance. "What's de reason you not but me town in your correctory." I could not tell, I said, was he not down? "No," he re- plied angrily, "your correctory is not one cent wert to peeples. How dey know where he kits sour kraut!"
Fire Engine Building.
The value of preparation, was probably nev- er more strikingly demonstrated than at the late fire at Madison. An elegant church and other valuable buildings were subjected to destruction simply for want of sufficient fire apparatus, and property to the value of 75,000 dollars destroy- ed which might have been saved by the ex- penditure of fourteen hundred dollars. not two per cent. of that amount for the purchase of a first- rate Engine and Hose appurtenances. There was a supply of water in a public cistern, with- in two hundred and fifty feet of the devoted buildings, which sufficed by means of buckets to keep the fire under for fifteen minutes.
Our Madison neighbors have learned wisdom by experience, and have given orders to Mes- ers. Paddack & Campbell, our principal Fire En- gine builders, for an Engine of the largest class, and sixteen hundred feet of Hosc.
I trust the lessons taught at such a price lately to Madison and Zanesville may not be
lost upon other places which are now inadequste- ly protected from fire, and that they will se6 their true policy to disburse a few hundreds, as they desire to escape the loss of thousands or hundreds of thousands.
By way of contrast, I would refer to the fact, that Cincinnati with over an hundred fires dur- ing the past twelve months has sustained hardly greater loss than Madison at this single fire, and express my conviction, that had we been as des- titute of protection from the devouring element as that city, our losses on this account must have been reckoned by millions.
Buckeye Mayors.
Within the last two years, Cincinnati has ad- vanced to what may be termed an era in her political existence, in being able to furnish in two individuals, natives of this county, and of mature age, rival candidates for the mayoralty of the city. This was the case at the election of 1843, and again the case at our late election, Henry E. Spencer and Henry Morse being op- posed to each other at both periods.
Relics of the Past. Capt. John Armstrong to Gen. J. Wilkinson. Fort Hamilton, April 26th, 1792. DEAR GENERAL :
An express is this moment arri- ved from Fort Jefferson-the despatches accom- panying this will give you the news of that place. I have only to add, although the enemy are in the neighborhood of this post, I have as yet evaded the execution of their designs-and that with the assistance of Cspt. Ford's horse, have, and will on to-morrow have timber enough in the Garrison to finish one of the buildings men. tioned in my last-it will contain all the flour now exposed, and what is on board the boats now coming up -- I wish they may arrive safe.
The express did not touch at St. Clair.
I have the honor to be with respect, your obedient servant, JOHN ARMSTRONG, Capt. Ist Reg't. U. S.
Fort Hamilton, May 9th, 1792. DEAR GENERAL:
The express from St. Clair ar- rived this morning about 7 o'clock-Sergeant. Brooks who brought the dispatches says he saw and was within two rods of an Indian, about half a mile from this post. The savage was endeavoring to shoot a deer, with an arrow, and. on discovering the party gave a yell, which was answered at no great distance by three or four others. A raft on which three or four might [ have crossed the river floated past the fort about 12 o'clock. The horse on which McDonald was
223
sent express on the 23d of April, has returned ]and on their return, are to go forward to St. to the garrison, his rider must therefore have Clair where they will continue, and the party been killed.
There being no noncommissioned officer with those men of Capt. Kersey's company, if there was no impropriety in the request I should wish one to join the command .
JOHN ARMSTRONG. Capt. Commandant.
Gen. J. Wilkinson to Capt. J. Armstrong. Fort Washington, May 11th, 1792.
DEAR SIR :
Your letter of the 8th came to hand in due season, I thank you for the precautions taken for the security of the convoy to St. Clair -- I love a man who thinks, too few do so, and none else should command. All the tools which can be procured here, will be delivered you by Capt. Peters, Imean of those you have required. The balance of Kersey's company one Ser- geant and 3 privates will join you with this es- cort; you may make the exchange proposed for a man at Dunlap's, atation, but must send an or- derly good soldier to take the place of the saw- yer.
Your monthly rations are in future to be reg- ulated by the enclosed form, and they must be delivered at this post, (as practicable) on the 4th of each successive month. The Couriers will in future leave Jefferson on the 1st day of the month, and every twelve or fifteen days af- ter. You may rest satisfied that the command of Fort Hamilton, shall not be changed whilst I have influence in any instance, until some gen- eral movement takea place -- "Let him who wina wear, He who woos enjoy," will, 1 be- lieve be the motto of my colors. Mr. Hartshorn must be here by the 25th to take command of the horse ; Hamilton will be up by the same day I expect. 1 rest much upon the enterprize and perseverance of these young men, I hope they may distinguish themselves. I will furnish you another officer the moment the state of this gar- rison permits.
For the safety of our communications, to save the troops, to assist in guarding the cattle, and for the purpose of scouting and reconnoitring, "I have determined to annex to each of the out posta, two confidential woodamen, to be subject to the orders of the respective commandants, agreeably [to the enclosed article. The whole party are to accompany the convoy out, and on "Capt. Peters' return, Resin Baily and Joseph Shepherd, are in the first instance, to be station- ed with you ; but to proportion the duty of these men fairly, there must be a rotation. The party then which leaves Fort Jefferson, will deliver the dispatches from that post and St. Clair to you, your men are to run with them to this post,
at St. Clair, will carry forward the dispatches to Jefferson, where they will take post, until reman- ded by Maj. Strong, and will proceed in this manner until other regulations may be deemed expedient -- nevertheless on extraordinary occa- sions, extraordinary messengers are to be dis- patched.
You will receive by this escort ten fat Bul- flocks, which are to be killed and issued, be- fore you touch a ration of the bacon, other than what may be necessary to your own mess .--- The grazing of these cattle, and saving the guard harmless, will I know be extremely hazar- dous, but rely on your genius and resource .- The cattle must be penned inside the walls of the garrison every night-should any men de- sert you,; the scouts are to take the track, pursue, overtake, and make prisoners of them, and for every one so apprehended, and brought back, you may engage them twenty dollars. If the deserter is discovered making for the enemy, it will be well for the scout to shoot him and bring his head to you, for which allow forty dollars. One head lopped off in this way and set upon a pole on the parade might do lasting good in the way of deterring others.
Yours respectfully,
J. WILKINSON CAPT. JNO. ARMSTRONG, Ft. Hamilton.
Original Masonic Lodge.
The Nova Caesarea Harmony Lodge of this city still subsisting, was the first Masonic Lodge ever established here. Its charter was received from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, and bore date Sept. 8, 1791. The officers appointed were Dr. William Burnet master, John S. Ludlow Senior Warden, Dr. Calvin Morrell Junior War- den. Owing to the absence of Dr. Burnet the lodge was not organized until Dec. 27th., 1794, when the following officers were elected. Ed- ward Day master, Dr. Calvin Morrell Senior Warden, Gen, John S. Gano Junior Warden.
The following original document makes its appearance for the first time. It seems to have been a part of the proceedings connected with their organization.
The petition of sundry ancient York Masons residing in the Territory north-west of the river Ohio, humbly sheweth-
That your petitioners are extremely desirous to organize themselves into a Lodge of free and associated Masons.
For which purpose they solicit your warrant to be holden in Cincinnati, Hamilton county aforesaid.
'T'hey beg leave to offer Edward Day as Mas- ter, John S. Gano, as Senior Warden, and Cal- vin Morrell, as Junior Warden.
224
Brother Edward Day, one of your petitioners is known to your Right Worshipful Lodge as Junior Warden of No. 35. Joppa, Maryland when it was first established under your jurisdiction, and has since advanced the chair.
Brother John S. Gano will pay for this char- ter on demand, and will receive your communi- cations and instructions.
Brothers Elias Wallen, John Allen and Isaac Guion, are well known to be Past Masters of good repute. You will be pleased to appoint one of them or more to instal the officers or ob- viate this difficulty in any other manner which your wisdom may think meet, and your peti - tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
EDWARD DAY. Elias Wallin. Ezra Fitz Freeman, James Brady, Calvin Morrell, Pat Dickey, John Allen, Ephraim Kibbey, John S. Cano, Nathaniel Stokes, Wm. Stanley.
Cincinnati, March 17th, A. L: 5795.
The Sea-Boy's Farewell.
Wait, wait ye Winds! till I repeal A parting signal to the fleet Whose station is at home; Then waft the sea-boy's simple prayer, And let it oft be whispered there, While in far climes I roam.
Farewell to FATHER ! reverend hulk In spite of metal, spite of bulk, Soon may his cable slip ; Yet while the parting tear is moist, The flag of gratitude I'll hoist, In duty to the ship.
Farewell to MOTHER ! . first-class' she ! Who launched mne on life's stormy sea, And rigged me, fore and aft;
May Providence her timbers spare, And keep her hull in good repair, To tow the smaller craft.
Farewell to Sisrza ! lovely yacht ! Though whether she be manned or not, I cannot now foresee; May some good ship a tender prove, Well found in stores of truth and love, And take her under lee.
Farewell to GEORGE ! the jolly boat ! And all the little craft afloat In home's delightful bay; When they arrive at sailing age, May Wisdom give the weather-gnage, And guide them on their way.
Farewell to all on life's rude main ! Perhaps we ne'er shall meet again, Through stress of stormy weather; But summoned by the board above, We'll harbor in the port of Love, And all be moored together ]
Early Navigaton of Lake Erie.
The first vessel navigation on Lake Erie, un- der the American flag, was the sloop Detroit, purchased by the government of the British North West Company, in 1796. She was about 70 tons burthen, but was old and scarcely sea worthy when purchased, and soon after was con- demned and laid up at the river Rogue. In the same year, '96, a small schooner called the Erie Packet was built in Canada, to run before Fort Erie and Presque Isle. She was lost in '98 by drifting out of the Erie harbor. In 1797, the schooner Wilkinson, of 80 tons, was built at De- troit by Abbott and Conelly, and sailed for two years by Conelly as master. In 1810, she was thoroughly repaired and her name changed to the Amelia; and in 1812 was purchased by the government and armed, and had the honor of be- longing to Commodore Perry's squadron, and of participating in his glorious victory. The Good Intent, of 35 tons, was built by Capt. Lee, in 1799, and navigated the Lake till 1806, when she run on the Point Abino, and was lost, to- gether with her cargo and crew. The same year, '98, the brig Adams and schr. Tracy were built by the government. The former was cap- tured by the British the first year of the war, af- terwards re-taken at Fort Erie and run upon Squaw Island and burnt. The latter was sold to Porter, Barton &. Co., and afterwards lost on the icef near Fort Eric. In 1805, the War De- partment, possessing, as it would seem, no very accurate notion of our localities, directed the commanding officer at Fort Niagara to construct at that post, a vessel of size to transport the Indi- an presents from Niagara to Fort Wayne. The commanding officer anticipating some difficulty in navigating up the Falls, ventured to depart so far from his instructions as to cause the vessel to be built at Black Rock. She was called the Nancy, and was of about 50 tons burthen. The Contractor, a fine vessel of about 80 tons bur- then, was built at Black Rock, in 1806. by Por- ter, Barton & Co., and was sold to the govern- ment in 1812. The Catharine, another fine schooner, was built by Sheldon Thompson and others, at Black Rock, in 180C. Several other vessels were built about this time at different pla- ces on the lake, but our recollection does not serve to give their names.
MARRIED,
ON the 9th inst, by the Rev. A. Lowrey, Mr. JOHN TOWNSEND to Miss CATHARINE S .. daughter of D. C. Cassal.
On Thursday the 10th inst, by the Rev. Dr. Brooke, MCLEAN J. BLAIR to Miss CAROLINE S. WALKER, dangh- ter of W. M. Walker, Esq.
Same day, by Rev. N. L. Rice, Mr. L. P. SHERMAN IO Miss MARY A. GITCHELL.
On Monday the 14th inst, by the Rev. James E. Wil. son, Mr. JAMES ILEF to Miss MARTHA ANN REAGIN.
DEATHS.
ON Saturday, March 29th, Mrs. MARY ANN, consort of John Ewing.
On Thursday morning, 10th inst, MARY ASHTON, daugh ter of Dr. W. I. and Mary E. Madeira. Aged 2 years 10 months.
On Friday The 11th inst, MARY F., daughter of Wm. and Jane E. Meguier, aged 11 months 24 days.
Saine day, ROBERT W. HARBESON, formerly of Free- port, Pa.
On Saturday 12th inst, JOHN WHITAKER, aged 55 years, forinerly of Bradford, Yorkshire, Eng.
225
Annals of the Late War.
Such was the want of preparation on our part for tho war which was declared by the United States against Great Britain in 1812, that by the time it had been waged a twelvemonth, the Gov- ernment found itself destitute alike of funds and credit. The public chest was empty, the Treas- ury notes issued for the exigencies of the times wero obliged to be sold at a ruinous discount, and many of our military and naval operations throughout the whole land, were carried into effect by pledges of individuals who obtained on their own credit, the necessary supplies of provisions and money, when that of the govern- ment was unavailable. The following docu- ments form one chapter on this subjeet.
MAJ . GEN. GANO, Chillicothe, Aug. 5th, 1812.
Sir -- You will immediately march 300 men from your division, under the command of a Major-furnish them with a blan- ket and knapsack, arms and ammunition. Capt. Sutton will march them to Urbana, at which place I hope to see them. Volunteers under the law of Ohio will be preferred. I trust you will use every exertion to cause a compliance with the requisition.
Your ob't. serv't .. R. J. MEIGS. incinnati, Aug. 20th, 1812. R. J. MEIGS,
Sir-Sinco I received your letter of the 5th inst., I have exerted every nerve. night and day to send the arms out to Urbana, and get the detachment from this place on the march. I have had innumerable obstacles to contend with and surmount, we knew nothing of before. There was no paymaster agent here that is Tay- dor's agent, and objections to every thing ; [ then had to set all my wits to work, and friends a few, assisted. I had to get Maj. Barr to join me to put in our note in Bank for $3500, paya- ble in 10 days, which is all we could raise, and the bills on Government will not command the cash here, there are so many drawn they cannot be accommodated -- I have sent to Urbana to Judge Reynolds, (you did not direet who) 500 stand of arms and 400 cartridge boxes, and belts as I could get. I have also sent ammunition, which yon did not direct, and have sent camp kettles, &c. &c. The bills sent to Judge Rey- nolds to be delivered on your order. I have six as good companies as I have seen in the State -- four have marched from hore yesterday to join two others at Lebanon, where they will elect their Major. I found it impossible to attend to your request in meeting you and organize this detachment. I have appointed a Reg't. Quar- termaster -- he is very capable and very atten- tive, and the United States Assistant Deputy
Quarter Master approves-and he is the princi- pal assistance I have had, for I have dono all without an Aid de camp, you may therefore judge of my situation -- since the rendezvous here my house has been almost liko a barracks, -Having no particular order on the Assistant Deputy Quarter Master, Lt. Bryson, or the eon- tractor for supplies for this detachment, I have taken the responsibility on myself, but have not drawn (for it could not be had,) what was actu- ally necessary. You will please, if it meets your approbation, to sanction what I have done for those troops, and give an authority for the Dep- uty paymaster or his agent to pay the troops the advance the law allows, and refund the mon- ey I have advanced to the troops, that it may be returned to the Bank. The detachment is as follows: Capt. Jenkinson with his company of artillery, fitted completely with muskets,&c. &c. Lebanon light infantry, in exactly the same uniform, as Mansfield's company-four compa- nies of riflemen completely equipt, one compa- ny one hundred strong, all can instantly fix bay- onets to their rifles, the others, every man a tom- ahawk and knife-the whole are volunteers, ex- cept the light infantry of Lebanon. . They have not yet received any advanco for I could not draw sufficient ; I have had complete muster pay and receipt rolls made out and signed as far as we have gone. We advanced one month's pay to the officers, and ten dollars to each man which has taken a larger sum than we received from Bank, to wit: $3500-Captain Torrence and Carr drew the money and paid the men under the direction and assistance of Captain Adams of the fourth regiment. whom I got to assist, that it should be regular and pass. The Ken- tucky troops begin to arrive at Newport -- I think it will be several days before they leave this; I wish our detachment to be ahead of them, there- fore marched them for Lebanon yesterday. If it was not for the obstaele of the pay being wan- ting, they might proceed on in advance as fast as possible ; I am very anxious to push them on, and have been from the first, for I am convin- ced they are wanting, and a better set of Mili- tia, and a more orderly, I never sawc collected, and I believe will fight. I sent more' ammuni- tion to Urbana than I contemplated for that num- ber of muskets. The rifle powder sent by mis- take, which can be rectified when they get to Urbana -- I expect to be there by the middle of next week, and if you have not left Piqua, I shall endeavor to see you before my return. The bear- er will receive your answer, and any eommuni- cation you may think proper to make. From accounts, McArthuris gathering laurels. God send them success.
Yours with sentiments of respect and esteem, JOUN S. GANQ.
226
Sent this by Capt. Cox, express of Clinton Co., to whom I paid cash $3, and he is to meet me at Lebanon .
Cincinnati, Aug. 14th, 1812.
The Governor of the State of Ohio has given orders to Gen. Gano to have 300 men, properly officered, from his division, to convene in the shortest time possible, and have them march to Detroit to join Gen. Hull's army and escort pro- vision &c. for the army. And the paymaster's agent being absent, and the men very anxious to receive their pay to provide themselves ne- cessaries, the paymaster and receipt rolls are ready and will be sufficient vouchers for the payment. If the Miami Exporting Company or any persons will advance the pay we will joint- ly and severally hold ourselves bound for the amount. There will be 350 men from the 1st division in this detachment, the advance pay as to the amount per month is stated in our adver- tisement in the papers.
JOHN S. GANO, Commander 1st Div'n. O. Militia. WM. BARR,
To the President and Directors of the Miami Ex- porting Company Bank, Cincinnati. $3,500.
Ten days after date we or either of us promise to deliver to the President and Directors of the Miami Exporting Company, James Tay- lor's check on the Cashier of the said company, for three thousand five hundred dollars, or on failure of delivering the said check as stipulated therein, we or either of us promise to pay, at the expiration of the term aforesaid, to the Presi- dent and Directors aforesaid at their office in Cincinnati three thousand five hundred dollars, value received.
The Pittsburgh Fire.
This is the severest calamity in this line, that has ever visited the United States. In the great New York fire of 1835, probably merchandise to as great value was consumed, but the number of dwellings and the amount of personal proper- ty in that case was far short of what was invol- ved in this wide spread devastation.
Some idea may be formed by our citizens of the extent of the city which suffered, as well as the region in which it took place, by taking all that space which would be marked out by fol- lowing Walnut street in Cincinnati to Third, along Third both sides to Main, along Main to Fourth, Fourth to Sycamore, Sycamore to Fifth, Fifth to Deer creek, and then following a line more than half a mile east, and including all that lies between these bounds and the river .-- This gives an accurate idea, not only of the space and region, but of the business character of the ' and taking my rifle down, started out after the burnt district.
In view of the fact that such extensive con- flagrations as those at New York in 1835, and Pittsburgh now, leave the sufferers unprotected. by the insurances made at home, it becomes matter of serious consideration for the commu- nity, whether insurance from fire should not al- ways be effected at other cities than those in which the property lies.
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.